2.The Arrangement

Aria's POV

Our footsteps echo through the empty hallways as we make our way to the meeting room. Every step I take makes my heart grow heavier, I can hardly breath through the lump forming in my throat. Every fibre of my being is screaming at me to get away from here. As we approach the open door, Uncle Marcello grabs my elbow and pushes me forward.

In front of me is a large table with men seated on leather chairs all around. At the head of the table is a grey-haired man, puffing on a cigar. I assume he must be Don Julio Delgado, head of the council. His aura exudes power and authority and even though he is older, he is extremely attractive in a navy-blue tailored suit. His eyes find mine immediately and for a split second I imagine I saw the corners of his mouth tilt up into a faint smile, but as soon as I blinked, it was gone.

As I walk past, the men all stare at me. It feels as though I am walking straight into the lion’s den. I take my one hand in the other to stop it from shaking. I keep looking down, not wanting to make eye contact with any of them. These are the most dangerous men in the city.

Uncle Marcello escorts me to a chair at the far end of the table and takes up the seat next to mine. As the men greet each other and exchange pleasantries my eyes land on a familiar face and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest. Sitting at the table across from me is the man who has dominated my nightmares ever since I was ten years old, Don Giovanni. He still looks exactly like I remember him, cold dark eyes that look straight into your soul and a permanent sneer plastered on his face. He holds my gaze for just a moment, it is enough to make my blood run cold. This is the man who killed my family. I was there that day, nobody knows how I survived and try as I may, I just cannot remember the day that changed my life forever.

Once everyone is seated, Don Julio clears his throat and starts the proceedings.

“Gentlemen, we have called you all together here today to act as witnesses. We trust that all information discussed here will be treated as confidential” he says, looking around the table, making eye contact with every member present.

“In our possession is a document containing the last will and testament of Martino Russo” he says as the room bursts out in whispers.

“The document states that the entire Russo fortune, including all businesses, properties, and assets will be transferred to his daughter and only heir, Aria Russo on her eighteenth birthday.” He says and the entire room turns to face me. It is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. If that is true, I will soon be the wealthiest person at this table.

“This is an outrage!” Don Giovanni shouts and slams his fists on the table. “Those businesses and properties belong to me now! I have spent my entire life building those businesses up to where they are today. What does this girl know about running a multimillion-dollar company?” He says glaring at me, and I can see the veins on his neck bulging out. When my father died, he took everything we owned for himself.

“I will be at her side every step of the way” Uncle Marcello says, putting his arm around my shoulders protectively.

“Over my dead body” Don Giovanni says slamming his fist on the table, making me jump.

“That can be arranged” Uncle Marcello says coolly.

Don Julio holds up his hand. “Gentlemen, I am not done yet.” He says looking at the two men.

“Taking into consideration the young lady’s age and Don Giovanni’s current involvement in the running of the Russo empire, the council has decided it would be in the best interest of the parties involved that Aria Russo marries Stefano Moretti, the only son of Don Giovanni. This will ensure the fortune remains in both families and we can maintain peace” he says. The whole room bursts out in gasps, followed by complete silence, even Don Giovanni looks stunned for a second. I am devastated, I have to marry the son of the man who wants me dead.

“Furthermore, we have decided that Aria will stay with her guardian Don Marcello de Luca until after her eighteenth birthday, after which the wedding will be arranged.” Don Julio finishes, looking over the room that is now buzzing with conversation.

“Are there any objections?” Don Julio asks, his eyes pointing daggers at me, Uncle Marcello, and Don Giovanni. Don Giovanni’s face is a dark shade of red and his hands are balled into fists. We all know better that to go against the council, so we just remain silent.

The rest of the meeting goes by in a blur. Around me men are talking and arguing, but my entire world has come to a complete stand- still. An arranged marriage to a total stranger! I drop my head into my hands. Things cannot get any worse.

When the meeting ends, Don Giovanni is the first to storm out of the room, his men following hot on his heels. Uncle Marcello has more business with the council, so he asks me to go and wait for him in the car.

 I exit the room, tracing my steps back to the entrance that we came from. Along the way, I stop to admire the rare and unique pieces of art on display. The Guidici often receives valuable pieces of art as a method of payment. Some of these pieces were thought to be destroyed in WWII, but somehow made their way here. My family were patrons of the arts and my father loved quoting Thomas Merton. “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” I just hope I can find myself again because I feel utterly lost.

Out of the corner of my eye a quick shadow grabs my attention. I thought I saw something move behind one of the marble pillars, but when I turn, there is not a single soul in sight. It must be my mind playing tricks on me. It has been a rough day and my nerves are shot.

As I continue my journey into the worlds created by Monet, Pollock, Matisse, and Klimt a shiver creeps up my spine. I cannot shake the feeling that I am being watched.

Now feeling uncomfortable, I pick up my pace towards the exit.

I am about to take the last turn when Don Giovanni appears from behind the pillar. Before I can do anything, he grabs my wrist and pulls me into the small space beside him. He grabs my chin with his other hand, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

“Don’t think this little meeting today changes anything. You should have died that day with your family” he squeezes my chin harder.

I try to squirm out of his hold, but his grip on me just tightens.

“You better watch your back little girl. I have come too far for you to mess things up for me.” He says before he straightens his jacket and walks off like nothing happened.

As I stand there watching his back disappear, the events of the day finally catch up with me and the tears I was holding back start streaming down my face. I just want to go home.