The only time Callista Genovese felt guilt was when her bodyguard was shot in front of her. She had nightmares for days that turned into weeks. Knowing someone had died for you was like committing an unforgivable sin. It eroded her soul and for the first time, she had hated her sparkling life. Eventually, it led her to have a vacation which lasted for three years.

Castor stopped his car in the front doors of the Genovese mansion and waited for her to get out.

The mansion was surrounded by a wide garden. It had no neighbors since the Genovese's owned most of the land area.

NYC used to be filled with countless buildings and sky towers. But after the gang disputes, everything were in ruins. The city's prestige dropped down that almost nobody wanted to buy land.

"Hey, this is your house. Have you forgotten?" He rolled his eyes, pinching her cheeks. "Callista!"

Callista jostled herself from his grasp. "Just wait. I'm composing myself."

"Can you hurry up? It's already evening." Castor inclined back to his seat, arms under his head. He closed his eyes. "I'm fucking beat."

"Don't you want to go inside?" Callista asked. She hoped he would because she wasn't looking forward to facing her father alone.

"No."

"Why not?" She whined this time.

"I'm tired." Castor bent down and searched his glove box. He pulled out a golden necklace with a cross pendant on it. He threw it to her. "I got this from your apartment before I burnt it down."

"You what?"

Castor cleared his throat. "Well, technically it was a gas leak."

"You're preposterous!" Callista grabbed the necklace from him. She stormed out of the car without looking back.

"See you tomorrow, your majesty!"

She ignored Castor's gibes and stood in front of the huge white double doors of the mansion. Callista wore her necklace, gaining courage from it and took a deep breath. She pushed the doors open and found herself once again in the large Venetian foyer.

Callista twirled, scanning the place and remembered the last time she had been here.

✘✘

"Daddy, I want to go!" Callista shouted, dragging her luggage with her.

Caesar Genovese shook his head. His grey eyes were wide with worry. "You're being unreasonable! It was natural for a bodyguard to protect you!"

"No! He wouldn't have gotten shot if I don't have bodyguards in the first place! I hate this life! I hate people following me! I hate people watching what I do!" Her identical grey eyes turned a shade darker. Callista stomped her foot, hoping that she got her point across.

"Caly, for god's sake! You've been kidnapped once! I will not let that happen again!" Her father shouted in return. He placed his hands on his hips. "I will not let you out of my sight!"

"That happened years ago!" Callista let out a long sigh. She muttered softly, "Dad, I'm sorry. I want to go. I need to go."

✘✘

"Caly?"

Callista turned to the source of the sound. Her father stood at the top of the staircase, eyes wide at seeing her. He dashed from the second floor which was very uncanny for the governor of New York. He smothered his daughter with a tight embrace.

"You're back," he said and peeked behind her. "Where are your things?"

"What do you expect from Castor?"

Her father chuckled, straightening his suit jacket. "I'm sorry. I want you here as fast as I can."

Callista followed her father's rapid pace in the living room. She sat on the beige sofa, facing his father on the large pale couch. She crossed her legs, disregarding the fact that she needed to take a bath. "I told you specifically to call me if it's an emergency. This better be worth it, daddy."

The older man shoved the newspaper on the table towards her. His styled hair and clean-shaven face added to the gravity of his words. "This is war, Callista."

Callista's ear perked up with her father's wordings. She snatched the paper from the table and the face of a familiar man immediately jumped to her eyesight. "Franco is getting married?"

"And he's getting married to a Gallo," Caesar added. He clasped his hands together, staring straight at her. "Head of Wall Street's most profitable hedge fund."

"Why are you worried?" Caly's forehead creased.

Caesar bluish grey irises darkened. He loosened his tie and spoke with a heavy tone. "Nicholas Luciano had already asked permission for a full-on assault against the Castellanos. I asked him that I will take care of it."

"Daddy, I don't understand. Is the Gallos that important to tip the balance off?" she asked. Callista waited for her father's reply but it didn't come. Caesar Genovese pursed his lips. "Dad? They just came from Italy!"

"You don't understand Callista. They're a foreign invader. For the Lucianos, that's already a broken rule." Caesar eyed his daughter in earnest. "I want you to stop this wedding."

"What?" Callista shot up from the sofa. Her eyes widened, her eyebrows scrunching with disdain.

"Caly, I want to avoid a bloodbath on this state between these two families," Caesar muttered with a firm tone, glancing at his daughter. He stood up, hands on his pocket and the stature of a politician. "I want you to do it quietly."

"And I'm perfect for that?" she growled. Callista yanked at her dark tresses while she frantically paced the living room.

"You're my heir. Of course, it has to be you!" Caesar gazed at his daughter's eyes and grabbed her hand. "Callista, this job has been in our family for years. It's true that my great-grandfather benefited with a lot of money by looking the other way. But I'm not like the persons who came before me."

"And you're not like them either," he smiled, cupping her cheek against his right palm. "We don't look the other way."

"Daddy, I'm sorry." Callista put her hand over her father's. She bit her lip, looking down and blinked the tears away. She met his eyes and saw the exhaustion lines on his face. Deep down, she knew she couldn't leave again. "I'm sorry for running away and leaving you alone. With this crap."

"It's okay, princess. You're here now." Her father smiled.

Caly's heart was in turmoil. She hated it when people get hurt because of her. But truth be told, she would do anything if it meant protecting her family. The lengths she would go through for her family terrified the hell out of her.

✘✘

Callista jogged down the stairs from her room in complete running attire. She wasn't out of the double doors yet when her bodyguard emerged from the left wing.

"Miss, where are you going?" Thomas Wilson had a steaming coffee on his left hand. He wore a black suit that was tailored to his form, eyes crinkling from his smile.

"Thomas!" Callista exclaimed in a high-pitched tone and faced him with a massive fake smile. "Aren't you supposed to be in a coffin?"

Thomas laughed, obviously used to the biting remarks that his boss makes. He had been in the family for most of his life and he wasn't planning on leaving soon. "I'll go with you!"

"Oh, no. Just finish your coffee." She waved him off with her hands.

"Miss, my orders are–

"Fine! Follow me if you can." Callista put her wireless headphones on and went out of the house. Dua Lipa's hits blared in her ears. She walked towards the park before she felt Thomas' presence trailing behind her.

She rolled her eyes and began to run.

The conversation she had with her father had her thinking. It was true that New York City was more peaceful than it was years ago. Most of the murder occurred when outsiders attempt to start their business on either the Luciano's or the Castellano's territories.

In fact, almost half of the boroughs' big establishments were owned by either of the two families. It was an apt term to say that they've already monopolized New York's economy.

Even the police department was complacent to the system. Nobody dared to enter New York anymore.

The city wasn't back to its former glory but Callista was certain that another war was bad news for everybody.

Caly ran two laps, enjoying the high that every runner got. She slowed her pace, knowing that she had lost Thomas already. She shut the music and let the morning sun washed over her skin. Her eyes moved over the green of the park, the barking dogs, and the rush of people.

From a distance, she saw a familiar tall form. Caly halted and trotted closer the stranger. She narrowed her eyes to confirm her suspicions and she was right.

It was Franco Castellano.

He stood by the sidelines, surveying the dozens of people scurrying the park. The pristine white suit fit his body well, making Callista think that it was custom-made for him. He glanced at his gold watch, satisfied with what he saw, he resumed watching the sight before his eyes.

Caly parted her mouth in awe with the way the sun glittered against the man's fair hair. His physique and the air of importance that enshrouded him reminded Callista too much of the Greek god of the sun, Apollo.

She meandered her way to him. "Franco."

Franco swiveled his head to her. His blue eyes scanned Callista from top to bottom before his aloof stare lingered on her face. "Who are you?"

Caly scoffed, disregarding the sleekness of his voice. "You don't know me?"

Franco lifted his chin up, revealing the sharpness of his jaw. His long lashes fluttered and recognition colored his irises. "Did we have sex together?"

"What?" Callista growled in astonishment. She was confused if Franco was playing around or if he had really forgotten. They went to the same high school so the latter seemed impossible.

"On the other hand, I don't think you would have approached me so casually if you didn't know who I am." Franco slanted his head to the right. Some of his blonde hair fell over his forehead. "Only two persons can do that to me. So, unless Blackjack had a sex change, you are Callista Genovese, am I right?"

Caly crossed her arms. "We went to St. Clement together."

Franco twisted his whole body to face her. He put his hands on the pockets of his trousers, eyebrows drawn together. "I'm sorry for forgetting you. You're not memorable."

This fucker, Callista grinned, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. Her pewter colored eyes sharpened as she scratched at his angelic face using a loud slap.

Franco's hand darted to his stinging jaw. His eyes were wide with shock as he gazed back at Caly. Her nails had made two definite red marks on his left cheek.

"Now every time you look in the mirror, you'll remember me," Callista smirked. The raging fire in her heart utterly mollified with the blood she drew. "How's that for memorable?"

Franco Castellano's ocean blue eyes narrowed in hatred. "If this leaves a scar, I'm going to kill you."

"Oh, you can try, pretty angel," she glared in return.

✘✘

i update this in time with EM to make sure I won't bail out and not write. lol.

hope you like this chapter.

what do you think about franco?

don't forget to show your support using votes and comments.

✘✘, lucci