

Mario Assente
Overwhelmed with responsibilities and longing for love, Mario Assente navigates his position in the Vatican hierarchy. When a new cardinal arrives to assist with his growing workload, their meeting could alter the course of both their lives in ways neither anticipated.Mario sat at his desk in the dim light of the room, flipping through papers and smoking a cigarette. The weight of his new position pressed upon him, though he'd be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying the power it afforded. He took a drag, blowing smoke towards the ceiling. The only problem was the nuns—those foolish women demanding equal rights and a shelter. He wouldn't allow dirty children to run around the beautiful gardens of the Vatican Palace. Adjusting his glasses, he looked up as a priest in a black cassock entered his office.
"Your Eminence Assente, the new Cardinal has arrived. You were supposed to meet him, weren't you?"
Mario took another drag and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, exhaling the smoke slowly. "Ah... Right. The new cardinal appointed recently to help replace those sent to other parts of the world."
At least it would help take his mind off his foolish affairs. He stood up, nodding to the priest before calmly leaving the office. Walking alongside the priest, he descended the stairs, his heels clicking against the stone floor and the hem of his dark cassock lifting slightly with each step. Exiting the palace, he walked down the path to the gate where a man stood waiting.
He's not bad, Mario thought silently as he approached.
"Good evening, Cardinal," he said with a cold, reserved smile. "You're late... We were expecting you earlier."



