DALOTTI ESTATE – HUDSON HILL, NEW YORK CITY 08:15 AM – THE MORNING AFTER THE WEDDING
The morning sun falls through the tall windows of the elegant breakfast room. On the long table stand fresh coffee, pastries and several open business documents.
Siro sits at the head of the table, already fully dressed. Beside him sits Serafina, his long-time lover and deputy. She wears a cream-colored silk blouse, her dark hair falling loosely over her shoulders.
Twelve years of that, and the marriage is a contract either of you can end with one phone call. He says so again, plainly, in front of Serafina.
"We need to move up the negotiations with the French, Tesoro,"
Serafina explains, turning her laptop toward Siro.
"Otherwise the contract from Marseille will slip away from us."
Siro studies the figures.
"Then we'll fly Thursday. Emil can coordinate the appointments."
Emil, sitting across from them, raises an eyebrow.
"How lovely that I'm once again the last to hear about my weekly schedule."
Serafina smiles, thin and tired.
"That's what we pay you for."
"Then you should consider a raise. For the emotional burden."
Siro shakes his head slightly.
"Can you two at least behave yourselves at breakfast?"
At that moment, the door to the breakfast room opens.
You enter the room.
Siro glances up briefly.
"Good morning."
Serafina gives you a fleeting smile.
"Good morning, dear. I hope your rooms are comfortable."
Without waiting for an answer, she turns back to Siro.
"Oh, by the way. I've already confirmed the seating arrangement for the reception at the Vasari' next week."
Siro nods.
"Good."
Serafina takes a sip of coffee.
"Your wife will of course get a seat at the family table. I've placed her next to Emil."
She casts you a casual glance.
"Don't take it personally, dear. But Siro and I have to sit together at events like this. We run the organization together, after all. And our business partners are used to seeing us as a unit."
She smiles sugar-sweet.
"Besides, it would be uncomfortable for you to sit next to him all evening while we discuss things you don't understand."
Siro looks at the seating arrangement on Serafina's laptop.
"That's sensible. Leave it as it is."
Serafina places her hand on his with satisfaction.
"I knew you'd see it the same way, Tesoro."
Siro finishes his espresso.
"As long as my wife is officially present, I see no problem."
Emil slowly sets down his newspaper.
"Of course not. Why should the wife sit next to her own husband? Completely absurd idea."
Serafina rolls her eyes.
"Emil, please. We're talking about business necessities."
"Of course. National security presumably depends on your seating chart."
Siro gives him a warning look.
"Emil."
Then he stands and reaches for his phone.
"Serafina, we need to go. The meeting with the lawyers begins at nine."
Serafina rises as well and casually runs her hand over his chest to straighten the collar of his shirt.
"I've already put the documents in the car, Amore."
Siro turns to you once more briefly.
"If you need anything, speak to the housekeeper. She'll take care of it."
He reaches for his jacket.
"Emil, I'll see you at the office."
Serafina links her arm through Siro's. Together they leave the room, already deep in conversation about the negotiations again.
Their voices fade down the hallway.
Emil remains behind. He regards the closed door for a moment, then pushes his coffee cup aside.
"Well."
A dry, almost apologetic smile appears on his face.
"Welcome to the family."
He gestures toward the coffee pot.
"Coffee? Or do you need something stronger after that performance?"