Chapter 4 - Passion at first sight

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 rushing to trust Giovanni.

"Will you have breakfast with us, Mr Mancini?" Aria asked, in his attempt not to deny in front of the children.

"Sure." He smiled, but she knew Giovanni wanted to escape.

"I want to talk to you later, Lorenzo." Giovanni took his son seriously.

"Of course, sir." Lorenzo agreed.

The breakfast was quiet, Aria thought to say something, but she knew it could only make things worse.

The three Mancini looked like anything but a family.

"Miss Ricci." Giovanni got her attention. " That’s Alissa. She’ll help you with the change."

"Pleasure, miss. Thanks for the help. " Aria greeted.

"My pleasure, Miss Ricci."

"I’ll go along. Let me go, please, Aria." Laura asked.

Aria smiled.

"Of course. If Mr. Mancini allows it."

Giovanni was surprised by her provocation.

"You can go. Aria will take good care of you, Laura. Be good, okay?"

"Yes, Dad." The girl replied, excited.

"Are you going with us, Lorenzo?" Aria asked.

The young man denied it.

"I’ll wait for you here."

When they left, it was just him and his father.

Lorenzo looked at him angrily. What do you mean, he suddenly decided to have breakfast with them?

"What are you planning, Father? Why did you suddenly present us with your presence?"

Giovanni ignored him and asked:

"What did you find out about Miss Ricci? I know you scour the lives of all the nannies, looking for weaknesses in them." He looked at his son with a cold look.

"There is nothing about her. Just an accident that suffered in childhood and led to the death of parents."

Giovanni would have to dig deeper. However, for now, the woman seemed to offer no more risk.

"Okay. Get ready to help change Miss Ricci and her sister. Don’t be rude."

Lorenzo wanted to answer that the rude was the father. However, when he opened his mouth, the chief had long since left.

------

"Uhuu." Laura screamed with joy as the wind made her hair fly out the car window.

"Careful, miss." Aria said.

"Leave her, this is safe." said Alissa, watching them with her green eyes.

The driver noted that there was a pewter movement behind them, surely someone watching the daughter of Mr Mancini. However, Alessia was not just anyone. Within seconds, she had already crashed and taken a shortcut to the Ricci home.

Aria’s house was simple, just an apartment in the city center. By far, it compared to her boss’s mansion.

Aria took Laura by the hand and led her through the corridors of the building until she found her apartment door open.

"You’re here, Ari. I’ve tidied up as best I can. I just can’t promise that everything’s in the right place." - Cassandra laughed.

Laura noticed how similar they both were.

"We have a visitor today, Cass. This is Laura, my boss’s daughter."

Cass smiled and greeted Laura.

"Hello, young lady, pleasure. My name is Cassandra and you? Call me Cass, it’s easier."

"Pleasure, my name is Laura. Why do you wear sunglasses indoors, Cass?" Laura asked curious.

"Oh. I can’t see and that’s why my eyes are sensitive, and I need the glasses because of that."

"And how do you know what people look like?" the girl asked innocently.

"They can describe to me or I touch their face."

"All right, I’m pretty."

Cass and Aria laughed.

"And the color of your hair and eyes? Tell Cass to imagine you." Asked Aria.

"I have blond hair and blue eyes. I’m also small around you and Lenzo. But one day, I’ll grow up and be taller than everyone else."

The women laughed and began to fix the change.

In the car, Alessia had already confirmed that there was no more danger and she did not need to pull the gun.

Laura and Cassandra stayed in the car while Aria went to return the keys to Signor Biancinni.

"You can touch my face, Cass. What do you think?" Laura asked.

Cassandra did, imagining every detail of Laura’s appearance.

"Certainly someone very beautiful, Laura."

Laura smiled, excited and hugged her.

"Thank you. You’re beautiful too. I like you."

Cassandra smiled and stroked the girl’s hair.

"I like you too, Laura."

"And it’s hard not to see?" Laura asked with childish curiosity.

"I have the other senses sharpened. I can hear better, feel better and also recognize smells."

"Ohhh." Laura looked at her with shining eyes.

"You are a superhero."

Cassandra and Elena laughed. It was contagious to have a child around.

Elena smiled, it’s been a while since I saw you so happy.

------

"Thank you for everything, Mr Biancinni."

"Not at all, Aria. I hope you have a good life. How’s your relationship with Giovanni?"

Aria sighed, she did not want to remember the moments and to pass shame in front of Monsieur Biancinni.

"It was hard at first. But I think things are settling in."

Biancinni smiled at me.

"Giovanni can be a bit difficult. But, I think you can help him."

"I don’t think I have that power, sir." Aria laughed.

"I still believe you, Aria."

Aria left the store, laughing. How could she deal with someone as cold and stubborn as Mr. Mancini.

-------

Upon arriving at the Mancini house, Aria took a deep breath. Now it would be a new life.

"Come on Laura. Stay here, Cass. It’s a new place, so I’ll come help you."

Lorenzo observed all the commotion, for sure they should have arrived. He should confess that it was good to know someone who had the same interests as his.

The boy stood up and noticed Aria and Laura entering. Where was the sister?

He saw someone waiting in the car, but he couldn’t move when Laura came screaming:

"Lenzo. A superhero is moving in with us."

Lorenzo laughed.

"A heroine? I want to know her powers."

"Lorenzo, Cassandra can’t see. She needs help getting to know this new place. Soon I’ll go get her, okay?" Aria said, taking some things while security brought others.

"Don’t worry. I can help you." Lorenzo volunteered and ran to where Cassandra was.

The girl was beautiful, had long black hair and wore a blue long-sleeved shirt and white skirt. However, when she opened her mouth, Lorenzo felt something different from everything he had felt before.

"Hello? Who’s there?"

Of course, she couldn’t see him and didn’t know him. But everyone who approached him was out of interest. Always flattering him and wanting something in return. Even with your best friends, it was like that.

"Ah. Hello! My name is Lorenzo, I am the son of your sister’s boss. Do you need help?"

"Ah." She smiled and Lorenzo enjoyed seeing her smile.

"Pleasure, Mr. Mancini, my name is Cassandra."

"Please. Don’t call me sir. You can call me Lorenzo."

"Right, Lorenzo, pleasure." She reached out her hand.

"Pleasure, Cassandra. Nice to meet you." He shook her hand.

The silence was awkward for a few minutes.

"How can I help you?" he asked embarrassed.

"Can I lean on your shoulder?"

"Of course."

"Can you guide my hand, please?"

He did as he was asked and allowed her to lean on his shoulder. Cassandra took her cane and opened it, letting herself be guided by Lorenzo and the object.

"We arrived." Lorenzo said, leading her to the couch.

"Thank you, Lorenzo. You’re very kind. I could have waited for my sister."

"Ah. It’s not na-da." - He said embarrassed. " It’s the least I can do."

Cassandra smiled and Lorenzo melted. That girl did have superpowers.

He left the room, embarrassed.

"Can I talk to you for a minute, Lorenzo?" - Aria asked, she was already tired of the change.

As he approached, she whispered:

"Thanks for helping, Cass. I’m glad you guys are getting closer." She smiled. " Can you help - back at school tomorrow? She’s in poor health. I’m afraid someone will do something."

"Sure. Don’t worry. I’ll help you. No one will come near her if you’re with me."

"Thank you, dear." Aria said relieved. " I worry about her a lot."