Chapter 4: Guvano Martini

They stepped into the exquisite private booth prepared by Guvano. Alessia smiled faintly in satisfaction at the arrangements. 

"Guvy, you outdid yourself with this one" Sophia's shrill voice came, "These arrangements are killer!, what do you think Alessia?" she continued whipping her head to Alessia who had plopped on the sofa. 

"It's okay" 

Sophia was stumped, "Oh come on Alessia, where is the excitement"

“Ah I feel hurt,” Guvano's voice rang out again. “You two make me feel so under-appreciated, I deserve a hug at least, Don't I?” he added grinning mischievously

He opened his arms wide, inviting the women into his embrace while catching the scoff from Alessia. “Still so stubborn,” he thought with an amused smirk.

Sophia cheerfully accepted his hug, kissing his cheek before taking a seat beside him. Alessia, however, glared at his outstretched arms.

“Planning to lose that arm?” she asked dryly, arching her perfectly sculpted brow.

“Still a cold-hearted bit*h, I see,” he teased.

Alessia looked towards Sophia, her lips curling in mock exasperation. “Darling,” she said to Sophia, holding her friend’s hand, “We should disinfect you. Who knows where Guvano’s hands have been?”

The two women burst into laughter, their carefree mirth a stark contrast to Guvano’s exaggerated look of betrayal.

Alessia’s distaste was rooted in her knowledge of Guvano’s scandalous history with women and his messy private life. Guvano raised his hands in mock surrender, his face splitting into a mischievous grin.

“Ladies, come on! You two are the only ones I truly care about,” he said, clutching his chest.

…………

Guvano Martini was a notorious heartbreaker, renowned across Sicily as a playboy who left a trail of shattered hearts in his wake. Heiresses, actresses, and powerful women all fell prey to his charm, but none could truly claim him. He was a lavish lover during his fleeting affairs, sparing no expense to make his partners feel adored. Yet, when the flame of passion burned out, Guvano moved on without a backward glance, leaving women to fight among themselves for scraps of his affection.

There was only one woman who had ever held his heart, though she would never truly be his—Alessia Rossini.

Years ago, she found him in an alleyway bleeding, left to die.

…………..

The Martini were one of the 13 famiglias and the fifth most powerful. Guvano Martini was the bastard son of Alejandro Martini_head of the Martini famiglia born as a result of a shameful affair with a whore. Infidelity was not tolerated in the famiglia, neither were bastard__Alejandro already had two sons to his wife. 

Guvano was raised as a scum, worse than servants. Nobody could fathom the scars and ugliness that that handsome face contained. Only Alessia.

The Martini brothers had a favourite hobby, beating him bloody, they would take turns to carve bruises and break his ribs by slamming their feet into him.

One such time, they invited their friends to join in the “fun”__they left him half dead, battered and bloody in a dirty alleyway. 

He thought he was going to die and finally leave this cruel world until a small childish voice rang out

“Are you dead? “ the speaker was a little girl adorned in a pink princess dress. She was an oddity in this rundown alley that smelled like death.

“Great,” he thought in annoyance, the last thing he needed was another rich brat taunting him before he died.

He waited for the taunts and abuses, but rather he heard her talking to men in the background.

The blood loss was causing dizziness so he couldn't make up what they were saying.

Then he blacked out.

“Where am I? “ the young Guvano woke up staring at an unfamiliar white wall. “I am probably in heaven,” he thought

“Papa, Look he is awake!” That voice was familiar, and then it clicked. 

It belonged to the little girl that found him half dead, he looked at her and saw her standing beside a much older man, with a very imposing aura. 

He became very alert and tried to get up quickly, only to fall back into bed.

“You're still hurt, the doctor said you need lots and lots of rest” said the little girl flashing her missing tooth at him.

“Right Papa?” She turned to the older man for affirmation.

“Yes, princess” The imposing aura was replaced by warmth as he stared at his daughter tenderly.

Three days later he was discharged. 

He waited day and night to see her again, but her father showed up.

“ You were hit” it wasn't a question but a statement

“Next time, fight back, they just won't stop because you did nothing,” he said and left.

Young Guvano clutched his arms tightly and vowed never to be bullied by anyone.

He later learnt from the nurses that she was Alessia Rossini, he knew the Rossini's were one of the biggest famiglia in Sicily.

Guvano met Alessia after so many years on her 16th birthday, a lavish affair suited for her. 

And there she was, a grown woman, who stole his heart that night. 

Since then, she has haunted his dreams. 

Fate had a cruel way of playing games, maybe that was his Karma for all the hearts he had broken.