Chapter Two
1235 Words
Aria
I woke up before my alarm.
The room was still dark, so I lay there staring at the ceiling, hoping stupidly that everything from the night before had been a nightmare.
Then reality settled in.
My father was missing and my mother was going to see Romano Moretti.
I got out of bed quickly, bathing and dressing as if speed could somehow change the outcome of the day. I chose simple clothes, a top and a pair of jeans, then pulled my hair back in a low bun.
If she was walking into danger, I wasn’t letting her do it alone. When I stepped into the sitting area, my heart sank.
She was already dressed in her housekeeping uniform, neatly pressed and buttoned all the way up. It was the uniform she wore when she must become invisible and serve the people of the Moretti estate.
Her bag was already on her shoulder and her shoes halfway on.
“Mama,” I said quickly. “I’m coming with you.”
She didn’t even look up. “No.”
I froze. “What do you mean, no?”
She straightened and finally turned to face me. “You’re not coming anywhere near those people, Aria.”
“I’m not a child. You can’t just walk in there alone.”
“That’s exactly why you’re not coming. I don’t want you near them.”
“I can help,” I insisted. “I can stay quiet. I won’t say anything. I just...”
“No.” Her voice was firm now, the kind she used when there was no room for argument. “You will stay here.”
I stepped closer. “Mama, please.”
“Trust me.”
The word felt unfair.
“You can even go to college today,” she added softly. “There’s no reason for you to miss your classes.”
I stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “College? Are you serious right now?”
Her eyes softened, but she didn’t back down.
“How am I supposed to go to school when my father is missing?” I asked, my voice breaking. “When you’re going to ask a man like Romano Moretti for help?”
She sighed. “I know waiting might sound difficult but it’s what I need you to do.”
She reached out, cupped my face, and brushed away the tears I hadn’t realized were there. “I know,” she whispered. “But you won’t follow me into this.”
Then she turned and walked out.
“Mama.”
“Stay, Aria” she said without looking back.
I stood by the door long after she disappeared, not moving until I could no longer see her.
My phone rang, breaking the silence. I looked down at the screen and my chest tightened when I saw who it was.
Kelvin.
I hesitated before answering. “Hello?”
“Aria,” he said immediately sounding relieved. "I’ve been texting you since last night. I thought something happened to you.”
“I’m sorry,” I said softly, moving away from the door and sinking onto the couch. “There’s just been a lot going on.”
His tone changed instantly. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I lied.
“Where are you?” he asked. “You didn’t come to school today.”
“I’m at home.”
“I’ll come over,” he said. “Send me your address.”
My stomach dropped.
“Kelvin, no,” I said quickly. “You don’t need to do that.”
“Why not?” he asked, confusion creeping into his voice. “You sound off. I’m worried about you.”
“I just… I don’t want company right now.”
“That’s not fair. We’ve been together for eight months, Aria. Almost nine and you still won’t tell me where you live.” He said.
I closed my eyes. I’d known this moment would come eventually.
“It’s complicated,” I said quietly.
“It’s always complicated,” he snapped. “I don’t understand why you keep this part of your life locked away from me.”
“I’m sorry,” I said again, hating how small my voice sounded. “I really am.”
There was silence on the other end.“Are you in trouble?” he asked finally.
The question made my throat burn.
“No,” I lied, again. “I just need some time.”
He exhaled. “You always need time.”
“I have to go,” I said before he could say anything else. “I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Aria...”
I ended the call.
The phone felt heavy in my hand as I lowered it to my lap. I stared at the blank screen for a long moment, guilt settling deep in my chest.
Kelvin was kind, gentle and safe. He lived in a world of lectures, shared notes, late night calls, and plans that didn’t involve blood or guns or men who decided life and death with a nod.
He didn’t belong anywhere near this. I couldn't get him involved.
.
.
Romano
The walk to my office was quiet, the way I liked it.
Men lined the corridor, armed with guns. It was better to be safe than sorry. They straightened as I passed. Luca, my right hand man, walked beside me.
As I entered the office, I sat and exhaled slowly, rubbing my eyes.
“You should rest,” Luca said, dropping into the chair opposite me. “You haven’t slept in two days.”
“I’ll rest when I’m dead,” I replied flatly.
He snorted, shaking his head. “That’s what your father used to say.”
I didn’t respond to that.
I straightened, the exhaustion sliding back into its place where no one could see it. “What's the update on the shipments?”
“We cleared them during the event last night,” Luca said immediately. “The ports in Marseille and Rotterdam are clean. The delay in Istanbul wasn’t intentional, but we handled it.”
“And Milan?”
“Taken care of,” he replied. “No loose ends.”
"Good." I nodded once and leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “Increase security on the southern routes. I don’t like how quiet it’s been.”
Luca smiled faintly. “Already done.”
We were still talking when the noise started.
I ignored it at first. The estate was big, and problems usually resolved themselves before they reached my door. But the noise didn’t stop. It grew louder, more frantic.
My jaw tightened. I hated noise.
“I’ll check,” Luca said, already standing.
He stepped out, closing the door behind him.
I waited, fingers drumming once against the desk before I forced them still.
When Luca came back, his expression had shifted from irritation to curiosity.
“It’s the housekeeper,” he said. “Jane. She looks...worn."
“Let her in.” I replied almost immediately.
Luca raised a brow slightly, then nodded and turned back toward the door.
I leaned back in my chair, waiting. Whatever had driven Jane to break protocol, to raise her voice outside my office, had to be serious. People didn’t come to me unless they were desperate....and desperation always comes at a price.
- Writer
