Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 337: A Father’s Worry

Chapter 337: A Father’s Worry

"You don’t have to ask for my permission, dear," Vito patted her cheek. "You’ve gotten thinner..." he sighed. "You’ve inherited a lot of my genes, Principessa."

Vito smiled. Viviana could see the pain he was hiding behind his smile.

"I am sorry for making you worry, Dad. I’ll get better. I promise." Viviana hugged him.

"You better," Vito patted her head. "And if you know that you are worrying me, do something for me," Vito said.

Viviana looked at him. "Anything for you, Dad," she smiled.

She really loved this man so much. His presence soothes her and she wouldn’t have survived Leander’s absence without Vito and Leonardo. They are good people; at least to her.

"Anything is a dangerous word, my child. One you should not use so lightly," Vito wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked her to the balcony.

"I am using it for you, Dad. I do not regret it." Viviana spoke from her heart.

"The guests are arriving..." Vito said looking at the entrance.

Viviana saw a stream of expensive cars lining up in the long driveway waiting to drop off the attendees of the party. She remembered the first party she attended with Leander. Peter Kastello had arranged the party. She remembered the pride on Peter’s face looking at those who line up to meet him.

She wondered what reaction Vito has.

Regret.

She saw regret in his eyes.

"Dad," she held his hand. "Are you okay?"

Vito patted her hand that was holding his hand. "I gained this influence, dear. I, by no means went easy on anyone. I am not a good man, child..." he sighed.

Viviana bowed her head. She knew what kind of man Vito Vitale is. She knew what the Vitale family did to instill fear in the hearts of their dissenters.

She squeezed his hand in a comforting way. "I love you, Dad," she said and leaned on his shoulder.

Vito let out a dry laugh. "I know... But... I thought since I don’t have a daughter, I was safe. Even if my son married, I was so arrogant knowing that I can protect the women of my family. I blamed my enemies for being weak. I thought I was asserting my dominance over the men by humiliating their women. I thought I was teaching my son strength. I did. I did humiliate them. My mistake was... I didn’t think it would affect my family in any way..."

Viviana looked at him confused.

"I’m worried for Leonardo. What I did, affected him in a different way. I tried keeping him away from that part of my business. But I should have known he’d find out..." Vito sighed. "Now... he thinks women are mere meats to enjoy. He doesn’t believe in marriage and he couldn’t fall in love. I denied my son the feeling of falling in love... I failed as a father..."

"Don’t be too harsh on yourself, Dad," Viviana said.

"You know I am not wrong, Principessa." Vito sighed. "Your presence here has added a Chapter to my life. These days I remember my Maria more and more. I got to fall in love because of her. She made everything so easy for me. I never worried about anything until she... She hollowed out a big chunk of my soul. In a way, her absence from my life made me realize the position of a woman in her man’s life. I used that knowledge to assert dominance over other men. I knew where to touch them when they cross me..."

Viviana silently listened to Vito. In a way, Vito seemed to be confessing. But she is not a priest to absolve sins. She is not a psychiatrist to make him realize something either. All she can do is listen to him.

She wouldn’t lie. She was glad Vito was feeling bad about his past wrongs. What he did was terrible. He shouldn’t have involved the women in his quest to become the alpha dominant male.

"I’ve tried to keep Leonardo away from that side. I knew on some level that what I am doing was wrong. But I was too proud in my ways. Leonardo didn’t stay away though. I should have known. I..."

Viviana clung to his arm. "Dad, I don’t think Leonardo is... I’ve talked to him. He doesn’t talk to me about women or love but the only time he said something, he told me that he was afraid after seeing what love did to you and me..." she scoffed. "He’s afraid of losing the one he loves, not love itself. That’s what I think."

"He told you that?" Vito furrowed his brows.

"Yes," Viviana nodded. "But he says what the other wants to hear most times so, maybe I am...wrong."

"Oh, dear. He might try to say what you want to hear but he never has a problem letting me know what he thinks. But... Is that what he really told you?" Vito asked.

Viviana nodded.

"It’s good news then," Vito smiled. "I can hold hope. Come, dear," he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her to his office.

"Is there someone he likes or used to like?" Viviana asked. She was glad her father was in a good mood.

"I’ve chosen some brides for him because he doesn’t care. He told me anyone is fine."

"But he should grow up before he marries. He will hurt the woman he marries if stays this way," Viviana said.

What woman would like a womanizer for a husband?

"Right," Vito pointed at her. "Here’s where you come. Take charge. Make him a man suited for marriage."

"Me?" Viviana’s jaws dropped to the floor. "He won’t listen to me."

"Make him," Vito said and passed her a tab.

Viviana opened it and there was a file named "Possible Brides". She opened it. There were the bios of many socialites and daughters of wealthy people in the file. She recognized the woman who glared at her in the boat today.

"I didn’t know she is the heir to the Barnes fortune. What was she doing on the boat with the influencers?" Viviana asked.

"Do you think she likes him and she found her way there to have a chance with him?" Vito’s eyes got brighter.

"Maybe..." Viviana said. "But what was she doing? She’s an heiress. She can’t even respect herself enough and went on a boat with a guy who treated her like a bimbo..." she said.

She was with three other women on the boat. How can her brother end up with such a woman who cannot respect herself? Shouldn’t her brother deserve a beautiful woman who knows herself and wouldn’t degrade herself like that?

"You make sense, but..." Vito was on cloud nine. "You know what love does. Maybe she loves him that much. It must have blinded her. Fine out what he thinks of her, all right. We can talk to her father and arrange for a marriage..."

Vito went on and Viviana nodded.

"I’ll try."