Chapter 6

The scribbles in the ledger dated back to 1020, the middle ages. This year, all the Maggio descendants were set to gather and celebrate their millennial power. But the key piece for their reunion was missing. 

My investigation didn't even start and I already faced life-threatening challenges. And I was convinced, me falling into the water was Irina's answer to my meddling with her man. 

Where was she anyway? I looked around, concerned. 

Cosimo turned towards Nonna and pulled his lips into a gentle smile. 

"Signora, I'd like to talk to her in private," he said. 

Nonna complied with a nod, and accompanied by Padre Matteo, left the room. 

"The carabinieri (police officers) are standing outside the ward, waiting to get your statement," Cosimo said with a straight face. 

"I'm sorry for causing trouble. But it wasn't my fault. Irina pushed me in on purpose." 

"I know... But you'll say you slipped and lost balance..."

I jumped up hearing his words, the room spinning from the sudden rush of anger. 

"No. That's not what happened. That bitch tried to kill me." 

"I don't care. Look... You either say you slipped, or you say goodbye to your job. Think quick..." He opened the door and let two policewomen in. 

What? This day keeps getting better and better. 

No offense to anybody, but these two seemed too infatuated with his charming good looks, husky voice, and dashing attitude. They didn't pay attention to my face, even though it was written all over me that I was lying. 

"Tutto bene (everything alright)?" asked the smiley one while completing the forms. 

"Certo (of course)," Cosimo answered in my place. 

You son-of-a-bitch... I won't be intimidated. Never. 

"No. It's not alright. I just remembered..." I shouted, staring wildly into Cosimo's coin-like eyes. "Irina pushed me in. Irina Vlad, a Romanian girl." 

"No, she did not. We were drinking at the bar when we heard the splash." 

Of course you'd defend her, you bastard. 

"I didn't slip. I was thrown into the water." 

Cosimo broke his nonchalant stance and came closer to my bed. 

"Look, you got your statement," he said. "She's obviously confused but she's not pressing any charges." 

"You think you can just..." I started to say, but he quickly grabbed my mouth. "... just because you're rich..." I continued, struggling to get out of his grip. "I want her ass in jail." 

"Will you be quiet?" He snapped at me, then turned towards the officers. "Can you come back later, signore (ladies)? I'll send something over to the precinct to show my appreciation. This really isn't that serious." 

The women locked gazes for a second, then left without saying another word. His power over the police scared me. 

"You bribed the police and now you'll bribe me too? Or carry out your earlier threat?" Tears started running down my cheeks as I thought about mia Nonna and our dream of owning a little countryside paradise. "Well... Do it... I'll find another job." 

Cosimo laughed as he released me from his hold. The scent of tobacco and his sweet cologne hit my nose. 

The smell from my dream, I remembered as I went silent. 

"I didn't have to bribe them. Their captain is my cousin. I'll just send them all some iced lemonade to cope with this heat," he said in a calmer tone, sitting down next to me. "And you don't have to worry about your job." 

"Explain to me why you wanted me to lie. I want to know the truth." 

"The truth... The truth is that this was a test. I pushed you into the water and I saved you from drowning. You gotta understand when you're a billionaire all sorts of leaches glue onto your skin. And I had to know what kind of person you are before I let you get any deeper into my business." 

His words left me stunned. 

I couldn't move much, but I sat up in the bed. The top of my head reached just below his chin, and even though my tongue failed to clap back, my will to give him a piece of my mind didn't. 

All of a sudden, my palm flew across his face, leaving a bright red mark on his left cheek. The IV came out, tearing my vein, but I didn't care. I was too invested. 

"You can't put peoples' lives in danger just because you want to test them, you rich son-of-a-bitch," I shrieked, looking content at his surprised expression. "What about a background check or police surveillance? You said your cousin was the captain a mere minute ago... I could have died just because you have trust issues." 

"Mi dispiace (I'm sorry), but there is no time for that," Cosimo rubbed his burning cheek. "Once you enter the Palazzo (Palace), you too, will go down the spiral of extravaganza and I needed to know." 

"Not all women are as superficial as Irina," I retaliated once again. 

Cosimo let out a quick laugh, to my surprise. 

"She's not that bad once you get to know her," he said. "You, on the other hand, can throw a pretty mean punch." 

Slap, dickhead... That was just a slap. I raged inside me, still thinking of the moment my lungs caught on fire just before everything went dark. I should have fought harder and not let the water claim the victory. 

Nonna returned with steaming tea in a plastic cup. 

"Oh, Dio mio (my God). What happened?" She ran to my bedside, and quickly placed a paper towel on my arm. 

My vein had burst open and flooded everything with blood. I was so wrapped up in my anger, I didn't even notice the sticky red pouring down beneath me. 

"I'll send a car to pick you up tomorrow morning." 

"I'm not going anywhere... Not after this." 

"Signorina Banks, you losing your job is imminent if the ledger is not found. I don't believe your company can pay up twenty billion euros," he said in front of my grandmother. 

I watched as all the color drained from her face and the shake of her hands got uncontrollable. 

"Dio mio (My God)," she gasped. 

My heart rate increased suddenly. I was afraid she'd collapse, for she was a fragile old lady. 

A nurse came to check up on me and immediately sought to tend to my injury. 

"Nonna, calm down, please. Everything will be alright," I said. "There's no need to worry. I promise." 

But she clasped her fingers together and headed out to the corridor with tears glimmering in her sunken eyes. 

"I go pray with Padre Matteo in the chiesa (church)," she said in a tremulous tone. 

"Nurse, will I be discharged tonight?" 

"When were you brought in?" She asked, looking at the round watch hanging down on her scrubs. 

"Twenty minutes past three," Cosimo said. 

"Almost four hours ago. I think you will be kept here overnight. I'll go check with your attending physician, okay? Be right back," she said. 

Cosimo took out his phone and acted all not interested. His fingers moved across the screen with speed, as if he had something urgent to discuss. One would think that someone who designed his own car would mute the key sounds on his phone, but nope. Another thing that I found really annoying. 

When done, he put his phone away, dug his hands into his pockets, and waited, leaning against the wall. 

Shortly after, the nurse came back. 

"Good news, darling. You're going home soon. Your discharge papers are being processed as we speak." 

I bulged my eyes in disbelief. 

"What if I have water in my lungs?" 

"If you experience pain or any other symptoms, please make an appointment with your general practitioner or family doctor, all right?" She threw a quick glimpse at me then left. 

I didn't want to make things worse, but I was convinced that Cosimo arranged this. 

The police and doctors overlooked the procedures because of him. It made me wonder: what else was under his control?