Chapter 6

Vincenzo emerges from the shower, feeling refreshed and ready for the night ahead. Water still clings to his hair as he steps out of the bathroom, steam lingering in the air. He carefully slides his suit over his shoulders, adjusting each detail with precision.

Leaving the room, Vincenzo walks through the corridors to the elevator. The fabric of the suit brushes against his skin, instilling a sense of confidence. With a smooth motion, he presses the button and waits as the elevator descends.

The doors open to the nightclub's main entrance, revealing a world of lights and sound. Vincenzo walks with determination, familiarly greeting some patrons as he passes. His elegant and imposing car is already waiting, the driver behind the wheel.

Entering the vehicle, the atmosphere shifts. The interior is an oasis of tranquility in contrast to the nightclub's frenzy. Vincenzo settles comfortably in the back seat, looking out the window as the driver begins the journey to the airport. They drive for three hours, cutting through the darkness with the headlights' glow, until they reach the private airstrip. There, his jet awaits, ready to take him to Arkansas.

----

After a four-hour flight across the skies from New York to Arkansas, Vincenzo finally lands. An hour-long drive takes him through wooded roads and picturesque landscapes until he reaches his majestic mansion.

The residence stands imposing, surrounded by well-tended gardens and an aura of tranquility. Lights illuminate the entrance, and the number of security guards patrolling the property resembles an army. The gates open, and Vincenzo drives to the main door, exiting the car and entering the mansion as his driver takes the vehicle to the garage.

Vincenzo enters the mansion, the cozy environment reminding him of his mother. Being where he grew up makes him miss things he doesn't want to think about. He returns to his senses when the housekeeper, Amalia, calls him.

"My dear?" Amalia calls.

"I'm sorry, I was lost in thought. Have you been calling me for long?" he asks.

"Not that long. How are you, my dear?" she says.

"I'm fine, Mrs. Amalia. Thank you for asking. And how are you? It's been a while," he responds.

"I'm glad you're well. I'm doing fine, thanks to the good Lord. It's been many years since you last visited."

"It has been many years indeed. Without my mother here, it's not the same, you know. And the young lady I asked you to bring, how is she behaving?"

"She seems to be a good girl, always polite, but she refuses to eat. I'm afraid she'll get weak. I put out food, but she doesn't touch it, only drinks water. She's very shaken, my dear. What are you doing?"

"I'd rather you not ask about that. I don't want to involve you in my dark matters. I want you to always see me as a good person, as you always did when you took care of me."

"Come here, hug me. I will never see you as someone cruel. You are and always will be my dear," she says, hugging him.

"Thank you for everything. Now I'll go upstairs and check on her. Please prepare a plate for her, maybe some soup, something she can eat."

"I will. I'll do it right now," she says.

----

Vincenzo climbs the stairs to the second floor of his mansion. He walks down the corridor, and at the end, he opens the bedroom door. Luna runs behind the sofa in front of the bed and screams, "Don't come near me!"

Vincenzo looks at her and says, "Stop screaming, I'm not going to hurt you. Calm down." Despite his request, she has a severe anxiety attack, collapses to the floor in tears, and accuses him of killing her brother.

"You killed him. You took a part of me. Davis, come back, brother, please," she sobs.

Vincenzo kneels on the floor, looks into her eyes, and says, "Your brother is not dead. He's recovering in the hospital."

"You're lying. I know he's dead. I saw him hurt, saw how they beat him. I saw how cruel you were," she says, starting to hit him in her anger.

Vincenzo is taken aback and visibly shaken, seeing Luna like that. He ends up hugging her to prevent her from hurting herself.

"Please calm down. He's okay. He's not dead. Amalia, bring a glass of water with sugar," he shouts.

Amalia enters the room and sees Luna's state.

"What happened?" she asks.

"Bring a glass of water with sugar to calm her down," he requests.

"I'll get it," she replies.

While Amalia goes to the kitchen, Vincenzo tries to calm Luna but fails. He decides to call Matteo and asks him to record a video of Davis in the hospital to reassure Luna.

"Hello, Matteo? I need a favor."

"Go ahead. Did something happen?" Matteo asks.

"I need you to go to the hospital and record a video of Davis and send it to me as soon as possible."

"Men are guarding him at the hospital. I can ask them to send it because I'm in a conference with your father right now."

"Great, ask them to send it then. And thank you."

"I'll ask them to record and send it immediately. Let me know if you need anything else."

Vincenzo ends the call.

"They're going to send a video so you can see your brother is okay."

"Thank you," she says hoarsely.

Amalia comes up with the water with sugar for Luna.

"Here, my dear, drink this. It'll help calm you a bit. Come on, don't be afraid," Amalia says with a smile.

"Thank you," Luna says, drinking the water.

Shortly after, Vincenzo receives the video of Davis and shows it to Luna, who bursts into tears upon seeing that her brother is indeed alive.

"Thank you for showing me the video," she says to Vincenzo.

"No need to thank me," he says.

"Dear, do you want to eat something? Some soup or anything? You're weak and could get sick," Amalia suggests.

"I'm not hungry. I just want to go home," Luna says.

"Why don't you go then?" Amalia asks.

"Because I'm his prisoner," Luna replies sadly.

"Prisoner? Vincenzo, what's going on, my son?" Amalia asks, confused.

"Can you give us a minute alone, Amalia? I'll explain everything to you later," Vincenzo says.

"Yes, my son. I'll leave you two alone, but you have a lot to explain to me, understood?" Amalia says.

"Yes, I understand," Vincenzo says, looking downcast.

"Dear, if you need anything, just call me," Amalia says to Luna.

"Thank you," Luna replies with a smile.

As Amalia leaves the room, Vincenzo searches for the right way to tell Luna that he has no intention of harming her.