CHAPTER 25

Two months later
ANALISE’S POV

I hurriedly stuff the pancakes in my mouth and look at Luciano eating peacefully like he has all the time in the world.
“I thought you said we should hurry.” I say to him sarcastically. I am a little angry today.
The reason is that he woke me up twenty minutes ago saying we have to go somewhere and I should get ready.
Even the sun has not risen yet because it is half-past four. I am five months pregnant and am having a lot of mood swings. I don’t know what is happening with me
anymore.

I wanted to sleep but he picked me up and took me to the bathroom. I came to my senses from sleep when I felt the water around me.
He left me there in the bath and told me I have only five minutes. We quickly got ready because he was chanting ‘We are late' again and again.
And now when I am stuffing everything in my mouth to not be late, he is eating patiently.
I angrily pick up the juice and gulp it in one go while looking at Luciano chewing every bite. Is he doing a prank on me by waking me early and saying that we have to be somewhere?

“Don’t be like that Tesoro. We have saved a lot of time. We have to leave at five and it is only four forty-five right now.” He says with a smile when he notices me looking at him.
“You should have told me about it. Just because of you I stuffed everything in my mouth.” I say now holding the cup of tea in my hand.
He chuckles after hearing me. Jerk! I finish the tea.
“Ok. We should leave now.” I nod and get up. Today I am wearing a mid-thigh light blue frock. It is a black ribbon in the center. With it, I am wearing knee-length white
boots.

My stomach is quite big now. I am happy my baby is growing fast. I pick up my white coat and wear it because winter has started and it is really cold here. Well! Not a problem for me because I love winter.
I was moving behind Luciano when suddenly he stops. I look at him confused.
He looks at me from top to bottom. “Where is your hat?” He asks in a serious tone. Nowadays he is strict about me wearing warm clothes even though I tell him I am fine with whatever I am wearing.

“I thought it wasn’t necessary. I am already feeling so hot in this cold weather. There is no need of it.” I explain to him.
“Bring us a hat from our room, Chiara. I don’t want you catching cold.” He says making me pout in anger.
He kisses my lips and before this kiss turns into something serious, I stop him. Chiara brings me the hat and I wear it.
“Sei pronto il capo?” Alesso asks Luciano. He is also coming with us today. (Are you ready boss?)
“Sì. Stiamo arrivando.” Alesso bows before leaving. (Yes. We are coming)

I bid bye to Chiara and sit beside Luciano in the car.
“Where are we going?” I ask Luciano again. I have been asking him this question since morning and he is not telling me.
“Have a little patience, Ana. We will be there in four hours. Why don’t you sleep for some time?” He says snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me towards him.
I take my hat off. Then look outside the window and see the sun rising slowly. Maybe I should sleep. I yawn and hug Luciano tightly while putting my head on his chest.

******

“Wake up, Tesoro. We have arrived.” I stir in my sleep and open my eyes to see Sun shining brightly from the window.
We get out of the car. I can see green fields stretching over miles and unpaved roads. We are standing over a stony pathway.
I look towards my right to see a beautiful mansion. It is big and beautiful. From everything, I am sure that I am in the village.
This muddy smell and everything is making it clear. This environment is so much peaceful.
“Welcome to Savoca, Sicily.” I hear Luciano and look towards him. He takes my hand and we start walking towards the mansion. What are we doing in Savoca? From what I know it is a small village.

“What are we doing here?” I ask because I am unable to understand what are we doing here early in the morning. I check my watch to see it is only ten. Are we here to spend some time together?
“Remember you once found the room in a mansion with bears and girly things.”
“You said that room was your sister’s.” I interrupt him as I recall that memory.
“Her name is Eleonora and she is now twenty. Today is her birthday that’s why we here.”

“You mean your sister lives here.” I say astonished. He nods and we enter the mansion and I am surprised to see the elegant design of insides.
Everything is so beautiful. Decors are another thing here. From nothing we can say that this mansion is in the village.
Suddenly we hear footsteps coming towards us. I see a lady in a night suit coming towards us while yawning but her steps halt when she sees us standing.
I think she is Eleonora because a big smile appears on her face and her eyes sparkled.
She quickly runs towards us and hugs Luciano tightly. “Quando sei arrivato? Pensavo che non venerà oggi?” She says while hugging him tightly. (When you arrived? I
thought you will not come today?)

She is beautiful. Her beautiful features are evident on her face. She has beautiful long brown hair that is falling on her waist. Big brown eyes are prominent features of her face. From every angle of her face, one can know that she is Luciano’s sister.
“Non posso mai dimenticare di visitarti Nora.” Luciano says gently and kisses her on her head. (I can never forget to visit you, Nora)
Finally, she notices me and looks at me up and down. Her eyes stop at my stomach and she looks towards Luciano again surprised.
“Chi è lei? È incinta?” She asks cheerfully. (Who is she? Is she pregnant?)

“Ana, meet Eleonora and Nora she is Analise, my wife. She doesn’t understand Italian so speak English.” He says and proudly wraps his arm around me.
“Why I was not invited to the wedding?” She asks Luciano angrily.
“You were not well at that time. Forget it.” He spoke.
“Hi. Nice to meet you.” I say and forward my hand for a handshake but to my surprise, she hugs me tightly.
“Wow. You are so beautiful. I am going to be an aunt. I am so much happy.” She says excitedly.

Her eyes move to look towards Alesso and she blushes. I can see her secretly looking at Alesso.
“Now let’s cut the cake.” Luciano says and Nora leaves us alone because she wants to get ready.
We sit on the couch and the maid brings me juice to drink.
“She is so lively. Why she lives here and not with us?” I ask out of curiosity.
“I think it is time you should know about this. When you were five and she was six. She was kidnapped. No one knows why but when we saved her after two days she was in trauma. She never spoke or ate.

Slowly with time, she became weak and weaker.”
“What happened after that? Did No one asked what happened with her?”
“We asked but she never told. After months of trying finally, my parents brought her here. After a year she progressed. Since then, she has been living here.
After what happened with Nora your parents for your safety took you to New York.”
“Oh.” I say a little sad. I wonder what she went through and I feel sad for her.

“Don’t be sad about her. She is happy and fine.”
“So, this is your ancestral home?” I ask guessing it.
“Yes, it is.”
Our conversation stops when we see Nora coming towards looking as beautiful as a princess.

*********

The sky is looking so black. Stars are shining brightly and cool air is blowing making the weather chillier.
Silence is surrounding us as we move towards God knows where. Our footsteps are making noises while walking on the muddy and stony pathway.
Today was Nora’s birthday. After cutting the cake and giving her the gift, we talked about the baby.
She told me that despite being living in a village she is happy. She likes the environment and people.
Everything is so calm and peaceful here as compared to hustle and bustle of the city.

I am wearing a simple black top with jeans. With it a blue coat and a thick muffler around my neck. A big hat on my head. Longs boots on my legs so that I am warm.
While Luciano is only wearing a coat with a muffler. Luciano is holding my hand in his as we are walking. It is not that late only eight at night.
As we continue to walk, I can see a lake if I am not wrong.
“Is that a lake?” I ask Luciano.
“Yes, it is.” We reach the lake and he makes me sit on a nearby stone while he collects bushes and leaves before lighting the fire.

He is looking so handsome and intimidating. He comes beside me.
“Why don’t Nora live with us? Let’s take her to Bologna. We will enjoy ourselves together and she will love this idea. What do you think?” Suddenly I see something dark on his face.
“It is not possible and she will never come with us. She likes living here. If you want to be with her then we can always visit her after every two to three months.”
I don’t talk further and ask him what is in my mind for a long time. “You are in the mafia so why do you live in Bologna as it is a tourist place.”

“Good question. It is because it is difficult for your enemy to find you in a tourist’s place.”
“I see.”
“I think Alesso and Nora like each other. What do you think?”
“I don’t know about Alesso but Nora surely likes him.”
We don’t talk further as we continue to sit in this peaceful environment. Suddenly I feel something.

My breath stops for a second as I check if it is true. It happens again. I quickly grab Luciano’s hand and put it on my stomach.
He looks at me confused but his confusion changes into happiness when my baby kicks again.
He kicks two times more but stops after that. I am so happy. This is the first time I feel my baby’s movement.
Luciano kisses me passionately on the lips. I lay my head on his chest and slowly my eyes start falling.
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