[ Bound to serve ]

part 10

Sofia nods solemnly. "Given the chance to choose freely now, Vito might want a wife of his own choosing. Someone he has feelings for, not just a childhood promise. I'm simply saying, don't be surprised if he hesitates." She reaches out, squeezing Vannie's hand reassuringly.

Vannie scoffs, trying to mask her slightly shaken confidence. "Well, isn't that just wonderful. The little saint herself tells me my own chances of getting engaged are slim." She raises an eyebrow teasingly. "You know what they say about saints, Sofia..." She smirks "

Sofia rolls her eyes, pulling her hand back. "You always were rude when you couldn't argue properly," she retorts, standing up. "Face it, Vannie, if Vito wasn't bound by a childhood promise, he'd likely look elsewhere for a wife.

"He's a handsome, wealthy man now," Sofia continues, ignoring Vannie's sarcastic expression. "He'll have plenty of suitors, unlike you sitting here relying on a promise made when we were kids." She turns to leave, but pauses at the door.

"Just... be prepared, Vannie. If Vito decides he doesn't want this engagement anymore, don't act surprised or hurt. Because honestly, I won't be." With that parting shot, Sofia exits the room, leaving Vannie alone with her thoughts and a slightly bruised ego.

Vannie stands up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. She runs a hand through her hair in frustration, tugging at the strands as if trying to pull herself together. With a swift kick, she sends the table skidding across the room, her anger palpable. "Damn it all,"

Without a second thought, Vannie storms out of the room, her heels clicking rapidly against the marble floor as she makes a beeline for Don Giancarlo Rossi study. She bursts through the door without knocking, finding Don Giancarlo Rossi seated behind his massive mahogany desk, reviewing documents. " Don Giancarlo Rossi"

Don Giancarlo Rossi looks up from his papers, his eyes widening in surprise. "Oh, Vannie... mia cara," he says in Italian, leaning back in his chair. "When did you come back? I wasn't expecting you until later." He sets down his pen, giving her his full attention.

Vannie's abrupt entrance and stormy expression do not go unnoticed by Don Giancarlo Rossi. He furrows his brow, pushing back his chair to stand up. "Vannie, Cosa c'è? (what's wrong?)" He asks in Italian, his tone laced with concern. "

Vannie's eyes flash with determination as she nods firmly, her chin lifted defiantly. "Sì, papa. I want everyone in town to know that I, Vanella DeLuca, am engaged to Vittore Rossi." She takes a step closer, her voice lowering to a demanding tone.

Don Giancarlo Rossi's calm, knowing gaze meets hers directly, reflecting a mix of amusement and insightfulness. "Vannie... you've been waiting for this moment since you were a little girl with braids," he says softly in Italian, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

He watches her closely, taking in her sharp features, the defiant eyes, and the pride that was almost like his own. "You still act like you're seventeen and head over heels for my Vittore," He laughs softly, shaking his head. "He's a man now, Vannie.

Vannie laughs sarcastically, tossing her hair back. "My father is one of the most powerful men in the Russian town, papa. Everyone knows that DeLuca name. I'm not just some girl - I'm Vanella DeLuca. The engagement will make waves,"

Mr. Rossi's smile turns into a proud grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ah, mia cara... you've always had that DeLuca fire in your veins." He releases her arms and walks around the desk, pulling out a cigar from his humidor.

Mr. Rossi carefully lights the cigar, taking a slow puff. "I'll discuss this with Vittore when he returns from his business trip," he says firmly, his gaze lingering on the smoke curling upwards. "He's the one who needs to agree to a public engagement, Vannie.