"Surely," I murmured, my eyes widening as I tried to process the gravity of the situation. The reality of what had just been revealed seemed incomprehensible, as if I were trapped in an unfortunate loop, forced to relive a harrowing experience from my past. The irony of returning to the same location only added to the weight on my shoulders.In that instant, my entire body tensed up, my muscles involuntarily contracting, and my blood pressure surged through my veins. I found myself gripping the seat tightly, my knuckles turning white, while my gaze remained fixated on Antonio, who appeared surprisingly composed and collected. It was reminiscent of our previous encounter, where he had managed to maintain his composure despite the chaos around us.Antonio, with an air of calmness, took a moment to explain, his hands deftly maneuvering the steering wheel as he spoke. His words only served to deepen the gravity of the situation, and I couldn't help but release a heavy sigh, rapidly making
As my eyes fluttered open, I found myself captivated by the radiant brilliance of the stars above, their shimmering light penetrating my gaze. Struggling to find my bearings, I shifted uncomfortably in the chair while Antonio, still behind the wheel, cast a calm glance in my direction."You're awake," he uttered serenely, his eyes meeting mine. I turned towards him, emitting a grumble as I stared ancing downward, I noticed that I was draped in his blazer, realizing that my neck was slightly sore, likely from an awkward resting position.Carefully removing the suit, I held it in my hands, my gaze alternating between the fabric and Antonio's stoic figure. He appeared unfazed, fixated on the road ahead, his attention undeterred."We've already arrived in Reggio Calabria," he announced, though his words pierced through my nerves. Lost in thought, I continued to peer at the suit, the lingering fragrance of his potent cologne enveloping me. I cherished not only the scent that emanated from
"Wait, what?" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in disbelief, almost popping out of their sockets. My lips fell open in shock, and a gust of air escaped directly from my mouth.I stared at the man once again, and Antonio's earlier suspicions proved to be true. Yet, it all seemed so perplexing. The last time we encountered him, Antonio suspected him of spying on us, but he claimed to have come for a routine check-up with his pregnant wife."I don't understand. Why is he here?" I inquired, turning to Antonio. He remained silent, his teeth gritted, while his hand maintained a firm grip on the Asian man's hair.He turned towards me, his gaze devoid of any emotion. My eyes locked with his, and I continued to be filled with a sense of astonishment."We'll find out soon," he responded calmly, flicking his cigarette to the ground."Wake him up," Antonio commanded, taking a step back. I followed suit, positioning myself beside Nello, who observed the scene in silence. Nello's men sprang into actio
"Yes, I vividly remember encountering you at the hospital," the Asian man stammered, his breath hitching and his chest rising and falling rapidly. Even after enduring the immense stress of torture, he still managed to summon the courage within himself. I couldn't help but wonder why he initially resisted and subjected himself to such suffering."Good," Antonio sneered, abruptly rising to his feet. He gripped the Asian man's jaw firmly, locking eyes with him, before returning the same disdainful spat he had received earlier."Should you ever dare to spit at me again, I shall forcibly remove your tongue," Antonio threatened, punctuating his words with a resounding slap across the Asian man's face.Meanwhile, Nello, on the other hand, approached Antonio, closing in on his position. He lingered behind him for a moment before gently tapping Antonio and whispering something into his ear. Uncertain of what was exchanged between them, I found myself fixating on Nello, whose eyes briefly met m
The haunting words of Chen echoed relentlessly in my mind, refusing to relinquish their grip even long after the incident had occurred. I had borne witness to a gruesome death, an image that had become etched into the depths of my consciousness. Prior to the fateful event, I should have heeded Antonio's advice and listened attentively when he urged me to leave. Regrettably, my stubbornness prevailed, and I remained steadfast in my refusal to depart.The day it all unfolded, I found myself plagued by relentless nightmares that plagued my sleep. It happened to be the day of the Conseligie's grand wedding, and I stood in my room, attempting to attire myself appropriately. Donning the very dress we had purchased on that ill-fated day at the mall, a strange sensation permeated my being, dissuading me from attending the event. The knowledge that the primary intent was to assassinate both Antonio and me during the car ride instilled a profound fear within me. I couldn't help but ponder why I
"What surprise?" I demanded, my voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and exasperation, as I fixed my gaze upon Antonio. The intensity of my stare aimed to penetrate his defenses, seeking an honest answer to the elusive surprise he had mentioned. However, his silence persisted, an impenetrable barrier refusing to yield any insight. Oblivious to my inquiries, he continued to navigate the road ahead, his eyes fixed firmly ahead, denying me even a fleeting glance."What surprise are you talking about?" I erupted, my words laden with a sense of urgency. Yet, it seemed as though my voice vanished into the abyss, swallowed by the void of his indifference. The revelation of his secret had stirred within me a torrent of curiosity, prompting me to contort my face in a mixture of frustration and determination. I pressed the gears of my mind into motion, spinning the wheels of imagination to conjure a myriad of possibilities. From the simplest gestures to the grandest acts of affection, my mind t
As I laid eyes on Bianca, an overwhelming wave of joy surged through me, causing my heart to skip a beat. I simply couldn't contain my elation. It was as if every ounce of happiness I had ever experienced had culminated in that very moment. The anticipation had been nonexistent, especially since I had no inkling that my parents or Bianca would be present in Italy, let alone at a wedding I had been reluctant to attend from the start."Bianca," I whispered softly, barely able to contain my enthusiasm, and in an instant, I found myself darting towards her with an irrepressible smile illuminating my face. Her eyes gleamed with a brilliance that matched my own, as though we shared an unspoken connection. I had yearned for her presence, and her radiant blonde hair seemed to shimmer under the gentle glow of the hall's lights, casting a captivating aura around her."Bianca!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my joy, and I wrapped my arms around her tightly, my hands instinctively finding their p
As if caught in a sudden gust, I was swiftly whisked away from Nello's fading grip, finding myself abruptly entangled within the grasp of Papa. His penetrating gaze fixated on me, a hint of amusement lingering in his eyes as a dry smile crept across his lips."Papa," I whispered, my voice carrying an unexpected calmness, betraying the shock that ran deep within me. The edges of my brows curved slightly, accentuating the furrowed lines etched on my forehead. A faint tremor quivered through my hand as I summoned a shaky smile, desperately attempting to mask my true feelings. I yearned to project an air of normalcy, fearing that any inkling of my aversion to his proximity would not go unnoticed."How are you, and how is Antonio treating you? Speak truthfully," he demanded, his voice tinged with a furrowed brow. I couldn't help but question the gravity of his inquiry and the need for me to reaffirm what I had already answered moments ago."I'm fine, Papa," I replied, the words flowing alm