CHAPTER 22

ANALISE’S POV

Everything is back to normal again. With Luciano never apologizing because it was my mistake.
Even if I am not okay with it, he doesn’t care. Yesterday night after slapping me he came back some hours later.
He picked me up and took me to take a bath. I was not crying anymore simply because I am tired of showing my weakness.
I don’t want to cry anymore. We had a bath and then he brought me dinner. It was the usual not something special and then we went straight to bed without saying anything to each other.

He never apologized for hitting me or even asked how I was feeling. According to him, it was my mistake. I shouldn’t have told him those words.
Now I am bored and sitting on the balcony after having breakfast. Luciano is beside me sitting and doing work. His laptop is on the table and he is continuously typing.
He picks up papers from beside the laptop, reads them, and again starts to type God knows what.
I pick up my cup from the table which has herbal tea in it and takes a sip of it. Indeed, it is soothing and delicious.

Chiara suggested that I should drink it daily. She said that it will also help me with my morning sickness.
I am wearing a simple casual shirt with shorts because I didn’t want to search for anything good.
Luciano took the day off today and started working with the laptop. He said that he wanted to spend his day with me. That’s why he didn’t even let me leave the room.
He is looking handsome as always. I am getting bored. Why isn’t he talking with me? Is this how he is going to spend his day with me? He should just get me a phone so that I can roam different apps and play games.

This way I will not be bored. Thinking of the phone reminds me of my parents. Where are they? Are they safe? No matter what my love for them can never die. After all, they are still my parents.
There wasn’t one here this morning. Luciano knows about it. The question is will he tell me where they are? Should I even ask?
Too indulged in my thoughts I never noticed that Luciano has stopped his work and is now looking at me.
“Do you want to ask something Tesoro?” Luciano asks continuously typing something. How does he know that I want to ask something?

He knows how to read my face. I look at him to see him patiently for my answer.
“Umm, where are my parents?” His hands stop their work. He looks at me as if analyzing me.
“Why do you want to know because by the events of last night I thought you didn’t want to see them again.” He says now shutting his laptop and looking at me.
“It is not like that. No matter what, they are still my parents and I love them.” I say to him truthfully.
“They are at Niccolo’s place. Niccolo took them with him last night.”

“Oh.” I have nothing more to say except this. I don’t want to discuss this topic right now. It is better if I don’t meet them for some time.
“I have thought of something. Go get ready and change your clothes.” Luciano says getting up.
I drink the last of my tea and look at him with a questioning glance. “Where are we going?” I ask.
“Nowhere special. We are just going to take a stroll in the city. Meet me downstairs in ten minutes.” He says in his monotone voice and leaves after giving me a peck on the lips.

I look at the clock and see that it is already eleven. I wonder where is he taking me? Isn’t he afraid that I will run? Is it safe to roam freely in the city when you are in the mafia?
I get up and do my routine then I wash my face. I walk into the closet and search for what to wear today. I pick up a beautiful dress.
I wear it and look at myself in the mirror. It is white and has a beautiful design with a black colored strip. My bump is not showing much so it is perfect.
I let my hair loose and free. With a little makeup giving a natural look I am looking perfect. An extra glow is on my face. I think it is simply because of my baby.

After wearing flats, I reach downstairs to see Luciano waiting for me. He takes my hand in his and guides me towards his Mercedes.
He opens the front door for me. I look at him in shock. Is he driving today? I look sideways to see no driver. I sit inside and he sits in the driver's seat.
“Why are you driving today?” I ask him and look behind to see only one car following us. Normally at least three are always behind us for security.
“Because I feel like it and want to be alone with my wife.” He says and if stating the obvious. He puts his hand on my thigh. His touch makes me scared.
His warm hand giving me chills. The weather is pleasant today. With comfortable silence in the car, I don’t think anything bad is going to happen.

I look outside the mirror to see people happily walking around the city and laughing. Some are busy with their work.
This is the second time we are in the city. The first time was when we were going dress shopping.
After driving for some time he stops the car and gets out. Should I get out too? What is he doing today? I am so confused.
Luciano comes to my side and opens the door. “Why aren’t you getting out Tesoro?”
I give him an embarrassed smile and get out. He takes my hand in his.

“From here we will walk”. He says to me and we start walking.
I am shocked beyond words. The mafia king Luciano Knight is walking in the streets of Bologna freely with no security behind him.
Is he gone insane? I shake these thoughts away and try to enjoy my time. I never got the chance to see the beauty of this city.
I knew that it was a beautiful city but I never got to see it with my eyes. I think maybe life is taking a good turn after so many hard times.
“Do you want to learn Italian Ana?” Luciano asks out of nowhere.

I think for a second and then answer him honestly. “Yes.” I have always liked learning different languages that’s why I know how to speak Spanish besides my mother
language that is English.
I look around myself and notice that there are not so many people out here.
I think this has something to do with the fact that today is Wednesday. A busy day in the middle of weak. Different tourists are also here taking pictures with their cameras.

Luciano stops in front of a small shop and I check it to see it is a small book shop.
We get inside the shop and see a young man behind the counter. He looks at us surprised.
“Benvenuto Signore. Oggi è un giorno così grande che sei arrivato qui.” The young man says with respect happily. (Welcome sir. Today is such a big day that you have arrived here.)
Why is he so happy? Why is he not scared?
“Grazie Simone. Siamo qui per comprare alcuni libri italiani di apprendimento.” Luciano says to him to which he bows and starts searching for something on different
shelves. (Thanks, Simone. We are here to buy some Learning Italian books.)

I think his name is Simone. He returns with two books and puts them in front of us. Oh! These are Italian learning books.
Luciano pays him and then we leave the shop. He is looking so different wearing a tuxedo in the common street. If anything, he is looking mighty.
“There was no need to buy these,” I say to him. I wasn’t expecting that he would buy me these.
Out of nowhere a guard appears and takes the book from us. I thought no one was with us and we were alone.
“You thought I will roam in the city without protection?” Luciano jokes. I look at him with a slight smile.

“Guards are with us but are at a safe distance. If you want to buy something then tell me.” I look at my side and see a beautiful jewelry shop. Beautiful ornaments can be seen through the glass window.
“Can we go in there?” I ask Luciano and he checks the shop.
“Of course.” He says opening the door and going inside it. I move inside and I am amazed to see beautiful ornaments made of wood and stone.
There are necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, and every piece of jewelry a woman wears.
A fresh scent is lingering in this shop.

I see an old woman behind the counter. Luciano is looking at me waiting for me to buy something.
I check out the things and then pick up a beautiful wooden butterfly brooch. It is elegantly made.
“I want to buy this.” I say to Luciano holding the brooch in my hand. He nods and then turns to the old lady.
“Quanto per questo?” Luciano asks the lady in not so sweet voice. Probably he is angry because the woman is constantly staring at me. (How much for this?”)
She replies in Italian.

Luciano pays and then he pins it on my left side of the dress. “You are looking so beautiful Tesoro.”
I thank him and the older lady.
“Are you pregnant child?” The old woman asks in English. I look at her confused while Luciano gives her a stern glance.
“Yes. I am.” I say to her and she gives me a bright smile.
“May God bless you with a lot of kids.” She says while holding my hand.

I thank her and then we leave the shop. Luciano is still looking at her suspiciously. He nods to someone in distance.
“So, tell me. Where do you want to go today?” He asks looking at me with a smile.
I think for some time but no place comes to my mind. “I don’t know about any place here. I have never been here before.”
“Ok, then we are going to see Leaning Tower of Bologna. Tell me when you feel tired.” He speaks.
I look at him dumbfounded. Leaning tower of Bologna? What is this? I thought only the Leaning Tower of Pisa exists.
We walk for quite some time and then I see two leaning towers. Wow! They are so beautiful.

“Bologna has myriad of towers but these two are legendary. These two were named after famous Italian families.” He explains as we see it from every corner.
Wow! They are so magnificent. Indeed, this city is a historical one. There are many tourists taking pictures. I suddenly remember something. We never had a photo together.
“Luciano give me your phone!” I say to Luciano extending my hand.
“Why?” He asks taking his phone out of his shirt’s pocket.

“Let’s take pictures.” After this being said we took many pictures together. Luciano clicked many photos of me standing in front of the tower.
Suddenly my eyes see stairs going in the tower. This tower has stairs too.
Are we allowed to climb them? Luciano notices me looking at them.
“We can see the unparalleled views of Bologna and epic landscapes after climbing the stairs to the top.” He tells me.
“Have you been to the top?” I asked him handing back his phone.
“Yes, I have.” He says with a smile on his face as if recalling some beautiful memory.

“With whom?” He must have toured this place with his girlfriends. After hearing me he smirks.
“Are you jealous baby?” He asks with a smug smile on his face.
“No, I am not.” I say to him angrily.
“I have toured every place of Italy with my mom. She was so lively that we went to some new place every month. She liked to see new places. I think we should leave now.”

“Can we climb them now?” I ask him in a sweet voice.
“No Tesoro. We can’t. You are pregnant and we will not take risk as these stairs are quite old.” Well! He is right. I shouldn’t climb too many stairs.
My stomach growls loudly making us laugh.
“I think the baby is hungry.” I say to Luciano making him smile.
“Come let’s have dinner. It is already evening.” I just noticed that the sun had already set.
We lost track of time today.

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