Reborn Again To Marry My Enemy's Son

Chapter 4

“What’s your name?’’ Francesca asks bending low to reach the girls height. The little girl on the other hand doesn’t reply and the growling of her stomach breaks the silence between them. She puts her hand on her stomach and pouts her mouth, looking at the pretty girl Francesca cannot help but give in. “I just got my paycheck today so you’re lucky’’ Francesca says as she takes her to a nearby dinner. “What would you like to have’’ Francesca asks, the girl points towards a burger, “two burgers and soda please’’. As the two eat, tears form in Francesca’s eyes. She takes every bite with relish, this would be the first thing she bought for herself in 8 months. She had spent all her money and savings on Carlos even neglecting her mother in the process. But now that was all in the past. A pinch from the little girl snaps Francesca from her thoughts “what was that for’’ she asks clutching her arm in feigned pain. “Thank you’’ the girl signals in sign language Francesca smiles at her innocence, “you’re mute? is that why you didn’t defend yourself and why you haven’t been answering my questions.’’ The girl nods, the light in her eyes disappearing like it was never there. “Don’t be sad, every human has their own limitation’’ Francesca says as she notices her facial expression change trying to improve her mood. “People call me a freak and always bully me’’ she tells Francesca in sign language. Francesca chuckles at her naivety. She too was once naïve, thinking she needed people’s approval to exist. That mindset only led to her death. “Take me for example, I’m 24 but dress like a 40-year-old woman. Isn’t that funny’’ Francesca jokes the girl covers her mouth with her hand trying to hold in her laughter. “I’ve learnt that caring about what people think will only cause heartbreak and betrayal. Do and say things because you want to. Live like it’s your last day on earth, be confident and love yourself. That is the best gift you’ll ever give yourself. You’ll soon realize that the people that are making fun of you, are only doing so because they are jealous of how well you handle your weakness’’ Francesca says. The girl smiles the girl smiles her once dull eyes now glistening, “how come you know sign language’’ she asks.

The question makes Francesca thinks back to her past. After her father’s death, her mother who was trying to protect her while they were under attack had suffered a severe hit to her head and was declared to be brain dead. It wasn’t certain when she would wake up. So, Francesca’s aunt adopted her. Not because she cared but because she had an eye on Francesca’s inheritance. She was a terrible mother. She was an alcoholic and used to severely beat Francesca. Francesca who had been pampered since birth couldn’t handle the a***e and attempted to kill herself but was rushed to the hospital just in time. This caused child protective services to investigate and Francesca’s maternal aunt was deemed unworthy. So she was taken to her paternal uncle. He was good to her, so good, at least that was what she thought. Just like her aunt he was after her money. After manipulating Francesca to let him be in charge of her funds, he dropped her off at a foster care. Throughout her teenage years, she moved from one foster care to another. Her background was looked down on by her peers so she had no friends. She always ended up spending time with the homeless and disabled. That gave her joy and comfort. It made her feel like she wasn’t so strange after all. In the process she learnt sign language. That was until she met Carlos and Sofia the two people she thought actually cared, but they betrayed her, again. To her that was all in the past the most important thing now was finding Antonio. “Alright it’s getting late we better get going your parents will be looking for you’’ Francesca says as she packs up her things. “My parents are dead’’ she signals her expression blank. Francesca knows she’s hiding her feelings and doesn’t push the topic further. “I think my brother will like you. Would you like to be his girlfriend?’’ she signals quickly changing the topic. Francesca laughs “does he like 24-year-olds who dress like 40-year-olds’’ she teases, the girl nods and laughs in disagreement. As the two make their way out, a man rush towards the little girl startling Francesca. “Vittoria, Vittoria! I’ve been looking everywhere for you’’ he says. Frantically searching her body for any injuries. Vittoria’s frowns and scrunches behind Francesca pretending to be scared. “Miss Vittoria stop this now! we have to go home!’’ he says again as he looks at the resistant girl.

Francesca is in a daze as the man in front of her looks oddly familiar but she can’t remember from where. Seeing Vittoria’s resistance Francesca stands up to the guy “Look she doesn’t want to go with you, so I suggest you leave before I call the police’’ she says her tone adamant. “I appreciate you taking care of her but she needs to go home now or the young master will kill me’’ he says as he scrunches his eyebrows in frustration. “You should have thought about that before leaving her alone on the side of the road. Moreover, how do I know you are not a kidnapper’’ she asks still adamant. “Her name is Vittoria, she is ten and she hates strangers which is why I’m surprised she’s clinging to you’’ he replies getting more frustrated and the two continue to bicker. “Vittoria D’Amico!’’ a voice echoes from the other end of the dinner interrupting the two bickering. Vittoria runs into the man’s arm. “Wait D’Amico Francesca is the daughter of Antonio!’’ Francesca says as her eyes widen in shock. “That was why this man looked familiar, he’s Antonio’s PA, the strange man from last time’’ she adds. Looking at Antonio leaving Francesca realizes that this is her chance “Antonio!’’ she screams ensuring that he hears her. Antonio turns around in shock no one dares to call him by his first name, but here before his eyes, an old woman trapped in a young woman’s body, calling him by his first name. A name that only his parents and grandmother call him even Vittoria calls him Mr D’Amico. Staring at Francesca, Antonio begins to contemplate whether he should kill her or give her a chance to live a little longer. After all her parents are responsible for his parents death.