The Mafia Couple

Chapter 1: part 4

"That Puzo, I'll tell ya. He's more odd than a three dollar Bill," Alicia said as she hooked the pearl strand around my neck.

"Hm." My mouth made an almost inaudible noise, but I continued to speak saying: "what do you mean?"

"You can never tell with him. At one moment he's letting men drool all over you and the next moment he wants to take you to a romantic brunch!"

I knew his actions were anything but normal. He always seemed so cool and collected when it came to business yet around me, he seemed so unsure of every action. At times he would look at me as if searching for validation.

"I gotta say Lizzy," Alicia continued scrutinizing her boss. "You made two mafia bosses fall head over heels for you! I've never seen two men act more stupid in front of a woman!"

I blushed at her statement. "I-I'm sure they're like that with all the women..."

Alicia raised her brow as if trying to tell me not to sell myself short. However, I turned away from her and began to put on my plain white heels to match my baby blue and white dress.

Alicia picked up a hat box in the dark closet and set it on my bed before speaking again.

"You shoulda been the one teaching ME to flirt!" She chuckled nudging my breast. I turned to her with a warm yet uneasy smile.

It had only been a day that I was at the villa and I felt strange to say the least. Alicia was my only female friend here but yet she seemed so brash. Every man in the establishment refused to make eye contact with me, except Nino. It was almost as if I was precious property that they dare not even think about.

I shook the speculations from my head and smiled at Alicia. "Wish me luck." I said straightening my elegant dress.

As I left the room I heard a firm "good luck!" From Alicia which made me smile to myself.

As my feet barely exited the door way, I crashed into Vitto who was standing outside checking his watch.

"My apologies, I was coming to check on you...."

"You know what they say," I began trying To wipe away his apologetic look. "Women take quite a while to get ready."

"I've never heard anyone say that."

"No? How odd! Back on the farm the boys would say that. Especially whenever there was an event!"

"How tacky," Vitto replied his apologetic face now looking rather confused.

I laughed at him. He slowly cracked a smile realizing that it was all just a joke.

"Well, what do you say Mr. Puzo," I said offering my arm for him to old.

"I say the car is outside waiting for us. Shall we  Miss Colvin."

I stared into his dark colored eyes and nodded eagerly.

We made our way outside and like a gentleman, he opened the door.

"I... Vitto. Thank you." I grabbed his hand and placed it on my thigh as we sat down.

"For what?" He asked.

"Yesterday, today, everything has been hard. Traumatic one might say. But this brunch, I think it'll lighten the mood." I paused. I need to ask him something serious that has been on my mind. But I was dreadfully scared of ruining our light mood.

I threw caution into the wind. "How do you... how... how does it not phase you when you watch someone die."

Vittorio continued to look straight forward as the car jiggled with movement.

"Practice I suppose."

"I know you've seen it a lot but... how did you move past it the first time you saw someone die."

"I have mafia blood. It never phased me to be quite honest. Liz, I'm sorry. I know that's not the answer you-"

The car jolted to a stop. The driver motioned to Puzo, signaling we had arrived. He must've not wanted to interrupt our conversation.

"Thank you Cisco."

We exited and stood in front of a small green cafe painted with ivy leaves all along the side of it. I would have admired the building but I continued with my previous thought. "I just want to know... How can I stay with you, and be a part of your life, when I can barely watch someone bleed out?"

He stared ahead of him at the cafe sign. "Well," he began. "I think you can do it. I think you and I will be okay."

I cracked a wicked smirk in his direction. "Are you saying, 'love conquers all?'"

Vitto gently ruffled my hair. "Would I ever say something so cheesy?"

I laughed as he escorted me into the cafe.