Chapter 4

"It's good to see your face Miss Bria. Good to see you finally decided to honor my invitation after many failed attempts to reach you!" Romeo said with a slightly raised voice. It was quite obvious hat he was agitated but trying to be as calm as possible. If he was failing or succeeding at it, the young woman in her early twenties didn't seem to notice or care.

" Are you listening, Miss?" Romeo asked with a forced smile, bowing his head to match that of the slender lady he was talking to - Bria Leone.

"My coffee has gone cold" Bria said, with almost no enthusiasm in the tone of her voice. She was still seated confidently, legs crossed and her hair covered with a white hat that matched the long designer suit she wore.

"Oh.." Romeo raised his head, trying to hide his disappointment. ".. right.. sorry about that.." he forced a smile again and picked up the land phone on his table. He returned it after muttering a few words and then turned back to Bria Leone who showed no interest in their conversation.

Immediately, a young woman walked in carrying a tray with a cup of hot coffee. She dropped it in front of Bria and took away the old coffee on the table nervously avoiding eye contact with either of them.

Bria Leone sipped the coffee slowly and moaned in satisfaction after. Romeo took his seat and adjusted it, dragging it towards the table and leaning forward to shorten the distance between them.

"You are a supermodel Bria and you're an excellent one! We can't let this take away other potential jobs with the big Clients. We worked so hard for this and Vinci is not to be messed with. He is one of the major players in the fashion industry here in italy and..."

"... Can we skip to the main part, my ears ache and I have to be out of here in like ..say.." Bria lifted her left hand, looking at her wrist watch. ".. 5 to 10 minutes?.." She interrupted.

Romeo could feel his ego being washed down the drain. He was used to it anyways. That was how he felt being Bria Leone's Model Manager. He retreated.

"The Photoshoot for the Vinci Fashion project was scheduled for the 10th of last month, we had signed the contract already. Everything was in place, why didn't you show up?" He asked calmly, waiting for Bria's response.

There was silence for a few seconds.

"My cat fell sick." She said.

Romeo hit the table softly, jumping to his feet. Bria still remained unmoved.

"Miss Bria, a lawsuit has already been filed against you. Your face and name is on magazines, e- books, articles are even being published about you and the model Management currently. Vinci is demanding for damage compensation of 2 million euros. The management is not ready to settle that. We can't tell Vinci that the reason why his multi million project went down was because of your cat!." Romeo said with his usual feminine voice that made a lot of people question his sexuality often.

"I'm guessing you're not an animal person" Bria said, taking another sip of coffee.

"No..yes.." he folded his fists in annoyance. "... that's not what we are talking about here..."

"I see. Anything I don't know already?" Bria asked.

"Well,..yes! The management has denied the claims. However, I and Madam Eva have been able to convince Vinci to drop the lawsuit, on the basis that you show up for the make up shoot you missed which has now been shifted to the 29th of October. If you don't show up for that shoot, you'll have to pay a refund and an extra 2million euros for damages"

Bria removed her shades slowly.

"The 29th of October is a no for me, Romeo. You can't fix a date without the consent of the Model." Bria said calmly.

" You've been paid 1.5 million euros for the shoot already, you could have just refused to sign the contract then." His voice deepened.

"Do not talk that way to our Famous Supermodel, Romeo. " A woman who looked in her fifties with extremely short white hair said with her heels making click- clack sounds against the marbles while walking into the room.

"Madam Eva!" Romeo said impatiently as he anxiously and quickly arranged his table, stepping out of his space for her to take a hold of his seat.

Madam Eva sat on the chair with a bright smile and gaze directed at Bria. Bria's face remained stern. If she had any emotions at all, she was perfect at concealing it.

"How have you been Bria?..." Madam Eva asked. ".. happy? Sad?.. well that doesn't matter anyways. I understand that you are the heir to your father's business and you already own a successful fashion Company in the country. You're doing well, I must say, but it doesn't work that way here and I'm sure you, of all people know this. The Franchise Model Management has taken you in since you were 9, since we lost your mother, one of our own best models, May her beautiful soul keep resting on. However, we may be forced to terminate our contract with you if this attitude continues."

Faking a laugh..Romeo chipped in.." oh no, Madam Eva, you're taking this so serious. We have got this all under control."

She cleared her throat, subtly ignoring him and continued;

" You need to understand that I have the Management and your career's best interest at heart. This is the second time we are being threatened with a law suit. We've been able to secure another shoot with the Designer on the 29th of October. I hope you'll make all necessary efforts to be there..."

"Ofcourse Ma'am.. She will be." Romeo said grinning widely.

Bria stood up with her bag hanging down from her left hand.

"If this is all, then I'll be leaving. " She said as she turned around and walked out.

Romeo made attempts to call out her name but the words stuttered out in incomplete letters. It was either he was so shocked at her attitude towards the situation on ground or worried about the management's decision concerning her modelling contract with them. If either went south, it wouldn't favor him.

* * * *

Lorenzo stood in front of the water fountain in the DeVille estate. His meditation was interrupted when he became conscious of Marco's presence.

"Bellisimo, isn't it?" Marco Said. Lorenzo remained still, eyes still gazed on the water fountain.

"I hear Bria Leone, the only daughter of the Leone family is a psychopath. The whole family is a crazy and heavily protected one. One doesn't get in as an intruder and leave there alive or sane. I wonder why father sent you on this deadly mission. If you ever need help, I'm always close by. Cover your tracks, arrange a place for you in Vienna, you'll get to leave happily and be free from the shackles of guilt the Mafia has placed on you. It can always be our little secret ...... brother"

Lorenzo smiled and said "Thank you, Capo Bastone. Sadly, I don't miss my target when a loaded gun is in my hands and I don't fail missions. You need not worry, i'll make sure to return in one piece.. back to you and Our Family."

Marco's smile turned grave and Sergio; a middle aged mafia member joined the duo.

"I shall take my leave now" Marco Said and walked away. He seemed disappointed.

Sergio; the Consigliere of the Mafia family- Antonio's closest friend was a wise man that knew how to play his cards well. He taught Lorenzo the ways of the Mafia as a child after initiation.

"I see you and the underboss are getting along." He said.

Lorenzo grinned and suddenly, he felt a warm tap on his shoulder.

"The boss sent me here to give you your farewell message. He says; Do not let this be your last mission, Lorenzo. The real test is not in your Success, the real test is in your Survival" he removed his hand from his shoulder.

Sergio handed over a bag of to him and he collected and opened it. In it, he found some documents and keys.

"In that bag is a fake I.D, a fake passport incase things ever go awry and your new line"

Sergio hands over a tab to him. "On it is everything you would ever need to know about every member of the Leone family. These are all confidential information, not even the press has access to it. Study it and find a way to infiltrate the family and gain their trust. That's the first step ".

Lorenzo collected the tab with his head slightly bowed.

"Does the Boss want them all killed? If that's what he wants, I can do that in a day, an infiltration might not be necessary." Lorenzo retorted

"Lorenzo...... You know better than others not to question Mafia orders. We'll be communicating with you every step of the way. After your infiltration is a success, the next step will be passed across to you "

Sergio cleared his throat and looked forward. He continued,

".There is a black Mercedes waiting for you A new account has also been opened for you with a sum of fifty million euros deposited in case you might need anything. A house in Milan has been bought for you, address is in your file. You still go by the name Lorenzo De Niro. Same boy with a sad story from Sicily Village. Comprendere?" Sergio said and Lorenzo bowed his head in return.

"Si, Signore." Lorenzo answered.

A white Car drove past them and stopped in front of them.

"Your ride is here, the mafia awaits your return." Sergio said.

Lorenzo opened the door of the car and stepped inside. He took one last look at the DeVille building anticipating his return. Soon, his eyes met those of Viviana which seemed teary. She had stood close to the pillars far away from being noticed. She stood there helplessly watching the vehicle pass by her until the contact their eyes made was slowly severed.

* * * *

"Did you make sure to bug his new line?" Marco said to a young man who was one of the mafia soldiers.

" Si, (yes) Capo bastone" he replied with head slightly bowed

"Very good. Get prepared, you'll be going to Milan. I want Lorenzo's every step monitored. I want to know how much breath he takes in every second.." He said and the man nodded in response.