"Signore, the deal with the Morettis has been finalized. They're ready to expand their business with us," Domenique reported, his tone crisp and efficient.

I leaned back in my chair, letting his words sink in. "Good. Keep a close watch on them. I find it hard to believe they agreed so quickly. Draft an agreement outlining our terms of operation and ensure they sign it," I instructed, my voice firm but measured.

"Si, Signore," Domenique replied with a nod before leaving the room.

As the door clicked shut, silence filled my office, broken only by the faint hum of the city outside. I turned my gaze to the expansive view through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The skyline stretched endlessly, a picture of power and ambition, and for a moment, I allowed myself to take a deep breath.

Being here—sitting in this chair, ruling this empire—was no easy feat. Every brick of this legacy had been hard-earned, not handed to me on a silver platter. Papa made sure of that. He believed in the old ways: discipline, resilience, and the ability to endure. He never allowed shortcuts, and it was through his relentless teachings that I molded myself into the man I am today.

Now, I stand at the helm of my own empire, a territory built with my sweat and blood. Yet, I haven't abandoned him. Papa and I often combine our forces, a father and son duo that dominates the underworld with ruthless precision. His wisdom, paired with my vision, has made us unstoppable. Together, we've carved our names into history, ensuring that no one forgets who truly controls this world.

Don Riccardo Trevisani—my Papa—descends from a long line of underworld royalty. He started his journey at just sixteen, hustling through the narrow, rugged streets of Sicily. Now, he stands as the most influential and revered figure across the island, a name that commands respect and fear alike.

Lost in these thoughts, I was pulled back to the present by a knock at the door. Domenique stepped into my office, his expression as composed as ever.

"Signore, the Bellugis have invited you and your family to a dinner party tonight at eight," he announced.

Ah, the Bellugis. Always scheming, always angling for a place among the powerful. Their obsession with appearances was as tiresome as it was predictable. I could already sense their game—seeking a higher status or perhaps daring to propose a collaboration. Whatever their angle, they weren't getting either. Men like Bellugi belong to the streets, clawing their way to power with dirty tricks and empty bravado.

"Did they give any excuse for hosting this 'unexpected' dinner?" I asked, leaning forward slightly. Domenique wasn't just my consigliere; he was my most trusted man, a steady hand in a turbulent world.

"They haven't shared the true reason, Signore," he replied, his tone cautious. "They claim it's just for a lighthearted chat with you and your family. But frankly, I believe they have ulterior motives. I suggest declining their invitation. It's too risky."

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. "No, Domenique. Accept their invite. I'll attend with my family. Let's see what game Bellugi thinks he can play this time."

"Signore, I must insist—"

"Do it."

He sighed, resigned. "Si, Signore."  With a small bow, he left, leaving me to ponder the evening ahead.

Reaching for my phone, I called Papa to inform him and Mama about the invitation. Unsurprisingly, Papa groaned at the news, muttering a string of curses under his breath. He knew as well as I did that Bellugi's intentions always came with strings attached, and they never succeeded. Still, after a brief pause, he agreed.

"We'll be there," he said gruffly.

Glancing at the clock, I saw it was already 6:30. If I wanted to show up looking like a Trevisani, it was time to get ready.

............................................

Around eight, I spotted Papa and Mama approaching the Bellugi mansion. Their strides were unhurried, graceful, and exuded an air of authority that turned heads without effort. Despite their power, there was an unmistakable warmth between them, a quiet love that softened the edges of their formidable presence.

Mama's sharp eyes scanned me as she stepped closer. "Piccolo, stai mangiando bene? Hai perso un chilo," she said, concern lacing her voice.

"I'm eating well, Mama. You look beautiful as ever," I replied, pulling her into a hug.

She smiled but then glanced around. "Where's Callisto?" she asked, her tone betraying a hint of exasperation.

"You know him," I said. "He avoids events like this."

Mama sighed, clearly resigned. Callisto, my elder brother, had chosen a different path—one far removed from the shadows of our world. Instead of joining the family's empire, he followed his passion, earning a Computer Science degree from MIT and becoming the CEO of Cirotrix Softwares, a major company specializing in data security. Mama and Papa never forced him into the family business, allowing him to carve out his own destiny. Still, his obsession with work often made them worry. At thirty-two and still unmarried, he was the subject of many of Mama's restless nights.

"We should head inside," I suggested as we reached the grand front porch of the Bellugi mansion.

As expected, Eduardo Bellugi awaited us, his expression a blend of smugness and insincerity. Beside him stood his wife, radiating the same contrived charm, and their son Antonio, who was about my age but with half the wit and none of the instinct.

"Mr. and Mrs. Trevisani, welcome to our home. Please, come in," Eduardo said, his words dripping with exaggerated hospitality.

I followed my parents inside, scanning the surroundings. The Bellugis were clearly striving to flaunt their wealth and status, but the effort was as hollow as their smiles.

"The dinner is nearly ready. Please, make yourselves comfortable," Eduardo announced, leading us to the dining area.

The table was an extravagant display of Italian delicacies, likely crafted by top-tier chefs. Antonio, however, couldn't wait for formalities. He reached for a dish, only to freeze under his father's sharp glare, hastily retreating back to his seat. I smirked. A man like Antonio wouldn't survive a day in our world.

"To what do we owe this pleasure, Eduardo?" Papa asked, his tone polite but edged with disinterest as he ignored the lavish spread before him.

Eduardo waved the question off with a forced chuckle. "We'll get to that. For now, let's enjoy the meal. Did I mention it was prepared by the finest chefs in Sicily?"

Mama's expression betrayed her thoughts. As the owner of Cascata, Sicily's most renowned restaurant chain, she was a connoisseur of food. She barely touched anything beyond a simple salad.

The dinner dragged on, made worse by Antonio's clumsy behavior—spilling drinks, barking orders at the butlers, and generally making a fool of himself. Finally, we moved to the living room, where the real purpose of this charade began to surface.

"Eduardo," Papa said, his patience thinning, "We've had the dinner. Now, tell us why you called us here."

Eduardo cleared his throat, suddenly adopting a serious demeanor. "My son, Antonio, is starting his own venture on Sicily's coast."

Papa stiffened at the words, his gaze narrowing. "Eduardo, you know I control most of the operations at the ports. Coastal business isn't for amateurs. Has he secured the trust of the men there?"

"Yes, Don Riccardo," Eduardo said quickly. "They've agreed to work with him. They believe he has your support."

Both Papa and I stiffened, disbelief flashing across our faces. "How?" I asked sharply.

Eduardo's smugness returned. "Because they think you'll support us. And to solidify this alliance, I have a proposal."

"What kind of proposal?" Papa asked, his tone cold and wary.

"I'd like to suggest a union between our families. Your daughter Gabriella and my son Antonio—marriage between them would benefit us both and ensure Antonio's success."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of his words hanging between us.

"Finally, Alex has entered the story! 🔥

 What do you guys think of his character so far? 👀

💭 Question of the day: What do you think Alex will do next? 🤔 Drop your predictions in the comments—I can't wait to read them! ⬇️✨

If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to vote & share! 💕 See you in the next one!"*

-Natalie