Chapter 4.

Leonardo was in a foul mood. He had received quite the word from his grandfather for almost arriving late to the dinner. And the argument he got in with his parents even made things much more worse.

"Are you out to annoy everyone today?"

His younger sister Selena asked as she shook her head while walking past him. She cocked her head as she walked around him in a circle with a silly grin on her face. 

Leo rolled his eyes. He wished he could wipe off the grin on her face. But his sister could really be insufferable if she wanted to be and he wasn't quite ready to taunt her yet. 

"I haven't annoyed you have I?"

He retorted. 

Selena shrugged.

"Only a matter of time. Mum said the Santangelos might be running a little late. Lucky you."

"I guess that gives me more time to brood."

His sister rolled her eyes as she scoffed. Leonardo could be a hardhat sometimes. 

"Stop being such a pain in the ass. She really isn't that bad."

Leo looked at his sister. 

"You've met her?"

He asked and his sister shrugged with a sly smile on her face.

"On a few occasions yes. But I don't know her personally."

"Hmm... What's she like?"

He asked and she raised her eyebrows, there were a lot of things about Viola that her brother needed to know. She just preferred him finding out himself.

"A few minutes ago you were saying you don't want to get married now you want to know what she's like?"

"Don't worry. You'll get to meet her soon enough."

Selena added as she walked away.

"Leonardo!"

His mother called from across the hallway and he turned and went to meet her. She looked worried.

"The Santangelos will be here in a few minutes. Don't even bother to try and pull a silly tantrum in the presence of Mario Santangelo, he has quite the temper."

She said as she started helping him adjust the collar of his shirt.

"Mother, I'm fine."

His mother ignored his as she continued.

"This is a very big opportunity, don't ruin it. And don't forget the kind of reputation you're already giving this family so quit acting like you're quite the prize. If Mario Santangelo wanted he could have his granddaughter married off to the Orsini family."

"Yes mother."

Leonardo murmured as his mother finally stopped fussing and left him alone to himself. 

Their butler walked in shortly after.

"Sorry to interrupt Mrs Durante, The Santangelos just arrived. They're waiting to be received in the foyer."

"Oh! Bring them here. Leonardo go get your father and your grandfather."

His mother said as she hurried out of the hallway with the butler in tow.

The Durante mansion was classical. It reminded Viola of something from the medieval times. But there was a very charming beauty to it. Something she really admired. She and her Grandfather had a quiet ride to the Durante's house. Viola had been deep in thoughts ruminating about her life while her grandfather seemed more focused on other things, he barely said a word to her throughout the entire ride. 

She had been simple with her outfit, she didn't want to come off as thirsty or anything. She really would give anything to get out of the dinner if she could. 

She was wearing a sleeveless wine dress with a V neckline, cinched waist and a pleated full A - line skirt that was high low. She paired it with strappy nude heels.

Her makeup was minimal and light, just a dab of lip tint, mascara and lightly done brows. Just the way she liked it. Her hair on the other hand had taken quite a bit of time curling and styling. 

"It's so nice to see you again Mario."

Daniella Durante said as she sighted Viola's grandfather.

"Oh it's always a pleasure. You look ravishing as always. I'm sure you've met my Granddaughter Viola on a few occasion."

Her Nonno said pointing to her and Viola smiled pleasantly. Daniele Durante was a beautiful and warm woman.

"Oh Yes! It's so lovely to see you. You look so beautiful."

"Thank you Mrs Durante."

Viola answered.

"Oh! Call me Daniela. No need for formalities. We'll be family very soon."

Viola forced another eager smile at the woman's statement. Clenching and unclenching her jaw.

"Come please. Gino and the others will meet us at the dining room."

The dining-room was exquisite. The walls were covered with a shimmering gold paper and in the middle of the ceiling above the carved oak table was a candelabra. Down the center of the table was a runner with Celtic design woven in gold and green into the fabric itself. At the end of the table were floor to ceiling French doors, left slightly ajar to let in the cool evening air.

The table was adorned with polished silver cutlery that looked heavy to the hand and shone brightly in the early evening light.

At each place stood a tall empty wine glass and there were beautifully folded napkins to match the runner. All that was missing was the food and the guests.

Viola glanced at her Nonno in trepidation as she began to hear some voices drawing nearer.

Leonardo Durante didn't know what he was meant to be expecting before he met Viola Santangelo. He didn't know nor did he care to know, he was the least bit curious about her. Until he met her.

Long, wavy blonde hair, so smooth and silky, almost as if it was tailored from gold fabric fell around her face. Her blue eyes, like the sea, were calm and emotionless. She had a small frame but with a perfect full hourglass figure. High cheekbones and skin that looked as smooth as glass, Viola Santangelo was not what he was expecting. 

The tension in the room was awkward and everyone could feel it as Leonardo and Viola but stood watching each other. They were not only studying each other, they were waiting for who would make the first introduction.

Leonardo was still lost in thoughts till his Grandfather gently squeezed his shoulder and gave him a look.

"Good evening Mr Mario. I'm so pleased you're here."

He said smoothly as he offered a smile and a firm handshake to her grandfather.

"Oh it's lovely to be here. How was your trip back home?"

"Oh it was splendid. This must be Viola right?"

He said as he turned to look at her serenely blue eyes. She smiled lightly as he took her hand in his and kissed it lightly. Nothing yet. That was understandable, the mating bond sometimes took some time to snap in, that is, if she was his mate.

"I'm elated that I finally meet you Viola."

He lied smoothly with a hint of sarcasm in his voice that he had hoped Viola would miss. She didn't as she raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, it's a pleasure."

She replied crisply and snatched her hand away from him. 

The two families exchanged pleasantries and settled to have dinner.

Mrs Durante made sure Viola and Leonardo were seated facing each other and the both of them did everything to avoid eye contact as they waited for their meals. 

Leonardo had indulged himself when the food arrived, eating more than he'd thought possible. 

The silver platter in front of him on top of which sat a fleshy pink strip of trout, garnished with dashings of green herbs that Leonardo didn't know, but liked the taste of was his favourite. The fish course was supplemented by a side plate of mussels. Their black shells lay open, the beige insides spilling out - sickening yet enticing. 

Strangely Leonardo had never eaten them before but it seemed to be a favourite of his grandfather and his friend Mario, they tasted pleasantly of the ocean without an overwhelming aroma of fish. After the seafood dishes had been cleared away, the servants had returned from the kitchen with the dessert.

So far most of the conversation at the table was between the men. Mario, his father and his grandfather talking about the business and other issues while his mother pitched in once in a while and also tried to coax Viola into a conversation. His sister Selena didn't seem to care to join in any. Viola also didn't look too interested in one. 

She did mention a few things that caught Leonardo's attention though. He learned of how she studied abroad in Harvard Business school. She seemed to have spent more time in America than in Italy yet the only thing that felt american about her was her accent.  

A dessert of semifredo was served right after the main course meal. Leonardo was trying his best to enjoy the frozen dessert when his father's voice brought him out of his reverie.

"After dinner, why don't you show Viola the gardens? Mario says she loves spending time in the garden."

Leonardo nodded.

"Sure I will. "

He said briefly glancing at Viola. He knew what they were trying to do. They were trying to get them to know each other more. 

"I would like it if we would be able to speed things up with the wedding preparation now that it appears that we're all on the same page."

Mario said and Leonardo only clenched his jaw in reply. He didn't like that fact that her grandfather was so eager to rush things. Especially when it came to something that affected their lives more than his.

It was one thing to speed up the merger but it was another thing to try and force them to speed up the wedding. 

"Hmmmm. How soon are we talking about?"

Mrs Durante asked and Mario shrugged.

"Should be less than three months. That should be enough to plan a wedding."

"Three months?!"

Viola repeated in surprise. Her grandfather turned to glare at her.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

She snapped at her. 

She shrugged. 

"I don't know. What is the rush? Three months is way too short to plan a wedding."

Mrs Durante sighed as she wiped his mouth with a napkin, she suspected that there were other things in play. 

"No it's not. We'll get the best wedding planners in the city and they can speed up the process."

"Yes. Three months is doable."

Gino supported eagerly. 

"Besides, there really is no point in wasting time. Let's just get it over with."

Mrs Durante said as she threw an apologetic glance to Viola and Leonardo's way. 

There was a brief silence as the two of them seemed to be digesting the new piece of information. 

"I guess it's settled then. We'll be getting married in three months time."

Viola said with a small smile on her face as she faced Leonardo.

He resisted the urge to glare at her as he clenched his jaw painfully. 

Three months?

There was no way he was going to go through with it.