ALESSANDRO'S POV

I hate starting new business. I have been in my office for five hours, it's almost lunch time for fucks sake. I went through hundreds of papers, making Dante send me more on the way. I'm working on building a new company in Milan. It will be the same business as my company here. I woke up and started working right when I got a phone call from Dante telling me that we finally received the market research. Dante dropped off some papers of locations where we could possibly build the company. A location strategy is basically a plan for obtaining the optimal location for a company by identifying company needs and objectives, and searching for locations with offerings that are compatible with these needs and objectives. Along with the papers of our men, this company needs a lot of employees, workers with engineering degrees, not forgetting security and secretarias. The automotive industry is way more complicated than most people think. Companies in the automotive industry fall into two categories that are car manufacturers and car parts manufacturers. All those companies and activities involved in the manufacture of motor vehicles, including most components, such as engines and bodies, but excluding tires, batteries, and fuel. Each department offers advancement opportunities and careers to fit your personality and passion. Jobs in the automotive industry can teach you new skills, allow you to work in a high-tech work environment with long-term job security, and provide you with competitive wages and benefits. A career as an automobile engineer is for people who are driven and passionate about cars or bikes. They must have considerable understanding and interest in mechanics, electronics, and mathematics as these are vital skills required for this career path.

I placed both of my hands on my face, letting out a sigh. This is tiring. I took my left hand off my face, looking down at my watch, it's two in the afternoon. I rested both my hands on the arms of the chair, standing up. I walked around the desk, heading towards the door. I stepped out of the office, walking through the hallway when my eyes caught Venom's bedroom door. Last night ended with both of us going to our separate rooms after staring into each other's eyes for god knows how long.

I got into my room and fell asleep immediately, not being able to take another second with my eyes opened along with thoughts playing with my head. I hope she got to rest as well, she looked tired yesterday. Although I've only seen her tired for one second, I had this urge to make sure she's better and well rested now.

I reached the kitchen, thinking about what to cook for lunch. Lunch is the only meal I enjoy having, it's midday, in between the morning and the night. As a European, this is the most important meal of the day. I decided to make Pasta al Tonno. I stood in the kitchen, going back and forth in the area, making sure nothing got burned.

I was pretty decent in cooking, I personally created my restaurant's menus. When I first joined the food service industry, I made sure everything was on point, perfect for the best food service. Owning an Italian restaurant was challenging for sure, especially around other restaurants with the same cuisine. I owned seven fine dining restaurants, two of them located here and the other five around Italy. Fine dining restaurants offer diners an upscale meal experience often comprising several courses. These types of restaurants try to create a stylish atmosphere that speaks of elegance, exclusivity, class and that's exactly what we do and offer for our lovely customers.

I let the smell of fresh pasta travel through my nose. I took the pan off the heat, finishing the cooking part. I grabbed a plate from the cabinet along with a fork from the cutlery. I placed the plate of pasta on the kitchen counter, taking a seat, ready to taste what I have been cooking for thirty minutes but something didn't feel right.

It was this kind of feeling of guilt, why would I feel guilty.

I sat there, staring down at the plate before standing up from my seat, heading my way upstairs. I kept walking through the hallway, millions of thoughts telling me to go back, that it's a bad idea but I pushed them away when I found myself in front of her door.

I knocked on the door, waiting for a response. I was ready to go back downstairs in hope she would follow in a few minutes. Suddenly, I heard the door unlock.

I watched the door gradually open, revealing Venom. We stood there face to face, holding sharp eye contact. She tilted her head without breaking eye contact, reminding me of lunch. I shook my head, "Lunch is in the kitchen if you want to eat" Was all I had to say before she stepped closer, closing the distance between us. She shut the door with her left hand, not letting go of our intense gaze. I could feel her breath on my neck, making chills run through my whole body. God I wish I was wearing a shirt right now.

I watched her lift her right arm up, placing her hand on my bare chest, feeling her soft skin on mine. She smoothly pushed my chest, making me backwards a few steps. Her hand was still resting on my chest, she kept her dreamy hazel eyes on me, making me unable to utter a word. She knew it, she knew the effect she had on me with these divine eyes and I wasn't bothered by it, not at all.

She looked at me carefully, making sure I got the feeling she's getting, making sure she's not the only one feeling it. The tension was all around us, filling the air, the hallway, the few inches left between us. Giving me the urge to do something I will probably regret later.

Before I could think of anything else, she turned her body to the hallway, letting her hand go down my chest slowly. I watched her hand travel down my chest, feeling her nails on my abs, giving me light goosebumps. And finally after what felt like forever, her hand was off me.

She took herself with these sage green silk pajamas, heading her way to the stairs. I kept my eyes on her, watching her take each step, enjoying every moment of it. I smiled out of the warm feeling I felt in my heart before making a small run, rushing after her.

We made our way downstairs with Venom leading both of us to the kitchen. She got there before me due to her being in the front and I was right behind her. She noticed my plate on the counter. She turned her body to me with her head tilted to the side. I chuckled before running up to the pan filled with pasta. I grabbed her a plate from the cabinet, I held the wooden spoon, ready to fill it with the pasta I made when I found her standing next to me, holding her hand up for me to give her the spoon and that's exactly what I did. I held the plate for her and watched her put the amount of food she needed, placing the wooden spoon back into the pan. She glanced at me before walking away. I turned around with her plate in my hand, she was sitting down in front of my plate, both of her hands on her cheeks. I sighed, looking at the floor with a soft smile on my face and walked towards her. I sat down in front of her, placing her plate slowly on the table, sliding it over her side. She gave me a quick look before letting her head fall, turning her attention on the plate.

We ate in silence, enjoying our meal. Surprisingly, we finished at the same time. I took her plate and mine and went over the sink. I washed the plates along with the forks. I grabbed a napkin and turned around, cleaning the counter. Venom was gone, however, it didn't bother me nor shock me. I got used to it and I didn't want anything other than for her to get something to eat.

When I was done with cleaning the kitchen, I took myself and walked towards the stairs. I arrived at the second floor, walking through the hallway when my eyes landed on her door like they usually do, but this time it was slightly open.

I kept looking at it for a few seconds before lifting my hand up, grabbing the door knob, closing it shut. I continued my way back to my office.

I stepped into my office, taking a deep breath. I survived. I giggled at my overdramatic thought, sitting down on my chair. I was about to go back to work when I heard my phone's ringtone go off. I picked my phone, reading the name of the last contact I thought would ever call. Last time I received a call from this man was five years ago. I couldn't even put the word nor the strength to answer.

Armando DeVille

I felt my breath get warmer as the name kept going through my mind. It's impossible. I blanked a couple times, making sure I'm not making shit up, and I wasn't. I felt my stomach get heavier, my eyebrows raising, this can't be happening, not now.

Armando DeVille, my training partner since I was fifteen years old. We met through shooting training, he was my only friend. The only one who didn't have the need to be a bitch towards me. We grew up together until I took over the mafia, only one year after my leadership. The Russians sent their men back to Verona, his home town. His whole family lived there, they threatened him to kill them one by one so he had to leave, to go protect his family and for my own safety. Someone from his family snitched, his cousin Daniel. He always wanted to be Armando, take away from him all he worked for. He was jealous Adrmando was the one who got to come here and work in the Italian mafia and not him. Armando is much better than Daniel according to his shooting, killing, fighting skills and much more. It was obvious why Armando was picked and not him. Of course we took care of him after he pulled that little game. Armando and I went over to his house and killed him and since then Armando had to back out of the mafia, stay in his hometown for a while. It was dangerous to keep working with us while having the Russians on his back. It could lead to any leak of information or any loss of his family members. For the betterment of his family and my mafia, I had to let him go and it was the hardest thing I had to do through these six years.

I remember his last words "Se mai chiamo, vieni a prendermi Alessandro." [translate: if I ever call, come get me Alessandro]. I looked down at my hands, remembering deeply that night, remembering the noise of thunder lighting up the sky. I watched the only man who stood by my side get into his car and right before he took off

"Will meet again"

The picture of him smiling with tears in his eyes was kept in my heart safe, ready for these words to become true. I felt my face relax, taking a deep breath. There was no time for memories, now Armando needs me, it was finally my time to be there for him after all these years. It is time for me to  protect him.

This man made sure to keep pushing, made me fight, stand up right after I would get defeated. He made me see the beauty that's waiting for me at the end, at the end of fighting, pushing harder, working harder. He made me realize what life was about, it's not only success, but feeling happy and proud with what you succeeded in.

A lot of people don't know the difference between getting what you want and being happy with what you got. Getting what you want was easy, yes the work was hard, getting there wasn't easy but in the end you got what you wanted. Feeling happy with what you got, what you reached was a whole nother level of success, knowing that you made it after all you have been through, feeling an emotion instead of just receiving money. That's why some things in your life have more value with emotions.

Armando taught me to be a better person, to work and grow for a purpose not only for my father to quit saying I'm a failure. I had to start believing that I would never be a failure no matter who told me I will be. I started having faith and looking up to the image I'm creating for my future. Nobody loves working but you have to set your mindset that this is for the betterment of your future and for your own happiness, so when you get to work, you have a reason to keep going. A reason for whenever you feel like giving up, it reminds you, it awakens you, to make you able to see what you're doing this for.

The day Armando left was hurtful. When we were kids we would train side by side, waiting for the day we would work together and when we finally had the chance, he had to leave.

I never forgot how amazing of a person he was and never will. I haven't seen nor talked to him for five years and no matter who he is now or what he's doing, I will always remember him as the guy who took care of me when I couldn't.

He would point out the best in me when I couldn't. He would show me, prove that I am a good fighter, a good person and will be a great leader. He made me believe that one day, it will all change and I will be able to see myself the way he saw me.

I found myself lost deeply in our memories, forgetting the present. I shook all the great moments out of my head, not wasting any second. If he called it means that there will be a war between him and the Russians and he can't lead it alone. He needs someone strong, brave, and courageous by his side.

My mind starts drifting off on his family, Armando and I will be able to kill those fuckers but there will be no one to protect his family. My first plan was to take Emilion, he will be able to protect them with the slightest effort, then I remembered he's still injured. I know he would accept and go fight with us, but I won't let his condition get worst. I can't take Dante either, someone has to stay and take care of the girls.

Dante and Emilion knew how much Armando meant to me and I know that if I told them, they would throw everything under the bus and fight beside me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for having them in my life. They would jump into fire just to make sure I'm okay, but I wouldn't let them sacrifice their lives for me. I was nowhere like my father and I never will. I would never use, manipulate the people who love me for my own good even if it's the most important thing in my life.

Armando surely meant the world to me, without him I wouldn't be where I am. Yet, when somebody matters to you, it doesn't mean you have to give up everything and everyone around you. There are many solutions in this world, you might lose a lot, fail, make mistakes. Always remember it was never the ending. It never ends with failure nor defeat, there will always be this thin light, reaching for your hand to get you out of this mess. You can only see it, if you believe in it. All you have to do is believe in yourself, believe that you will win this battle no matter who you're fighting, who's your competition.

I sat in my office, silence filling the four walls I'm currently in along with thoughts. I needed to find someone quickly. Armando has been through this for years, it's time to pull him out of it and fast. I couldn't find someone I trust enough, this mission wasn't like any normal one. If we failed this mission, this mafia will say her goodbyes on being Italian.

Adriano came into my mind, however, I can't take him. If they found Armando then Adriano is being watched, it would be a huge risk to take him. My father is a straight up no, he would simply tell me that Armando is already dead and it will be useless to go save him.

I had no one else, there were only these three men I trusted and none of them is the right one for this mission. I can't take my men either, it will make the Russians notice and send more men on Armando. This just keeps getting more and more complicated.

I sighed in frustration. I hate when I can't figure things out, it makes me rage in anger. It's absolutely useless when I know in the end I will solve it somehow so why waste time beating myself up for it when I know I will find a solution. I started having this issue since Venom came along, however I'm fine with it now. I learned to respect her privacy and if she wants anything personal about her kept away from the world, then that's what she's GETTING.

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