Made of Steel

4. I've made my decision

Adriano Di Lauro

I contemplate the features of my unconscious eldest son sitting in a chair while I caress the jet-black hair of my little ragazza*, who is holding her little brother's hand.

I thought I would be enough, that keeping us together they wouldn't need anything or anyone else... but I was wrong.

However, I still have time to make it right.

"Why doesn't he talk to me, daddy?, my daughter sighs. "I've even promised to let him win the "FIFA" and pull my bows"

"He's sleeping, Ella" I answer to calm her down. What happened has her too unsettled. Although to my surprise, she has managed. Is it because of her new friend?

"But will he wake up?"

"Yes, darling", I kiss her chubby cheek. "You'll see him tomorrow. He will want to play with your hair.

“Cassie said we should take care of him".

She still amazes me how quickly she has grown to trust the doctor. It's hard for her to interact with the upside world. Even with children of her own age. The last attempt ended in a total disaster.

However, he has developed an empathy with Cassandra Reid in a matter of minutes.

"And we will", I clarify. "The two of us together as the team we are".

"Will you stop working so hard to stay with us?"

I stay silent for a few moments adjusting her bangs. Sometimes I get so focused on business that I end up forgetting the rest of the world. Not for nothing have I become the most powerful man in Florence.

The nurse tells us visiting hours have ended, so I give her the appropriate instructions before leaving. I'd like to stay with my son, but I'm worried about Ella's instability. Besides, I've already been notified that Fede won't wake up until tomorrow. So I'd better leave and come back first time in the morning.

On the way home, Ella doesn't leave my lap for a second and she refuses to walk when we get out of the car.

"And I thought you were mature"

I snort before taking her in my arms. I'm exhausted, but I refuse to miss these little moments in which she behaves befitting a girl her age.

"I love you so much, daddy", she says as she cuddles up to my neck.

Public opinion is absolutely right to call me the Steel Man. However, a word from any of my sons is enough to melt the metal.

"Me too, little manipulator".

Walking into the living room, I run into my parents, taking me by surprise. My daughter, on the other hand, doesn't take long to ask me to lower her to go to her grandmother.

"Nona, can we add Cassie to your list of potential moms?", Ella asks anxiously with her eyes full of hope.

"Cassie?", Dad asks in a whisper that I can hear with a frown.

"The doctor", clarifies my mother in the same tone, to later answer my daughter: "Did you really like her, Ella?"

"Yes", the little girl moves her head up and down effusively, "she can read me stories, make me cookies and treat Fede or Papi when their tummy hurts. Oh, and she wants me to teach her how to play on the X Box."

"Well, then we'll add her to her list, although Carina knows how to do all that too", she alludes, looking at me out of the corner of her eye.

Alexa Di Lauro is not stupid and she is aware of my affair with Carina. Not that either of us bother to hide it, since I don't care and she's boosted her ego.

She is the woman with whom the press relates me the most, but she is not the only one and each one of them is aware of what I can offer them. No one can ever take Stella's place.

The problem is that because of the blonde's close relationship with our family, she has become my mother's favorite and she tops the list of suitors Alexa has drawn up. The fact that she is a senior executive in my company also adds points.

What my mother does not fully understand is that I make my own decisions and no one in the world is able to dissuade me.

"Sir", my housekeeper appears on the scene. "Mr. Varca has arrived".

"Thank you Vivi. Send him into my office", I say before kissing the top of my little girl's head. "And you missed bath time, Signorina*. Can you take or her until I return?"

"Of course we can", says my mother. "That's what we've come for".

I'm lucky because my parents live on the same block.

"Don't take too long, daddy", the girl asks. "I want my story."

"I won't", I assure her before leaving to my office. "Varca", I greet my right hand.

"Mr. Di Lauro".

"Put the formalities aside", I order. "We're alone. What do you got for me?"

"Cassandra Reid Burton, American, twenty-seven years old", he begins to explain while he hands me the file with all the information. "She was born in San Francisco. Current address: Toscano street, number forty-six. She graduated from medical school a year early and was top of her class. She has been a Pediatrician for five years. She is currently studying a postgraduate degree in Pediatric Surgery with the best grades."

"Smart girl", I conclude.

"Very smart"  my lawyer emphasizes. "Although the best is yet to come. Dr. Reid is the renowned diplomat Gibson Reid's daughter  and two years ago she was about to marry Dean Frost, known as the Devil Frost, the owner of the Eastern United States.

"Why didn't they get married?", I ask, examining the papers thoroughly, because now I'm intrigued to know the whole story.

"According to public opinion, the marriage was postponed indefinitely", he replies, managing to surprise me. This may interfere with my plans. "Now, according to my contacts, they inform me the boyfriend was not very in favor of his wife working."

"She left him?", I look up to meet my attorney's lopsided grin.

My desire to meet her is increasing.

"Planted at the altar with guests, dress and all. She fled to Italy without telling anyone".

"But his father knows she's here", I state something we both know.

"It is difficult for Gibson Reid to miss something. And he hasn't come looking for her because..."

"Because he wants his daughter to come back on her own with her tail between her legs", I finished. "That's why he's cornering her".

"That's right", Pietro confirms. "No hospital or clinic is allowed to hire her. Though she doesn't seem to have any intentions of returning".

"Of course not", I finish flipping through the pages. I've already created a profile in my head and I like it too much. "Wow, wow. You have a very interesting life, Dr. Reid".

"How should I proceed, Adriano?"

"Prepare the prenuptial agreement", I order. "You already know my conditions. I want it ready for first thing Friday".

I have finally made my decision. I need a wife, my children need a mother, and Cassandra Reid is the solution.

***

Ragazza: girl translated into Italian.

signorina: Miss translated into Italian