8 The Wesley Elders

Like old whiskey

Our wisdom increases with age

Our love grows stronger with time

And our bonds get better.

Hearts plummet with time.

Growing fonder by the year,

Like time that never fades.

serás mía para siempre

The guards in the mansion seem to have doubled. Jack must have doubled the security because he was unconscious. Ralph simply smiled. Jack was such an exceptional bodyguard who knew what to do in almost every given situation.

"Good morning Don". Another guard greeted. He simply nodded. He didn't have the time or energy to respond. He felt weak and his body seemed to be acting on its own but he kept a good posture and acted as though everything was alright. As he stepped out of the shade the building provided and walked through the paved way to the outer bar, he felt the sun slap his skin.

"Ralph". Sophie called out as she saw him approaching from the building towards them while rushing to hug him. The DeAngelis who sat facing the entrance, all stood up the moment they saw him, Except for the fat man with Grey hair, Don Phillip DeAngelis. Ralph recognized the Old Fox the moment he saw him. He was short, fat, and had grey hair just as his late uncle had described.

"Are you alright?" He asked Sophie a bit concerned.

"I should be asking you that". She replied."You got us all worried "

"I am okay".

He replied as he walked to join the meeting with Sophie. The Elders, Ramson Wesley, Ray Wesley, Rebekah Wesley, and Paula Wesley were all in attendance. It was his first time seeing them since he returned to London. They didn't seem to be shocked about his appearance so he presumed his uncle Vadaly must have told them he faked Ralph's death and kept him alive.

Two other men sat beside DeAngelis. Ralph presumed they were his sons. The old man looked more intimidating up close, Seeing him face to face Ralph could now understand how someone like him who came from nothing was able to establish one of the biggest mafia empires in East England. The aura he emitted was no joke. Ralph smirked. This old man was surely the type who does not suffer fools gladly. Now he understood why he and his uncle Vadaly were best of friends.

"Gentlemen, welcome". Ralph said as he takes his seat with his legs crossed. He waves his hand and immediately Jack got him a big brown cigar, lighting it at a go, he puffed out some smoke before he continued. "Don Phillip DeAngelis", "I believe this is the first time we are meeting. It's a pleasure having you here. My uncle spoke very well of you".

"That bastard Vadaly leaving me on this Earth alone. I doubt he would say any nice thing about me". Don DeAngelis said, laughing as he cleaned tears from his eyes.

Ralph couldn't tell if the man teared up out of excitement or because he felt sad remembering his late friend.

"Sorry I am late. Please continue with your discussion. I'll just be speculating today".Ralph said.

"That's fine Don Ralph". I believe we're almost done with this meeting". Paula said. She was the youngest of the Elders, she was fifty years old but kept her beauty which made her look thirty years old, She wore heavy makeup and have the habit of robbing the crest signet ring she wore. The ring was a family heirloom handed to all elders of The Wesleys. "Don Phillip, I believe we are still in agreement?" She asked with a wicked smirk on her face. Ralph wondered what evil they must have been planning.

"Alright. I always knew it will be harder dealing with you Wesley Elders. As agreed we will fix the date for the wedding and let you know". Don Phillip DeAngelis said to Paula

Ralph coughed.

"What? A wedding?" Ralph nearly shouted. He was quite taken aback by the revelation.

"Yes, a wedding my dear Don, Isn't it lovely?". "The DeAngelis and the Wesley will then become bonded forever". It will be the talk of London". Rebekah Wesley answered sheepishly, Rebekah was the second oldest among the elders after Ramson. When she was younger she was married off to a Mafia family in Canada but ended up murdering her husband when he hit her, she ran a knife through his throat and pinned him to the bed before running back to London, she was the deadliest woman Ralph knew.

"Gentlemen. I believe I am a bit lost here. Who is Sophie marrying?" He asked.

"Not Sophie". Ransom Wesley spoke out. "It is you who is marrying one of the DeAngelis daughters just like the last Don had instructed". Ransom was a hard face man. He was Ralph's uncle, he had a husky voice that made everything he said a little annoying and rude.

"That's impossible. This is the first I have heard of it". Ralph lied. His uncle had told him about his arrangement with the DeAngelis.

"Don Ralph, the last Don gave his words on his honor that there shall be a union between the two families and as you know, a Don is bound by his words". Ramson spoke out again.

"I do not believe there is honor in our line of business uncle" Raph replied. He hated the way Ramson spoke. Maybe it was his voice, but he felt a little pissed with the way he spoke.

"Don DeAngelis" he continued. " I don't intend to let my uncle's words amount to nothing either. This is why rather than me, I suggest it will benefit you more if one of your sons marries Sophia instead. Ralph said pointing at the two men who sat with Don Phillip DeAngelis.

"These are not my sons, They are my Cousins and They are both married". He laughed and replied. "Your uncle was my friend and he gave me his words. I felt you came to my ball with the intention of seeing me and keeping your uncle's word?".

Ralph smiled a little, so the man found out he attended his ball. He had hoped the DeAngelis would not notice. Now that it has come to this he had to watch what he says. He didn't want the elders to have a clue that he had snuck into the DeAngelis ball for the secret purpose of getting his uncle's journal from Johnny.

"Of course Don DeAngelis"

" I wanted to meet you and had it not been for the unfortunate way the ball ended, I would have. However, for the issue of marriage, I believe you will agree with me that it makes no sense to expect me or your daughter to marry someone we have never met".

Don DeAngelis laughed a little. "There is no reason to be worried about that. I believe you both have already met".

"We have?" "How?"Ralph asked to clarify what he had just heard.

"Me". A familiar voice said from behind him. Ralph, who sat with his back facing the entrance, turned swiftly. He turned to see who it was. It was his Auburn Beauty, standing at the entrance. The leather jacket and pants she wore emphasize her tall frame and curves. Her figure was a killer.

He had always imagined how beautiful she would look but the face in front of him was beyond his imagination; it was as if he was looking at a life painting of Athena. Her limpid generic eyes which showed with a wildfire in its depth stared at him unblinking. They were beautiful blue and fierce just as feisty as she was. Her heart-shaped lips were a view to reckon with. He could imagine what those red lips would taste like. Her face was shaped like a perfect heart and with her eyes staring at him as if to challenge him, he couldn't get enough even though they were up close. He wanted to be lost in those blue-star eyes. Her beauty captivated him. Her Auburn hair danced to the tune of the cool morning breeze.

He looked at her hand, those slender hands with perfectly shaped nails held a helmet. She must have been out biking just like a rebellious teenager, he thought.

He smiled sheepishly, who knows, marriage to this feisty woman might be fun after all.