SHADOWS OF THE PAST

ALLESSANDRO'S POV

Rain falls heavily in Florence.

The mansion smells of gun powder. As i lay in my bed,Emilio’s warning still rings in my head. I let myself ignore his warnings. To let her dig through wanting answers. To let her curiosity hurt her.

But i get on my feet instead with my jacket over my shoulders walking towards the path that leads to the study.

The study light is on. Every step i take leads me to her. When i reach the door it was slightly open. She must have left it that way.

Avelina stands at the other side of the table. A letter in hand as she was shocked to see me.

“I see you have made yourself comfortable”. I said breaking the silence

“You had left the door open” She says defending herself quickly.

“Not for you to snoop through.” I fired back at her.

I  slowly steps inside and close the door behind me.

“Can you tell me what it is you were looking for, Avelina.? I ask immediately.

“I need answers because you are clearly hiding something from me.” She responded.

“You shouldn’t be in here.” I say walking towards her.

“I know. But if you wanted an obedient wife then i am the wrong woman for you.”  She says shooting back at me.

“I can see that now.”

I stretch my hands towards hers taking back the letter. My fingers brushing hers slowly.

“Where did you get this letter from.?” I asked because i have never seen it in the study before so it must have been hidden.  

“It fell out of one of the files from the drawer,” She responds. “You didn’t know you had to destroy everything that had to do with my father before marrying his daughter?” She says further.

“You act like you know everything.” I say clenching my jaw.

“I know enough to know you killed my father. And i also know my father didn’t kill your brother, did he?”  Her question hits me like a rock.

I turn my head towards the door avoiding her gaze. doesn’t look at me.

I could hear her voice breaking. “Then who did it? Why was my father framed?” She asks further.  

I manage to look up and stare into her eyes.

“Go to your room right now.” I say to her.

“I wouldn’t until you give me answers.” Avelina replies.

I walk towards her until the desk was between us. “Disobedience will lead you to dangerous parts, Avelina.”

“The day you took my father i stopped caring.” She says crying.

For a moment i do not say anything. “You should be careful and think things through.”

I say leaving her in the study.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Afternoon, i found her going through the photos in the hall.

I walk towards her and calls her name.

She turns but does not hide the picture she was holding.

“You really have a problem doing what you’re told” I say to her.

“And you also have a problem with honesty.” She says firing back at me.

I step closer, slow, deliberate. “That depends on what truth you think you deserve.”

“The truth you keep hiding from me.” She says as her voice breaks. “From the letter you brother knew my father. And from this photo you knew him to. Who was your brother referring to Allessandro. Me?”

I could not bring myself to walk towards her even though i wanted to. Her skin smells of vanilla. “That letter wasn’t yours to find.” I say staring at her.  

“Yet i found it.” So you owe me an explanation. She says lifting her chin

Ï do not owe you any explanations so stop asking.” I say trying to control my anger.

“You owe me a lot Allessandro. You took my father’s life and you owe me that.” She says with teary eyes.

For a moment i almost explained everything to her. But i am scared for her safety. She is as stubborn as my brother described.

“I did not kill your father.” I finally say.

“Then who ordered the hit on him?”

The room goes silent as the truth was now heavy to say.

“If you keep chasing the truth i am afraid you will be the next target and i would not be able to protect you.” I tell her quietly.

“Then i will die knowing who did it.” She says walking towards me. She doesn’t back away. “Then at least I’ll die knowing.”

I take her hand trying to take the picture from her but she refuses to let go. Our fingers touch. I felt a spark and my anger suddenly vanishes. Before i could react she takes back her hand.  

“Please go back to your room, Avelina.” I say in a low tone

 “No.” She says staring into my eyes.

“You are really hard to deal with. And knowing when to listen is really not your thing.” I say almost smiling.

“Well if you must know, i stopped listening to anything you say the night you didn’t let me bury my father properly.”

Her words sting. I want to walk away but she continues her enquires.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I should not be in same room with her.

Every time i am close to her i find it hard to control myself.

 She stands close to be studying the photo again and staring at me. “You are in the photo. With your brother and i.” She says staring into my eyes as though searching for the truth. “Why do you pretend you barely know me?”

“You do not remember because you were a child. But your father and mine were once friends. All we wanted was peace.” Because strangers are easier to control.

“You called killing my father peace? She laughs. I could feel the pain in her heart. “My father is dead. You killed him”

I wanted to explain to her but i had to bite down the urge. Her finding out the truth will destroy her.

“I acted like a stranger because it would be easier for me to control you. Stop searching for the truth Avelina.”

“You are scared i will find out what you’re hiding? Is that the reason

“You will get yourself killed. I am trying to protect you.” I say trying to make her see reasons with me.  

The rain sounds could be heard as lightning strikes through the glass windows causing her eyes to glow.

“Do not think i fear you, Allessandro. I do not fear death but i want to know the truth before that happens and i will die trying to find it.” She says.

“You do not seem to understand anything. The men who killed your father are still out there. They are searching for you and they would be very happy to finish what they started.”

“You are lying, Allessandro. Trying to control me.” She says.

“I wish it was all a lie.”

She tries searching my face. But there was no more explanation

“ I cannot promise to keep you safe if you do not trust me.” I tell her.

There was silence. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of the rain and our heartbeats.

“I do not ask for you protection.”  She says finally breaking the silence.

I take a deep breath. “You really do sound like my brother”

“Enzo? She asks puzzled.

“Yes.” I say taking a seat.

“What business did your brother have with my father.?”

“My brother believed there was a betrayal. He died trying to find out who it was.” I say as i look away.

“ So you killed my father to avenge your brother?”

“I already told you i did not kill your father.”

“If you did not then who did.?

“Quit searching for the truth, Avelina, Or you will get hurt in the process.” I say to her calmly.

“You can’t decide for me Allessandro.”

“This is my house. And i make the decisions so deal with it.” I say as my voice becomes loud.

She was about the say something when a knock interrupts.

It was Emilio. “We have a problem, Don Allessandro.” He says.

“What is it.?” I say trying to take control.

“A guard was shot dead at the Morretti mansion. The second one this week.

“This is why i say you are not ready for the truth. The war is not over until they get you.” I say staring at Avelina as she crys.