Chapter 9

~HAPPY THANKSGIVING~

Olivia's POV

The entire dinner, I could sense Mariano staring at me. I knew this was going to be awkward. This is an uncomfortable situation. My niece released some tension with the peppermint hunt.

Tonight my father pulled me to the side. He wants me to marry again. This time I can choose my groom. I asked him to speak with Rico about being my groom. My father wasn't too excited about joining that family again.

He had other ideas for my marriage proposal. Goodness, I wouldn't make that same mistake again. I refuse to let my father choose me again. Mariano asked us to meet tomorrow. I told him I would think about it. Honestly, I don't want anything to do with him. I must talk to him if I want to marry his brother. I need to see what he wants to discuss. He should be happy that the horrible arranged marriage is over.

Then I have to travel to Italy next month to meet my grandparents. I already know what that is about. I'm traveling to Sicily with my husband. If I did, they would marry me to someone. In my family, most women my age have kids by now. I need a man with similar views to mine. Honestly, I no longer desire to be a housewife. Since I tried businesswoman life. I'm almost a billionaire, darn it.

My grandparents are traditional Sicilians. They were against me ending my Mariano marriage. Grandpa thought I should have stayed and tried to work it out. Thank goodness they had no natural pull in my situation. If I were in Sicily, it would have been a different story.

My grandparents control everything there, and I'm not moving there single. I will only visit Sicily with a partner.

I wish I lived in a different situation. I decided to get comfortable and make a snack before lying down. I needed a glass of wine. Then I'm going to bed and getting ready for my meeting tomorrow.

~Next Day~

Ricardo Di Vaio Jr. POV

Today I met with Franco Giordano and my father. Franco Giordano is an old-school Sicilian. We are meeting to discuss a possible marriage between Olivia and me. I don't know if I want it this way. I tried to date Olivia first and give her the entire experience. Then I forget who her father is.

~The Meeting~

It started with the gentlemen entering Rico's office. He couldn't understand why he was so nervous. Olivia is the woman he has wanted for two years. She is a remarkable and beautiful woman. Now that he has the opportunity, why is he having second thoughts?

Hello Franco, thank you for coming to my office to meet with me.

"My daughter is interested in you. I've discussed this with my wife, and we would like to arrange a marriage. Our family tradition is that all daughter's marriages are set up in advance. The first one didn't work out with your brother. I didn't want to choose her next suitor from the same family. My wife wanted to give my daughter choices. I know this is sudden, but we can make it work. Maybe this time I will get more grandchildren," said Franco."

I didn't know what to say. Honestly, Franco, I am interested in your daughter. This time I would like to give her the whole experience and date her for six months. Could you propose to her and give her the authentic American experience? I don't want her to feel missed. I plan to marry your daughter. No doubt, I plan to make her my wife. So what do you say about that, Mr. Giordano? "Well, Rico, I think that is an excellent idea, replied Franco."

We hugged, and he left my office smiling. Finally, I got the woman I'd been dreaming about for two years. Life is good. I wonder how my brother Mariano will take the news.

Next day,

Today I'm having lunch with my papa. I know he wants another arranged marriage. I don't want to enter another one. I know my family has different traditions. Hell, I'm not even an American citizen. I'm Italian all day, every day.

We are having lunch at Vetri, one of the hottest restaurants in town. I mean, it take months to get a table at this place. So I decided to dress casually but elegantly. When I walk in, I see my parents and uncles. I expected something else. Today will be everyone's teaming up for Olivia's day. I can see that happening right now.

"Ciao mamma, papà, and zii." I kiss everyone's cheeks and sit down. Then we ordered and awaited the waiter to walk away. "Honey, I brought her to discuss another arranged marriage," replied Papa. I didn't know what to say about that. I just sat there for a minute, too stunned to say anything. I've only been single for three weeks.

Franco's POV

The expression on my daughter's face makes this very difficult. I want my daughter married and protected. You see, my family has strong Mafia ties. Traditionally every daughter's marriage is set up without exceptions. Now Rico wasn't my family's first choice. They wanted her to marry a mob boss. Now I don't want my daughter in the mafia like that. So she has to match Rico. Or she will be in an arranged marriage to Salvatore Gambino. He is one of the top bosses in Sicily. That man wants to marry my daughter.

I've decided to bring Salvatore into the picture. I'm trying to give my daughter her choice this time around. Rico wouldn't be my first choice. Salvatore would have been my first choice because he is older and more stable. He will treasure my daughter. I'm going to allow them both to date, my daughter. This is a fair way for her to choose between two exemplary men.

Salvatore Gambino is ideal for my daughter. He is respected in Italy and is very dangerous. I do not doubt that he can protect my daughter. I've already contacted him letting him know he has competition for my daughter.

Salvatore still wants to meet her. He has six months to spare to date, my daughter. He has watched my daughter since she was 16 years old. He wanted to wed her before we arranged marriage to Mariano.

That is the only reason I agreed to Olivia's six-month dating. As a result, I will be able to see my family happy by bringing them into contact with the Gambino family.

She must choose Salvatore. However, it's her choice this time. She was a forgotten wife for so long. I can't let this happen again.