The Mafia's Heir

4th July, 2021.

BIANCA'S POV

With my hand on my still flat tummy, I thought for long how the past months had turned out for me. Nerve wrecking. I told myself I was doing the best by disappearing. Yes, disappearing! That was literally what I had done. I just disappeared like a puff of smoke. I hated the fact that I had to leave my boss and my job, which I loved so much. But then, at this point, there wasn't a better option left for me. If I didn't leave, then it would just be a big mess. How was I supposed to tell a man that was stuck on an impromptu vacation with me, due to simple mistake his men had made, by kidnapping me instead of his potential bride..... How was I supposed to tell that man that our few tumbles in bed had resulted to this?

I was pregnant for him and was so scared to let even my own parents know. God! My father was gonna skin me alive if he got to know about this. That was why I had to take the drastic actions I took once I found myself in that deep hole of shit. I resigned my job immediately because I definitely couldn't be working around as Alexander Russo's P.A, heavily pregnant with his cousin's child. Now that seemed like a very wrong idea to me. Neither could I stay back at my father's house. How was I going to explain my protruding stomach in the next months to come? 'Oh Dad, I guess I had too much salad during dinner today.'? Definitely not.

That is the reason why I had rented an apartment and moved out. As expected, moving out of my parent's house unprovoked, was quite a hassle because they tried to understand why I was leaving. No matter the number of times I yelled at the top of my lungs, telling them I was grown and no longer a child, therefore needed my own space and privacy, it sounded like I hadn't given a reasonable explanation yet. So I had to do what I did. I ran away from home. Literally. So far, trying to have a sensible conversation with them, and having them understand the fact that I'm grown enough to be on my own, wasn't working. I had to run off the next day when they were both away.

I stood from my bed and walked about in my very tiny room of a home. I had very little savings from working with Alexander for only a few months, so this was all I could manage to get for a house. I had to make do with the little I had, life was gonna be tough from here on. I definitely didn't plan on just hiding away in the small room apartment of mine, doing nothing until my baby was born. I had plans of getting a new job and working very hard. I had to save up enough money for when my baby was finally born. It had to be well provided for. I still couldn't believe I had to run away from my excellent job which took me a lot of time and preparation to bag. Another creature was in the picture now, and I found myself doing things I would never do on a normal day. Like for real! Who just ups and leaves a comfortable life with their parents, without a well drawn out plan for the future?

Just before my leg could hit the foot of my bed for the hundredth time, my phone rang out loudly, catching my attention and making me halt my steps. I looked to the middle of my bed where the phone laid, ringing out so loudly. A better look at the phone screen and I sighed when I saw who it was on the caller's ID. I missed her. I fell back on the bed and picked up the phone, quickly swiping up the answer button. Even God knew how much I wanted to talk to her. My entire head was so full that I couldn't really process a thing without panicking. I needed her help.

"Heyyyy Bibi!" Her excited voice rang out from the other end of the phone.

"Hey!" I replied, sounding more like a hen forced to dip itself in a jacuzzi. What did that even mean?

"Okayyyyyy...." Mila dragged, definitely noticing my mood. "I'm sorry, but you sound extremely horrible to me. Is all well?"

"Yeah." I lied, not knowing why I did. I thought I agreed to ask Mila for some help and advice? What the hell was I doing now?

"You know, Amara could lie to me and I'll swallow it hook, line, and sinker. But then, not you. What's really happening? We haven't talked since after the wedding, and I felt you had a whole lot to let me know. I had been so self absorbed during my wedding, that I failed to utilize the opportunity of having you with me physically. What's really happening Bibi?"

"Why do you sound like there is a problem?" I muttered.

"Because young lady, there is!" She yelled, sounding slightly frustrated. Wait a minute.... there was most definitely something she wasn't saying to me.

"You know, you can spit it out already. What do you want to say?"

"Well, what I want to say is that I'm confused! Extremely confused. Uncle Lucas has called earlier today." Now she was talking. I knew there was a lot more. "Bianca, did you really leave home?"

"Oh yes, I did." I replied.

"Oh yes, you did?" She asked in disbelief.

"Bianca, you need to go back home. It's been a whole week and your parents are awfully worried about you." Okay, let's ignore the fact that I've only lived alone for just a week, and my head was already so full and messed up.

"First of all, I take serious offense to how you refer to me. I am not a child, Mila." I pointed out.

"Pheewww!" She sighed. "True. I'm sorry. But then, I'm worried for you as well. You have never been the type to do things so spontaneously, you always have a plan. I was shocked to hear that you just up and left the house, after only telling uncle and aunt of your plans to the leave the day before. Bianca, the best you would have done was let them know your location after leaving, at the very least. I can imagine uncle Lucas and aunt Greta, both returning home to find yourself and your things gone. Did you think of the implications of your actions?! Your parents are hypersensitive for crying out loud! You're offended by how I addressed you but honestly, I've known you to be smarter. Only a teenager would act this way."

"Well, I'm no better than a teenager then. So you can as well hang up this call." I said apathetically, feeling quite insulted and disappointed.

I had really high hopes of talking to Mila, and letting her know what was going on. Somehow, she always had a solution to everything. If I was being honest with myself, she was right about me acting so spontaneously. That had never been my style. I was more of a 'sit down with mom and dad, and talk things out' kind of person. But then, the slightest idea of how my father was gonna react at learning I was pregnant, just made me scamper away in fear. I wasn't even thinking. Now, I was in a literal fix. Yes! I knew I didn't have so much to survive on, as I had paid quite a fortune for this cubicle I was living in. If only landed properties weren't so expensive on this side of Italy. I was slowly growing frustrated and I knew it was not good for my baby. Talking about my baby, I knew it was very important to do the routine hospital checks and all. How was I going to manage with the little money I had? So far, finding a job after walking out on my previous one hadn't been as easy as I thought. I was really acting without thinking and honestly, only a teenager would do that.

"Mila." I muttered, feeling shitty.

"Love." She sighed on the other end of the line. "It's okay to feel this way, especially when it seems like no one knows the actual story. I may have judged wrongly and spoken out of turn. For that, I'm sorry." She apologized, making me go soft immediately. I could feel the tears clouding my eyes. "I'm also sorry for not approaching you as my favourite cousin, but instead, as uncle and aunt's mouth piece. Now tell me my love, what's going on with you?"

At her question, I found it difficult to hold back a strand of tear that fell down my cheek. I cleaned it off with the back of my palm immediately. Suddenly feeling energized to tell Mila everything that had been going on, I inhaled deeply and exhaled. Mila was one person that I knew would understand me. Just like myself, she had once fallen pregnant.

"Mila, I..." I was still talking when the door of my apartment came flying across me. The manner in which it luckily escaped my face, had me holding my breath in shock. What the fuck?! How could my door just go.....? I paused in my train of thoughts as I saw the three men in suit all walk in. My heart pounded so loudly in my ribcage. As I feared, my most dreaded thoughts were playing out.

"My goodness! What was that sound? Bibi! Bibi, are you safe?" Came Mila's panicked voice from the other end of the line. One of the men in suit looked at the phone, slightly irritated, but then, he chose to ignore it. Just then, the man I was trying so hard to hide from, came walking in through the door his men had just destroyed.

"Bianca." He muttered, looking every bit stoic. Why was he even here in the first place? Had he finally realized I was better for him than his Francesca? My head was always out of the game though, because if it was, I would have reminded myself that he didn't look like he had come to lay at my feet and beg to have me back in his life. Moreover, he had stayed for 3 months without hearing from, or seeing me. What exactly could he be here for?

"Manuel." I replied. "What do you want?" At my question, he gave a psychotic laugh before putting on his composure once more.

"What I want?" He asked, fondling his goatee, deep in thoughts.

"If you came breaking into my house just to stroke your beards, then you might as well leave." I said, not daring to look at him in the face.

"Biancaaa..." He drawled. He sounded like he was warning me, and I only braced myself for whatever he had to say. I honestly had no idea as to why I was disturbed. I definitely hadn't told anyone I was pregnant. Mila would have been the first but then, he had interrupted our conversation with this animalistic behaviour of his. Frankly, I should have been more bothered about fixing my broken door, than whatever he had come here to say.

Maybe I was this troubled because I knew the almighty Manuel Russo wasn't going to drive all the way to my apartment, breaking down my door just to say a few petty things and leave. Far from it.

"Bianca, bold of you to think you could just disappear with my child in your belly!!" He growled, making me shake in my spot. Now, I could understand Manuel literally had his way around everything. He had easily found out where I stayed, even when I hadn't disclosed my location to anyone. But how the fuck did he know that the growing child inside me was his? How did he even know I was pregnant? This was top tier creepy.

April 2019

BIANCA'S POV

I zipped up the back of my dress and took a three sixty turn in front of the mirror. I smiled satisfactorily at my reflection on the mirror. It was Amara's day, but very funny how I was more concerned about my appearance.

"You already look perfect, Bianca!" Mom shook her head in disbelief, as she walked into our room. "Get busy with assisting your sister." She ordered, and I nodded. Amara chuckled from the other side of the room and I gave a sheepish smile. She waited for mom to be out, before teasing me.

"I thought it was just my convocation. Do you have a date?"

"Really? Amara really?"

"What?!" She threw her hands up in the air, and I gave her an 'are you serious?' look. "Who knows? you may have invited Kylie..."

"Kyle!" I corrected. "His name is Kyle. And no, I didn't invite him. He wouldn't even come if I did." I muttered the last part, feeling quite shitty.

"Oh, don't say that now." She shook her head in disapproval and fully turned her attention towards me. "I'm sorry for teasing you with such a sensitive topic."

"Kyle is far from being a sensitive topic." I countered stubbornly.

"Yes! You're right. Someone like him shouldn't even be classified as that. But then, he hurt you and I shouldn't make jokes about him. I'm sorry." She pouted, giving me that puppy dog eye.

"He didn't hurt me. He only told me he was way above my league, and if we are being quite honest, he never lied." I muttered sadly. In as much as I wanted to act neutral about it all, I had actually been hurt by Kyle. He was the first guy I had ever liked as much as letting him know that I did. Being humiliated in the presence of other students had never been part of the plan. Kyle came from a really rich family, but he was so full of himself and always rude. Most times, I wondered why I fell for someone like him. It was no suprise that I did though. He was the school's biggest kid and literally every girl wanted him. I remember how he laughed along with other students, after announcing that I was way out of his league. This had happened after I confessed my feelings to him. I had privately spoken to him about it, so seeing him tell everyone about it made me feel so bad. Unshed tears welled up in my eyes and it took great strength to not let it fall. Fortunately, I had been able to will my legs to walk, and made my way out of my place of mockery. What was I even thinking? Mama had always asked me to leave boys and focus on my books instead. At school I had always been a loner, so I literally had no one to console me and tell me that It was all going to be fine. It was my final year in high school, and Amara was already in college. I had saved up my tears and pain for when Amara returned from lectures that day. While narrating all that happened, I cried so hard.

Amara had consoled me and reminded me that it was already my last days in high school. Soon, I would be in college and all the high school drama would be left behind. I had nodded in agreement, feeling quite better. If only I knew that Kyle was going to the same college as myself, I wouldn't have felt such peace. Presently, It was just the second semester of my first year in college, but I had changed directions, hid behind flowers, and literally ran a long distance a thousand times, just to avoid bumping into him. I very well knew that I should have gotten over the embarrassment he caused me, but that was going to take a whole lot of time. So far, I had just one dream. To work so hard that a man would never have the opportunity to tell me I was way out of his league. Don't get me wrong, I have never been ashamed of my roots. Even though my parents weren't the wealthiest, they ensured we were very comfortable and never lacked the basic things. My parents had bore just Amara and myself, so fending for us was so difficult. My family was a lovely one, and it was something I was always going to be proud of. But then, I had dreams to do better than my parents did.

I had dreams to achieve a lot of goals that my parents were probably not able to achieve. I wanted to make a name. I wanted to build a long standing legacy for my children and generations to come. I wanted a very great empire, and I was gonna get it. I wasn't sure how I would go about it, but I definitely knew I had to work hard. The first step was graduating with an awesome degree from college. I was on it already.

"Could you help me braid my ponytail?" Amara asked, patting me out of my thoughts.

"Yes. Sure." I gave a small smile and went ahead to do my business on her hair.

"Hpheew!" She exhaled, looking at the mirror before her, as I worked on her hair. "If only I had as much hair as you do?" She said dreamily, making me scoff.

"Everyone knows that my hair is the least bit desirable. Excessively full and can never be tamed. The color is rather appalling." I frowned, looking at my weird hair color in the mirror. It wasn't the first time I had the thought of mutated genes whenever I looked at myself. My mother had this really beautiful shade of brown hair. My father had black hair, which Amara took after. So where exactly was my burgundish~burnt orangey hair color coming from? It seemed like a mixture of orange, red, brown and... not nice.

"I know what's in your mind right now." Amara eyed me. "It's normal for children to have hair colours that are a few shades different from their parent's. Your hair color is just a few shades lighter than mom's." She shrugged.

"But I don't like it."

"But it's beautiful." She maintained, trying to make me understand what I just couldn't. "I have really never seen someone else with a hair as beautiful as yours." Her eyes lit up in sincere awe, and I wondered what it took for me to see things like the way the rest of my family did. To me, I just looked like a cheap doll.

"Stop now."

"You know..." She started. "The problem with you is that you do not embrace your uniqueness. You have talked so much about how you want to achieve a lot of things and build a great empire for your future family. For someone with such lofty dreams, your mentality is not cool." She lectured. "You do not appreciate your uniqueness. Look at yourself." She ordered, and I did. "How many girls have you come across with this exact same hair color as yours?" I didn't want to enter a long debate with her because I had come across quite a number, so I just remained quiet. "Your silence says it all. You are beautiful my sweet little sister. Embrace it!"

"You know, you should refrain from having these kinds of arguments with your sister." We turned back to see my mom standing by the door, looking unimpressed.

"I wonder what her obsession with her hair color is. Moreover, there's more to life than the color of one's hair. It pains me when you waste your time trying to convince Bianca that her hair is beautiful. She'd probably stop bothering about her hair color when her papa sends me packing out of his house, under the allegations of infidelity." Mama had laughed, but her words had gotten to me more than she imagined. All she had said was the truth. I had to stop worrying over this. It never did nothing for me by the way. "Enough of this talk. Amara, you definitely do not want to be late. Everyone is ready and waiting for you." Mama grinned and I had an idea why. "Carlos is here as well." She added. I thought as much. I watched as Amara blushed a bright pink and looked down shyly. Her fiance had come all the way from Florence just to be with her today. That was really sweet.

"When did he get here?" She asked.

"Over an hour ago."

"And you didn't say anything?" She said disapprovingly, making mama sigh tiredly.

"Calm down. You were not yet dressed at the time." I reasoned. "Moreover, he isn't running away. He'd spend the entire day with you." I smiled.

I was happy that my sister could finally love the man she wanted so freely. My sister's love story was a very interesting one, but let's save it for another day. Right now, it was time to go to the convocation arena.

"Can we get going now?" She asked impatiently. In a way, I knew sixty percent of her reasons for suddenly being hasty was to see Carlos.

"Of course. We have nothing more to wait for." Mama concurred with a knowing smile. "Let's go!" She waved for us to follow her and we did in a straight file. "Bianca, I don't want to catch sight of a scarf or hat on your hair. Let that hair breathe!" I saw that coming. Feeling unauthorized to cover my hair like I would have loved, I begrudgingly followed behind. Halfway through, I realized I had forgotten my lip balm behind and quickly hurried back inside to get it. I always found it difficult to be out without it. I hated chapped lips. Like I literally couldn't stand it! I took my lip balm and rushed to meet up with my mom and sister. Getting to the living room, I saw everyone completely dressed and ready to leave. All except my cousin; Mila.

"Mila?" I called and she turned to look at me with a small smile gracing her features. "Why are you still in your casual clothes? It's already time."

"Sweetie, your cousin wouldn't be attending the convocation ceremony along with you guys."

"Along with 'we guys'? I assume you wouldn't be coming as well."

"Of course. Someone needs to stay back with zucherro." That was what mama called my cousin.

"But why is she even staying back? Mila looks strong enough to me." I pouted, not wanting to go without Mila.

"She insisted on making dishes for the celebration today." Mama muttered, looking slightly annoyed. "I do not know why she is so hellbent on doing such strenuous work in her condition."

"Aunt..." Mila gave a side smile. "It's Amara's big day and this is the best I can do for her." If I was being honest, everyone knew Mila was extremely gifted when it came to cooking. My mouth already watered as I imagined the kind of dishes she was gonna make today. But then, she was heavily pregnant and wasn't supposed to be stressing this much.

"But I wasn't complaining." Amara sighed.

"Neither am I. Think of it as a prenatal excercise." Mila grinned mischievously. "Enjoy your day guys." She said, automatically dismissing us, to the dismay of my parents, and walking away.

"She just always has her way." My papa grumbled.

"I heard you loud and clear, uncle." Mila yelled as she walked away.

"I said nothing!" Papa denied, looking at mom and chuckling in guilt. "Please take care of her my love." He looked down at mama and bent to give her a chaste kiss on the lip. Whenever I looked at my parents, I wished I could recreate what they shared, with a special someone out there.

"Of course, Tesoro." She nodded. "Alright, you all should get going already." Mama said, already tired of seeing us waste more time. At this rate, Amara was gonna be late for her thing. Carlos." She called. "Drive safely."

"Who said he was driving?" Papa queried with a boyish scowl.

"I said so." Mama replied with her hands akimbo, giving him no room for arguments.

He turned and walked to the door, grumbling words that sounded like 'she's now quick to pick him over me.' I looked at Carlos and Bianca to see them giggling between themselves. It was always that way when your papa was begrudgingly giving you in marriage because he no longer had the liberty of making decisions for you. Amara and Carlos had fought tooth and nail to be together. It's so amusing how we all are here together, happy, when Carlos had almost lost his life trying to propose to Amara only 3 months ago. That was one funny, but scary incident. I waved at my mama and joined the rest of my family out of the house. The ride to the convocation arena was a sadly short one. I always loved to stay in moving vehicles as long as possible. I didn't know why though, but it had been a habit ever since I could comprehend things. Feeling unsatisfied with our trip, I stepped out of the car together with my family, and proceeded into the large hall. The entire space was so full. Navy blue hats of the convocating students designed the entire hall.

"Come on, sweetie!" Papa called out to Amara, handing over her robe, which she quickly collected and wore over her dress.

I watched in happiness as he went ahead to put her hat on her head. Papa looked so proud of Amara and I only hoped to see that kind of pride in his eyes when it was my big day as well. My papa had always shown us love as his children, but it was no news that Amara was his favourite. That was also the reason why he found it difficult letting Amara get married so soon. I heaved a sigh as I promised myself to make him twice as proud. He finished arranging the hat on her head and asked her to run along. Her mates were already seated at the front row, waiting for the event to begin.

"Come on Bibi." Papa took my hand in his and led us to another row with empty seats, with Carlos following behind us. We got settled and after some minutes, one of the invited personalities stepped onto the podium.

"Beautiful!" The middle aged woman said with an equally beautiful smile on her face. "You all look magnificent." She complimented and the convocating students all cheered in return. "Today is a very wonderful day for you all, and for that, we are immensely grateful to God. I welcome all our parents and guests to this ceremony with a glad heart. As you all already know, I am Bernice Fernandez; the Dean over student's affairs of this great institution."

"Wohooo!!" Some students cheered on as the rest clapped. "I would be calling a very renowned...." The rest of her speech went on deaf ears as I went into a world of my own. Mila would have enjoyed this event, had she tagged along with us. Maybe if she was here to witness this event in person, she would be more encouraged to stay back in Italy for college. If I was being honest with myself, I missed my cousin already. She was still here with us, but the thought that she was gonna be leaving any time soon didn't sit well with me or any member of my family. She had just arrived to Italy seven months ago, and I was already tied to her by the waist. I tried to spend as much time as I could with Mila because I didn't have an idea as to when she was gonna leave us. Maybe she was gonna leave after she had her baby. Moreover, she missed her fiance so much, and would run back to him once she was sure that the coast was clear. Feeling the sudden urge to use the restroom, I excused myself and walked out of the hall. I came across a jovial looking usher and asked for directions to the restroom. Just like I had imagined, he was quite jovial.

"You're so pretty!" He grinned, making me chuckle.

"Thank you."

"Yeah." He eyed my hair, a more focused gaze on it. Immediately, I felt very uncomfortable because I had an idea what came next. My high school mates had always called me a freak. My hair color wasn't pleasant to the eyes, and I always wondered why my family ever bothered with trying to make me believe it was beautiful. I had always known myself to be quite pretty and pleasant to the eyes, but a less dramatic hair color would have made me look better. "Nice dye." He grinned, making me look up at him in confusion.

"Sorry?" I muttered.

"Your hair. It's a beautiful choice of color."

"It's.... it's beautiful?" I asked in suprise. This was the first time someone apart from my family and kind church members had ever complimented my hair. Genuinely.

"Yes. It's.... rare?" He looked at me, slightly unsure. "Is that the right word?"

"I don't know." I shrugged lazily with an unbelievable smile on my face. Maybe being complimented by people who didn't feel like it was an obligation to make me feel better about myself hit different.

"It's because I've come across quite a number of people with this hair color. But the shade of yours is just.... it's mesmerizing. Unique. Where did you get it done? Could suggest something like this for my girlfriend." His grin widened, and so did my smile.

"Ohhh." I muttered.

"Yeahhhh." He nodded. "It seems like you aren't so pressed after all."

"I was, until a few seconds ago." I gave a small smile. "It's my natural hair color by the way. Adios." I waved and walked towards the direction of the restroom. After relieving myself, I looked at myself in the mirror and felt a small but happy smile creep upon my face. I might reduce how much I wore scarfs and caps afterall. MIGHT! I giggled at how silly I was being and ran back to the hall. On my way there, I cane across a certain someone, but couldn't seem to avoid him this time.

"Hey freak!"

"I'm not a freak." I muttered as he finally came face to face with me.

"What did you say?" He scowled, making my heart pound in my chest. Swallowing hard, I looked into his eyes and repeated.

"I said I'm not a fucking freak!" I yelled in pent up anger. "Don't you ever call me that again. I am unique, nothing less." His eyes widened in what looked like shock, but I didn't wait for him to say any other word, before pushing past his shoulder and walking away. What was he even doing here by the way? This was my sister's college, not ours. Did he also have a sibling or family member who was convocating here as well? That could honestly be the least my problems because for the first time, I stood up to him. It may not have been so great, but it was something to me. For a moment, I cared more about letting someone know that I wasn't ashamed of my look. Or was beginning to not be ashamed, at the very least. With a low sigh, I walked back into the hall and made my way to where I had been sitting beside my papa.

"What took you so long?" he whispered.

"Soryy." I muttered, making him release a sigh. We remained attentive as we watched through the entire process of introducing the institution's senior staff. Soon, they moved on to the award presentation part of the ceremony. They introduced different important guests to present the awards to the honoured students. So far, Amara had collected one award, and papa looked as proud as could be. After some time, the Dean stepped up to introduce another person who was going to present the next category of awards. It was awards for students who studied Business Administration.

"Up next, I would be calling on a very important personality in the Italy business world, and international communities as a whole. He is the CEO of the Russo empire." Russo Russo Russo. 'Russo Empire' struck a chord. I had heard it so many times while in high school. I didn't know much, but I knew that was one of the strongest standing empires in Italy. There was utmost silence as she spoke. "Please welcome Manuel Russo." She had called his name so casually, which contradicted the level of cheers coming from the congregation. They were soooo loud.

In no time, there was a standing ovation and trumpets blared as well. I felt goosebumps on my skin. Who was this man? I stood up as well, in a bid to see him, but much taller people blocked the way. I decide to sit calmly, until every other person got seated as well. Like I imagined, the cheers died down soon enough, and everyone got seated. I finally got to see him and by God, the man was fine! He was..... young! Not my age range, but younger than I expected. Quite young, yet he led a thriving empire. Young and powerful. That had always been my goal. As I looked at the man with so much awe, I felt my heartbeat accelerate aggressively. I knew it wasn't as a result of just admiration, because my stomach started to feel like jelly. My legs tingled as well. This was happening because of a man I had only seen for the first time. Another man who was way above my league. Manuel Russo.

3 YEARS LATER

MANUEL'S POV

"Really? Can you not handle anything properly?" I yelled in annoyance. It was becoming so annoying.

"My apologies boss. W.. we..we... we didn't know her father was in the same building a..as well." Miliano stuttered, further pissing me off.

"Bastardo!" I kicked the foot of my desk angrily. "Vaffanculo." I muttered. "Was any member of the Ferrari family hurt?"

"None, Don." Massimo replied, and it made me wonder for a moment how the operation could have gone wrong with him present. I looked at the rest of my men and made a hand gesture for them to leave.

"Massimo, you stay back." I ordered, making him halt his steps. After the other 8 of them had completely walked out, I focused on him. "Massimooo.." I drawled as I walked back to my seat. "You were present in this mission, so how exactly did it go wrong? Do you care to explain?"

"Apologies Don. I think I have an idea as to what occured."

"Have a seat." I waved over the seats opposite me, and he sat on one of them. "Shoot."

"This is a handwork of Jacobo. He knew you were going to order an attack against him and his men, so he did what he knows how to do best."

"And that is?"

"Sabotage. He sabotaged your efforts." He replied immediately. "It has definitely become news in the society that ever since Alexander stepped down and you took his place as Don, you've tried to make peace with the Ferraris. He calculated our moves and he knew when we were going to strike. He practically lured us into his trap. We hurt him, we hurt the Ferraris. If we hurt the Ferraris, a hope for a truce with them is gone. Things are already bad as it is. Most members of the Ferrari family do not want a merger or even a truce. This failed mission is simply a slap to their faces. Francisco isn't going to take it, he would strike back. Hard."

"Jacobooo..." I loved the way his name rolled off my tongue. I was gonna love it better when mine would roll down his, as he cried to me for mercy. I'd give it to him, he played a smart one. Not only did he put me in the compromising spot, he basically destroyed the chances of a potential truce with the Ferraris. He was definitely gonna pay for it, but someone else would definitely pay first. "I understand your message Massimo. Thanks for putting eyes all over. Do we have a name yet? Who the fuck is the traitor in my zone?!"

"I haven't found out about that yet, but give me before the end of the day to do that."

"I trust you to deliver." I muttered dryly. "Whomever it is, would so much regret selling out our plans to Jacobo for such a silly sabotage."

Immediately I heard the slightest noise come from my door, I looked and waited for the person who was behind to walk in. Don't blame me. I knew I wasn't in any form of danger, but that was my reflex reaction. I was trained to be always alert at all times. The door eventually opened and it was Alex who entered.

"I heard." He said as he walked towards me. Immediately Alex walked in, Massimo stood up from his seat as a sign of respect. "Please sit, Massimo." Alexander muttered after making himself comfortable on the seat next to Massimo. "Personally, I think Jacobo tried to save his ass by putting himself in the same space as the Ferraris." He said without thinking or mincing words. This was the reason why this particular cousin of mine was my best friend. He was extremely smart. "Also, Jacobo wouldn't have just known our men were coming for them at that point in time, so there seems to be a mole amongst us. That's unusual." He said, stroking his beards as he though to himself. "Weird." He added. "In over 4 years, we haven't had that sort of a problem. In the society, we are the family that pays our men best. There's definitely a bigger picture here. Whoever ratted us out must have done that for something more than money."

"Yes." I nodded. "Massimo has promised to look into it and give me the traitor before the day is over."

"Great." Alex nodded, looking satisfied. "Excuse us." He muttered, but Massimo definitely got the message and walked out of my office. The moment Massimo was gone, the cold stare we both had in our eyes also disappeared. "I'm sorry brother. It seems to be that every effort you make concerning this peace treaty you wish for with the Ferraris is really never going to work."

"I'm doing all of these for the sake of Francesca. We should be married, if not for this feud both our families have had for the longest time. I'm trying to fix things here!" I yelled in great annoyance at the situation of things.

"Oh, be calm." Alex muttered. "When you say 'family', you make it sound so simple. Bro, we're mafians and that is how we keep shit real. You can't sleep with the enemy."

"But she isn't our enemy." I countered.

"Okay fine. Maybe she isn't the enemy like you say, but what about the other members of the Ferrari family? None of them are our allies. Why else has calling a truce been so difficult? If indeed they were cool with making peace, they would have welcomed your truce plans long ago."

"Don't pin all these on them. I'm sure you also know that some of the Russos haven't made it easy for me either."

"Exactly my point!" He said. "An enemy is an enemy. An enemy could also be an ally at anytime. But in a situation where a call for peace isn't being considered or welcomed, then you should know being allies had never been an option."

"So what are you implying?" I asked, slightly irritated.

"That it's just not working!" He shrugged, looking like he had something more to say.

"Oh, Alex just say it. I'm all ears."

"Actually, I have only but one question for you. Do you really love the girl?"

"What are you even saying?" I shot back, very much perplexed at his question. "I have been with her for a couple of years now. I know I like her that much. Don't you see what you have with Belle, between she and myself?"

"Honest reply?" He asked and I nodded in agreement. "I do not see it anywhere. I try to, but it's just not working." He looked as emotionless as could be, and I could finally understand what his issue was.

"It's the feud between the families."

"What?"

"It's the feud between our families!" I repeated much loudly. "It's gotten into everyone's head and they just fail to see things as it really is. Mama doesn't like her, same as papa."

"No, I think that uncle is quite indifferent towarsd her."

"Ahhh..." I chuckled humourlessly. "Trust me Xander, the man dislikes whatever the woman dislikes. It's always been that way." I shrugged. "I'm really more disturbed about the fact that it's because of....."

"Manuel." He suddenly cut me off, looking all serious. "I would tell you this." He drummed against my office desk with the tip of his fingers. "Being a part of the mafia society is a lot. But it's a whole lot more when you're a leader. Remember the incident that had occured that made me step down from my position as Don?"

"Yeah." I sighed deeply, massaging the bridge of my nose with a combined effort of my thumb and index finger. It wasn't such a beautiful incident to remember. 3 years ago, Alexander was very much the Don of the Russo family. One of our rival mafia families had attacked our men at the Russo barracks. It had been very unexpected, leading to the loss of a few men. Unfortunately, Alex's wife; Bella had decided to pay a visit to the Russo factory which was situated in the barracks. She had been heavily pregnant during that time, and had been shot in the belly multiple times. She had lost her baby and almost lost her life as well, after surviving a major surgery. We all thought Alexander was going to lose his mind from the pain of it all at the time, but thankfully, he handled it well.

"What I had learned the hard way, was the fact that you cannot be in the center of power and be completely secure. For power, you'd have to sacrifice some things. I'm sure you remember how I had zeroed my mind towards the possibility of finding and having love. My position as the head of the mafia made it extremely difficult for me to have those things. Most of the ladies who flocked around me were there for the money. Like our other cousins, I was most probably gonna get married into another powerful family for the sake of support and stability. But when Bella came along, she was too good to be true and I was quick to hold onto her. She was a miracle I wasn't willing to let go off. She may have been so broken and fucked up when I met her, but I knew she was the one for me. I may have grown so comfortable in my happy life that I forgot there was a price to be paid. Hell! I had lots of enemies everywhere. I had paid my price in the way I least expected. I almost lost my joy in the process. I finally realized Bella was never going to be safe with me being a part of all these. I knew it was impossible to leave the family, but I did the best I could do for her nonetheless. I vacated the seat of power. Like I said earlier, being a mafian is a lot, but being the head of a mafia family is a lot more. If I had a thousand enemies while I was Don, I definitely have lesser now. I'm still not completely without enemies, but atleast the probability of my wife being in another messy situation is lesser." He took a deep breathe and released it.

"The reason why I had to recall all of that is to make you understand that you cannot always have what you want as a leader. Many times more than a few, you have to compromise. And in situations where you insist on having those things your position does not permit you to have, there's always a price to be paid."

"I understand you, but aren't you going a bit too far?" I asked.

"How do you mean?"

"Even if I settle for a marriage with the sole purpose of procreating heirs and strengthening the connections between families, that does not exempt whomever I marry from being a target?"

"Let's tell ourselves the truth. The pain hits different when it's someone you truly love. Annnndddd..." He chuckled. "I think you're misunderstanding the lesson. I am not hitting on specifics, but rather generalizing it when I say there is always a price to pay as a mafian. I don't necessarily mean with a woman. I mean in all aspects of life. As a mafian who is a Don, you can't always have everything you want. I think you were more concerned about the area in your life that the shoes fits." He winked and it really had a way of getting on my nerves. Maybe because he was right. "Secondly, when we talk about the price being paid, it doesn't have to be a case of anyone being shot or targeted. Anything can be a price." He shrugged. "I take for instance your insistence on being with Francesca. She doesn't have to be shot for the price to be paid. Maybe the price you'd pay would be having a greater conflict between the Russos and the Ferraris, that cannot be managed. Probably as a result of rebel members. Anything could be it."

"Alright." I nodded, feeling less interested in another one of my cousin's numerous lectures.

"Just 'alright'? Really? Who was I kidding?" He laughed at himself. "I already knew this wasn't going to change your mind about being with her." He chuckled. "But I wish you the best though. And whatever step it is that you take, I'm solidly behind you to support you. At the end of the day, sometimes our happiness just matters more."

"You finally said the kind of thing I wanted to hear. This discussion honestly doesn't change my mind about being with her, it only makes me want her more. I love challenges." I relaxed into my seat and gave a devilish smirk.

"Enough of this topic of discussion already." He sighed. "Atleast, we are already sure no one from the Ferraris got hurt as a result of Jacobo. It's a relief."

"Yeeaahhh." That was really the only thing that had prevented me from going mad with anger. "So tell me what's up. We haven't talked for couple of days now." I sighed.

"Yeah, we haven't." He nodded.

"So what's going on?"

"Nothing much." He shrugged. "Just that I finally hired a new P.A."

"Oh? You did?"

"Yeah."

"Someone I know?"

"Definitely not. I wouldn't make the mistake of employing someone we know again. They just have a way of being so familiar with you and not taking their work seriously. I figured a total stranger would serve best."

"Hmmm. True though." I nodded in agreement.

"Her name is Bianca. She is to resume work tomorrow. She would be on probation and we would know if she is fit to keep her job a week from now."