Verona Rosario (Book 5: A Mob Boss's daughter)

4. His World

It was the end of the school day and Verona was walking across the school grounds as she heard her name being called by the last person she wanted to hear. She turned and sighed. Ottavio was walking towards her. 

Verona was not keen to talk to him. She was annoyed at him for making a scene that day in the morning when he knew full well she wanted to lay low. He waved at her and she reluctantly waved back at him. She had to accept she could not avoid him. She was trapped in a place where he was the ruler. She was so annoyed at him.

Ottavio walked towards her and stood in front of her as he said "Hi..."

Verona looked at her watch "Don't you have football practice at this hour today? I thought you did..."

Ottavio said "Yes I do... I am on my way to practice... But when I saw you, I thought I stop you and ask you how was your day..."

Verona said "Really? You are asking how was my day?"

Ottavio said "Yes...I am very interested in hearing your answer actually...."

Verona replied "My day could be better if it wasn't for what you did this morning...."

Ottavio said "What did I do this morning?"

Verona said "You know full well what you did ..."

Ottavio said "No... I dont..."

Verona sighed  "You gave me that white Rose pendant yesterday to show I am under your protection and connected to you... You did not stop there... This morning you made sure you publicly addressed me in front of a huge crowd during the busiest time of the day and basically in every possible way you went too far and issued threats... You vowed that if anyone displeased me they will deal with you...  It was not necessary for you to do that just like how it is not necessary for you to ask me how my day went... What could possibly go wrong for me? My day has been perfect. Too perfect and that is the problem. This is not normal... People are too polite, too formal, they smile at me, they say please and thank you... People are too nice to me... Its no thanks to you because of the fear you put in their souls with your explicit promises and your reputation of being a notorious avenger and an extremely cruel and unforgiving alpha male..."

Ottavio said "I am glad your day was perfect... Is there anything that you need?"

Verona sighed "Ottavio... Haven't you heard a word that I said?"

Ottavio said "I did... I see nothing wrong with your day..."

Verona said "Ottavio... You need to understand... I don't want protection from you, my family or anyone else... All day today, I tried so hard to assure people that I am approachable... Its not easy to get people to trust me when I assure them that I do not need special treatment... They are careful around me because I am a Rosario but you reminding them that I am also connected to you has made them on guard beyond belief... Its hard to assure them that you won't hunt them down if they make any mistakes around me..." People did fear their king. For good reasons too. Over time he had built a reputation that was well established as a king who did not forgive and had no mercy at all. None. 

Ottavio said "Verona...  I won't tolerate it if anyone disrespects you and gives you a hard time..."

Verona said "No one will ever do that because I wont give them a reason to and they know I am a Rosario... But Ottavio when you make public statements you put the fear of god in people beyond imagination... Your reputation of your approaches is so extreme here... It does not help my case when I am trying to get people to treat me normally when they know who they could answer to if they make me unhappy... Your reminders certainly does not help..."