ONCE UPON A TIME IN VENICE

CHAPTER 11

Chapter 11: A Difficult Decision

Maria spent the next few days trying to avoid Giovanni, but he seemed to be everywhere she turned. She saw him at meal times, in the courtyard, and even in the chapel during mass. She tried to focus on her prayers and her work, but she couldn't shake the feeling of his gaze on her.

One afternoon, Maria was walking through the convent gardens when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Giovanni approaching, a determined look on his face.

"Sister Maria, we need to talk," he said, his voice firm.

Maria felt a sense of dread wash over her. She knew that Giovanni wasn't going to give up easily, and she didn't know how to deal with him. "What is it, Giovanni?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I know that you're trying to avoid me," Giovanni said, his voice full of conviction. "But we need to talk about what happened between us."

Maria felt her heart racing as she remembered the kiss they had shared. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn't help the way she felt. "There's nothing to talk about, Giovanni," she said, her voice shaking. "What happened was a mistake. It can't happen again."

Giovanni stepped closer, his eyes intense. "I can't just forget about you, Sister Maria," he said. "There's something between us, something real. I know you feel it too."

Maria felt a mix of anger and fear at Giovanni's words. She knew that he was right, but she couldn't let herself give in to her desires. "We can't act on our feelings, Giovanni," she said, her voice trembling. "I'm a nun, and you're a wealthy donor to the convent. We can't let our personal feelings get in the way of our responsibilities."

Giovanni shook his head, a look of frustration on his face. "I understand that, Sister Maria," he said. "But you can't deny that there's something between us. I know you feel it too."

Maria sighed, feeling a sense of defeat. She knew that he was right, but she couldn't let herself give in to her desires. "I do feel something, Giovanni," she admitted. "But we can't act on it. It's not right."

Giovanni stepped closer, his hand reaching out to touch her cheek. Maria felt a shiver run down her spine at his touch, but she tried to remain firm. "We have to be strong, Giovanni," she said, her voice low. "We have to do what's right."

Giovanni leaned in to kiss her, his lips soft against hers. Maria felt a rush of desire flood her body, but she knew that she had to resist. She pulled away, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry, Giovanni," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We can't do this. It's not right."

Giovanni looked at her with a mix of disappointment and longing. "I understand," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "But I can't promise that I won't think of you every day until we meet again."

Maria watched as Giovanni walked away, feeling a mix of sadness and relief. She knew that what had happened between them was wrong, but she couldn't help the way she felt. She knew that she had to be strong, to resist her desires and focus on her responsibilities as a nun. It was a difficult decision, but it was the right one.