I am Emily Rose

Chapter 19: A different view

Rosa's P.O.V

I slowly started to see the glow of light through my closed eyes, the darkness had faded. My eyes are still so heavy as I try to open them. I could hear people around me, but couldn't make out what they were saying. I think I heard my mom and Riccardo. I'm not sure what happened or where I am right now. All I remember is my father, the man who I thought was dead. He was going to take me away when Riccardo showed up. My father pushed me, I heard a gun go off, felt a sharp, burning pain and then ... nothing. I've been in my dark, watery world for I don't know how long. I try to find the strength to open my eyes. I have so many questions.

Riccardo's P.O.V

I decided to take a break from my office. I've been keeping myself busy with paperwork and arranging shipments. Aldo has been helping a great deal and I can see that he's tired. I gave him the rest of the day off. As I make my way towards the stairs to go and see Rosa, Martha comes running over,

"Signore! Signore! Si sat alzando!"

"Hold on Martha, take a deep breath. Who's getting up?"

"Signora Amanda."

"Thanks Martha, I will go to her now."

"Si signore."

She bows and goes back to the kitchen. What is this woman trying to do now? I went straight to Amanda's room, only to find her struggling with the drip pierced into her hand.

"What is it that you think you're doing?"

"I am not a prisoner here!"

"Amanda, no one said that you were. You are recovering here, the nurse, the medical equipment...."

"Oh don't give me that! I know exactly what you're doing!"

"And what is it that you think I am doing?"

"Keep me away from my daughter and when I am well enough, you will have me sent away!"

I had to laugh, this woman has serious paranoia. I carefully ushered her back to bed. She's still fragile.

"Bernardi! I swear..."

"Amanda, would you like me to take you to see Rosa?"

"Y... would you do that?"

"I'm a bastard, yes, but I would never keep you away from your daughter. Unless, of course, if you were to be a threat of some kind to my marriage."

I stared at her with darkness in my eyes. She has to know that I'm not a monster ... but I can be one if I have to be.

Rosa's P.O.V

I slowly flutter my eyes open, the sunlight is too bright, and I close them again. I tried again, and my eyes started to adjust. Where am I? I looked around in the room that I was in. It's huge! The walls are a light gray with white finishes. There's a large flat screen TV on the wall and a fireplace to the left. I can see two doors. One must be a bathroom and the other is probably the closet. The floor has dark gray tiles and light gray rugs. The bed that I'm in is also very big, king-size, with saturn sheets.

Just as I'm taking in my surroundings, I hear voices coming closer to the door. It opens, and I am so happy to see my mother!. However, she's in a wheelchair with bruises all over her face and arms. Riccardo wheels her in to me.

"Oh my little girl! You're awake! Thank God!"

"Mom? What happened to you? What happened to me?" I started to sob. My emotions are going haywire.

Riccardo steps closer with happiness and affection in his eyes. He took a seat next to me on the bed and took my hand.

"How are you feeling, amore moi?"

I pulled away from him and focused on my mother who was now also in tears.

"Mom, talk to me... Please."

"Sweetheart, you need to rest. We can talk once you and I both feel a bit better. Riccardo has been kind enough to let us stay in his house with a nurse 24hrs to help us regain our strengths."

"Your house?" I turned to Riccardo now.

"Yes, this is our bedroom and your mother is downstairs."

Our bedroom?

Suddenly, we are interrupted by a knock at the door. A nurse pops her head inside.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, I heard that Mrs Bernardi was awake. I need to check her vitals please."

"Yes, of course. Please check and make sure that everything is alright. Amanda, I think you should go back now. Sister Natalia can check on your dressings in your room once she's done with Rosa."

Whoa! Wait a minute! Who's Mrs Bernardi? Who is Amanda? Who the f**k is Rosa? I started to hyperventilate, I could feel my chest closing and my head start to spin. I think I'm having a panic attack.

"Everyone, please leave the room. I need to calm her down!"

"Rosa, just breathe my love. I'll take Amanda now. I'll be back soon."

"Yes, yes, please, I need to give her something to relax."

They leave the room. I watch the nurse inject something into my drip and seconds later I drift into darkness again.

Franco's P.O.V

"What do you mean they're not dead?"

"Capo, their last known location was at The BUPA Cromwell Private hospital in the UK. They were released a week ago."

"And my dear Juan, where are they now?"

"Um... Capo.. I don't know. Lucca is working on it."

"Huh! So, they live!"

I sip my whiskey and puff my cigar. I want Amanda dead and Rosa to be sold to Antonio DeMarchi for a large sum of money as promised.

"Get a move on boy! I need their location. We can't afford to have Antonio asking questions. Capish?"

"Yes Capo, I understand. I will follow up with Lucca right now."

"Go!"

I can't deal with incompetence... Juan was the son of a good friend. I had to kill him, but promised to take care of his son.