Chapter 1

Screams.

Smoke.

Fire.

Blood.

Giovanni wiped the blood from his face and got into the car, as if he hadn't caused chaos behind him.

He straightened his blue tie and answered the ringing phone. His secretary, Anne, was calling him at the worst possible time.

“Mr. Mancini, I'm calling to inform you that the last nanny has quit. We're running out of options. I don't know who to hire if even the trained women in our midst aren't enough.”

“I don't care, Anne. That's your job to sort out. The children have to accept someone. There's no time to deal with them.”

“There is one last option, sir, but I think your children's wish is...”

“Then bring that last option and don't disturb me any more for today.” He said, turning off his cell phone without even saying goodbye.

As the car left its trail of destruction behind, someone woke up gasping in the cold of the night.

The images were still fresh in his mind, screams, smoke, fire, blood, death.

It all seemed so recent, as if 12 years had not passed.

Her parents' faces smiling, Cassandra screaming in pain and her doing everything she could to move with her leg trapped.

“Aria.”

Cassandra's voice snapped her out of her trance.

“What's wrong? Are you all right?” She asked her sister.

“You've had another nightmare, I can answer the door if you prefer.”

“The door?”  She said, confused, as she realized they were actually knocking on the door.

Aria rushed to understand, letting her black hair cover her sweater.

“Hello?”  She said to the other side.

She shivered as she noticed Mr. Biancci, her landlord, on the other side of the door.

“Buongiorno, Mr. Biancci. How can I help you?”

“Buongiorno, Aria. Can we talk later?”

“Of course, sir. I'll be there.”

When he left, Aria felt dread fill her bones.

“You're nervous, Aria. Don't tell me you've been fired again.” She gave a tired sigh. “I'm sorry, maybe I should try...”

“You have one duty and that's to finish high school, Cass. I'll manage as best I can, okay? If Mr. Biancci doesn't kick me out.”

-------

She left, her familiar CV papers in hand. She took the elevator up to the most prestigious bakery company in the area. La spezia dolce.

Aria had no idea about the relationship between sweets and spice, but what mattered was getting a job so as not to lose her rent.

The HR woman looked at her with a disdainful expression when she arrived and simply said:

“Not you.”

“What do you mean?” - Aria asked in exasperation.

“Everyone knows the chaos you cause, Miss Ricci. We don't want that kind of employee here.”

“But that's a lie. That wasn't my fault. It was a customer...”

“There are no vacancies, Miss Ricci.”

Aria left frustrated and angry. They had soiled her image. What would become of her and Clarice now? She didn't mind begging for food, but her sister couldn't live on the streets.

She passed a room where several men in suits, including Giovanni, were standing. The man observed her body for a few brief seconds, he wouldn't let such beauty go unappreciated.

When she got home, Aria threw herself on the bed, wondering what would become of her.

----

A few kilometers away, in one of the most remote mansions in the area, a little blonde girl was crying.

“He didn't show up because he was busy, Laura.” Her older brother hugged her.

“He's sending a babysitter again, I don't want a silly babysitter. I want Daddy.”  She said, running off to her room.

“Laura.” Lorenzo tried to go to her, but the child had already locked herself in the room.

He sighed in frustration. Why couldn't his damn father spend a few hours at home? Well, they weren't going to give up. No babysitter would stay until his father came home.

Lorenzo sometimes felt a bit childish about it. But there was no other way to face his father. No one could deal with the mafia don, not even him.

“Mr. Mancini. This is Miss Rossi, she'll be looking after you from now on.”   Giulia, the housekeeper informed her, hoping that this was the right one.

“I don't think so, Mrs. Romano. Do you want a prostitute in our house? What example will she be for Laura?”  He smiled, showing pictures on his computer of the woman in compromising outfits.

Miss Rossi blushed with anger and shame.

“You... You little pest. How dare you? We need to disguise ourselves in our work, didn't your father teach you anything about our methods?”

“You'd better go, miss. Or I'll leak these photos to your new boyfriend, what do you think?”

The woman stormed out, slamming the door.

“I was this family's last chance, if some insane woman takes this job I wish her luck.”

Lorenzo smiled, his eyes shining with satisfaction.

------------

Aria didn't shy away from meeting Mr. Biancci. However, she confidently opened the door to the army store.

“Hello, bambina, come in.”  Mr. Biancci invited her to the back.

She sat down in the chair under the round table and took a sip of the coffee on offer, with a certain amount of anguish.

“I'll be straightforward, Aria. I know you're a good, intelligent young woman, but you can't hold down a job. However, the rent is overdue and...”

Aria swallowed at that moment.

“I have a job for you, babysitting my thoughtful son, Giovanni. Would you accept? Children are a bit difficult, but I think you can handle them.”

“Yes, sir. I can handle children. I'll do my best. Thank you very much.”

Biancci smiled. That girl deserved it after everything she'd been through.

“We have a vacancy ahead of us. However, from what I know, I doubt it will last more than a few hours.”

Aria was surprised at that moment. Just a few hours? Well, she had to face that challenge.

“Here's the address, can you make it by 6:00 a.m.?”

“Yes, sir. I can make it. No problem. Thank you again.” She left smiling and thanking him.

On her way out, she bumped into Giovanni. They didn't see each other, but fate had already crossed their paths. Aria would now be working for the most dangerous man in Italy.