In love with the billionaire rival

The air was full of tension. "There can't be two captains in a ship, Poncho", Alexandro said in a cold voice. On the hills above the city were two empires, one ruled by Alexandro De Luca, a man whose manipulative and cold blooded tactics once stabilized drug routes from Brazil down to the U.S., and the other by Poncho Cruz, an unpredictable, blood-eyes man who'd rather burn a deal than to share it. Inside Alexandro's estate, men in sleek shirts and cold eyes guarded each hallway. His son Luca De Luca, only seventeen, was being groomed to take over his father one day. That day would come. Alexandro saw himself in the boy and the fire he carried. But tonight, the air held a different fire. "Poncho sent a message again," said Vito, his consigliere, appearing behind him. "Wants to meet Tonight". Alexander dropped the glass of fine whiskey he had on the glass table in front of him and exhaled slowly. "Of course he does". "Says it's urgent. Wants to make peace," Vito said and scoffed. Alexandro didn't turn. "Peace?" A small laugh escaped him. "There's no peace with a man like Poncho. Only postponement..." He rotates his swivel chair and faces Vito, "And I don't like delayed business." Still, he agreed to the meeting. It was held in a neutral territory, an abandoned chapel at the outskirts of Santa Vincent. A place the city forgot, surrounded by whispers. But that was the secret place of the most dangerous billionaires in that area. Poncho arrived in an all white suit, with the swagger of a man who feared nothing. On his sides were hefty-looking men with faces of emotionless animals. At least they wore black shades to reduce the appearance of sin written all over their face. "Alex", he greeted, spreading his arms with evil humor. "Always a pleasure to meet the king of the mountain". Alexandro didn't return the smile. "Let's not waste time". "You've built a solid empire, old friend," Poncho said with a grin. " But don't you think it's time to merge?" Alexandro scoffed. "By merge, you mean surrender my routed, my men, my cartel... to you" "I mean, elevate. The Cruz-De-Luca legacy would be unstoppable". Poncho curves his lips, forming a devilish smile. "I recall you mentioned that I have built a solid empire", Alexandro leaned forward. "I own this empire, and I have no intention of merging with any other bastard. It is MY legacy, MY cartel. Don't start what you can't finish, Poncho.... that'll be carelessness on my part." Poncho's smile disappeared. Another undefined expression took over his face. "Well, I must give you the credit you deserve, Alex... but you see, all these boarders you control, they can't be yours forever, and with strong upcoming cartel owners like me, I can't watch you have it all so...." "Don't!", Alexandro interrupted. "You are making a mistake trying to convince me to let go of my borders. You are not speaking like a real businessman, Poncho. This is the same reason I can't mingle with you. You are just daft and cunning at the same time," he gave a slight frown in disgust. " What an awful combination." "I made a successful deal with one of the biggest empires in Cuba. I still have a chance of taking over", Poncho also leaned forward. "Don't you want to rethink that offer?". Now the men faced each other. "No. I'm doing what real kings do, protecting my throne", Alexandro replied. "You want my crown, maybe share it. But there can't be two captains in a ship, Poncho." "Then one must be thrown into the sea," Poncho replied coldly. The meeting ended with a cold stare and a silent declaration of war. ******** Back at the estate that night, Alexandro paced through the cigar-lit study, his jaw tightened. Vito sat across from him. "He's up to something," Alexandro said. "That offer was nothing more than a warning". "We strike first?" Vito asked. Alexandro paused, using his fingers to trace the rim of his whiskey glass. "No. Not yet. He'll expect me to do that. I want every eye on him. The whole Cruz cartel should be monitored. Every phone tapped. Every shipment scanned. If he breaches, I want to know". Vito nodded in agreement. Downstairs, young Luca sat at the piano, playing chords his mother once taught him before she died. His well-structured face moved in up and down gestures, enjoying the smooth sound of the piano he was playing. The music echoed gently through the walls, unaware that a storm brewed above. Alexandro was stealing a strong glance down toward the boy. He had trained him in tactics to survive as a cartel owner, and Luca had grabbed the skills effectively. "He is going to do very well", Alexandro once said to Vito in one of their conversations after his wife's burial. But presently, he wasn't ready to lose his only son. "Don't let him out alone anymore", Alexandro said, still looking at him. "Cruz is a hungry bastard who would rather use his last breath to kill to satisfy himself, than to work and earn it". He turns to Vito, "If he moves, he won't spare my bloodline". "Don't fear him, Alex," Vito replies. "He won't dare to invade your territory." "Being careful doesn't mean I'm scared, Vito". He took another sip of whiskey. ********** Across town, Poncho Cruz stormed into his villa, rage bubbling beneath his skin. "She said no? Again?" He hissed at Carlos, his right hand. "She's loyal. That's all. She believes in her father's empire". "Then she should stop questioning me. I feed her, clothe her in one of the finest designers, take her to a prestigious school, what does she lack?... nothing!. Yet she wants a knowledge of where my money comes from. A stupid question. She's just like her mother," Poncho snapped as he poured himself a drink. "What is your plan with her now?" Carlos asked as he took a seat in front of him. The villa was colder than it used to be, ever since Ellara started questioning the family business. Ever since she wanted to know where her father's blood wealth came from. She was too soft, and her father kept her in the blind for fourteen years. "She'll learn. Else she'll be a weakness," Poncho muttered. Then, turning to Carlos, " Call in the Rottweilers." Carlos blinked. "Sir.... you mean..." "Just do as I say puta! Send the message, book a flight for Ellara to New York. De Luca dies. One captain Carlos. Just one".