Fated to the Enemy.

| 5 | The Domenicali Hotel.

As I make my way out of my room and towards the meeting that will change the rest of my life, I can't shake the feeling that this is a turning point, a chance for something different…

I try my best to remain calm as I make my way downstairs, walking down the wide staircase of our mansion, where I find my family waiting for me on the ground floor. My mother and father are speaking carefully with each other, standing beside my Uncles Salvatore and Marino. Caterina and Alessio are with them as well, each of them seeming polished and ready for the meeting. Their attention immediately lands on me as I descend the steps and thank God I’m not wearing high heels because I’m certain I would’ve found a way to stumble and fall down these steps.

My mother gasps as she stares at me, covering her mouth briefly before she smiles at me, being the first one to walk towards me just as I reach the bottom of the steps.

"Isabella, you look absolutely breathtaking." She tells me, standing in front of me and holding her hands out to me as if she is about to touch my face but stops herself, almost as if she doesn’t want to ruin the makeup I have on…

“Thank you mamma, you look beautiful as well…” I smile back at her genuinely, despite the occasion, I’ll have to admit my team of stylists did their best to make me look perfect, like royalty…

My mother definitely looks the part as well. She is dressed in a long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder brown dress, one that accentuates her curves perfectly. Her dark hair has been let down, just like mine, except hers is bone straight and fell onto her back. After my Mother compliments me, I turn my attention to my uncles, finding Uncle Sal standing next to Uncle Marino, both of them in polished suits of their own. Like Cat, Uncle Sal has sharp green eyes. He has a head full of dark hair and thick sideburns and a mustache to match. Uncle Marino however, always wears a top hat, his hair full of curls just like Alessio, except he kept his much shorter. Both men raised their children alone, Cat’s mom having abandoned her when she was just a baby, while Alessio’s mom divorced his Dad, shortly after she found out the sort of business he was involved in. She wanted to take Alessio with him, but Uncle Marino would not allow her to take his only son, his firstborn son… The two have never spoken since, but Alessio still has a relationship with his Mom. As a result, they both see my Mom as their own, and she’s someone they both firstborn look up to…

“You ready to do this Bella?” Uncle Sal asks me and I sigh deeply and begin nodding my head at him, not wanting them to know how nervous I am about the meeting, but I’m certain everyone can already tell at this moment.

I then look at my father and find him staring at me with admiration and pride. A smile soon tugs at his lips as carefully holds my chin, his hand then moving to cup my face tenderly.

"You're a picture of beauty, my dear." He says to me, taking a step closer to me and placing a soft kiss on my forehead, taking a step back and nodding once at me.

“Thank you Papa…” I answer him and my heart swells with mixed emotions as I look around at all the people around me. I appreciate that they’re now being a little more considerate and aware of how this is all making me feel. I can see that they’re treating my emotions delicately, and it’s something I’m grateful for. With that, my father then looks to my uncles Sal and Marino, nodding once at them, and with that, the two men turn around and begin walking towards the front door. I then look to my Father and watch him motion his hand in the direction my uncles had just gone in. I then look to Cat and Alessio, sighing softly as I step closer to them, the two of them sticking close to me as we all walk towards the entrance of the house as well.

"Izzy you look stunning," Caterina whisper-yells to me, her voice a mix of wonder and admiration, our arms hooking together as we walk side by side.

Alessio nods in agreement, his expression one of genuine surprise, having a smile playing on his lips as well. "Yeah, Izzy, you clean up pretty nicely."

Blushing faintly, I smile at my friends. "Thank you, both of you." Yet, beneath the gratitude, anxiety gnaws at my insides…

All I’m praying for, is that this meeting doesn’t end in bloodshed…

. . . . .

The ride to the Domenicali restaurant is silent and filled with tension. My parents and uncles ride in one car, while Cat, Alessio and I go in another one, driven by one of our chauffeurs. I sit in the middle of both of them, gripping onto both their hands tightly as I struggle to keep my mind at bay and think about the outcome of today’s meeting. Finally after a 20-minute drive, we arrive at the Domenicali hotel. A luxurious 5-star-hotel that only allowed society’s richest into the building. As well as the most dangerous… Members of the Mafia could always come for refuge and sanctuary, as long as they pay a handsome membership fee to Mr Domenicali. No violence is allowed at Domenicali hotel, so long as you step foot here, even within a 5km radius. So, of course, it is the perfect place for us to meet with the Verossies. After being recognised at the gate, we are allowed entry in the property, and drive to the entrance of the building.

Our convoy of cars comes to a silent stop, parking at the front of the building. The chauffeur comes out of the car first as well as one of our bodyguards. They both walk to our sides of the door and open them for us to enter. Alessio climbs out first, followed by Cat and I walking out through the same door. As we step out of the car, we each glance over to our parents, watching them leave their vehicles as well, just as the rest of our men leave their cars as well, a small army practically surrounding out. Though we are relatively safe here at Domenicali’s hotel, there’s no way my Father is going to take any chances, especially when it comes to the Verossies.

I glance at the armed guards, all 4 of them, their eyes vigilant, scanning the surroundings and being the ones to lead the way into the entrance of the building. My Father then motions for us to walk over to them, and so that’s what we do. Once we reach them, we follow after the gurds that walked forward, being flanked by the remaining ones as well, all of us moving forward as a united force.

We walk into the building, being greeted by lavish black and gold interior. 2 women stand behind the front desk, receptionists. Both of them are wearing sleeveless black dresses and their hair tied into a low bun. Her eyes land on us as we walk in, greeting us with a smile as she glances between all of us before focusing on my parents.

“Don Giovanni… Donna Camerla… Bienvenuto…” She greets them, nodding once at them just as my father gives her a subtle acknowledgment as well.

“Grazie. We are here to meet with the Verossi Family…” My Father tells her and she nods swiftly turning to the woman next to her and nodding once at her as well.

“Follow me…” She then tells us and begins walking away from the front desk. We all do as she says and begin to follow after her, just as I catch up to my parents and walk beside my Mother specifically. The woman leads us through the corridors of the hotel just as we carefully analyse the setting around us. The atmosphere is hushed, each step echoing in the marble-floored lobby. Soft jazz music plays through the ground floor of the hotel, an attempt and keep the environment sane and peaceful. But the silence is almost suffocating, a deliberate contrast to the ambience of the hotel…

We follow the receptionist through a series of corridors, passing elegantly decorated rooms. The subdued lighting casts shadows on the details of the furniture and art pieces. Mr Domenicali had to be sure to show off his wealth and the many benefits of running such a successful empire.

She finally leads us to a closed room with heavy wooden double doors. She opens them swiftly, revealing a spacious room with a long polished table at its centre. She then stands by the doors with one hand behind her, the other motioning for us to enter the private chamber.

“The Verossi Family will be joining you shortly… if there is anything you need, feel free to use our phone and call them…” She then tells them and with that, she leaves the room swiftly. Once she is gone, the guards take their positions at different parts of the room, remaining silent as they keep their hands clasped in front of them. My father and mother walk to a side of the table reserved for our Family, where the Romano Family crest has been placed on the table. Now… all that’s left to do is wait for the Verossies to arrive…