Vincenzo and his family ordered a table at the restaurant. It was one of the best restaurants in Milan, and it belonged to them. His mother had carefully planned this venue so that they could have an advantage. She didn't want them to be cut off guard."We've not been to this restaurant in ages, and suddenly, Mum chooses this place for dinner?" Vincenzo whispered to his father."You know how your mother is. She probably has her reasons for making us come here. Just follow her lead, and everything should go on smoothly."His dad said reasonably.He was always on the quiet side. He thought things through and was never ready to pass judgment. Vincenzo was glad he took his wisdom from his dad. It was just a pity he never quite forgave himself for the role his foolishness played in losing the love of his life.He got his impatience and quick temper, however, from his mother. He wanted things to be done as soon as he asked. He had no room to occupy failures of any form. Maybe that was why i

MARIA'S POVMy bodyguard led me into the house. Ursula and Zia watched their favorite telenovela in the living room when I arrived. I tried. I tried to look like everything was fine, but seeing them, my resolve shattered. They ran to me when they saw how much I was shivering. They didn't say anything but only hugged me."I lost him," I struggled to say, but they did not understand me. I don't remember how, but the next thing I knew, I was immersed in the bathtub.Zia Benedetta turned on the warm water, letting it cleanse me. I don't know if she knew this, but it wasn't only my dirty body. My soul was in rot. I was in so much turmoil.Whenever the thought of how I was so close to reuniting with my brother resurfaced, I shuddered at my weakness in being unable to protect him. The image of his face caught in chaos appeared in my head. He looked so scared and clueless.He didn't recognize me, which was worrying initially, but it didn't trump my desire to save him. The tears fell from my e

Vincenzo led Matteo to the room where he kept Marco. At the room entrance were two hefty men, obviously to keep watch of the man. They bowed slightly as Vincenzo and Matteo approached the door and allowed them to enter. Matteo looked around, taking in the environment where what might be their most prized possession was being hosted. It was a large room with a bathroom and barely any furnishing: just a large bed and a table stand. The captive was looking out the window when they came in. Not even the sound of footsteps approaching was enough to get his attention."Well, that's him," Vincenzo pointed to the tall, skinny man. Matteo wished he would turn around to get a better view of him. Unfortunately, the man looked adamant about remaining in that position. "He's not much of a talker or a looker, I guess," Matteo replied Dryly, Vincenzo shrugged, short of words. "Why did you take me?" A strange voice suddenly asked. It took the duo a while to notice it was coming from Marco. Weir

Ursula felt suffocated, so she exited the house to get her head together. The only way Ursula knew how to do it was through shopping. Zia Benedetta was busy so she couldn't come with her. Maria locked herself in her room since the confrontation with the crazy Viola and refused to come out. Everything was getting too intense for her, and she just needed to press pause for a minute. She needs time to calm down her nerves, or else our next step might cause havoc.They drove past an ice cream shop, and she begged him to stop. It had been quite a while since she indulged herself in sweet treats. Ursula needs some sweetness to kill the bitterness of the sight of that wrench Viola Santoro.Another thing that caught her attention when she came down was the small building that sold the most interesting-looking food she had come across in her short stay in Milan. She made her mental note to taste that roadside food after her quick stop for some Ice cream."Common, let's go take some ice cream,

Ursula finished her story, and they all were in awe."Are you in love with him now?" Zia asked. Maria and Ursula looked at themselves and burst into laughter."Oh, common Zia, am I twelve?" She jested."Well, love at first sight does exist," Zia said, and Ursula caught on to that same dreamy voice she had used the other day at the cathedral."Zia, is there something you want to share?" Maria went along with the teasing. They both stared deeply at Zia with mischievous smiles playing on their faces."Stop it, you girls. We're talking about Ursula now," she blushed."Zia Benedetta, one day, we will force you to tell us about your secret lover," Ursula said and laughed."What about you, Maria? Have you ever been in love?" Zia asked."Love," she repeated like it was the strangest word she had ever heard. Just then, Maria's phone rang, successfully taking her out of a tricky spot."Who could be calling me at this time?" she complained. She hissed when she saw the ID pop on the screen."Who