The Heart of Steel

As Micaela walked through the corridors of Hotel Orient the city's most expensive and luxurious hotel, a home away from home for the creme de la creme of the beautiful and largest island on the Mediterranean- Sicily, bathed in golden sunlight, the island boasts breathtaking coastlines where azure waves lap against rocky cliffs and pristine beaches, providing a stunning backdrop for sun-seekers and romantics alike. However, beneath this surface beauty lies an undercurrent of danger that whispers through the narrow alleyways and shadowed corners of the island.

The island storied past is interwoven with tales of organized crime which has left a palpable mark on its culture and society.

Micaela! The tone of the voice made her jerk back to reality and to abruptly cut short her day dreaming which to her is her only escape from her everyday boring life of being a housekeeper at the hotel. She sees the powerful, the wealthy, the tourist but never gets noticed either because of the job or because she barely makes any effort to impress anyone. With hair as dark as a night without a moon and eyes as blue as the seas which she subtly hides behind her spectacles, though she dresses as plainly as possible but her curves don't lie and a complete testament to her overall demeanor.

I'm coming, she replied swiftly, turning and walking towards the voice, Micaela, this is Antonia, she's the new housekeeper and I would like you to show her around and make sure she's well acquainted with the cleaning routine. You know how much I like the rooms looking sparkling...Mr Rossi the manager of the hotel is a 5 '8 man with curly hairs like the waves, he has an awkward way of doing things. Micaela and Antonia worked together all day and as ladies they had things to talk about although Micaela has never been one for much talk but now she has to put up with Antonia continues talk about fashion, food and men, for Micaela fashion isn't her forte because she rarely goes out to any social gathering aside work and family nothing truly matters to her and for men, she has never been in love let alone be in any romantic relationship, one might argue that she is waiting for the right man if there was ever anything like that or rather she was waiting for the man that would spark her interest. Rossi has also had an eye for Micaela but was too shy to let his feelings known and at the same time get rejected by her.

As the daylight slowly faded into darkness, the city also gradually shifted from all its beauty and glamour into an underbelly of danger and crime. The (invincibles) mafia family engaged in all forms of criminal and illicit activities ranging from drugs to arms dealings, they controlled a larger part of the city and had vibrant operations in major countries of Europe, most of the city's law enforcement officers were on their payroll and the few who were not were either new officers or those who had high moral values.

Germano was with his father who has been bedridden for years as a result of the helicopter crash which caused him Quadriplegia. Del Piero who is better known as Padrino is the head of the (invincible) mafia family, though bedridden but he still had the aura of a mafia boss around him and he still spoke with such authority that one might wonder if his glory days were truly over.

Padrino is a firm believer that a man must have a code of conduct and the most important of them is "loyalty to the family comes first" he passed that mindset to his sons along with ruthlessness and an insatiable taste for power and dominance.

Germano listened attentively as Padrino spoke to him about the looming dangers and how best to manage the threats from the rival gang, Germano a tall, devilishly charming young man in his early thirties, his dark eyes burned with both revenge and loyalty. He had black, close cropped hair, clean shaved, masculine cheekbones above a thin and sensuous mouth. His chiseled chest and rippled abs did masculine justice to his posture and physique. Amid all the good looks, affluence and ruthlessness, Germano silently yearned to be free from the mafia world and see what the peaceful and less dangerous side of life has to offer. He wants to explore the world and find his own path but the possibility of his fantasy turning to reality seems very bleak because after the death of Lorenzo his older brother, the family leadership and business operations fell to him and he cannot afford to let the family down. In the mafia world, forgiveness is a sin and as such he cannot rest until he finds Lorenzo's killer.

"Germano! Germano!! The shipments have arrived and the boys are all waiting for you in the various warehouses for inspection", Lucretia Germano's sister said, wearing a red gown and a white Gucci fur coat. Lucretia was petite but also very pretty and had an intriguing fashion sense, little wonder she was made to run the family's legitimate fashion business.

"Boss I think we're being followed" Viktor, Germano's driver said, the black SUV has been trailing them ever since they made the turn after leaving the Port about an hour and after all the things Padrino said to him, Germano knew trouble was close by "speed up!" Viktor he replied "take the first turn on your right and keep driving straight"...Germano turned back and the SUV was still trailing them, Viktor is known for his precision and ability to get out of dangerous situations but this one felt different, the black SUV trailing them seem to be looking for a clear area to make their move and what's more is that they didn't look like any of the vehicles of any of the rival gangs and the vehicle looked too expensive for the law enforcement officers.

Germano reached for his pistol, pulled it out and was ready for anything. The mean look in his eyes said it all as he tightened his grip on the pistol just as he turned back again to get a good look at the SUV, it wasn't behind them anymore. "Boss! It's gone"...Viktor didn't see where the vehicle entered or when it did, it was just as if it vanished, Viktor turned around to look at Germano who was still holding the pistol in his hand but the look on his face this time was that of worry because he knew the rival gangs were plotting a move against his family and right now the responsibility of taking care of his family rested solely on his broad shoulders. "Turn the car around Viktor and let's find out where they entered and who they really are" Germano said

"Boss is that really a good idea because it might be a setup and we are outnumbered 3 to 1" Viktor replied but you can feel the fear emanating from his voice, Viktor more than anyone else knows best not to question Germano's orders though a ruthless heir to a dangerous mafia family, Germano still listens to reason but not this time.

"Viktor I won't say it again" and in a swift driving dexterity, the red Bentley brabus was turned around. This was Germano's favourite car because it is both beauty and the beast....it is the perfect blend of toughness and luxury.

After circling the area twice without any luck finding the black SUV or even just seeing it, Germano knew something wasn't right and he had to figure it out in time before it's too late, he has been taught by Padrino never to take things for granted regardless of how little they were and this whole thing with the black SUV is certainly a bad omen.

Micaela is standing just outside Hotel Orient waiting for Antonia who was speaking to Rossi, lost in thoughts of how much might be in her savings ... .dreams of getting a better and more comfortable life for herself and family. Micaela had always wanted to own her company and be a boss lady totally free from the shackles of financial dependency. Though in her mid twenties, she had dreams far beyond her age and a conviction like no other. The rumble in the clouds reminded her of reality, she looked inside but Antonia was nowhere in sight.....she couldn't wait any longer. She stopped a taxi and entered thankfully her house wasn't far from the hotel though it's not much but its home and right now she misses the warmth of her bed and the soft cuddling of her teddy.....she sank back into the taxi's seat and shut her eyes it was just another day at work and she needed sleep.