Family Business

“No grandfather, I think you are getting a bit too old to run the family and I think it’s time you get some rest,” said Alonso, a young lad with a powerful background. “The last sixty years have been horridly cruel to me Alonso, but until I die, I have to stay in power to keep the entire district in our pockets, no more talking on this,” said firmly Alberto Quattrochi who is the head of the well-known powerful Quattrochi family of the south district.

He motioned to his counselor, “What about the arms dealing that you attended last week?” “It went pleasingly well, once they knew what we have to offer, they had to accept.”, replied the counselor. Alberto inquired “That tobacco deal that we had with the Oswells?”, “I think there is quite a confusion there, apparently the Francescas already have an hand on the deal.”, replied the counselor. “When were you planning on telling me this?”, the counselor was startled, “I presumed it was not a big deal as the value of the deal is itself a dull let alone the profit.” Alberto yelled with his angry voice, “The tobacco deal may not give us profit but it is vital that we stay in good terms with the Oswells, we need their resources and assistance to stay in power, and you have any idea of what it can cost us if it goes to the hands on the Francescas?” “I am sorry, Mr. Quattrochi, I didn’t think it involved such a dealing” . ”We already are low on man power and resources I don’t think we can fight the deal.”, opined Alonso. Alberto without thinking, reverted, “This is why I can’t let you kids in power. We need the deal and we need it soon, arrange a dinner with the Oswells.”, commanded Alberto. Alonso was quite disappointed with the decision of his grandfather.

“I’m very much disappointed with the decision of grandfather. Uncle, is there any way that we can stop him from making this dealing? He is into so many blunders lately, I think he should not be in power anymore.”, said a disappointed Alonso. “After the death of your father, things have change Alonso, and also age has taken a toll on him, and yes I think you are the one who should be in power.” said Juliano, who is the Uncle of Alonso, brother of Alonso’s father with a sly smile on his cigar holding lips. “Are you sure Uncle? Because I’m not sure how that can happen, I’ve asked grandfather about this a thousand times and I get the same reply, denial.”, said a baffled Alonso. “You need to trust me Alonso, I assure you, the power will be yours, soon, very soon.”, said Juliano firmly.

“Welcome Alberto! Good to see you old friend, come on let’s eat.”, welcomed Frank Oswell, a well-built man with his hair neatly oiled, perfect for a gangster-dealer, with his men. “Good to see you too Frank, I know we haven’t met much in public lately but this is something we need to discuss and I wanted it to be done soon.”  “Sure, talk to me old friend.”, replied Frank. “The tobacco deal this year, I heard it has gone to the hands of the Francescas, if I’m not mistaken.” interrogated Alberto. “Yes, I approved it, they gave me a good deal.” “But the tobacco deal is customarily made between us for years, do you deny?” “No I don’t, come on old friend, it’s business, they gave me a good price, that’s all it’s about, don’t take it personally.”, answered Frank. “I’m willing to give twice as much as what the deal has been signed for, you have got to give this for our friendship, Frank .”, said Alberto. “Oh old friend, it is a good price but what’s done is done. You are a good old friend of mine no doubt in that, it will be bad on my part to call off the deal, and the Francescas are powerful now you see.” “So you say No?” Nodding hesitantly, “Sorry my friend.”, said Frank.

Things were only smooth until there heard a loud gunshot as Juliano drew his 9millimeter out of his coat holster and shot a man who was sitting in the last table. “No! Juliano!” yelled Alberto. The man he shot was Drago Francesca with the Francescas, there to spy on the dinner. A severely wounded Drago Francesca drew his Colt 45 and shot blindly as it hit Frank Oswell right on the neck. Gun shots sounded like firecrackers for the next ten minutes as people from the diner rushed to the exit hoping to save their lives from the mad mob war. After the attack of madness, the police arrived at the shootout scene, when they opened the diner, all they saw was just-killed dead bodies, blood spattered all over the interior and the tables along with the redness of the wine.

Three men were missing, in the back alley stood the three men alone, Alberto with his hand to his chest trying to stop the blood flow. Suddenly he heard a gun cock to his head, there stood Juliano with his gun pointed at Alberto. “Uncle! What are you doing? Put the gun down!” shouted Alonso. “No Alonso, now is the time, now is the time we take control, and now is the time that we dreamed about.” Alonso couldn’t stand his Uncle pointing his gun at this grandfather, he drew his gun from the holster and pointed it at Juliano. “This is wrong Uncle, don’t make me do this.”, said Alonso. Letting a big laugh Juliano replied, “You think before he is dead he is going to give the power to you my boy? If that’s what you are thinking, foolishness is in your blood. If you get the power, what do you think your Marco is going to get?” “No Alonso, I was going to give the power only to you, Juliano is a liar, you know that.”, said Alberto. “How can you make him think that you are willing to give the power to this kid father? He knows how many times you have denied his requests, don’t you Alonso?”, said Juliano cunningly. “No Alonso, Marco was never my favourite grandchild, after your father you are my pick and you know that, don’t listen to him, shoot him!”, said Alberto. “Oh come on father, he knows better than that, shoot him Alonso!”, said Juliano.

A baffled Alonso gripped the gun nervously, put his finger in the gaurd and pulled the trigger. Two men died that night.