CHAPTER 4
986 Words
FIVE YEARS LATER
He arrived without announcement, yet the air shifted long before he stepped into the room.
The Mafia don,Rafael De luca moved like a man who had nothing to prove and no one to impress. His suit was charcoal, cut with ruthless precision, the kind of tailoring that whispered power instead of shouting wealth. A dark overcoat hung from his shoulders, still carrying the faint scent of rain and something colder—authority, perhaps. His face was calm, almost unreadable, but his eyes… his eyes carried a quiet danger, like a storm waiting for permission to break.
Two men followed at a distance, shadows rather than guards. They didn’t speak. They didn’t need to.
Across the vast office, the aged business tycoon sat behind a desk carved from old money and older secrets. Time had bent his back slightly, silvered his hair, and lined his face with experience—but not weakness. His fingers rested on a polished cane, more symbol than support. His gaze, sharp and measuring, lifted as the don approached.
For a moment, neither man spoke.
The silence stretched—not awkward, but deliberate. It was the kind of silence where empires were weighed and decisions were made without words.
Then the don stopped a few feet from the desk, removing his gloves with slow, calculated ease.
“Mr.kane,” he said, his voice low and smooth, carrying the faintest edge of something dangerous. “I trust time has been kind to you.”
The tycoon’s lips curved into a thin smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Time,” he replied, “has taught me to recognize men who don’t wait for permission to enter a room.”
“And men,” he added, tapping his cane once against the floor, “who are either very brave… or very dangerous.”
The don’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his gaze—amusement, perhaps.
“Sometimes,” he said, stepping closer, “there’s no difference.”
The tension between them tightened, invisible but heavy. This wasn’t just a meeting. It was a negotiation between two forces—one built on legacy, the one built on sheer power and control.
"Don, please", Mr Kane beckoned on Rafael to sit.
Rafael smiled, he doesn't visit men who were beneath him, men who needed favours from him but he was willing to make an exception for his own benefits.
Rafael sat down and crossed his legs making himself comfortable, "speak", he said calmly, his voice controlled.... Dangerous.
The old man swallowed, his confidence waning,"I....I need ur help.
A faint smile touched his lips but didn't reach his eyes.
"People don't ask me for help, he replied, "they come knowing the cost".
Silenced stretched, heavy and suffocating .
"I....i will give you Twenty percent shares from my empire", he stuttered.
Rafael smiled faintly and shook his head, " Why would I want your shares, most especially with your empire at the verge of collapse huh".
Mr Kane gulped, at this point, he was desperate, he was ready to sacrifice any thing, "I will give you one of my warehouse and one of my ships".
"As tempting as that sounds", he chuckled, "it won't be enough".
Mr.kane clasped his hands together and looked down in defeat, he kept thinking what he could offer the dangerous don before him, he needed his help but he also couldn't afford to offend or disrespect him by presenting what was worth his time, it seems heaven heard his desperate cry because at that moment, his secretary knocked requesting to come in.
"Can I come in sir, I have news from the private investigator".
Don Rafael smiled smugly like he suspected something but he didn't show any emotion, he simply leaned back clearly enjoying the show.
"Excuse me don", Mr Kane signaled his secretary to his side. the secretary whispered into Mr Kane ear while Mr Kane nodded fevently trying desperately to shield his excitement.
With renewed hope, he turned to Don Rafael, with the kind of smile that suggested that he had something under his sleeve. He stood up and walked to Don Rafael's side, he leaned his weight on his cane, his back beneath due to the weight of age.
"Don Rafael, I know your position in the familia isn't solidified yet and the familia recognizes the importance of a wife and a Donna".
Don Rafael stilled, damn he underestimated this old man, he sure knows how to play his cards. He chuckled,
"Spill old man"
Mr Kane Chuckled, "help me and I will give you my grand daughter for marriage".
Mr Kane is right, he needed a woman to strengthen his office in the familia, he clenched his fist, he was backed into the wall and he hated it, hated not having the upper hand.
"The congliere will get back to you to finalize our deal", he growled.
Don Rafael stood to leave, as he was about to turn the door knob, Mr Kane called out to him.
"Don Rafael, it was a pleasure making your acquittance, you will not regret this".
Don Rafael didn't bother turning, he simply continued on his way, immediately he step out of the office, he turned to his right hand man, Eduardo.
"Investigate this mysterious grand daughter of Kane"
Edurado's brows knotted in confusion, "I didn't realize Mr Kane had a grand daughter".
"Neither did I", Don Rafael smirked, "this is about to be interesting".
And somewhere far..far away.....
A girl who knew nothing about this arrangement was about to have her fate rewritten .
- Writer
