A Mafia Daughter 1

Part 6

Viviana arrived early, as was expected, to the Don's house.Because the Don was a traditionalist, he had insisted on sending a car aroundfor her and she allowed him to. Usually, Viviana did not trouble with being escortedwithin the circuit- that was only necessary for the Don and his family. Infact, she hated the ideas of escorts, she understood the necessity, but shestill hated it. The Don had many enemies, he had to protect his family, butstill…  She would hate to lose herfreedom or privacy that way.

As she entered the house and greeted everyone, she noted thatMatteo was not present, something that made her sublimely happy. A big smilecreeped onto her face as she began to relax. Since this was a casual dinner,they were to sit in a smaller, informal dining room rather than the large, moreostentatious one used for parties.

"I'm sorry, I know, I'm late. " Viviana cringed as sheheard the one voice she had hoped not to hear. She counted to three andplastered on a very different smile, the same fake one she’d been using for thelast few days. There he was, looking sharp as always and already giving her aheadache, even if he hadn’t said a word to her directly.

"I'm sorry, business ran late." He was greeting his parents,being especially attentive to his mother- the doting son. He turned, greetinganother couple in the room, making idle chatter, before he finally noticedthere was another person. Matteo straightened himself up and began to head inher direction, a confused smile spreading over his face. He was surprised, hehad not expected her to be there, and this surprised Viviana.

"Viviana Aliotta,” He said, reaching out to take her handand pulling her to her feet as he did.  She felt him squeeze her hand ashe brought it to his lips. “No one told me you were coming.”

He spoke more to his mother than to her, playfully reproachingher for catching him unawares.

"I am sorry to intrude." She said but Matteo placed ahand over hers and shook his head.

"I'm so happy to see you, you’re always more than welcome."He said, his eyes twinkling. With a smile, Viviana attempted to pull her handaway but a voice from the door let them know dinner was ready and Matteo, everthe gentleman, offered his arm. She might have ignored it, but he placed herhand on his arm. She had no chance. So, she held back a groan and insteadfollowed him.

In the dining room, everyone had pretty much been told where tosit. The table was small and perfect for six.  She was happy to note thatMatteo was not expected to sit next to her, but her hopes dropped when she sawhim sit directly across from her. She made a mental note not to look in hisdirection and instead focused on speaking to the person next to her.

Dinner was delicious, of course. The Don kept a great cook andthe food was amazing. She only wished she could eat more, but Viviana hadalways been very careful about her weight. Maybe it seemed crazy, or obsessive,but she made mental notes over everything she ate, and somehow that made hermore appreciative of what she ate… and she always seemed to enjoy it more. Shecouldn’t avoid it, whenever she bit into something good, she smiled slightly.

"Viviana, what about you? Have you ever been toItaly?" The Don asked, including her in the conversation and bringing herback from her food dreams.

"Once, a very long time ago. I was a child." She said,trying to recall when it was.  

"And you've never wanted to visit again?" She turnedto look at Matteo who was now looking directly at her.

"Well, I really haven't had time to think about it. I'vebeen very busy with school- I'm actually having trouble settling back downafter always being so fast paced." She said with a bit of humor as shethought about it. The Don chuckled but it was his wife who spoke now.

"Well, you should go. Especially to Sicily- it's absolutelybeautiful." She said. Viviana was about to reply when her eyes widened.

"Of course, I would love to visit it." She saidnervously, stammering over the first few words as she felt a foot graze herleg. She turned to look at Matteo who was staring at his father nonchalantly. Then,Viviana moved her legs further under the chair, out of Matteo's reach.

"Now is a good as time as any- before you have any babies." The Don said and Viviana had to choke back a reply.

"I should take you sometime but only if you behave."Matteo's words were a mere tease but they managed to make Viviana go red. Itwas an audacious thing to say but everyone at the table just laughed as if itwas just like Matteo to say such things.

Viviana laughed nervously and excused herself to go to thewashroom. 

'Get it together... he's just provoking you.' she told herselfas she stared in the mirror. She saw how red she was, why did he have to saythings like that? Viviana breathed in and placed her palms on her cheeks. Theywere burning up. She shook her head and let out a grunt. Nope- She wouldn't lethim shock her again.   She pulled out her cell phone- Half past 9.Perfect, she thought. She could begin making her excuses now and head home.That in itself was enough to make her feel revived. With a new foundconfidence, Vivana opened the door.

"Vivi."

Viviana stopped as she noticed Matteo leaning back against thewall. "All yours." She said, trying to sound casual and turning to walkback towards the dining room. Matteo walked along with her.

"No need. Did you enjoy dinner?" He asked.

"It was very good." Viviana replied coldly, trying notto engage in conversation.  Matteo sighed loudly, prompting her to turnand look at him. He’d stopped and was now shaking his head lightly, both handsin his pockets.

"You know, " he said after a second, taking a steptowards her so that she leaned against the wall. "You are only making thisharder on the both of us."

“I don’t know what you mean.” She said.

“of course, you do.” He said with a wink. Viviana rolled hereyes.

"You like to tease me." She said accusingly, crossingher arms in front of her as if they would provide some protective barrierbetween them. He chuckled, reaching for a strand of her hair but she patted hishand away.

"You like me to tease you." He said. She laughed.

"You… are very wrong." She said, taking in a deepbreath as he came closer to her.  "I'm not into 30 year old men wholive at home." She tried to sound scathing but her voice trembled.

"Is that what you think, Vivi?" He asked, shaking hishead and chuckling once again. She hated when he laughed at her.

"Is that your only objection to me?" He askedafter a few seconds of silence. Slowly, he leaned- his lips grazing her ear ashe whispered, "Trust me, if I lived here… if this was my house… we'd behaving this conversation in my room."

Viviana's eyes grew wide and she suddenly pushed past himwithout thinking, fleeing to the safety of the dining room.  She slowed her pace as she heard the voicesgrow louder and took a deep breath before she walked in.

"I'm so sorry, but I'm afraid I need to be leaving."She said, as she began to say her goodbyes. She turned to the Don, who smiledand shook his head.

"The night is young," He said jovially, takingViviana's hand in his and kissing it, nonetheless.

"I would love to stay, but my father does insist I keepearly hours, especially when he is away." Viviana said. She turned toMatteo who was leaning by the door with a smirk.

"Thank you so much for having me. " She began asMatteo approached her and gave her hand a light kiss.

"It's a shame to see you go but I’ll make sure we see eachother again soon. " He said, "Let me call a car for you." 

Viviana nodded quietly as Matteo signaled towards one of the attendants,so they could bring the car around.

"Matteo, darling, why don't you escort Viviana home?"His mother asked. Viviana's eyes widened- there was no way she would get intothe back seat of a car, on dark night with this man.  Matteo's eyes twinkledas if he could tell what she was thinking.

"I would love to but, I actually have some business todiscuss with my father. So, Vivi, I hope you will forgive me and let me call onyou later in the week instead." He said, knowing she would be unable torefuse.

"Of course." She murmured as she said her finalgoodbyes and walked out the door.  Shewas overwhelmed, the Peroni family was really too much to take. Especially him,especially Matteo. She needed to keep her distance.

-----

"We can't pretend like they are no threat. That's twofamilies, two who have sent messages our way." Matteo said, his fatherlistening attentively.

"We are the largest and most powerful family in this area,It would be a mistake for them to cross us." The Don said calmly.

"Individually." Matteo corrected. The Don shrugged.

"What makes you so sure they are working together? I couldhave either of their Dons wiped out in a second."

"Father- We’ve lost four men in the last two weeks, all invery similar ways. And the Carangis have been known to threaten usbefore." Matteo said, looking directly at his father.

"Empty threats and we always teach them a lesson." TheDon insisted.

"I would feel more comfortable if you let us look into it.I will send someone in just to find out what is happening." Matteo said,just as stubborn as his father. "Just to be safe."

"So, what did you need to speak to me about?" The Donasked, leaning back in his chair. His son walked around the study, inspectinghis surroundings almost as if he had never seen them before.  Matteo wassilent, choosing his words carefully.

"Viviana is very charming, very beautiful." The Donsaid after some silence. Matteo walked over to his father’s desk and took aseat in front of him. The two men stared at each other for a moment, as ifreading each other’s mind.

"I know."He replied, picking up a cigar and lighting it. "That's what I wanted totalk to you about."