SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO Nine years old Leonardo just finished his training for the day with his instructor when a messenger from Don Vito approached him. “Buongiorno, Underboss”, Matteo greeted him. “Buongiorno.” “Your grand father, Don Vito, requested your presence”, Matteo said. “Am I in trouble?”, Leonardo asked. For the past four years he’s been undergoing basic training and self defense classes while still keeping up with school. He kept to the rules and as the only child in the villa, he was lonely. Loneliness was all he had for himself. “I can’t tell but to put your mind at ease, I don’t think so”, Matteo said and winked at him. Leonardo followed him to his grand father’s part of the villa. His mind ran through every scenario that could make his grand father summon him but nothing was sticking. He tried to get more information from Matteo again but to no avail. “You should count yourself lucky to be under Don Vito”, was all he said about the subject again.
What is innocence? Some would say innocence is a state of purity, untouched by the complexities of the world, where trust reigns supreme and the heart remains unburdened by cynicism or suspicion. Others would argue that innocence is a fleeting illusion, a veil that shields us from the harsh truths of reality, blinding us to the complexities of human nature and the moral ambiguities that define our existence. Whatever it was, Leonardo lost his on this very sad and life changing day. His instructor, Enzo, was pushed to the ground by Matteo. “What is going on?”, he asked his grandfather. “Nothing, yet. Shoot the man with a bag over his head”, Don Vito said. Leonardo’s vision blurred for a second. Shock ran through him. “What…what?”, he asked. “You heard me boy”, Don Vito said, his smiles and playful expression dropped. “Do I have to?”, Leonardo asked. “Okay, I guess you don’t understand the gravity of the situation. For your benefit, I’d give you an explanation
SEVEN YEARS LATER “The Pope!”. Don Vito nodded. “Why would the Pope be attending the celebration? I thought the church was against the mafia?”, Leonardo asked. “Oh yeah, true. That’s what everyone else thinks but I know what goes on in the background”, Don Vito said. Leonardo needed a while to wrap his head around things. The Pope was in some sort of business relationship with his grandfather who was widely known as the mafia Don. Impossible. “I refuse to believe you have business with the Pope of the Catholic Church”, Leonardo shook his head. “Business? Who said anything about business? He is related to us, he shares our blood”, Don Vito said. When Leonardo received his grandfather’s call earlier, he didn’t know what to expect. Don Vito was unpredictable and he only mentions his intentions at the last minute when he knows you can’t turn back. But this, this was beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. He, Leonardo Marcello, was related to the Pope. “But why woul
The Pope was not at all what he expected. Although he had the external look and aura of a Pope, his insides were as dark as coal. “Is this the boy?”, he asked in an authoritative voice. “Yes, he is”, Don Vito replied, pride gleaming in his eyes. “Why is he wounded?”, the Pope asked. “He is to be the Don, how else can he learn without training?”, Don Vito asked looking around. The other family leaders nodded in agreement. “I see, stand closer to me”, the Pope beckoned at Leonardo. He did as he was told. Getting a close up view of the Pope was more intimidating than he expected. It even surpassed his grandfather’s. The Pope was recognized by his distinctive attire, which included a white cassock—a long, flowing robe—complemented by a white zucchetto (a small skullcap) and a white papal mozzetta, which is a short cape worn for certain ceremonies. For this occasion, he had to wear an ornate mantle called a mantum and carried the ferula, a ceremonial staff topped wi
Arya entered her father’s room with dread in the pit of her stomach. “You sent for me father”, she said softly as her father turned around on his seat. “You’re getting married the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, you’ll meet your soon to be husband at your engagement party”, her father, Carl Miguel said with an air that leaves no room for argument. Arya couldn’t believe her ears, she definitely wasn’t having it. “What?!”, she exclaimed. Carl lifted an eyelid at her. “Father, I just turned twenty, surely you can’t push me of to be with someone I do not know”, she said. “I’ll forgive you for talking back at me like that just this once, Arya", Carl said with a stern expression. “I am your child for crying out loud, your only daughter! And you’re pushing me off to be with a stranger?”, she asked, still unable to believe her ears. “This marriage is set in stones, there’s no need to shout”, Carl said nonchalantly, an impassive expression on his face. “I refuse this marria
The room fell silent as the sound of the gunshot reverberated through the air. Everyone froze, their eyes fixated on the aftermath of the horrifying event. They all turned their eyes to the hole shot through the wall. Carl took his seat and resume eating dinner like nothing happened. “Father, you don’t have to threaten anyone with death. Don’t you dare hurt my brothers and my mother or else….”, Arya threatened but Carls cut her off. “Or else what?”, he asked looking up at her. The thought of a woman challenging him made his misogynist ego hurt. “Or else I will end my life”, Arya finished. Carls laughed. “That will do me much good in case if you don’t know. If anyone tries to play games with me, I won’t miss the next shot”, he said menacingly. “You can’t even shot straight”, Antonio said to him bitterly. “That’s what you think. Try speaking to me in that manner again and the next shot will go through your dumb and weak head”, Carls said to him and exit the room. “As
“You startled me”, she said eyeing the gorgeous man in her view. “I didn’t mean to”, he said as he turned around and sat next to her on the plush soft loveseat. “But you did”, Arya said. “I know, Arya”, he replied back. “It’s so unfair you know my name and I don’t know yours”, Arya said, sad that she wasn’t even given the courtesy of knowing her betrothed name. “If it means that much to you then my name is Leonardo”, he replied. She studied his look. He had a bad boy look with his rugged beard and grey piercing eyes, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his gaze. His broad shoulders seemed to carry the weight of the world, and Arya couldn't help but be intrigued by this mysterious man named Leonardo. “You want one?”, he asked her as he gave her a pack of cigarettes, offering her one. “I don’t smoke”, she replied him. Leonardo withdrew his pack of cigarettes and gave it to one of the waiters passing by. “Okay. I don’t like women who smoke cigarettes in the fi
Carls reluctantly released Arya's arms, his expression contorting with a mixture of anger and frustration. “So this is why she was nervous earlier?”, Leonardo asked no one in particular. “You don’t understand. You know these things, women should always be put in their place”, Carls said to him. His family saw him scared for the first time in their entire lives. Leonardo scoffed. "Put in their place?” he sneered, raising an eyebrow. "Carlos, you're playing with fire. But this...this goes beyond our usual dealings. Don’t lay your hands on my woman ever again”, he spat. People hurriedly left the environment before Leonardo looses it. He is very popular for his temper and ruthlessness. Nobody wanted to get caught up in the crossfire between two powerful mafia families although Leonardo is more powerful. “Your woman? You can’t just say you love after just meeting her once”, Carls asked and said like Leonardo was ridiculous. “It is none of your business. She’s getting marr