WHAT WILL BE HER ANSWER
1282 Words
Mr. Salvatore stood alone at the window.
For a man feared across continents, this was one of his rare moments of stillness and weakness.
He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and took out an old photograph: a younger version of MEERA, with a little girl in her arms — Fiona, no more than four, smiling innocently.
His eyes misted.
He picked up the phone. It took him two tries to dial the number.
"Call the legal team and publishing team. arrange a big the press meet."
A pause.
"And make sure all the other powerful family know it before the week ends."
He ended the call and slumped back into his chair — the burden of his decision heavier than any war he’d fought.
Giovannie stood near the window, hands in his pockets, back straight, jaw clenched.
There was tension in the air — not the kind bred by fear, but by the weight of legacy.
Mr. Salvatore:
“So. You asked for her. Publicly.”
(pauses)
“You know what that means.”
Gio turned, eyes steady.
Gio:
“I know exactly what it means, sir. And I’m ready.”
Mr. Salvatore raised an eyebrow, almost amused.
Mr. Salvatore:
“You’ve been seen with Viola since you both were children. Groomed to inherit this alliance. Public opinion, blood ties, our enemies — they all expect her.”
Gio:
“I never chose Viola. I tolerated her because it kept the waters still.”
Mr. Salvatore:
“And now you're ready to drown the whole empire for Fiona?”
Gio’s voice didn’t shake.
Gio:
“I’d rebuild an empire from ashes, if she’s standing beside me.”
There was a pause.
A long one.
Mr. Salvatore stood up slowly, walking over to pour himself a drink. He poured one for Gio, too.
Mr. Salvatore:
“She doesn’t want this life. She's still walking on glass here.”
Gio accepted the glass but didn’t sip.
Gio:
“Then I’ll carry her until she stops bleeding.”
There was something in his tone — not desperation, but conviction. Unshakable. Unapologetic.
Mr. Salvatore took a sip, then finally spoke — voice low, powerful.
Mr. Salvatore:
“Then listen to me very carefully, Giovannie Sicilian.”
(steps closer)
“She carries the Salvatore name, but she has a gentler heart. If you’re marrying her, you’re marrying me, too. You break her — I break you. Clear?”
Gio nodded once, firm.
Gio:
“Crystal.”
A faint smile ghosted Mr. Salvatore’s lips — pride, perhaps, or warning.
He extended his hand.
Mr. Salvatore:
“Then let’s change history.”
Gio shook it — a pact sealed between titans.
Fiona’s Room – Same Night
The room was dim, the fairy lights on her mirror flickering weakly. Fiona sat on the floor by her bed, her knees pulled to her chest, her body trembling silently.
The confrontation with Gio still echoed in her head. His words. That look. The confusion in her own heart.
And the crushing guilt of being the center of all this chaos.
Suddenly, a soft knock on the door.
“Fiona?” came a soft voice — it was Jenny.
Fiona didn’t answer. She couldn’t.
The door slowly opened. Jenny entered, a little breathless — still in her hoodie and jeans. Max had called her, panic in his voice.
Jenny’s eyes softened as she saw her best friend curled up on the floor.
“Oh no, baby…”
She rushed over and sank beside her, wrapping her arms around Fiona tightly.
Fiona let out a broken sob against Jenny’s shoulder.
“I didn’t ask for any of this… I didn’t want to be the heir,” she whispered. “Why does it feel like I’m hurting everyone? Viola… Gio… myself…”
Jenny stroked her hair gently.
“Because you care. That’s what makes you different from all of them.”
Fiona leaned her forehead on Jenny’s.
“I feel like I’m drowning, Jen. And they’re all watching.”
Jenny smiled faintly through misty eyes.
“Then we’ll swim together, dumbass. You and me.
Fiona cracked a small smile,
both jenny and fio slept on the floor but fiona could'nt able to sleep
Fiona stood on the steps, arms crossed against the chilly breeze, when the door creaked open behind her.
Mr. Salvatore (warmly):
“Could I borrow you for a short walk, fio
Fiona turned, surprised.
“Of course…Paa.”
They walked in silence for a few moments. The crunch of gravel under their shoes was the only sound.
Mr. Salvatore walked with hands behind his back, slow and steady.
Fiona glanced sideways, trying to guess the tone. Gentle… but something was coming.
Mr. Salvatore (finally):
“You remind me of your mother when she first came here. Eyes full of wonder… and fear.”
Fiona gave a soft smile, unsure.
Fiona:
“This place is… more than I ever imagined. But I’m still learning to breathe inside it.”
He stopped walking and looked up at the stars.
Mr. Salvatore:
“Then breathe slowly, because it just became yours to carry.”
Fiona blinked.
“What do you mean?”
He turned to her, his eyes gentle but firm.
Mr. Salvatore:
“Gio came to me tonight… asked to marry you. And I’ve given him my word.”
The air fell still.
Fiona (softly):
“But… Viola—”
Mr. Salvatore (interrupting kindly):
“—has been trained to lead, yes. But Gio didn’t ask for training. He asked for you.”
Fiona’s throat tightened.
Fiona:
“I never meant to take her place. I never wanted to be… in the middle.”
He gave a small, heartfelt chuckle.
Mr. Salvatore:
“You didn’t take anything. "You simply existed — and for once, someone saw you.”
Fiona lowered her eyes, emotions welling up.
Mr. Salvatore:
“Do you care for him?”
She hesitated.
Fiona (quietly):
“I don’t know. but I don’t understand why everything suddenly changed.”
Mr. Salvatore:
“Because some men don’t speak until their hearts are on fire. And Gio… is burning.”
Fiona's eyes widened slightly, unsure if it was fear or fluttering in her chest.
Mr. Salvatore:
“You have time to decide. No one will force your hand. But just know — the Salvatore name… would be proud to rest on your shoulders.”
Back in the grand Sicilian home,
Gio was lounging on the vintage velvet couch, absentmindedly flipping a coin in the air, wearing the stupidest grin his family had seen in years.
Gianna (his sister, smirking):
“Look at him — he’s smiling like he just won a war and got dessert.”
Angelo (his brother, sipping espresso):
“No, no, this is worse. This is love. Should we call a doctor?”
Mrs. Sicilian (mock sighing):
“Just make sure it’s not food poisoning from Salvatore dinner. That’s the only other reason he’d look this soft.”
Gio didn’t even react. His thoughts were far away — on Fiona, her deep green dress clinging to her figure like silk on fire, the way her eyes had narrowed when she was confused, the tremble in her voice when she confronted him. She had left him speechless… and yet, he wanted more. So much more.
Gio (to himself, grinning):
“If she says yes… God help me, I’ll build her a palace of emeralds.”
Gianna threw a pillow at him.
Gianna:
“Snap out of it, Romeo. She hasn’t even answered yet.”
Gio only smiled wider.
Gio:
“She will.
Hooo our romeo is is on cloud 9.......
- Writer
