Chapter 23 The Present of Marco Bianchi, the Mafia Heir②

Marco Bianchi's POV:

Albert caught my surprise and asked if I knew his sister.

I wasn't sure, so I just said I knew a woman named Elena, but it was probably just a coincidence.

Albert chuckled, "Your face says it all. You must like her. Elena's from Chicago too, so maybe it's the same person. But my parents said she had a rough past, which bothered them."

Francesco didn't mind my trip to Los Angeles. He thought Albert and I had a lot to discuss about family business.

The day I got to LA, the Garcia family was throwing a banquet to welcome Elena back.

As soon as I walked in, I saw a familiar figure. Even before I saw her face, I knew it was Elena.

The Elena I knew.

She looked different, all dressed up in a beautiful gown, awkwardly tottering in high heels. When no one was looking, she wrinkled her nose and tapped her calf.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Looks like my sister is the Elena you like," Albert said, raising his glass. "Go say hi. Perfect chance to surprise her."

"No, Elena doesn't know me. If I just show up, it'll freak her out."

"What?" Albert was puzzled but then laughed. I had to pull him aside to avoid drawing Elena's attention.

"Elena doesn't know you? Man, you're shy. Are you a coward in love?"

"Shut up, Albert."

"Then take this chance to introduce yourself."

I went quiet. I wasn't ready.

Elena might not remember me. I've changed a lot since then. How should I introduce myself?

Because of Andrew, Elena probably didn't like people connected to gangs.

I just said, "She hates gangs."

"Then say you're my friend. Go on. If a woman likes you, she won't care about your background. Trust me."

While Albert was pushing me, Elena started making a scene at the banquet. Seeing her tremble, I instinctively took off my coat and draped it over her.

I quickly picked her up and rushed out of the crowd.

Albert was surprised, but I didn't care. All I thought about was Elena.

After comforting her and seeing the doctor arrive, I wanted to stay, but I heard her crying.

It was embarrassing for her, and she probably wouldn't want to know me.

So I left, a decision I'd regret countless times.

As I walked down the hallway, I bumped into Albert talking to a woman.

He walked over. "How does it feel to play the hero?"

"Terrible." I couldn't express my feelings, so I lit a cigarette.

Elena's crying still echoed in my ears, but I couldn't stand by her side with a good reason.

"Albert, who is he?" The woman next to Albert was checking me out. When I looked over, she gave a fake smile.

I frowned.

Albert noticed my mood. He kissed the woman's cheek and patted her butt, signaling her to go back. "This isn't your business, Sofia. Go back to the party."

After she left, Albert and I stood in the hallway.

I couldn't approach Elena tonight. I'd have to find another chance.

Albert said he'd handle everything for me.

This mischievous guy promised to help me make a lasting impression on Elena, and he did, but it was the impression of a playboy.

Luckily, Elena saw through his antics and didn't think my taste was that bad.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though our first official meeting wasn't perfect, I still thought it was a good sign since Elena remembered my name.

Just that alone made me laugh uncontrollably.

Francesco filled me in on the family drama. After my brother's death, things got messy, and people started dying. He warned me to stay safe in LA. "The family's gonna take out anyone with impure bloodlines who still think they can be the heir. The rest of the illegitimate kids need to cut ties with the gang to stay safe.

Before the real fight for the heir starts, we're clearing the field.

Listen, Marco, your life or death decides the fate of the faction backing you in the family. Don't go soft when I'm not around.

If you think someone's out to get you, take them out first."

Francesco even had someone bring me a gun and a knife for self-defense.

I told him I'd handle anyone who came after me, and he seemed satisfied.

I was okay with that too.

But I was still unsure about letting Elena know more about me.

I saw her as my princess and myself as her knight.

Elena had a family now and seemed happy. She should live in the light and stay away from me.

But that idea quickly fell apart.

Elena's crying in the garden made me panic. The Garcia family wasn't the safe haven I thought it was for her.

When I heard her crying out "Rosa," I remembered Andrew killing her foster mother.

I had no family, so I couldn't fully grasp Elena's sadness.

I wrongly assumed the Garcia family was full of jerks like Andrew, making her so upset.

Francesco had taught me to retaliate in kind.

So, in my anger, I said something I thought would help her but only scared her.

Her eyes suddenly became distant, which hurt me.

Albert was shocked too.

Thankfully, he helped smooth things over, though I think my words scared him too, and he was trying to calm me down.

After he gave Elena some advice, she left.

"Thanks, Albert."

"Man, you can't handle a girl's tears with a mobster's mindset. That's too much." The garden was just me and Albert now. He looked at me and sighed in relief.

"I didn't know what to do. I thought that was what she needed."

"Listen, buddy. If a girl is crying, just be there for her unless she asks you to do something." Albert shared his playboy wisdom with me. "Don't do what you think is good for her. It might be something she doesn't need, especially if she hasn't fallen for you yet."

"I don't expect Elena to fall in love with me. What if we're just friends?"

Albert rolled his eyes. "If you're friends, you should stay out of it more.

No friend would be that overprotective."