highschool

THIRD PERSON

The conference room was dimly lit, with only the faint glow of the overhead lights casting long shadows across the sleek, glass table in the center. The air was thick with anticipation, as if the very walls were holding their breath. Vito Marini sat at one end, his fingers lightly tapping on the table, his gaze fixed intently on the door, as though expecting someone. Domenico Marini sat across from him, his posture rigid, arms crossed over his chest. His expression remained a mask—unreadable, detached. Vito glanced at his brother, sensing the familiar coolness that seemed to always hang in the air between them. Domenico had no tolerance for uncertainty.

"Why am I here, Vito?" Domenico's voice was even, flat—almost mechanical, as though his patience had long since worn thin. "I've got better things to do than sit in some conference room with no explanation."

"I can't tell you much, Emma only said the 3 p.m. meeting would be here. Do you know a Mr. Johnson?" Vito responded.

"If you don't know him, why would I?" Domenico shot back, his tone edged with irritation.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't take your mood out on me, brother. And—oh, he seems to be here."

The door to the conference room creaked open, and to their surprise, it wasn't Mr. Johnson who entered. It was Luke Hastings. They had never seen him in a bottem up shirt, and he looked visibly nervous. Domenico's eyes briefly flicked to his nose, which seemed to have healed well. Luke cleared his throat.

"Mr. Marini and Mr. Marini, thank you for your time. I apologize for registering under a false name, but I was worried you might reject the meeting if you'd heard mine," Luke said, his voice betraying a hint of unease.

The two brothers leaned back simultaneously, their arms crossed. Their cold stares made Luke swallow hard, and for a fleeting moment, he questioned whether he was sure about what he was doing.

"What can we do for you?" Vito asked, his voice low, controlled.

Luke's throat tightened, his nervousness almost palpable. He had imagined this meeting countless times in his mind, yet now that he was actually standing before the two Marini brothers, everything felt far more threatening. The silence in the room was suffocating, and the brothers were like two stone figures, cold and unyielding.

He cleared his throat again, his hands fidgeting nervously with the edge of his shirt. "Well... I wanted to talk to you about something very personal," Luke began, his voice wavering slightly. "It's about your sister, Josephine."

Vito's gaze didn't change, but a subtle flicker of interest passed through his eyes. "Josephine?" he asked, as if weighing the name carefully, as though testing the weight of the words in the air.

Domenico remained silent, his eyes sharp and calculating, though his gaze had grown more intense. "Speak," he commanded, his voice like ice slicing through the tension.

Luke looked briefly at the floor before meeting their eyes once more. "We've gotten to know each other a little," he said, "and I'd like to know if it's okay for me to ask her out on a date."

The words seemed to hang in the air, suspended in the charged silence, and for a moment, it felt as though the very room itself was shrinking. Luke could almost feel the invisible pressure building between him and the two brothers, an oppressive force that threatened to overwhelm him.

Domenico placed his hands on the table, his fingers interlacing. "So, you want to date our sister?" he repeated, as if confirming that he hadn't misheard. "And you think you have the right to ask us that?" His voice was chillingly calm, a stillness that only made Luke's anxiety worse.

Vito leaned forward, his eyes narrowing into sharp slits, a mocking smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Why are you asking us this?" he asked, his voice hard, the coldness in it making Luke's breath catch in his throat.

Luke fought against the feeling of suffocation, trying to steady himself. "Well, you're her guardian, and I got the impression Josephine would ask for your permission anyway. In case your answer is no, I wanted to spare her that." His gaze shifted to Domenico. "As for you, I was worried you might reposition more than just my nose."

Vito nodded slowly, as though still measuring him. It was clear the young man hadn't yet proven himself worthy of entering the inner circle of the Marini family. "I see," Vito said calmly, his cold gaze still trained on Luke. A soft creak from Domenico's chair broke the silence as he shifted back slightly, deep in thought. "So, you've decided to ask us first, instead of just asking Josephine for permission directly?" Vito continued, his voice still smooth but laced with a sharpness that made Luke break into a cold sweat. "And you've chosen to do this because you believe we have influence over her decision, correct?"

Luke nodded, a little too quickly, as though trapped in his own words. "Yes, exactly. I wanted to make sure I'm doing this right. She's important to me, and I don't want her to feel uncomfortable. So, I thought it'd be better to speak to you before anything happens."

Domenico let out a soft, derisive snort. "You're bold," he said, though it sounded more like a warning. "And foolish, but bold."

Vito was silent, his eyebrow arching as he scrutinized Luke further. The stillness in the room now felt more suffocating than ever. Domenico shifted slightly, as if considering something, then exchanged a glance with his brother. Vito's eyes never left Luke as he nodded. With a heavy sigh, Vito leaned forward and pressed the intercom button. "May, when's my next meeting?"

"In two and a half hours, Sir. One moment—Mr. Marini doesn't have any appointments scheduled," a woman's voice responded, and Luke shifted his weight nervously from one foot to the other.

"Good. Would you please bring us coffee, something small to eat, and the F-Hastings-L file? Thank you." Vito released the button and motioned to the chair in the center of the table. "Take a seat."

Luke slowly took a seat in the center of the table, the weight of the tension in the room pressing down on him. Vito and Domenico continued to fix him with their unblinking stares, their eyes sharp and assessing, as though they were searching for any sign of weakness. It felt as though the air itself had grown colder, the room growing smaller under their scrutiny. The door creaked open, and May entered, briefly breaking the silence. She placed a coffee pot and a tray of small pastries on the table, but her presence did nothing to alleviate the suffocating atmosphere. Luke's nerves were slowly reaching the edge, his palms clammy, as the Marini brothers remained silent, waiting.

Vito's eyes never left Luke's face. It was as if he was trying to read him, gauge his sincerity, his every movement. Domenico, still silent, had his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his posture rigid. His gaze was sharp—focused. Both men radiated an unmistakable sense of power, but more than that, there was a fierce protectiveness in their demeanor, an almost tangible barrier between Luke and their sister. It was clear they would tolerate no threat to her—no matter how small or seemingly innocent.

"So," Vito finally spoke, his voice low, yet carrying an undeniable edge. "You say Josephine is important to you." He leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the glass table. "Tell us why. Why her? What makes you think you're worthy of her attention?"

Luke took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. The atmosphere in the room was oppressive, thick with the weight of Vito and Domenico's scrutiny. He knew he had to prove himself, not just with words, but with his actions. He'd anticipated this moment, prepared for it, but standing before them now, he realized just how high the stakes were. "Well, I put together a presentation," Luke began, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. "If you're interested?"

Vito and Domenico exchanged a glance. For a brief moment, it seemed as though they might dismiss him altogether or laughing out loud. But after a long pause, Vito gave a small, barely noticeable nod. "Go ahead," he said, his voice cold but curious, while he handed him a remote.

Luke clicked the remote in his hand, and the screen behind him flickered to life, while he connected his phone. The first slide appeared, a simple title card reading: Why I Believe I Am Worthy of Josephine's Trust in bold letters. His hands were slightly shaking, but he wasn't going to let it show. "Alright," Luke began, taking a deep breath. "I know I'm young, and I know that's probably the first thing you'll hold against me. But I've spent my entire life working to build something—my future. And I'm ready to take responsibility, for myself and for the people around me."

He clicked to the next slide, and it revealed a photo of him in his high school football uniform, a proud smile on his face as he held a trophy. "I've been playing football since I was a kid. It's more than just a sport to me—it's taught me discipline, responsibility, and how to work as part of a team. I've led my team to a championship this year, and I plan on playing for college next year, too."

Luke felt Vito's eyes on him, weighing him, and though Domenico remained expressionless, Luke could feel the sharpness of his gaze. He pressed on, flipping to the next slide, which showed his academic achievements—a perfect GPA, awards in mathematics and science, and community service. "I work hard in school, too," Luke said, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. "I'm doing well academically. I've got plans to go to college, and I'm applying for scholarships, since I don't want to burden my parents. Football's important, but I also want to build a future where I can provide for myself, and for anyone I care about."

He could see the brothers processing the information, their cold expressions slowly shifting, but still unreadable. Domenico's posture remained stiff, like a wall, but Vito's eyes lingered on the next slide, showing his community service project—helping younger kids in the neighborhood with their homework, mentoring them in football.

"This project is important to me," Luke continued, his voice now a little firmer, the nerves from earlier giving way to a quiet confidence. "It's about giving back. About showing these kids that hard work pays off. I know Josephine feels strongly about helping others, and I share that value. I want to do something meaningful with my life, and I want to be a partner who shares her vision of making the world a better place."

The room was quiet for a moment as Vito and Domenico exchanged another glance. Domenico's lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn't speak. Instead, Vito leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Luke.

"I'm not questioning your potential, kid," Vito said, his tone deliberate and cold. "But Josephine is barly 16, while you are almost 18? How do you know what's best for her?"

Luke swallowed hard, but he didn't back down. "I don't. I can only do the best I can and hope that it will be enough."

Both brothers exchanged another glance, then Vito picked up the file that the secretary had brought in. "Do you need a copy, Nico?"

Domenico snorted. "Unlike you, I'm a little more modern." He pulled his phone from his pocket and began scrolling through a file he had personally created. "Sit back down."

Luke did as instructed, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. He wasn't sure if the conversation was going well or if it was slowly slipping out of his control. "I've got a few more slides," he added cautiously, but it seemed like there was no interest left in his presentation and the last 16 slides.

Vito didn't look at him as he flicked through the papers in the file. "So, Luke," he began, his voice cool and sharp. "It says here you've been active on social media for four years. That means you must've lied about your age at some point."

Domenico leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense, locking onto Luke. "Lied about your age... How many other things do you lie about, Luke?"

The words hit Luke like a slap, and his heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected this turn of the conversation. "I—I don't lie," Luke said quickly, but his voice sounded too shaky, and he knew it. "I'm not trying to deceive anyone. I just... I didn't think it would be a big deal."

Domenico raised an eyebrow, his eyes never leaving Luke's. "Not a big deal? You can't just go around lying about something as basic as your age. That shows a lack of respect, and that's not something we take lightly, especially when it comes to our sister." He paused, leaning back in his chair with a cold, calculating look. "So tell me, Luke, how can we trust you if you can't even be honest about something so simple?"

"Well," Luke replied cautiously, "one could also see it as me having the foresight at a young age to use social media in a way that worked to my advantage, without any drawbacks."

"Good save. Anyway, I see that your parents are divorced. How does that affect you when it comes to relationships?"

Luke's first thought was to say that he still had both parents, but that probably wouldn't help his case. He took a moment to think before answering. "My parents are divorced, but they still get along very well. If anything, it's shown me that relationships can change, that not everything lasts forever. But it's also taught me the importance of mutual respect, communication, and maintaining a level of understanding, even when things don't go as planned."

Domenico leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing as he considered Luke's words. There was something in his expression, a hint of curiosity mixed with his usual skepticism. "You think you can learn from something like that?" he asked, his voice a touch softer, but still carrying an edge. "How do you think those lessons will help you with Josephine?"

Luke didn't hesitate. "I think it's about understanding that relationships require effort, even when things are difficult. It's about being able to adapt and still treat the other person with respect, even when things aren't perfect. I know Josephine isn't like anyone else, and I would never take her for granted." He paused, realizing how his words might sound. "But I've seen how things can work even after they fall apart, and I believe if two people are willing to make it work, they can overcome anything."

'He's good.', Vito looked at Domenico.

'I know.', he answered. He scrolled through the screen for a moment before speaking again, his tone shifting to something colder. "The brother of your grandmother's father-in-law was caught smuggling alcohol during Prohibition. Is crime something that runs in your family?"

"What?" Luke laughed, slightly taken aback. "I didn't know that. But no, as far as I know, I can assure you that no one in my family is involved in anything criminal."

Domenico's eyes flicked up from his phone, narrowing as he assessed Luke's response. "Good to hear," he said, his voice betraying nothing. "Alright then, let's assume for a moment that you do manage to get a date with her. What's your plan?"

Luke blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in the conversation. He hadn't expected to be asked about details so soon. His mind raced as he quickly tried to come up with an answer that would meet their standards. "Well," he began carefully, "I've been thinking about driving to Halfax. There's going to be a night-time illumination of the city, and afterwards, a bonfire." Domenico raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but still assessing Luke with that familiar, calculating gaze. Vito remained silent for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping on the glass table as he processed the response. The tension in the room seemed to build, as if they were deciding whether to entertain this idea or dismiss it outright.

"A city illumination and a campfire, huh?" Vito finally spoke, his tone neutral but with a hint of curiosity. "That's certainly... unconventional. But, it could work. What else do you have planned?"

Luke took a steadying breath, trying not to let his nerves show. He had always prided himself on being spontaneous, but when it came to Josephine, he knew the stakes were higher than ever. "Well, after the illumination, I was thinking of taking her to a quiet spot near the fire. It's peaceful there, away from the crowds, just the two of us. I could bring a blanket, maybe some hot chocolate or something warm. I know she enjoys quiet moments, and I want to give her that space to relax and talk without distractions."

Domenico's eyes narrowed slightly, his focus intense. He was clearly processing the details, weighing whether this was an adequate display of thoughtfulness or if it fell short. His lips twitched, almost imperceptibly, as if he were about to comment but was holding himself back. Vito, on the other hand, seemed more contemplative, tapping a finger against his chin.

"You're telling me," Vito said slowly, "that after a city event, you're planning to sit there with her, with hot chocolate?" He paused, the cold gleam in his eyes softening just slightly as he looked at Luke. "You're not just trying to impress her with fancy places or expensive gifts, are you? You're giving her a chance to actually experience something with you."

Luke nodded, feeling a little more confident now that he had explained himself. "Isn't the hole purpose to get to know each other more? I want it to be something genuine, something memorable. I'm not trying to outdo anyone, I just want to make sure it's an experience she enjoys. Something where she can be herself, without any pressure."

Domenico's posture loosened ever so slightly, though his expression remained hard to read. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes flicking to Vito, as if silently communicating something. Vito, however, didn't seem to be swayed yet. He stared at Luke, studying him, as if evaluating the sincerity of his words. "What to you like about her?"

"Her strength.", Luke replied without thinking. "And that might not help my case, but she clearly has some issues but I like how she doesn't give in."

"She can be insecure, can you cope with that?"

"If she feels insecure because of me, than it's clearly my fault that I made her feel that way." The room went silent for a moment after Luke's response, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Domenico studied him closely, his piercing gaze never wavering. Vito, on the other hand, leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with interest.

"So, you take responsibility for her insecurities?" Vito asked, his voice calm but with a layer of something deeper beneath. "Even if they come from her own mind and not something you've done?"

Luke nodded, keeping his posture steady. "Yes. If she feels that way because of something I've said or done, I need to own up to that. It's not about blaming her for her feelings. It's about making sure she knows I'm there to help, not make her feel worse."

Domenico glanced at Vito, then leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed tightly. His voice, when he spoke, was laced with skepticism. "And you think you're capable of that? Of making her feel secure when she doubts herself?"

"I don't know if I can make her feel secure all the time," Luke admitted honestly, "but I can try. And I'll make sure she knows she's not alone, even when things feel hard."

Vito seemed to weigh his words carefully, his fingers tapping gently on the glass table. "When did you intend to bring her back home?"

Luke blinked, slightly thrown off by the sudden shift in the conversation. He wasn't sure if Vito was changing the subject or if this was part of the ongoing evaluation. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering.

"We'll be back by 11 p.m.," Luke said, trying to sound as confident as he could. "The drive to Halfax is about an hour and a half, and I want to make sure the evening doesn't feel rushed. We'll spend some time there, maybe grab a coffee before heading back."

"Lets make it 9 p.m."

"How about you call her at 9.30 p.m. and if she wants to continue, we'll be back at 10.30 p.m. sharp?" Luke smiled.

Vito's gaze never wavered, his sharp eyes studying Luke's expression for any sign of hesitation. Domenico, still quiet, leaned back slightly, his arms crossed in front of him, evaluating the proposal. After a long pause, Vito finally spoke.

"Deal," he said, his voice cold and deliberate. "But don't test us, Luke. You're on borrowed time. And remember, we expect you to respect the boundaries we set."

Luke nodded, maintaining his composure despite the underlying tension. "Of course. I'll make sure she knows everything."

There was a moment of silence, the weight of the brothers' expectations hanging heavily in the air. Domenico's gaze flickered briefly to his brother, and then back to Luke.

"One last thing," Domenico said, his voice as sharp as ever. "If you can't handle the responsibility of being with her, if you can't keep your word, you will regret it." His tone was icy, each word deliberate.

Luke swallowed, but his resolve remained firm. "I won't let you down."

Vito gave a slight nod, his approval almost imperceptible. "We'll be watching," he said quietly. "Let me guide you outside," he added as he walked toward Luke, who had risen from his seat, placing his hand on Luke's shoulder.

"Just out of curiosity: If this is what's expected of me on a date, what should I prepare for if I want to ask for her hand?"

Vito's grip on Luke's shoulder tightened slightly, his fingers pressing with an almost imperceptible intensity. He leaned in, his voice low and steady, but carrying an undeniable weight. "That's a question you'd do well not to ask too soon," Vito replied, his tone colder than it had been before. "If you plan on asking for her hand, you'll need to prove yourself in ways you can't even begin to imagine yet."

"Understood." Luke replied, his voice steady as he gave them a final nod. "And thank you. Have a good day!" With that, he turned and walked through the door, leaving Vito and Domenico in the quiet of the room.

Vito turned to Domenico, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed everything that had just transpired. "What do you think?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

Domenico leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. His expression was a mixture of contemplation and reluctance. "I don't like to admit it, but he's good," he said after a pause, his tone carrying a rare honesty. "I thought he'd be all talk, but he's got the right kind of focus. Handled himself better than I expected."

Vito raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Domenico. "You don't like admitting it, huh?"

Domenico let out a frustrated sigh, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked away for a moment, clearly not enjoying the thought of conceding anything. "I hate when I'm wrong," he muttered, half to himself. "But the kid's got something. He's not easily rattled, and he's got the brains to back up his confidence. He knows how to play the game, and that's not something I can ignore."

Vito nodded slowly, his lips curling into a slight smirk. "I agree. He's got a calm about him—he's not just trying to impress us, he's here to make an impression. I respect that."

Domenico narrowed his eyes, looking at Vito with a mix of skepticism and approval. "He still has a long way to go."

"Oh definitely."