The Mafia King obsession

6:00, Italy

Diego Ardiente

"Hola, Buenos dias, Michaelo"(Hello,good morning)Diego said to his business partner. "Hola Ardiente"

Michaelo said. Diego never let anyone call him by his first name.

"I appreciate the fact that you could make it. I'm very sorry to drag you out here."

"It's alright, what can I help you with"

Michaelo hesitated for a minute. *I don't want to bother you but you're my last resort. I need a hundred grand*

Diego whistled.

"Eso es demasiado amigo."(That's too much friend). "What do you need it for?"

Michaelo swallowed.

"My business is going down amigo and the bills are running high. No one else agreed to help. Por favor amigo (please friend), I promise to pay you back"

Diego nodded slowly. Then he snapped his finger and his personal guard came with a brief case.He nodded and his guard whose name was Luca dropped a pike of cash on the table.

"That's 300 grand. You pay me back the hundred."

Michaelo eyes widened and he went on his knees."Gracias,mi amigo."(Thank you,my friend).

Diego nodded.

"But Michaelo, I'm disappointed. we're amigos. why didn't you come to me first? I know you went about asking others."

Michaelo sat up not meeting his eyes.

"Lo siento mucho, (I'm very sorry)Ardiente. I was not brave.*

*It's alright, sin recores*(no grudges)

Michaelo nodded letting a smile graze his lips. *you're a good friend Ardiente*

Diego nodded and stood up.

*I have business to attend to, take good care mi amigo*

He turned and left the building. Luca drove him back to the airport where he had a private plane waiting. On the ride back to L.A, Diego worked through his files and answered surveys. He had one more meeting at a restaurant in Silverlake.

*************************************************8:45, L A

Silverlake, Bacari Silverlake

As Diego entered the cafe, all eyes turned to him.He had that effect, to make the aura of a room change when he stepped in. The ladies smiled at him and the men acknowledged him.of course they recognized him as the Youngest Wealthiest bachelor in L.A. Unknown to them he was more richer than that and his facade of companies was actually a hide out for who he really was.

He found the person he was meeting and it wasn't a meeting,it turned out to be a date. Diego glared at Luca,who shook his head. He was meeting Miranda Cosgrove a famous movie actress. They had met physically at a convention and she had asked him out,he had totally forgotten the date was today.He approached the table with a small unwilling smile.

"Miss Cosgrove,sorry to keep you waiting" he smiled apologetically as he sat down. she returned the smile.

"It's alright,I understand you're a busy man. I'm glad you showed up. And please call me Miranda"

He looked around.

"I wasn't expecting you to pick a place........so open"

She smiled, she had a actually done it on purpose. Picking a public place would start rumours that the two popular people are dating. she could use that excuse to be closer to him.

"Sorry about that, it was the first place I thought off when my secretary said she forget to reserve a place." she lied. He nodded. "But the food here is great,one of the reasons Iike it here".

"I see" He said simply, clearly he was trying to through with this.

Just then a young waitress approached them. "Can I take your order?" she asked softly. Diego looked up at her. Then looked at the menu.

"Um...I'd like the Chicken pea hash, with the Bacari fries and a Mad mango sour." Miranda said. The waitress noted down and turned to Diego. "And you Sir?".

He looked at the menu,unsure .

"What would you suggest?" He asked her.

"That's what I'll have* he cut her off. she shrugged. "Okay" then she turned and left.

"So tell me about your self, Diego." His eyes darkened. "I prefer Ardiente".

"What?" she asked confused. "Call me Ardiente" he repeated. She was a bit surprised. "isn't that formal?"

"That's what I prefer to be called",he said simply. She now knew, the rumours about him not liking to be called his first name was true.

"Okay. So about yourself on a more personal context. like what you do when you're not working ".

When was he never working but still he replied.

"I relax in my house in Italy"

"You don't live in L.A?" she asked, clearly surprised. He nodded. "Only work brings me here."

"I see, well I was thinking of visiting Italy, maybe while I'm there you'd give me a tour." she suggested hopefully. Of course he knew what she was doing but he wasn't going to indulge her. "That's nice Miranda, Italy has a lot of tourist sights, I'm sure you'd find a guide. They provide one for you." She frowned knowing he was dismissing her.. They had been talking for 15 mins there order was supposed to be here already. Miranda called to a passing waitress.

"We've been waiting for our order for almost 20 minutes, how long is it supposed to take.she demanded.

The waitress apologized and went to the back. Just then the waitress who had taken there table's order walked. "Rachel,where have you been? Table 16 was supposed to be served 15 minutes ago" The waitress Miranda had told scolded. Rachel sighed.

"Sorry Cheryl, I went to get some candy but the store across didn't have the one I wanted "

Diego heard that and turned to see the waitress who had served there table. He smirked.

"Candy? Are you serious right now?" Cheryl looked like she was going to explode.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "It's not my fault I have a sweet tooth". She walked pass Cheryl and went Into the kitchen. Diego found himself laughing. Miranda raised an eyebrow, she hadn't noticed the exchange between the two waitress. But she was surprised that Diego was laughing, he had a reputation for only giving so much as a smirk. Of course she thought she was behind it and joined in the laugh. Rachel returned with there order. "Sorry to keep you waiting" she said as she placed the food in front of them. Diego looked at her, her unique features caught his eyes. She had red hair and her eyes were well between Emerald green and sea green and the scent of her perfume caught his nose. "Thank you"He said helping to adjust the plates,his hand brushed hers and he felt something like a jolt of electricity.

She left after she served them. They began eating and Miranda tried to make some small talk but it wasn't working. Diego's reply was short and nonchalant. After they were done eating,he paid the bill and walked Miranda to her car. " I'd love to do this again sometime." she said hoping he would agree. But his only response was a nod before he turned and headed to his car.

"Luca? any call from Miranda or anybody for that matter talking to meet up and it ain't about business,cancel it"

"Yes boss" Luca started the car and as they rounded the restaurant, he saw her outside at the back.

"Luca stop". Luca calm to a half. He turned the car window and watched her. she reached into her pocket and brought out a candy stick. She popped it into her mouth. He watched as her lips covered the candy and how they kisses it when she pulled it out of her mouth. Something in him stirred, he looked down and noticed.

"What the......." He hadn't felt like this before.

"Luca, see that lady over there, take a picture and get me everything on her." Luca obeyed.

"Nice to meet you Red head" And they drive off.