It was night time. Lothario Alessandrini was still in his office working. He went through the paper work on his desk. He was almost done and was ready to go to bed. Just then the phone rang. It was Gerardo Bellagio. They had a conversation about their business meeting tomorrow. That took a few minutes and just when Lothario thought Gerardo was going to hang up, he mentioned that his son wanted to take Lena out on another date. Gerardo was asking if he had any concerns about them having another public outing.

Lothario approved of the arrangements and said he had no concerns. Why would he? He then hung up and started tidying up his desk. His thoughts went back to his daughter. He cared for his daughter so much. She was precious to him. He did not take her safety lightly. He had to be extra cautious with Lena now that she was a teenager and did not allow her to have as much freedom as his son Luigi. He had his reasons.

Ever since Lena was just a toddler he had built up walls around her. He had tried to protect her as much as he could. But one of his biggest worries had been for when she became a teenager. He had been concerned that she would have fallen for a boy who he did not approve of in terms of their personal values and capability of protecting her. He did not know how to reject the one she loved without breaking her heart if he did not approve of the boy she loved.

The only boy he could see as worthy of his daughter was Gianluca Bellagio. He was the perfect young man with honour that not only fit his criteria for anyone dating his daughter but he exceeded his expectations too. Gianluca was no ordinary teenager. He was fierce, he was smart, he had honour and respect, he had common sense. He was glad that his daughter had said yes to going out with him at that dinner party at the house of Belaggio. After she had said yes to dating him, she had become his official girlfriend. Gianluca and Lena were so young. They were years away from marriage. But the thought of possibilities of his daughter choosing to marry Gianluca at an adult age made him feel at ease slightly. His daughter was too young now. But she was the exact same age that his wife Lidia was when she had started dating Lothario. Years later, Lidia had become his wife.

If Lothario was an ordinary man and his wife was an ordinary woman, he would not have given much thought to who Lena was dating as a teenager beyond a family check in person to see if the young man had a family who knew to treat women with respect. He would not have even had to think of possibilities of them marrying one day in a decade or so. But he was no ordinary man and neither was his wife, Lidia. They were both from crime families. And that wasn't just all.

Lothario finished tidying up his desk and decided to pour himself a drink before he went to bed. He poured some whiskey into a glass and sat down on his chair behind his desk. He started drinking as the memories of his past came to him. He had fallen in love as a teenager with Lidia Marino, who was now the mother of his children. She was from a crime family like how he was and their fathers were friends and did business together. But the Marino family lived in Sicily. That was were they lived. Lidia had been sent to New York to live with her aunt and study. Her family wanted her to be educated in America and go to college just like how her aunt had been. Lothario's grandfather had made sure Lidia's aunt and Lidia were always safe and comfortable. Lothario had met Lidia in school and they had quickly bonded and made a connection. Their families approved of their relationship. They had gone to college and had gotten married. Their lives had been perfect. They had two children together, Luigi and then Lena.

Lothario was content with his life. Their children grew up slowly and Lothario could not be more proud of them. But then one day three years ago, Lidia had insisted that they attend a funeral of a close family friend of the Marinos in Sicily. Lothario did not think attending the funeral of a close family friend who was not a blood relative could warrant making so many arrangements for their safety to take the whole family with them. But he had been convinced by his wife. The trip seemed safe so they had made the journey. When they had arrived in Sicily they had stayed at the home of Lidia's family, the Marino crime family. They had attended the funeral and of course over the coming days Lothario and his family had interacted with the other mourning families over some, church time, lunch time and dinner time gatherings.

The dead man was the former head of the Romano family and now his son had taken over from him, Salvadore Romano. He had a son the same age as Luigi. His name was Salvatorio Romano. Lothario had no idea what impact that boy was going to make on his life when he had first met him. That boy was only thirteen at the time, but had become so interested in Lena and had become so possessive of her over the course of the few meetings they had. Lena was so innocent to notice the boy's interest in her and had just rejected his attempts to be friendly because she was shy mostly. But Luigi had noticed how he looked at his sister and he had seen what the boy did to other boys who even glanced at Lena. Luigi had clashed with Salvatorio but of course away from Lena's eyes. Luigi had warned him to stay away from his sister. Luigi may have been only thirteen but he could tell this boy was not the type he wanted to associate with his sister. He had felt the threat and danger to his sister's happiness if that boy got what he wanted. Luigi could see that this boy was not nice and Luigi had hardly any common grounds with him. This boy was raised by his family's principles of course just like how Luigi had been raised by the Alessandrini principles.

Lothario had enough interactions with the boys' family and the boy to realise they did not live by the same principles that the Alessandrinis and the Marinos did. Lothario had no doubt that this boy could not ever make his daughter happy and his family had a dark side. Romanos had family values but they lived by certain principles that Lothario could describe only as too dark, way too dark. Especially when it came to business. His daughter would have been getting a family culture shock if she ever interacted with this family at regular basis in anyway.

After Lothario had returned his family to New York on an earlier date than intended, he had hoped to not hear from the Romanos again. But of course he did hear from the Romanos again after that short trip to Sicily. He heard from them quite frequently after that trip. They invited his family to Sicily for vacation, celebrations, weddings and funerals of close families and friends. The invitations kept coming but he said no. They had even made offers of business partnerships that Lothario had also said no to even though the offers were great. He knew at some point the Romanos might have brought the fight to his doorstep. He could hear the news and updates from the business world. The Romanos were slowly making connections beyond Sicily and to New York. It was only a matter of time. Lothario had seen the potential in that powerful family with dark principles to come to his door step to make sure their next heir did get to be with the girl he loved. The girl who happened to be Lothario's daughter, his kind hearted and innocent daughter, Lena.

Lothario was strict with Lena's life outside of school and home. Luigi was allowed to do what he wanted but Lena was not. He knew that none of his enemies would have brought the fight to his doorstep for business reasons unless they had a death wish. But the Romanos had no problems with him in terms of business. They were not even involved in business remotely close to him but their heir loved his daughter. Lothario knew that for love, a war was worth it for a Romano. A war was worth it over an Alessandrini with a beautiful heart and soul. A war could be coming. Him and his son would have protected his daughter but she needed more protection. Gianluca was that honourable perfect man who could protect his daughter and also make her happy.

Lothario finished his drink and made his way to his room. His wife was already laying down in their king sized bed under the covers with her back to him. He got ready, got changed into his pyjamas and got into bed. As he laid under the covers, he felt his wife move slightly and she breathed "Lothario where have you been?" She then turned and faced her husband.

Lothario smiled and put his hand on her hip feeling her silky night dress while looking into her eyes. He whispered "I was busy with work again."

Lidia leaned close and kissed his lips. She then pulled away "You need to make it upto me this weekend. You keep working late. Let's go somewhere nice this weekend. You and me alone."

Lothario said "I will see what I can do with my schedule this weekend."

Lidia nodded. She then said "Lothario. Did you receive my family's invitation for my niece's first communion? My brother called me and said he would like us to come and he has sent you the invitation."

Lothario said "I have received it."

Lidia said "Well. Are we going?"

Lothario said "I have not decided yet. I will decide closer to the time if it is worth making the trip..."

Lidia sighed "Lothario. I have not seen my brother's family in a long time."

Lothario said "If we cant go to see them, then they can come visit. You can invite them any time Lidia."

Lidia said "But... It is not the same. I miss Sicily too and miss my other family members too. Why can't you prioritise this?"

Lothario said "Lidia. It takes along time to make safety arrangements for such trip. I need to make a full plan for such trip to happen and if closer to the time I have other commitments then that would not be done properly."

Lidia nodded "Lothario. I understand. I know it is about the Romanos when you become reluctant for us to visit Sicily. But... my family can protect our daughter. They can. I know they will give their lives for her even if we dont have the resources that we have in America in Italy, my family can help..."

Lothario said "I do not dispute that your family would give their life for Lena. Do you think the Romanos won't?"

Lidia said "Lothario... I see your point... But I would like to be optimistic about this... What if Salvatorio has gotten over our daughter. Maybe it was just an early teenage crush? What if you are over reacting? Let's go to Sicily. If it is the case and this boy really loved our daughter, what could be the worst that could happen? The Romanos have honour. They will be logical about it. They may or may not want our daughter to get close to their son..."

Lothario said "Lidia. It was not a teenage crush. I know what I saw in that boy's eyes. He loves our daughter. Our daughter had no interest in him. Romanos are no ordinary family Lidia. They will not allow a girl who they see in their family's eyes as worthy to get away if their heir demands to court her."

Lidia said "The world is full of girls..."

Lothario said "The world is full of girls. But the world is not full of girls who are worthy in the eyes of Romanos for their heir, Salvatorio."

Lidia asked "What can they do really if our daughter says no to his affection when we go to Sicily? They can't force our daughter to love this boy..."

Lothario said "They can not force Lena to love Salvatorino but they will back him up and will come at our family with all they have to convince us to allow Lena to stay in Sicily and maybe join Salvatorino's school or will try to make us allow her to stay in Sicily by force if we refuse. They want Lena to stay and fall in love with Salvatorio if she says no now. They will argue that she will learn to love him one day."

Lidia said "Lothario. Is this what you think will happen when we step foot on Sicilian soil? What if you are wrong and they will not even come to see us at all? What if this boy has moved on? Don't you want to confirm that?"

Lothario said "Lidia. You should know me better than this. I do not normally go by guesses and hopes. I try to go by evidence and clues. I have come across evidence that strongly suggests what I just told you. Actually the matter might be more complicated than what I even explained."

Lidia looked at Lothario with questioning eyes "You have come across evidence?"

Lothario nodded "Yes. What I explained is likely. They are ready for that. They have planned for that and prepared for that. But I do not know the full extent of their plans but what I told you is the least you will expect to see..."

Lidia whispered "Are you saying that.... Salvatorio is...still in love with our daughter... This is real..."

Lothario nodded "This is real. Very real."

Lidia was taking in his words "Oh my god... A Romano loves our daughter..."

Lothario said "I know you kept trying to tell yourself that it was just a teenage crush. But it was not. Its more than that. You cant deny the danger to our daughter's happiness. A Romano can never make our daughter happy. I can't see it."

Lidia swallows hard "I am scared for her..."

Lothario sighed "I did not want to tell you this before because I did not want to worry you. But you must know love is a dangerous feeling in the heart of a future crime boss. It can not be underestimated. Because it will not be ever forgotten... And anyone who comes in the way will not be forgiven..."

Lidia said "Gianluca?"

Lothario said "He can handle it...I have full faith in him and his qualities..."

Lidia whispered "I understand if you do not want to go to Sicily... I will not want to endanger our daughter..."

Lothario said "There is no danger to her Lidia... Salvatorio loves her. They will also not hurt our family. But they can try to keep her in Sicily... I will not allow that... I will see closer to the date of your niece's communion. If I can put all precautions in place I will have no reason to keep you or our children from seeing your side of the family... I do not ever tolerate anyone putting fear in the heart of my family members... I am a cautious man. I will take all safety measures. If all safety measures are in place and we have no other commitments that we need to prioritise, I will take our family to Sicily for your niece's communion or any other family event the Marinos invite us to."

Lidia said with saddened eyes "I never wanted to believe that a Romano loved our daughter. A part of me hoped he had forgotten her after three years. How could it be?"

Lothario said "Is it so hard to imagine Lidia? When I first saw you, I could not stop thinking about you... I only wanted you... You became the centre of my world, the reason for my existence... Love is a powerful feeling... But this powerful feeling in the heart of a powerful man can lead to war."

*****

Lena was in school walking around the main school building looking at the trophies and pictures on the wall belonging to star students of the school.

It was before school hours in the morning. Lena was just waiting around for head of the drama department to see her. She had a meeting with her but the school secretary had informed Lena that she was running abit late so she needed to wait.

As Lena was walking around, she saw a familiar face in the girls' honours section, Gabriela. She had won many awards. She was the perfect student by the looks of it and she had not even reached senior year yet. She admired Gabriela. She was so amazing but humble too.

Lena then reached the boys' honours section and saw Gianluca's pictures. He had won many awards too. In his pictures he looked so handsome. Suit and tie suited him so well. But there was an aura of authority and business like feeling in his eyes too that told people not to mess with him.

Gianluca saw Lena walking around. He called "Lena."

Lena was startled and turned around "Oh... Hi."

Gianluca walked towards her "What are you doing here?"

Lena said "I had a meeting with the head of drama department. She wanted to see my portfolio in drama. She is looking for a female student to take a more active role to support the drama club's president."

Gianluca said "The female student is you? I had no idea..."

Lena said "What do you mean? She has told you about this meeting."

Gianluca said "Yes she has. I am meant to be in that meeting too with you."

Lena said with surprise in her tone "Oh... Are they looking for a male student too for this role? Have you brought your portfolio? Maybe they already have seen yours because you are from this school..." She then pointed to her portfolio folder that was held in her hand. "I hope this portfolio is good enough... But this is great. I was nervous about this interview like meeting with her. I am so relieved that you will be in this meeting too. I prefer not to be alone when she interviews me. I am very nervous... What if she doesn't like my portfolio?"

Gianluca said "Lena. You are in this meeting because this head of drama department has seen a very good report from your drama teacher in your old school. She really wants to promote more female involvement in the drama club projects so she wanted me to have a female student as an assistant to help me out in tasks and maybe swing our projects in a way to appeal to both girls and boys equally. I am the drama club's president."

Lena gasped "What?"

Gianluca said "Well. I am not in this role by choice. I was nominated by my drama teacher initially for this role. When I said no she contacted home and my mother picked up the phone. Well. You know my mother loves any form of art or any kind of artists. So my mother got on my case and insisted I take up the role. I did and I have been stuck with it since."

Lena said "I had no idea..."

Gianluca said "Don't worry about this meeting. The head of the drama department already has heard so much about you and what you can do from your old school's drama department's report. She has already accepted you for this role. The reason she asked you to bring your portfolio was not because she wanted to see it. It was because she wanted me to see it. She wanted me to be convinced. Well knowing your work ethics I definitely would love to work with someone as dedicated and hard working as you Lena. But I do like to see your portfolio anyways just to get more information about what areas you are more interested in.

Lena gripped her portfolio tightly and said "So... You are here to see my portfolio and see me?"

Gianluca said "Yes. Maybe we can go in and make a start. Shall we?"

Lena did not know what to say our think. This was so unexpected. She followed Gianluca to the meeting room. She sat down around a table as Gianluca sat down too. Gianluca said "Can I see your portfolio?"

Lena handed it to Gianluca. She then watched him as he started going through the portfolio and reading through it carefully. She could not believe this. Gianluca was the drama club's president? She had no idea. And here she was applying to be his assistant, his helper...The situation was sinking in... She was going to be working with Gianluca.

Gianluca finished looking through the portfolio and looked up as he closed it "You have done so much in your old school. Our drama club would love to have you contribute here too."

Lena asked "Really? You think so?"