Chapter 41: the wrath of the previous generation

***

***

As soon as Bruno alighted the jet, he set off to meet the possible ally who had forwarded a hand.

It was a short drive from Dublin to a no man territory. The partner had set up reservations in one of the high end restaurant. Once he entered the turnstile, Bruno could sharply noticed that the very ordinary looking people loitering around and mixing with the commoners. There were nineteen of them in total. He met each of their eyes. It was, for sure that the other party would take up heavy precautions. The security was tight.

He ascended the stairs to a private room. The bodyguard at the door frisked him well before allowing him to enter.

The familiarly unfamiliar eyes of the host greeted him.

"What a beautiful day to make your acquaintance, Mr. O'Sullivan."

"Pleasure to meet you, Madame Perdi."

Once they were seated, Madame Perdi went straight to business. Perdi was one of the less affluent crime family who were mostly involved in underground politics. They have their people disguised as benevolent politicians in the Government. The current regime was headed by Briar Perdi, a ruthless woman known for her ambitions. But that was not the thing that drew Bruno's attention, it was the fact that Briar Perdi was the second wife of Don O'Sullivan whom he had divorced long ago.

The deal was simple, Perdi wil help Bruno to overthrow the current Irish mob and the heirs apparent to the throne and in return 7 billion worth of gold reserve in one of the O'Sullivan's territory will be theirs. They will also have their consiglieres placed in the mob which will strengthened the relationship between the two.

"The transaction is fair. Aside from that, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Bruno nodded, " I am curious of your reasons to help me. I know that you married my father in the past and if you had stayed in marriage with him. The gold reserve could have been yours without any issues. You must be aware that Conall always assigned a territory to his wives."

Briar smiled subtly, " As you must be aware, marriage is only a transaction in our world...like this deal. When Conall approached me for my hand in marriage although he already had a wife, I agreed on one condition that he would not welcome any other wives after me. My family needed the alliance and I was their bait. He needed an heir and his first wife was barren. We had a good marriage for a couple of years...and then I had a miscarriage...Conall soon brought Ceres in our wedding bed and my self respect won't let me stay."

Bruno was surprised, he never knew this part of the story.

"So athair had an affair with Mama Ceres before their marriage."

"Multiple times...It is a lie that Conall bed his wives only once. It was Ceres who kept him all to herself even after her death, Conall won't touch any other women."

He was speechless. Now he can connect the pieces in the story. No wonder all the other wives hate Serenity to the core, Serenity was the carbon copy of younger Ceres.

Conall O'Sullivan couldn't stand his daughter because she reminded him of his love and he was afraid that he would stop seeing young Serenity as his daughter but rather as Ceres, his wife.

Briar cleared her throat and picked up the champagne.

"I believe you're also aware of the true heir of Conall O'Sullivan."

Bruno sat up straight, "Yes, Killian O'Sullivan, the first born son from the fourth wife, Victoria-"

She let out a chuckle, nodding to herself.

"No wonder Conall kept you all in the dark all these years. Killian is not the heir...Serenity is."

The champagne flute dropped to the floor shattering into million pieces.

Briar raised an elegant eyebrow at the constant changing expression on the young man's face- confusion, shock, dread

She continued, " The legacy of the Irish mob is to be carried by the first born child of the main wife and in case of polygamy, the child of the oldest marriage accordingly. Dido is barren and the next comes Ceres and then Victoria. Since Ceres is older than Victoria when it comes to marriage. Serenity even though she is the youngest among all her siblings. She is the rightful heir. Killian is only a pawn to shield little Serenity. "

"Hold on a second!" Bruno choked, he pulled at his tie with a suffocated breath, "Where does this lead us to?" He paused and glared at her.

"I will never hurt Serenity...never!"

"Who said anything about hurting her?" She casually picked up her flute, "But I would like to remind you that, Alessandro Vitali is pursuing your sister. Since the mob belongs to her hand, it only means-"

"The Vitalis will confiscate all the Irish powers." Bruno completed. A dark shadow loomed across his eyes.

****

"I want to go back to school!"

The little red head has been loitering after the Vitali heir since the early morning. She was attached to his tail, following him everywhere.

"You can get home schooled here. It's much safer-"

"Alessandro!" Her face flushed with anger as she glared at him, "Even Voldemort cares about Harry Potter's education that's why he always attacked at the end of the school year. Look at you on the other hand!"

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her words.

"I won't talk to you ever again." She crossed her arms and huffed.

"Love!" He called in warning.

Serenity stuck out her little tongue and turned away. He resigned to his fate.

"Alright." He sighed

"Did you say something? Sorry, what was it? I couldn't hear..." she purposely leaned her ear towards him, an exciting look making through her facade.

"Fine." He grumbled a little louder.

"Louder please...there seems to be a problem with my ear, you see."

Alessandro narrowed his eyes and in the next moment he pulled her closer. Serenity froze as she tumbled on his lap. Her widened eyes flashing with alarmed look. His arms tightened around her waist. Her back plastered on his chest. She could feel the airy breath teasing by the side of her neck. Suddenly, she felt like she was burning.

His lips slowly wavered near her earlobes, too close but without a touch. She stiffened up further, clenching her fist on the hem of her dress.

"I said alright...you can go to school. I will be responsible for dropping and picking you up everyday." He enunciated each word properly in a low husky whisper. The hot breath crawling down the side of her neck, directly into her heart.

Serenity felt faint and she hurriedly nodded her head.

"I get it! I get it! Now let me go!"

She broke free from his embrace and stood a good 5 feet away from him. She could see that annoying smirk on his face, irritating and embarrassing her to the core.

"I will..go...get ready...your-your AC is broken!"

And then she fled away.

He glanced at the finely working AC and chuckled to himself.

Alessandro drove her to CPIE with Alicia and Antonio following them in a separate car.

"Be good and don't make trouble." He said as she alighted the car.

Serenity nodded obediently and waved at him before she linked arms with Alicia and skipped to the entrance.

He then turned to Antonio who was looking away awkwardly.

"Antonio." He warned.

Antonio instantly stood straight and nodded profusely, "I understand, brother! I won't let you down."

"You better not." He responded calmly but Antonio could sense the threatening storm behind his words.

He breathe out a huge breath of relief as Alessandro drove out of the perimeter. He had not forgotten the beatings from last time. He couldn't believe that he had been demoted to a guard dog in a matter of days since the red head arrived in their lives.

"Oh shit! Where the fuck did she go again!" He fled on his tails searching for that little girl.

Serenity couldn't help but notice the different eyes and reactions as she walked down the hallways with Alicia, who appeared to be unfazed. Her sweaty palms rubbed on her side nervously. The attention she received at the moment was worse than what she had received on the first day.

People seemed to be avoiding her. A girl accidentally brush past her and she jumped back with an alarmed look on her face upon realizing who she had bumped into.

She apologized continously before running away even when Serenity said that it was alright.

Serenity knew that majority had witness the Svetlana incident on that day and how she was forced to give the verdict.

Everyone was extremely careful around her. Unintentionally she was subjugated to isolation in the class.

Serenity was quite dejected. Alicia had left her for her classes, Antonio dropped her to her homeroom and walked away only after continously reminding her to keep him on speed dial for anything.

Nobody wants to sit with her so she had only herself in the first bench.

At this rate, she was regretting her decision of coming to school. She wondered if she should have just gone with Alessandro's idea of homeschooling. Serenity quickly shook her head, dismissing the idea. She hates being caged. She wants to experience her teenage period to the fullest. Friends won't be offered to her on a silver platter, she has to work for it. Serenity smacked her lips with determination.

Justin entered the room the moment she looked up. Serenity instantly beamed. She sat up straight and waved her hands at him.

"Justin! Hi!"

The curly haired boy paused and appeared to be somewhat shocked and frightened. He instantly took a step back.

Serenity noticed his repulsion and she slumped down sadly with a miserable look on her face.

He cautiously approached her and cleared his throat.

"Hey...um...is this seat taken?"

Her head shot up again with a little excitement entangled with nervousness. She hurriedly shook her head and scooted all towards the wall, giving him all the space.

Justin held back a grin as he sat down.

"You don't have to plaster yourself on the wall. There is so much space."

Serenity timidly glanced at him, "You are not avoiding me?"

Justin helplessly shook his head. In fact when he saw her, he had planned to stay at least ten feet away from her but then her dejected face huddled all alone like an abandoned kitten made it impossible for him to turn away. The folks were not avoiding her because they were afraid of her. It was the man behind her who they fear to even accidentally provoke. The Italian mafia wasn't something to be messed with.

She grinned brightly. Happiness almost bursting out of her whole self. Finally she has a friend.

There was yet another couple of minutes before class. Justin helped her fill in with what she had missed. The monthly test was coming up soon in a couple of weeks. And Serenity had a lot to catch up.

"So...Are you and Mr.Vitali official now?" ,Justin asked hesitantly.

"Pfft! Mr. Vitali? You make him sound so old. Yes, we are."

"Wow! I always believed that he would end up with Athena."

"Too bad, he is with me now." Serenity winked at him with a grin.

"Girl! What did you eat? You've changed...No, that's not the right word...you've grown a lot since the last time I saw you."

A bright smile light up on her face, "Really? Am I tall now? I knew it! I drank Goat's milk everyday-"

"No silly, you haven't grown a millimeter-" Justin sighed, "I am talking about mental and emotional growth. Remember you used used pester the fuck out of me to tell you about Athena and Alessandro. Now you seem to have grown out of your insecurities and have more confidence in yourself."

"Oh!" Her shoulders slumped down with dejection, "-But have I really not grown a millimeter...not even a nanometer? Are you sure?"

"Amen"

***

Mama Dido couldn't stay long after the birthday ball. So much happened in the event and she couldn't properly meet her little girl. However she was soon called by the Elder Fostello for an evening tea.

When she arrived, she was lead to the private section of the Fostello Villa where Papy Fostello was waiting for her.

"Good evening, sir."

"Deandra." Papy nodded.

The tea and snacks were served by the caterers before they were left alone.

The conversation started off light before Papy dived deeper into some un said topics.

"Now Deandra, the situation is the Irish mob is collapsing. Soon, there will be a change in the heirs. Conall wouldn't sustain long. A few days ago, he was rushed to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. The doctors had confirmed that it will be in a matter of days before he..." Papy Fostello shook his head, "Majority of the O'Sullivans are not aware of this, not even the rest of his wives. The time is crucial."

Dido bowed her head, nodding silently, "I understand. But may I ask...why are you informing me about this. I have no desire to stay further in the mob."

"Old enemies are emerging again, Deandra. You have been with the Don for the longest so you must know some things."

Dido instantly stood up, "Forgive me, sir. But I have no information that can be of any use. My position and my status in the family has been ignored and disregarded for so long. I have no tales to tell."

"In the beginning of your marriage, you have the full right to stop the second marriage of Don O'Sullivan but you didn't...why is that?"

Dido clenched her fist tightly behind her back. Her furious red eyes staring at the ceiling.

"Please take your seat, Deandra."

Dido reluctantly sat down, "I have no powers to back me up. The Don O'Sullivan, in his prime, controlled the mob ruthlessly. My sorry excuse of a father gave me up in exchange of the debt. I was in no position to deny the Don of anything. All I wanted was some peace of mind. I didn't desire anything else, not love, nor money. Conall despise attachment, I have heard that he grew up with an abusive mother, who caress him one day and beat him up the other. The frequent cycle of love and abuse made him wary of love. Ceres was the only constant partner in his life. He loved Ceres but he would never accept that. I saw it. Till now, he is in denial of that love and that is what eats him everyday, the burning regret."

"I am aware that my daughter, Ceres, wronged you a lot in the past. She was, in no means, the innocent one when she slept with a married man and refused to leave his side. I truly apologized for what happened to you, Deandra."

"It takes two to tango, Sir Fostello. Conall wasn't a loyal partner either. But I have no grudges nor any resentment towards the both of them. I knew my stand and I never desired affection from Conall."

"What happened with the second wife?"

Dido frowned as she tried to remember most events. It has already been so long, perhaps more than three decades.

"Briar was different. She was head strong, confident and not easy. I admired her capabilities back then. She had the guts to say no and she never take disrespect from anyone. She was able to swept all the attention of Conall in the first year of their marriage to the point that Conall missed most of his rendezvous with Ceres. She was also often in arguments with Ceres and Conall had a hard time mediating between them. Briar hated that Conall brought home Ceres when she was expecting the first heir of the O'Sullivans. One time, Briar called her a mistress in one important event. There were hundreds of people watching Ceres's embarrassment. Soon after we went back home, Ceres and Briar got into a physical fight for the first time. Incidentally Briar fell down the stairs...she had a miscarriage."

"So that's when she filed for a divorce?"

"Yes." Dido took a sip of her tea.

"Ceres was notorious in her younger days." Papy Fostello let out a defeated sigh, "It is also mainly my fault. She is my first child and she saw my multiple marriages as something normal when she grew up. She thought it was okay for a man to have multiple wives. That is why she was willing to stick with Conall even after his marriage."

"Briar's miscarriage was also the reason that led to major changes in Ceres's personalities. It haunted her for years. She was willing to make amends with Briar but it was too late, Briar had left. Ceres was unable to forgive herself. She had more empathy and compassion for the other wives. She was also willing to share her time with Conall equally with the other wives, before that she wanted Conall all to herself. Ceres wasn't like before. She changed her atrocious ways. She was more kind, honest and humbled."

"The history is repeating. And my grand daughter Serenity will be facing the wrath of the previous generation."

Dido froze, her expression draped with worry.

"What do you mean, Sir! Who is after our Seri!"

"Killian have detected movements within the mob. He is doing everything in his power to nibbled the bud...but so far the results are not in our favor. I seeked a Taoist priest to read the astrology of Serenity. It is said that a dark shadow will be looming over her in the next few months. She will be in danger of the unknown."

"Why don't I take her back to the island? She will be safe within the community."

"No, that will be far more dangerous. As long as we are not aware who is behind all this, it can be a friend or a foe. She is more secured within the vicinity of the Vitalis and the Fostellos."

"Sir...are you suspicious of Briar? Perhaps-"

"Yes and No. All these movements are related with the assassination of Ceres, we have no reasons to not suspect Perdi. But things aren't as simple as they seemed to be, there are more things behind, more secrets hidden which we need to unravel one by one."

***

How was it?

Good?

Bad?

Or just meh?

***VOTE***COMMENT***SHARE!!!!

Until then,

Adios,

Stella Cadante