Danilo: Nice to meet you, little Suki... (He had a natural smile.)

Suki: Ah... nice to meet you too... and sorry, for my reaction...

Vito: Dad knows that you are here? Did you stop at home?

Danilo: Yes, I saw Grandma Gina and came here, I was eager to see her!

Vito: (He grimaced.) Her? Nothing interesting...

Danilo: Nothing interesting? Bro', you were gifted of a little sister, really cute with that, and you're saying it's not interesting? You are not the younger one anymore, isn't it great?!

Vito: (He stared at Suki and rolled his eyes.) Annoying, bothering, that's the only words that come to my mind... (He looked behind Danilo.) You took my car?!

Danilo: Grandma told me to use it... (He smirked.)... because you are apparently not mature enough to drive a car!

Vito: Fu** you! I'm still a year older than you! Don't forget that!

Danilo: A year? Barely few months, I'm 18 too!

Suki was watching in silence the scene in front of her. That young man, Danilo, was her cousin from her grandmother's family and very different.

Vito: Eh... go to the car, I'm leaving with him!

Danilo: She can come with us.

Vito: (He glared at Suki.) Go! (She didn't waste time and ran to the car.)

Danilo: Vito... you're rude with her.

Vito: (He stole the car keys of Danilo's hand.) I'm just myself! Let's go!

Danilo: (He followed him.) By the way... what did you do to be punished?

Vito: (He got in the car.) I've got an E to my exam!

Danilo: Yeah, sure... what a sin...

Vito: Did you come alone? How long are you staying?

Danilo: My parents were busy with the vines acquisition and as Dominico had business to do at New York, I accompany him for few days of holidays. He is probably with Gabriel and Dante right now.

Vito: So... everyone knows about her?

Danilo: We don't know much because your father kept everything secret, but the entire family knows that now, Salvatore Smith has a daughter that he cherishes more than anything. (He stared at his cousin few seconds.)... I'm maybe imagining things, but it seems that you don't really like her... I'm wrong, right?

Vito: No, you're not...

Danilo: What? You're not serious?!

Vito: Why not? Who says that I have to like her?

Danilo: Dude... she is your little sister...

Vito: Half... and that half part is the most important thing...

Danilo: (He was astonished by the young man's words.)Vito...

Vito was driving with a serious expression, so Danilo decided to not question him anymore about the little girl. He didn't understand him, but he also didn't want to argue with him without knowing the whole story. Vito put music to avoid an embarrassing silence.

After Suki got in the car with her bodyguard, she immediately texted Gabriel to tell him that Danilo showed up at her school.

The eldest son of the family told her that she will be properly introduced to the two Accardo brothers when coming home. They were there with their Father and Grandmother. She didn't know how, but Vito's car arrived before hers. She felt Danilo's gaze on her and when she looked at him, he looked away.

The trio entered the house in silence. Vito's attitude changed when he went to greet his older cousin. He hugged him and exchanged some words in Italian with him. Danilo sat on the couch next to Dante. Salvatore embraced his daughter and kept his arm around her shoulders to introduce her to the two brothers.

Salvatore: Suki, let me introduce you to your cousins. This is Dominico Accardo, he is 28, one year younger than Gabriel and Danilo Accardo, he just turned 18, you saw him in front of your school because he went to pick up Vito. They live in Italy and are there for few days. They are my closest cousin's sons.

Suki: Nice to meet you, I'm Suki Tanaka-Smith, 11 years old. (She politely bowed.)

Dominico: Nice to meet you. (He had a neutral expression.)

Danilo: Nice to formally meet you. (Suki shyly smiled to him.)

Mrs Smith: Boys, be nice with our little girl. (She stood up and checked her phone.) I have a dinner in town tonight, so I have to go.

Dante: With that man?

Mrs Smith: Yes, I'm meeting my friend, is it a problem, Dante?

Dante: Shouldn't we meet him?

Mrs Smith: Not for now. (She smiled.) Have a good dinner, I will see you later. (She left, Michael waiting with the car outside.)

Gabriel: Everything went well at school? Vito, nothing to report?

Vito: A long and boring day, otherwise, everything's fine.

Suki: (She shook her head.) I'm going to change myself.

Suki went upstairs first, and Vito followed two minutes later.

******************************************************

Downstairs, the men talked about the business in Italy, then, Salvatore and Gabriel had to go to the meeting room in the wood house in the garden for a call with Zhang.

Dante: Nonna is acting like a teenage girl... do you know anything about that man? Did you meet him while they were in Italy?

Dominico: Not personally. Grandfather tried to talk with her, but you know how she is, he didn't want to argue with her. But I know that they checked his background and that he doesn't seem suspicious.

Dante: Hum... my Dad said the same... women... such troubles...

Danilo: Dante, how things are going with a new little sister at home?

Dante: Very different... Most of the time, a reason to have headache!

Dominico: She is a little pest? A spoiled girl?

Dante: Quite the opposite... and that's the problem... an easy target. Too kind, too naïve... and too small too!

Danilo: Ah... so you don't like her too...

Dante: That's not what I said. Why do you conclude that?

Danilo was not comfortable to tell him now. He didn't want to put Vito in troubles, but his brother's stare pushed him to talk.

Danilo: Well... I found him a bit tough with her and he said he didn't like her...

Dominico: It's their business as siblings, don't meddle into it.

Danilo: But... not liking her just because they are only half sibling, it's too much! Sorry, but I was a bit shocked when he said that.

Dante: (He shook his head.) That brat will never understand!

Dante had his fists clenched and looked down few seconds to calm down. He only looked ahead when Dominico stood up in silence and walked toward the corridor. The young man stopped and stared at something, or someone with a serious gaze.

Suki was there, back from her bedroom, freshly showered and changed in comfortable clothes. She looked at Dominico with pinky cheeks and shining eyes. She was embarrassed and seemed sad.

Suki: Sorry, Sir... I... I'm going to the kitchen... (She quickly left while looking down to hide her face.)

Dante: (He saw the little girl passing.) Fu**...

Danilo: Damn... you think that she heard me?

Dominico: I think they both heard you, right, Vito?

Vito: (He stepped ahead.) Yes... (He entered the living room.) Danilo, you don't know when to shut up?!

Danilo: Sorry...

Dante: You should be the one to shut that damn mouth of yours! If Dad kills you tonight, don't cry like a little kid!

Dominico had followed the little girl to the kitchen. He was curious of her reaction. He had clearly saw that she was hurt to hear Danilo repeating the words of her brother, but she tried to hide her pain behind a fake smile. For him, anyone could have guessed her real feelings and only an idiot would have believed her poor show. Suki had entered the kitchen, and she was preparing a cup of tea.

Dominico: Can I have one cup too?

Suki: (She startled at this not yet familiar voice and didn't turn to face him.) Yes, sure... do you want sugar or milk with, Sir?

Dominico: Why do you call me Sir? Your Father introduced me as Dominico, you should call me that, nothing else.

Suki: Yes... sorry... (She put the cup of tea on the central island.)

Dominico: Thank you. (She gave him the same sad smile and turned her back to put everything away.)

Dante: (He entered.) Kid... are you okay?

Suki: Hum... (She didn't want to face him.)

Dante: Lookat me and answer with real words!

Suki knew that if Dante looked at her with his piercing stare, he would read in her like in an open book. She didn't want another drama with Vito because of her. He didn't like her because they were half-siblings, and it was something that would never change. So, it was useless to try to do anything to change something out of her control. She just wanted to leave that room quickly to be alone.

Suki: Sorry... I have homework to do... (She tried to quickly leave but Dante grabbed the back of her sweatshirt, making fall the cup of hot tea that she was holding .) Ahhhh...

Dante: Do you think that I will let you go like this?

Dominico: (He stood up with hurry and bent in front of Suki.) Hey... Fu**! (He dragged her to the sink and put her hand under cold water.)

Dante: What... what's going on?! (He saw Suki flinching.)

Dominico: She burnt herself with hot tea... well, it's your fault in fact!

Suki: I... am fine, it's nothing... (She let escape tears that she tried to quickly wipe with the back of her left hand.)

Dante: Fu**!!! Let's go to the hospital!

Suki: It's nothing... it was not that hot... (She looked at Dominico with red pleading eyes.)

Dante: Stop minimizing everything, damn it!

Dominico: It's going to be a little bit red for few hours, but I don't think that it is a serious burn. (He looked at Dante.) You must have a pomade for that?

Dante: Are you sure that it's enough?

Dominico: Yes, but if you prefer a doctor's opinion...

Suki: No, please... I have a pomade that can help... (The two men stared at her and Dante showed anger and worries.)

Dante: Dad will kill me if you are seriously burnt!

Suki: I won't tell anything...

Dante: That's not the point! What do you take me for?!! Seriously!!

Suki: (She startled.) I want to go to my room!

Dante: No! You're not going to hide in your bedroom! I told you to stop letting those brats being jerk with you!

Suki: It'suseless..., I don't want to force anyone to accept me!

Dominico: Dante, you should let your Father deal with the situation. That kid doesn't seem ready to listen to you.

Dante: Suki... what do you want me to do? Tell everything to Dad? Kick Vito's ass? Do as if I don't know anything?!

Suki: Yes, that... excuse me... (She left under the two men gaze.)

Dominico: Having a little girl in the house seems more troublesome than having younger brothers...

Dante: (He picked up the cup on the floor and threw it in the sinker.) Clearly! (He cleaned the liquid.) That stupid girl!

Dominico went back to the living room with his cup of tea, letting Dante in the kitchen finishing to clean but more of that, calming down. Vito was there with Danilo and even if the young man was showing an unbothered attitude, Dominico could tell that he was annoyed. His own younger brother was uncomfortable and seemed glad that his older brother was back.

Few minutes later, the twins were back and surprised to see their cousins at home. They talked briefly before heading upstairs.

A bit earlier, upstairs, Suki stopped by her bathroom to clean her face and erase traces of her tears that came out while running to her bedroom. Even if she knew that Vito never accepted her as his little sister, confirming it to his cousin was humiliating for her.

She thought that it would do as always, ignore her or mock her, but not openly state the reason of his hate for her.

How could she face Dominico and Danilo after that. The eldest one seemed already not easy to talk too, with a strong and cold aura, but what if, he was thinking the same about her? That he refuted her belonging to the Smith family!

She didn't know why she was so affected by Vito's words or maybe it was because receiving her grandmother acknowledge few days before made her so happy, that this new rejection was hard to digest; one step ahead, 3 steps back!

She laid under her blanket with her phone and her earphones. She opted for a piano songs' playlist and closed her eyes while hugging her favorite plush. She was not hungry and only wanted to rest, quietly.

When Salvatore and Gabriel came back from their meeting with Zhang, the head of the family thought to find his daughter in the living room with her brothers, trying to know more about her cousins. When he asked Dante, the young man avoided the question, only saying that she was in her bedroom.

Enzo: She must be shy to meet two new members of the family.

Salvatore: Please go tell her to come down to have dinner. (Enzo nodded and left.)

Dominico: Gianni is not joining us?

Davide: No, he is stuck at his Club, he organized two women fights tonight. You want to go and watch?

Dominico: No, thank you, it's not really the type of entertainment that I appreciate.

Danilo: I'mnot against going... I'm curious.

Upstairs, Enzo knocked at his little sister's door and entered even if he hadn't received an answer. There was only the bed table light on.

Enzo approached in silence and guessed that the little girl was sleeping. He hesitated few seconds and preferred to not wake up her. He joined everyone downstairs; they were already in the dining room.

Enzo: Dad... Suki is already sleeping. I didn't dare to wake up her.

Salvatore: I don't like that she goes to sleep without having dinner, but she was probably tired.

Dante: (He checked his phone.) I'm not hungry and I have something to do. Goodnight. (He left with a cold expression.)

Enzo: Is it me or Dante seemed angry.

Danilo: (He quickly looked at Vito.) He maybe has a date with a girl...

Davide: He has more the face of someone going to kill his enemy than the one of a man about to sleep with a girl!

Enzo: I agree.

Gabriel was observing the exchange in silence, and he had noticed that Vito seemed a bit off and that he hadn't commented during the discussion. He also felt the dark glare of Dominico toward Danilo.

Gabriel: Is there anyone who would like to share something with us? Danilo? Vito?

Salvatore: Vito, what did you do again?

Vito: What makes you think that I did something?

Gabriel: The way Danilo looks at you, pretty suspicious, limit obvious. (Danilo nodded at Vito as to ask him to say the truth.) So? If something really happened, we are going to know it anyway, but it could be too late to fix things if you decide to stay silent. So, tell us what happened?

Davide: Nothing to declare on my side...

Enzo: Me neither!

Dominico: Uncle, it seems that there is some tension between your family members. We shouldn't meddle in it, because we are only visiting for few days. I am sure that you can understand.

Salvatore: Does it concern Suki? (Dominico nodded and Salvatore stood up.) Vito, what did you do to her?!

Vito: I only answered Danilo's question, I don't like her, It's nothing new! I don't care that she heard me, she should be used to it now!

Salvatore: And you are proud of yourself to claim to your cousins that you don't like your little sister? (Vito stayed silent.) You don't show your stupidity in front of everyone now?! (He glared at Davide.) I guess that you want to add your own hatred to this?! Go ahead, show us how stupid you both are! Should I register a video and send it to the entire family?! Hum? Tell me?!

Salvatore slapped on the table to release his anger. He sighed and left the dining room, not in the mood to share a meal with anyone. The ambiance was really uncomfortable now and everyone stared at each others in silence, until Gabriel broke it.

Gabriel: Your nonsense is the reason Dante left with that excuse to have something to do?

Vito: I'm not in Dante's mind... I don't know.

Gabriel: Dominico? (He asked without even looking at him, but his tone was clear that an answer was awaited.)

Dominico: I think, yes. But your sister didn't want to tell anyone.

Gabriel: She is still a young child, if something happens with her, you should inform us. You are an adult; it's not to the kids to decide.

Dominico: Dante was there and as his brother he decided to keep everything silent. You can understand why I didn't say anything, I am a stranger for her.

Gabriel: (His tone became colder.) You are her older cousin! Or do you think the same way as those two idiots?

Dominico: You know me well enough to have the answer to that question by yourself. The fact that she is only your half sibling is not something we should judge. Your father decided to take her in and gave her his last name, that's only what matters.

Gabriel exchanged a long gaze with his cousin. He knew that Dominico was a rational and pretty cold man, and it was never a problem before. But if Dominico had showed that this type of behavior when Vito had acted like an asshole, Gabriel was afraid that his little sister misunderstood Dominico's intentions.

Danilo: It's the same for me, I don't care that she is your half sibling, she is still your little sister... I am sorry, because I feel responsible that she was probably hurt to hear me when I was talking with Dante and Dominico.

Enzo: Vito... You really used the half sibling's card to justify your behavior with Suki? (He shook his head.)

Gabriel: I'm glad to eventually find out what you think deep down Vito. I thought that you said that by the past in the heat of your anger, but I guess you are expressing your true feelings.

Vito: You know it's not like that between us!

Gabriel: Why not? Because I am the eldest? Because Father was married to my birth mother, so I am a child from a legal union? Trust me, Suki was born from 2 adults that were maybe not in love but shared more affection that there never was between the two that gave life to me! If it was not for our Mother unconditional love, I would have never known what motherly love means. (He chuckled.) But, as I was not her biological son, you maybe prefer that I don't call her Mother!

Dominico didn't want to mention their discussion earlier because of this. He knew that Gabriel would be hurt by his younger brother's words. Who wouldn't?

Vito was too ashamed to look at Gabriel. In his need to justify his behavior, he had chosen the half-sister's argument without thinking to the consequence. He saw Gabriel leaving the dining room with disappointment in his eyes.

Enzo: It's time for you to change Vito, stop acting like a stupid kid... and sorry to tell you that, Davide, but if you also think the same way, I will not longer be able to back you up! (He stood up.) Sorry guys, I'm not hungry anymore... good night! (He also left.)

Danilo: Our arrival seems to have create a big mess in your family.

Davide: Our family situation is apocalyptic since months...

Dominico: Since that kid entered your family?

Davide: Approximately, yes.

Dominico: As I said, I don't want to meddle in your family's issues but don't forget that family is the only important thing in world.

The cousins had dinner without really talking.

***************************************************

After leaving the dining room, Salvatore went to his daughter's bedroom. After hearing what happened, he was not sure that Suki was really asleep, or if she was just trying to avoid the dinner with everyone because she was sad and hurt.

He entered in her room without knocking and saw her laying under the blanket. He came closer and spotted her phone. He delicately moved away some hair strands on the side and saw that she was wearing earphones. That light touched made her move and she changed her position to lay on the side. Salvatore frowned when he discovered redness on the back of her hand. He decided to wake up her, so he took off the earphones.

Salvatore: Suki, wake up... (He caressed her head with affection, and she slowly opened her eyes.) I am sorry... you seem tired... (She sat and rubbed her eyes.) Suki, what happened to your hand? How did you get hurt?

Suki: It's with my tea... I let go off my cup.

Salvatore: (He noticed her hesitation.) Are you sure? And why didn't you inform me instead of going to bed so early?

Suki: It was nothing... we put cold water on it... And I was listening to music and don't know when I felt asleep.

Salvatore: You should have come to me even if you judged that it was nothing because it is not nothing. Who was there with you?

Suki: Dante... and Mr Dominico.

Salvatore: One of them has something to do with this? (She shook her head vigorously.) Even accidentally? You know... (He touched her hair once again.)... my sweet little girl is not good at lying, so tell me what happened, or I will have to check the CCTV to find out.

Suki: There is CCTV at home?

Salvatore: So?Tell me the truth.

Suki preferred to explain everything to her Father with her own words that letting him make his own opinion through videos. She made him promise to not be angry and explained to him that she burnt herself while trying to avoid to talk with Dante about what Vito had said. That it was an accident, and that Dante was very worried, but she asked him to not say anything.

Salvatore: I am sorry that you were hurt, once again.

Suki: It's not the first time that hot water burns me... (She smiled.) I think that I am a bit clumsy sometimes...

Salvatore: I was not only talking about the burn, Sweetie. Your feelings were hurt by your brother, and I am sorry to not be able to change this. (He smiled with sadness in his look.)

Suki: We can not force people's heart... and I don't want to... Father loves me, and I think most of my brothers appreciate me too... that's already a lot for me... (She smiled in a cute way.)

Salvatore: You're right, I love you... and I will love you, for two, for the rest of my life! (He kissed her forehead.) Are you not hungry? It's not too late, we could go out, just the two of us, to have dinner. You can even skip classes tomorrow if you need to rest. If you Grandmother knows that you went to sleep without having dinner, I will be in troubles... so?

Suki: ... Okay... I don't want that Nonna scolds you...

Salvatore:Great! Let's go... A Father-Daughter dinner date!