Comments 1:My last update for the Easter break. I'll be back in a week or so.

Chapter Nine

Comments2: She tempts the patience of a saint… and Scipio isn't one…

"Thank you, that's very considerate, but I'm fine. It was just short spell."

"You sure? It always takes some time for non-Venetians to get used to the constant rides, but before you know it, you'll have as steady legs as the rest of us."

Scipio smiled encouragingly at her. Annamaria seethed inside. What an actor the guy was! If she hadn't heard him laughing at her, she would have bought his fake concern for her in a heartbeat. And what a snob! Once again she was exposed to the superior too-bad-you're-not-a-Venetian-attitude.

And so the evening started and a bottle of good wine and Teresa's excellent cooking cared for a successful and relaxed dinner, during which the party learnt of Annamaria's future as a nun, which earned a carefully disguised grin from Scipio, and Scipio's intentions to become an officer after having finished San Martino, which cast a deep frown onto Annamaria's face. She had already seen the cadets of this particular school with their decorative uniforms and cloaks roaming through the city and being a nuisance with their arrogance to all good and decent people.

Later the party retired to the saloon where then gentlemen drank 25 year old whiskey and smoked a fine cigar talking economics, Marlena tried to look interested in the fascinating life story of Saint Margaret, and Scipio tried to entertain Annamaria with talks about movies he had seen recently, music, he thought was worth listening to, books you simply had to read, Rome compared to Venice, the weather …. it was all in vain. Annamaria was firmly determined to give her host absolutely no chance to redeem himself in her eyes. His opinions she perceived as truths he tried to force upon her, his questions meant to trap her and make her look stupid.

Eventually his ordeal seemed to come to an end. At an advanced hour signora Venturi realised the time and motioned discretely for her husband that it was time to go home. Annamaria sighed relieved.

"Oh, please, signora Venturi, stay for a bit longer. You haven't told me yet what happened in 1467 when the Pope installed the Order at the Vatican… This is so fascinating. I've never had any idea!"

"But Annamaria….."

"Signora, I fully understand your concerns about tomorrow being a school day. Let Scipio escort your daughter home."

"This is a very gracious offer, signora, but I can find my way home alone. There's no need to for him to loose any sleep over me."

The teenagers' eyes met. One set of eyes showed contemptuousness, the other betrayed exasperation.

"I'm not sure…"

"Oh, don't you worry, signora Venturi. We learn to steer a boat before we learn to walk. Your daughter will be absolutely safe with him…Lorenzo, Scipio is going to accompany Annamaria home. It's become quite late and tomorrow they have school."

"What was it again? Oh, yes.. Scipio, she's in your care. Take the racing boat then and see her home….Like I've said, if we increase the annual ROI …."

"Certainly, father."

Scipio smiled satisfied. The faster he got rid of the brat, the better. Signora Venturi became worried. What if the boy tried to show off and they ended up against a wall or an abutment or crashed into another boat? Marlena frowned for a second as a new thought entered her mind then smiled with just a hint of maliceness.

"I'm wondering….perhaps you rather take the vaporetto. A ride with the Angelina might be too upsetting for Annamaria's stomach. With the vaporetto it's going to be soft and nice and slow. Don't you agree, Mio?"

Mio grimaced. And Marlena bent towards the uneasy signora and stage-whispered amused.

"You know, he doesn't like at all to be called by his baby name. They try their best to act all grown-up, but really they're still children, aren't they?"

Thoughtfully signora Venturi nodded, still…

"Now, be a good boy and take the signorina home."

Being steam-rolled signora Venturi couldn't help but surrender.

"Well, I guess…considering…Fine. But, Anmi, as soon as you're home you're going to phone me. And don't forget your evening prayers."

She was about getting up, when a soft hand on her shoulders pushed her back into the easy chair.

"No, just make yourself comfortable, signora. I'll see them to the door."

"Why are you doing this, Marlena?" Scipio whispered annoyed to her on the way downstairs.

"Because you deserve it, my dear."

She patted his cheek lightly.

"She's a nightmare! You know I won't forget this for a long while."

"Good! Because I've got a feeling that there comes the day you will give me a big hearty kiss and thank me for this."

"Don't count on it."

Marlena chuckled softly.

"We'll see."

The teenagers didn't speak on the ride. Scipio made his way slowly through larger canals, smaller canals and canals who were barely wide enough for the vaporetto to pass through. He breathed in the night and let it soothe him. Annamaria watched the houses passing by. Long ago she had lost any orientation but she trusted him to know the way. Besides, Venice was hardly big enough to get lost – not like Rome. With every turn into a new canal she hoped it was the one of her home. When the Canale La Giudecca opened up to them, she knew she was almost at home.

"Just let me out over at the stop. I'll take the traghetto and you can go home."

She knew she was petulant but couldn't help it.

"Don't be ridiculous. Don't you know what happens here after dark?"

"I mean it. Let me out. Or…I'll scream."

Now he was intrigued.

"You do?"

"You don't believe me? Just you wait. I'll make them think you tried to force yourself on me."

"Somehow I don't think they're going to believe you."

"Oh yes? Because you're the son of the mighty Dottor Massimo?"

A smile tugged at his mouth.

"No, because you look like a ten year old and I don't play with little girls."

"You rather play with little boys then?…Oh, did I hit a nerve or why don't you answer?"

"I wouldn't be a gentleman, if I answered appropriately."

Annamaria was furious. She wanted to hit him, hurt him, do anything to make him loose his cool, like he had made her the very first moment she had met him.

"And we wouldn't want to disappoint daddy, would we?"

Scipio felt his own anger return. What was it with this girl? He had enough of this attitude! And, thank God, they had reached her home. She jumped out of the boat as if it was on fire. He jumped out after her to settle this for once and all.

"Look who's talking or is it an arrested development thing with you?"

"You bastard!"

She tried to slap him but froze when he suddenly smirked with a dangerous glint in his eyes. He stepped up close to her and took one of her thick braids in an almost caress into his hand….and tickled her nose with it.

"You know what? You've got spunk. I like that in girls."

Scipio chuckled and hopped back into the vaporetto.

"Now don't you want to go in? Or would you rather have me tuck you in, little girl?"

He winked with a lazy smile.

"You….you…Mio!" She shouted enraged.

"Sweet dreams, Anmi."

He made a shooing gesture for her to get into the house. She turned on her heels and entered her home in a huff. The nerve of that boy! Who did he think he was? A goddamned rich boy! She hated Venice and she hated everything about him! And if she never saw him again that would still be too soon!

Scipio chugged home with a sinking feeling in his stomach and angry at himself. If the brat squealed, he was in for some serious dressing down from his father. He shouldn't have let her get the better of him! Stupid girl!

The next chapter will deal with two alpha-males...