Screams.
Smoke.
Fire.
Blood.
Giovanni wiped the blood from his face and got into the car, as if he hadn't caused chaos behind him.
He straightened his blue tie and answered the ringing phone. His secretary, Anne, was calling him at the worst possible time.
“Mr. Mancini, I'm calling to inform you that the last nanny has quit. We're running out of options. I don't know who to hire if even the trained women in our midst aren't enough.”
“I don't care, Anne. That's your job to sort out. The children have to accept someone. There's no time to deal with them.”
“There is one last option, sir, but I think your children's wish is...”
“Then bring that last option and don't disturb me any more for today.” He said, turning off his cell phone without even saying goodbye.
As the car left its trail of destruction behind, someone woke up gasping in the cold of the night.
The images were still fresh in his mind, screams, smoke, fire, blood, death.
It all seemed so recent, as if 12 years had not passed.
Her parents' faces smiling, Cassandra screaming in pain and her doing everything she could to move with her leg trapped.
“Aria.”
Cassandra's voice snapped her out of her trance.
“What's wrong? Are you all right?” She asked her sister.
“You've had another nightmare, I can answer the door if you prefer.”
“The door?” She said, confused, as she realized they were actually knocking on the door.
Aria rushed to understand, letting her black hair cover her sweater.
“Hello?” She said to the other side.
She shivered as she noticed Mr. Biancci, her landlord, on the other side of the door.
“Buongiorno, Mr. Biancci. How can I help you?”
“Buongiorno, Aria. Can we talk later?”
“Of course, sir. I'll be there.”
When he left, Aria felt dread fill her bones.
“You're nervous, Aria. Don't tell me you've been fired again.” She gave a tired sigh. “I'm sorry, maybe I should try...”
“You have one duty and that's to finish high school, Cass. I'll manage as best I can, okay? If Mr. Biancci doesn't kick me out.”
-------
She left, her familiar CV papers in hand. She took the elevator up to the most prestigious bakery company in the area. La spezia dolce.
Aria had no idea about the relationship between sweets and spice, but what mattered was getting a job so as not to lose her rent.
The HR woman looked at her with a disdainful expression when she arrived and simply said:
“Not you.”
“What do you mean?” - Aria asked in exasperation.
“Everyone knows the chaos you cause, Miss Ricci. We don't want that kind of employee here.”
“But that's a lie. That wasn't my fault. It was a customer...”
“There are no vacancies, Miss Ricci.”
Aria left frustrated and angry. They had soiled her image. What would become of her and Clarice now? She didn't mind begging for food, but her sister couldn't live on the streets.
She passed a room where several men in suits, including Giovanni, were standing. The man observed her body for a few brief seconds, he wouldn't let such beauty go unappreciated.
When she got home, Aria threw herself on the bed, wondering what would become of her.
----
A few kilometers away, in one of the most remote mansions in the area, a little blonde girl was crying.
“He didn't show up because he was busy, Laura.” Her older brother hugged her.
“He's sending a babysitter again, I don't want a silly babysitter. I want Daddy.” She said, running off to her room.
“Laura.” Lorenzo tried to go to her, but the child had already locked herself in the room.
He sighed in frustration. Why couldn't his damn father spend a few hours at home? Well, they weren't going to give up. No babysitter would stay until his father came home.
Lorenzo sometimes felt a bit childish about it. But there was no other way to face his father. No one could deal with the mafia don, not even him.
“Mr. Mancini. This is Miss Rossi, she'll be looking after you from now on.” Giulia, the housekeeper informed her, hoping that this was the right one.
“I don't think so, Mrs. Romano. Do you want a prostitute in our house? What example will she be for Laura?” He smiled, showing pictures on his computer of the woman in compromising outfits.
Miss Rossi blushed with anger and shame.
“You... You little pest. How dare you? We need to disguise ourselves in our work, didn't your father teach you anything about our methods?”
“You'd better go, miss. Or I'll leak these photos to your new boyfriend, what do you think?”
The woman stormed out, slamming the door.
“I was this family's last chance, if some insane woman takes this job I wish her luck.”
Lorenzo smiled, his eyes shining with satisfaction.
------------
Aria didn't shy away from meeting Mr. Biancci. However, she confidently opened the door to the army store.
“Hello, bambina, come in.” Mr. Biancci invited her to the back.
She sat down in the chair under the round table and took a sip of the coffee on offer, with a certain amount of anguish.
“I'll be straightforward, Aria. I know you're a good, intelligent young woman, but you can't hold down a job. However, the rent is overdue and...”
Aria swallowed at that moment.
“I have a job for you, babysitting my thoughtful son, Giovanni. Would you accept? Children are a bit difficult, but I think you can handle them.”
“Yes, sir. I can handle children. I'll do my best. Thank you very much.”
Biancci smiled. That girl deserved it after everything she'd been through.
“We have a vacancy ahead of us. However, from what I know, I doubt it will last more than a few hours.”
Aria was surprised at that moment. Just a few hours? Well, she had to face that challenge.
“Here's the address, can you make it by 6:00 a.m.?”
“Yes, sir. I can make it. No problem. Thank you again.” She left smiling and thanking him.
On her way out, she bumped into Giovanni. They didn't see each other, but fate had already crossed their paths. Aria would now be working for the most dangerous man in Italy.
When Aria arrived at the Mancini house, she was surprised by the amount of security. Well, if I were her, I’d like to keep your kids safe, too. The housekeeper Giulia answered and Aria thanked her for the education. She presented the whole house and the functioning of things there. "Children can be a little difficult. Many have already said goodbye. But I ask you to understand. They suffer greatly from the absence of their father." Aria stated. She somehow understood these children. Being without her parents was difficult. She smiled when she saw a 5-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy. They both looked at her angrily. "This is Laura and Giovanni, Aria."- Giulia introduced them. "Children, this is Miss Ricci." "Pleasure, I will take care of you from today. I hope we got along." Laura just showed her tongue and cried out: "We don’t want you here." The child ran into the room and locked himself in. Lorenzo also did not address her. He did a quick research on her life and
Giovanni wouldn’t want to be here today, especially when that random woman left his mind full of distractions. The man in front of him was terrified, fear could be seen in his eyes, but there was no forgiveness for traitors. Especially those who used their power to abuse children. "Please, please, boss, it’s a lie. I swear I didn’t do anything. I would never touch a child." he said tied to his chair. Giovanni did not answer, he just focused on hitting the man, discounting all of his anger, while that woman’s words came into his mind. It wasn’t his fault, it was that damn woman who took him away from his kids years ago. Doubt would never leave his mind or the hatred he felt for his children. Who was that nanny to say what she didn’t know? Did she know who he was? Who was she talking to? The abuser was tired of trying to fight, but the worst would come. At that moment, Giovanni already had his face and shirt full of blood. How dare that girl? If that son of a bitch, in fron
The next day was a mess for Aria. She got up early, making sure she was well dressed this time and would not be embarrassed if her boss was still at home. Aria came down the stairs and called her sister. "I know, Cass. But, Mr. Mancini said there will be no problem, don’t worry, all right? I’ll be there soon to help you prepare everything." "Is your sister worried?" Aria leapt at Giovanni’s voice. The man was really, really sneaky. "Good morning, sir." she said, nervous. " Yeah, she’s a little worried about being a nuisance." "She won’t be. I promise and I keep my word." Giovanni said, approaching her, staring at her with his cold eyes and making her shudder. "Daddy. You’re home." Laura screamed, running up to him. Giovanni gave a smile. Not even he could resist such cuteness. "Good morning, dear," he said hugging her. Aria smiled at the scene. Was she wrong about him? Curiosity made her look at Lorenzo, who did not seem to have the same impression of her. Perhaps she was ru
Today was a complicated day for Aria. It was the first official day she would go out with Laura and also the first day of Cassandra’s new high school. But she didn’t seem to be worried about it. Cassandra got up and said good morning to everyone. She walked slowly through the place until she accidentally ran into a vase and almost broke it. Cassandra did not hear anything falling, but she herself slipped, but was caught by someone. "Phew, I caught you in time." Lorenzo said, relieved. "I’m sorry, Lorenzo. I ended up being a nuisance to you." "It was nothing. It’s not your fault. Come on, let’s have breakfast." He took her hand and she allowed it. Lorenzo smiled, happy. ------ After breakfast, everyone got in the car and Alissa took them to their destinations. Houen College was the first, the most prestigious college in Italy and in which only children of billionaires studied. At least that’s what Aria knew about him. In fact, it was one of the colleges, from a network all over
Aria woke up sleepily. She noticed that she couldn’t move, something was holding her hands. A rope probably. The place where she was was was dark and bleak. However, she could notice several armed men leaning against the walls. And a red-haired man pointed his gun at her. His shirt was open and he was wearing sunglasses. "Look at Mancini’s new whore. What a cutie. Finally, one decided to stay with him. Even in the same house is living." He said, approaching and squeezing her face. "What do you want? Where is Laura?" she asked, even afraid, ignoring him. "Bring the mouse." He ordered. Laura had her mouth gagged with duct tape. The child cried and ran to Aria when she saw her. "How dare you do that to a child?" Aria screamed. "Who cares?" The man laughed. " The Mancini have been screwing up my company for a long time. There’s nothing fairer than me being rewarded, is there? Laura looked at Aria scared. She had prepared for moments like that. But her childish mind still
Giovanni observed the roles in front of him. The Russian mafia was back against him. Would it be the work of that person? He couldn’t tell at the time. At the same time that Aria and Laura were kidnapped, Spezia Dolce bakery had suffered an accidental fire. That Giovanni was sure it was no accident. The Russians were declaring war on him after all. Just because of the fall of the company’s stock? It wouldn’t be a silly reason, but it was a weak reason. At least they were already taking care of it. He waited for the phone to be answered. For sure, the deputy chief should be spending his time with someone. "Hey, boss. To what do I owe the honor of your call today?" Mateo said gasping across the line. "Mateo, do you know what happened yesterday?" "Of course I know, boss. Laura and the nanny were kidnapped by the Russians. You need me to torture them?" "No, for now I just want a meeting. Be here in half an hour." --------- Lorenzo was nervous, this was his first meeting after 3 ye
The next day, Aria woke up with no one by her side. Well, she couldn’t expect her boss to stay there all day. But Aria couldn’t help but blush as she remembered the day before. His scent was still present in the room. The woman was not to show weakness to anyone, but she was grateful for Giovanni’s help. Finally, she could not stay in bed all day. I could not accompany the youngest to school, but could take care of Laura. Giulia helped her get dressed and she thanked her. A dress was much easier, so Aria wore a blue one today. "Aria! You woke up." Laura ran to hug her, almost dropping her crutch. "Buongiorno, Laura. Yes, let’s do something today? Just don’t do something that makes me run after you. Please, I’m not in shape yet." she laughed. "Let’s play doll then. After you have breakfast. " Aria laughed, Laura was really smart. "You got it, boss." ----- At the breakfast table, Aria did not expect to meet Mr. Mancini. Giovanni just laughed and kept having his breakfas
Giovanni did not expect that he would receive a call from the school that day. But luckily, he had answered. "Mister Mancini? I’m glad you answered the phone for the first time in your life." Martha Mairani said across the line. " There was an incident with Lorenzo and Cassandra, so I suggest you come to the school and bring your employee too." She said, hanging up, Martha wasn’t to be chatty. Usually, Giovanni used to send someone else to deal with his children’s issues. But since he was here. He tidied up his shirt, put on a red tie and fixed his blond hair and went to Laura’s room where Aria was. The woman laughed as she watched the girl and looked at something on her laptop. He knocked on the door and said: "Miss Ricci, we have a place to go. Lorenzo and Cassandra are on the board. Giulia will take care of Laura." Aria jumped in. How come everyone there used to scare so easily? "Yes, sir." She stammered, I’m just gonna help Laura put the toys away. "I’ll meet you