Meeting The Mancini's

Chapter 2:

Mr. Mancini's POV

 I watched the lady from a distance. “I wonder why she's sad?” I wondered out loud.

 “Maybe a heartbreak.” Maria, my wife, said, “Then the man must be stupid.”

 My wife laughed at me. “Why don't you go to her and find out what's wrong? Maybe we can help?” I heard Maria say, “What makes you so sure she will tell me her problems?” I asked.

 “I can see she's got trouble, and maybe she will open up to you.”

 I looked at the young girl as well. “Alright, I will talk to her. I hope she doesn't think I'm some kind of pervert.” I said it out loud, only for Maria to laugh at me.

 I stand up and walk over to the brunette.

 Lisa's POV.

 I was so caught up in my grief that I didn't notice when an older man came to sit next to me on the bench. I sob, but then hear a male voice next to me asking, “Ti fa molto male, Signori ta?” Do you feel sick?

 I shook my head and wiped away my tears. “I'm sorry, but I don't understand your language, Sir, and I don't talk to strangers. Please leave me alone. “

 “Excuse me; I don't want to be rude, Signorina,” the old man said in a mixture of English and Italian, “but my wife said I should come and ask why you are crying. My name is Mason Mancini.”

 I looked at the man, then at where he was pointing, and saw an elegant older woman.

 They seem to be concerned. “Mr. Mancini, my little sister, and I are here on vacation. But yesterday, I got shocking news.” I informed him about what the doctor said today.

 “When will your sister have surgery?” I heard the older man ask with sympathy clearly in his voice.

 I shook my head, and the tears began to roll down my cheeks. “I don't have money to pay for the operation, Sir,” I told him truthfully.

 “You are indeed in a difficult position, Signorina,” Mr. Mancini said.

 “Yes, you do indeed have reason to feel sad. You haven't told me what your name is.”

 “I'm Lisa Saunders; we stay in the Palazzo Veneziano, Mr. Mancini,” I said softly.

 “You must wonder why my parents aren't here. You see, our parents died in a car accident a year ago. My sister can't process their death; she wants to know if they are coming home; this holiday was planned so that she could get away from everything that made her think about them. “ I paused and said, “I'm sorry I bore you with my problems, Mr. Mancini. I told him I just wanted to be alone for a while. I think your wife is calling you. Please thank her on my behalf".

“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Saunders.” I heard the older man say this as he quickly stood up from the bench and greeted me politely.

 Masons POV

 “Well, I have to say you were away for a long time, Mason,” my wife said when I sat beside her.

 “Is it possible that you could not tear yourself away from the attractive lady?” My wife continues to tease me. I see she is no longer crying!”

“Her name is Lisa Saunders; she is indescribably beautiful.” I begin to tell my wife.

 “She and her little sister are from South Africa and arrived here two days ago on holiday.” I continued to tell my wife about the car accident in which Lisa's parents died and that this holiday was meant to cheer Lilani up. I briefly told her about their tragedy yesterday and that Lisa cannot cover the operating costs. “However, yesterday she got sad news.“

“So, it's not a breakup then,” my wife said.

 “I wonder if she's not just another gold digger hoping to catch a rich guy?” I heard my wife say, “I don't think it's a lie, Maria.”

“At first, she didn't want to have anything to do with me. She clarified that she doesn't talk to strangers and that I should leave her alone. No, she doesn't look like the girl who will make up lies to get money from a man. “

 “It's true; one can always find out at the hotel and hospital if she's telling the truth,” my wife said.

 “Did the lady tell you who the specialist is who is going to operate on her sister?” Maria asked.

 “No, and I didn't ask.”

 “Why don't we phone the hospital and ask?” I suggest.

 “No, wait, I think it's better if you introduce me to the lady, so I can talk to her myself.”

 Maria stands from the bench and continues, “Come, my dear."

Lisa's POV

 I wasn't crying when Mason and his wife appeared before me.

 “I would like to introduce my wife, Maria Mancini, signorina Saunders,” I heard Mason say.

 I greeted the elegant woman as she sat next to me.

 “Mason told me about your sister.”

Maria begins to talk to me.

 ”I'm glad to hear you're not crying anymore. Who is the surgeon who will do the operation? “

 “Doctor Esposito would have operated, Mrs. Mancini.” I told her softly, while tears slowly rolled down my cheeks, “But there will be no operation. It would be better to expect it and not keep hoping for a miracle that will never happen.“ Sadness overwhelms me, and I start sobbing softly.

 “What is the miracle you were hoping for, dear?”

 I heard Mason's voice after a few seconds between sobs. I wiped my tears and said, “There is no specific miracle. I hoped I would find the money somewhere to pay for the operation. But there is no one in South Africa I can call for help. “

 “Don't you have a fiancé or family who can assist you, dear?” Maria asked me, worried.

 “I only have my grandfather left; he's a pensioner, and I don't have a fiancé,” I said.

 “I was so busy completing my examinations to become a lawyer that I didn't have time for relationships. Last year, I had to stop my studies to look after Lilani full-time after the death of our parents and started working as a receptionist at a law firm; even then, I ignored men. I have no one but her. “

 There is a brief silence. “I was just thinking of a solution that could benefit both of us, dear. Suppose you make Italy your new home. My grandson is blind after an accident. His fiancé left him after we took care of most of the family business. I hired nurses to help him, but they are so annoying and clingy that I get rid of them faster than we can hire them. They only want my grandsons' money. Tell me, what is your sister's name, the hospital where she's at, and the doctor treating her?”

 I looked at the older woman and then provided all these details.

 “I'll contact you this afternoon, dear. Don't worry about the operation anymore.” Maria said, standing up.

 “Goodbye then, my dear. I will call you later, so be ready to meet my grandson.” The older woman said,

 “Goodbye, Mrs. Mancini.” I greeted her and walked toward the hospital, thinking about what she had in mind.