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Chapter 1 - Vittoria
I’ve been home for a week, and it’s as though nothing has changed at all. My sister Kira got pregnant in college and shipped off to Sicily to learn to be a proper chef, only to be welcomed back recently as if nothing happened. Luigi is still the golden boy of our family that can do no wrong, just like when we were young. And then there’s me, the self-sufficient one who's always just ‘there.’
I was always told I was an easy child. Though because everyone acted like I wasn’t there, I don’t think what I said or did mattered anyway. I mean, I know my family loves me, but they don’t consider my opinion to have any weight. So, I withdrew from them, immersed myself in books, and focused on getting good grades.
Okay, maybe some things have changed. For example, I’ve just graduated top of my class and have my law degree in hand. It has to bear some leverage when I approach Alessandro about helping with the family business. I want them to take me seriously, and what better way to prove it than by showing what a hard-working, intelligent person I am? I mean, I bet I can even run circles around Frankie now.
I’m going to ask him today at my graduation party that my father is hosting. I know he will arrive any minute, and I’m ready to bend his ear and get him to accept my help for the family business. I’m ready to make my mark.
I step out into the garden, and my family and a few guests are already milling around. The tables are set out in a giant U shape. Alessandro will, of course, sit at the head of the table with me and my father, Sonny. His parents will probably sit with us as well as Katya.
My father smiles as he sees me. “There’s my superstar. Are you pleased with everything?”
I kiss both his cheeks. “It’s perfect, Papa, thank you.”
“Anything for my princess,” he gushes, stroking my hair out of my face. I pull away.
“Papa, leave my hair.”
“Show your face, honey. You’ve got such a beautiful face,” he says.
“Papa, please don’t embarrass me today. I want to show everyone how I’ve grown up and am ready to start working for the family.”
“This again,” he sighs. “I told you, you need to open up your own firm. Alessandro will fund it. You don’t need to be involved in the family business.”
I roll my eyes. “Enough, Papa. Let’s just get through today, okay?”
I lead him to the head of the table, and we sit side by side, standing only when guests come to greet us. I feel nervous, I’ve always blended into the background, but today, I’m the center of attention. Everyone is congratulating me and saying how proud they are of me. I see there’s a gift table that’s slowly piling up with boxes and envelopes.
When Alessandro arrives, my father hurries to greet him and escort him to where I’m standing. I’m seated next to him, which I deliberately arranged.
The food comes out, and soon, everyone is talking loudly while they eat. I eat quietly, waiting for Alessandro to turn his attention away from Katya. He glances at me and smiles. “What?”
“I want to discuss my future,” I say sternly.
My father instantly groans from my right. “Vittoria, this is not the place….”
“It’s the perfect place,” I say, turning back to Alessandro. “I want to become the family's lawyer. I want to be part of the family business.”
Alessandro chuckles. “Tori, you’ve just worked so hard to get a legit degree all on your own. You don’t want to taint your name by getting involved with the kind of things we do.”
“On the contrary, that’s exactly what I want to do,” I say hurriedly before my father can shush me. “I think I can be a valuable asset to the family.”
Alessandro glances over my head at my father and then sighs. “Tori, after we lost your mom to the other family, what they did to her… I don’t want to put you in danger and cause your father that kind of heartache. It wouldn’t be right.”
“I can work behind the scenes, help work around legality issues. I graduated top of my class,” I insist.
“And I’m really proud of you, Tori, I really am. But you have a shot at a normal life, unlike the rest of us mixed up in this business.” Alessandro says, and before I can argue further, he puts a hand on my shoulder. “That’s my final word on the matter.”
Disappointed, I turn back to my food. I mostly pick at it, and my father nudges me when Alessandro is preoccupied. “Don’t be a brat, Tori. Enjoy the day. We’ll find you something to do soon enough.”
I nod and give him a sad smile.
As usual, it’s as though no one realizes I exist. They talk over each other, drink, eat, and are generally merry while I wallow in my self-pity with a sad smile.
When it’s time to leave, my father insists I walk Alessandro to his car because, apparently, he’s donated a generous gift to me. I walk next to Alessandro and Frankie, who are joking with each other. Dominic and Sofia are already in their car, and I don’t see Carmine and Arianna anywhere, so I assume they’ve left. I glance back at the gate where my father has paused to speak with my Uncle Romero.
When I look back, I see a tinted car driving slowly down the road. I glance at the plates before the window rolls down, and a gun is shoved out.
