Chapter 7

Giovanni observed the roles in front of him. The Russian mafia was back against him. Would it be the work of that person? He couldn’t tell at the time.

At the same time that Aria and Laura were kidnapped, Spezia Dolce bakery had suffered an accidental fire. That Giovanni was sure it was no accident.

The Russians were declaring war on him after all. Just because of the fall of the company’s stock? It wouldn’t be a silly reason, but it was a weak reason. At least they were already taking care of it.

He waited for the phone to be answered. For sure, the deputy chief should be spending his time with someone.

"Hey, boss. To what do I owe the honor of your call today?" Mateo said gasping across the line.

"Mateo, do you know what happened yesterday?"

"Of course I know, boss. Laura and the nanny were kidnapped by the Russians. You need me to torture them?"

"No, for now I just want a meeting. Be here in half an hour."

---------

Lorenzo was nervous, this was his first meeting after 3 years and he didn’t know why he was there. But he thought it was due to the kidnapping.

All the security guards were there, along with the heads of each family, including the parents of Maira and Julio, the Mariane and the Esposito. 

His uncle Mateo had just arrived as exaggerated as ever. He entered, opening the door forcefully and saying good morning. 

He took off his glasses and sunglasses and smiled at Alissia, who looked at him with contempt and sat next to her just to annoy her. 

Giovanni didn’t call, he just sat in his chair and started:

"You know who we have had an enmity with the Russians for some time. It was years of pause, but, by their warning, they wish for war again. We’ll give it to them, but before that, I have some orders." 

Giovanni fixed the tie and watching if everyone was even paying attention, he continued. 

"We need to improve security, what happened was a shame. " He looked annoyed at everyone and Alissa shrank. 

"I want double protection for my family, including at Lorenzo’s school, after all, they went looking for him." He looked at his son, who confirmed. 

"I want reinforcement in the investigation, we need to find out what they’re planning. And anticipate their movements. Someone set a fire in Spice Candy, probably some traitor. The sooner we find the traitors, the better for everyone." He said in a threatening tone, in case one of them there was the faker. 

"Mater will be part of our team in the field. Obey his orders. He will stay with team A and with you, Alissa". 

Alissa made mention of retorting, but, Giovanni gave the look to her that shut her up. 

"Isn’t it great, we work together?" Mateo smiled and she shrunk, dumbfounded.

Giovanni finally ended the meeting by saying:

"I will not accept any traitor in our family. If there is anyone, there will be fate worse than death."

He left, angry. The case years ago could not be repeated.

------ 

Aria was calmer on a quiet day like that. Laura watched TV and Cassandra taught Lorenzo how to read in Braille.

She just watched while watching some ballet videos on YouTube. The nanny smiled at the memories of her past. 

"Do you like swan lake? I confess I only watched it once." 

Aria almost got out of the chair when she heard the voice. She put her hand on her chest to see that it was Alissa. 

"You are very silent. It almost killed me from the heart." 

Alissa laughed as she took the lollipop out of her mouth. 

"Forgive me for that." 

Aria laughed. 

"Back to your question. Yes, I love swan lake, my dream was to represent the black swan one day. Unfortunately, an accident made my leg unavailable for that." Aria responded sadly.

"I’m sorry, baby. At least you’ll walk again. That’s what matters now."

Aria smiled.

"Yes, it’s the important thing at the moment."

"Miss Ricci, I finally got the honor of seeing your beauty live."

Alissa rolled her eyes and Aria already imagined who was the owner of that voice, after all had heard it the other day. 

In Aria’s vision, Mateo looked like those street-racing bikers. Probably a typical women’s catcher, who was sunbathing and full of tattoos all over his body, covered in a black shirt and jacket. 

"Pleasure, Mr Romano, I believe." Aria smiled politely. 

"I’m sorry about your incident, beautiful. I’m here now, I’m the best to protect you."

He looked at Alissa with his brown eyes and asked:

"Don’t you think so, Ali?" 

"Don’t call me that...sir." she said annoyed.

"Oh. Do not worry about the lack of education of Miss Leone. We are friends since adolescence, she just does not accept it yet." He laughed. 

Alissa snitched, but didn’t answer. 

"Arrivederci, it was a pleasure talking to beautiful girls. So it’s our turn, Ali. Don’t be late." He left, laughing. 

Aria looked at him, curious. Alissa really hated him. 

The driver noticed and took a long breath. 

"E' um idiota. We met in high school, the same as Lorenzo and Cassandra study. He was always annoying and we always competed for first place. He always passed me. However, like you, I had to stop. And in the end, I ended up being a driver and safety. Not that it’s not a good part, but anyway."

"It’s okay to feel frustrated from time to time. But, is there nothing good in Mr. Romano? " Aria asked, curious." He seems to like you. "

Alissa blushed for the first time, but she also laughed. 

"Mateo is presumptuous, selfish, annoying and womanizing. There is nothing good in him. " 

Aria laughed and accepted her words.

------

It was already dark and the sky was full of clouds. Aria was trying to read her book, but the rain began to increase and her greatest fear came.

Thunder. Aria put her hands in her ears, trying not to hear the scary noise. But, there was no way to muffle them.

She trembled with every thunder and the panic set in.

------

Giovanni had just dried his hair. Everyone had gone to sleep. It was strange for him to be home, it had not happened for a long time.

He heard the thunder without caring and went through the rooms quietly until he heard hiccups.

Giovanni looked at Aria, surprised. She was curled up in bed, sobbing and covering her ears. Was she afraid of thunder?

"Aria." He called it.

She did not seem to hear him, immersed in his fear. Giovanni approached, and touched his shoulders. 

"Aria." 

She finally looked at him, the fear stamped on his face and the tears streaming down his eyes. Another thunder rang and she hugged him. 

Giovanni pressed her hard and said:

"Don’t worry, I’m here." 

They remained so until the storm passed, when Aria finally fell asleep in Giovanni’s arms. And as much as he was surprised, he stayed in the room next to her. Until dawn.