THE MAFIA’S HEIR

MANUEL’S POV

I looked at my wrist watch again and again, excited about the suprise I had planned out for Francesca today. If only Alexander knew that the suprise I had finally settled on, was a certain statement he had made as a joke. Yeah right! I was going to wed my fiancee today. Or rather, tomorrow. The flight from Italy to Moscow was roughly a 7 hours flight, which means my men and Francesca would get here by dawn. I know anyone who hears this might be wondering and asking themselves why anyone would do something so spontaneous. Well, since Francesca’s father wasn’t ready to let go of his daughter, I had to do it the hard way. Moreover, I was very sure Francesca wouldn’t turn down the request once she realized how serious the situation was. Francisco Ferrari had no idea know what was coming for him. This would be me killing two birds with a stone. I would be finally getting married to the woman I wanted, and also making the Ferraris and Russos allies. If I married Francesca, the Ferraris would have no other choice than to make peace with us. What stronger force could the mafia society have? I smiled in victory as I looked into the mirror on the wall of the bathroom. Why had I not thought of this before? I couldn’t help but be thankful to Alexander for unknowingly suggesting the idea to me. I knew he would be very shocked when I finally told him my plans, but I wanted to make sure Francesca was in Msocow with me, before saying anything to anyone.

I had gotten into Moscow today, and I was currently in my private island. Francesca was going to really love it here.

I sighed as I picked up my phone again, wondering why my men were yet to call me. I had to be sure they were at the venue, before asking Francesca to step out of the party. Once I looked at my phone screen, I saw a message notification from Alexander. I opened it and read through, a small smile on my face. He was asking why I wasn’t at the dinner with Francesca yet, wondering if I was no longer going to pull off whatever suprise I had in mind for her. Calm down brother.

Just then, Massimo’s call came in and I hurriedly picked up.

“Hello Don.”

“Yes.” I replied.

“There’s a bit of a problem.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“What is it?” I asked, suddenly not comfortable with the sound of things.

“An issue came up within the family.”

“What?” I asked, standing to my feet.

“Please be calm. Our men are already working on it, under the directions of Mr Alexander.”

“What? Alex is at a business gathering.” I clarified. “He just texted me not long ago.”

“Yes. I meant his father. We had to let him know, considering the situation of things. When he asked where you were, we told him you were away on urgent business. So he asked me not to bother you with anything.”

“Fine.” I sighed. “I trust my uncle to handle whatever comes up. But what exactly is the problem?”

“There is an intel on Jacobo’s men.” Massimo replied.

“What about?”

“They probably plan to raid the barracks and substance farm tonight.”

“Jacobo…. Vaffanculo.” I muttered underneath my breathe. I was seeing red at that moment. “I guess I have given Jacobo a lot of liberties and chances at redemption. Once I return from Moscow, his head would be on a platter. My platter!” I yelled in annoyance. It was really such a bold step for him to think he could raid the largest substance farm and barracks in Italy. I was going to teach him a lesson, he’d probably never learn. He’d be too dead to do so. “I would be back to Italy on the next plane.” I muttered, angry that my plans had been spoiled in the blink of an eye.

“That wouldn’t be neccessary, Don. We are capable of handling whatever it is, in your stead. If it wasn’t something to great to handle, Mr Alexander would have informed his son by now. Remember he was once the Don. He is capable of handling things in your stead.” I was convinced by Massimo’s words.

“Fine then.” I nodded, even if he couldn’t see me.

“Seeing as our men would be quite busy regarding the intel tonight, I sent a few of my men under training to deliver Miss Francesca to you safely.”

“Would they be able to pull that off without any mistakes?” I asked, quite doubtful. These men were still trainees. “And do they know what Francesca looks like?”

“That’s been sorted out, boss. I’ve sent a picture of miss Francesca to them. They also have a picture of what she’ll be wearing tonight. They would definitely deliver.”

“Massimo.” I sighed, very grateful he was able to manage the situation. “Thank you. Keep me posted.”

“Of course, Don. I would put a call across to you the moment my men get to the venue.”

“Good.” I replied, before hanging up the call. Jacobo. That man was dead meat. I quickly put a call across to my uncle, and he picked up.

“Hello uncle.”

“Manuel.” He grunted. “It seems Massimo finds it difficult to keep anything away from you.” He already knew why I was calling. I chuckled at the sound of his statement. The old man.

“Why did you request he remained quiet?” I asked.

“Is the family expected to be handicapped without you and Alexander? All your cousins were properly trained to work in your stead, if the need arises.”

“Then they should be there with you.” I reasoned.

“They all are at the moment. Why are you so worried? Need I remind you that your father and I formerly oversaw this family, just like you and Alexander are doing now? You both were away on business trips. I definitely wouldn’t be calling for something we already have an vital information about. It would be an insult to your cousins and I. I would give you a call tomorrow, after we are done differentiating Jacobo’s dead men from the injured ones.”

“Sounds a lot like you.” I laughed. “Uncle.”

“Yes son.”

“Please leave Jacobo for me. I would personally deal with him when I return.”

“That’s a done deal.” He replied, before hanging up the call. I couldn’t help the smile on my face. The man was tough.

Dropping my phone, I walked to the wine cabinet for a drink. As I took slow gulps of my drink, trying to beat down the rage Jacobo provoked inside me, I waited for Massimo’s call which finally came through.

“Massimo?” I called out.

“They are at the location already.”

“That’s fine. She would be out in a moment. I hope they know that they should be quiet about every question she asks. All they can tell her is that I sent them, so she doesn’t get too agitated.”

“Alright sir.”

“Once they have her, let me know.”

“Yes Don.” He said and hung up the call. Immediately, I texted Francesca, asking her to step out for her surprise. She hadn’t responded, which got me a bit concerned. But either ways, I knew she was gonna show up. She had talked with me half an hour ago, asking if I wasn’t going to be with her on tonight of all nights. I assured her I already had something planned for her. Knowing Francesca, she was already sad and probably angry by now. But then, I believe it is going to be worth her while.

After a few minutes, my phone beeped and I saw it was a text from Massimo, stating that they had taken her already. Wonderful. The business conference had taken place in Sicily, so I calculated the flight time to Moscow to be roughly 7 to 8 hours. I was sure they would be here by the early hours of morning. Now I could close my eyes for a nap. Sighing in exhaustion from my journey, I walked into my room and laid on the bed. It didn’t take long before my eyes closed in slumber.

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At 6am, I recieved a call from Massimo’s men, informing me of their arrival. As per my instructions, they had safely taken Francesca to one of the beach houses, where she could have a bathe, and put on the dress Alexa had gotten for her.

It was already 7am, and I was fully dressed, awaiting my bride to be at the end of the aisle. In as much as this was spontaneous, I had asked my old time friend for a favour. While I was still undergoing training in Italy, I met Alexa. She had been the daughter of a minister, who attended the same training camp as I. We hit it off instantly, and our friendship still stood strong till today. I had asked her help with securing a simple but nice dress for Francesca, and an officiating priest who would join us. It wasn’t going to be everything Francesca had imagined, but the goal was to get joined matrimonially. We were going to hold a proper ceremony when we returned home. I waited patiently for my men to show up with Francesca, as the wind from the waves of the beach caressed my face. Atleast, that was something Francesca was going to love. A beach wedding.

“Don’t worry my friend. Your bride would be here soon. I can’t wait to meet her too.” Alexa grinned, making me smile. I looked at the priest who shared a small smile as well. Fortunately, Alexa hadn’t only gotten a dress and officiating priest for us, she had gotten a saxophonist and a pianist as well. So the moment I heard the music begin to play, I knew she was here. I didn’t know why I suddenly began to feel nervous. I hardly felt nervous. Cleaning my sweaty palms on my trousers, I turned around and saw my bride to be, coming towards the altar with Massimo’s men behind her. I smiled at the slow steps she took. She was probably scared, which I didn’t really expect, knowing Massimo’s men had informed her that I sent them. Still, it was quite understandable. It wasn’t everyday your fiance’s birthday suprise for you, involved you being kidnapped.

A veil covered her face, but I could still see the blindfold covering eyes. The closer she got to me, the more I realized my fiancee had added some height in the recent weeks. Was that even possible? Or was I just too nervous? I tried to maintain my cool, but the more she got closer, the more different she seemed. I knew she had a veil and a blindfold on, but I could still recognize that the person underneath that veil didn’t look anything like my Francesca. My heartbeat accelerated as this strange lady that was making her way to me, took the last step that brought her standing before me. If nothing made me more tensed, then it was definitely the fact that the person underneath that veil was shaking. In fear. That definitely wasn’t….

“Is everything okay?” I heard Alexa whisper into my ears. “Why are you frowning?” I hadn’t even realized I was frowning. That was quite normal, considering the fact I was slowly coming to realize. Without hesitating, I held onto the veil that covered her face, and pulled it off her face. Her eyes and part of her nose were still covered with the blindfold, but they didn’t need to be open for me to know that this wasn’t Francesca. I felt myself slightly move backwards in reflex, as Alexa gasped in shock of my actions. My mind was so busy at the moment, trying to understand what may have possibly gone wrong. I took another look at the person in front of me, and that was when I noticed her hair. The rare hair colour seemed familiar, but I could just place my hand on it. Of all times, this was the worst time to have a brain lock.

“Manuel what’s wrong?” Alexa asked again, Massimo’s men rushing towards where we stood. Every other thing that happened passed in a blur. The only movement my brain had registered, was the lady’s hand moving to the back of her head to untie the blindfold. The moment she looked up at me and our eyes locked, I felt breathe being knocked out of me. It was then it all made sense. She was the only one I had ever seen with such a hair color. Alexander’s personal assistant. She looked like she was about to faint from shock. Even I, felt that way.