Vittoria's POV
"What do I do?" I asked myself as Mr Palazzo began walking towards me. His face was expressionless as he moved, his eyes locked on mine.
I was certain he had seen me with Uncle Paolo, this could only mean trouble for me.
Marco seeing us was a different matter because he may not know who he was, but Mr Palazzo is Ricardo's right-hand man, he would definitely tell Ricardo about it and that would be the end.
My heart pounded against my ribs as I tried to keep a calm expression.
When he finally reached me, he casually tucked his hands into his pocket, "Vittoria," he said smoothly.
"M..mr Palazzo," I stuttered.
"It's so nice to see you," he said, his lips curling into a smile. "Where is Don Lombardi?" He asked, looking around.
A sense of relief washed over me, he hadn't seen us, or if he had, he wasn't letting on. "Don Moretti asked to see him."
"Ohh," he replied. "It must have been awful being left here alone."
"It wasn't so bad,* I said with a small smile. "I used the chance to look around."
Mr palazzo nodded slowly, his gaze scanning through the crowd. "How long ago did they leave?"
"A little while ago. How was your trip?"
"Ohh, it went well thank you."
"Did you just return?" I asked, trying to find out how long he had been standing at the doorway.
"Yes, yes, I just came now. I had a report to give the Don but on getting here I saw only you, left alone in the middle of strangers."
I fist pumped in my mind, he didn't see us.
"It's not bad, I like being alone sometimes."
"Not in front of strangers," he said with a knowing smile. "How has it been at work, I know the boss can be….demanding"
I swallowed, was this another test? "I've been managing just fine. The boss has been nothing but kind to me."
That wasn't entirely a lie, of course, he had his moments but he wasn't as problematic as I had anticipated.
Mr palazzo raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Kind huh? If you say so."
I nodded slowly and he turned around again, scanning the room. "Vittoria…..I would have to leave you, I need to find the boss."
"Okay sir," I replied and he walked off, one of the men following behind him.
I let out a sigh of relief, he didn't see us. Which meant I was safe. For that moment.
I made a mental note to be more careful from that moment, I couldn't afford to get caught.
I sat alone for a while, scrolling through my phone. The room buzzed with laughter and conversation and it began to feel awkward just sitting alone.
I glanced up occasionally, checking to see any sign of Ricardo, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Then suddenly Ricardo appeared, moving towards me with Mr Palazzo trailing behind him.
The expression on Ricardo's face was dark and irritable, his movements brisk as he approached. What could have happened to make him so angry? Could it be…
"Stand up Vittoria, we're leaving," he said curtly.
I blinked, confused. I opened my mouth to ask but then I caught Mr palazzo's gaze. He shook his head slowly at me and I quickly shut up.
I slowly rose from my seat, grabbing my clutch as Ricardo extended his arm to me.
I held his arm and we walked to the exit.
As we walked to the car I couldn't help but glance at Ricardo, searching for a clue about what made him so angry. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were darker.
Obviously, things didn't go well with Don Moretti. I hoped in my mind that Don Moretti was still alive.
The Driver opened the car door and he quickly slid in without a word. I followed and Mr palazzo walked to his own car.
It was almost midnight when I entered the house, only to see my mother in the living room, lying on the couch.
Was she waiting for me? I wondered as I moved towards her.
"Mama," I called, tapping her lightly. "Mama, wake up."
She opened her eyes slowly and when she saw me, she quickly sat up. "You're back."
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"I was waiting for you, how was it? Did anything happen?"
Something always happens when I go out with Ricardo.
"Nothing happened Mama," I started, but then I remembered. "I met Uncle Paolo," I said, watching her face closely for her reaction.
"What?" She asked, her eyes widening as blood drained from her face.
"He was there, we talked, I almost got caught when he met me but I covered up and he cooperated."
She was quiet for a while, just staring at the floor in silence.
"Your father was very disappointed when Paolo joined the Mafia," she started. "They didn't speak for a long time.
Yeah, I remember," I replied, "I actually thought he would have left after what happened to Papa but he is still part of them. He was angry though, when he saw me with Ricardo,"
"That's expected Vittoria, anyone would be angry seeing you with your father's killer, and you were almost caught today, why don't you leave this obsession with revenge and move on with your life."
"We keep having this conversation ma, I already made up my mind and I'm going to finish what I started," I said, already moving towards the stairs. "Thank you for waiting for me, but next time, please don't."
I rushed up the stairs to my room, not waiting for her reply. I understood why she was against it, but I had already started and I was really tired of hearing how dangerous my plan was every time we had a conversation.
I knew how dangerous it was, but I was going to do it anyway.
I had barely taken off my dress when my phone buzzed in my bag.
I brought it out to see a strange number flashing on the screen.
Frowning, I swiped to answer, hesitating for a moment before putting it to my ear. "Hello?"
There was silence on the other end.
I removed the phone from my ear, looking at the screen to see if the call was still connected. It was.
"Hello?" I repeated. Still no answer.
"Who is this?"
There was no answer at first but then a deep, unnatural voice spoke, sending shivers down my spine.
"I know who you really are."