Belinda stood at the top of the stairs studying all the guests. She knew the organization was large but she couldn’t help but wonder how many of these people were unsuspecting pawns unaware of the fact that the Angelinos and Benedettis were a part of this criminal organization.

Within a matter of two weeks she went from an ordinary woman to one forced to embrace her place in the mafia. If she was going to survive this, she was going to have to be strong and make her mark in society.

She tilted her chin defiantly and mechanically put one foot in front of the other as she descended the stairs. Her eyes locked on Louis as he stood at the bottom of the staircase. As she reached him, her father appeared alongside Stefano but she simply nodded at them both.

It was Stefano who announced the engagement and the pretense of it all was sickening, but she remained composed nonetheless. She had a few tricks up her sleeve, and with her position in such a powerful family at the side of Don Angelino’s son, she was going to make this work to benefit her.

The evening soon drew to a close. Her father approached her on a few occasions but never quite spoke to her. At times her heart ached to reconcile with him, but she shut her emotions down. She was no longer going to be this timid soul who allowed others to walk right over her.

“Did you enjoy the evening?” Louis asked as he came to stand beside her after the last of the guests exited the house.

“It was pleasant,” she said and sighed softly.

“Yes it was,” he said and then took her hand in his, “you should to speak with your father.”

She rolled her eyes and withdrew her hand from his, “I have nothing to say to him.”

“Belinda, you can’t shut him out forever.”

“You want to bet on that?” she said bitterly, “In due time I might talk with him again, but right now, I want him to wallow in self-pity and reflect on his actions.”

He took her by her shoulders and tilted her chin up, “Life is too short to harbor hatred, and the woman I met two weeks ago would never have been so callous.”

“Well that woman died,” she said blankly.

She simply had no choice but to toughen up, the only way she knew how. She had to feel nothing, allow no sadness, hurt or love to cloud her judgement. If that meant shutting everyone in her life out and pretending to be a cruel hard woman, then so be it.

A commotion outside drew their attention and Louis was the first to go and investigate, with her following closely. A small crowd of guests who still remained outside were huddled together in a group near the fountain. She shoved her way through the crowd to see what was going on and when she saw her father laying on the ground her heart stopped.

“Papa!” she cried out and dropped to her knees next to him, “papa!”

Louis was beside her immediately feeling for a pulse and checking his breathing, “I think it’s a heart attack, I can’t find a pulse.”

“No!” she cried as horror gripped her heart, “Help him Louis!” she pleaded as tears streamed down her face. He immediately started CPR while Stephano called for an ambulance. Ten minutes later, her father was on his way to the hospital and Louis was driving like the devil himself following the ambulance.

At the hospital everyone gathered in the waiting room. Louis was seated next to Belinda trying to consoler her. He knew that if her father did not pull through she would blame herself for the rest of her life.

“Let’s go and get some coffee,” he said and took her hand.

“I don’t want coffee,” she mumbled.

“It will do you good, come,” he insisted.

This time she didn’t object when he pulled her to her feet, and led her to the cafeteria. Seated across from her at one of the small tables, he studied her intently.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself, these things happen when we least expect it. For such a severe heart attack, he was probably sick for a long time.”

“I want Natalie to run El Pescore,” she said changing the subject completely.

“Belinda, business can be discussed at another time,” he said and took a sip of his coffee.

“No, it can’t. By Friday I’ll be Mrs. Angelino-Benedetti, I know you have already acquired a new accountant for the restaurant without consulting with me, so now is as good a time as ever.”

He cursed inwardly. His father had the very bad habit to stick his nose in everyone’s business. He wasn’t even aware of this change at El Pescore. The agreement was that the restaurant will remain unchanged. There was something dubious going on, not that it was any different from any of the other business deals his father was involved in. But for the sake of peace he agreed with her and reassured her that Natalie will be the manager in her absence.

“Miss Benedetti?” a somber voice spoke next to them. It was the doctor and the expression on his face was grave.

“I’m sorry we did all we could, but the damage to his heart was too severe.”

Louis met her gaze and she hardly blinked. Simply closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then stood up and walked out of the cafeteria.