Moth to Flame

Your name is Victoria Ferrari, twenty-five years old, born and raised in Corleone, Sicily before relocating to New York at the age of ten as the only daughter to rejoin your Italian family mafia in New York—the Ferrari’s, run by your father, Giuseppe Ferrari, and your brothers. [[What is my family life like?]]

With both a powerful and influential family and name, you always lived a comfortable and luxurious life, chasing after your own goals and dreams within your university education and staying out of the family business, much to your family’s full support and happiness. [[Where am I from?]]

Full Sicilian roots running through your family and blood, you speak fluent Italian as your first, native language and perfect English as your second without an accent. [[What kind of life do I live?]]

Filled with connections and immense wealth, opportunity is constantly at your feet to do as you please even though you’re aware of your family’s illicit dealings and the hold they have in New York along with the other six families. [[What happened in 1946?]]

After Virgil Sollozzo’s murder in 1946, your family became the first to notice and take advantage of another taking his place, waving the opportunity of the drug trade still hanging in the balance—unabused by the other crime families. [[What did my family do about it?]]

Word that the Ferrari’s began dealing in narcotics spread to the six families like wildfire, raising suspicion and caution all around. Within six months, your family made millions, gaining powerful allies in powerful places, immense wealth to keep whomever and whatever on payroll, protection to go around tenfold, and influence the other crime families had never seen. [[How did the other families react?]]

It struck a deep and severe blow to the power dynamics with New York’s crime families, but specifically hit a personal nerve with the Corleone family. [[Why the Corleone's?]]

It was Michael Corleone after all who shot and killed Sollozzo and the police chief, McClusky—something the Ferrari’s did not know, but was all too fresh for the Corleone’s to remember. [[What does this mean for my family?]]

With friendly faces and historical ties, the Corleone’s have decided to calm the Italian mafia scene and take matters into their own hands, knowing this could mean a full-scale war between the seven families and possibly a hit on Michael if the Ferrari’s decided to investigate and take revenge for Sollozzo’s murder. [[So then what does this mean for my family now?]]

Your family already have ties with the Corleone’s in Sicily, and no bad blood has ever existed between you two. [[What will both our our families do?]]

Don Vito Corleone has personally invited your entire family to his residence in New York to make peace, speak on the matter and resolve it once and for all by explaining his concerns and wishes, expecting the same from your father. [[And so my story as Victoria Ferrari begins...]]

“Here we are, miss—the Corleone residence.” Your chauffer calls out to you as he parks the family vehicle before the Corleone family estate. [[Step out of the car with your brothers.]] [[Be the last one to step out of the car.]]

"The Corleone Estate." Your brother Matteo muses quietly, gazing up at the manor before him. "Impressive." "It'll be a first time visit for both you and Victoria, huh?" Your eldest brother Lorenzo glances back at the both of you--an amused smile over his lips. "Eager?" [[Don't answer him.]] [["Eager to hear some good news, maybe.'']]

“Ah, yeah, just like the old days, right?” Your older brother Leonardo gives a laugh, shaking Sonny Corleone’s hand firmly before giving him a hug as if the two had known each other forever, following behind your father who approaches the front doors, giving hearty greetings and waves before entering inside. [[Rest your hand on the rim of the car as you wait.]]

You take in the full appearance that the Corleone manor has to offer. [[Look around the road surrounding the manor.]] [[Try to recall what you know about the Corleone family.]]

You watch as your older brother Leonardo gives a laugh, greeing Santino Corleone’s hand firmly before giving him a hug as if the two had known each other forever. Your brothers follow behind your father who approaches the front doors, giving hearty greetings and waves before entering inside. [[What does today's meeting truly mean for both our families?]] [[What's my role to play in all of this?]]

Your older brother Leonardo shakes Sonny Corleone’s hand before following behind your father who approaches the front doors, giving hearty greetings and waves before entering inside. [[What does today's meeting truly mean for both our families?]] [[What's my role to play in all of this?]]

With cars parked all over the street and driveway, you know today’s meeting is absolutely crucial for both your family’s business and personal relationships with the other crime families. [[Try to recall what you know about the Corleone family.]]

You know today’s meeting is absolutely crucial for both your family’s business and personal relationships with the other crime families. You heard of the Corleone’s before of course, a few names here and there, but never met, and wouldn’t have come at all either if it wasn’t for the sake of showing appearances. [[Try to relax.]] [[Continue thinking about the growing rift of a power balance between your families.]]

You know today’s meeting is absolutely crucial for both your family’s business and personal relationships with the other crime families. [[What's my role to play in all of this?]]

You wouldn’t be going inside to deal with business like your father and brothers would, but the Corleone’s knew you, the only daughter of the Ferrari family are here too. [[Try to relax.]] [[Continue thinking about the growing rift of a power balance between your families.]]

You let out a soft sigh, watching the handful of kids playing in the nearby yard and attempting to get your mind off of just what this meeting could mean. You then hear your brother Alessio calling for you across the street. “Hey, sis!” You turn, swiftly closing the door and slapping the roof of the car to signal to the driver as you spot Alessio, holding your younger brother Dante’s hand, giving you a warm smile as they both approach you. “Hope it’s not much trouble if you spend some time with Dante while we’re here, eh?” [[“Not at all.” Ruffle your ten-year old brother Dante's hair. “Everything gonna be alright today?”]] [[Glance at your ten-year old brother Dante, still seeming a little uneased by everything. “Everything alright?”]]

As much as you didn’t want to get involved in any mafia business, you couldn’t help but worry what would happen if Don Corleone and your father couldn’t come to an “agreement” on what to do with such a power imbalance. Your brief thoughts are suddenly interrupted by your brother Alessio calling for you across the street. “Hey, sis!” You turn, swiftly closing the door and slapping the roof of the car to signal to the driver as you spot Alessio, holding your younger brother Dante’s hand, giving you a warm smile as they both approach you. “Hope it’s not much trouble if you spend some time with Dante while we’re here, eh?” [[“Not at all.” Ruffle your ten-year old brother Dante's hair. “Everything gonna be alright today?”]] [[Glance at your ten-year old brother Dante, still seeming a little uneased by everything. “Everything alright?”]]

“Of course, why not?” Alessio straightens out his tie, smoothening the cuffs of his suit. “We’re here on a personal basis, not business, of course.” [[You smile, taking Dante’s hand. “We’ll be over there with the kids if you need us.” You gesture over to the yard.]] [[“Right.” You smile weakly, taking Dante’s hand.]]

“Yeah, everything's just fine. The meeting has hardly begun, though.” Alessio straightens out his tie, smoothening the cuffs of his suit. “We’re here on a personal basis, not business, of course.” [[“Right.” You smile weakly, taking Dante’s hand.]] [[You smile weakly, taking Dante's hand. "Should we wait in the car?"]]

Alessio rubs your arm reassuringly. "Why don't you and Dante spend some time over with the kids in the yard here? Nieces, nephews, Corleone kids, you know the like. Lorenzo and I’ll let you know how it goes." He plants a quick kiss on Dante’s forehead. [[Head towards the yard, speaking with your brother.]] [[Head towards the yard, noticing Dante wants to speak but ignore it.]]

"Pop might call you in sooner than you think for formal greetings and whatnot." Alessio chuckles, "so that may not be the best idea. Why don't you and Dante spend some time over with the kids in the yard with Dante instead? Lorenzo and I’ll let you know how it goes." [[Head towards the yard, speaking with your brother.]] [[Head towards the yard, noticing Dante wants to speak but ignore it.]]

“No problem. Take care. Lorenzo and I’ll let you know how it goes.” Alessio rubs your arm reassuringly before planting a quick kiss on Dante’s forehead and skipping off to catch up with the others. [[Head towards the yard, speaking with your brother.]] [[Head towards the yard, noticing Dante wants to speak but ignore it.]]

“Are they gonna take long?” Dante peeps up at you. [[You chuckle, pinching his cheek playfully. “Who cares, buddy? The longer they’re gone, the longer you get to play.”]] [["I'm not sure, honey, but at least we'll be the first ones to know.'' You tell your brother.]]

Dante notices your eyes are hardened, focusing on getting to the Corleone manor's yard. He hesitates to ask the question for a moment, waiting until the two of you have crossed the street. When he speaks, his voice is more filled with worry seeing a lack of reassurement from you. “Are they gonna take long?” [[You attempt to distract your brother, unable to answer the question for yourself. “The longer they’re gone, the longer you get to play.”]] [["I'm not sure, honey, but at least we'll be the first ones to know.'' You tell your brother as best as you can.]]

A bubbling grin forms on his face as you two scurry over across the street and over to the yard, waving at the kids who clutch onto their toys before turning and noticing the two of you. [[ “Hi there, got room for two more?” You smile up at the kids.]]

A confused frown forms on Dante's face as you two carefully make your way across the street and over to the yard, waving at the kids who clutch onto their toys before turning and noticing the two of you. [[ “Hi there, got room for two more?” You smile up at the kids.]] [["Go on, say 'hello.'" You coax your brother, giving a small wave to the children. "Don't be shy."]]

A frown forms on Dante's face as you two carefully make your way across the street and over to the yard, waving at the kids who clutch onto their toys before turning and noticing the two of you. [["Go on, say 'hello.'" You coax your brother, giving a small wave to the children. "Don't be shy."]]

A sad pout forms on Dante's face as you two carefully make your way across the street and over to the yard, noticing two kids clutching their toys and staring back at you both. [["Go on, say 'hello.'" You coax your brother, giving a small wave to the children. "Don't be shy."]]

“Sure!” The kids giggle, tossing their inflatable ball over to you as you give it a good rub between your hands. You wink at Dante and throwing it with as much force as you can across the yard, causing the kids to screech in joy and chase after it as Dante runs off with them too. [[You cross your arms and watch the kids run off to play. At least you could keep them preoccupied here and have something to do while the meeting is ongoing.]] [[Worried and a little stressed, you tell yourself: 'This is going to be a long day.']]

Dante awkwardly approaches the kids, lookign at the inflatable ball in their hands and giving them a warm smile. The two kids exchange a look with one another before holding up the ball to Dante, a universal question of "do you want to play?" More so distracted by your thoughts than the awkward little dilemma your brother faces, you're unaware that Dante gives a small nod and silently walks off with the children to play. At least you could keep them preoccupied here and have something to do while the meeting is ongoing. [[You tell yourself: 'This is going to be a long day.']]

“Now there’s a sight I don’t see too often.” Michael Corleone’s voice rings out as he exits the manor from the side entrance, catching Tom Hagen in the other half of the fenced yard leaning over the hedge, taking a cigarette break. [[Tom reacts positively to seeing Michael out of the meeting.]] [[Tom is surprised to see Michael out of the meeting.]]

“Ah, Mikey, Mikey, Mike.” Tom glances over to the side, smiling and taking the burning cigarette out of his mouth. “What are you doing here?” [[Michael expresses his boredom.]]

Tom glances over to the side, taken by surprise at the sight of Michael of all people approaching him. Tom is quick to take the burning cigarette out of his mouth and quickly put it out against the fence. “Mikey, what are you doing here?” [[Michael expresses that the meeting has nothing to do with him for now.]] [[Michael expresses his boredom.]]

“Is that even a question?” Michael kicks the small pile of leaves before his feet as he approaches Tom. “They’ll bore me to death back there.” [[Tom jokingly suggests they'll want Michael back inside in a second.]] [[Tom seems concerned that Michael left the meeting anyways.]]

“Is that even a question?” Hands in the pockets of his trousers, Michael comes to approach Tom. “They won't want anything out of me now unless Don Ferrari has questions about just exactly what I did to Sollozzo." [[Tom jokingly suggests they'll want Michael back inside in a second.]] [[Tom seems concerned that Michael left the meeting anyways.]]

“The old man will want you back in a second.” Tom chuckles, shaking his head and taking another puff of his cigarette. [[Michael reacts in a nonchalant/carefree manner to Tom's words.]] [[Michael doesn't budge.]]

“The old man will want you back in a second.” Tom shakes his head. "Maybe Don Ferrari wants to meet the man who made him ten times as rich as he already was." [[Michael reacts in a nonchalant/carefree manner to Tom's words.]] [[Michael doesn't budge.]]

“Yeah, yeah.” Michael slips both of his hands into his coat pocket and joins Tom in gazing outside. [[Tom is eased by Michael's reaction.]] [[Tom can tell Michael is just as bothered by the meaning of today's meeting as everyone else.]]

Michael slips both of his hands into his coat pocket and joins Tom in gazing outside. “He can wait another second longer then.” [[Tom is eased by Michael's reaction.]] [[Tom can tell Michael is just as bothered by the meaning of today's meeting as everyone else.]]

“Mm.” Tom blows out the cigarette smoke, looking out peacefully and enjoying the moderate silence with the muffled shrieks of the excited, playing kids towards the back. [[Michael remains silent.]] [[Michael gives his opinion on the meeting.]]

Tom notices Michael’s solemn look and silence, breaking in. “We’ll be fine, Mikey. Everything is fine.” [[Michael remains silent.]] [[Michael gives his opinion on the meeting.]]

“Welcome to the family business, kid.” Tom comments back. Michael nods slowly, his expression growing colder. “I wasn’t going to come out here if I didn’t see you.” [[Tom expresses the importance of the meeting.]] [[Tom agrees he and Michael aren't missing anything important now.]]

Tom pats Michael’s back. “Right now you’re on that hazy line where you want to be a part of all of it, but also enjoy whatever solace you have left.” “You always know.” Michael nods slowly, his expression growing colder. “I wasn’t going to come out here if I didn’t see you.” [[Tom expresses the importance of the meeting.]] [[Tom agrees he and Michael aren't missing anything important now.]]

Tom lets out a drawn out sigh. “Everyone’s here. The whole family—us and them. The Ferrari daughter is here too.” [[Michael’s eyes widen a little at the mention, sparking his interest. “The Ferrari daughter?”]]

“We’re not missing anything terribly important, but still.” Tom lets out a drawn out sigh. "The Ferrari daughter is here too.” [[Michael’s eyes widen a little at the mention, sparking his interest. “The Ferrari daughter?”]]

“Yeah, didn’t you see her?” Tom coughs a little, straightening up. “All her brothers and her are here. Pretty little thing, she is. Arrived in the last care. About this tall, killer curves.” [[Michael remembers something along those lines describing Apollonia back in 1946.]] [[Michael nods back at Tom.]]

Tom turns on his heel, patting Michael’s shoulder. “Don’t take too long, eh?”

“See you back inside, kid.” Tom turns on his heel, patting Michael’s shoulder. [[“Don’t worry about me.” Michael replies, keeping his gaze fixated afar as Tom heads back inside the Corleone manor.]] [[Michael keeps his gaze fixated afar, remaining silent.]]

Your laugh breaks Michael’s silence loudly from the back as you chase Dante and the kids, jumping about wildly in the pile of leaves and fighting for the ball. [[“Hey, hey! Play fair! That’s totally not fair!”]] [[Don't comment on the children playing, but watch from afar.]]

Noticing the feminine voice, Michael steps back and strolls around the house towards it, standing by the corner of the yard before peeking over. He spots you gleefully laughing in a pile of leaves as the kids begin to throw it about at each other, finally finding the ball snug in your arms as they begin to tickle you to win it over. [[“Hey!” Your laugh is sweet and contagious as you give into the tickling and let the ball go.]]

Noticing the feminine voice, Michael steps back and strolls around the house towards it, standing by the corner of the yard before peeking over. He spots you sitting quietly next to a pile of leaves as the kids begin to throw it about at each other. You stand up, brushing the leaves off of your jacket and fixing your heels as the kids run off to the other end of the yard with their ball. For a moment, Michael is mesmerized by the sight of you even though you stand further away. [[Someone's watching me.]]

A smile crosses Michael’s face as he leans against the wall, watching how you interact with the kids. You stand up, brushing the leaves off of your jacket and fixing your heels as the kids run off to the other end of the yard with their ball. For a moment, Michael is mesmerized by the sight of you even though you stand further away, especially amused with how well you get along with the kids. [[Someone's watching me.]]

Feeling a pair of eyes on you, you glance around before finding Michael Corleone gazing over at you from around the corner. [[I've never seen this man before.]]

You assume Michael is one of the Corleone brothers, like Santino. [[Michael's gaze catches you off guard.]] [[You lock eyes with Michael at the same time he gazes at you.]]

He catches you off guard as you blink, blushing in embarrassment as you pick off some remaining leaves from your coat. [[“Hey, Mike.” Clemenza places his hand on his shoulder, causing him to spin around. “The old man wants to make introductions.”]]

The two of you lock eyes in an intense gaze before you notice another, hefty figure coming out from behind him. [[“Hey, Mike.” Clemenza places his hand on his shoulder, causing him to spin around. “The old man wants to make introductions.”]]

“Alright.” Michael speaks in a distracted tone, turning his back on you and heading off inside the house with him. [[What was that all about?]]

You rub your arms as you sit down on a small leaf pile, returning your attention over to the kids playing on the other side. “What this means has nothing to do with rivalry.” Giuseppe Ferrari speaks in a calm and polite tone, sitting across from Don Corleone with his leg crossed over the other. “But I understand its implications to become one. That is why I do not wish to refer to you as my business rival, Don Corleone. I respect you. You are a wise man. You, along with the other families, are a part of my family as well.” [[“I never judge a man based on how he makes his living.” Vito says.]] [[“I have to say I am impressed, if anything, that you took such a deal. Narcotics can be dirty business, surely you know.”]]

“Indeed.” Giuseppe agrees, taking a sip of his whiskey as the door to Vito’s office opens quietly—Michael slipping inside and standing by Tom, Clemenza, Fredo and Sonny. [[“You have gained a considerable amount of influence, wealth and power in a very short amount of time.”]] [["I wish for nothing to interfere. Our family will not.”]]

Giuseppe takes a sip of his whiskey as the door to Vito’s office opens quietly—Michael slipping inside and standing by Tom, Clemenza, Fredo and Sonny. “It’s all about the connections and protection, otherwise none of it would come together.” [[“You have gained a considerable amount of influence, wealth and power in a very short amount of time.”]] [["I wish for nothing to interfere. Our family will not.”]]

Giuseppe sets his whisky glass down. “The Ferrari family comes bearing peace and gifts, Don Corleone. There is no bad blood. I understand what you are saying. I reassure you once more that it is not my intention to take advantage of this, power imbalance.” He gestures with his hands. “I deal privately and manage my business. The police and politicians are in my pocket as the bare minimum to deal in narcotics. I don’t see competition with the other families, especially in this kind of setting. I wish for nothing but peace.” He slowly rises to his feet with Vito as Giuseppe approaches his desk, extending his hand. [[“I predicted such an outcome, my old friend.”]] [[“I am proud you settled the rest of your empire from Sicily to New York.”]]

“And neither will ours.” Giuseppe sets his whisky glass down. “The Ferrari family comes bearing peace and gifts, Don Corleone. There is no bad blood. I understand what you are saying. I reassure you once more that it is not my intention to take advantage of this, power imbalance.” He gestures with his hands. "I don’t see competition with the other families, especially in this kind of setting. I wish for nothing but peace.” He slowly rises to his feet with Vito as Giuseppe approaches his desk, extending his hand. [[“I predicted such an outcome, my old friend.”]] [[“I am proud you settled the rest of your empire from Sicily to New York.”]]

“I predicted such an outcome, my old friend.” Vito smiles at him, shaking his hand. [["And it is a good thing you have no such competition from us either."]] [["I see it as fair now rather than a power imbalance.”]]

Vito smiles at him, shaking his hand. “I am proud you settled the rest of your empire from Sicily to New York.” [["And it is a good thing you have no such competition from us either."]] [["I see it as fair now rather than a power imbalance.”]]

Michael half listens alongside his other brothers, paying attention to what is generally going on as his gaze hardens over to his father’s table. The rest of the tension is relieved in the room as Sonny begins to whisper to Tom and Giuseppe’s sons smile, letting their tense muscles relax as they stand on the other side of the room. [[“Please forgive me, I have barely introduced you to my family.”]]

Michael half listens alongside his other brothers, paying attention to what is generally going on as his gaze hardens over to his father’s table. The rest of the tension is relieved in the room as Sonny begins to whisper to Tom and Giuseppe’s sons smile, letting their tense muscles relax as they stand on the other side of the room. [[Giuseppe glances over at Alessio, gesturing to him. “My boy, bring in Dante and Victoria, would you?”]]

Michael’s eyes shoot up to Alessio who nods, quickly exiting the room before his mind wanders off to the “Ferrari daughter” that Tom had just mentioned. [[Continue.]]

Michael’s eyes shoot up to Alessio who nods, quickly exiting the room before his mind wanders off to the “Ferrari daughter” that Tom had just mentioned. He exchanges a look with Tom, who has a playful expression on his face back to Michael. [[Continue.]]

“Hey, Victoria!” Alessio peeks his head out the front door, gesturing with his arms. “Dante, Dante! Come here, both of you. Father is asking.” You look up, quickly getting up to your feet. You wave over to Dante, calling him over as you take his hand and wave back at the kids as you straighten out Dante’s shirt and head inside the Corleone manor, following Alessio. [[“Everything okay?”]] [["What's going on?"]]

“Everything’s perfect. Father is doing introductions, they’ll want to see you.” He whispers, opening Vito’s office door and allowing them in. Giuseppe grins, extending his hand and gesturing over to his boys first. “My sons, Lorenzo, Leonardo, Matteo, and Alessio. All intelligent, young men with their own strengths in our family business. This here is our little Dante.” He chuckles. “Wonderful young man.” Vito smiles down on Dante who peeks back at him shyly, standing by politely. [[Stand close to the door out of respect.]] [[Enter the room fully with your brother.]]

“Father wants to introduce you to the Corleone family. Everything went just as well.” He whispers, opening Vito’s office door and allowing them in. Giuseppe grins, extending his hand and gesturing over to his boys first. “My sons, Lorenzo, Leonardo, Matteo, and Alessio. All intelligent, young men with their own strengths in our family business. This here is our little Dante.” He chuckles. “Wonderful young man.” Vito smiles down on Dante who peeks back at him shyly, standing by politely. [[Stand close to the door out of respect.]] [[Enter the room fully with your brother.]]

You stand close by the door out of respect, immediately freezing in your spot as you catch Michael Corleone’s gaze on you across the room. Your face flushes red once more in embarrassment, noticing him looking at you. Michael blinks, turning his head back to face his father. [[Just who is he?]]

You enter Don Vito Corleone's office while quietly closing the door behind you. Remainingjust by his desk, you notice that familiar face again--Don Corleone's son--gazing at you across the room and watching your every step. Your face flushes red once more in embarrassment, noticing him looking at you. Michael blinks, turning his head back to face his father. [[Just who is he?]]

You nibble on your bottom lip, pretending none of that just happened. [[Gaze at Don Corleone's son.]] [[Avoid looking at him.]]

You can’t get a good look at Michael's face in this lighting and setting, but from what you can see, he’s strikingly handsome. “My only daughter, the beautiful Victoria Ferrari.” Your father introduces you as you take a step up to Don Corleone, who extends his hand over to you. Michael's eyes continue to linger over you, taking in every bit of your apperance before him. [[Kiss Don Corleone's ring.]]

You make a mental note to avoid looking over at this Corleone boy and humiliating yourself in front of your family. “My only daughter, the beautiful Victoria Ferrari.” Your father introduces you as you take a step up to Don Corleone, who extends his hand over to you. Little did you know Michael’s eyes were on you again, eyeing you up and getting as much of a look as he could in the dim environment. [[Kiss Don Corleone's ring.]]

You lean over, kissing his ring and nodding politely back. “A pleasure to meet you, Don Corleone.” “Likewise.” He gives you a warm, fatherly smile. “You have a beautiful family, Giuseppe. They’ll make a lovely addition to ours.” [[What?]]

He points over at his boys, “my Sonny, Tom, Fredo, and my youngest, Michael.” [[Michael. Michael Corleone.]]

“This is just what we need.” Giuseppe agrees enthusiastically, “I am a man of my word, Don Corleone, and yet I understand words are not enough to reassure a man in your state, therefore I do not wish to disrespect you. Rather, I wish to give you my reassurances through a peace offering.” “A peace offering?” Vito smiles back at him. “What have I done to deserve such kindness from you, my friend?” [[“Oh, don’t you insist, Don Corleone? What our family’s both need is a familial bond of peace.”]]

“Probably gonna offer up Mike or something.” Sonny snickers, joking quietly to Tom who smirks, stifling his laughter. “He’s all we have to give up.” “Hey.” Michael hisses back, unamused. “What a perfect idea, Don Ferrari.” Vito glances over at the boys. “My youngest, Michael here, is our eligible bachelor. I would love to have the honour of offering your beautiful daughter a husband. In return, we will gain the friendship and family of the Ferrari family both in business and personally.” [[The smile falls off of Sonny and Tom’s shocked faces.]]

Your eyes widen, but you quickly hold yourself and your bewildered facial expression back, standing perfectly still. Your heart races and pounds in your chest as your blood rushes, causing the back of your neck and tip of your ears to prickle in embarrassment. [[Avoid looking at Michael now.]] [[Look back at your future fiance.]]

A million questions with no answers whizz through your mind as you essentially begin to freak out at the proposal. [[MARRY HIM?! Gain a husband?!]]

At this point, neither you or Michael can take your eyes off of each other. [[MARRY HIM?! Gain a husband?!]]

“Michael is twenty-nine, and he has also spent time in Sicily. It would be a great act of family and peace to bond us together over.” Vito says. “I could not agree more.” You watch as your father shakes hands in agreement once more with Vito Corleone. “I know all of the Corleone boys are something to boast about. Michael seems like such an established, young man. He will be perfect for my daughter.” “Sir.” Michael acknowledges. [[“Victoria was born and raised in Sicily.” Your father wraps a loving arm around your shoulder.]]

"She’s a Sicilian beauty who just finished law school here. If there is no rejection or refusal, of course…” Your father looks over at you with eyes of wonder before glancing at Michael, then Vito’s. Nobody speaks up or does anything. “We are in agreement then?” “Michael.” Vito murmurs, giving a little gesture of his hand over to him. [[Remain silent.]]

Michael rises from his seat, first gazing upon your face in the light before promptly kissing your father’s ring. “I would ask to court your daughter in a traditional, Sicilian manner, Don Ferrari, with your permission and blessings.” “You have them both, my boy, yes.” Your father gives a little pat on Michael’s hand. “Victoria, my dear? Any objections? Anything at all? It’s up to you, ultimately.” [[Decide.]]

Your breath hitches as you nod, turning to face Michael. All eyes in the room are on the two of you as you finally get to see the details of his face and the rest of his appearance before you. 5’8, with swept black hair, intense dark eyes, and full lips. It’s impossible for you to deny the attraction you hold towards him going through you like waves of electricity. Michael stares at you in the same mesmerized fashion, admiring your Sicilian features and realizing his attraction back to you. [[“Will you marry Michael Corleone?”]]

Without taking your eyes off of Michael, you say, “yes father, I will.” Your fate is sealed.