Emiliana The hot water pounded at my back as I hung my head low under the shower head. Dried blood dripped down my face marring the clear water and circling the drain below. The blood still stained my hands, and reminded me of what happened days ago. How close I came to death, how close Giovanni had been at death’s door.Soap spilled through my hands, bubbling and foaming as I lathered my hands. I scrubbed the grime that had embedded in my skin, the hardened crimson dirt that lined my finger nails. I scrubbed and scraped at my fingers and hands, trying to rid the murky residue. No amount of water and soap seemed to be able to remove the scarlett muddiness.Tears blended with the cascade over my head, sobs left my lips, trembling as I scoured my skin to the brink of breaking it. My hands were raw,

Emiliana  With Giovanni out of action, Carlos had taken up his son’s responsibilities. I was yet to ask what he was doing in New York, and why he wasn’t at my Nona’s in Milan. But in between my urge to stay with Giovanni and working through my own torment, I hadn’t spent much time with Carlos. Having spent enough time off work and tending to his needs, Giovanni was almost begging me to return. I found it almost humorous that I was the one that was taking care of him after everything we had been through. “Verrò a prenderti alle sei.” (I will pick you up at six.) Carlos spoke as I exited the car. “Grazie.” I nodded my head and swung my bag over my shoulder. 

Emiliana Sleep didn’t come to me at all that night. While Giovanni seemed to function perfectly without me by his side, I, on the other hand, re-lived every awkward moment as I tossed and turned in my bed. There was no way I could crawl my way back into his arms now, he had made the divide between us clear and seeking comfort in his arms was no longer an option for me.I was still working through the multitude of emotions. I had never felt like this about anyone before, and just when I thought Giovanni was on the same wavelength as me, he had pushed me away. There was an undeniable constant push and pull that refused to settle between us. One minute we would be drawn to each other, so close to our lips touching that I could taste his breath. But all too soon, Giovanni would remind me that he had a job to do, and that left me with lingering d

Emiliana   “You need to eat.” Giovanni rasped into my ear. I shook my head, unable to stomach through the turmoil and anxiety that had gripped my insides. My eyes ventured across the expanse of the city ahead, my mind flitting through what would happen - no doubt exaggerating the consequences. “I’m with you, every step of the way.” Giovanni wrapped his arms around my waist, confirming his words to me. I turned to face those piercing forest-like eyes that landed on mine, sending a wave of comfort.  But no matter what he said to me at that moment, I was still unnerved by becoming a failure. As much as I didn’t want the CEO position, I wasn’t going to avoid my responsibilities.  I stepped out of his embrace, reaching for the coffee beside me. My g

Giovanni   “I thought you had everything under control?” Emilio held his hard stare and authoritative tone, while I held my firm stance. “I do.”  “Then what the hell is going on?” I could see the impatience and anger flicker in his eyes and I couldn’t blame him. “Russo is up to something.”  “I know that,” Emilio stepped forward, his fists clenched by his sides. “You’re meant to find out what!”  “I will.” I answer after a minute, my mind temporarily drifting to Emiliana. It took a moment for Emilio to calm his fury, taking a seat behind his desk, he gestured to the seat in front of him. “What do you kn