THE MAFIA'S PENANCE

A SHORT HONEYMOON

"How's Vernon's birthday celebration going, Viv?" Olivia asked as she and I were sitting together in the family room enjoying red wine in the afternoon.

After returning from Venice I decided to have a good relationship with poor Olivia. We drank together a few times or just talked.

"I think everything was ready three days ago. Tomorrow the day after the show, I have to prepare very quickly, don't you think?" After that, I wet my lips with red wine.

"Should've had the show not at Viv's house, have it at the hotel or anywhere." Olivia.

"I want it to be, too, but Vernon wants it to be held at home." My answer. "It's her birthday, I'd better follow her wishes."

"Where is he going now, Viv?"

"She said she'd meet your uncle. Since the morning he left, he should have gone home by now." I answered while putting the glass to the table. "Oliv, I want to ask you something. But first I wanted to apologize to you, because I made you paralyzed and unable to walk."

Hearing my words made Olivia bow her head. When he saw the look on his face he seemed to avoid my gaze.

"What's Oliv? Don't you want to forgive me? Yeah, I know maybe an apology can't change everything." I said with a serious face. "But can you tell me what really happened at that time, Oliv?"

Olivia fell silent, she did not dare to look at me at all. I know there's something he's hiding right now. No, I mean something he's been hiding all along.

I recalled a dream I had in which I overheard a conversation she had with Alec ten years ago.

At that time I was sure that they were both in my garden. Olivia, who was the same age as me, was heard declaring her love for Alec.

Yes, I heard it very clearly because I was standing on the balcony where they were both under it.

But Olivia's love statement was immediately rejected by Alec with one sentence that made me surprised.

"I like Vivian." Alec told Olivia.

When I woke up from my sleep at that time, I felt that things were getting more complicated. It turned out that Alec liked me a long time ago while at that time I only liked Vernon, maybe because that my feelings for Alec also faded. That's why I want to have a good relationship with Olivia because the woman who loved Alec was her.

"But you take it easy, you're finally getting married to the man you've always loved, right?" I smile at Olivia.

The girl raised her face and looked at me. Her face looked grim, perhaps holding back her sadness with what I had done to her.

"Viv, about ten years ago, you don't have to apologize to me." Olivia.

I was quite surprised to hear Olivia's words. How could I not apologize to him? She became disabled because of me. Now I'm more and more clueless about the girl sitting in front of me right now. Or basically Olivia is such a good girl that she no longer blames me.

"What do you mean?" Stare confused.

"Madam, sir has gone home and is looking for a mistress. At this time the master was already in his room." Excited Gloriana who suddenly walked into the room where Olivia and I were spending time together.

Immediately I walked out of the room to go to my room to see Vernon.

Vernon turned to me when I went into the room, he was unbuttoning his shirt after drinking a glass of water in the bucket.

"You're home yet?" I walked in to get near him. "Why are you looking for me?"

"I'm going to Naples. Uncle asked me to go there." Vernon answered while taking off his shirt because he was sweating at the moment.

Of course I'm not happy because I've been working hard to prepare her birthday party but she just wants to leave.

"You don't have to worry, I won't be long." Vernon replied, occasionally turning to me because he is currently pouring Champagne into a glass. "Tomorrow I'll go home." Vernon wrapped his arm around my waist and spoke very closely while drinking his champagne.

"Yes, you have to go home before the birthday party—"

Vernon kissed me before I said what I wanted to say. After that he brought his head to the side of my head by landing a kiss under my right ear.

"You want to come with me or enjoy your time without me here?" Vernon whispered.

I looked at her and immediately kissed her. Of course I'll go with him. There's no way I'd let it go anywhere alone without me.

"It looks like we should have a short honeymoon while in Naples." Vernon said and made me smile.

Today too Vernon and I left for Naples, the third largest city after Rome and Milan. The city that became the power of Camorra. The Godfather of Camorra was where Vernon's own uncle Felipe Camorra lived.

Esteban is still coming with me even though he is currently at the largest headquarters of Camorra. Yes, as La Nostra's men, Esteban gets suspicious looks from some guards.

"Vivian, how are you? I'm sorry to hear what happened six months ago." Licciardi, wife of Felipe who is the older sister of Vernon's mother.

"It's all gone, I'm fine now." I answered with a friendly smile.

"Alright, come with me, we'll spend time together when the guys are discussing something boring. Isn't that Vern?" Licciardi glanced at Vernon.

"Yes, just don't be too long. After this we'll go to the hotel for our honeymoon." Answer Vernon.

"I thought you guys were gonna stay here?" Felipe asked who from the beginning was just sitting on the sofa.

"There's so much we have to do." Vernon answered while walking on the sofa.

Licciardi took me around his house that looked like a church building that had a very large building. Even the courtyard is wider than Arthur's house and Vernon's house.

"This house is too big if both of us live. Isn't that right, Viv?" Licciardi asked while looking at me.

"It's basically like that, but when we live together with someone we love and that person loves us too, it's not a problem right?" My word.

"Yes you're right." Answer Licciardi. "By the way does he have to keep following us here?" The 52-year-old woman turned to Esteban who was walking behind me.

I smiled hearing it.

"It doesn't matter if you don't betray." Licciardi to Esteban. "Viv, do you know anything about your husband's real parents?" The woman looked at me.

I don't know anything about it. That's why Licciardi's question made me wonder who Vernon's parents were.

"Can you tell me?" Look curious.

"It was the parents who killed both his parents." Answer Licciardi.

...–NATZSIMO–...