He Loves Me Not (Mafia Love Story)

Matrimonio

Santino and Caterina looked at each other before eyeing their fathers suspiciously.

"You're joking...papa please tell me it isn't true." Caterina pleaded while Santino stood with his arms crossed over his chest.

"It is in the best interest of both families Caterina, surely you must be proud to have someone such as Santino at your side?"

Caterina looked to Santino who was still glaring in the direction of his father who was too distracted with his drink to even take notice.

"We will leave you two to discuss what you'd like to do, not a word of this to anyone," Giacobbe warned before he took his leave, followed by Nicolo.

Caterina paced the room for a moment before sitting down in one of the leather chairs near the desk.

Santino followed her lead and took the seat next to her before speaking.

"Listen, there's obviously no way out of this. Our fathers have decided our fate for us, but we should discuss our terms."

Caterina turned to face him and shook her head incredulously.

"There is nothing to discuss, I barely know you. I know of your family but nothing further, we will terminate the engagement as soon as everyone has left." She stood and reached for the door before Santino caught her wrist.

"That's not going to be possible. I know my father and once his mind has been made up about something there is no turning back. He has no doubt given his word to your father and to go back on that would be dishonorable."

Caterina contemplated his words, thinking of her family before the grip she held on the door handle loosened and she turned back to the room.

"Talk." She said as she finally found her voice.

"I have a few conditions, first I think we need to find a suitable facade to pass off to our families. Next, we need to figure out the physical aspect of our relationship-"

Caterina cut him off and stood to her feet.

"That's where I draw the line. Listen I have no problem being with you for the sake of our families but I'm not going to subject myself to a physical relationship just because our fathers want it. I'm going to go downstairs and join my family." She narrowed her eyes before turning to leave once again.

As she opened the door, Santino called to her once more.

"I was impressed by your knowledge of the family, but if you can't handle the prospect of our relationship then you aren't the right woman for this type of business."

She clenched her jaw before exiting the room and descending the stairs.

"Hey Caterina-" Lucio greeted her as she grabbed a slice of cake and stabbed into it with her fork.

"Is everything alright?" He questioned as she sat back in her chair.

Caterina had a habit of seeking out sweet things when life seemed bitter. She nodded and continued to chew her food before answering.

"I'm alright, just needed to get away for a moment." She responded earning a smile from Lucio.

"He's that bad huh?"

She laughed lightly and mumbled to herself.

"You don't know the half of it."

Soon it was time for the De Marco's to take their leave and reluctantly Caterina saw them out.

"It was wonderful meeting you all, we hope you see you soon." Caterina's mother smiled warmly at them all and Giacobbe kissed her hand.

"Sono commosso." He replied.

They waited until the cars were out of sight before retreating back into the house and Caterina removed her heels before ascending the stairs without a single word to her family.

As she entered her room, stripping down out of the long dress and accessories she donned she sighed in frustration before taking a seat on the end of her bed.

Pulling her pajamas from underneath her pillow, she quickly slipped them on and turned her television on, not bothering to listen to the noise in the background.

Eventually, Luciana walked into the room, speaking of the handsomeness of Santino and his family, and Caterina tried her hardest to listen to her words but found it was becoming more and more difficult.

"And Lucio! He's so handsome, I think he will make a great businessman. He doesn't say much but when he does you can't stop listening. Caterina...are you alright?"

Caterina whipped her head over towards the Vanity where Luciana was sat and nodded quickly, not wanting to give herself away.

"Yes, of course, I'm alright. I was just thinking of taking a shower and calling it a night, it's been hectic having company over. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

Luciana smiled and kissed her sister on the cheek before taking her leave from the room, Caterina watched as her sister closed the door on her way out and made a dash for the bathroom. She was eager to tie her hair up and get ready for bed, she hated the idea of staying awake for a minute longer for the day.

As she found her way back into the bedroom upon finishing with her nightly routine, she felt the effects of her lavender facial mask performing its magic. Her breathing evened out and she felt a little more at ease about the situation with her family. Surely, it would all be sorted out the next day.

---

The weekend passed quickly and Monday came soon after, Caterina's mother and father had taken time for themselves and taken a quick trip to their vacation home and Caterina and Luciana were left to themselves...and the guards of course.

Monday morning was uneventful, Luciana and Caterina had prepared a nice breakfast for themselves and chatted about the week. Caterina took notice of how Luciana was slowly becoming more and more observant, she wasn't so sure if it was a good thing or not.

When Luciana was a child, she was weak and frail and her parents had doted on her since then, fearing her fate wasn't forever changed.

Caterina suspected the reason her father kept Luciana out of family affairs was for the sake of her health. Her suspicions were confirmed when her father confided in her and made her promise not to tell Luciana of anything she comes across. She wasn't as worried as her parents, but out of respect, she obeyed.

"Caterina?" Luciana's voice broke her out of her thoughts as her sister's voice rang through her mind.

"Caterina, Santino is here," Luciana spoke as she rushed towards the door.

"Santino?" Caterina's voice spoke softly as he entered through the doorway.

He smiled at the both of them, and even though Caterina knew he was only smiling for the sake of facade they were passing off she still felt dazzled by him.

"Good morning girls, I've only come by to drop these off for Caterina." He gestured towards the man who stood next to him with what looked to be at least twenty roses for her.

"Thank you, Santino you're too kind." She spoke and returned his plastered smile.

"I was wondering if I may have a word with you, in private." He glanced over to Luciana and she promptly excused herself.

Once the doors to the dining room were shut, Santino was on the other side of the room instantly.

"My father has asked me to come here and take you to dinner. Surely you'll oblige?" He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest as Caterina looked to be thinking it over.

Santino took notice of how good she looked today, she wore shorts that came just to her navel and a long sleeve v neck was tucked inside, hugging her gorgeous figure.

"What time are we going?" She sighed and he was taken aback for a moment, he was expecting her to protest after last night's conversation.

"Eight, if-"

Caterina cut him off and shook her head as she spoke.

"Nine, and you should probably have my back by twelve." She nodded and he shrugged before swinging the doors open, only to jump back in surprise.

"Santino?" Caterina's father greeted him as he walked through the doors with his wife trailing behind.

"Ah Nicolo, it's good to see you. I was just coming to see your daughter- perhaps I will see you again tonight. Arrivederci."

Before another word could be spoken, Caterina was heading up the stairs and pacing her room. Her mother and father weren't supposed to be home for quite some time so she wondered what business awaited her father.

It must have been urgent, as he's never once cut a vacation trip short for the sake of work.

Before she could think on it further, her mother burst through the door speaking as she entered and embraced Caterina.

"My beautiful daughter, Santino has taken interest in you! We must prepare you for tonight, let's look through this closet of yours..." Caterina's mother rushed around the room as she stood in shock.

Did her mother not know of the arrangement? Coming to the realization that her father must have kept this from his wife, Caterina suddenly felt dizzy.

The thought of being left alone for a whole evening with Santino was tiring and nerve-racking at the same time.

Before Caterina could sit down on her bed, her mother had taken her by the hand and pushed her into her bathroom with half of the dresses in her closet.

"Mama!" Caterina tried to protest before the door was slammed in her face.

It had been over two hours and Caterina sat in front of her vanity, swiping the mascara brush through her long eyelashes with a dress falling off of her shoulders.

Her mother had picked a wine red satin evening dress, a long dress that exposed plenty of her back and a slit that exposed her thigh. Although she had her objections, she had to agree that the dress was a sexy number.

"He's here!" Luciana exclaimed as she rushed into Caterina's room.

"You look amazing, but his car looks brand new and it's a Ferrari, Cat you're so lucky!"

Caterina rolled her eyes, how typical.

An Italian boy with an Italian car, he really was the whole package wasn't he?

"Caterina!" Her father's voice called to her from down the stairs and she swiped her wallet from the counter before sending her reply.

"I'm coming!" She responded.

"We shouldn't keep him waiting, I hope you have a great date night with him." Luciana winked and pushed Caterina from the room and towards the stairs.

When she reached the bottom, Santino and her father were in the middle of a conversation and they both paused to look at her.

"Good evening, Santino." Caterina smiled lightly at her father and her date.

"You look wonderful, shall we?" Santino extended his arm to her and she took it, sending her father one last look before the door was closed and he led her towards his car.

The ride to the restaurant was uneventful and quiet, only the soft music of Vivaldi rang through the speakers of the car.

Upon arrival, the valet opened the door for her and she stepped out suddenly realizing that they were at a familiar restaurant.

"La Bella Italiana?" Caterina questioned as Santino took her arm once more, leading her towards the large mirrored door and smirking as the door was opened for them.

La Bella Italiana was well known for being a meeting spot for various families in the mafia, although many officers patrolled the area, no one was permitted inside without a membership. It was a Cosa Nostra code, only family members were allowed inside, anyone who came along was patted down and searched thoroughly.

"Santino De Marco, welcome." A man Caterina recognized as the De Marco's lawyer approached them, smiling at the both of them before placing a hand on Santino's shoulder.

"Tell your father I say hello, and that we have some unfinished business to talk about. Who is this gorgeous number you've got on your arm?" He winked at Caterina.

"This," Santino pulled Caterina closer into his side, "Is Nicolo Beneveti's eldest daughter, Valentina."

Caterina whipped her head to send him a quick glare before smiling and accepting the man's hand.

"Mingling with Familiga woman are we? Well, don't let me interrupt your night please continue."

With a few more words exchanged between the men, they made their way into a more secluded area of the restaurant. Upon ordering drinks and receiving bread, Santino and Caterina looked at the menu and conversed with each other.

"The antipasto salad looks nice," Caterina commented and Santino shrugged.

She closed her menu and set it to the side, crossing her arms across her chest and keeping her eyes fixed on Santino.

"If you have something you'd like to say to me, I'd prefer that you do it now."

Caterina rolled her eyes as he finished speaking and took a sip of her water.

"Why did you bring me here? I mean honestly, Santino this wasn't even your idea."

Santino sighed and placed his menu on the side of the table and moments later the waiter was at the end of the table taking their order.

"I will be back shortly with those." The man pleasantly spoke before parting from the table.

Caterina looked back to Santino and leaned forward once more.

"My father insisted that I bring you here, if we are to be married then you should accompany me places," Santino spoke, shrugging as he sipped on his drink.

"You brought me here per your father's request, and I imagine it's to discuss the terms of our engagement so I'd rather you get on with it." Caterina sighed as she sat back in her chair.

"Well, to be perfectly honest I don't believe that we should be betrothed at all. If you ask me, the better match is your sister to my brother, Lucio. If that is something that you would consider-"

Caterina shook her head and placed her glass down on the table.

"No, my sister will not be roped into this, she barely has an understanding of the family as it is. I will not be held responsible for bringing her into our business."

Santino scowled and shook his head, taking a piece of bread for himself as he sat in his chair and observed Caterina.

She was weak, too compassionate even for a woman. He understood her objections, as she and her sister seemed close but even this was a bit extreme, even Lucio would have offered to take his place.

"You know to have such a heart as yours won't last you long in this business," Santino spoke as their food was set down on the table.

"It's lasted me this long." Caterina sighed, placing her napkin on her lap and picking up her fork.

Tonight was going to be a long one.

Sono Commosso- I'm moved

Arrivederci- Goodbye/ see you later