VINCENZOI buttoned up my sleeves and ensured—for the umpteenth time—that my shirt was properly tucked. Next came my tie. I made sure the clip was in place and my hair—even though not gelled—looked good. I didn't have to look like some one dimensional superhero in a comic strip to make an impression. I knew why I took my time, and I'd be damned if I didn't get the desired result. Four days of being suave couldn't go unrewarded. Spraying some bit of perfume, I grabbed my satchel and left the room. From what my watch said, Padre should be anything but ready. I was wrong. He was perched on a couch, sipping what I knew was espresso. All dressed and ready for the day's business.He looked me over, I must say, quite surprised at my punctuality and maybe my clean character these past few days. I knew so, even though his expression relayed nothing. "Coffee?" he asked as I took a seat opposite. "I already have."Silence took form; all the while, I watched him. He locked gazes with me tw
VINCENZOI dropped on the bed, totally and utterly drained. It'd been a long day today. We'd left the airport to attend a conference which had nothing to do with how miserable I was. If anything, I'd enjoyed every bit of it. I'd learnt a lot. My problem stemmed from the one hour drive to Melbourne where Padre had some old friends. To cut the story short, time had been nonexistent. I loosened my tie and tossed it to the floor. Sighing as I admitted to the good side of the whole thing: connection, experience. If I embarked on, say, two more trips like this with Padre, I'd be fully made. I took a shower and got ready for bed. While dressing in front of the closet, my eyes fell on the nightstand and a flash of memory hit me. I'd been away from Rina for days, and while I didn't expect her to call, I felt sour. Bitter? Weird? I didn't know what to call it, but it was something. Most of the servants usually traveled home for the holiday and this fact further worsened my plight. By some u
RINAWe climbed the porch stairs and found ourselves in the living room. Sure enough, Mammà was here. She was together with Uncle Enrico. They both gaped at us like we were aliens. It took a second thought to remember the huge driver was with us. Perhaps, he was the reason they looked stunned.Alessio broke the silence by greeting, at the same time reminding me I was supposed to make introductions. Mammà, however, was quick to speak before I could. "Oh, Alessio." Her gaze switched to me. I knew what she was thinking. Definitely, once Alessio leaves, we'd be having a talk. She eventually quit staring and approached Alessio to give him a half hug. "Rina has told me a lot about you. I'm glad you two know each other."Okay? That was totally unexpected. I blew a breath and imagined flicking sweat off my forehead. Alessio went on to engage in a light conversation with Mammà and Uncle Enrico. I took that as a cue to disappear and get my shit together. I picked Nico's voice as I left th
UNKNOWN POVLeonardo had been a liar. He'd been pole-dancing in the ocean of delusion for as long as the mind could think up. But fortunately, his senses had returned. This morning would forever hold a special place in his heart. He'd been doused with realization, such that he now looked at his past self (which was from yesterday downwards) and cringed. What was I talking about? The fallacy that he was a villain to the core. One that would unleash mayhem without an atom of regret, when in reality he was nothing more than an eighteen-year-old chicken. I was a chicken. Really. I was. The moon goddess knew this which was why she'd let me be raised by two strong individuals. Zio Emiliano and my Zia. I…Shit. See? There I went again. Shaking, swallowing, rapid eye movement. My nervousness was out in the open, potentially attracting an eye. If I didn't take time, I would rat myself out. What was done was done. It had to be done. The law of Karma said so. To stifle my anxiety, I would p
VINCENZO This would be the third time I glanced at my parents since I became aware of a fact: it was blaringly silent here. Deader than a doornail. No matter that my parent's expression gave no clue, I kept stealing glances with the hope of getting a break in my investigation. No such luck, however. Defeated, I returned to my food. This should be one of those days when the atmosphere was gloomy for no reason. And I was talking about some nine, ten months ago, long before some girl had showed up and pulled my mind all to herself; away from the darkness that wrapped me round. Now she was gone, everything had deteriorated. Everything was worse than before. Still, I hoped Lucia's words were true. That Rina had until next week to return. It did seem like a year. With all the lameness that characterized my nights, I was in dire need of an escape. Fuck, I'd been patient enough. It was no easy thing being away from her, separated by distance in every sense of it. The bitch truly had block
RINAThe tram rolled to a stop, plunging my heart to the depths of my stomach. I watched in sheer horror as people milled out. Their faces, a total contrast to mine. “Excuse me?”I jerked and turned to see a lady next to me. “Hello? You’re blocking the way.”"Oh." I stood, allowing for her to pass. Sorry. My gaze followed her out before falling on the elderly creeping her way out of the tram. She and I were the only passengers left, but somehow, that didn't move. She whipped her head towards my direction, nearly hoisting me out of my skin. “Non stai scendendo?” [Aren't you coming down?] she asked, ignoring my show of fright. I gave a ghost of a smile, readjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder and walked. I helped her down. “Sei sicuro di non esserti perso? C'è una stazione di polizia fuori.” [You’re sure you aren't lost? There's a police station right outside the terminal.]I managed a smile. “Sto bene, signora. Grazie.” [I'm fine, madam. Thank you.] She didn't take her
VINCENZOI turned the faucet and filled my cup with water. The generous gulp taken drove out steam, blessing me with a nice feeling. Sighing in satisfaction, I went for another cup. That fully got me back in the zone, and straight I went to my desk. Ready to continue from where I'd stopped.I was halfway through with making entries on the database; that wasn't to say I'd be free in no distant time. I'd still got work to do on the balance sheets—which included sending them across to the Chief Financial Officer today. Once these were cleared, I could then heave a sigh and focus on preparing for Sunday. I worked for some time before getting interrupted. It was Padre's secretary, Diego. He was set to leave, but had decided to make one more attempt at pissing me off. "How's it going?"One look was all it took to slap the smile off his face. And even as I'd returned my focus to the desktop, I could still see him gape like the fool he was. He eventually jammed the pit that was supposed to
RINAMammà's eyes suddenly came to me and she dropped the blouse she was folding. "Come on, dolcezza. Don't be moody."My response was a sigh, before I started fondling with the zip of the duffle bag."Do you want to come along? I'm not sure what the Luna would say but—" "No." Finding her words ridiculous, I let the zip be and wore a distant look. "I'm okay. It's just that…" I'm terrified of how these five days would be. "I'll miss you, that's all."Mammà merely smiled before resuming her folding. Five days without her around would be hell on earth. Need I say how?Abruptly, she stopped—giving me another pitiful look before drawing close. Her hands eased my shoulder. "Rina." Her voice was a drawl. Which happened whenever she cautioned me. "One day you will start a family. Now, what happens if your mate lives in a faraway land? How will you survive without me?"My brows furrowed in disagreement, her words getting me unnerved. "You know I won't let that happen."She lifted a curious