"The trust is blind, but the ones who do aren't."
Sonny, Mr. Massino, Mr. Coppola, Mr. Demmola, and Calel were gathered in the opulent living room of Massino Palace, a space adorned with gilded furniture and rich, velvet drapery that whispered tales of wealth and power. The air was tense as Mr. Massino, sitting at the head of an intricately carved mahogany table, spoke with a gravity that submerged the room in stillness. "I understand that I can't deny VPS, nor can I prevent my son from traveling to India," he said, his voice unwavering. "However, before he departs, I must speak with VPS directly. I need to grasp the urgency behind his summons of Sonny. I must ensure that my son will not be stepping into any grave danger in that foreign land."
Mr. Coppola, his expression solemn like a storm cloud, interjected, "Unfortunately, that's not a viable option, Mr. Massino. VPS has cut off most of his connections with his allies. I spoke with Mr. Shinzo last night; he informed me that VPS spent some time in Japan before heading to India, but since then, he has become unreachable. Our only means of contact is when he chooses to reach out." Frustration simmered in Mr. Massino's chest as he absorbed this information, yet he maintained a veneer of calm. "I am the most powerful man in Italy, surrounded by thousands who serve me loyally. And yet, here I am, at the mercy of a man who refuses even the courtesy of a conversation. Mr. Coppola, how do you suppose this will reflect on my reputation?"
Mr. Coppola's brow furrowed deeper, a shadow of unease flickering across his features. "I'm afraid I cannot offer you a comforting answer."
With a resigned sigh, Mr. Massino leaned back in his chair, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "Since I cannot deny VPS nor speak with him, the only course left is to send someone with Sonny to India as a bodyguard," he declared, his tone brooking no dissent.
Calel, seated across the table, shook his head slowly, concern etched on his face. "I don't believe that would be wise, Mr. Massino. VPS has made it crystal clear that Sonny is to travel alone. No one is to accompany him."
Anger flashed in Mr. Massino's eyes as he leaned forward, his voice rising. "I am not defying VPS! I am sending my only son into a foreign country without a second thought, and therefore I reserve the right to exercise my power. I will send someone as Sonny's bodyguard, and that is final." The tension in the room thickened, and with shared glances, all present sighed, each acutely aware of the storm brewing between a father's desires and a shadowy figure's commands.
Mr. Calel and Mr. Coppola were sitting in Mr. Coppola's study room. Many books on the shelves displayed Mr. Coppola's intellectual nature quite vividly. Before, allying with the bad people, Mr. Coppola worked as a history professor at Cambridge University for fifteen years. His journey from a professor to a mediator of VPS was a very interesting story that many find quite unusual. Mr. Calel lit his cigarette and said with a fine line of tension on his pale face, "Massino should consider his decision of sending a bodyguard with Sonny again. VPS is a short-tempered man and after the killing of a mediator of the High Table, his dread has increased even more. I am afraid it will bring sourness to this sweet relationship." Mr. Coppola smiled lightly, "He is not a mad person who will kill someone just because they have not followed his orders seriously. Leniency is his core quality." Mr. Calel said, still not convinced by his friend's words, "Tell me honestly, Coppola. Is VPS not in your contact? I mean to say, you are his closest confidante." Mr. Coppola smiled, "Yes. Why would I even lie? I am much more eager to make them talk with each other rather than keeping a distance between them. VPS is a little eccentric in matters of security. He doesn't like to admit it, but he gets scared easily. I mean it is natural. He was born into a well-educated family who taught him good manners and qualities.
His adamant desire to be on the top of the Underworld is more of a survival instinct than greed. He went to India because he was afraid after killing the mediator and when Mr. Shinzo also refused to shelter him, he had to go to India. But, he called Sonny to India because he wants to keep him safe till the day of the marriage." Mr. Calel asked, "Why?" Mr. Coppola smiled, "He is smarter than most of us. He knows that the Valentina Family are not good people. Even though Mr. Massino dominates most of Italy, Valentina Family has many secret allies outside of Italy and you will shocked to know that Annabelle has already betrothed to three families. The Germans, the Russians, and Rico's son, Alejandro Martinez. But, when VPS insisted on marriage with the Massino Family, they readily agreed and severed all the promises made to the former families. That's why VPS called Sonny as soon as the engagement happened." Mr. Calel asked, "The engagement happened? When?" Mr. Coppola smiled, "Don't ask. Children nowadays are too fast for us old men to follow." Mr. Calel chuckled. Mr. Coppola rose and said, "Don't worry, Calel. We are too superior to worry about these small misfits between people." They walked outside the room.
Andrich was standing near the shores of Zaandvort Beach, waiting for Luis. His impatience was increasing with every second and he already finished thirteen cigarettes. He looked at the horizon and saw a yacht coming towards the shore. He waited and soon the yacht reached the shore. A man came on the deck and said, "Boss is calling you inside." Andrich grasped his bag tightly and boarded the yacht. He descended downstairs and saw two Colombian girls massaging a tall, dark-skinned man in his early thirties. Andrich smiled, "Welcome to the Netherlands, Mr. Luis Martinez. I hope you have not got any trouble reaching here." The man opened his eyes and looked at him. He smiled, "Not all. Mr. Andrich. In fact, I enjoy these sea trips. Brother always keeps me busy with trivial stuff which can easily be done by servants or minions. But, when he said I had to take a long voyage and reach the Netherlands to pick up a package for him, I was thrilled to do so and agreed instantly. I should thank you for giving me this opportunity." Andrich smiled, "The pleasure's all mine."
Luis looked at the bag and asked, "Is it all?" Andrich said firmly, "Yes. This time due to some internal problems, I couldn't produce the usual amount but don't worry, the quality of the product is not compromised." Luis smiled, "I trust you, Mr. Andrich. But, what can I say? Rules are rules. We both are quite aware of my brother's anger and therefore I don't have to say further what will happen when I take this minimal amount of product to him. The way I see it, we don't have any second choice but to punish you for your lie." Two men caught Andrich tightly and Luis walked toward him and said, "In our line of business, lies are like venom. The more it spreads, the more harmful it gets. But, you still dared to lie, and that too to my brother who apparently hates liars. I don't like what is going to happen next, but you encouraged me to do so." He took out a pair of pliers and severed his index finger. Andrich screamed in pain and said, "Please, let me go. I didn't lie. I just wanted to sell my product. VPS has informed many officials about this drug deal and therefore, I could produce the promised amount. But, I still came here knowing that you would do something like this. Don't I deserve some leniency for that?" Luis laughed, "Leniency? You are lucky that my elder brother is not here. That is your leniency. I will accept the product and your severed finger will be compensation for the missing amount of product. You have five weeks to deliver the remaining amount of product or else next time my brother will pay you a visit." Luis took out a bag full of money and said, "I convinced my brother to pay you after the delivery. I don't have unnecessary time to check and then come again with the money. here take it and get lost."
The two men threw him outside on the shore and soon the yacht disappeared behind the horizon. Two men approached Andrich and picked up the bag of money. One of the men placed a phone in front of Andrich and on the other hand was VPS. Vikram looked at him panting in pain and smiled, "Nafisa is an idiot to support you. You are useless. I commanded you to stay away from drugs and you defied my command and tried to do business with my arch nemesis. Oh, poor boy! You don't even know what a grave mistake you have made." Andrich said weakly, "Kill me if you want, VPS. But, please leave my family. They are innocent. They don't deserve to suffer because of my mistakes." VPS sighed, "Too late. I have already killed them. I don't like being merciful to the people who don't heed my words. But, don't worry. I am going to send you to them soon." He disconnected the call. Andrich looked at the two men and pleaded, "Keep the money if you want. But, please don't kill me." One of the men smiled, "You are really an idiot, Andrich. This money is already ours. But, VPS has paid us more money to kill you and blame it all on Rico Martinez." The two men were about to shoot Andrich dead, two bullets killed the two men and they fell on the ground. Andrich looked at them and then raised his head and saw a man walking towards him. He pulled him up and handcuffed him. Andrich asked, bewildered, "Who are you?" The man smiled, "Sir Lorenzo from U.C.I.D. We have a lot of questions for you regarding your enemy, VPS." Sir Lorenzo pushed him inside the back of a van and soon went towards the airport.
Sonny and Mr. Massino was standing near their private jet. Mr. Coppola and Mr. Calel was present too. Mr. Massino hugged his son and said, "Take care, Sonny. Eat regularly, take some rest and don't wagger around VPS too much. He is not a reliable person. Protest whenever you feel right." Sonny smiled, "I will take care." Mr. Coppola said in a timid tone, "When you reach India and meet VPS, please call me. I have some important talks with him." Mr. Massino looked at him angrily but Mr. Coppola continued, "Listen to him carefully. He doesn't like repeating his words and if you ever feel uncomfortable with the cuisine, feel free to tell him. He will change it according to your comfort. If VPS wants to go somewhere without you, don't let him go and tell him to keep his gun with him all the time but abstain from using it without reason. I have talked with Annabelle and Mr. Valentina. They said that whenever you return home, the marriage will happen following the engagement ceremony. Goodbye and take care, Sonny." Sonny hugged him and said, "I will keep your words in my mind." Mr. Calel took out some cash and said, "They belong to VPS. Give it to him when you meet him. He once lent me some money and now I am returning him. Tell him that I am eagerly waiting for his response regarding Rico Martinez. If he wants to initiate the attack, ammunition is ready." Mr. Massino said angrily, "You two are treating my son as some fucking courier boy. Let him go." Mr. Calel hugged Sonny and soon Sonny boarded the jet and the jet took off. Mr. Massino looked at the aircraft becoming a dot in the sky. Mr. Coppola asked, "You didn't send the bodyguard, Mr. Massino?" Mr. Massino sighed, "It was not easy to do that. But, I had to. I don't want VPS to be furious with my poor son." Mr. Calel said grimly, "I can arrange a secret bodyguard for Sonny if you want." Mr. Massino went inside his car and said, "No need. I don't trust VPS much but I have enough faith in him that he won't let my son get hurt." He pulled the windshield up and drove away....