First meetings-2

I arrive at the sizeable Ganovese estate.

The choice was not difficult.

I really wonder what my father could have done in the past to make the Ganovese owe him a debt.

Matteo takes me by the hand and starts to give me a tour of the house, explaining the rules of the house.

"Generally, we can do anything as long as it doesn't piss Santo off!" he tells me.

"I feel like he's angry all the time," I reply immediately.

Matteo bursts out laughing and puts his free hand to the side of his mouth to share a secret with me.

"No. He's always hungry, and it puts him in a bad mood."

"What?"

"Santo is a big, hungry teddy bear. If you want to win points with him, bring a dessert and ask him to help you finish it."

"Why doesn't he eat more if he is so hungry?"

"Elio's order. Santo is a compulsive eater. Once he emptied the closets and fridges in the Villa, but I was too small to remember. Since then, Santo is only allowed to eat at mealtimes if he does not want to upset Elio."

I catch myse