Fated to the Enemy.

| 7 | Let us put the past behind us.

The wives of the Dons approach each other. My mother's smile is polite, but I know her better than that... I know how much she dislikes the Verossies and she's only being friendly as a courtesy to them.

"You remember my wife, Sophia," Don Marco introduces as he motions to Donna Sophia, just as she steps forward and smiles and both my parents.

"Yes, of course. Ciao, Donna," Don Giovanni's greets her, staring back at her as his eyes remain guarded.

"Ciao, Don Romano," Sophia replies with a nod, her tone courteous yet cautious. She turns her attention to my mother, Donna Carmela, and greets her in Italian, asking how she is. "Come state, Donna Carmela?"

"Sto bene quanto è possibile," My mother's response is diplomatic, carrying an undercurrent of shared understanding amidst the tension as she offers a small smile, her demeanor composed.

"Let us get into the reason we called for this meeting," Don Giovanni's voice cut through the tension, prompting a collective shift in attention.

"Yes, shall we," Don Marco responds, his tone measured as he acknowledges the significance of the moment. The two Dons face each other, the echoes of generations past resonating in their shared gaze.

"We have been at war with one another for decades, Marco. A feud that started with our forefathers, and unfortunately continued with us," My father explains to them and both the Don and Donna look at each other before turning back to my father.

"I say, it is time we finally put an end to it all... both of us are powerful forces, imagine what we could accomplish if we worked together and not against each other." My father continues, and I exhale deeply, beginning to feel more anxious about finding out what their answer will be to our family's request for peace...

"I agree," Don Marco's response makes me exhale deeply in relief and glance back to Cat and Alessio, seeing them just as relieved as o am to hear Don Marco's answer.

His tone reflects a mixture of pragmatism and a desire for resolution as his acknowledgment is a crucial step, a sign that the seeds of change had taken root.

"I'm glad to hear that you've finally come to your senses, and realised that there is no way you are winning this fight," Don Marco's sudden remark puts my father on edge. He doesn't take lightly to disrespect, and so it makes me wary of how he will choose to respond to Don Marco...

"The only other way this fight would've ended is if both you and I were dead..." He trails off.

"Or... we can have our children wed each other... and in their union, a truce may be formed, and we can put the past behind us," And at the mention of that, my heart sinks and I watch as he turns around to face me, holding a hand out for me to step forward.

"May I present my daughter... Isabella Anne-Maria Giovanni..." My father's gesture draws the room's attention to me, making my eyes dart around to every single person that has their eyes on me... including Angelo...

My steps are hesitant, my gaze shifting between the two patriarchs, my father and the man who represented the Verossi family...

My heart races as I approach them, feeling their gazes locked onto me as I get closer and closer.

My father's words echo in my mind, his proposal tugging at the strings of her own desires and convictions. Could a marriage between Angelo and I truly mend the wounds of the past? Is there a chance for a new beginning, or will the ghosts of history continue to haunt us?

My gaze flickers towards Angelo, meeting his captivating grey eyes that held a mix of emotions. He appears curious about me, and yet this whole time, he hadn't been able to get his eyes off me... it makes me wonder what he's been thinking...

I finally reach them and grab hold of my father's hand, looking between him and the Verossies. I meet the stares of Don and Donna Verossi, finding Don Marco staring at me with intrigue, while Donna Sophia doesn't seemed pleased by my presence at all.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Don Marco, Donna Sophia..." I say politely, curtsying in front of them before standing up straight, letting go of my father's hand..

"The pleasure is ours, Isabella..." Don Marco answers on their behalf while Donna Sophia remains silent. I can already tell she doesn't like me...

Don Marco's gaze shifts from me to the person standing behind him instead... Angelo.

"Allow me to introduce Angelo Verossi," he announces, his voice steady as he signals for Angelo to step forward. With that, Angelo slyly adjusts his suit before striding forward. Angelo's grey eyes locked onto mine. The closer he gets the me, the more I can feel the coldness of his gaze.

As he reaches my side, I can't help but notice his gaze lingering. Angelo's lips curl into a polite yet genuine smile as he takes my hand, a gentle gesture that defies the hostilities that have divided our families for generations. He brings my hand to his lips, pressing a fleeting, chaste kiss upon my knuckles.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Isabella," he finally speaks, his voice deep and smooth, my name rolling off his tongue with ease. My heart flutters as Angelo's lips brush against my skin and he speaks my name so perfectly, his touch is unexpectedly tender. I no longer find myself feeling so anxious, in fact, he has put me at ease, allowing me to relax as I stare back at him in awe.

“Likewise, Angelo…” I trail off, allowing him to finally let go of my hand delicately just as he maintains the distance between us, both our attention now turning to our father as we wait to hear their final say.

The exchange doesn't go unnoticed by the Dons, who exchange subtle nods of approval. The potential for unity, for a truce to be forged through our union, hangs in the air. My father's expression remains guarded, his scrutiny clear, while Don Marco's satisfaction is evident in the slight curve of his lips...

"Don Marco, are you truly willing to accept this union as a means to bring an end to our feud?" My father questions.

Don Marco's gaze met his wife's for a moment, an unspoken understanding passing between them. With a composed yet resolute expression, he turns back to my father.

"Yes, Don Giovanni, we are willing to put our differences aside for the sake of this alliance," he answers, his voice steady as he articulated the Verossi family's commitment to the arrangement.

"As am I," Donna Sophia added, her voice carrying a sense of unity that reflected the shared decision between husband and wife.

"In the spirit of this union, we shall agree to cease all hostilities between our families. Violence shall have no place within the boundaries of our new alliance. Instead, we shall be keeping each other’s best interests, at heart."

Don Marco continued, his gaze sweeping across the room as his words resonate with finality. The Verossi family's stance is clear, and it’s not something I was expecting at all..

With a nod of agreement from his family, his Capo and Consigliera, even Angelo himself, Don Marco looks back to Don Giovanni. "Do you agree to these terms, Don Giovanni?" he inquires.

My father's gaze remains fixed on Don Marco, his silence lingering for a moment before he finally speaks. "We agree to these terms," he concedes, his voice measured as he acknowledged the conditions of the alliance.

In the midst of this agreement, I find myself looking at Angelo once again, finding bim staring back at me, just as a ghost of a smile forms on his lips.

I then quickly shift my gaze away from him and instead turn to his father.

I watch as Don Marco's lips curl into a diplomatic smile. "To celebrate the beginning of this alliance, I propose that we join together for a dinner tomorrow evening. A chance for our families to share a meal and begin the process of rebuilding our relationship."

My father hesitates before turning to my mother, watching her nod in agreement to the offer, making him turn back to Don Marco and nod his head as well.

"Very well, we shall join you for dinner," he answers, his voice holding a touch of reservation.

As the final details were settled, the tension that had pervaded the room began to subside. The path forward was uncertain, but the commitment to change had been made...

I am to wed Angelo, tomorrow we are meant to be having dinner with them… and once again, I have no idea how it is all going to go…