Dear Boss

Chapter 4: Hello and Goodbye

MATTEO ALESSI

Sienna Venditto didn’t come to see me right away even though I knew she was in the house and going to work. I suspected that they wanted me settled in first before meeting her which was understandable. 

While I waited, Antonio would let me do small jobs here and there. Nothing serious, nothing too big that directly affected the family. I was always accompanied by Nicolo. I didn’t like many people in my life but I found myself appreciating Nicolo. He talked a lot for both of us and didn’t require me to speak much knowing that I’m a man of few words. I like that about him. I also noticed that despite our conversations, Nicolo never once mentioned anything about the family business or the work that he did for the Vendittos. I also like that about him. Nicolo is relaxed enough to speak but careful enough not to say anything he shouldn’t to a man who technically wasn’t a member of their family yet. 

Nicolo is a lot younger than me too, much slimmer and extremely gangly. I observed that Nicolo is eager to please his employers and is ready to do more for them. A loyal trait I again like about him. 

When the time finally came to meet the most talked about Venditto, I was anxious and ready. Nicolo was the one to get me from my room in the house where the Venditto’s men stayed. It was a spacious room equipped with a comfortable mattress, soft pillows and blankets, wooden cabinet, a heater and a large window overlooking the street outside. 

Nicolo and I walked to the back of the main house. I felt tense and apprehensive. What if Sienna Venditto saw me and decided I wasn’t good enough? The entire Venditto family was an all powerful force in the underworld. They are held in high regard all over the country and maybe even further out than that. Between the three Vendittos they commanded the world, a world I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be in just yet. 

Of course, I enjoyed the three days I spent in the compound. The food is good, the space is comfortable and homey, and the people reminded me of our old country heritage, my true people-

“Sienna is everyone’s favorite Venditto.” Nicolo reassures me, cutting off my train of thought. 

“I’ve heard.” I say to him. The prodigy daughter. I’ve certainly heard of her from the last few days without me needing to ask. The quiet yet respectable whispers from the other men, the excited chatter of adores from the women; tremendously beautiful, incredibly smart, studied overseas, the family favorite. 

We arrived at the back of the main house where a small garden patch was growing. I saw her before she saw me. The warm afternoon light casted a vibrant glow around Sienna Venditto as she was seated in a small patio with Antonio. I knew that in the absence of her bodyguard, Antonio took up the role. Another reminder of how important my job is as such a high ranking member of the family was watching over her. 

Sienna was laughing at something Antonio was telling her, the sound of it was melodic and joyous. It was the type of laugh that you couldn’t help but smile at. She patted Antonio’s hand approvingly. 

I was momentarily stunned at the sight of her. I was thankful that she was too engrossed in her conversation to notice me because I truly was taken aback. They say she’s beautiful but I didn’t think she was this gorgeous. Sienna has naturally wavy dark brown hair- the color of milk chocolate- that bounced as she laughed, deep set of large amber eyes, tanned skin so smooth I didn’t need to touch it to know it was soft, lips the shape of a bow that were so luscious… I brought my eyes away knowing how indecent I was being. 

I cleared my throat and continued on with Nicolo who no doubt saw my reaction. 

Finally, she spotted me, sharp piercing eyes observed me as I walked towards her. Sienna stood up, her cream colored dress following her every movement. She smiled charmingly in welcome and held a hand out to shake mine. 

I had made up my mind before Sienna even began to speak. It wasn’t her breathtaking beauty that made me tie my life to her and her family. It was her magnetic pull to people, the quiet commanding force that surrounded Sienna which made all the subconscious arrows in the depths of my mind point in her direction. I knew greatness when I saw it and that was her. This woman can command armies if she wanted to.

She’s a natural born leader and obviously a thoughtful one. She has a way of focusing on a person that suggested you were more interesting than anything else in the room.

And so, in a span of three days since I was brought to the Venditoos, I sealed my fate with the daughter of the most powerful and dangerous crime syndicate in the country. 

“Matteo, it’s so good to finally meet you.” She greets me, a dismantling smile playing at her lips. “I’m so sorry it took so long.”

I could only incline my head forward. It was all I could do without looking like an utter i***t, gawking at her like this.

Antonio and Nicolo quietly excused themselves as Sienna gestured for me to sit down. She pushed plates of bread, cold cut meats, cheese and peppers my way as she began her introduction. It was everything I already knew and more. I absorbed every word she said as if it were the law.

I was in a daze.

Everything about Sienna Venditto sent an inescapable signal in my brain: home. Sienna’s commanding yet calming presence put me at ease for the first time since my arrest- for the first time since my mama died. 

“How’s your room? Is it comfortable enough for you?” She asked, relaxing into her lounge chair. It was a casual conversation that still held a certain formality which I internally admired. 

I didn’t hesitate in answering. “It’s perfect and incredibly comfortable. It was the best sleep I’ve had in years.”

“I’m glad.” Sienna grinned approvingly as if she personally ordered for me to receive a soft mattress. “And the food? Did they feed you well?”

I nodded, grateful. “Too well. I think I’ve gained weight since I arrived.”

She bristles in delight at that. “Excellent. I might not know how to cook but I do love to eat. You and I will work just fine.”

It was an offhand comment that made me smile. There was a hidden meaning to her words much like how the entire family talks. 

We talked for a long time. Normally, long conversations that required me to speak made me uncomfortable but I didn’t feel that with her. Something about Sienna made me relax into our conversation. 

“My mama was sick all throughout my life. I had no father.” I find myself telling Sienna which surprised me. I didn’t like talking about my family but again this wasn’t a problem when it was her I was telling it to. “She died right when I turned eighteen… it was devastating.” 

Sienna nodded understandingly. “Of course, it is. I can’t begin to imagine what it was like.”

“I enlisted in the military right away and kept fighting for ten years.” I explained and began going into detail, and honestly told her what happened to the men I had accidentally killed. I wanted it out there and didn’t want to hide anything from her. I know from the other men that Sienna is not a part of that ‘family business’. She should know what I did and what I’m like. I wanted to be completely transparent with her. “It was late, I decided to patrol the area, it was a gut feeling. Something was wrong. I went into a storage room and saw it all.” 

I continued on to tell her about how baffled I was to be persecuted when I was merely trying to fight off men that were taking advantage of the new member of my unit. All of this, I realized from seeing Sienna’s expression, she already knew but was happy to hear it again. 

“I’ve spoken with a few of your men in the Army, they speak very highly of you.” She reveals nonchalantly. It surprised me but also not so much. I should have already expected that the Vendittos would be well informed. “What your commanding officer did to you was wrong and dirty. The justice system too. They knew and didn’t do anything. Your record is spotless and your medals many. You deserve better.”

It was rare to hear someone praise me for ending a life no matter how awful that life I took truly was. It was even more rare- at least in my position- to hear someone so openly and strongly disapprove of the hierarchy, the system. Sienna was making me feel valued when society made me feel worthless and hated.

“Matteo,” She paused and smiled. “Should I call you Teo instead? Is that alright with you?”

I felt myself smile as well. The name surprised me with an emotion I couldn’t decipher. “Teo is fine.” 

“Okay.” The warmth that her smile gave almost shocked me to my core. “I’m sure Toni already told you but the Venditto Group of Companies are expanding and growing quickly.”

I nod, remembering Antonio's brief to me. It wasn’t news really. It was all over. 

Sienna sighed at her predicament. “Unfortunately with this growth, I’m starting to gather attention from enemies of the family and papa is concerned with my safety. He’s convinced I need someone to be with me for protection.”

“I agree with that too.” I say, almost forgetting my place.

She laughs, not angered by my comment. “I know, I know. Would you be interested in something like that? I know it’s not what you’re used to… it’ll be boring and all but think about it.” Sienna urged but didn’t force and quickly continued with, “It’s your choice. Whatever you decide, it will not be taken against you. The charges we cleared are for a man who needed proper justice, nothing more. We were happy to do it.”

I didn’t need to think about it. “I already have.” 

Sienna didn’t mask her pleased expression and reached over, patting my hand much like how she did with Antonio but this time, she squeezed my hand affectionately. 

I thought I was about to immolate from the blush that no doubt crept up my cheeks. 

She explained in length my responsibilities and if I do choose to accept, which I already did, the large sum of salary I would be getting.

It greatly surprised me. I didn’t know why but I didn’t realize that I was going to be paid. I thought it was merely a job to allow me to stay and live in the Venditto compound, not have a monthly salary big enough to be a full year’s worth of what I earned in the military.

“Do you have any complaints?” She asked me after all was said and done. I shook my head, no complaints. “You’ll be working with me, is that alright with you?”

“Yes.” This was my purpose, to protect her, to protect the family’s gem. She chose me out of everyone for this specific duty. A sense of purpose settles in my bones for the first time in a long time. 

Sienna claps her hands together, her smile infectious. “Perfect. For the meantime, Antonio will take over for me. I’m leaving for a couple of months.”

I stared at her, thrown. I felt dismayed and my expression surely showed it. I scrunch my face together. In my mind, bodyguards are supposed to take care of their charge and go with them everywhere. “Shouldn’t you take me?”

An amused expression crosses Sienna’s face. “Taking your job seriously, I see. I’ll be fine. I’m going with my older brother Gio. Nothing bad will happen with him beside me. We have to visit family, papa’s orders.” She explained indifferently. It reminded me vaguely of how Antonio gave directions or instructions. It was always slightly coded. 

In time, I swore, I would understand it more. 

Sienna stood from her seat, eyes traveling down to her watch. I understood this as my dismissal but she stopped me. “Come have lunch with me and my family. I know mama cooked something extra delicious plus, Papa wants to meet you.”

Surprised, I could only follow her into the house where Sienna's mother, a homely woman with a kind face, sat us down. She welcomed me with a gracious smile. Not once questioning who I was and why I was with her daughter.

The Don joins us shortly after, eyes locking onto me instantly. He accepted me warmly into their home and had me sit on the seat beside his own, a rare honor from the smile on Sienna’s face. Sergio came next along with Antonio and Lorenzo. The three men greeted me before they situated themselves around the table, often teasingly squishing Sienna between them. She protests, shoving at her brother and cousin. 

Overall, the meal with the most powerful crime family was a good one. It was nothing like how I expected it to be. The banter was good, the spirits high, the food undeniably delicious and most importantly, I got to experience Sienna in a candid setup. A setup where she was irritated, happy and aggressive towards her immediate family. 

She apologized to me later after the meal was over. “I’m sorry, my brother and cousin just love getting on my nerves.” 

Honestly, I like that side of her better than her overly charming and delightful business self. She was natural, spoke her mind and made sure to slam her heeled shoe down her relatives toes. If it was even more possible, I like her even more than I thought I would because of it.

Shortly after with a heavy heart, I watched Sienna and her brother slide into a car that would take them to the airport. It made me feel unnerved and slightly rattled to watch her leave after just meeting her. 

I saw Sienna wave towards me just before she disappeared from my sight. 

“See you, Boss.”