It has been a few days since the car ambush. Stefano has been working hard to come up with leads to find out why I was attacked that day. I have also been investigating myself, I haven’t come up with anything so far. We were close to getting some information from one of the guys that attacked me, but before we could question him, he killed himself.    I asked my dad to think of any of his enemies that might have been behind the attack, he doesn’t feel they are responsible like the first time I asked him. Most of the people he has problems with signed a peace treaty to end the killings of both parties. It’s not been easy for Stefano with the stress from his other job and coming home late every night is always exhausting for him.    I am walking to the kitchen to get a glass of water; I woke up in the middle of the night thirsty. Arriving in the kitchen I find someone standing in f

     It has been a few days since Stefano has been at the clinic. Getting Stefano to rest at the clinic wasn’t easy. He can be so stubborn when it comes to his health. I am on my way to visit him and bring some documents his secretary dropped off for him to sign. I have been spending most of my days and nights taking care of him. Every day I bring him a fresh set of clothes and food that Maria prepares because he hates the clinic food. Sometimes, I stay overnight in case he needs anything.    Stefano wasn’t very pleased with me taking care of him. In fact, the first day he was here, he asked me to leave, I refused because I wanted to make sure he was okay. His mother also contributed to him allowing me to take care of him. She told him if he didn’t let me take care of him, she would fly over and come and do it herself. Stefano said he rather have me than his mother worrying about him every day.

   After what feels like forever, Stefano walks out of the office; he says his final goodbye to the man before walking back into the restaurant, with me following behind. While we are walking out, the most embarrassing thing in my life happens. My stomach makes the noise, the noise that tells the whole world you are hungry, and it’s loud. Oh my God, why did you decide to embarrass me like this? I say to my stomach, but it only growls more. I turn to Stefano, for the first time in my life, I think he is smiling or trying to hold his laugh.   “Are you hungry?” Stefano asks with the same beautiful expression on his face. He has never smiled before; it makes him look more attractive than ever. He should smile more often.   “No, I am not,” I say, trying to deny the growling sound from my stomach, but my stomach betrays me again.   “I think your stomach begs to defer,&r

  He drives us to the party’s venue and quickly walks inside as soon as he hands the valet his keys. If I didn’t know better, I would say he is running away from me. I put on my mask and walk inside to find Aurora. It’s a masquerade party. I see her standing with a group of people who I am guessing are her friends. I tap on her shoulder to get her attention. I know who she is because of her dress.    “Aurora.”    “Andrea, you are finally here,” she says, sounding excited to see me.    “Happy birthday again.”    “Thank you, would you like something to drink.”    “Yes, please,” I say and feel someone tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see who it is, but the person has a mask on, so I don’t know. “Who are you?”    “Andrea, it’s me, Ivan,” he says, taking off his mask.    “Hey, I am so happy you made it,” I say, pulling him into a hug. &nbs

    I step outside and find Stefano standing beside his car. I walk over to him determined to have a serious discussion about his behavior earlier.    “Good, you are done with him; now get into the car,” Stefano says opening the car door for me.    “What was the meaning of what you just did?” I say, ignoring his words to get in the car.    “I was trying to protect you.”    “Protect me, from what? A good friend.”    “He is not who you think he is.”    “How do you even know him?”    “How I know him does not matter; all that matters is I don’t trust him, and I believe he is dangerous.”    “This is the same thing you said the first time I was meeting him, and now you interrupt my lunch based on this useless belief you have of him.”    “It’s not a useless belief I have done my research, I will only show