After coming back home, Enzo went to his bedroom to try his game. It was maybe a collectible item for most people, but for him, it was something to try, not to put on exposition on a shelf. Davide didn't want to stay alone in the house, so he went to join Gianni and Vito at the MMA Club.

The dinner time arrived in the calm of the house. Even if Enzo was immerged in his game, he thought about Suki and that she was probably left alone with Davide, so he stopped his game to see her. He went downstairs but there was no one in the living room. He tried the library, but she was not there either.

He went back upstairs and checked the little girl bedroom. He lightly knocked at the door and entered. He found Suki deeply asleep. He didn't want to wake her up, so he silently closed the door. He thought that she must have been tired because of the event they went to, so even if she hadn't had dinner, he let her sleep. He went back downstairs and took one of the meal prepared in advance by Chef Aldo.

It was 9.30pm when Gabriel and Gianni came back home. Enzo was in the kitchen, looking for some snack for his night games' session.

Gabriel: Enzo...

Enzo: Guys... you're back. You seem exhausted!

Gabriel: Yes, it was a long day. You are alone?

Enzo: I don't know where everyone went but Suki is already asleep, without having dinner. I think our little outgoing was too tiring for her, so I let her sleep.

Gabriel: Yes... (He was staring at Dante.)... unfortunately, she must have been already tired before that.

Dante: I'm going to shower...

Dante quickly disappeared. He already had a talk with his father then with Gabriel in the car on their way back after a long day, where the eldest showed a cold attitude. Now, the only thing he wanted was a long and hot shower, something to eat and sleep. He still hadn't talk with Suki, but as she was asleep, it would have to wait.

Gabriel asked his little brother how was Suki during the day and Enzo said that he often found her a bit down. He noticed that she seemed more sensitive, and he did his best to change her mood. He also said that she had some fun at the end of the day.

Enzo: I am sure that when Dante and Suki will clear the misunderstanding, she will feel better. Because despite how bad he treated her when she joined our family, I know that she is attached to him, just like at all of us... even my idiot of twin or Vito.

Gabriel: I hope that it is only that. Anyway, thank you for taking time with your little sister.

Enzo: It is not something you have to thank me for, brother... in fact, it's weird when you do. (Gabriel smiled for the first time today.)

Gabriel: I should take a shower too.

Enzo: Okay, if you need me, I'm in my room, so text me!

Gabriel: You can fully enjoy your evening... or your night... I guess you will not go to sleep before the sun goes up... as usual...

The two brothers headed upstairs, and they separated in the corridor, having their bedrooms in opposite direction. After a shower, and wearing comfortable clothes, Gabriel came out of his room and found Dante, standing in front of Suki's bedroom door.

Gabriel: Dante, what are you doing here?

Dante: I wanted to check if she was still asleep or not.

Gabriel: It is almost 10.00pm, she will not wake up until tomorrow morning now. You can talk to her tomorrow.

Dante: Hum... want to share a drink?

Gabriel: I don't know, do you plan to barge in someone's room in the middle of the night after that?

Dante: Ishould be able to handle one can of beer...

The two brothers shared a dinner, and Dante was content with only one beer. They only talked about their businesses. It was not necessary to have another lecture on how to be a good brother. Salvatore came back before midnight, after having dinner with Zhang.

Gabriel: So? How was your dinner with Mr Zhang?

Salvatore: Pretty well, as usual. He has a new business opportunity through his brother-in-law in Canada. They will visit New-York next weekend and invite our family to meet them during a reception.

Gabriel: If you think that it is interesting for our clan, we will go.

Dante: When you say our family, you include... her?

Salvatore: I don't know yet. It is an option. I trust Zhang and he already knows about Suki.

Gabriel: I am not sure that she is ready for that kind of event, but you are the one to decide.

Salvatore: Zhang said that it will be a small reception and there would be his nephews and nieces that are about the same age as Suki. It could be good for her to socialize a little, but of course, only if she is willing to go with us. Anyway, we have the time to talk about that later. Do you know if Suki spent a good day with the twins?

Gabriel: We should maybe give her a bit more attention for few days. He found her not at her best and she fell asleep without having dinner.

Salvatore: Okay. She worked a lot to prepare for the concert and unfortunately, it didn't end well because of that stupid jerk... and someone else... (He stared at Dante.) ... it's good that Enzo took her out today, but I agree that she should spend more time to have fun. I will think about something.

Gabriel: I like that she is a calm child but maybe too calm sometimes.

Dante: It's not only sometimes...

Salvatore: Let's help her to open up more without turning her to a girl like you... Dante!

Dante: Ouch... personal attack, but that's fine, I can accept that.

Salvatore: (He checked his watch.) I'm going to sleep; it was a long day. Dante, make sure to lock your room tonight. If I see you wandering in the house like last night, I may shoot you by mistake!

Dante: Good night to you too! (Salvatore left.) I'm still on is black list!

Gabriel: I find him pretty calm with you.

Dante: In fact, he is in a better mood than this morning... he maybe not only saw Zhang tonight... who knows, maybe find a woman...

Gabriel: I don't know, but it is his private life.

Dante: Yeah, private life,... As long as he doesn't bring to us a bit** like that Valentina...

Gabriel: (He smirked.) I agree with you on this!

Dante: Speaking about women, you and Miss Paris... there is a lot of... tensions between the two of you... I would say animal's tension... don't you think that you should... you know... taste each others' one more time, just to be sure...

Gabriel: (He glared at him.) Didn't we already have that conversation? There is nothing left between us. I don't need to sleep with her one more time to know that. To be honest, I don't think that we ever were on the same level of affection, and we were definitively not waiting the same thing of that relationship.

Dante: You didn't love her, but she was madly in love with you and had already imagined your future life together, I get it... best thing to do to make a man run away...

Gabriel: Kind of... so now, forget about that story, it's in the past!

The two brothers changed the topic of their discussion and after one hour, they separated to their respective rooms.

The next morning, Suki woke up with little eyes. She took her shower and wore a black pant and a cute long white shirt. She opened her door and went downstairs without a sound. When she was about to enter the kitchen and smiled when she saw her father. He was not facing her, and she was surprised when he talked to her.

Salvatore: Good morning, Suki. (He turned himself with a smile.) Did you sleep well? You must be hungry, I heard that you skip dinner last night. Have a seat, I tried to prepare pancakes... but I'm not sure of their taste...

Suki: (She entered and sat at the kitchen counter.) Good morning, Otô-san... but how did you know that I was there?

Salvatore: Father's instinct we can say. (He served her.)

Suki: Thank you... are you not eating too?

Salvatore: Are you afraid that it is not eatable, and you want me to taste it first?

Suki: (She was mumbling.) Ah... no...... never... just, if you didn't eat yet... but if you are not hungry...

Salvatore: (He interrupted her by a loud laugh.) Ahahah... oh gosh... sweetheart, you are too cute... I hadn't laughed like that since a while... I get now why some of your brothers like to tease you... (She stared at him, frowning that even her father found funny to tease her.) Okay, okay, sorry... (He sat in front of her.)... I will eat one, to see if I should stay far from the cooker in the future.

Suki: (She ate a piece.) It is different, but it's good.

Salvatore: Hum... it's not bad but far from Aldo's ones.

Suki: (She smiled.) Mr Aldo is a Chef...

Salvatore: And I guess your father is not! (He served her a glass of orange juice and took a sip of his coffee.) Does my daughter have something plan for today?

Suki: No... I went out with Enzo yesterday already.

Salvatore: You know that you can go out everyday, even more on weekend like today. There is a lot of things to discover in the city.

Suki: I don't know...

Salvatore: If you don't know, would you give me some of your time today? I wanted to do something since a long time and today is a good occasion to do it.

Suki: I will not bother you?

Salvatore: You never bother me, Suki. You are my dear daughter. Your brothers often bother me... but don't repeat that to them...

Suki chuckled and cover her mouth full of pancakes with her hand. Salvatore was glad to see her like that and naturally smile too.

Salvatore: It's agreed. The time to make a quick call and let's depart in 30 minutes! (She nodded with a smile.) A father/daughter day is exactly what I need today.

Salvatore stayed with Suki until she finished her breakfast. Then, she went back to her bedroom to adjust her outfit and take her phone and a little bag. Salvatore, him, confirmed his appointment.

For once, Salvatore had opted for a more casual outfit. A black pant and a simple black sweater. He seemed kind of younger wearing that all black look, probably his goal while he was planning to hang out with his 11 years old daughter.

They got in the black van waiting for them with a driver and a bodyguard. A second car will follow, as usual, at a safe distance. They were leaving the property when the 3 oldest brothers were coming back from their morning jog. Gabrielquestioned one of the entry gate guards.

Gabriel: Do you know where my Father went?

Guard: Mr Smith left with Miss Smith for the day. He didn't precise where they were going. Sorry, Sir.

Gianni: The old man probably has in mind to buy her things at the mall... or something like that.

Dante: Why that kid, who never goes out of that damn house, is specifically so busy when I need to talk to her?!

Gabriel: You will have more time to find the good words to talk to her!

On Suki's side, she was wondering where her father had planned to go. She was looking by the window, and they were going to a part of the city she never went before. After 30 minutes, the car stopped in a street with old buildings but with a lot of stores on the ground floor, with flashy neon. The bodyguard got out and opened the back door for Salvatore.

Salvatore: Here we are. Ready? (He offered his hand to help her.)

Suki: (She looked everywhere.) This is where you wanted to go?

Salvatore: Yes, I called an old acquaintance of mine that I didn't see since a long time, and he was pretty impatient to see me.

Suki: You don't prefer to see your friend alone?

Salvatore: As you are the main reason for us to see each other again, I think it's more meaningful for you to be here. Let's go inside.

Suki closely followed her father to the building. There was not elevator, and they had to climb to the third and last floor. After hesitating few seconds, Salvatore took Suki's hand, and she was holding him tightly. He liked that she was counting on him.

One of Salvatore's bodyguard was walking ahead and when they reached the last floor, he knocked at a door who hadn't any information visible about the business they were doing inside.

A man in his sixties opened the door and smiled when he noticed Salvatore. He opened his arms to hug his old friend, so Suki's father let go of her hand to hug him. The little girl was silently observing, seeing her father in a new way.

Alessandro: Salvatore... how long has it been? I thought that you forgot about your old friend!

Salvatore: How could I? I have traces of your work all over my body!

Alessandro: Please, get in first, I have a good wine that my brother sent me from the village, just for you! (He got back inside.) So... she is your daughter? The Smith little Princess!

Salvatore: Yes, ... (He put his hand in her back to make her step ahead.)... Suki, that man is Alessandro, a friend of our family from the Italian side. His family and ours come from the same village.

Suki: (She bowed a little with a shy smile.) Nice to meet you, Mr Alessandro.

Alessandro: Nice to meet you too Miss Suki, but you can just call me Alessandro, like all your brothers do.

Salvatore: My dear daughter is quieter than her brothers. Suki, please, feel at ease here. Alessandro is someone you can trust.

Alessandro: At least, enough to let me tattoo you!

Salvatore: Me but my sons too!

Alessandro: And who knows, maybe one day, that young lady would like to receive one of my creation. (Suki looked at him with her beautiful eyes.) You must be proud to have such a beautiful daughter... and a lot of worries too...

Salvatore: Let's focus on what we are here for today!

Alessandro: Sure, have a seat. So, let me see your back, it's been a while, I have to check the state of your skin... you're not a young man anymore... (Salvatore stood up and took off his sweater.)

Suki: Otô-san... you... are going to get tattoo??

Salvatore chuckled at his daughter surprised expression. Alessandro smiled, glad to see his friend so happy after so long of showing a smile in appearance only.

Salvatore: Yes, it's time... in fact, I should have done that few months ago. I told you; you are the main reason of that tattoo today. Just like I have the date of birth of your brothers on my back, I have to add yours, and today is the day that we are doing it!

Suki: Really?

Salvatore: Really. And I need you for something else. I want to have your name in Japanese written next to your date of birth.

Alessandro: Oh,... interesting... sit, turn yourself and show me your back... (Salvatore sat.)... Let me see how we will do that!

Suki was standing near Alessandro, staring at her father's back, intrigued by the tattoos that she was seeing for the first time. On the right side of his back, Salvatore had a realistic piece of arts tattooed. He was observing Suki through one of the standing mirrors.

Salvatore: Suki... you seem curious...

Suki: I didn't know that you have so many tattoos... it's beautiful... can... I touch it?

Salvatore: Of course you can. (He smiled.)

Suki: (She delicately touched his back.) Did it hurt a lot? (She looked at Alessandro.) Mr Alessandro, is it you who tattooed Father?

Alessandro: Yes, it is my work. You like it? (She nodded with a big smile.) Thank you. I will give you a special paper to write your name on it, it will be used as transfer.

Suki: Okay... I hope to do it correctly...

Alessandro: Just write it naturally... or we can do it directly on your dad's back!

Suki: I can not do that.

Alessandro: There is even parents that let their children tattoo on them directly, with or without the tattoo artist's help.

Salvatore: We can really do that? I love that idea! It's so meaningful!

Alessandro: Okay, let's do that!

Suki: What? I can't do that! (She blushed.)

Salvatore: I am sure that with Alessandro's help, you can do it.

Suki: Otô-san... you are not seriously thinking about doing that!

Salvatore: No, I seriously think that it's a great idea.

Alessandro: So, you're decided? I can start to work?

Salvatore: Yes, please.

Alessandro prepared all his materials, then, he asked Salvatore to sat at the tattoo chair. Suki was really not convinced by his father's idea, and she was stressing a bit at the importance of the act she had to do. Right now, she really thought that her father was crazy.

The artist was fast to tattoo the date of birth of the little girl on Salvatore's back, just under Vito's one. When he was done, he looked at the little girl that shook her head, but he smiled and made her hold the tattoo machine. It was a portable one, very light.

Alessandro took out from a cupboard a fake arm, used for apprentice tattooer. He made the little girl try the machine on it and after few minutes, he held her hand while they started to tattoo Salvatore.

Salvatore was watching his daughter tattooing him, again through the mirror and he was proud of her. He had exchanged a gaze with the bodyguard who understood that his boss was asking him to record everything, thing that the man did discreetly with his phone.

As Suki didn't want to hurt her father or do something wrong, she was really focused and precautious. She couldn't understand how her father could trust her to do something so important and more of everything, that couldn't be undone easily.

Alessandro: You're doing well...

Suki: (She lifted her hand a little and looked at Alessandro.) I'm done.

Alessandro: Let me check... You did a great job, let me take a photo of the first work of my future disciple.

Suki: It's you, Mr Alessandro, who did that by holding my hand.

Alessandro: I guided you, but you were holding the machine and traced your name on your dad's skin. (He took the photo.) Salvatore?

Salvatore: (He looked at the picture.) Perfect! Thank you, Al. (He smiled to Suki.) My daughter is definitively skilled in everything!

Suki blushed a lot at her father's words. She hadn't noticed but her hand was trembling a little. Alessandro took back the machine.

Alessandro: Let me take that for you... but I agree that she handled it well, even more when you see how she managed to trace neatly when I see how her little hand is shaking now.

Suki: It was really scary.. I can't believe you make me do that... Thank you Mr Alessandro for you help.

Alessandro: Your dad wanted a special gift from you and I'm glad to have been able to help realizing it. If one day, you want to get a tattoo, you will have to come to me.

Suki: (She nodded.)... but doesn't it hurt a lot? Otô-san, you didn't move or even frowned... Gianni said that it hurts a lot.

Salvatore: It was really not painful; your father is a strong man, and I think your brother was just teasing you.

Alessandro: Depending on each one and on the area tattooed, it can seem like a tickles or hurt a lot, but let's keep that for later.

Suki asked with a little voice if she could take a photo too and after doing it, Alessandro did the care before putting a temporary bandage on the tattoo to protect it.

Alessandro: It's too soon I guess to open the wine bottle, but we can have coffee.

Salvatore: Yes, it's better. Alfredo still has his café?

Alessandro: Alfredo will die in his café. Hopefully, even if he sometimes mumbles like an old folk, his coffee is still the best!

The trio left the tattoo studio and crossed the road to enter a café two doors away. When they entered, everyone looked at them, then an old and small man stood in front of Salvatore.

Alfredo: Isn't it that brat of Salvatore Smith? (He frowned.) Where is your father, I need to tell him how his son acts like a thug!

Salvatore: (He smiled.) Yeah... but Father is busy now, next time I will bring him here with me.

Alessandro: (He murmured.) I told you; he is losing his head...

Suki looked at her father with interrogation. She knew that her grandfather had passed away a long time ago. Salvatore felt his daughter's gaze, he looked at her and winked.

Alfredo: Little brat, who is that cute little girl?

Salvatore: She is my youngest, Suki. Suki, this is Alfredo, the best barista of the city. (She smiled to the grandpa.)

Alfredo: Ah, that's why she has the same eyes of yours... she couldn't be Gabriel's daughter... he is only 15 after all!

Alessandro: Alfredo, why don't you prepare for us your magical beverage... and a hot chocolate for the little Princess.

Alfredo: Those brats... (He left while mumbling.)

Salvatore: Gabriel, 15, he would be shocked to see him now... (They sat and Suki looked everywhere, there was a lot of things from the past.) Alfredo is becoming old, and his memory is playing with him. But at that age, it's better to go in their way.

Suki: I understand... Mr Alfredo was scolding you like you were a teenager... and you let him do...

Few minutes later, a waiter brought the drinks to Salvatore's table and the two Italian men talked about the past. Suki was quietly listening, learning a lot of things about her father's youth.

In her eyes, Salvatore saw interest and respect. Her smile was the best reward for him. His will to change her mood seemed to work. They spent on hour there, Alfredo joining them few minutes before some other old men came to greet Salvatore.

They all congratulated him to have such a beautiful daughter. The little girl was embarrassed, but her father was proud. Taken by the ambiance, they ended eating in the pizzeria next door. It wasn't plan but Salvatore couldn't say no. Suki liked that parenthesis in time. It was way different from what she was used to do.

In the middle of the afternoon, Salvatore thanked everyone. He had spent enough time in the neighborhood and wanted to do something else with his daughter. Suki thanked everyone for the welcome. They were on the car, heading to a mall when Salvatore asked her how she was feeling.

Salvatore: Are you not regretting spending your day with your father?

Suki: Never!... (She blushed.)... I mean, I know that you are busy with your work, but I am happy to be with you today... and also to have learn so much about you... and the tattoo too... you have my name on your back... it seems unreal.

Salvatore: It was important for me; you are my only daughter. There is nothing I am not able to do for you.

Driver-Alaric: Sir, we arrived.

Salvatore: Thank you, Alaric. Suki, let's go do some shopping.

Suki: You need to buy something?

Salvatore: Not for me, but for you.

Suki: But I don't need anything... and you even offered me a beautiful necklace 2 days ago!

Salvatore: It was to congratulate you for your hard work for the concert. Today, we can just do shopping like any family does on Sunday.

Suki: Okay... but you are not going to buy the entire mall!

Salvatore: No, only if you find something that you want, alright?

Suki gave a suspicious gaze to her father, and he answered with a big smile. They spent around two hours in the mall, Salvatore bought two ties that Suki chose for him. But the head of the family couldn't leave the mall without buying something for his daughter. Suki agreed to let her father buy piano's partitions for her and she had to drag him out of the store, before he bought everything possible, making smile the bodyguards.

In the car in the drive back home, the little girl was already looking at her new partitions. It was already dinner time when they entered the house, and they were welcome by everyone's gaze.

Salvatore: You are all here... were you waiting for us?

Gabriel: We only thought about having dinner all together. Did the two of you have a good day?

Salvatore: Yes, excellent. Suki, do you want to refresh yourself before?

Suki: Yes, please, I will be quick.

Salvatore: Take your time. (He patted her head, and she smiled.)

Suki felt the heavy gaze of some of her brothers and particularly one that she avoided while crossing the living room to head upstairs.

Gabriel: So... how is she doing?

Salvatore: Way better, I think. We had a wonderful day.

Gianni: She seems relaxed... What did you do with her?

Salvatore: We took time to enjoy a cup of coffee, talk about the family, some shopping after having lunch... normal things.

Davide: Taking time on your busy schedule to play the good dad... she really makes you do anything...

Salvatore: I am not playing Davide, but I can take time for you whenever you want. What did you plan for dinner?

Enzo: Aldo came and prepared a lot of different things.

Salvatore: Great. I'm going to shower quickly. (He went upstairs.)

Vito: Sometimes, I don't recognize Dad...

Davide: Me neither... but he is also cooler, in a way...

Gabriel: Dante... where are you going?

Dante:Talking to the kid... or she will continue to avoid me!