Vincenzo arrived at his father's mansion and looked around with a smile through the windows. There was no place like home. He got off the car and found himself greeted by Viggo who had come down to the front yard. He silently walked to his brother and his brother mirrored his actions. The two brothers embraced. Viggo whispered "Its good you decided to come."
Vincenzo whispered back "How are mother and father?" He then pulled away looking at his brother with a serious expression.
Viggo said "They are ok. Mother sometimes cries when father is not home. She is not happy."
Vincenzo asked "What do you do when she cries?"
Viggo said "I tell her she has nothing to worry about."
Vincenzo said "And does she believe you? "
Viggo said "No."
Vincenzo said "I will talk to her." He then turned to look around "What is this Viggo? Who are these Irish people around here?"
Viggo said "One is Tristan's party and the other belongs to the O'Reily family."
Vincenzo's blood boiled at the mention of that name "O'Reily? Which ones have showed up today?"
Viggo said "Reagan and her mother."
Vincenzo laughed bitterly "I leave this place for a few weeks and the O'Reilys show up here? Really Viggo? Reagan has eyes for you. I dont like Angelia but I respect it that she is your girl. Reagan being here is not what I expected. I expect you to show hostility to her here."
Viggo explained "Before you jump to conclusions, it was not my idea. Mother has invited Reagan and her mother for coffee. Vienna is now close to Reagan. They will go to the same art school."
Vincenzo said "So does Tristan allow this?"
Viggo said "Yes. Reagan is an O'Reily. The O'Kanes in Boston and New York have a close brotherhood with their Philadelphia counterparts historically. Vienna is safe around her because to the Irish Vienna is one of them now. Even if we dont see it that way they do see her as Tristan's possession."
Vincenzo said "I know Tristan takes her side. They are Irish. They are of the same blood... But why do you not show her hostility."
Viggo argued "I cant exactly show hostility. She hasn't technically done anything to warrant any confrontations."
Vincenzo started clapping and spoke in a sarcastic way "Wow. How impressive? I am gone and you turn into a cautious one. Congratulations on losing your mind."
Viggo said "Dont you think I am frustrated by this? I nearly lost it with her up there and thats why I came down here to walk it off. I cant do anything unprovoked Vincenzo. There are rules..."
Vincenzo said "Viggo. What rules are we talking about here? No rules apply when it comes to defending your territory Viggo."
Viggo argued "I dont need to defend my territory when there is no attack. My territory is intact."
Vincenzo said "Of course you dont need no defence. You need offence. We make the rules when it comes to our territory. You must claim your territory. You must do it in a way no one dares trespass through it. You cant afford to be conservative. There are no rules except the ones you make when it comes to your territory. You will make others follow your rules when it comes to the one you claim..."
Vincenzo looked away at the entrance of the house and saw Reagan coming down "Oh here she comes. Go inside Viggo and tell everyone I am here. Do it. Your problem is you can't be harsh to girls. Forget she is a girl and come down hard on her when she deserves it." He then walked past Viggo "Hi there Reagan.
Reagan froze as she saw Vincenzo. She looked at Viggo walked past her to the entrance of the building. Viggo watched Reagan brace herself. Vincenzo always gave it to Reagan if she became offensive and Reagan thought twice before she spoke to Vincenzo. Reagan was never interested in no chats with Vincenzo. He entered the building knowing Reagan was not going to be in any trouble. She watched herself when Vincenzo was around. Vincenzo didn't show special treatment to the ladies unlike him. Maybe Vincenzo was right and he was too nice to women. He just couldn't stand the thought of hurting any women even if they deserved it.
Reagan watched Viggo disappear in the building and then said to Vincenzo "Hi. I thought you are gone."
Vincenzo approached her " I am back."
Reagan looked at her car and started walking away but Vincenzo blocked her path. "Are you in a hurry? I would like to catch up with you. lets have a chat inside."
Reagan looked up at Vincenzo "I have to go join my mother. She has gone home. I need to go too. Sorry. Maybe another time." She then tried to walk past him but Vincenzo blocked her path "Are you running away Reagan? Why not stay? Tell me Reagan."
Reagan said " I have to go. I will catch up with you at the church tonight."
Vincenzo said "Of course. Why not? If my family stays for the reception afterwards maybe we can have a snow ball fight that your brother suggested for peace offering. Rayton said we should have a peaceful celebration among the youth by a snowball fight. The Irish Vs.the Italians. That would be fun. Wear some helmet Reagan because if my father decides for the Rosarios to stay longer tonight after the service, I will give you frost bites."
Reagan cringed. What was her brother thinking? Suggesting a peaceful game. It was never going to be peaceful if Vincenzo was going to be in the picture. She gave him a forced smile "I will remember that for tonight. If your family cant stay I will totally understand. I dont even know if that fight happens. What are we? kids?"
Vincenzo gave her a smile back "Oh. Its symbolic. We fight with snow instead of bullets. We show peace as youth and its Christmas. I think there was always a peaceful themed game. Last year's one was football match but it wasn't on Christmas Eve. This time your brother wants everyone involved and he knows mostly everyone will be in a peaceful mood including me."
Reagan said "Of course. Its symbolic. I have to go. It has been lovely talking to you."
As she tried to make her escape, he blocked her path again "Before you go, lets get this straight... You must watch how you behave around my brother and my sister. I am not Irish. I dont have to be nice to you. Even if Tristan trusts you around my sister, I dont like seeing you around. Make sure you stay out of my way and dont give me an excuse to make you cry. I will scar you for life if you hurt my baby sister or my brother. Do I make myself clear?"
Reagan was silently looking at Vincenzo. She didnt want to respond but said " I wont give you any reason to hurt me Vincenzo. You have misunderstood the whole situation. I would like to make myself crystal clear for you. I am not after any fights with your family. There is no need to make threats."
Vincenzo said "There are no threats. Just promises
"Vincenzo. You are back." Vienna's voice came to Reagan's relief. She was her saviour. She didn't think she should could handle Vincenzo.
Vincenzo looked past Reagan and saw Vienna coming down. His expression softened and without sparing another glance at Reagan he whispered "You see yourself out Reagan." He then walked past Reagan to Vienna.
Vienna found herself in her brother's tight hug. He said "You will catch a cold Vienna. Go upstairs."
Vienna said "I am so happy you are here..."
Vincenzo said "I have got you some souvenirs from Italy. Do you want to see?"
Vienna nodded.
Vincenzo lead her to his car to show them to her in the trunk of the car.
Vienna looked up at Reagan who was enthusiastically getting into her car "Bye Reagan. Have a safe journey."
Reagan smiled at her and waved goodbye. She wished Vincenzo was like her siblings. Did it kill him to show her some more respect? But again who was she kidding. This was as respectful as Vincenzo got. She had no idea what Clarisa saw in Vincenzo and how she endured him. She looked up and saw Adele Rosario who was visible through the kitchen window. She was lovely. But her eldest son was the devil himself. How could an angel give birth to a soulless heartless demon like Vincenzo she thought to herself?
Adele was in the kitchen preparing food for tonight. She was almost done with cooking the main meal and was onto making desert now. She was looking at the the clock warily knowing guests could arrive shortly. She was quite busy with work that she didn't notice the tall figure standing behind her as she was stirring her soup. She took a spoonful in her mouth "Hm. It's done."
His voice startled her "Can I have some?"
Adele froze. She took a deep breath. Vincenzo's voice was very like his father's. It was cold, calculated, demanding but he spoke softly to her and respectful like how Francesco did.
Adele turned around and put her hand on her heart "Vincenzo."
Vincenzo smiled and walked to his mother.
Adele became emotional. She thought she could hold it together if she saw her eldest son on Christmas Eve but she was wrong. Tears came to her eyes. She reached her hands to his face "You are safe."
Vincenzo looked concerned "Mother. Don't cry."
Adele gave out a shaky breath as she hugged him "Are you being taken care of? Do you eat well in Sicily?"
Vincenzo chuckled "You will come see me in the summer with father. Then you can see all is well."
Adele said "I wish you don't go back."
Vincenzo said "I wish to go back. It's my destiny mother..."
Adele dried her tears with her apron "I wish you listened to me. I am your mother but you don't listen."
Vincenzo said "Mother. What do you want me to do?"
Adele said "I want you to cut ties with the Sicilians. They will hurt you. I know they can. They may not even be taking care of you. Do they even cook you proper meals?"
Vincenzo whispered "I live by myself in Sicily. I make my own meals."
Adele gasped "Really?"
Vincenzo said "Yes Mother. Father doesn't wish me to mix with my Sicilian family and I haven't ... Not at any level but business level. I live alone in a house on Rosario land. My soldiers and so called family of mine live around me but not with me. Mother I have not compromised with the people who have wronged father. I am safe. No one can hurt me. I am there to be mentored by the old don. That's the business side. My personal side is independent. I eat well, live well, work well and study well. You have nothing to worry about."
Adele was speechless. What could she say back?
Vincenzo said "Can I have some soup please?"
Adele nodded quickly as thinking about his revelations. She poured some soup into a bowl and put it in front of Vincenzo who was now seated behind the dining table in the kitchen.
Vincenzo inhaled the soup aroma "Basil and tomato... My favourite. Thank you Mother."
Adele sat opposite his eldest son. His table manners seemed to be the same. He still said thank you and he even said a prayer in Latin before he ate. He seemed healthy enough.
Adele put her hand under her chin staring at him eating "Do I have to wait until the summer to see you Vincenzo?"
Vincenzo shook his head "Mother. You can see me any time you wish. Just get on a plane to Palermo airport and I will be there greeting you... But I can't come back... unless it's time to return for me. Business is unpredictable."
Adele said "I miss you son."
Vincenzo raised an eyebrow "That's hard to believe mother. You always said I am more troublesome than Viggo. Why not breathe and relax while I am gone?"
Adele looked saddened "No one can replace you for me son... You should know that. You have no idea how much I miss you..." She then sighed and looked away. "Do you even miss Home while you are gone? I don't think you do. Otherwise you wouldn't talk so casually about this." She then wiped her tears again as she stood up "I need to go freshen up before your father sees me crying."
As she was about to leave, Vincenzo stood up and faced his mother " Mother... I would rather die than watch you cry. There is a way to return to New York before the time comes... I will have to take a short cut in the business and massacre thousands of people in Sicily so I don't have to balance any books. If you wish me to give the order to kill rather than make deals all you have to do is ask me."
Adele was shocked. Her heart started beating fast. Was he serious. Her eyes were filled with horror as she choked "No. You don't do that..."
Vincenzo said "Well. In that case you have to wait for me. I am just a phone call away always. If you change your mind mother you tell me." He then sat back at the table and carried on eating "I love this soup."
Adele took a deep breath and walked away. Her head was full of mixed emotions including relief. That was close. What if she forced her son to kill. Maybe next time Vincenzo wasn't even going to ask her for her opinion and was going to choose an option for her.
As Vincenzo finished eating the soup he felt alone in the kitchen. He wished Terza was there. He decided to call her. He walked to the telephone and dialled a number. Terza picked up "Hi."
Vincenzo said "Hi."
Terza said "Where is Tristan? Hasn't he left your house yet?"
Vincenzo said "He is in a meeting with my father right now. You will see him soon... and I will see you soon... Tonight at the church."
Terza sighed "About that... Vincenzo... Did you have to threaten Reagan this much. She told me what you did."
Vincenzo said "I didn't threaten her. I made promises. If we stay tonight after church I will give her frost bite. I don't like her kind. She wants to come between Angelia and Viggo."
Terza sighed " Viggo and Angelia can resolve this... Reagan hasn't done anything..."
Vincenzo said "Maybe. Maybe not... She has become friends with my sister to get close to Viggo... That's called manipulation."
Terza argued "That's not true. Reagan was close to Vienna years ago too. She has nothing against the rosarios ... I also don't think Reagan would dare manipulate your sister while she knows Vienna belongs to Tristan. She would try another way. Also I think you should give Vienna some credit. She can tell if someone is faking a friendship with her. She is not clueless. Reagan is not like that. If she was manipulating Vienna do you think Tristan would have allowed it to happen?"
Vincenzo said "Your brother takes sides. We both know that. Reagan is allowed near Vienna because she is Irish. I don't think your brother is totally neutral. Tristan wants the Irish side to win here. He believes that biggest fighters should win. I know his view. Reagan may be a harmless friend to Vienna but ... nothing good can come out of her friendships with anyone. I don't like her kind."
Terza said "You didn't like Angelia's kind either... But what's changed now?"
Vincenzo said "I still don't like her... My brother does. That is what's changed. I respect my brothers choices even if they are wrong. This girl won't make him happy. I don't think she can..."
Terza asked "Do you think Reagan can?"
Vincenzo said "Terza. Stop distracting me from the main question here... You ran away from me today... You left without saying goodbye rushing into your car... You do owe me a goodbye kiss and an apology...."
Terza said "You will get neither big wolf. You will get frost bites tonight too. I am on the Irish side tonight big wolf. I will blow you ice and snow but no kisses."
Vincenzo said "You want to bet."