“We'll have the braised chicken, sour cream and salted crabs.”As the waiter scribbled down their order, Emilio's confident choice of braised chicken, sour cream, and salted crabs raised Luna's eyebrows in a mixture of curiosity and mild skepticism."Sour cream? Salted crabs?" Luna questioned, her tone laced with a playful incredulity. Emilio responded with a mischievous wink, accompanied by a reassuring, "Trust me. It'll be nice." Luna shrugged. “Okay”The ambiance of the restaurant, with its soft lighting and gentle murmur of conversations, set the stage for a culinary adventure. Their anticipation grew as the minutes passed, weaving an air of excitement around their table.Soon, the waiter returned, skillfully balancing a tray laden with the promised delights. The aroma of braised chicken wafted through the air, enticing their senses. Luna, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, eagerly dug into the dish, savoring the rich flavors that emanated from the tender chicken.Her fo

“Emilio!”Vincenzo exclaimed as Asher walked into the living room. He hugged his son, his expression changing from quite disturbed to relieved.“Where have you been? Andrea told me you left for America. Is it true?”“Umm… yes Father”“You were leaving? But you didn't even inform anyone. Andrea just felt you left cause he claims to have seen you with all your bags and stuff”“Yes, I was… going to travel today but I cancelled my flight.”“You should have informed me, Emilio. Things aren't done that way. I was getting a little worried about not seeing you.”“I'm really sorry, Father. I apologise. I didn't want you to make me stay an extra week. I was afraid you'd make me stay.”“Of course I'd make you stay. This is the only time I could get you to come to Italy. I want you to spend more time with your family, Emilio. (Italian ought to be here). Now you are going to have to stay the extra days or even weeks”“But Father…”“That is final, Emilio. The company isn't running away. So far, spea

Marco Ricco took his seat at the long table. The Mafia king sat at the other end, smoking marijuana. The escorts, in their body revealing dresses, stood by either side of the majestic chair he sat on. The awful smell filled the room and Marco coughed, the irritating smell filling up his nostrils. He was already beginning to have second thoughts about coming here. Finally, the man stopped smoking and dismissed his escorts.“Ricco! You never come to visit. What's the occasion?”Marco smiled.“Visits require purpose and meaning, Uncle Podrego. Isn't that what you used to say?”His uncle laughed. “Stealing the old boy's quotes ei? Come vola il tempo (how time flies). You haven't changed a bit”“Ahh, Uncle Podrego. I'm no longer the child you used to play with”“Obviously Marco. You are a grown man now. A working grown man. Your father must be so proud”“I did not come here to discuss the subject of my father here, uncle Podrego”“Then why are you here? What brings you?”“I have someone on

“How dare he trick us? That rotten little thing! How dare he?”“He thinks he has ascertained power?”.Maria sat down back, her hands clasped together, folded under her chin.“Unfortunately he power, Andrea. He may not have power here, Andrea but he surely commands something there in America. We must finish him off before he goes”“We will, mamma. Patience and planning”“There isn't enough time, mio figlio”“Patience mother. Patience”All the while, Franrigo the steward listened intensively at the door. As soon as he noticed movement, he straightened up and pretended to be passing innocently, a glass of water in hand. He knocked on Vincenzo's room door. “Yes”“Your water, Signore Vincenzo”Vincenzo had Asher open the door.“Emilio, please get the door”Emilio stood up and opened the door.“Thank you urr…”“Franrigo”“Franrigo”, Emilio repeated, quite amused.“Yes sir”“You are dismissed, Franrigo”, Vincenzo said, in a way that Emilio considered rather too serious. Franrigo bowed and d

Chapter 60Vincenzo smiled. “Well said mio figlio, well said. Who's taking you classes on Italiano?” Vincenzo asked excitedly.“I'm picking up little by little. A few of my employees speak Italian too. Plus Riccardo's been a great help. Him staying with me is all the Italian I need”, Emilio said, the last comment making his father roar in laughter. Emilio smiled, delighted inwardly to have made his father laugh.“Riccardo ei? Riccardo can go a full day in Italian, not minding if you even understand or not. How is he anyway?”“He's splendid. He's the one overseeing the business in my position”Vincenzo raised an eyebrow. “Fantastico. He's doing a great job then. At least everything is ought to be where it should be”Asher smiled. “I have an assistant too. She's partly the reason for the success of the business too”“Interesting. And she too is of Italian descent?”“Somewhat yes.”“Aha!” Vincenzo exclaimed excitedly. “I see who's been taking you classes now”“Oh no Father!”, Emilio sai