“Why is there a bar in every place you go? You have one in your office. I am sure you must have one at your house as well. Also, every time I see you, you have a drink in your hand.” Faith commented as she look through the small collection of alcohol behind the bar. Her finger traced along the marble counter. She heaved a sigh and turned around to look at Mateo, who still stood by the door, but unlike before the door was closed now. “Not to forget you own a club. Are you sure you don’t have a drinking problem?” She asked – tilting her head. Mateo couldn't understand how she is the same woman who was trembling under his gun just a couple of hours ago, and now she stood in his room – uninvited – lecturing him about her perspective on his drinking problem. “Are you Captain Jack Sparrow of the mafia world?” She mocked him. Mateo has never used the words mafia when he talked about Aldo or himself, but Faith picked on him. She knows what organized criminals are usually called. If Mateo does

Faith couldn’t stop thinking about what Mateo said after he, Piper, and Benji left for the city. She sat by the pool alone. “Because history suggests they cannot be trusted,” Faith repeated Mateo’s words as she pulled her eyebrows together and tilt her head.Her head has been wrapped around so many reservations. To begin with, if Mateo also believes that the Ricci family cannot be trusted, then does this gives Faith a reason to not trust his words either? After all, he is Mateo Ricci. Although, he doesn’t use his family name. That made her think, did he change his last name because he doesn’t want to be associated with his family?She wondered what happened in the past that forbids the Ricci clan to lead the alliance? If they betrayed the Bianchi clan, then why are they still a part of the alliance? She pondered on how Mateo feels about belonging to the subordinated clan, and how the people of the Bianchi clan see him? She wondered if the person that was in love with Zeta also belonge

“Kami, can you take me to the beach today?” Faith asked Kami as they stroll through the narrow streets of the village market. Faith came here to explore the small market, as well as, to purchase a few essentials. She has a beige tote ag on her shoulder with a few items she purchased, such as some handmade soaps. She was also lucky enough to find some scented candles that a young villager makes at her home. She also bought a wooden comb that an old man was selling, she didn’t need it – but she just wanted to help out the man. Faith also purchased a few things for Kami and his family as well. She learned a bit about the boy as they talked when they walked around. Kami is the eldest child. He has a younger sister, Lora, who is fifteen, and a younger brother, Dio, who is ten. His mother works in the tea fields, and his father passed away eight years ago. He dreams to study in the city and be successful so he could ring his family to the city as well. Like Kami, Lora can too speak and und

Even when Mateo asked the driver to take them to the resort, Faith insisted on going to the hospital first. Mateo repeatedly opposed it. “Mateo, this might get infected if not taken care of. Can you please, stop being so stubborn and listen to me for once? I am already mentally drained, please don’t add to my problems.” She said to him. Mateo heaved a sigh. He realized that she is not going to let this go, so he dropped it and let Faith ask the driver to take them to the hospital. The village has two small hospitals. The Bianchi and Ricci families built both. Before these two families intervene in the matters of this island, there was not one operating hospital, school, or pharmacy for the villagers. These families came in and built the essentials for them.The hospital wasn’t crowded when they reached. The driver was also operating as Mateo’s bodyguard and he was by his side along with Faith. Mateo didn’t have to wait for his turn, he was taken into the room where his wound was take

Blaire reached the island sometime after noon. She came directly to the resort where Faith and Mateo were waiting for her. “Shit’s still pretty,” Blaire said once she looked at the ocean over the cliff. She hasn’t been here in years. The last time she came here, she met her husband. Her way to the island was like a sweet throwback for her. She recalled each moment she spend with her husband when they first met. It was a simpler time, even when she was here on a mission, Jeremy’s presence made it all sweetly memorable for her. Faith watched as Blaire looked around the resort. She wore a grey shirt with black jeans and sneakers. She had a plain black cap over her head while she chew gum. “The place looks better, Mateo. Did you renovate it?” She asked him. Mateo stood tall beside Faith. He still had an arm sling strap around his waist while he wore a navy blue button-up shirt over grey pants. Faith noticed how Mateo and everyone that works for him have a very limited and quite similar c