Leandro narrowed his eyes at the scene. Was his brother crazy? This girl hadn't proven herself to even show she liked Leo. If the girl rejected his brother he was going to make her life hell. If she said yes, he was going to give Leo a telling off. Why ask her out when she was acting so un-Rosario like. She had to pay for her behaviour. She had a lot of de-merits for her rebellious actions against the dress code attending compulsory after school clubs. She was one of those students he would have loved to see punished publicly but he went easy on her for Leo's sake. He wanted to stop this nonesense. It bothered him that his little brother was getting a girl before he did.
Elena looked around nervously and then his eyes locked with Leandro who was standing from a distance staring at her coldly like he always did. She couldn't reject a Rosario publically unless she had a death wish for her family. Everyone knew that. She didn't intend to reject him. She just needed time. He bullied her team all the time. She didn't like his bullying ways. But she couldn't deny how much Leo had done for her. She would have been expelled by now if it wasn't for Leo. He had saved him a few times from Leandro's full force wrath. Of course he was not nice to anyone but her. She couldn't say yes but it was not true if she said she didn't want him to take her to prom. She breathed "I need to ask permission from my father. I ... will tell you tomorrow." She then walked off the platform.
Leandro liked her intelligence. Wise move.
Leandro walked away and thought of Jean. He couldn't make her his unless his father approved. He didn't want his father to know he had a girl yet. But he didn't want to be unprepared in case his father didn't approve. So he decided to send his father a fax. He was away on business that night. He didn't even know where he was. But he had his fax number. He went to a small communications room that he had there. He sent his father a quick telegram about jean Neuer. He thought carefully about his words. He mentioned he wanted to ask her on a date. But that was a lie. They already had been on a date really. But it wasn't official. Was it? . "I shall not lie" was what we believed in. He hadn't asked her out yet. So he said to himself "To hell with it." If his brother hadn't asked Elena out maybe he would have waited until his father came back. He just wrote. I need a date to the prom. Can I take this girl? Do I have your approval?"
He regretted sending the fax already the second he pressed the buttons. He couldn't take his father on. He had witnessed first hand how his father operated when someone was put on his black list. The smallest doubt about anyone meant they were to be banished from around the family or disappear. Some were dead of course. Was his father going to kill her? He hoped not. He was invincible at school and ran the place but outside he was to obey his father or get crushed.
Leandro made arrangements for departure and closing down. He was dreading to get back to the fax machine. The answer could come tonight instantly. His father always made it his priority to respond to his children in his office.
As Leandro went back to office to check the fax machine, he saw the piece of paper and he closed his eyes. He made the sign of a cross and said a prayer. He then picked up the paper.
It read "Her father, Johnny was a college friend of mine. I will speak to J tomorrow. You don't need to visit him to ask for permission. J will visit you if he chooses to. But it's unlikely he will ask to see you when he has seen me for a decade and a half. He knows what this means."
Leandro couldn't believe the message. Jean's father was Johnny Neuer. He was a business associate who ran ranches. He never understood why his father worked with the agricultural sector. But now it made sense. His father had mentioned he had one civilian friend from college called J. But he never mentioned it was Johnny neuer and Leandro in fact never cared. He wondered what impression Johnny had made on his father to make his father call him a friend. He even had a nickname for the man; "J". Was that a yes? He found it hard to believe. He had happened to fall for the daughter of the only civilian friend of his father. Johnny Neuer was not involved in crime dealings. He was legit. Rosarios dealt with civilians but none of them were a friend of Don Vincenzo. They were business partners.
He came out of the communications room pretty upbeat.
Leo noticed his brother's good mood. He didn't want to ruin it so he stayed totally silent throughout their car journey to home. He knew he was going to hear about Elena from his brother but tonight he seemed in thought.
When they reached home, Leandro turned to Leo in the car. He grabbed the collar of Leo's shirt "Explain yourself."
Leo gulped "I had to ask her out. Sorry. I will control her behaviour. I swear it. She will behave."
Leandro said "You crossed the line today. Without consulting me you shouldn't have done this. Watch her back Leo." He then let go and exited the car.
Leo rubbed his neck "Phew. That was close." He thought his brother was going to give him the beating of his life. Why was he so nice. He was curious. He should have walked away but when he got off the car he ran to Leandro and asked "Why are you in such a good mood?"
Leandro reached in his pocket and gave him a piece of paper "Father, approved my girl. I can't say the same about your girl. If she offends our family I am reporting her to father."
Leo said "I will make sure she won't offend you..." He then looked at the piece of paper with his mouth open. His brother fancied that new girl. It all made sense. Really?
As Leandro walked away, Leo turned to the other car that arrived. He couldn't wait to break the news to Lavinia. Leandro was in love.
Leandro went to his room and tried to sleep. It was hard.
The next morning came quick. Leandro left home early alongside Leo without breakfast. He wanted to train his football team because his father had asked him to do more than just boxing to beat their rival school their cousins were from. Leandro was into boxing but he had to save the reputation of the school in the local matches. So he had been playing football to win. Only to win. If anyone on his team messed up his chances of being the best they were going to meet a painful end.
Leo wasn't keen on the practice that day. He wanted to go see the cheer leaders early morning practicing routine.
As Leandro reached the football pitch in the early morning he lined up his team and gave them a talk. Leo rolled his eyes and asked if he could be excused. Leandro's response was "10 laps around the field all of you."
Leo groaned.
He watched Leandro walking away as he said "I will go bring Jacob. He will learn to be on time today."
Leo cringed. Jacob better have a good excuse for missing practice. It was bad news he made Leandro go get him. Leandro was super competitive. As much as Leandro only gave a crap about boxing he gave alot of crap about winning. Nicandro was going to come back from Military school soon and his team was going to kick their backsides unless Leandro trained them hard for the big games. Nicandro was a good leader just like Leandro. Their schools had a big rivalry.
Leandro walked to the dormitories where Jacob was staying. He saw some familiar faces outside who gave him a military salute. He dealt with them as they explained to him their business. He sent them on their way. This business was never ending. It wasn't the last of it.
As he walked to Jacob's door, to his surprise Jacob's door was open. He entered and then as he was about to shout he stopped himself. He saw the strangest scene. He saw Jean sleeping peacefully on the sofa and her head was on Jacob's right knee. Jacob had a piece of paper and clipboard on his other knee writing. But he stopped writing as he saw Leandro come in. He looked up shocked. He then looked at his watch and understood he was late. He signalled to Leandro to be silent and slowly tried to wriggle away from Jean. He gently and swiftly put a pillow under her neck careful not to wake her up and then he took a breath of relief as she didnt wake up as he left. He quickly walked to the door following Leandro outside. As the door closed. Leandro said "Do you know how many rules you have. broken this morning? Not showing up to practice and bringing your sister in your room."
Leandro was saying one thing and thinking another. He was burning ... with jealousy. Why was she allowed to lay her head on her brothers lap to sleep. He wished he could switch places with him. He was going to give Jacob hours worth of push ups and press ups for this. He was planning to slaughter him.
Jacob put his hand up in surrender "Look. I am sorry for not showing up to practice. I can explain."
Leandro narrowed his eyes "Why was she is your room? Girls have a separate dormitory. You do know thats alot of strikes and demerits and you didnt bother turn up to practice. You are going to be dealt with severely unless there is a good excuse." He then thought to himself "His tardiness is 5 laps max. You want him to collapse from exhaustion for being a pillow for his sister. "
Jacob said "Its a long story... She... comes to me when she has nightmares."
Leandro looked concerned "Nightmares?" He didnt expect that answer. "So she comes to you when she has nightmares? We have a matron on the girls floor. She is on duty all night. Wasn't she on her shift?"
Jacob said "Its a historical problem. Jean needs me. Not the matron. The woman tried to give her herbal tea for her nightmares. Jean came out for fresh air and I let her in through the window. I know it sounds crazy but you have to help me here. I need to have a night pass for her... Its a medical problem. When she was 4... she collapsed in the middle of the field. She had one of those attacks and she didnt know it was a medical problem. She was only 4. She couldnt even ask for help. She was in the middle of the fields alone. I was at home helping my mum to cook. I worried she didnt come back so I ran to the field and found her. She gets nightmares sometimes because of the trauma of being all alone and helpless. She comes to me always after her nightmares because I was the one to find her that day. It makes her become calmer faster when she comes to me. I would rather you give me laps to run for being late than my baby sister feeling scared and alone after her nightmares."
Leandro remained silent for awhile. He stared him down. He then stated "You should have mentioned this on the application form..."
Jacob said "Its only when she has nightmares. Last night she just arrived here. A new environment can cause shock. She wont have nightmares often. You ambushed her too by telling her you like her. You are mad. I am shocked myself. But flower pot likes your generosity letting her play in your club alone and gave her space. You cant fool me. I know you did it since you will be jealous of other guys looking at her but flower pot sees it as consideration for her shyness."
Leandro's mood changed suddenly. Jean liked his generosity.
Jacob continued "She also said you were so respectful to her when you talked to her."
Leandro had passed the first stage of courtship. Jean was willing.
Jacob said "You better not mess her about or I will make you pay..."
Leandro took a step towards him. It would have intimidated anyone but Jacob seemed not scared. He had seen Jacob fight. The kid was resilient. He was a country kid. He had ranch muscles made with hard work. His parents were wealthy business men but he liked to get his hands dirty or so his file said. When he stared into his eyes he saw one thing. Honesty. This kid was honest. Now he could see why his father may have been best friend with Jacob's father. If Jacob was like his father he could imagine it all. The kid was respectful. He didnt pick fights unless it was worth it.
Leandro said "A word of advice, new kid. Your sister has my love. Never threaten me to defend her honour. I dont hold back if I am questioned about my honour. Ask my brother what I do when my honour is under question. How about you new kid? Do you have honour? You question my honour for your sister? I question your honour for mine."
Jacob was taken back "What? Lavinia? How did I dishonour your sister. I talked to her for hardly 5 minutes last night."
Leandro chuckled "I know. You only talked to her. I know my sister well. She would have floored you and slapped you if you were a threat. But you see, her admirer doesnt think so. Arcangelo Rossi is a name you will hear from soon. He ordered a hit on you this morning. I blocked it. His gang were waiting outside to get you. I explained the situation. You see Arcangelo is my sister's boyfriend. He is super jealous. He has his own people attending this college. They watch my sister and report to him. Be careful around my sister."
Jacob was shaking his head "I dont look for trouble. All I did was talk to her... "
Leandro said "Good. Keep it that way so there is no next time... Arcangelo doesnt miss when he orders a hit."