Chapter 26

Skai’s POV

I stole glances at the drawer where I found the documents the last time. The door was knocked and creaked open. Her glitter black heels showed first, then her long legs, and she came into view.

Her long honey-blonde hair fell in deep waves over her shoulder, her black dress hugging her curves in a way that made heads turn. She was effortlessly stunning, as if she just walked off the cover of a high-fashion magazine.

She went straight to Carlo as he clutched her in his embrace, pecking him on both cheeks as he grinned widely, ” I've missed you.”

She turned to me and said, “You must be Sophia, right?”

“Yes, I never knew I had fans already.”

“Come over; let's sit here,” she said, pulling me to the couch opposite Carlo’s desk. He was grinning at the sight of both of us.

“My name is Chiara.” She placed her hand on her chest, looking at me.

“I love the name; it's unique.”

“You can say that again,” she said, cupping my cheeks.

“We even have the same eyes; I like you already.”

I flashed my eyelashes, dancing with my shoulders.

She looked at Carlo, and they kind of gave themselves a sign language, and he nodded in agreement.

“We planned a movie night for my homecoming, so I was hoping you would join us,” she pouts, making her eyes glint like a kid waiting for a Christmas present.

“Okay, okay, fine.”

At Giovanni Auder's House.

The house wall was painted in sophisticated grey colouring, streaked with veins of black, as if the house reflected its shadows.

A fountain rests not far from the entrance. A black panther rests beside the fountain with its mouth open, ready to attack with a fierce look. What an image to have at the entrance of a house. How I wish the panther could breathe in life and eat them all up. But the world isn't a wish-granting factory. If it was, I wouldn't be in this situation.

A lot of black SUVs were packed in the compound with armed men on almost every corner dressed like sentinels in black suits. It didn’t surprise me; I've been in that position, and the mercenary is always like this. My eyes flying from angle to angle.

Two men walked towards each other, stepping towards each other and stopping an inch apart, creating a distance.

“She’s with us.” They stepped back and nodded but still glued their eyes to me. I wouldn’t have been here without the help of Carlo’s sister.

Carlo walked forward and disappeared into the huge building. We continue bickering on the way inside.

“So where are you from?” she asked.

The phrasing of the question seemed to set off a series of weak and distant lights where the other had thrown a spark that failed. Where am I from? I asked myself. But it was like trying to identify one particular cell that coursed through the veins of my body.

“I'm from Italy, but I didn't stay in Venice when I was little. That was before my parents died.”

“I moved to the States years ago.” She didn't feel pity like she was used to grief.

“Carlo said you stay on John Avenue. My friend lived there too.”

“Yes, I do. The people there are so nice and accommodating. It's a peaceful place to be.” I lied; I don't know the majority of the people there, but I tried to act normal. All the ‘normal’ has been knocked out of my life just as the life was knocked out of me.

“You can stay right here, Sophia. I need to change my clothes. I'll be right back.” Her heels clicked against the stairs, fainting, and then she was gone.

I looked around the living room; there was no family picture. Maybe that's old-fashioned. I looked at the surroundings. I need to master the layout of this place before making any wrong moves. One bullet could get me killed.

After a few minutes, Sophia came back dressed in white nightwear. The shorts revealing a small tattoo on her lap.

We passed by several corners, with each one producing another. I look over at her as she guided me down endless halls.

“Carlo said he'd join us later.” I nodded.

“So what genre of movie do we see? Do you watch Disney?”

“Not really my thing, but I can remember Frozen. Oh, my Elsa. I watch horror sometimes.”

“I don't like horror. It feels like the demons are going to pluck out my eyes.” She palmed her face with both hands dramatically. What can be more of a demon than her father?

My attention snapped back to the present. She led us into a spacious, sparkly kitchen. The decor is spotless grey and white, like in those cooking TV shows. A butler who appeared as old as Bruce Wayne’s bows in greeting upon seeing us. He’s wearing a butler outfit all complete with white gloves and a white napkin dangling from his arm. I bowed back while she nodded in acknowledgement.

“Hi, Marco.”

“We're having a movie night; can we get snacks?”

“Okay, Chiara.” He has a bit of an Italian accent.

He walked over to the refrigerator and brought pizza, cookies and chips, as if this happened every fortnight.He knew the snacks to choose and served them on two trays.

I volunteered to help with the second tray. As we move down the hall.

“I forgot the sodas, Sophia. You can wait in the theatre room.” She pointed down the hall.

“The theatre room is around the corner.” Of course, they have a theatre room. Why did I think we’d watch the movie in the lounge area like normal people?

When Chiara trudged back from where we came from, I sighed and continued on my path. I stop down the hall. She forgot to mention whether I should turn left or right. There are equally long hallways on both sides.

Footsteps sound down the hall. Maybe the butler or one of the boys returned, and I can ask.I heard the faint rustle of footsteps down the hall. Maybe the butler or one of the guards returned, and I can ask them.

As the footsteps approached. Calculated, measured and confident, like I imagined a prime minister's footsteps would be. I thought it was Carlo.

A tall man appeared from the right. He was wearing a tailored navy blue suit that screamed wealth and status. It wasn’t until I met his gaze that I was stuck staring at the ‘alleged’ mafia leader.

Giovanni Auder.

His guards and the whole building are a testament to his status.

Smile. I'd mastered the action. Learn to keep my face relaxed, my face muscles loose. So the action looked natural, not forced or tight.