Vincenzo's Territory (Book 7)

6. Deal

It was early morning. Trent was now sitting alone in a meeting room behind a massive table waiting for Vincenzo to arrive. He was looking at his notes and making some last minute corrections. You could never be fully prepared when facing Vincenzo in negotiations. He was good at negotiating. But when it came to Rosaries they took it to a whole new level.

Finally the door opened and when Trent looked up he only saw Vitale. He asked "Where is Vincenzo?"

Vitale said "He can't come to this meeting today... We can continue the negotiations..."

Trent asked "What do you mean? He said we are negotiating today..."

Vitale sat down opposite Trent on a chair and said "Well. We are negotiating today. I will just lead the negotiations in his absence. He will listen to my report and he will sign the deal if he is happy with the outcome of today' negotiations. His children's school called up to say they want him to come over and open the new playground. They have a summer fair too today and the children wanted their papa to come... So he cancelled the meeting with you to be with them... He is a family man Trent. What can I say?"

Trent was finding this situation bizarre and unexpected. "Vitale. You cant be serious... How can he abandon this meeting for a school visit?"

Vitale said "I am dead serious... I told you he is a family man..."

Trent said "You are a family man... But you haven't ran to your son's school..."

Vitale said "My son, Patrizio is going with his grandpa Pietro today... My father wanted to go this time... He likes spending time with his grandson so I decided not to refuse him the chance to bond with him more. Why not?"

Trent shook his head "I can't believe this. Rosarios make no sense sometimes. You people are so confusing ...."

Vitale responded "That's your problem Trent. You are the one choosing to get confused. Let's get this meeting started and reach a deal... May I suggest that you start asking questions you really want an answer to..."

Trent said  "What are the questions I should be asking then? Let me think... I should be asking why the Rosarios haven't reached an agreement with the O'Neils yet?... That would be a start... Right? And Why would I be asking you that? I do know you Vitale are as reluctant for an agreement to go through as Vincenzo. You want to drag this on to try to force the O'Neils to offer more when we have offered a very good deal..."

Vitale said "You are wrong. I do want a fast agreement. Good relations with the O'Neils is within the best interests of the Rosarios in Sicily..."

Trent sighed "Well... You haven't helped at all in these negotiations... You could tell Vincenzo to stop refusing to make a deal... I had to rip up so many of the details yesterday when he threw them away. I have adjusted the offer now. You could have helped if you believed it was within the best interests of the Rosarios not to push it with the O'Neils by constant refusals of what's on the table..."

Vitale said "That is what you think... Again that is your problem to assume all this because you dont understand the whole picture that is right in front of you... I may not have tried to help you. But I haven't thrown obstacles in your way either....I could... But I haven't..."

Trent said sarcastically as he looked down at his notes "Of course. My mistake. I need to thank you..."

Vitale replied "You are welcome..."

Trent asked "So... Is Vincenzo even interested in a deal at all?..."

Vitale said "If he had zero interest in a deal you would not have been in this meeting room... Trust me... I agree. What you offered was good. But we both know even something good is not good enough for Vincenzo... He wants what's perfect... Offer perfection and he would deal. Trent... I assure you Vincenzo is interested and close to making a deal..."