Sophia's POV
2013
It was hard to hide my relationship with Abel from my father and from Simon. Tony Simon and his father Donny Simon or Don Castaluci had the power to bring down my father and our entire family business.
My brothers and I were trying to make our family name known the way it used to be. I go by Sophia Apollo, but I was Sophia Maria Galliano. The Galliano name used to be a feared name in this business and years ago the Castaluci family took over almost the entire business. My father was sick. He was dying and as much as I wanted to stay out of this business, I wanted my father to die with the pride he deserved. We would be on the top again, but unfortunately that meant that we would have to merge with the Castaluci's.
Tony always had a thing for me so I decided that'd be the way we'd be back on top. My brothers, Michael, Vito, and Leslie were on my side and my father was proud that I was doing the right thing for the family. I'd been carrying out this phony relationship for the longest and he was clueless to my actions. I still did business for The palace.
Tony didn't like it, but I didn't care plus that place is like my home away from home.
I was at my father's house. He had to talk to me about something important. I walked into his office.
He was sitting behind his desk, drinking his brandy. I kissed his cheek and he smiled at me.
"Ciao mia bellissima figlia. Volevo parlarvi di una questione importante. Accomodati." ( Hello my beautiful daughter. I wanted to speak to you about an important matter. Take a seat.)
I took a seat and smiled. "Hi daddy. How are you today?"
"Come vanno le cose con il ragazzo?" (How are things with the Castaluci boy)
"Daddy, is that why you called me here? Tony is fine."
" Stai facendo una cosa buona per la vostra famiglia mia bella. Abbiamo avuto così tanto successo ultimamente e stiamo crescendo più grande che ci sia mai stato. Dobbiamo ringraziare te. Mi hai fatto così orgoglioso."
He was rambling on about how proud he was of me.
"Well we have all the territories back that you wanted. So what's the next move?"
"Listen to you. My little fighter." He said.
" Io non sono un combattente. sono un guerriero." (I am not a fighter, I am a warrior.)
"And this is war. I want you to secure your place with Tony."
"What do you mean daddy?"
" matrimonio" (marriage)
I stood up from my chair.
" Papà sei pazzo ?! Non posso in coscienza sposare Tony. Ho quasi odio Tony." ( Dad are you insane?! I can't in good conscience marry Tony. I almost hate Tony.)
He slammed his hands against the table.
"Do not disappoint me Sophia. You will do as I say!"
"Pápa! I do not love Tony, I could never love a Castaluci, I did this for you."
"Sophia you Will marry Tony! Remember why you are doing this! Remember!" He reached across the table and shook me by my shoulders. He whispered softly but menacingly. " lo si fa e lo si fa per la famiglia." ( you do it and you do it for the family)
He let me go and stormed out of the room. I ran my fingers through my hair and shook my head. I grabbed my purse and I walked outside to my car.
"Sophia?" Someone called me. I looked up.
