BILLONAIRE ROMANCE

Tragedy or freedom?

.- Massimo

I don't know how to describe exactly what I felt, my world fell at my feet with those words, I couldn't understand for sure what was happening, or if what I had heard was a practical joke of fate or a horrible nightmare, I just know what happened in a matter of seconds in front of my eyes and I just… I couldn't believe it.

— He can't be dead — I said in astonishment — he... is a strong man, they just... must... revive him, yes. He will be fine, I know it - I still did not suppose what my eyes were seeing, Nonno's figure stretched out on the ground, a small thread of blood could be glimpsed on his lips, my hands were frozen, my eyes fixed and my mind in any other place.

— Sir, I'll ask you to calm down, we need to take him to do some tests to be able to... determine his cause of death, you... who are you? Are you a close relative?

"He's my grandfather..." I said, still looking at that heartbreaking scene.

"Is there a much closer relative of yours, sir?"

— No... it was just him and me, his only son passed away, I was all he had...

- What was your name?

— Leonardo... Leonardo D'Angelo

"Okay, we're going to need you to come with us.

I nodded slowly with my head, I saw how they lifted his body from the ground, even though this scene was quite strong to watch, to live... I was alone, I was there, standing, staring at what was happening, I... I didn't feel anything It was about Nonno, my only family, the person who was always with me, who took care of me, who taught me to live, to move forward, to believe in my dreams, he was a good person and... the last thing he heard me say is what has turned me into a monster.

Some time later I was in the empty room of a depressing hospital, looking at the white tiles and the walls, being aware of what has happened, but even so, it feels like another day in my life, I remember perfectly how I felt the day they announced that my parents had passed away.

I have been hundreds of times at Nonno's house, I like it here, Miss Beatrice is always aware of me, she makes me delicious desserts and gives me ice cream, although Nonno is always in a bad mood or busy, I know he loves me as a dad and mom do it, whenever they go on their business trips they bring me gifts, although they never listen when I tell them that I don't need more trains or more cars, they always insist on bringing me a new one, sometimes even the same model that I already have. They brought me, but he took them because Miss Beatrice says that it is a gift and that I should receive it with affection, today is one of those days where mom and dad come back and give me one of those many gifts, I would have liked to be much more time with them, but as dad used to say “Money is not made by spending time with me”, but I wish they would be as happy to see me as I am when I finally get to see them after long months, I am as usual, sitting next to of Beatrice, watching Nonno smoke his pipe, I don't know how much he adores that strange-smelling smoke, I just know that he always looks the same, a suit that makes him look reckless and a pipe between his teeth, ranting things to others, like that it's Nonno Leonardo, although he's not perfect, he's the only person who's always with me, and he's basically the only thing I have… I'm looking forward to the bell ringing to let my parents in, when it finally happens, I hear that theatrical song produced for that tiny button flooding my ears.

— They are here Nonno! They're here!

— Beatrice, go — Nonno gives the order to Miss Beatrice to answer the door and I think my heart is going to jump out of my little chest

I look forward to seeing them, but minutes later I can only see Beatrice back home, I look at my grandfather with what I thought was concern? I don't know for sure, I just know that my grandfather understood his look

- What's going on?

— Mr. D'Ángelo... they need to talk to you, something horrible has... happened

"What the hell are you talking about, Beatrice?"

— A man is outside… he needs to talk to you — Beatrice's voice was much less audible than usual, something was happening…

I saw how Nonno quickly approached the door, I looked at Beatrice who was wiping her tears with a handkerchief. Is she crying? Because? I approached her instinctively

— Miss Beatrice... I didn't cry... I can lend you my new toy, just for a few minutes, then I can use it myself, do you agree?

Miss Beatrice just nodded slowly, while she took me in her arms, pressing me hard, she couldn't understand what was happening, but I know she was sad, when I feel sad, her hugs always manage to revive me, make me feel comfortable and calm, so I returned her hug to make her feel better.

"Oh, my little one..." Her voice sounded weak and rather sad...

My head was pointing towards the entrance, I only expected to see Nonno accompanied by my parents, seconds later I saw Nonno enter again.

Suddenly, I jumped up and insisted Beatrice to put me down so I could run to Nonno

— Nonno… Where are mom and dad? — I looked insistently in her direction, waiting for an answer to my question, not receiving an answer other than her face contracted in something similar to decadence, I looked with confusion in her direction and continued — Nonno?...

— Beatrice, take him to her room… and try to explain to her what's happening — I sentenced, walking towards her room

That was strange for me, I turned to Beatrice who was still crying

"Miss Beatrice... what's wrong?" Where are mommy and daddy? I asked, looking confused.

— Massi… mio figlio… your parents are… in a better place now

- What do you mean by that? Won't they come back today? Will they come back tomorrow? Hanno detto che sarebbero venuti oggi! — I crossed my arms angrily — They promised me they would be here this afternoon

— I know my fligio, but... they had an accident

— Huh? — That managed to confuse me completely — An accident? Could you please tell me what you are trying to do? Are they in another city?

— Your parents… your parents died in an accident on the way here Massimo

Those words made my world fall at my feet

"Are they... are they dead?"

I could only see how she nodded slowly, I turned and ran up the stairs to my room.

— Massimo wait!

— This is not real, this is not real, questo non è reale! - I yelled loudly, closing my door, I got between my sheets and kept repeating that to myself until I believed it -

This is not real! This is not real!

It's not real…

This is real Massimo!

And it's happening to you again.

"Mr. D'Angelo?"

A man with glasses and a white coat is standing in front of me, with papers in his hands, he is staring at me.

- Yeah? I said, coming out of my trance.

"You... Are you okay, Mr. D'Angelo?"

"I am," I replied firmly.

— I am Dr. Rossi, Filippo Rossi — He kindly held out his hand to me, I looked at him suspiciously, making him understand that he would not receive it, I continued — You are Don Leonardo's grandson, right?

— I am the only person in the room. Do I plant Babbo Natale? - I blurted out with disgust

— I'm sorry, Mr. D'Ángelo, I know that right now you are not experiencing a... pleasant situation, I am only trying to communicate with the close relative of the person affected, which in view of the current situation, is you. It is my obligation to tell you that Don Leonardo has died of a heart attack...

That completely caught my attention, making my stomach turn in disgust, have I been the cause of Nonno's death?

"Excuse me... did you say heart attack?" A… a heart attack? - That made me hyperventilate automatically, small fragments of our past conversation come to my mind

- What have I done?…

- A monster…

A monster…

"Mr. D'Angelo, are you okay?"

— I… — I felt lost, everything around me was spinning, I was disgusted, I felt nauseated, I have been the cause of the death of the only person who has been there for me

— Mr. D'Angelo

Seconds after that, I lost consciousness…