Terza was sitting in the car waiting. She was looking through the windows watching Vitale speaking to Vincenzo as he was meeting his gaze bravely. She did find it intriguing with how Vincenzo treated Vitale like a brother so gently. She could see Vincenzo putting his hand on Vitale's shoulder as though touching someone holy so gently. Family was holy to Vincenzo. He had hardly seen Vitale in his life but he treated him like he did Viggo. She never recalled Vincenzo treating Viggo roughly in public just like how he treated Vitale now. She knew behind closed doors there could be much more but the respect Vincenzo showed to his blood in public was evident.
Terza could see that Vincenzo was reprimanding Vitale as he was whispering in his ear with a stone faced expression.
Terza thought over Vitale's words and actions. He had said too much. He knew he had. She could see it in his eyes. She could see the conflict in him. He was meant to be loyal to her and meet her demands as she belonged to Vincenzo so he did seem torn about satisfying Terza calming her and also keeping Vincenzo's secrets. She knew she had put him in a difficult situation. Was there going to be a next time? She wasn't sure. She recalled how Vincenzo always warned her not to look for answers he wasn't willing to give. Now she could see how complicated the answers could be. Vincenzo having to protect people from his father was a mind blowing revelation. She knew how much Vincenzo loved his father and how much Francesco Rosario loved his son. This just showed the depth of this matter and the complexity of Vincenzo's life. This was only the beginning. He was only young. Other kids his age were filling in college application forms while Vincenzo's one was filled ages ago. In fact his life was planned for him a long time ago just like how Tristan's life had been.
Terza saw Vincenzo walking away towards the building as Vitale walked to the car slowly. He opened the door put his hands on the roof of the car as he bent slightly with a weak smile "Hi again..."
Terza looked at Vitale who was filling the door leaning to the car "You are alive? How come?"
Vitale's smile suddenly vanished and his expression turned unsure. Terza could even see a hint of paleness in his face as it became obvious he didnt expect to hear that. He looked at Terza with an unreadable expression that was handsome at the same time. He had a Rosario look afterall. Vitale whispered "Did you expect me not to live? Did you..." He then looked around.
Terza noticed that the guards kept their distance. He didnt need to check for people listening but of course he was checking if Vincenzo was around.
Vitale looked back at Terza "Did you ask for ... my death from Vincenzo?" He then held his breath and it was obvious he was awaiting her reply in anticipation.
Terza didnt expect to see Vitale this concerned. She smiled and sighed "What kind of question is this? No. I did not."
Vitale breathed "You didnt? He would grant it you know. In a heart beat. If you ask for my death he would give the order without hesitation."
Terza was actually intrigued by Vitale actually taking their encounter seriously as a threat to his life " But do you think you committed anything worthy of death?"
Vitale stated "I didn't commit any sins. I made errors. Only sins are punished by death. But... if you ask for my execution it would come. I know it will.
Terza didnt think that at all "You are his cousin. He wont hurt you..."
Vitale stated "He will if I hurt you or if you feel hurt by me... I am still not convinced that you didnt ask for my death. You were surprised to see me alive."
terza explained " I didnt ask him to kill you.. I was joking with you. I said what I said as a joke implying how surprised I was at you being healthy... He said he will give you a warning for what you did. He is normally not in the habit of giving warnings that are painless. At least you should look like you are in pain, if not dead. Did he do anything to you after he left me here and went in to get you?"
Vitale said "He did give me a warning that I should be getting for what I did. I think if anyone should be asking questions is me. Why did you say sorry after you asked me or rather threatened me with getting me into trouble if I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear?"
Terza said "I can read emotions accurately Vitale. I could tell what you told me cost you a lot to say. Vincenzo is private. He doesn't tell me anything when I ask about his past. I didn't think that he is protecting that secret in relation with Cristina to protect lives from his father. The look in your eyes told me you were being truthful."
Vitale rolled his eyes "So are you implying that Vincenzo's strict code of honour hasn't at all convinced you that he is genuine when he says he only loves you? Cristina is only a friend. How many times does he need to swear it to you that you are the only special woman in his life. He is protective of Cristina. That is all... But again you are an O'Neil so I can't expect any joy from clarifying such matters."
Terza frowned "How do you mean?"
Vitale said "May I be blunt? Do I have permission to be blunt Miss O'Neil."
Terza sighed "Call me Clarisa ... Yes .,. You can be..."
Vitale said "O'Neil's are all excessively jealous and I dont mean the normal jealous type. They are crazy jealous. Everyone knows that."
Terza defended "So are the Rosarios."
Vitale said "Let's be fair Miss O'Neil... I hear it all from my cousins Vienna and Amethyst about tales of jealousy and possessives of the O'Neil's. I suspected Tristan was possessive but didn't expect it also from Trent who is a silent jealous type quite excessively. I hear what he does to admirers of Amethyst even from across the Atlantic. His reach is quite vast too. I guess it runs in the O'Neil family."
Terza said "Jealousy is a fact of life in our world. Take a look in the mirror Vitale. Your people are jealous too and so are you."
Vitale said "I am protective and I admit I do get jealous but i don't overdo it unlike the O'Neils."
Terza said "There is no such thing as overdoing when it comes to my man. I know that. If any woman wants my man, they will deal with the consequences,"
Vitale asked "I am confused. Why do you show Vincenzo so much resistance yet you do express you are protective? I thought you dont return his feelings?"
Terza warned "Be careful Vitale. I dont think I granted you the right to judge my actions. You just can be blunt... My relationship is what it is. I have allowed Vincenzo to call me his woman because I allowed it. Its as simple as that. That makes him my man. My differences with Vincenzo is separate. We have our differences but I dont share."
Vitale nodded."I think I said too much now... I was meant to apologise and ask you for forgiveness when I dropped by your car. For all its worth I am sorry.
Am I forgiven?"
Terza sighed "You are sorry for what?"
Vitale said "I am meant to apologise for making you sorry. I am sorry I made you sorry."
Terza said "I dont know what you are talking about but your apology is accepted."
Vitale nodded and said "Thank you ma'am. I will see you at the house. The Don will be here in a few minutes." He then took a step away from the car and left the door open.
Terza watched Vitale now walking to the guards and giving orders regarding security. He looked rather relieved. Was he serious. She then saw Vincenzo coming down the stairs of the building as some men with uniform of the hotel employees or wherever this place was walked to him. They bent forward and kissed Vincenzo's hand thanking him for holding his meeting there and giving them jobs. He was Don Vincenzo to them.
Vincenzo seemed to be used to this treatment. He just walked past them as they let go of his hand. Without sparing a glance at them, he walked to Vitale and whispered to him while looking at Terza through the open door of the car "I forgive you. You can join at the table tonight."
Vitale seemed grateful. He walked to order the guards.
Vincenzo then got into the car. He came inside and sat down closing the door soundly facing Terza "Well well Terza. I hear you questioned my cousin asking about me. I am flattered that you care about me..."
Terza raised an eyebrow "He told you about all that I said?"
Vincenzo said "Yes he did."
Terza waited for him to carry on but he didn't. He just stared her down and she didn't look away. She crossed her arms over her chest "Stop making this about me Vincenzo. This is about you and your secrecy. It's about your lack of trust in me..."
Vincenzo shook his head "Terza. This is about you understanding that you shouldn't try to investigate me. If you have any questions come and ask me."
Terza said "You will deny me any information then...."
Vincenzo said "The more you find out the much more you will get immersed into my life and the closer you will get to me Terza. Do you want that? I don't think you want that Terza. You are not ready to get close to me..."
Terza said "Knowing your secrets wont change this relationship."
Vincenzo smiled and looked away "It already has Terza. It already has. You just don't see it that way." He then looked back at her "If you knew what is inside my heart... If you knew how many secrets I have within me... If you knew how many people my secrets belong to, you wouldn't come looking Terza. You will know so much about me if you get more information. Stop now Terza. Take this as your only warning. Stop asking my people about me..."
Terza said "Of course. We don't want anyone breaking omertà now do we just like how Vitale did."
Vincenzo said "My family members talking to you about me is not breaking omertà Terza. You are my woman. But I just don't want you to face the consequences you are not ready for. You will know too much."
Terza sighed and looked away thinking over his words. Minutes went past in silence and Terza noticed the car was now moving. She turned to Vincenzo "Are we going to your home?"
Vincenzo said "Yes. We will eventually after a longer than usual trek. But I thought we go the long way so you can look at the surroundings. Its unfortunate you have come to visit Sicily in the winter. Next time I hope you are on this soil in the spring or summer."
Terza said "I didnt come here for site seeing. I came here to interview some of these people who were in your meeting which I cant do any more now that the metting is over..."
Vincenzo said "You will interview them but not there at this time of night. It wasnt very pretty inside."
Terza recalled how Vincenzo's uncle Angelo had come outside the building shaking and washing his face using the water fountain and when he had calmed down he had gone in. She hadnt thought much of it. People got upset all the time when they worked for criminals.
Terza asked "What ugly scenes was there that I couldnt see? I have seen it all before."
Vincenzo said " I have my reasons... But you didnt waste a trip... You can interview those people later. They will come to you, to your office to be interviewed so your boss, whoever it is at your magazine can give you more credit for brining the client to the office for even a photoshoot."
Terza asked "Really? They will come?"
Vincenzo said "They just need time, date and place. They will be there... Just send it to them on a telegram and mention the word "Imperatrice" as a foot note of the letter."
Terza asked "Why Imperatrice? As in empress?"
Vincenzo said "Thats my code name for you... You are my imperatrice in code names."
Terza shook her head "Thats just unbelievable. What else do I need to do? Wear a tiara to match the code word?"
Vincenzo nodded "I would love it if you do that. " He then reached into a cabinet inside the car and took out a box. He handed it to Terza.
Terza asked "Whats this?" She then opened it and gasped.
Vincenzo explained "Thats my highest fantasy for you to wear a tiara. Had one made for you too."
Terza looked up at him "This is very beautiful..." She was not happy that it would be Vincenzo's highest fantasy to wear a tiara but she did not want to refuse a gift that was made for her. Every single stone used in the tiara was of significance to her. Vincenzo knew her so well.. The tiara was made in a way that she loved it. She was a girl. She was not particularly a big fan of tiaras but this one was just made for her. She put it on and saw herself in her mirror she carried in her purse. She then looked up at Vincenzo "Thank you."
Vincenzo reached his hand over to her and held her hand. He just stared at her silently. He didnt say a word. It was his idea of romance. Silent staring at his woman. This was his way that Terza understood. She had the urge to look away but kept his stare. He whispered "Terza. Is there anything I can do to make tonight easier for you. Do you mind seeing my family here? I need to know if I am making you unhappy tonight by my actions."
Terza said "I am fine... But I am leaving tomorrow morning. I actually wish to go back to New York for a few days before returning to my course. There is a one week holiday next week." That was why she couldnt push him away. He was who he was. He was arrogant, he was dominant, he was cruel but he was caring. He did show a caring side for her even when he took her choices away with blackmail like now. She was meant to be mad at him. But after he took the choice away he gave it back just to make sure he wasnt forcing her.
Terza decided to look outside the windows to see the surroundings of the winter night in sicily. It was still beautiful.
As the car came to a halt, Terza turned to Vincenzo "Which one is your house?"
Vincenzo said "Neither. We are not there yet. I am just here to take you inside the most special and holy place in this area."
Terza turned to look through the window "The church."
Vincenzo replied "Its the church where my parents got married."
Terza gasped "Wow."
Vincenzo explained "Its the same church where I will take you for our wedding when the time comes... I would like you to visit it tonight with me now."
Terza froze and she felt nervous suddenly.