★LUCIANO★

Since I have to visit Maria Beatrice's hospital in Florence today, I woke up earlier than usual.

Those darn birds kept chirping behind my window, signaling it was morning, and I had no choice but to get out of bed. Not that I was being zealous of burying my mother. Infact, my heart was clenching in fistfuls of anguish.

She was my precious jewel until death snatched her away from me. I tried so hard to make sure she survived. Wanting to see her smile at me one more time, but she never did.

Alongside my sister, Luciana.

Ramos Ashton's days are numbered on Earth. He should enjoy everything he has now, because the moment I set my eyes and hands on him, that would be the last time air would pass through his lungs. I'd make sure he beg me profusely to kill him. Still, I would. However, the only difference would be that— his death would be painfully slow and bloody. Perhaps the most brutal murder I'd ever commit.

After taking a quick shower, I wore the Hugo Boss, three-piece black suit and black oxford shoes to match. Thereafter, I picked up my phone and dialed Glenn's number.

“Good morning, Boss." His drowsy voice rang out after one beep.

“You and Gerald should meet me at the lounge now.”

“Yes, Boss.” The line disconnected.

So I picked up my black shades from the bedside table, shoved my loaded pistol inside my coat, and strutted out of the room in a conceited gait.

As soon as I got to the lounge, Gerald and Glenn were already there, waiting for me. They looked tired and sleepy because I made them patrol throughout last night in fear of being attacked.

I have never been so fearful of attacks until now. And the main reason was because of her. Janie.

Sometimes, I wonder what would happen if she becomes my vulnerability. If I would have to fight until my blood dried out to save her. To me, I just hope that certain time would never come. I don't need such kind of distraction at all.

“Good morning, Boss." Chorused Gerald and Glenn the moment they noticed my presence.

“Good morning." I acknowledged with a curt nod. “So as you both know, I'll be burying my mother today. Gerald, I need you to stay here, keep all the doors closed and provide anything Janie wants without making her step out of the front door. Just lay low until my return. Am I clear?"

Gerald bowed to me. “Yes, Boss.”

“Good," I mumbled then gestured to Glenn. “Follow me."

Glenn and I head towards the parking lot. Out of three cars, I decided we leave in the BMW 4 Cabriolet just so we could be fast in whatever business ahead and return on time.

“Boss, what about the SUV?" Glenn inquired as he eyes the car continuously.

“What about it?"

“I think it would be better because of the road." He suggested and I pressed my lips together, thinking of his idea.

“No." My response was plain after giving it a small thought. “We leave in the cabriolet and that's it."

"Sure, Boss." Glenn strode off to get the keys and he returned in a second.

Without a word, he pressed the button and the engine revved to life.

Just as I was about to slip into the car, a squeaky voice called my name from afar.

Mia.

I recognized her voice anywhere, anytime. Struggling not to roll my eyes at her, I clenched my jaw and waited for her to sprint up to where I was.

“Luciano.” She managed a small smile. “I figured you will head to Maria Beatrice's hospital this early. Why didn't you inform me beforehand?"

Because I don't need to inform you of my plans!

“I wanted to get everything done quickly and I thought maybe because of your job, you won't be able to meet up this early," I said instead.

Mia's brows creased. “When has my job been a problem, Luciano? Even if I'm a stripper, I make sure to clean your house, visit your mother at the hospital and give you feedback all the time. So when have I ever complained to you that my job won't let me?" She sound offended.

“Well....my mistake. But you will have to pick one now." I narrowed my eyes at her face as I said; “It's either you stand there and continue scolding me, or you get in the car. Choose."

Mia wanted to complain again, but I cut her off before she could.

“I don't have time to waste Mia."

Grumbling and making weird faces, she walked around, slipped into the seat beside me and Glenn drove off.

The ride to the hospital was silent, just the way I liked it. Glenn drove, and Mia threw her face out of the window, acting up for me. While I brushed my fingers against my lips, occupied in thought.

Once I bury my mother, it meant I had no family left. No one.

I had no reason to visit this mansion in Tuscany anymore. Perhaps, I could put it on lease.

“We are here, Boss," Glenn announced and I alighted the car, and walked straight into the hospital with Mia following right behind me, while Glenn stayed five feet apart, observing every corner should in case of any danger lurking.

Following the direction signs, I eventually arrived at the morgue.

“Call the priest and tell him we will be there in less than twenty minutes," I instructed Glenn and he immediately brought out his phone to do my bidding.

“Don't come inside with me!" I told Mia as I made my way into the morgue.

“Good morning, sir. How may I help you?" The morgue attendant asked.

Wasting no time, I brought out the number tag the nurse sent to me two days ago and he went ahead to open the locker my mother was kept in.

As soon as I drew her body out, tears gathered in my eyes.

“Leave!” I growled at the morgue attendant because I needed some time alone.

“But sir, I can....”

Yanking my pistol out, I pointed it at his face. “If I have to repeat myself, then you will end up in one of the cold lockers. Which one do you prefer?"

And that was the cue he need to dash out of the morgue, leaving me to my tumultuous emotions.

My attention returned to my mother and I slipped my gun back into my coat.

Shakily, I brought my hands to her cold, pale face and the tears poured out of my eyes without restraint.

Damn, I'm so heartbroken.

“M-mother." My lips quivered as I rubbed her face, hoping she would open her eyes to look at me one last time.

“It's me, your son. Luciano.” My voice cracked. More tears were filling my eyes.

“Mom, I came to see you as usual and I hoped you will smile at me because I need it so much this time. Can you please do that for me? I just don't want to lose you. We can make pasta carbonara together and I promise to protect you ten times better if you open your eyes this moment and tell me this isn't true.”

With trembling hands, I cradled her face and cried my lungs out. I have never teared up this bad until now and the last time I did was ten years ago, during the attack and after I woke up at the hospital.

When I was done, I picked out my black handkerchief, wiped off every single trail of tears on my face then beckoned to the morgue attendant to get my mother into the minivan.

In nothing less than thirty minutes, we arrived at the cemetery where the priest had been waiting for us.

“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit." The priest began and I followed suit.

We said a few prayers, I sent my farewell wishes and then my mother's coffin was lowered into earth. Forever.

I'd never get to see her beautiful face ever again, except in pictures. Thankfully, I have been taking some since she slipped into a coma and I have her phone with a lot of memories too.

“Thank you," I said to the priest after the whole procession was thorough. He smiled and prayed for me before leaving.

“Accept my condolences, Boss." Glenn offered and I issued him an affirmative nod.

“Yes. Thanks."

"Luciano...I want to sym—" Mia was about to lock her hand with mine, but I hastily stepped out of her reach and ordered Glenn to start the car.

“We return to the mansion this instant."

★JANIE★ Sitting across the lounge, facing the grouchy-faced man, I thought of what to do to get the hell out of there.

He clung around me like a second skin and it's somewhat unsettling. When I asked after Luciano, he said he stepped out and I wondered why Luciano brought me to Italy, just to subject me to this kind of misery.

Even when I needed to use the restroom, the grouchy man stood outside the door, waiting for me. And there has been nothing more embarrassing than that.

The front door flung open and Luciano sauntered in.

Without thinking twice, I dashed towards him and asked; “Why did you abandon me here with him?"

"I asked Gerald to keep you safe." He replied in a stern tone.

Wait! I was the one supposed to be furious here, not him. So out of anger, I stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

“What is the point of bringing me here with you to Italy if you are going to treat me like a puppet? Why can't you let me live my life in the first place?" I roared angrily.

Luciano stood tall with both hands in his pocket. “I want to protect you." Was his next blank response and it aggravated me the more.

“Who said I need protecting? To be sincere, you are just being an asshole. I don't understand your motive and it's making me go crazy!" I shrieked.

“Then leave!" Luciano bellowed and I almost froze.

Before I knew it, he yanked my chin forcefully, his daring eyes piercing into my timid ones.

“No one dares to question my decision. No one makes me angry. No one should overstep their boundary when they are with me. So if you want to leave, then fucking do so already!” he pointed at the front door. “There is the door!”

Shocked, enraged, and shaken to bits, I looked away from Luciano's face. I could not believe the way he spoke to me and he seemed like a beast, ready to devour me.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I didn't let them slip.

Maybe he realized that he was hurting my chin, I don't know. But he eventually freed me and walked away, while I remained frozen in my spot, still in disbelief.

“The Boss just buried his mother," The other one informed me as if that would help.

Yet, I didn't utter a single word. I turned towards the direction of my room, with only one thought in my mind.

Since he asked me to leave, then yes...I'd fucking leave.