TAKEOVER → Formula 1

Vii|Dinastia

Dinastia: Dynasty

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Italics: Italian

As a child, Lucia Romono had to spent her life being told that she could do anything she wanted and when she couldn't do it, forced to live with her parent's disappointment. Her parents had always been strict people, from making sure she took language lessons, her grades or the way she presented herself.

She hated it as a child but as an adult, she realised that they had good intentions...they just that a less than affectionate way of carrying them out. Lucia wished she had gotten more family moments where her parents gave her attention that didn't resolve around being the best at everything. Her father was barely in her life at all before she began working with him.

They had a better relationship now but the couple were getting old. They adored Marissa and they had spoilt her a lot, something Marissa had taken with a pinch of salt. Lucia made sure to remind her parents that throwing money and gifts didn't appear to Marissa and they had taken that into consideration.

Despite their trouble, Lucia's career had bloomed because of them. 

Isabella Romono was a kind but stern woman, she knew where her place was and she took pride in being the woman of the house. She ran everything, their staff, grounds...anything money could buy. She had influence over her husband.

Dario Romono was a businessman who only ever wanted the family blood line to continue. His children were important to him but his life had been taken up work and he spiralled into a workaholic until he retired at the age of seventy.

Lucia wasn't an only child. She had a younger brother who was more likely to carry on the Romono Dynasty than Lucia was. Donte Romono had built a business of his own with the help of their parents and he'd always been a considerate person so Lucia knew his staff were well cared for and everything he did was environmentally friendly.

Family gatherings were their style and Lucia had quickly learnt to roll with it since a young age.

"Ciao! Lucia, my love!" Isabella called out, hugging her daughter.

"Hello, mother," Lucia returned with a small smile. "Where is father?"

"In the garden, it is a lovely day!" Isabella hummed. "Where is my granddaughter?"

"On her way here with her boyfriend," Lucia replied.

Interestingly, Daniel Ricciardo was half-Italian despite growing up in Australia. His Italian was quite good despite Marissa arguing it wasn't and Lucia didn't have a clue he could speak it until the instructor told her.

It made her feel a lot better, for the sake of the fans and for the sake of him meeting Lucia's parents.

"Ciao father," Lucia hummed as she stepped out into the garden.

"Lucia!" Dario beamed, holding his arms out gracefully. "You have not visited in so long! I though you might have forgotten me."

"I have to work," Lucia replied pointedly. "Not all of us are retired yet."

"Your mother forced me to retire—"

"Then thank the Lord she had not forced me yet," Lucia chuckled.

As Lucia took a seat on the garden furniture, she could hear the scolding one of her mother and she confirmed her daughter had arrived. Despite how much they adored their grandchild, the Romono grandparents also wanted her to conform to society's rules.

"You ought to get rid of that pink from your hair, it's ever so unprofessional, Marissa," Isabella tutted.

"It's perfectly acceptable, Grandma," Marissa denied.

"Daniel, if you are not happy with her hair, you must tell her so!" Isabella tried to persuade. "It is—"

"Mother, please do not bore Daniel with your family principles," Lucia interrupted. "Where is Donte?"

"Where do you think?" Dario huffed. "With that—"

"If you're referring to Viola, do not finish that sentence," Lucia warned quietly, glaring at her father. "She's a respectable nurse, not someone you deem unworthy. This isn't the 1800s, you have no need to 'uphold your honour."

Admittedly, Dario Romono believed he was some Lord living in an episode of Downton Abbey or Bridgerton — forced to uphold his owner and stop his children from marrying people he seemed lower status. Yet, he was old and didn't understand the new way of the world.

Donte, Lucia's brother, had a gorgeous and modest girlfriend who worked at the local hospital. Lucia had only met her a handful of times but she was clearly perfect for Donte.

Dario let out a huff at his daughter and focused on interrogating her instead.

"I have been watching you on the television," He commented. "Your team...what they say about you. I have to admit that I'm impressed, I taught you well."

Daniel didn't know what to do in this situation so he put all his attention onto his girlfriend. He'd never met Marissa's grandparents but she had expressed how important they were to her.

"I don't want to talk about work," Lucia complained, taking the drink handed to her by her mother. 

"Me neither!" Donte Romono's voice boomed. "Hello sister! Little niece!"

"I'm not little," Marissa sang.

"Of course no, Rissa," Donte chuckled,"Hello, Daniel."

Donte offered a handshake to the Australian, who kindly returned it. He also gave his sister a pat on the shoulder but sitting across from, soon joined by Isabella.

"I think it's curious that we are the only people not have met Daniel yet," Dario complained to his children. "No?"

"It's not, he's a racing driver with a busy schedule," Lucia argued. "Donte's met him because he's joined Marissa at some of the races."

"It is an interesting sport," Donte agreed. "And Daniel is a pleasant man. Humorous, even. Marissa is lucky, I hear women fawn over him left right and centre."

"They do!" Marissa called from where she and Daniel sat near the pool. "But he's lucky to have me, not the other way around!"

"We know, dearest," Isabella returned, waving her hand. "You are treating her well, aren't you Daniel."

"Of course," Daniel nodded politely.

Donte smiled in amusement. 

"He plays a good Italian, I wouldn't have known he was Australian. We can keep him."

"Yes," Lucia added. "I suppose he is about of the family now."