Chapter 5 Everything Just Began

• "By Matteo Villani"
• The ceremony ended with a lifeless kiss on Giovanna's rosy lips, who forces a smile as I step away. The sadness in her eyes awakens a pleasure within me, leaving me completely satisfied.
• I hold her cold hand, leading her out of the church amidst the applause of our guests. I smile as I walk, greeting them with a nod of my head.
• If it weren't for my plans and the benefits that this marriage has brought me, I would continue to avoid this kind of commitment. I would wait for the woman promised to me since childhood to turn twenty and continue enjoying my bachelor life.
• However, today I am here, at the peak of my thirty-four years, married to a woman I never imagined, feeling immense happiness not only for the alliance established between the mafias, but also for the beginning of my revenge without anyone suspecting my intentions."
• If something goes wrong, my head will be served on a platter, but one thing I am sure of: Pandora's box is open, and there is no turning back, because every sacrifice is worth it when it comes to family.
• [...]
• I could spend the party with the men and leave Giovanna at ease. But I prefer to stay close as much as I can, just to have fun with her discomfort and, of course, to give the image of a man satisfied with the marriage.
• As soon as my lovely wife leaves to go to the bathroom, Fabrizio, my consigliere and younger brother, calls me.
• I said in a mocking tone as we arrived the mansion's garden." I love seeing my defenseless little bunny's discomfort."
• "It's just the beginning, you will have time for that, dear. Your wedding gift has just arrived in Messina."
• "Late, as always!" I exclaimed, rolling my eyes. "I'm sure my wife will love the life that awaits her from now on. Now let me go back."
• I walk away from him, but as I approach the table, I realize that Giovanna has not returned from the bathroom yet. Her delay sets off an alarm inside me.
• I run my hand through my hair and take a deep breath. Unbelieving that a girl who has barely left her diapers managed to deceive me and escape. Fabrizio comes to me as he notices my demeanor, as I approach the table where Don Philippo is.
• "I want you to search every inch of this damn land! " I say, even before he can speak, catching Don Philippo's attention, who stands up and stares at me. " Your daughter is not in the bathroom and something tells me she just fooled both of us!"
• Even with his Don-like posture, I see my father-in-law hesitate for a few seconds, giving me a look of concern. Without a bride, there is no wedding. Without a wedding, there is no alliance. And without an alliance, it's a matter of minutes before this whole thing turns into chaos. For obvious reasons, neither of us wants that."
• I have already let Giovanna slip through my fingers once, and I am not willing to let a little girl deceive me again.
• While our men search the Villa, we gather in a small private room, the worried looks of my associates echoing the anxiety I feel. I cannot afford to lose everything I have planned with this alliance.
• My father-in-law, with his facade of an unflappable Don, finally speaks, his voice laden with tension.
• "Stupid girl!" Don Philippo rages, slamming his hand on the table. "I will kill you for the shame you are causing me! Alessio, prepare your mother for..."
• "Don Philippo," I say, placing my hand on his tense shoulder, "Giovanna has been my wife for the past few hours. If anyone decides what will happen to her, it's me. But we won't come to that."
• Don Philippo, his face red with fury, looks at me, his eyes flashing with anger. For a moment, silence hangs in the room. His underboss tries to calm the situation.
• "Dom Matteo is right," Alessio asserts. "We cannot risk you making a rash decision and jeopardizing everything."
• "Very well! You have my word that I will not make any hasty decisions. But we need to reso..."
• Before Don Philippo can finish his sentence, the door to the room swings open abruptly, revealing Fabrizio with Giovanna by his side.
• My loyal consigliere gives me an unreadable look, while my wife lowers her head, trying to hide her red eyes. Her once pristine dress is now covered in sand, a detail that furrows my brow.
• "Where were you, Giovanna?"
• Don Philippo's shout fills the room, filled with concern and irritation. He quickly gets up and goes towards his daughter, his heavy steps echoing in the tense atmosphere.
• Giovanna lifts her head, her eyes still watery, and meets her father's gaze. Her expression is a mix of apprehension and fear.
• "I... I didn't feel well," she says, shifting her gaze to me. "I needed some fresh air. I apologize for causing all this confusion."
• "You are too irresponsible, Giovanna!" Alessio chimes in. "Besides knowing you shouldn't walk alone, you should have told someone you were going to wander off!"
• "Where was she, Fabrizio?"
• "They found your wife sitting on the beach sand, Don Matteo," Fabrizio explains calmly. "She seemed quite shaken. Wasn't in a condition to return on her own."
• "Thank goodness everything ended..."
• "Giovanna," my father-in-law interrupts Alessio's words, staring at his daughter with anger in his eyes, "I hope this was the first and last time you did something like this. If you dare to embarrass me again, I promise I will forget my promise to protect you and I will kill you myself!" he rages before walking away. Giovanna lowers her head and remains silent.
• "I believe we can leave now, can't we?" I asked, ironically as I approach Giovanna. "Or has your sadness passed and you want to go back to our wedding party?"
• "I'd rather leave, please."
• "Very well, let's go then," I agree, looking at Don Philippo, who seems calmer now. "Go say goodbye and don't disappear again."
• Giovanna nods and quickly leaves the room, probably to avoid another scolding from her father.
• "She is no longer my responsibility, Don Matteo," my father-in-law asserts, as he stands up ", but I give you my word that if she brings new problems, I will solve them myself. I hope this does not affect our alliance."
• "The alliance remains intact, Don Philippo. Giovanna is feisty and will give me a bit of trouble, but I am willing to teach her how a woman should behave."
• "See you soon, Don. Excuse me." He nods and leaves, accompanied by Alessio.
• The little patience I had left disappeared since Giovanna's disappearance. The stress and the damn work she gave me put me in a terrible mood. And I don't even bother to hide it. Fabrizio, understanding the situation perfectly, holds my arm as we are about to leave the room.
• "It has only just begun, take it easy! The soldier who found her said she was in tears, Matteo. If you continue like this, you will kill the girl before her time. " Fabrizio asserts. " Have you come this far just to ruin everything, my dear?"
• "Right now, I just want some peace and to go to my damn house, Fabrizio. So if killing her now will solve this, I don't mind doing it. Come on, let's get out of here once and for all."