THE ITALIAN MAFIA'S KARMA

Chapter 83: THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY

Neravalle woke up with a burst of energy on the engagement day.From the city of Aurivilla which was already lined up with flowers and a mixture of golden and silver lights, the expectation flowed into Neravalle.

Everyone was up and about. Rushing to complete their assignments before night fell, and the party truly began.

The doors of la salla della corona, the hall that stood in the middle of both Aurivilla, and Neravalle, with secret entrances connecting both, opened up.

Luciano De Luca in the company of Vittorio, walked in through the staircase.

"Run me through how this is going to work?" Vittorio, still not fully onboard with the idea of the mafia lords coming into the city, said.

Luciano chuckled. "Your doubt amuses me. But just so your mind gets some ease, I’ll show you what I mean."

They walked over to the large banquet tables already lined up in the hall, and there he placed the map of Aurivilla.

"Shall we?" He looked at his friend.

"I just want to see your vision," Vittorio shrugged. "Only then will I truly be onboard with this plan."

"Okay," he pointed to one spot. "This is Aurivilla’s main and general entrance, right?"

"Yep. We already have guards stationed from the very road that leads to the gates, and then from the gates down to Neravalle."

"Excellent! The lords will go through the general gates. I already tested and commissioned special devices to detect any foul play. Like for example, if any decides to backdoor by secretly recording routes and all of that. Which won’t be possible because they’re arriving at evening or nighttime, and the lights we’ve put in place are such that it distracts the mind from even conceiving the thought of prying."

"Okay," Vittorio nodded. "Moving on."

"Yeah. Now only the people in Neravalle know the location of Neravalle in Aurivilla, correct?"

"Correct."

"So even if after successfully coming into the city, they manage to find a way to infiltrate the community, they won’t be getting any answers, simply because the people do not know the location of Neravalle. That brings me to the next point of focus, the route in which they enter Neravalle."

"But they don’t actually have to enter into Neravalle."

Luciano smiled. "Finally, you’re using your head, old friend. That’s exactly why we’re using this hall. They’ll come in directly from Aurivilla. And we would come in from the entrance that connects Neravalle to it. The perfect middle."

Vittorio finally smiled, and visibly relaxed. "So truly, they’re only coming into Aurivilla. They still would never know what Neravalle truly is like. Therefore, we’ll successfully preserve the sanctity of our home."

Luciano slapped his shoulders playfully. "Perfetto!"

"You know Luce, I see why they envy you sometimes. Who else thinks this cleverly?"

"No one, my friend. No one." He laughed as he rolled the map back into place.

****

Valentina stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror.

It had been two days since her encounter with Luciano which she had ended up regretting.

She hadn’t felt any semblance of peace since then.

Only for Elio and Sonia to announce to her this morning that she would be making a public appearance at Luciano and Daniela’s engagement party. Updates are released by novelFirｅ.net

It explained the shift in the air she felt that morning.

There was a rush. People were really preparing for it.

And now seated in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection, she had no idea what to think about the entire thing..

Her door opened, and an excited Sonia walked into the room in hand with another woman holding a big box.

In Sonia’s hands was a big clothing bag, she laid flat on the bed, before walking over to Valentina.

"Val!" She grabbed her shoulders in excitement.

Valentina jolted.

Sonia dragged her hands away swiftly. "Sorry Val. I no mean to scare you." Her eyes widened apologetically.

Valentina breathed out. "It’s me who needs to apologise. I was so in my head I didn’t hear you come in. What is it?"

She fully turned, and that’s when she saw the other woman behind.

"Oh my God, I finally see you!" The girl blurted as soon as Valentina’s gaze swept towards her.

"Val, meet Candelita. My cousin!"

Valentina’s eyes widened. "Oh you’re Candy? It’s so nice to finally meet you."

Candy rushed forward, and before Valentina could prepare herself for what was to come, she hugged her.

"You smell so rich!" She inhaled fully, as she hugged her.

Valentina didn’t know how to react, and so she just laughed.

The girl finally pulled away, but she didn’t step aside. "I saw the diamond bracelet you gave my cousin. She has decided to keep it and not sell it. Isn’t that crazy?!"

Sonia grinned proudly. "My cousin English really good!" She pushed out a thumbs up.

Valentina chuckled. "Yeah, she’s really good, Sonia. And Candy, I think Sonia can do whatever she wants to do with the diamond bracelets."

"True. But can I also get one? I mean since you’re just dashing them out. "

Valentina’s head doubled in more amazement than outright annoyance.

No one she knew was that bold asking for material things from strangers.

It was a character trait she never considered until now. And now, she wasn’t even mad about it.

"Unfortunately, I don’t have any more diamond bracelets here. But, I do have some gold earrings. Maybe I’ll get those for you when I can."

Candy wrapped her arms around her in a hug again. "Thank you Val! That’s why I never join those other poor, miserable girls in bashing rich girls. You’re so pretty and generous."

"Sure," Valentina said, but her voice was muffled by Candy’s death gripping hug.

***

Luciano De Luca stepped back after he had put in the finishing touches of his dressing, and Elio whistled.

Matte black tuxedo cut straight from the finest hands in Milan, emphasizing the lethal width of his frame. Black shirt underneath, with the two first buttons undone. No ties, only two accessories. His golden watch, and the De Luca golden ring around his finger.

"You look dashing, Luce!"

Luciano turned his head behind, and smiled. "Why did you insist on staying here with me as I dress up, agnello? I would expect you to be beside Valentina, considering your obsession with her," he said as he sprayed some cologne.

"I’m not obsessed with her, Luce. And truly I had no hand in her coming out of lanotte."

"I never said I didn’t believe you on the second part. Although the first is kinda hard to believe."

Elio sighed, as he walked over. "Even though that’s the case, you’re my Luce. I will choose you above anyone else."

"Including Valentina?" He lifted a brow.

"Including Valentina."

Luciano chuckled. "You brat! I don’t believe you one bit, but thank you for massaging my ego." He dragged his head closer and ruffled his hair as Elio laughed uncontrollably.

Thirty minutes later, Luciano began making his way to the hall with his underboss Vittorio, and the butcher, Salvatore, walking behind him.

The doors of la salla della corona were opened by the two guards standing at the entrance point between Neravalle and the hall.

They bowed, as Luciano walked through the door, which brought him up the staircase of the halls.

He took a deep breath as his eyes scanned around from the top of the stairs where he stood, and when he was satisfied with everything he saw, the LuceNera began to descend down the stairs.