Giuliani and Lombardi Family
Francesco made sure he was close enough to see this girl who calls herself a Lombardi and Elias’ desk separated the two. He took off his hat and dropped it on Elias’ desk. He couldn’t stop looking at the daughter of Michael Lombardi wondering why he didn’t know Michael had a daughter. Francesco knew the older Lombardi sibling, Giovanni, but had never seen this girl around town. If a girl this pretty was messing with his business behind his back, Francesco would have noticed, but it seems as if he had just become aware. "This girl was definitely raised in Italy,"
he thought. She's bold and beautiful, but here in New York, she's only an exotic piece of Italian ass. His mind was overtaken by all these thoughts as he stared at her. No talked for a long period until Jessica decided to begin.
"So, Mister...” she said trying to remember his name, "Francesco, right?”
"That’s right,” Francesco nodded.
"Are you Mr. Elias’ lawyer?” she asked with a pompous smile.
Francesco laughed like wind gusts leaving his lungs out of surprise. "No, no. Nothing like that, my dear. I’m more of a counselor."
Jessica couldn’t believe this man's ego. He looks like a petty gangster who thinks he's above everyone else. "Counselor, you say? What kind of counselor if you don’t mind me asking."
"Let’s say... life counselor. I advise him on decisions that would make his life better” Francesco said smirking. Jessica paused finding his wit kind of cute even though he clearly acted like a conman.
"Well then. I don’t think you should be present during our business dealing, Mr. Francesco. It’s not good business.”
Elias had a frightened look as he turned to Francesco who wasn’t concentrating on him. His eyes were pinned on this Lombardi girl. He couldn’t take his gaze off her. The room turned black in his thoughts. This tough young woman is fascinating.
"Well, I think I'm where I'm supposed to be. Don’t you agree, Elias?”
"Yes of course.” the old man stuttered.
"See? My client wants me here as well. For God's sake, I'm his adviser after all.”
Jessica stood up, realizing she had nothing else to say. She knew Elias was in Giulianis’ back pocket and had missed her chance. This idiot of a gangster was pulling his strings just at the right time after the death of Davide. The New York Harbor might have to wait until that Giuliani egotistical bullshit is permanently wiped out for good.
"Well, unfortunately, you came right when we were finished.”
"Is that so? Because I thought I heard you still talking when I came inside.”
"Yes, we will not be able to find common ground on a deal, so I will visit Mister Elias some other time with a better offer.” She looked at Elias and he lowered his head, staring at the ground.
"Elias, don’t let this young lady scare you. After all, I made you who you are today. I’m here to help you out. You are like
family to me, old man.” Francesco said not looking at him. His eyes were focused on the Lombardi girl.
"You should feel lucky, Elias for having such a certified counselor like Mr. Francesco. I’d pay a lot of money for someone who is so caring to his clients." She didn’t look at Elias either. Francesco and Jessica were side-talking one another.
The old man opened his mouth but he was quickly interrupted by Francesco. "By the way, Jessica, you could hire me as your counsel. If you have issues that require a man's touch, you know what I mean?” Francesco teased Jessica, grabbing his hat and covering his head.
"Well, that depends on the price, Mr. Francesco. I’m a lowly lawyer trying to make a living.” Their dialogue was theatrical. Both pretending and speaking with hints of mockery. It was all in an attempt to outsmart each other, in the presence of poor Elias, who was sitting in his chair, silent and spectating.
Finally, Jessica was ready to leave. She grabbed her purse. "I should get going.”
"Elias, you don’t need anything else, right?” Francesco asked and Elias moved his head left and right.
"I will walk you outside, Miss Jessica." Jessica was disgusted, tired of his flattery, as she headed towards the exit.
Francesco followed her to the steps of the entrance. It was almost 11 AM and the sun was already blazing. A few minutes outside and both were sweaty. The stench of the seawater was completely devoured by the smell of petrol and fish. Francesco watched Jessica as she waited for him to say something.
"What do you drink?”
"It’s 11 am. What is wrong with you?”
"A glass of wine helps move the day forward, doesn’t it?”
"Wine? Ugh. If you are going to drink, at least drink something decent.”
"Decent? Like the shitty whiskeys, the Irish sell around
here?”
"No, like Gin that they sell around here.”
"You've got to be kidding me. Gin?”
"Yeah, what’s wrong with that?”
"It tastes like piss.”
"Not everyone has a taste for the fine things, Francesco, that’s life.”
"Well, you haven’t tried fine things yet but I will introduce you. I know a good Italian pub nearby. Come join me so we can talk... about business?”
Was this Italian man hitting on her or was he just trying to gather as much as he can on the Lombardis?
Either way, Jessica was prepared and viewed it as an opportunity to get as much information on the Giulianis as she can. Jessica wouldn't like his company, or that’s what she kept telling herself. The man was conceited and flamboyant. But, what if he didn't have anything to offer, what would happen next?
This is what baffled Jessica; the unknown with this cocky mobster. She fixed her sunglasses and turned towards the dock. "Ok, I guess. Why not?”
Francesco wasn't asking her out but this came about so naturally that it surprised him. How did the conversation end up here? Now, they're about to go drinking at 11 in the morning? Francesco couldn’t take his offer back now. Not that he wanted to, but Francesco was making up an excuse in his head why he should. He told himself he'd go out with her only to learn more about the deal the Lombardis wanted with Elias. His charm he believed would convince her to tell him everything.
"Follow me,” he said smiling as the two walked off.
For fifteen minutes in the blazing sun, they walked until they
reached their destination. During the walk, they remained silent while their minds strategizing; each devising the perfect plan for extorting information from one another. It was amusing, nevertheless.
Now, they were outside an old, dusty pub whose sign outside read, "Open from 8 am to 11 pm." There were still chairs stacked on top of the tables. The wooden sign outside gave an old feeling to it. The words wrote in Italian on the top of the sign read, ‘Castello di Vino’, meaning the Castle of Wine.
Jessica gave way for Francesco to lead the way. She stopped for a moment. Was this really a pub? It looks so old.
Is he setting me up?
Francesco turned around troubled by Jessica’s halt. "Is everything ok, my dear?”
"Yeah, it’s just...It looks like someone's torture chamber." Francesco laughed like someone who was snorting cocaine.
"What? Why are you laughing?” Jessica was annoyed by Francesco’s childish attitude.
"Dear, if I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t have left that port in one piece or maybe pieces. Hey, let's just say it's a little bit traditional. Relax.” He headed inside and for some reason, his words were calming to Jessica. Any normal person would have freaked out, but she found a truth behind his statements even if she didn’t find it ok. It was how smooth this Giuliani’s words were. That was the world these two mobsters chose to live in. A world where you should always look over your shoulder. Despite her reservations, Jessica followed Francesco inside.
Entering, she tasted the fresh smell of wine entering her throat. It was a very sweet and familiar aroma that reminded her of back home in Italy. All her negative feelings evaporated as she walked further inside. The place was dusty, with just a few glimpses of light piercing, creating a dark ambiance. But this was not a torture room. It looked more like a drug shop. Francesco went to the bar and grabbed a stool. Jessica stayed
still, examining the place which was really traditionally designed. There were wooden barrels on the walls, stained glass windows and instead of conventional lighting, it had big chandeliers hanging. There was a piano at the end, with a big cello by its side. The pub looked as if it belonged in another era. It was so beautiful to find something this unique in the center of New York.
The keeper stood behind the bar waiting. The moment he saw Francesco, he hastily tried fixing his messy black hair and white shirt. The man was clean-shaven and appeared to be in his forties. His image resembled a bartender in the medieval time period with his choice of clothing.
"Signore Francesco! Che piacevole sorpressa! It’s been a while since you visited Castello.”
"Ciao Federico! It’s been a while indeed.”
"E questa la tua ragazza?” the man asked.
"No, Sono una amica!” Jessica hissed. "She's Italian, Federico and no, she isn't my girlfriend,” Francesco laughed loudly. Federico lowered his head, embarrassed. He pretended to clean a wine glass. "This is Miss Jessica Lombardi.” Jessica was smiling, waiting to see the owner’s reaction but on guard just in case she was being set up. Federico widened his eyes and his mouth was open to his surprise. The man couldn't even contain his thoughts as he looked at Francesco and then back at Jessica, back and forth.
"Maria Vergine! This is something I never expected to see in my entire life." He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Jessica and Francesco looked at each other, laughing at Federico’s comment. The whole thing felt like a rehearsed prank, but it wasn’t. For this moment, these two had forgotten about their plans for their respective families. They were about to have a good time, staring at each other with all these customs passing through their minds. One stare lasted more than typical; a friendly one and they were lost in its moment.
The long stare was interrupted by the Federico’s voice. "Cosa ti va da bere signorina?” "A gin with tonic would be fine,” Jessica said as she took her eyes off Francesco, acting as if she was looking for something inside her purse.
"Gin? We have the best wine in New York and you chose gin?” Federico stuttered as he grabbed a bottle of gin below the bar's counter.
"I don’t like wine.” Jessica closed her purse and Federico became suspicious.
"How can someone who's Italian not enjoy vino?” Federico poured the gin inside a crystal glass.
"Don’t mind her Federico, some of us don’t have a great taste.” Jessica ignored Francesco, looking at the place’s design. "I’ll take the usual.” Francesco sat on the wooden stool as Federico had first served the drinks before carrying a few tables out front for them to sit. The area inside the pub's center was more comfortable and welcoming.
Francesco turned towards Jessica with his glass of wine raised. "A toast, before we discuss business." Jessica raised her glass of gin. "A toast then,” she said calmly, almost matching his tone.
"To our family businesses!”
"To the Lombardis then!”
"I was thinking the Giulianis but yes, to the Giulianis as well!”
"By the end of the year, the Lombardis will run New York, you know that, right?”
"Oh, I’m not so sure about that but only time will tell.”
"Do you want to place a wager?”
"Betting on such things would be considered theft. I don’t want to take your money.”
"Oh! Where does that certainty come from?”
"Let’s say I have faith in my family's business.”
A small pause followed as they took sips. Francesco put his
glass on the bar's counter and came back over.
"How come I’ve never seen you around? A pretty Lombardi girl, messing around with my Giuliani business, I’m sure I’d have noticed.”
"I was out of town for the past ten years.”
"Out of town? Where were you? If I may ask.”
"Italy, Rome.”
"Back home?”
"Yes, I wanted to do something with my life. I wanted to help our family, so I got my degree there in law.”
"A woman of business and educated. That is rather impressive I must say.”
"What about you Francesco? Have you spent all your life here?”
"Admittedly, yes. I don’t travel to Italy a lot. Born and raised here in New York. But I definitely have brought our family business to its peak.”
"Oh? How so? Do you have a degree in marketing?”
"You're funny. No, I’ve learned the business the hard way. But, unlike you, I know exactly how these partnerships work.”
"Maybe, you are underestimating me, Francesco.”
"But I am not. Today’s accomplishments speak for themselves. We retained the Harbor while your family got nothing in return!”
Jessica turned and took a sip of her drink. She tried holding her smile but it was difficult. Now, she realized Davide, on his death decided to talk. That's how Francesco was able to control Elias and maintain his family's interests at the Harbor. All this young woman had to do was to keep Francesco talking. She was almost finished her gin when turned back to Francesco putting on a fake look of sorrow.
Francesco hadn't realize his mistake of talking too much. He was amused by Jessica’s look and suspected she was faking. Yet, Francesco continue to smile as he ordered more wine. The
word "Triumph” was written all over Francesco Giuliani’s face.
"It’s ok, Jessica. Next time.”
"I’m new to the business and still learning the ropes. What can I say?”
"One step at a time, my dear. One day, maybe, and just maybe, the Lombardis will reach the Giulianis.”
Jessica nodded softly drinking the last of her gin. All she needed to do was to leave this arrogant capo feeling victorious, so she got up suddenly. "Thanks for the drink but I think we’ll have to reschedule this little meeting of ours to another time,” she said looking at her watch.
"Why the sudden rush to leave?” Jessica smile as she went between the tables and chairs looking backward.
"I have to take care of something. You know some family business." She passed by Federico standing over by the entrance. "Nice meeting you, Federico.”
"Nice meeting you too, Signorina Jessica,” Federico said bowing slightly.
Francesco sat alone, in his hand was a glass of wine half-full as he looked at Federico confused. Federico just shrugged, scratching his half-bald head. Francesco didn’t expect for the Lombardi girl to leave just like that. He learned zero from her. Yet these few moments away from the job made him smile. He finished his wine as calmly as can. The young Italian enforcer was rising in rank within the New York's mafia circles but on the inside, he needed something from this cute Lombardi girl. He ought to know more and was determined to meeting her again.
