Chapter 3

... 03...

^^^Shadows of the Mafia ^^^

I slipped on my favorite denim shorts and crop top, the familiar comfort of the clothes a brief respite from the turmoil brewing inside me. As I brushed my hair, my mind began to wander back to the tension at home. Pappa's increasingly distant behavior, Alex's secrets, and the unspoken fears that hung in the air like a challenge.

My thoughts drifted to the night I overheard pappa and Alex talking in hushed tones. The memory was like a festering wound, refusing to heal. I remembered the fear etched on Father's face, the determination in Alex's eyes. They spoke of a man, a nameless entity who threatened to destroy everything we held dear.

The flashback hit me like a wave, carrying me back to that fateful evening...

I saw myself standing outside the study, listening as Pappa and Alex discussed the mysterious figure. Their words were laced with a fear I'd never heard before, a fear that made my blood run cold.

"...if we cross him, he'll show no mercy," Father's voice whispered in my mind.

I shivered, despite the warmth of the summer evening. The memory faded, leaving me breathless and anxious. Who was this man, and what did he want from us? Why did Alex and Pappa fear him so?

I forced myself back to the present, focusing on the task at hand – getting ready for a lunch date with Francesca. But the memories lingered, refusing to be silenced. I knew I had to confront the secrets head-on, but for now, I pushed them aside, seeking solace in the familiar rhythms of friendship and fun.

I finished getting ready, slipping on my sandals and grabbing my bag for dance classes later. I also snagged my keys, tossing them into my bag with a habitual clink. My mind was still preoccupied with the secrets and tensions at home, but I was determined to shake them off for now. Lunch with Francesca was just what I needed – a dose of normalcy and friendship.

As I headed out the door, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair was tied up in a messy bun, and my sunglasses perched on my forehead. I looked like I was ready for a casual afternoon out, not like I was carrying around a weight of family secrets.

I took a deep breath, pushing aside the thoughts of Alex and Pappa, of unspoken fears. Today was about fun, about living in the moment. I locked the door behind me and set off to meet Francesca, feeling a sense of freedom in the warm sunlight.

But as I walked, my fingers instinctively drummed against my leg, a nervous habit I'd developed recently. It was a small reminder that even as I tried to escape the tensions at home, they lingered, waiting to surface when I least expected it.

As I opened the door, a warm wave of sunlight enveloped me, carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the faint hint of saltwater from the nearby sea. I couldn't help but smile at the perfect summer day unfolding before me in the charming coastal town of Portovenere. The sky was a brilliant blue, with just a few puffy clouds drifting lazily across it. I felt alive, energized by the heat and the freedom that came with it.

I made my way to the garage, flipping on the light to reveal my trusty Piaggio bike, adorned with colorful stickers and a worn leather seat. I grabbed my helmet, a faded pink one with a few scratches, and slung my bag over my shoulder.

As I pedaled out of the garage, the wind whipped through my hair, carrying with it the whispers of the town and the cries of seagulls flying overhead. I rode past the picturesque harbor, where sailboats bobbed gently in the turquoise water, and continued on to Francesca's home, enjoying the gentle summer breeze and the stunning sea views that Portovenere was famous for.

As I pedaled up to Francesca's house, a charming yellow-hued villa with a terracotta-tiled roof and a lush green garden, I spotted a familiar figure waiting by the gate. It was Francesca's little brother, Luca, a bundle of energy with a mop of curly brown hair and bright hazel eyes. He was seven years old and always seemed to be grinning from ear to ear.

Luca was busy constructing a miniature castle with colorful Legos on the pavement, his tongue poking out in concentration. As I approached, he looked up, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Alessia! Alessia!" he squealed, abandoning his castle and racing towards me with open arms.

I laughed and swung my leg over the bike, scooping him up in a warm hug. "Hey, Luca! What's cooking, little man?"

Luca wriggled free, his eyes shining with pride. "I'm building a castle for my action figures! Want to see?"

I nodded, and Luca eagerly led me to his Lego creation. As we admired his handiwork, I heard the door sound click.

I laughed and hugged him. "Wow, Luca, that's amazing!

After admiring his Lego creation, Francesca appeared at the door, looking stylish in a yellow sundress. "Hey, Alessia! Ready for lunch?"

"Absolutely," I replied, locking my bike. "Where are we headed?"

"That new place by the harbor, Bella Vita. I've been craving their seafood pasta all week."

Luca, still hovering around us, piped up, "Can I come too?"

Francesca chuckled. "Not today, little man. We'll bring you back some gelato, deal?"

Luca nodded, satisfied, and we set off towards the harbor, enjoying the warm sunshine and the sound of seagulls flying overhead.

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I pushed open the door to Bella Vita's newest restaurant, "Tavola del Mare", and was immediately enveloped in the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces. The cozy trattoria was bustling with lunchtime chatter, and the sound of clinking glasses and laughter filled the air. Francesca and I were shown to our table by the window, where we settled in and began perusing the menu.

"I'm so glad we finally got to try this place out," Fran said, her eyes scanning the options. "I've been hearing amazing things about their pasta dishes."

"Me too!" I replied, smiling. "I've been wanting to try their carbonara"

We settled into our table by the window, where the warm afternoon sun cast a cozy glow over us. The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the sound of laughter from outside, making the atmosphere feel relaxed and intimate. The sunlight danced across our faces, its warmth balanced by the cool caress of the wind.

After perusing the menu, we decided to keep things simple. "I'll have the spaghetti aglio e olio," I said, craving something light and flavorful.

"Same here," Fran agreed. "And let's share a caprese salad to start."

We sipped our wine and chatted as we waited for our food to arrive, enjoying the comfortable silence between us.

As we sipped our wine and waited for our food to arrive, Fran turned to me with a curious expression. "So, can you believe we're starting our third year of college? It feels like just yesterday we were wide-eyed freshmen."

"I know, time flies," I replied, smiling. "And speaking of flying, how was your summer? I feel like I didn't see you at all."

Fran laughed"I know, I was busy with Marco and work. But we did have some amazing parties at the beach. You missed out!"

My best friend Fran's boyfriend, Marco, is the guy she met at a beach party last summer. I remember her telling me about how they locked eyes, and the rest was history. They've been inseparable ever since.

I playfully rolled my eyes. "I'm sure I did. But I had my own adventures, like Nana's non-stop cooking and family gatherings". Fran giggled."That sounds like a whole different kind of party

I smiled and said,"And how's Marco doing? What's new with him?"

Fran's face lit up. "He's doing great! He just started a new job at a marketing firm and is loving it. And we're actually thinking of moving in together soon."

I raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Wow, that's a big step! But I'm happy for you guys."

As we chatted, our food arrived, and we dug in, savoring the delicious flavors and each other's company.

"We met at that crazy beach party last summer, remember? He was the one doing tequila shots on the stage."

I burst out laughing. "How could I forget? You two were inseparable that night!"

Fran grinned mischievously. "Yeah, we just clicked. And now, he's my partner in crime. Speaking of which, you have to come with us to this new club that just opened up downtown. It's going to be wild!"

I chuckled, knowing that Fran's idea of "wild" was usually a whole different level. "I'll try, but you know I'm not as adventurous as you."

Fran winked. "That's why I'm here to bring out the wild child in you! Besides, Marco says I'm rubbing off on him, and he's becoming more spontaneous."

I raised an eyebrow, teasingly. "Oh, that's a scary thought. Marco, the wild one?"

Fran playfully hit my arm. "Hey, watch it! He's still got his sweet side, but I'm definitely bringing out his inner party animal."

As we continued chatting, Fran's infectious laughter and energy filled the air, and I couldn't help but get swept up in her lively spirit.

Suddenly, a loud revving sound echoed outside, followed by cheers and whistles. The warm sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the dust motes dancing in the air as Fran's eyes darted towards the glass. She jumped up from her seat, her long, curly brown hair bouncing with the movement.

"Oh my god, look!" she exclaimed, tugging on my arm.

I followed her gaze out the window, where a group of guys were gathered around a sleek, black motorcycle parked by the curb. The sun cast a golden glow on the scene, making the motorcycle's chrome handlebars glint like diamonds. One of them, a boy with messy dark hair and piercing blue eyes, caught my attention. He was grinning at his friends, his eyes sparkling with mischief, as he leaned against the motorcycle's seat. His strong jawline and sharp cheekbones made him look like a model, and his bright smile could light up a room.

Fran leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's Cristiano Rossi. Maestro Rossi's brother. I've been trying to get you two to meet for ages!"

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as Cristiano's eyes met mine, and he flashed a charming smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Fran nudged me playfully.

"Isn't he gorgeous? And he's got that whole bad-boy vibe going on... I can already see the sparks flying between you two!"

I couldn't deny it. Cristiano exuded a confident, carefree energy that was hard to ignore. As our eyes met again, I felt a shiver run down my spine, and the warm breeze outside seemed to carry an electric charge.

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Sparks? Really, Fran? You know I don't buy into that romantic stuff."

Fran laughed, her eyes twinkling. "Oh, come on, Alessia! You can't deny the chemistry between you two. It's like the air is charged with electricity whenever you're near each other."

I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Please. Boys are just good for one thing, and it's not conversation."

Fran playfully hit my arm. "Alessia, you're such a cynic! But I know you're secretly curious about Cristiano. And who knows, maybe he'll surprise you."

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the flutter in my chest. "Maybe. But I doubt it."

As we continued to chat, I couldn't help but sneak glances at Cristiano who was still outside, laughing and joking with his friends. There was something about him that drew me in, despite my better judgment.

As I turned back to Fran, I caught Cristiano's gaze lingering on me from across the street. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, time froze. I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Fran followed my gaze and grinned mischievously. "Looks like someone's got your attention, Alessia!"

I quickly looked away, trying to brush off the feeling. But as I turned back to Fran, I noticed a sleek black car pulling up beside Cristiano's motorcycle. The window rolled down, revealing a mysterious figure in the shadows.

Cristiano's expression turned serious as he leaned in to talk to the figure. I obviously couldn't hear what they were saying, but Luca's body language screamed tension.

Suddenly, the figure handed Cristiano a small package, and he nodded curtly before turning to leave. But as he did, his eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of warning.

What was going on? And what did Luca have to do with it?

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~𝐸𝑁𝐷

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