Francesco was standing in Emanuelle O'Neil's office leaning to the desk while standing towering over his son who was explaining to his father his account. Francesco had asked for him to come in and one command of " tell me everything" was enough. His son knew to tell him everything and he knew well enough he couldn't hide anything from his father. He knew what his father referred to and what details he wanted.
Adele was standing next to her son listening intently watching her husband. She was silent and from the last time when she had interrupted her husband when dealing with Vienna she knew not so say anything unless she wanted her husband to exclude her from the meeting. He had promised to exclude her if she challenged him in front of the children while he was concerned about their safety. This was a business issue but a safety matter to. Angelia was an Andovini. The child was no enemy of Francesco but her parents were not friends of Rosarios. That could put their family in danger if she got close and hurt Vienna. He had explained that to her and her son knew that too.
Viggo took a deep breath as he finished his account of how he loved Angelia. He had explained when and where they had started their friendship. There was nothing to say now except wait. He looked into his father's eyes trying to guess his verdict which was impossible. His mother was standing next to him so his father was not acting like always in meetings. He was different with their mother around but he knew a one to one meeting was coming up. A much different atmosphere could be present in the room if his mother was not around.
Francesco turned to Adele "Sweetheart. Please step outside. After I have a private word with our son, he would come outside and tell you his verdict. I need to talk to him privately before I tell him my verdict. I cant do this in your presence." He emphasised on the last words.
Viggo knew this strategy. His father was not going to worry his mother and all unnecessary details. He was asking her to leave but was putting her at ease by assuring her she was going to see Viggo again shortly. As predicted, his mother didn't protest. She nodded and turned to Viggo. She took a step towards him and touched his shoulder with her hand. She smiled sadly at her son and walked to the door.
Viggo watched his father's eyes that followed his mother's movements.
Of course Francesco preferred it if his wife walked to him and gave him a kiss instead rather than comforting their son. But they were a private couple. They had made a decision not to show too much affection in front of their children.
As Adele walked out and closed the he door shut, Francesco glanced at his son in an expression that made Viggo gulp. Emotions in his father's eyes said to him that he was going to be in trouble.
Francesco spoke in a low tone " You made your mother cry."
That statement made him go pale. Had he made his mother upset? That was the biggest crime of all in his father's eyes.
Francesco then continued " You are grounded Viggo until the end of summer. You are allowed to go on your internships but you will have no social life. When you are home, you will make it up to your mother. You hurt your mother. You will make it upto her. If you don't. I will take your punishment one level up. You will spend time with your mother. You will go to church with your mother on Sundays and tell Vincenzo he is going too alongside me. If your mother is too busy, you make sure you are busy too with whatever she is doing. If she is baking you go sit down with her in the kitchen and giving talk to her. Make sure she knows you appreciate her... If she is at work and you are free, you drop by at the hospital and keep her company. You only leave her side when she tells you to. If you are not capable of this, you will have hell to pay son. Do you understand? Am I making myself clear?"
Viggo breathed with difficulty " Yes father." His father's eyes said to Viggo he was a dead man if he failed him.
He took his left hand out of his pocket and reached up. He put his hand on his son's shoulder. Viggo almost jumped and breathed. Francesco looked st his son with a hard expression "I will allow you to see this girl only on school premises or school organised events like this. Outside these hours you are not allowed to see her. You can call her on the phone. This is for your own safety son and her own safety. When the times change I might allow you to bring her home. But not now. Do you have any questions son?"
Viggo stared at his father. Actually he did have questions. Wasn't he going to die? He had just befriended Angelia Andovini. He breathed "What is my punishment for loving the enemy? I betrayed you..." He barced himself for the answer. His father took betrayal seriously even if his own son was the guilty one.
Francesco stared into his son's eyes with a penetrating gaze " I think you already know the consequences. I have taught you enought for you to understand this kind of situation is punishment enough as it is... Do you really want me to state it clearly out loud what the reprecussions are?"
Viggo was thinking hard. Of course he could guess. But he needed to be sure. He breathed "Please tell me father."
Francesco stated "I am allowing you to see this girl. So I dont think I have to make it clear to you that this girl is your responsibility. You recall what happened when the Marciano girl hurt your sister what happened. If Angelia hurts a Rosario, then the consequences are out of your hands son and you are not allowed to object. You can try. But it wont make a difference if I am the only judge. Letizia was lucky what she did was on school premises. So son, you are risking the life of this girl by giving her the opportunity to get close to you. If she gives our family a reason to give her a guilty verdict, then you are obliged to co-operate... So if her punishment is death, you can't object and if .... you are summoned to take action. You will obey."
Francesco lifted his hand from his son's shoulder and gripped his son's chin firmly and tllilted it upwards making him look up as he spoke in a harder tone with meaning behind each word " I am sure you do realise that... if this girl hurts a Rosario, you will be the one to kill her. Do you understand son? I am your father. I tell you that blood comes first. So if I ever even ask you to kill Angelia as punishment for causing our family harm or putting any Rosario in danger, you will kill her without dispute if you are ordered to do so. Now, I give you a chance to back out. If you are not prepared for this I can ask Emanuelle O'Neil to transfer her to another school. Its not a problem. I can keep her away from you if you know she cant be trusted and more importantly if you are not prepared to defend your blood against your girl. Its your choice son. So tell me... Do you agree to my terms? If I ask you to kill your girl for hurting our family or consipiring to hurt our family, do you agree to defend your blood?"
Francesco stared at his son intensely to recognise any hesitation. But there was none. An emotion crossed his son's eyes "Father. I am prepared to do anything to defend my blood. I will kill Angelia if she threatens our family..." Francesco nodded and let go of his chin.
Viggo decided to tell his father how he felt "But I trust her. if she was a danger i would have stayed away. I have been watching her from far. I trust her not to hurt our family. Otherwise I wouldnt have approached her. I would never hurt our family father..."
Francesco nodded "I know that son... You can go now and tell your mother the verdict. Tell her you are grounded but can see her in school. She doesnt need to know anything else. You wouldnt want to worry her and make her cry. Do you son? Also you can tell your siblings whats happened. Pass on the message to Vincenzo that any objections are denied so if he comes in to waste my time, I will waste his time..."
Viggo responded "I understand father.... But ... I still thought you will punish me more harshly... Do you show consideratin because we are out of the house."
Francesco was pleased that his son dared to question him like that. Viggo was realistic. But he must have underestimated his love for his children. Francesco loved his children and the thought of hurting his children made him sick. Even this verdict he had given Viggo was not really his true verdict. He didnt think he was going to ask his son to kill his beloved but if he wa around if Angelia ever hurt his family, Francesco was going to make sure to be the one to eliminate her. He was not heartless to make his son kill his beloved if there was no other alternative. He was going to do it for him.
Francesco looked at his son with a raised eyebrow " I think I am going easy on you because I remember you talking to me about this one night. You did all but told me the truth. Your uncle Antonio told me you went to him for advice. But I thought it was just a crush. I didnt think it was serious. I never thought you would dare bring her to a prom. But this tells me you love her for risking a public unveiling of your affections. I forgive you son for not coming to me first and didnt tell me the truth. You tried... So make sure you trust your father with your secrets from now on. Next time I may not be forgiving. Dismissed." He then walked away around the desk looking for some strong liquor as he heard his son say thank you and walk away.
He watched his son leave and close the door as he sighed to himself "Son. I think your life would be punishment enough. You love an Andovini. You must protect her..." He wished his younger son loved another. Andovinis were peculiar. He knew his son's life could be struck with grief because he could see Angelia not reaching her next birthday even since there were enemies resurfacing. Andovinis had made some old enemies inclding his father. He was sure if his father gained power in America he was going to help all those families who wanted to wipe out the Andovinis and Gustavos for that matter. Just her luck, Angelia was half Andovini and half Gustavo. If Angelia died then his son had to mourn her. It was his son's choice. He had to respect it.
It made Francesesco feel saddened for his son. Both his sons had fallen for girls who could die young but for completely difernet reasons. Letizia had used up so much credit and making him lose patience. Angelia had enemies of her family to worry about... He had warned his son of consequences but that was law. His son had to know the law. He knew Viggo already knew all this. But he reminded him of the rules... Not that he had any intention of hurting his son. He was going to make sure he protected his family at all costs even if it meant bending his own rules.
Francesco picked up an Irish whiskey bottle on the desk and looked at the table " Is this all he has here?" He then put it down and checked the drawer of the desk. He found a small vodka bottle. He read the label " Emergency vodka."
He popped it open and drank the vodka in one go. He then just saw Emanuelle enter the room. He asked "You found my vodka bottle for you..."
Francesco put the bottle in the bin "So thoughtful of you..."
Emanuelle closed the door and asked "Would you like to come upstairs to have a drink with my wife and I? Adele went with Sancia."
Francesco sighed and walked to Emanuelle "We were just leaving. I had planned my day with my wife. I dont wish to stay longer than needed."
Emanuelle spoke "Francesco...There is no need to run... We can have dinner in a nice private suite as a family while our children are having their prom dinner. You can keep an eye on them too if you wish... I know I would..."
Francesco rolled his eyes as he stood in front of Emanuelle "Really? You will be wathcing Vincenzo?There is no proof he loves your daughter."
Emanuelle replied "I know what I saw Francesco. I am keeping an eye out on him... But again that may not be necessary. My daughter wants to transfer to my school in Italy for a while. That can keep your son away."
Francesco asked "You forced your daughter to move?"
Emnauelle said "No. Its her choice. She is her mother's daughter. She wants independence. I think she also wants to be fluent in Italian because its good for business... I support her if she wants to do anything for her career."
Francesco nodded "Very well." As he was about to side step him, Emanuelle didnt let him and blocked his path. Francesco raised an eyebrow "Is there a problem?"
Emanuelle spoke slowly "No need to get defensive? I want to pay you a compliment..."
Francesco spoke "Save it." He then side stepped him and walked to the door.
Emanuelle turned around "You proved him wrong. Admit it..."
Francesco put his hand on the door handle and turned around " What?..."
Emanuelle shook his head "You are not like him. He told you you will one day be in the same position as him and would do the same. Well today you are not forbidding your sons to see girls you dont approve of for different reasons. He was right that one day you will be put in the same positions as him but your actions are much different. I know there is so long to live and your sons havent even hit 18 yet. There is so much that could happen. You can be in exact same position as your father for different situations time and time again. But your decisions wont be same as his. Because you are not like him. I know that. But do you know that? Take my advice. Dont torture yourself... You wont be like him."
Francesco gave him a sad smile "Like you said. The future is ahead of us... My sons havent even hit 18 yet. Time will tell... His genes are a curse."
Emanuelle retorted "Your will is a blessing."