Chapter 2 Eyes of the Empire

Arthur watched the training for a while, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He was proud of his sons. They had only been at Nosa Costra for a few months, but they were already excelling, proving that they had the strength to carry on the family legacy.

As the training session ended, Agrid clapped his hands, signaling a break. "Alright, take five. We'll continue after." The students stopped, some wiping sweat from their faces, others catching their breath.

Arthur leaned back in his chair and decided it was time to check in on Phoenix. He picked up the phone on his desk and called one of the Academy's authorities. "I'd like to speak with my son, Phoenix," he said in his deep, commanding voice. The Academy staff knew better than to delay when Arthur Morreti made a request.

At Nosa Costra, it was a strict rule that no student was allowed to have a personal phone. The school was all about discipline and focus, and phones were seen as distractions. If students needed to talk to their guardians, they had to use the phone booth; a heavily secured room with a few phones connected to the outside world. The room was guarded at all times, and every call was monitored to ensure no sensitive information was leaked. It was the only way for students to communicate with the outside world.

After a short wait, Phoenix made his way to the phone booth, his uniform still slightly damp from the intense training session. He picked up the phone, knowing it would be his father on the other end.

"Father," Phoenix said, his voice calm and respectful.

Arthur smiled, though his tone remained firm. "How are you coping with the training?"

Phoenix straightened up, even though he knew his father couldn't see him. "It's tough, but I'm learning a lot. Agrid is pushing us hard."

"Good," Arthur replied. "You and your brother are strong, but strength is nothing without control. Focus on everything you're being taught. There's more to this life than just fighting."

Phoenix nodded, understanding the weight of his father's words. "I will, Father."

"Keep an eye on your brother," Arthur added. "You're both being watched closely. I expect you to lead by example."

Phoenix agreed, knowing the responsibility that came with being Arthur Morreti's son. "I won't let you down. Pass my greetings to mother."

"Sure, and she's expecting you." Arthur replied to his son.

With that, the call ended, and Phoenix returned to his training, the weight of his father's expectations heavy on his shoulders. Arthur, back in his office, leaned back in his chair, satisfied for now. The future of his family and the Mafia was in good hands.

Somewhere else across the city, a fifteen-year-old Camilla Ivanovick, daughter of Rhomana Ivanovick, one of the most respected Mafias in Willowbrook, stood in the training apartment of her family's grand house. Camilla was strikingly beautiful, with long silver hair that flowed down her back like a shining waterfall. Her bright blue eyes were full of focus as she tried to concentrate on the training ahead of her.

This time, Camilla was being trained at home, under the watchful eye of Sophie, a skilled martial arts teacher in her late twenties. Sophie had been hired by Rhomana to ensure that his daughter was strong enough to protect herself and, one day, carry on the family's legacy. Sophie was strict, but she was also kind in her own way, always pushing Camilla to do better.

Both Camilla and Sophie wore their family's colors; red and white, as they trained. Camilla was dressed in a fitted red top with white stripes along the sides, paired with matching red leggings that allowed her to move easily. Sophie wore a similar outfit but with a white top and red pants, showing her rank as the trainer. Their attire was beautiful and sharp, made for movement and power, but also representing the Ivanovick family pride.

Sophie stood in front of Camilla, her hands on her hips, watching as her young student practiced a series of punches and kicks. "Again, Camilla. Faster this time. You're strong, but you need speed too."

Camilla wiped the sweat from her brow and sighed. "This is tough," she said, her breath heavy. "I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this."

Sophie didn't let up. She stepped closer, her tone firm but encouraging. "Camilla, you have to keep going. You're the daughter of Rhomana Ivanovick. Do you think your enemies will give you a break just because you're tired? No. Now, do it again. Faster."

Camilla groaned but nodded, understanding what Sophie was trying to teach her. She repeated the punches, pushing herself to move quicker, her muscles aching with each strike. Sophie corrected her posture, showing her how to balance her weight better. "Good," Sophie said, "but focus on your footwork. You need to stay grounded, or you'll be knocked off balance."

Camilla continued, her moves getting sharper, though the exhaustion was clear on her face. "How much longer?" she asked, her voice strained.

Sophie gave her a small smile. "Until you get it right. Now, one more time."

Camilla pushed through, her punches landing with more power and speed. After a while, Sophie finally raised her hand. "Alright, that's enough for now. Take a break."

Camilla let out a long breath of relief and grabbed a bottle of water from the nearby table. She took a big drink, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. Sophie took a sip of her own water, wiping her face with a towel.

Just then, Alexis Ivanovick, Camilla's mother, walked into the apartment. Alexis moved with grace, her steps light and careful in her six-inch-high heels as she approached her daughter and Sophie. Her long, dark hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a simple white dotted black dress, her presence commanding authority as she walked.

"How is the training going?" Alexis asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity.

Sophie turned to Alexis and smiled. "Camilla is doing great. She's improving every day."

Alexis's face lit up with pride. She looked at her daughter, her blue eyes; so similar to Camilla's, sparkling. "I'm proud of you, Camilla," she said as she was moving closer. "This training is important, and I can see how hard you're working. Keep focusing on what Sophie is teaching you. It will all pay off one day."

Camilla looked up at her mother, still catching her breath. "Thanks, Mom," she said, a small smile forming on her lips. "It's tough, but I'm trying."

Alexis placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I know it's hard, but you're strong. You'll get through this. Just trust Sophie and stay focused."

Camilla nodded, her resolve strengthening with her mother's encouragement. "I will. I won't let you down."

Alexis smiled proudly and gave Sophie a nod before stepping back. "Good. I'll leave you two to it. Keep up the great work."

As Alexis left the room, Sophie turned back to Camilla. "Ready to get back to it?"

Camilla nodded, taking a deep breath and standing up straight, ready for the next round of training.

As Sophie continued to train Camilla, her mind drifted back to her own days at Nosa Costra Academy. She remembered how Agrid Luchez, her martial arts master, had always been proud of her. Sophie had been the best in her class; fast, strong, and skilled. Agrid would often praise her speed and control. His voice still echoed in her mind: "Strength is nothing without control. Control your mind, and your body will follow." These words had stayed with Sophie, giving her strength even when things got hard.

Now, as she watched Camilla train, Sophie could see some of the same potential in her. But Camilla was still learning, and Sophie knew it was her job to push her harder.

"Focus, Camilla," Sophie said, stepping closer to adjust her student's posture. "Don't just use strength; use your mind. Think before every punch. Control your movements."

Camilla, tired and sweating, looked up at Sophie. "This is tough," she said between breaths. "I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this."

"I know it's tough," Sophie replied, her tone firm but understanding. "But you have to keep going. You're stronger than you think. Don't let your body control you; use your mind. Stay sharp."

Camilla nodded, though she was clearly exhausted. She repeated the moves, throwing punches and kicks, trying to focus on what Sophie was saying. Sophie corrected her form, making sure Camilla's balance was right. "Good. Now faster," Sophie urged. "Enemies won't wait for you to be ready."

Camilla pushed herself, moving faster even though her muscles ached. After a while, Sophie finally called for a break. "Alright, take five," she said, stepping back and allowing Camilla to catch her breath.

As they both sat down and reached for their face towels, Sophie couldn't help but think about how her own journey had brought her here. After graduating from Nosa Costra, many Mafia families had wanted Sophie to work for them. Her skills made her a valuable asset, but she chose to work for the Ivanovick family. It had felt like the right decision. Sophie got along well with Camilla, and she believed she could help her become stronger.

Sophie's own family, the Gambinos, had been involved in human trafficking, a business she hated. She wanted no part of it, and after her parents were caught and locked up in the Nosa Costra Prison, she cut ties with them completely. There was no chance she'd ever see them again, and honestly, she didn't want to.

One thing Rhomana Ivanovick had made clear when Sophie started working for him was to never speak about Nosa Costra to Camilla. The academy had its dark side; a secret prison for Mafia criminals and more, but Camilla didn't know about that. Sophie understood and never mentioned it.

Even though Sophie was the best in martial arts, she knew she couldn't teach Camilla everything. Some lessons could only be learned through experience. But for now, Sophie was determined to make sure Camilla could protect herself and live up to her family's name.

"Alright, ready to go again?" Sophie asked, standing up and tossing her towel aside.

Camilla nodded, still tired but determined. "Yeah, let's go."

Sophie smiled, knowing that Camilla had the heart of a fighter. "Good. Now let's see if you've been paying attention."

Rhomana Ivanovick sat in his grand office, wearing his signature white suit and red tie. He was watching his daughter, Camilla, training with Sophie on a screen that was mounted on the wall in front of him. The screen was built into a beautiful, polished wooden panel, fitting perfectly with the luxury of the room. Rhomana's office was a testament to his power and success, with a large mahogany desk in the center, leather-bound chairs neatly placed around it, and a floor-to-ceiling window that offered a breathtaking view of Willowbrook. The city stretched out before him, like an empire he controlled.

As he watched Camilla work hard under Sophie's guidance, Rhomana smiled. He was proud of her. She was learning fast, and one day, she would be ready to take on the challenges that came with being his daughter. With a small remote in his hand, he pressed a button and the screen went dark, satisfied with what he had seen.

Turning back to his work, Rhomana's fingers flew across the keyboard. He was reviewing the latest financial reports for his vast empire, which included casinos, hotels, and finance businesses. The numbers were good; better than good. Every quarter, his profits grew, and he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Business was booming, and everything was running smoothly under his control. As he looked over the reports, positive thoughts filled his mind. He was thinking about how his investments were paying off, how the hotel renovations were bringing in more guests, and how his name carried weight not just in Willowbrook, but beyond.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was a firm, polite knock. Rhomana didn't look up from his screen as he responded.

"Speak," he said, his voice calm and commanding.

The door opened slightly, and his assistant, Marco Marino, stepped in. "Sir, we have a meeting with the hotel managers in fifteen minutes," Marco said respectfully.

Rhomana nodded, not surprised. He had been expecting the reminder. "I'm ready," he said, his fingers still moving quickly as he saved his work on the computer. Once everything was saved, he stood up from his chair, straightened his suit, and prepared to leave for the meeting.

Marco stepped aside as Rhomana Ivanovick approached the door, making sure to give his boss space to pass through first. It was a sign of respect, something everyone in the organization did without needing to be told. Marco waited until Rhomana had exited the office before following closely behind. He gently closed the door behind him, then continued walking a few steps behind Rhomana as they made their way to the conference room where the hotel managers were already waiting.

Rhomana walked confidently down the hallway, his footsteps calm but focused. Marco, always quiet and observant, followed at a respectful distance. When they arrived at the conference room, Rhomana opened the door himself and stepped inside.

The atmosphere in the room shifted immediately as he entered. All the managers stood up from their seats, their heads slightly bowed, showing their respect for Rhomana. The room was spacious, with a long, polished wooden table at the center. Large windows let in natural light, and the walls were decorated with expensive art pieces. The managers, all wearing black suits and red ties, looked serious and professional. The women in the room wore black skirts and red blouses, matching the men's formal attire.

Rhomana walked confidently to the head of the table. Once he reached his seat, he gave a short nod to the room. "Good morning, everyone," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "Please, sit."

The managers all sat down immediately, waiting for the meeting to begin. Rhomana looked around the table, his sharp eyes studying each of them before speaking again. "Let's get started," he said, turning to Lucian, his chief financial officer. "Lucian, go over the financials."

Lucian, a tall man with neatly combed hair and glasses, opened his folder and began speaking. "The numbers show steady growth across our properties. The casino is performing well, with a fifty-five percent increase in revenue this quarter. However, there's some concern with the hotel occupancy rates in the downtown area. We've seen a slight drop of about three percent, and we believe it's due to increased competition from newer hotels."

Rhomana listened carefully, his eyes focused on Lucian as he spoke. "What's being done to address that drop?" he asked, his tone direct but not harsh.

Lucian responded quickly. "We're adjusting our pricing strategy and planning some renovations to stay competitive. We believe that will help turn things around in the next quarter."

Rhomana nodded, satisfied with the answer but not fully convinced. "Make sure you keep an eye on those renovations. I don't want any delays," he said firmly.

Lucian nodded, "Of course, Mister Ivanovick. We'll stay on schedule."