III

Fifteen years earlier

"C'mon Fiona, you know I love you," Nicolo said to his girlfriend outside of the Milani residence.

"Then what were those pictures?" Fiona asked. "Who are those other girls?"

"They're nothing; they're like stray cats in an alleyway."

"Stray…cats?"

"Yes, I don't even know those women. Those are just pictures I bought off of my friend, Bernardo."

"Does Bernardo know them?"

"I don't know. They're probably just some women who he convinces of fame so they'll take their clothes off for his photography class portfolio."

"Bernardo takes photography?"

"Yes, at the university. He tells me he's going to France in a month or so to be an apprentice."

"T…then, why do you have them?"

"A man has urges, Fiona. I don't want to sneak around on you, so I have those to tide me over until you're ready.

"Oh; really?"

"Yes; really. Now, don't you feel foolish?"

"Yes, I do. It's embarrassing, I'm sorry Nico. I'll trust you more from now on.

"Well, you'd better. My mother always says a relationship that isn't based on trust is no relationship at all.

"Well…okay; and…and I think I'm ready."

"So, you will apologize with your body?"

"Y…yes Nico."

"Then, I'll expect your apology tomorrow after classes."

"Yes Nico. Will you walk me home, please?"

"No, I can't. Your father will want me to share a drink with him and I have all that class work we didn't do by fighting."

"I…I'm sorry Nico. I'll see you tomorrow then."

Fiona brushed aside a tear as she walked away. She wanted so much to believe Nicolo Milani, but he made it harder with each passing day. Now, it seemed she would have to blossom early in order to keep him. If her father had not adored him so much, she would have left him ages ago.

Watching her leave, Nicolo waited in anticipation for her to turn the corner. Taking a quick glance at his wristwatch, he groaned at the situation he landed in due to his own carelessness.

"Why didn't you tell her you were taking photography classes at the community school?" a voice spoke from behind Nicolo causing him to jump.

Quickly, Nicolo turned raising his arms to his face, anticipating an attack from an open hand. Instead of a grown woman however, a little raven-haired schoolgirl stood before him with a mean scowl across her face. The child's waist length hair flowed freely in the breeze giving the illusion of being a much younger girl.

"Oh; it's just you," Nicolo said taking another look at Fiona who had yet to turn the corner. "You know; she looks good in those heels, but I think I'll buy her a pair of actual shoes so she'll walk a little faster."

"So, why didn't you tell her?" the girl asked again.

"Be quiet half-wit, stay out of matters concerning adults."

"I'll let you know when I see one."

"How much of that did you see anyway?"

"I saw enough to know that you shouldn't be sleeping around on her."

"…Ferro! Yeah, you better walk inside!"

Taking another look down the street, Nicolo made sure that Fiona was completely out of sight before running inside. He had two phone calls to make; the first, to his friend Bernardo; and the second, to his date for the night to explain his tardiness. Bernardo was easy to handle, the usual promise of tail to come was an easy bargaining tool. The boy would have trouble picking up an old, fat Sicilian for goodness sake. His date was another matter, the French woman would only be in town for another night and she seemed very impatient.

"Laurette, I'm sorry I'll be a little late tonight. You see, my sister came home early and I don't feel comfortable leaving her here alone. Watch, I'll prove it. Ferro, you're here aren't you?"

Walking down the stairs, she glanced at him with disgust.

"Drop dead," she said in passing.

"See, she's here; …oh, why thank you. Yes, don't worry I'll pay for the taxi and the hotel. …Okay, I love you."

Dropping the receiver, Nicolo marched right into the kitchen where he found Ferro biting into a fresh tomato.

"You should show me some respect you little whelp."

"So you can treat me like you treat your girlfriends? Forget it."

"I told you half-wit, stay out of my affairs."

"At least you have your definitions right. You should actually look at your class work from time to time, instead of having your girlfriends do it for you."

Taking great offense to this, Nicolo slapped Ferro's tomato out of her hand.

"Now listen to me; while father is in Germany I am the man of this house. You will do as I say or you will feel my anger."

Getting a rag from the counter, Ferro wetted it before picking up what remained of the tomato. After depositing the spilled fruit in the garbage, she stood stoic with her back to Nicolo.

"You shouldn't be sleeping around on Fiona," Ferro muttered. "She's not like your girlfriends from before, I…I actually like her."

"She's a woman and she's naïve, like all women."

"No, she's not!" Ferro screamed as she turned to face Nicolo. "She's really going to get hurt when you leave her!"

"And how would you know you little…?"

"I know! I've seen your other girlfriends. You aren't using them as you say with pride to your friends. They are using you. Just like that French bitch you're seeing tonight and you're so stupid, you don't even see it!"

With his eyes flaring, he pushed himself against Ferro. The counter dug into her back as she struggled to free herself.

"Nico," Ferro managed, "you're hurting me."

"My own baby sister tries talking back to me; a man of the house?"

"Nico, please…"

"Is it that you want me for yourself, little sister?"

"Nico, no!" Ferro pleaded as Nicolo held both of her wrists overhead.

"Let's see if you'll do, no?"

"Nico, I…I'll tell mother!" Ferro screamed as her brother unbuttoned her jacket.

"So; that hag is probably stone drunk by now. She's always like that when father's gone."

"Please, don't Nico."

"You lost your chance to plead forgiveness, you spoiled little brat."

"Nico…" Ferro pleaded in futility as her brother unbuttoned her blouse.

Pushing aside the thin flaps of cloth, Nicolo smirked at Ferro loosening his grip. He gazed for a moment at the creamy twin mounds hiding themselves behind a strained cotton bra.

"Impressive, for a 14-year old; but this is nowhere near enough to satisfy me."

Feeling Nicolo's grip loosen, Ferro tried to stand straight only to be pushed against the counter again.

"Now, I should be getting ready for my date with a real woman."

Taking a few steps to the door, Nico stopped to let this feeling last a little longer.

"Pig," Ferro said from behind Nicolo. "All of you, pigs. I wondered why real women call you that, and now I know. You, your friends, all of you; are nothing but the most filthiest and disgusting of creatures."

"Why you…" Nico yelled ready to rush at Ferro in fury. Yet, the sight before him detoured his actions.

Standing straight and proud, Ferro had removed her blouse and bra revealing herself to Nicolo. Her sizable, perky breasts seemed as if they wanted to attack him and in a way, they did.

"F…Ferro," Nicolo stuttered. "What are you doing?!"

"You wanted to look at them? So look at them."

Nicolo was stunned by what he saw. Her poise, her posture, despite his unwillingness to admit it, Nicolo's baby sister had already begun developing into a mature woman. Now, before his very eyes, she was punishing him with the very sight of her body.

"Well, say something. You want to yell at me, to lash out at me? Then do it."

Nicolo's mind struggled with the words as he tried in vain to look away from Ferro's chest.

"You can't can you? You can't even look away. You're mind is always ready to see this, just like a pig takes to table scraps."

Struggling once more; he attempted to say something, but Nicolo was at a complete loss. It was as if Ferro had captured him with pride alone and for the first time in his life, Nicolo felt…submissive. As if his only wish was for the half-naked schoolgirl before him to simply tell him what to do. Running up the stairs to his room, Nicolo laid out his clothes for his date. This was a feeling that he did not like.

Back in the kitchen, Ferro was left alone staring at her faint reflection in the pantry glass. The indecent image before her captured Ferro's mind, body, and soul. She could still feel Nicolo's gaze as his eyes traced every supple curve in her small, nubile form. It was on this painful day, her innocent curiosity would become an obsession.