TWO SOULS AND A TIE

CHAPTER 2

The night air grew colder as Leonardo finally ascended the stairs and as he got inside the Vip Chambers, his boys had already tried pulling out their artilleries until he gave them the alt sign.His eyes were still locked with that of Fellani as he took one last puff from his cigarettes, light me another he said , as he got inside he quickly scanned his eyes across the entire room to see if there was anyone because he knew Fellani does not walk alone, not even in a place like this were there is every tendency of a volatile confrontation, the mayor was still on the couch enjoying every bit of the cocaine on his table,

What's the meaning of this Mayor; Leonardo yelled? why did you request i bring you a package and you are here already feeding on one, what kind of game is this that you’re playing Mayor, his voice becoming even louder, this prompted Fellani to signal to his men with a subtle hand gesture, and they began to converge silently on the unsuspecting Moretti's gang. Each side of the gang now had their guns raised at each other

This was not what any investors were expecting on the first day of opening a new casino worth millions of dollars, unveiling a casino and the next thing the whole atmosphere is filled with gangbangers, they should at least give it a day. The Mayor however, could not believe what was about to precede this unexpected encounter.

You know I own this city Leonardo and there's nothing you could possibly do about it, I'm always on top of my game, Fellani yelled as he signaled his boys to follow him through the back door of the VIP Chamber that leads to the other side of the casino.

The Mayor wanted to leave also as he was becoming more uncomfortable with the confrontation, and before he did he said something that altered Fellani’s movement and left him stagnant, he said it just out of the blue, “why don't you both settle for a truce” fighting and raging against each other would not bring an end to any of this feud , neither would it quench the undying and unending quest for power between you both, They both giggled and said harmonically, “Settle with this man? Never. That was the only time they did something together.

It might be an uneasy truce but in the end what’s the usefulness of losing more men to mere lust for power and insatiable wants.

I leave it to you both, but i promise you now more than ever that the police are on your backs and are so desperate to put you both behind bars the same way you’re both desperate to the see the end of one another,

After his statement, the mayor smiled and off he was down the stairs, he already had his Piece of cocaine already and he thought to himself, of what need do i still need to remain here, and just as he was going down the stairs he said something to them both. He said “You can't eat your cake and have it” you can’t!!! Those words were the last thing that was left ringing in both Gangs' ears.

Settle for a truce Fellani, you heard him, Leonardo said as he smiled, you and i know you would never ever settle for a truce and even if it did, it would involve something more than anyone could have ever afford, but if it’s going to end this rivalry and stop the feds from being at our back, and stop me from losing my most loyal men just as the mayor proposed, then i am all ears, immediately he said that, he took himself a glass cup of champagne and then he smiled and said to himself; a truce? I very much doubt that.

Your daughter, your beautiful and adorable daughter, Fellani said as he lit a cigar and took a puff, what about my daughter? Leonardo replied as he was left in shock that Fellani mentioned his daughter in settings like this.

Now Leonardo Moretti had a young beautiful daughter, innocently looking but was very wild at heart just like her Dad, Isabella was a very fierce and intelligent lady, and also very sharp-witted, she’d been on top of her class since she was a little girl, very daring and was ready to take on new challenges especially academically and business wise, but she was Leonardo's only child, he could not let any harm come to her. She was the one thing he cherished the most, but hearing her name come out of Fellani's mouth left him in a very tragic state of confusion. Why would mention his daughter’s name on a table like this? What business does she have with any of this? What does any of this have to do with my Daughter Fellani, he was somehow raging within and at the same time a little bit scared.

Then Fellani said, Your daughter, my son, why don’t we bring them into all of this. I don't seem to understand you Fellani, Leonardo replied sharply, what do you mean bring them into this?

Okay then,let me cut to the chase, he then ordered his men to leave the room and asked that Leonardo ask his men to do the same. Why don’t we become one Family Leonardo, I mean, what’s better than seeing two rival gangs become one family, i don’t think anyone would have seen that coming, not even in their wildest thoughts, buts who cares what people think, as a matter of fact, to hell with what people think. We’re Mafians and we own the society, they do not own us.

Leonardo was stunned with Fellani’s proposal, why would Fellani want to be family with him and what the hell would even give him the impression that he was going to accept such an offer.

What do you mean we become a family? asked, and Fellani replied sharply; you're not a kid Leonardo, why do I need to use the whole of my mouth to say something to a grown ass man like you, and I have no doubts you understand exactly what I'm trying to say.

I’m saying you give your daughter her hand in marriage to my Son Marco, how about that?

What the hell just came out from your mouth ? Leonardo asked as he looked at Fellani in dismay. Giving my daughter to your son in marriage as a symbol of truce, this is definitely a mad joke, and as a matter of fact, I don't think you have any idea what you’re talking about, I think the weed has gotten into your f*****g skull.

Let me correct you Leonardo, I'm not asking for your daughter’s hand in marriage to my son, no, that’s not the point I am trying to make, I'm telling you what you need to do, if we’re both going to settle for a truce.

And yes Leonardo, the weed has definitely gotten into my head but i tell you this one thing , that’s our one and only option, to bring an end to this feud, to bring an end to this animosity, and that is by becoming united except if you’re allergic to unity, and how best could you define unity other than becoming an in-law with your enemy. Leonardo thought back for a few seconds and he couldn't believe his ears, in what world am i in, he said to himself, and he so much loved his daughter and could no way want to put her in all of this insane business missions, but right now she was the only thing that could save his empire from the endless war it had with it’s sworn enemy, he had to compromise now. He found himself in a state of dilemma, the love he had for his only daughter, and how much he was willing to sacrifice inorder to keep the gang, the one and only thing he’s known his whole life, the one thing he lived for. Even if he was told the seasons were going to change, he never for once taught it to happen this way.

As Fellani stood up and was ready to leave, the dire need to have fun had already left his spirit, as his supposed party night was now countered with an encounter with his sworn enemy. He walked out of the VIP chamber, his trench coat billowing behind him like a cape of power. The dimly lit hallway felt like a tunnel leading to an uncertain destination.

The entire casino were oblivious to the drama unfolding behind closed doors as they were simply too engrossed in their own vices to care.

Fellani’s mind was racing as he descended the stairs, leaving behind the room where he had just proposed a truce through marriage. He knew the stakes were high, and his own son Marco was most likely not going to like the plan that had been set in motion. The thought of joining forces with the Moretti’s was both enticing and unnerving.

Leonardo was left frigid where he sat cold as he contemplated the weight of the decision he was about to make, and he could not believe the sudden turn of event that ransacked his night and the sole of his heart.

His daughter, Isabella, was the key to sealing the alliance, and she deserved to be consulted about her own fate. As much as Leonardo loved her, he couldn't deny the harsh reality of the criminal world he lived in. Sacrifices had to be made to ensure the survival of his empire.

How was he going to put such an information to his dear beloved, he pondered and wondered, the one and only creature he cherished the most, was he going to betray the love he had for her inorder to settle peace and foster alliance with his worst enemy, but he could not betray the whole clan, an entire generation of people that respected and adored him, who had given him purpose and something to live for, it’s the only world he had known his entire life, it could not end here, to sustain it he knew he had to do everything in his power even if it involved giving out his dear beloved daughter’s hand in marriage to the son of a rival gang; his most rival gang.

It felt more like a trap he couldn't escape. His boys sat there in the room with little or no idea of what was going through his mind, but they could tell he was disturbed.

The thoughts came in like bullets hitting every part of his mind and as they continued to fly in Leonardo knew he had to make a choice. The fate of his empire hung in the balance and the shadows of pain deepened with every passing second.