Episode 16

Bernardo and Giovanna arrived at the restaurant smiling. His arm around her waist, they both seemed very happy. With pale skin, red hair, and green eyes, Giovanna's complete set did not attract attention. She had beautiful highlights, but she was unremarkable, bland, and didn't come close to the dazzling beauty that was Angelina. Despite everything, Bernardo seemed enchanted to accompany her that day.

BERNARDO AND GIOVANNA

Seeing the two entering the restaurant, Angelina's heart started beating faster. Nervous, with an anxious look, the sight unfolding before her eyes was like a stab straight to the heart.

"What happened, Angelina? Suddenly, you turned pale," commented Tiffany, who was facing away from the restaurant entrance.

"Don't look, please," Angelina pleaded anxiously. "Bernardo and Giovanna just arrived. He's talking to the Maître."

The Maître escorted both to a table on the terrace. Angelina had a clear view of everything. Minutes later, Bernardo was seated, along with a radiant Giovanna, engaged in their lively conversation. With a tightening in her chest, Angelina remembered the late-night WhatsApp conversations with him. Bernardo always had funny and interesting stories to tell her. Obviously, Bernardo's life was quite interesting for a young woman. Besides being five years older than Angelina, he attended university and interacted with different people from different parts of the world.

Since Don Vito's party, that intimacy between them had abruptly ended. Seeing the two together, getting along so well, was a overwhelming mix of sadness, disappointment, and shock for Angelina. It was the painful confirmation of something she had feared for some time: indeed, her great love harbored some feelings for Giovanna. It hadn't just been an imposition of her family, an arranged marriage, like so many others in the mob.

Suddenly, Bernardo's eyes locked onto her, and she couldn't look away. Angelina's hands trembled, and a sense of emptiness settled in her chest. It was as if the world around her had slowed down, and only that moment of confrontation existed.

More memories of what they used to be flooded Angelina's mind. During university holidays, Angelina and Bernardo were always together. They went to the movies, to the club, and he always accompanied Stella and her to parties. How did he find time to get closer to Giovanna? She didn't even know of that woman's existence, but the reality before her was cruel.

There was an internal struggle happening in Angelina's mind. Hope stubbornly refused to die completely, seeking any possible explanation. Their engagement had not been announced, the wedding was not yet scheduled. However, at the same time, a deep pain took hold of every fiber of her being. It was a complex mix of sadness, anger, and a feeling of being betrayed by Bernardo, who had never told her about Giovanna and that commitment.

Then, out of nowhere, Bernardo looked away as if Angelina were just an acquaintance and focused his attention back on Giovanna.

"Can I look now?" Tiffany asked curiously.

"Yes, they're at a table on the terrace, on your right side," Angelina said in a tone of sadness that touched Tiffany's heart. "But be discreet."

"Don't keep looking at them, Angel. It's no use. You'll only hurt yourself even more," Tiffany asked compassionately.

As she stood there, watching them, Angelina felt the weight of inevitability. It was time to face the truth and accept that the love of her life had chosen someone else. The feeling of loss and helplessness was overwhelming, as if a piece of her heart had been torn out by him.

"Let's get out of here, Tiffany. I can't stand to stay another minute in this restaurant," Angelina said with bitterness. "Bernardo is a hypocrite," she said angrily.

"Alright, we can go somewhere else if you're still hungry," Tiffany suggested.

"No... Not now. Nothing else goes down my throat. I just want to go home." Angelina got up from the table, without giving another glance in Bernardo's direction.

Every step out of that restaurant was a battle against pain and disappointment, but anyone observing Angelina couldn't imagine what was going on inside of her. With a haughty and arrogant posture, exuding confidence and superiority, she walked away from that place.

Discreetly, glancing sideways, Bernardo watched Angelina leave. He wasn't completely indifferent to her, as he harbored feelings of a brother towards Angelina. His stance reflected a mix of anxiety, guilt, and compassion.

As he talked to Giovanna, he tried to remain relaxed, but there was a noticeable tension in his movements while Angelina was still in the restaurant. Bernardo's movements were somewhat hesitant, showing a certain discomfort in the delicate situation he found himself in. His eyes oscillated between Giovanna and Angelina's table, reflecting the emotional confusion he was experiencing.

"You don't like this place, Bernardo?" Giovanna inquired in a low and calm voice, sensing that he was a bit anxious and restless.

"It's not about that, my dear. When we came in, I saw a friend and didn't say hello to her. It's a bit uncomfortable for me." Bernardo was honest with Giovanna.

"If you want to go greet her, I'll wait for you here at the table." Giovanna spoke understandingly.

"It's better not to. Our last encounter was a bit turbulent and I think she's already leaving."

Bernardo always made an effort to convey sincerity and transparency in his words, he never intended to deceive Angelina, but she completely misunderstood their relationship. Since their first encounter, stolen by her when she was 15, Bernardo should have drawn attention to Angelina, but he never imagined she would attach so much importance to it and maintain feelings for him all that time.

Bernardo's facial expression was a mix of compassion and concern, showing that he understood the impact his presence could have on her.

While engaging in a lively conversation with Giovanna, he avoided looking towards Angelina's table, knowing she was watching them. For a brief moment, his gaze met hers, but quickly he looked away. He felt a heaviness in his heart knowing she might be suffering due to his presence there, but he also couldn't deny his own feelings and the special connection he had with Giovanna.