Status: brand new and re-edited!
Vicious Traditions
one.
The steam from the hot shower rolled into the warm bedroom as the bathroom door was opened. Angelina ran her hands through her damp blonde hair, sending droplets to the hardwood bedroom floor. The slightly open windows sent a warm morning breeze throughout the room, making the Italian flag hanging on the wall drift freely every few seconds. Angelina walked to her closet, picking out an outfit for the day. Dean Martin's sweet voice crooned from her stereo, making her hum along to the catchy tune from years before her.
Opening the silk curtains on her bay window, Angelina spotted an extra car in the driveway; a black on black Rolls Royce.
That expensive vehicle held her father's right hand man, Paulie Servino. Paulie most likely brought his son, Angelo with him, as per usual. He was the same age as Angelina; 19. The parents of the two had been trying to play match maker, but Angelina had always politely refused. She liked Angelo, but he just wasn't her type.
He was too much into the family business. The same business that had gotten one of her older brothers, Vincent, Jr., in prison, where he was at that moment. Her other brother, Santino, Vincent's fraternal twin, had been trying to do as much as he can when it came to pleasing their father, but was sure to keep his head on straight and focusing on his sports, where he belonged.
Angelo, however, was nineteen years old, and was dying to be a "made" man. To be a "made" man, like Vincent, Jr., you had to be 100% Italian, and had to be a loyal member of the family for more than ten years - which basically meant doing your part; robberies, booking, numbers, even murder if need be. If Angelo wanted to pursue that dream, he had to wait to be at least thirty years old, like Don Romano, or Angelina's father.
Angelina shook her head of those thoughts, and dried her hair, leaving it naturally straight. The golden color of her hair matched the tint of her brown eyes in the sunlight that poured profusely onto her body through the windows.
Turning off the stereo and exiting her bedroom, Angelina walked down the staircase, hearing chatter coming from the living room below. Making her way through the foyer, she could hear her father and Mr. Servino discussing the state politics and how California should be more flexible when it came to self-ownership of multiple properties. Angelina's mother just stood behind her husband's chair, smiling and agreeing, asking once in a while if anyone would like a drink or something to eat.
Angelina quietly sneaked into the kitchen, taking a glass cup from the cabinet, and pouring cranberry juice to the middle of the glass. Her mother soon came in to see where the noise was coming from, and smiled when she saw her youngest child shutting the refrigerator.
"Good morning, Principessa. What time did you wake up?"
Angelina smiled at her nick name, and shrugged, looking at the hand crafted clock that hung above the stove.
"About an hour ago. I took a shower."
Her mother nodded, kissing Angelina's blonde hair.
"What's going on in there?"
Her mother smiled, placing a strand of her daughter's hair behind her single pierced ears.
"Big news that you should know about."
Angelina smiled, and nodded, telling her mother to continue.
"Your sister Nina called yesterday, and announced that Frank had proposed! They are to be married by the end of October!"
Angelina smiled in excitement. Nine was the third child. The twins were two years older than she was; she was twenty two. Angelina couldn't help but hug her mother at the news, but was sort of surprised at the premature date. It was May, and October was in five months. They would have to get a lot of things done very fast in order to be prepared appropriately.
"That's wonderful, Mom!"
Her mother nodded in agreement, and looked around, as if she was going to reveal an even bigger secret.
"She also told me that she has another surprise, just for you, my darling."
Angelina raised an eyebrow in thought, and started smiling at her mother.
"Do you know?"
Her mother nodded, but soon pressed a finger to her mouth, showing that she wasn't allowed to tell her youngest daughter. Angelina playfully huffed and crossed her arms, making her mom chuckle.
"I'm sorry, honey. You will find out tonight when she arrives, Frank in tow."
Angelina laughed, and settled for that answer.
"Well, come out here, Principessa. We have guests."
Both mother and daughter walked outside to the living room, where Paulie and her father were still talking. She saw Angelo and Salvatore sitting side by side, once in a while adding something to the "adult" conversation. The second Angelina walked into the wide space, Angelo looked up and smiled, which she had returned. He scooted over on the couch, signaling for her to sit down. She sighed in satisfaction when she leaned her back on the couch, making Angelo chuckle quietly.
"Hey, beautiful."
"Hey, handsome. What are you dressed up for?"
Angelo shrugged, making Angelina let out a small chuckle. He was wearing a white button up shirt, black dress pants, and very expensive, Italian leather shoes. He wore the same crucifix chain he always wore, and his hair wasn't gelled up as usual. He actually looked very desirable, which was rare for Angelina to feel for him. Yes, he was attractive to her, but again, he just wasn't for her. That didn't mean she couldn't be nice to him.
"My dad said that I should spend some time with my mother's side of the family. She's at home cooking for them; I only met them a few times, and I was only a tot."
Angelina nodded in understanding, but didn't really understand. Both sides of her family were active in her life, and she was grateful for that. Angelo didn't seem that excited, which must've been unfortunate.
"Well, I will pray for you, then, Angelo."
Angelo smiled, kissing Angelina's hand.
"Thank you."
Angelina couldn't help but smile, but kindly excused herself to go back upstairs. Her father and Angelo's father were talking, and her brother was too busy listening, so she decided to wait until later in the day to formally talk to them.
Walking back into her room, she checked her cell phone, and saw that her best friend, Bianca, had called. Plopping onto her bed, Angelina tapped her feet onto the mattress, waiting for the droning ringing to stop in her ear and for her best friend to answer.
"Hello?"
"What's up, pretty lady?"
Bianca chuckled, and popped her gum.
"Nothing. Bored as holy hell in my house, since the folks are out until late tonight. Some convention that I'm not supposed to know about. I swear, they still think I'm five and I haven't figured out anything."
Bianca's father, Mr. Russo, was active in the same business that Angelina's father was; however, of course, Angelina's father was Mr. Russo's boss. The Russo house hold just didn't hold the openness of the family business as the Romano house did.
"I'm sorry, Bee. Wanna come over or go to the mall or something?"
Bianca immediately smiled, and Angelina could sense it.
"Hell yes I wanna go the mall! Do you want me to pick you up or vice versa?"
Angelina shrugged, and decided it would be best for Bianca to pick her up; Mr. Servino blocked her BMW in, and felt rude interrupting the conversation downstairs just to move a car; a very expensive Rolls Royce at that.
"I'll be there in ten!"
Angelina smiled, and hung up her phone. As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.
"It's open!"
Behind the door was Angelo. He smiled and walked in, leaving the door open.
"Hey, I'm leaving. Just thought I'd say goodbye and make sure you were praying for me."
Angelina smiled, and embraced him in the welcoming hug he offered. His cologne swarmed into her noise, the pleasant scent making her eye flutter.
"I promise I will. I will most likely see you tonight again, so good luck until then."
Angelo smiled, and kissed Angelina's hand.
"That sounds good. Pray hard."
Angelina held up her hand, saying she swore. Angelo waved as he exited the room, Angelina shutting it behind him. Biting her lip, she walked to the window, seeing her father and Mr. Servino saying goodbye, her father patting Paulie's shoulder, making him nod in agreement. Angelo soon came into view, and shook Angelina's father's hand, wishing him a good day, and promising to see him tonight.
Sighing, Angelina sat on her bed, and started humming the Dean Martin song from earlier. She looked over at her Italian flag, and immediately reached for the cross around her neck that Vincent Jr. had given her before he was incarcerated two years ago. He had four more years to go, and he would be free.
Before she could think any longer, she heard a car horn outside. She smiled, grabbed her purse, and kissed her parents goodbye, promising to see them in a few hours.
Opening the silk curtains on her bay window, Angelina spotted an extra car in the driveway; a black on black Rolls Royce.
That expensive vehicle held her father's right hand man, Paulie Servino. Paulie most likely brought his son, Angelo with him, as per usual. He was the same age as Angelina; 19. The parents of the two had been trying to play match maker, but Angelina had always politely refused. She liked Angelo, but he just wasn't her type.
He was too much into the family business. The same business that had gotten one of her older brothers, Vincent, Jr., in prison, where he was at that moment. Her other brother, Santino, Vincent's fraternal twin, had been trying to do as much as he can when it came to pleasing their father, but was sure to keep his head on straight and focusing on his sports, where he belonged.
Angelo, however, was nineteen years old, and was dying to be a "made" man. To be a "made" man, like Vincent, Jr., you had to be 100% Italian, and had to be a loyal member of the family for more than ten years - which basically meant doing your part; robberies, booking, numbers, even murder if need be. If Angelo wanted to pursue that dream, he had to wait to be at least thirty years old, like Don Romano, or Angelina's father.
Angelina shook her head of those thoughts, and dried her hair, leaving it naturally straight. The golden color of her hair matched the tint of her brown eyes in the sunlight that poured profusely onto her body through the windows.
Turning off the stereo and exiting her bedroom, Angelina walked down the staircase, hearing chatter coming from the living room below. Making her way through the foyer, she could hear her father and Mr. Servino discussing the state politics and how California should be more flexible when it came to self-ownership of multiple properties. Angelina's mother just stood behind her husband's chair, smiling and agreeing, asking once in a while if anyone would like a drink or something to eat.
Angelina quietly sneaked into the kitchen, taking a glass cup from the cabinet, and pouring cranberry juice to the middle of the glass. Her mother soon came in to see where the noise was coming from, and smiled when she saw her youngest child shutting the refrigerator.
"Good morning, Principessa. What time did you wake up?"
Angelina smiled at her nick name, and shrugged, looking at the hand crafted clock that hung above the stove.
"About an hour ago. I took a shower."
Her mother nodded, kissing Angelina's blonde hair.
"What's going on in there?"
Her mother smiled, placing a strand of her daughter's hair behind her single pierced ears.
"Big news that you should know about."
Angelina smiled, and nodded, telling her mother to continue.
"Your sister Nina called yesterday, and announced that Frank had proposed! They are to be married by the end of October!"
Angelina smiled in excitement. Nine was the third child. The twins were two years older than she was; she was twenty two. Angelina couldn't help but hug her mother at the news, but was sort of surprised at the premature date. It was May, and October was in five months. They would have to get a lot of things done very fast in order to be prepared appropriately.
"That's wonderful, Mom!"
Her mother nodded in agreement, and looked around, as if she was going to reveal an even bigger secret.
"She also told me that she has another surprise, just for you, my darling."
Angelina raised an eyebrow in thought, and started smiling at her mother.
"Do you know?"
Her mother nodded, but soon pressed a finger to her mouth, showing that she wasn't allowed to tell her youngest daughter. Angelina playfully huffed and crossed her arms, making her mom chuckle.
"I'm sorry, honey. You will find out tonight when she arrives, Frank in tow."
Angelina laughed, and settled for that answer.
"Well, come out here, Principessa. We have guests."
Both mother and daughter walked outside to the living room, where Paulie and her father were still talking. She saw Angelo and Salvatore sitting side by side, once in a while adding something to the "adult" conversation. The second Angelina walked into the wide space, Angelo looked up and smiled, which she had returned. He scooted over on the couch, signaling for her to sit down. She sighed in satisfaction when she leaned her back on the couch, making Angelo chuckle quietly.
"Hey, beautiful."
"Hey, handsome. What are you dressed up for?"
Angelo shrugged, making Angelina let out a small chuckle. He was wearing a white button up shirt, black dress pants, and very expensive, Italian leather shoes. He wore the same crucifix chain he always wore, and his hair wasn't gelled up as usual. He actually looked very desirable, which was rare for Angelina to feel for him. Yes, he was attractive to her, but again, he just wasn't for her. That didn't mean she couldn't be nice to him.
"My dad said that I should spend some time with my mother's side of the family. She's at home cooking for them; I only met them a few times, and I was only a tot."
Angelina nodded in understanding, but didn't really understand. Both sides of her family were active in her life, and she was grateful for that. Angelo didn't seem that excited, which must've been unfortunate.
"Well, I will pray for you, then, Angelo."
Angelo smiled, kissing Angelina's hand.
"Thank you."
Angelina couldn't help but smile, but kindly excused herself to go back upstairs. Her father and Angelo's father were talking, and her brother was too busy listening, so she decided to wait until later in the day to formally talk to them.
Walking back into her room, she checked her cell phone, and saw that her best friend, Bianca, had called. Plopping onto her bed, Angelina tapped her feet onto the mattress, waiting for the droning ringing to stop in her ear and for her best friend to answer.
"Hello?"
"What's up, pretty lady?"
Bianca chuckled, and popped her gum.
"Nothing. Bored as holy hell in my house, since the folks are out until late tonight. Some convention that I'm not supposed to know about. I swear, they still think I'm five and I haven't figured out anything."
Bianca's father, Mr. Russo, was active in the same business that Angelina's father was; however, of course, Angelina's father was Mr. Russo's boss. The Russo house hold just didn't hold the openness of the family business as the Romano house did.
"I'm sorry, Bee. Wanna come over or go to the mall or something?"
Bianca immediately smiled, and Angelina could sense it.
"Hell yes I wanna go the mall! Do you want me to pick you up or vice versa?"
Angelina shrugged, and decided it would be best for Bianca to pick her up; Mr. Servino blocked her BMW in, and felt rude interrupting the conversation downstairs just to move a car; a very expensive Rolls Royce at that.
"I'll be there in ten!"
Angelina smiled, and hung up her phone. As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.
"It's open!"
Behind the door was Angelo. He smiled and walked in, leaving the door open.
"Hey, I'm leaving. Just thought I'd say goodbye and make sure you were praying for me."
Angelina smiled, and embraced him in the welcoming hug he offered. His cologne swarmed into her noise, the pleasant scent making her eye flutter.
"I promise I will. I will most likely see you tonight again, so good luck until then."
Angelo smiled, and kissed Angelina's hand.
"That sounds good. Pray hard."
Angelina held up her hand, saying she swore. Angelo waved as he exited the room, Angelina shutting it behind him. Biting her lip, she walked to the window, seeing her father and Mr. Servino saying goodbye, her father patting Paulie's shoulder, making him nod in agreement. Angelo soon came into view, and shook Angelina's father's hand, wishing him a good day, and promising to see him tonight.
Sighing, Angelina sat on her bed, and started humming the Dean Martin song from earlier. She looked over at her Italian flag, and immediately reached for the cross around her neck that Vincent Jr. had given her before he was incarcerated two years ago. He had four more years to go, and he would be free.
Before she could think any longer, she heard a car horn outside. She smiled, grabbed her purse, and kissed her parents goodbye, promising to see them in a few hours.
