17. Couple Necklaces

The car drove at high speed through the city streets that never died. There were many vehicles passing by. The scent of Leonardo's body still lingered on the car seat where he used to sit. Caterina sighed roughly, inhaling the scent deeply. Every time she smelled Leonardo's body scent, she felt calm and peaceful. There was a strange feeling that crept into her heart every time she inhaled the scent.

No matter how hard she tried to lie about her feelings, she could not cover up the fact that her love for Leonardo was still as great as ever.

Caterina shifted; she tried to find the most comfortable position to sit. Until an object stuck in her footstool made her bend down to check it.

“This is ....” Caterina picked up the object with an inexplicable feeling. The look on her face changed; instantly her memory was thrown to a few years ago.

It was Leonardo's 17th birthday. Caterina was so excited and enthusiastic. She prepared a surprise party, decorated the room, prepared a birthday cake, and prepared dishes to eat with the other members of La Vendetta. She even spent her savings on couple necklaces. One for Leonardo and one for her.

However, Leonardo did not appreciate her efforts at all. Instead of being grateful and happy for the surprise party Caterina had prepared, he went on a rampage. The birthday cake that Caterina had lovingly prepared he threw away heartlessly. He destroyed the balloons and decorations. The gift that Caterina had given him he threw away in annoyance.

“Can't you stop bothering me?! How many times have I told you, Stop disturbing my life!” That was the sentence Leonardo always gave her whenever she tried to please him.

Caterina clutched the necklace with the half heart pendant. She held it tightly.

“It's not mine.” Caterina muttered. She remembered very well when she gave the right heart to Leonardo, while the pendant with the left heart she kept for her.

Leonardo never received his gift necklace, so she felt sad and was always reminded of Leonardo's rude attitude whenever she wore the couple's necklace. So she never wore it again.

“This is Leonardo's.” Caterina said with confidence. The necklace had been specially ordered with the design and name tucked into the pendant. She checked the pendant carefully, and sure enough it had Leonardo's name on it.

“Did he come back to pick up the gift I gave him after he kicked me out last time?” Caterina wondered. Her brow furrowed. Leonardo was so unpredictable.

“Eight years have passed, and he still has this? Or is this just a coincidence?” Caterina spoke to herself.

The necklace still looked as beautiful as new. It seemed that Leonardo took very good care and custody of it.

“Alex, do you know about this necklace?” Caterina handed the necklace to Alex, who was driving.

Alex had only joined La Vendetta about four years ago. He was recruited directly by Leonardo. Unlike Caterina and Leonardo, who grew up in La Vendetta. Alex definitely did not know about the events of Leonardo's birthday party 8 years ago.

“Oh, this I know. Lately Mr. Bianchi has been wearing this necklace wherever he goes.”

“Since when? Why wouldn't I know?” Caterina was getting curious.

“I guess since you left La Vendetta. If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Bianchi took the necklace off when we picked you up at the hospital that time. I think it fell out of Mr. Bianchi's pocket in this car.”

Caterina was quite surprised when she heard Alex's answer. Why was Leonardo acting like this? Was he playing with Caterina's feelings? It had obviously been thrown away by Leonardo 8 years ago; why was it still there? She herself didn't know where her necklace was.

“I'll give it to Mr. Bianchi after he returns to the base.” Alex made a decision.

“No.” Caterina commented quickly. “Give it to me; let me give it back to Leo.”

Alex felt that it was no big deal, so he complied with what Caterina said.

After a long journey, they finally arrived at their destination. Caterina got out of the car and entered the luxurious mansion that was La Vendetta's headquarters. The mansion was quiet, as it was almost dawn. The residents of the headquarters were fast asleep. There were only a few people who remained awake, having to stand guard at several points of the mansion.

“Is my father still alive?” Caterina looked at Alex with a questioning look. Because what she knew was that her father had taken his place to serve her death sentence at the hands of Leonardo.

Alex frowned. “He's fine. It hasn't even been a week since you guys met; why are you asking that?”

Caterina's eyes lit up immediately after hearing Alex's answer. She felt happy because her father was fine. She didn't respond to Alex's question; she quickly ran through the spacious corridor to her father's room. She knocked on the door repeatedly because she couldn't wait to see her father.

Their relationship has never been that close. However, since her father helped her to escape from La Vendetta and was willing to sacrifice his life for her safety, Caterina felt that the father-daughter relationship between them needed to be repaired. She wanted to spend more time with her father, as a daughter and father should. Not like before, as if they were seniors and juniors in the medical world.

“Dad!” Caterina immediately hugged her father when Dante opened the door to the room.

Dante looked confused, his forehead wrinkled as he tried to digest what was happening. He was still a little dazed from just waking up.

“Thank goodness you're okay. I thought Leo had really finished you off.” Caterina cried, hugging her father.

“Kate! Why did you come back here?” Dante looked panicked as he realized what was happening.

Caterina broke the embrace, looking deeply into her father's face.

“Marco captured me and intended to use me as a tool to destroy Leo. Leo came to my rescue and asked me to go home. I don't know why he saved me, but I think it was because he didn't want Marco to get information about La Vendetta from me.” Caterina explained.

“At least you're safe. I'm glad to see you; I thought we'd never see each other again.” Dante felt very emotional; he hugged his daughter's body very tightly. He hugged as if he didn't want to let go.