Twist of Fate

"I'm late!!" A quick glance at the digital clock beside the bed made Micaela scream. Micaela was never one for going late to work but the rain that fell at night made waking up early all the more difficult….she threw off the covers and closed her eyes while muttering a word of prayer after that was done, she was now set to fully prepare for work….she wasn't going to make breakfast at home this morning but would instead grab a cup of cappuccino on her way to work and hope she doesn't bump into Antonia who would certainly want a sip out of it.

 By the time the sun was fully risen and radiating its warmth, Micaela was already at Hotel Orient…

 Germano hasn't been himself ever since the incident involving the black SUV, though he told no-one and also instructed Viktor to do the same in a bid to avoid raising a false alarm until he was very sure…now more than ever he must maintain a very calm head and a high level of decisiveness if he is going to steer the family safely out of the brewing tempest.

 He hasn't been feeling well lately and his instincts are never wrong. He probably needs a little distraction just somewhere close-by but figuratively far so he can think straight. "Viktor, give me the keys to the car" Germano said while putting on his black leather jacket and sunglasses. In the next few minutes he was already headed towards the main gate of the Manor House. 

 Germano was half way asleep after he had finished the second bottle of wine when his phone rang…."hello" he said "please hurry home, its Padrino" Lucretia's voice was shaky but she tried to hide it and immediately he dropped the phone, reached for his keys, leather jacket and sunglasses and dashed out of the Penthouse suite he occupied almost bumping into another guest. As usual he left the key card at the reception and before he was asked if he wanted the suite cleaned Germano was already outside the entrance to the hotel before he could say any other thing.

 The Penthouse Suite is probably the most well furnished and thoroughly decorated room in the entire hotel and Micaela could see why ranging from the state of the art designs to the large golden vases beautifully mounted at the edge of the room to the top notch vintage paintings on the wall- a worthy intertwining of the finest art work that the 20th century has to offer and the modernize touch of the 21st century. 

 The door flung wide open and a petrified Micaela just stood, her body was petrified but her eyes weren't because they could tell the figure standing in front of her was a hunk of a man. "I seem to have left my wallet and phone here" Germano said as his eyes searched the room for them. "I saw a wallet and phone but I cannot just give them to you without first making sure they are truly yours"....Micaela swiped open the phone and made him call out two of his frequently dialed numbers which Germano did before Micaela could give him the phone and wallet.

 Germano arms were stretched in a bid to tip Micaela for her kind gesture but she refused to collect the money and when he inquired further, Micaela replied "I don't need to be paid for doing the right thing" Germano broke into a half one-sided smile before turning around to leave and just then his phone rang "Germano, Padrino is dead" Lucretia's words hit Germano like a bullet from a shotgun and the instant change in his countenance reflected the pain he immediately felt…."is everything okay?" Micaela asked "no its not" Germano replied and before Micaela could inquire any further he was gone leaving behind nothing but the scent of his perfume.

 The atmosphere was thick with a solemn tension as the sun dipped low in the sky. The cemetery was located at the outskirts of the picturesque island. Gentle wind made the trees sway, whispering secrets of the past. Today wasn't just another moody farewell but rather a spectacle, a culmination of loyalty and power and also the sophisticated web of family ties that characterized the life and times of Del Piero "Padrino" Macini.

 Sleek black cars stretched as far as the eyes could see, each of them polished to a mirror sheen, lined the gravel path leading to the entrance of the church. The hum of expensive engines magnified the sobriety of the occasion. Family members and loyal associates emerged from their vehicles cloaked in black suits and sunglasses with their faces marked with both respect, stoicism and sorrow.

 Inside the church, the scent of incense and a heavy blend of grief engulfed the atmosphere. The plushy wooden altar decorated with deep purple and crimson flowers- symbolic of both respect and mourning. Flickering candles cast shadows of grief among those who had gathered.

 As the service began, the priest, a man in his early fifties adorned his ornate robe, delivered a near perfect eulogy carefully choosing words that danced around Padrino's dubious dealings. 

 When the casket was eventually taken from the church, an elaborate procession ensued. Germano, his uncle and loyal soldiers carried the casket that was beautifully adorned with flowers and a gold chain, both a testament and tribute to the empire Del Piero "Padrino" Macini had built.

 Germano though physically present at the funeral but entirely absentminded, he still needed his father's wise counsel to navigate this world he was born into but now he has to be his own advisor. 

 The melancholy tune emanating from the lone bagpipe as the casket was lowered into the ground, the tension shifted slightly, a storm seemed to be brewing on the horizon, mirroring the rivalries that would inevitably occur now that Padrino was no more. 

 Just as the service ended and darkness fell, groups slowly dispersed leaving the cemetery quiet and lonely but Germano still stayed behind with so many unspoken words….he felt a presence as if someone was watching him in the midst of the darkness, the figure of a man standing behind the olive tree, the darkness blurred his vision, instinctively Germano brought out his gun and echoed the words "who's there?" "reveal yourself now!" The loud bang of the gun shot pierced the silence with a thunderous boom and in a split second Germano was laying on the cold icy gravel of the cemetery. The sound of the gun shot alerted the cemetery guards….."Signor! Signor!! He is still breathing, quick call an ambulance!"