Chapter 11

Olivia's POV

Tonight I'm making dinner this evening. We have some family friends visiting from Sicily. Naturally, my parents volunteer at my home. I cook a lot. It relaxes me. I consider myself a chef sometimes. I decided to make an old-fashioned Sicilian dinner.

This should be interesting. I even invited Rico to dinner. My family can be nerve-wracking. Then I'm single, so I know they will bring me a potential suitor. I hope they don't think I'm stupid.

Don't get me wrong; I want to remarry. I want to have feelings for the man I am marrying this time. Yesterday my father told me I had two suitors to choose from. Salvatore and Rico. I remember Salvatore. He is older than me by 15 years.

He stared at me when I visited my grandparents. They never said anything or stared at me. Now he is a very handsome older man, don't get it twisted. He is the definition of fine. I had a crush on him back in the day. Then again, many of my cousins had the same passion as I did.

I hope Salvatore is the surprise guest. Now I am still determining how Rico will feel this evening. Perhaps it's meant to invite him over, knowing Salvatore may come to dinner. Olive said we needed a little drama. It will be healthy competition between Rico and Salvatore. Santos thinks Mariano isn't ready to give up. He may be right. He has called me every other day.

I don't see a future between Mariano and me. When I see him, I feel hate. He left me for three years and never gave me a chance. I believe I deserve a chance to be an excellent wife to him. No, he chose his model mistress as an option.

Later that day

I finally found the right dress to wear tonight. I was excited to meet my suitors. Who wouldn't want to compete with two men for their attention? I do like Rico, but I will give Salvatore a chance. I know he is my family's choice. Rico is my choice. However, I'm nervous and excited at the same time.

My parents and a few uncles arrived earlier. My sister and her husband are supposed to be on their way.

So I checked with my staff to make sure everything was set up.

Salvatore's POV

I finally saw Olivia and had dinner with her. I'm excited to be in America. Tonight I found out the engagement rules to date his daughter. I have six months to convince her I'm the man for her. Tonight I plan to see who the competition is-it's time to plan and eliminate the competition.

When I pulled up, I was shocked at how beautiful her home was. She has valet for her guess, which is odd. When I entered the house, her parents welcomed me. She is still getting ready.

Then I saw this stunning portrait of her in the dining room. I noticed Rico was present, but I'm not worried about him. He will remind her of his brother.

I think she would want an entirely different man instead of Rico. I decided to sit at the bar with the men. Could you let me know my competition?

There is no chance I'm lost. I may be older, but I've admired her from a distance for a while.

Olivia's POV

Well, my guest is here; it's time to enter. I know I look pretty tonight. I see this fine man sitting at the bar with my dad when I walk downstairs. It's like I can't keep my eyes off him. I got butterflies in my stomach.

Hello, gentlemen. Sorry it took me longer to get ready. I think I have to change my underwear.

Hello Olivia, I'm Salvatore Gambino. It is a pleasure to meet you. Then he kissed my hands and cheeks. Damn, I will have to change my panty.

Hello, Salvatore. It's a pleasure to see you again. I prepared an old-fashioned Sicilian dinner tonight. Please, everyone, follow so we may dine and chat. I hope you enjoy the food. I don't often cook, even though it is my favorite hobby.

I laughed slightly, and Salvatore placed his hand on my back.

Franco Giordano's POV

Tonight I have to let my daughter know she has two suitors. The family wants to see her with Salvatore. He has been interested in my daughter for a while. The only problem I have with them is their age. That makes a difference. My wife believes he will treat her better because he is older. She wants to break all ties with Mariano Di Vaio's family slowly.

The progress is excellent. Dinner went well. Rico and Salvatore appear on their finest behavior. I even want to throw Mariano into the mix. This should be interesting for six months. I plan to have my daughter married in the following year. Only time will tell who she will choose. This time I'll let her choose between three suitors. The family wants her with Salvatore for many reasons.

I honestly want my daughter to be happy. I just wanted to let you know that I no longer plan to interfere. I'll talk to her after everyone leaves. So she can understand the true purpose of tonight's dinner. Now my parents want her with Salvatore because it will bring power to our family. Parents want their children to be happy and married. That is all I desire for my daughters.

Rico's POV

I can see that I have competition with Salvatore for Olivia. Now I wish I hadn't told her to date, other people. She looks at him like she usually looks at me. I've been in the friend zone for two years, damn it. Finally, I got the chance to move to the next level, and he came into the picture.

I'm jealous that I'm getting better at what I do. I have to pull out the big guns to compete with him. He had all her attention at dinner. They are family from the same place. She barely talked to me all night. She will be my wife. I refuse to step aside and let him have her. Then my brother talks about wanting another chance. Honestly, he needed to walk away. Why would she consider another option that makes no sense?