"Sir the Torrennos came earlier than expected". Corbin rushed to Jack's office as soon as he received the information.
"Where did they stay?". He stopped his work and focused on Corbin. He was wondering why did they came early than expected.
"They already bought a manor at Hidden Canyon". He placed the files and photos in Jack's table.
Jack took the files and read the owner's name of the house. It's not Torrennos but DaSilva. He remembered the last name as the owner of a shoe and clothing business. One of the biggest in Europe where the Torrennos's rules.
The Hidden Canyon is one of the prestigious and most famous subdivision in the country. It was built almost outside of the city where access are very difficult and the security is superb. The place itself is really almost hidden because of the structure. A lot of influential people live there that is why it's not really that accessible. But Jack thought the old Torrennos didn't know the real owner of the said village because if he do he might think twice to buy one from him.
"Who is this person?". The report he was reading doesn't say any connections of the both families. He cannot see any ties or did it intentionally.
"I already looked into it after I got that report. The family name belong to the cousin of the new Madam of Torrennos. He came here before and bought the Manor two years ago". Corbin stated. "His record is clean and even if we know that he is related to the Torrennos we might still sell the land to him because back then you aren't married yet to Ms. Son".
"I see". He looked at the photos of the young Torrennos then the photo of the house. It was built like the European style old houses. But the one that he focused his eyes on is the photo of the old Toni Torrennos. "So, he really knows how to use his pawns. Tricky old man!".
- - - - - - -
At the Hidden Canyon. Number thirty eight diamond house.
"Hey grandpa, guess what?". Khilla opens a conversation with the old Torrennos who was sitting in their grand sofa reading his papers.
"What". He answered without looking at him.
"We have just met the woman that you like for us, yesterday". He paused and looked at Drako who is coming to their direction. "She is not what little brother told us". Then he gave Drako a smirk. He sounded like he is accusing him of lying.
Drako sits lazily in a single couch followed by his older brother Raider. He just gives Khilla an annoying look and copied how he opens his amount. Raider was suppressing his laughter, he really thinks Drako is very cute when he is annoyed.
"Did you introduce yourself?". Toni is still reading his papers and didn't gave them a single glance.
"I tried to but she's not interested in them". Drako is now the one smirking at his older brother Khilla. "I think the power of their charms only works with the ladies without a brain". He even crossed his arms to his chest and lifted his one eyebrow to him.
Toni stops himself from reading and looked at Drako. He remembered something that happens a long time ago.
"Something wrong grandpa?". Raider became worried when his grandfather falls into silence out of the blue.
"I just remembered your father when he was about your age. The time when he met Celestine, Azalea's mother. He was captivated by her beauty and brain but she didn't gave your father even a single glance". He shook his head remembering how broken hearted his son back then.
"Well it's her lost and it's our mother's gain. If it isn't for our mother you won't have us". Drako frowned by the thought that his father was ignored too by Azalea's mother.
"I think she's stupid. She was handed with a gem but she still choose a rock". Khilla's light aura changed into dark. The Torrennos are not someone that can be ignored by anyone. His father was like humiliated back then.
"I think she is not just in love with him". Raider understands the story.
He thinks Azalea's mother is the type of person who uses her heart more than her brain. A rare type of woman who will endure pain for the one she loves. He heard this story from his father too, secretly. His father never opens up his feelings to anyone except to him, specially to his mother they know she will be furious because of jealousy. He knows that his father is still in love with the woman despite how good his mother to him. But he won't blame the man. He too falls in love with a woman he don't really know or maybe he can never have. A very rare woman that he met in one of his race. An angel who helped him without batting an eye in mids of danger.
"You are right Raider. Even though she knew who he was she never intended to use him. But your father did manage to utilize her talent that's why a contract of her marrying to our family was made". Toni never hide anything to his grandchildren. At first they never understand the concept of the contract they made a long time ago but he uses their family motto to utilize it.
"But grandpa what if it didn't work?". Khilla becomes curious. If the results aren't the one they are expecting.
"I thought I raised you by myself to be a real Torrennos. Why are you doubting yourselves today?". He looks at the three of them and shook his head while grinning.
He really did raised the five siblings in his own home away from their mother's grasp. He never liked the woman but he needed a wife for his son who was broken hearted at that time. Margaret DaSilva's family needs a strong backing and he needs another heir and the marriage happens. Through the years he noticed that the woman falls inlove with his son already but his son treats him only in a civil way. His heart is already frozen to the thing called love and it makes Margaret furious. Sometimes she turns her frustration to his sons. That is why Toni took all of them under his wings away from their scheming mother.
- - - - - -
Shin Tower.
Jack and Corbin was busy checking all the reports they had about the Torrennos when Trey came in.
"Grandfather has arrived and he is in our ancestral house. He wants us to send invites to the Torrennos and hold the meeting in our house". As he walks straight to his cousin's location.
"When?".
"Tomorrow night".
"Corbin make some arrangements". Jack was thinking about Azalea. "Whatever happens I won't let anyone take you away from me". He said to himself.
- - - - - -
Hidden Canyon.
"Sir an invitation just arrived". Toni's secretary gave him his notepad to show the invitation.
"I thought the invitation is still written in the paper. The new century is really fascinating nowadays". He is always amazed with the new technology around them. And he noticed how his three grandsons chuckles. "I'm glad I made you laugh. Prepare yourself for tomorrow night we're going to visit an old friend". Toni is grinning with excitement.
Thanks everyone for the support.
Shin ancestral house.
The Torrennos came on time and the Shin Family welcomes them. It's a dinner gathering before the actual meeting.
"How are you Toni?..... You're looking old". A hint of sarcasm is in old Shin's voice.
"You look older than me Tyron. I bet you can't do a bunny hop anymore". The sharp tongue of the old Torrennos is running straight forward too.
The families behind them are just watching while both head of their family are bickering with each other.
"Mr. Torrennos how about we head to the dining hall first to eat. We prepared a sumptuous meal for you and your grandsons". Romina politely invite them. As the head Madam of Shin Family it is her duty to entertain or ushered their guests inside the house.
"How nice of you, young Madam. I think we should enjoy the dinner first". Toni is being grateful to her invitation. He likes the attitude of Romina but still he can tell she is not a weak person.
The table that Romina prepared is enough for two families. Toni and Tyron are facing each other and at their sides are the other part of their families. The meal ended without touching their main topic. The Torrennos thank their host for the delightful dinner and the Shin Madam ushered them all to the main living room.
"Grandpa, that's Azalea what do you think about her?". Khilla simply whispered to his grandfather's ear his question. He can't believed how a simpleton like her win a heart of the great dragon of the east.
Toni Torrennos just simply looked at her. She was wearing a big cardigan, a nerd type eyeglasses and a head bonnet. The corner of his lips curve upwards. She tried to hide herself in a simple facade and only her husband has the right to see her true beauty. Smart and witty girl. This thought came to his mind while looking at Azalea.
"Now let's start". Tyron Shin opens the main topic of Torrennos visit.
"I want to start". Jack already place his cards on the table. "How much do I have to pay you to breach that contract".
"Don't you think you're being disrespectful to my grandfather?". Raider becomes aggressive. He feels like Jack's offer to them makes them a very low class people.
"Do we look like a money grabber to you Mr. Shin?". Khilla is backing up his brother. "You sounded like we are just simply an extortionist who is after your money". He is directly attacking him.
"I am not implying anything. All I want is to breach that contract and pay the fine". He don't want to argue to the young Torrennos but he knows they have the right to speak on their own.
"Young man, the contract was written when blood speaks for money". Toni is giving him a threatening hint.
"Oh c'mon Toni. It's the 21st century. It's not the barbaric time anymore". Tyron knows he is threatening his grandson and from the looks of Jack he is sure he knows it too.
"If everything can be resolved with money why do we need to come here. I can just ask you to pay me instead and send you this contract". Toni is always as calm as a breeze but he is not a pushover and he knows Tyron knows it too.
"May I speak?". Azalea can't keep her own thoughts anymore. She wants to know how the contract began.
"Let my little cosmos say what's on her mind". Tyron lovingly cut their conversation for Azalea.
"My little sunflower, you've grown a lot". Toni shifted his gaze when he heard her and gave her a warm smile like she was his own granddaughter.
Azalea was stunned. She's already used to Tyron Shin calling her little cosmos. But the old Torrennos just calls her sunflower. That's new to her.
"I'm sorry sir, but have we met?". The pet name he gave her sounds very familiar. And she seems to remember the warmth of his smile.
"Yes we did, in Russia. It's a small city called Krasnodar if my memory serves me right. Your grandfather went there with you". He was reminiscing that time. He was also with his oldest grandson that time. "Did you know that you broke my grandson's heart?".
"I did?..... I don't remember him". She said innocently to him.
Toni smiled at her. He can see the innocence in her eyes. "My grandson's name is Ruello. He asked you to be his wife in the future but you told him that you were already have a future husband and you already did a pinky swear to him. He cried back then".
"Oh..... I'm sorry then". Azalea's face turned blushing red. She never thought she's already a heartbreak when she was five.
"Did you see that boy again?". Drako becomes curious. A child love affair is very cute to him.
"She did..... I married her". Jack answered for his wife. He saw Azalea looked at him with questions in her eyes. He just gave her his loving smile and kissed her forehead.
Everyone was shock except for the old Shin. He knows everything that's happening to his beloved grandson and he is not regretting any of his decisions.
"Basically you stole everything that belongs to us". Raider accused Jack directly.
"I don't steal anything because nothing here belongs to the Torrennos!". Jack's voice have a hint of anger. He was directly accused of something he didn't do and he hate that.
"Hush now young men. We didn't come here to fight. We are here to talk about the contract". Toni is calming the hot blooded young men in the room. He knows none of them will back down when they started an argument.
"But grandpa he feels like he is looking down at us". Khilla is referring to Jack and he hates when people looking down at the Torrennos.
"I am not looking down on anyone, I am just protecting what's mine". Jack's firm tone is giving them a vibe of threat.
"But you tried to slap us with your money and what do you call that?". Raider is also giving him a vibe of threat. He is not the type of person who will lower his head to anyone.
"And if it's not money. Do you want to resolve this with blood?". Jack is getting pissed he won't let anyone talked down to him specially in his own house.
"Woah!..... Wait!". Azalea can't believed she's hearing a bloody threat specially to her husband. "My love, can I speak first?". She tried to ease him by embracing his body and looking deep into his eyes. She saw him sigh deeply and kissed her forehead.
The Torrennos who were watching were amazed how she can ease easily the anger in his husband's face. Jack can actually shift his emotions in an instant just by looking at her. They thought he probably loves her that he can give his entire army's life and his life to her.
Azalea felt like she was Helen of Troy and she hates it. She hated the idea of being the center of anyone's attention except for her husband.
"Mr. Torrennos can you please tell me how did my grandfather owes you a marriage?". Azalea is being formal now. She needs to know the truth behind the contract and she will only decide after hearing it.
"Well then, let's start with your mother". He paused and take a deep breath. He wants to tell it the way it truly happened. "Your mother was turning fifteen back then and my son is already in his mid twenties. We've all met in one of our transactions and your mother was present there. She was a Goddess who can captivates every men's heart and one of those man was my son, Gabriel. He falls deeply in love with your mother but she never gave him a chance. Gabriel tried to gave everything to her but she never gave him even a single glance. He was very heart broken and that time I decided to arrange his marriage. Six years later my son already had four sons. Khilla was already two years old and Drako was in her mother's belly when Gabriel found out that your mother is pregnant and was left alone by your father. He came after Celestine but your mother turned him away. By that time Franco and Celestine was the target of almost every Mob in and out of the country. Because your mother have a brain and a planned that helped the Shin's to move higher in the ranks of business and Mafia. Every Mafia wants her to be a part of their family. In order to save her your grandfather agreed to marry her to our family but he knows she will refuse that's why the contract was extended to her future child". Toni was looking deep to Azalea's eyes and tried to read her thoughts.
"The Torrennos were one of the mightiest family back then. The only thing I can do is to hide them using all my resources". Tyron admitted his lack of power back in the days.
Jack was silent. He just found out that they owe the Sherriman a lot. He swore to himself that he will protect his wife till the end.
"How can I break that contract?". Azalea asked Toni directly.
"You can't my dear. The law of our family is also applied in here. We don't break our own law". Toni is starting to get interested in her. She looks very smart.
"May I see the contract?".
Toni's assistant handed her a folder. The papers was already old but still in good shape, it was well kept.
"Do you want a translator?... It was written in Italian language". Toni was waiting for her reply when he saw her starts flipping the contract gently.
Azalea studied the so called contract and found out how detailed it was. Everything that the old Torrennos said was true. It cannot be out ruled nor compensate with money. She closed the folder and handed it back to him.
Their guests were surprised. She looks very smart and can understand what's written in the contract even if it was written in foreign language.
"So, you can read Italian". Toni was delighted that she can actually understand their language.
Jack slightly smirked. They have no idea what she can do and he won't allow them to see it. A selfish thought run to his mind.
"Is your son a lawyer?".
"He studied law".
"I think there's no other way than to agree. But I assure you, I will never divorce my husband. Even if he wants to". She gave them her firmed answer.
Jack was stunned. If his understanding is right it means his wife agreed to something.
"What's happening?". He was frowning at her.
"I need to have a vacation my love. To Europe". She saw a dark aura emerged in her husband's face. He is furious.
"And you think I will allow you to go?". He was suppressing his anger. She already decided without consulting him.
"Yes you will.... Because you trust me". She will talk to him later and she knows her husband will understand her. She needs to talk to Gabriel Torrennos personally.
Jack sigh deeply. He understands what she wants to do. He hugs her and kissed her lips gently in front of everyone. He wants them to know she only belongs to him and he will send havoc to those who will try to claim her from him.
"But we need to go somewhere before she comes with you. We have a developing project we need to see first". He looks at them with his phoenix eyes.
"Sure, we love to come". Raider doesn't trust him at all. He wants to see if he is saying the truth or just making up any excuses.
"Please..... do come". Jack gave him a mischievous grin.
I feel its getting longer and longer...
Haiisssttt....
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