Chapter 8: The Lombardis

Alessandro's POV

This morning, Luca came to my office to report that we still couldn't find Mateo. That asshole was tainting our family' reputation by targeting tourists and engaging in human trafficking. Something that the Lombardis never associate with. It is true that we do drug dealing and other illegal activities, but women and children are off the list. 

My anger was getting into my mind and fucking my calm demeanor. I layed back on my chair thinking about how to get that A-hole and wipe him off. After our encounter last week, my men broke his ribs and leg. So he should not go far away so he either got help in sneaking out of the country or he is laying low somewhere. Deep in thoughts, my phone started ringing and it's Luca.

Alessandro: "if you don't have good news, just fuck off"

Luca:" uhm, no Capo. We flipped the whole country and no one saw him since last week. We checked hospitals and mafia doctors and no one gave a thread of truth."

Alessandro: "FUCK that, you have 24 hours to get him to me Luca else your body will be the one I hang" and hanged up.

Luca knows how pissed I am at the whole situation especially when my thought drifted to the possibility that we have a mole inside our ring. Someone was helping Mateo clean up the accounts of the smuggling and that is something we have to deal with. "I'm swapped with shit at the moment, shit"

I typed Andrea's phone number once he picked up "Andrea, get your ass to my office now" and hung up. 

Andrea was my second cousin from my mother's side. He joined our ring at a young age and now he is doing his PhD majoring in arts at the University of Florence. He is the one my trusted men and the CEO of Lombardi Foundation.

While waiting for him, I leaned down on the chair trying to calm down. I closed my eyes and my mind drifted to Hazel. That woman has some charm that pulled me in. I'm known as the heartless Lombardi but that girl stirred a soft spot in me. How my heart races when I saw her. The kiss we shared was unforgettable. It's true I have been with a lot of women in the past but it was for sex only and I toss them out. But Hazel was different.

After a few minutes, I heard a knock on the door. "Come in" 

Andrea strode towards my desk and took a seat. 

"Andrea, how's thing going? Any news?" I asked 

Andrea responded with a smile " Yes, The competition is scheduled next month. We have the finalized list of participating students. It's already in your email"

I nodded, my mind still clouded with thoughts of Hazel and the impending threat of Mateo. "Andrea, we need to tighten our security. I suspect we have a mole. Someone's been helping Mateo cover his tracks, and we can't let that slide."

Andrea's smile faded as the seriousness of the situation sunk in. "I'll look into it, Alessandro. We can't let anyone compromise the Foundation or our family's name."

He was about to leave just to sit down again " I forgot to remind you, Chris Zimmer has extended an invitation to you to attend the diversity party, all graduate students and faculty will be invited as well as some prominent guests from the city. It will be held in the Prestige Palazzo. Looks like the university wants to use it to introduce the students who qualified for the Lombardi foundation Art competition. I would appreciate if you show up at least for few minutes it will do good for the foundation in the public eyes" 

I looked at Andrea and was pondering at the thought of attending. I hate parties but we need the facade of the foundation to stay solid. 

"Okay, will be there" I responded. Andrea nodded and left. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Hazel's POV

The excitement of the upcoming arts competition and the promise of a vibrant night at Mr. Zimmer's party lingered in the air as I entered my dorm room. I dropped my backpack on the floor and the Art competition flyer on my desk. 

Isabella was already there, laying out outfits on her bed and humming to herself. She saw me and jumped excitedly

"Hazel, darling, you won't believe the dress I found for you tonight. It's going to turn heads!" 

"Isabella, I'm not in the mood for turning heads. I just want a quiet night." I replied nonchalantly and then looked at the dress in her hand and commented sternly " I'm not wearing that dress Isabella, it's too revealing" 

She put her hands on her hips and said with a stern voice "Quiet nights are for old ladies, Hazel! You've got to embrace the chaos of youth. Plus, you need a break from all those books. Live a little!"

I laughed at her words and said "I promise I will find a good dress for the occasion"

Isabella looked at me with a 'Better find it' look and I started to get ready for the night ahead despite my tiredness. 

As I was heading to my closet to find something more party-appropriate, my mind couldn't shake off the memories of Alessandro. The vibration of my phone interrupted my thoughts.

Text from Alessandro: "Hey Hazel, sorry for the radio silence. Lost my phone, just got a new one. dinner tomorrow?"

I couldn't help but smile, a mix of relief and anticipation flooding over me. Perhaps there was more to Alessandro than my skeptical mind had assumed. I hesitated whether to answer or not. 'He ghosted me for a week. Why should I respond?' I thought. 'But then he lost his phone, he may be a nice guy.' I tried to convince myself but then I decided not to respond until tonight is over so as not to look so desperate for him. 

I went through my most modest collection of clothing. my fingers glided over the fabric of a few dresses before pausing on a satin black dress that radiated sophistication. As I slipped into the elegant garment, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence, the simplicity of the dress accentuating my natural grace without showing too much skin. It hugged my curves perfectly while being decent at the same time. 

Isabella changed into her outfit. She chose a sleeveless red dress that has a long slit revealing her long legs and perfectly fitting her form. Isabella did my makeup. She kept it as natural as possible. I decided to let my long hair loose covering my back. Isabella opted for a simple hair held by few clips and natural makeup as me. We both stood up one next to the other in front of the mirror and pouted, throwing an air kiss to each other's reflections. 

Isabella commented with high hope and excitement over the roof " My god! Heads are turning tonight!!" I just rolled my eyes at her words. She pulled her phone to call a taxi and we both headed downstairs.