EDIT: January 25, 2014

Part 12 (II): Sunset

Lovino Vargas saw his life as a tragedy.

Being the eldest son, he had no choice but to shoulder the responsibilities shoved at him. At first, the young man rebelled at the deterministic route of his life but he only got severe beating by doing so. He envied his younger brother who was oblivious to what he had to endure. Sometimes he accidentally lashes out at Feliciano only to feel guilty, somewhat, later.

The Italian didn't expect a drastic turn in his life. This was the day when his father told him that he had to kill his younger brother.

"Are you insane?! Feliciano is your son as much as I am!"

"No he is not my son. The moment he was born into this family, it was a terrible fortune on his part. There can never be two male heirs. It only brings chaos. Didn't you notice how there has always been one surviving male family member in our family? If a second son appears, the older brother must kill him."

Lovino's hazel eyes widened. He may not be the kindest human being in the planet but to kill someone of his own kin was preposterous. What's worse was that it was his father who was telling him to do it.

Lovino tried to give every counter-argument but it only fell to the deaf ears of his father.

Later that day, he locked himself inside his bedroom refusing to meet anyone and refusing to eat. The mind of Lovino was in hyper drive; he had to think of something that would make him and Feliciano live out their lives until they are old and grey.

Looking back on the messy Christmas in Berlin, that was just a haphazard method. He almost fucking died but anyhow he is alive as well as his younger brother who's doing who-knows-what.

Lovino was now Romano.

The Italian reminded himself as if he was slipping back into the old habit of calling himself with his Christened name.

Romano took another sip from his goblet. He let the wine swirl inside his tongue, feeling the texture and tasting the flavor. When the bottle emptied, it was one in the morning. Not once did the Italian feel drowsiness.

The hours passed by and Romano remained seated on the couch. Sometimes he would lie down hoping to get a wink of sleep but it was futile. Slowly, the sun's rays were flooding the house. At that time, a loud noise startled the Italian. He then remembered that he was not living alone anymore.

"Oh, you're already awake Romano. Would you like some breakfast?"

"Sure just don't make something weird."

"Did you like the paella last night?"

Romano did not reply and went to his bedroom.

Antonio just smiled at the retreating figure. The Spaniard was unable to actually get a proper night's rest but he was bustling with energy. This was a little awkward but he was willing to take baby steps with Romano until the man will open up to him. He will wait until then.

0-0-0

At a different country in Europe, Natalya Arlovskaya was searching the whereabouts of Gilbert Beilschmidt. The woman had pale hair that she kept loose; her eyes reflected only her surroundings: she didn't allow her emotions to surface unless it was needed.

The woman was the youngest of three siblings. They all had different fathers but the three of them got along perfectly, more or less. Aside from that, because of the differences in surname, no one would think that the three of them were siblings.

She began her day with a simple breakfast offered by the hotel. She refused coffee since it only buzzed her and that was detrimental. She ate two slices of toasted bread and drank a glass of orange juice.

After she finished her meal, she walked the streets of Venice. The city was the last known location where Gilbert was spotted. Natalya didn't bother with pleasantries and (almost) intimidated those she asked for some information. However there was one information broker who did not feel the same as others.

The encounter was anything but friendly.

"Do you have information about Gilbert Beilschmidt?"

"It will cost you £10,000 in cash."

Natalya's dark blue eyes widened. The way this man treated her irked her. She took out a revolver that she skillfully hid beneath her sleeves but the broker was ahead of her.

"Come back here if you have the money."

The woman decided to let this slide. If this man really did have what he said then she has no choice but to comply with the demand. Just like the older brother, the younger sister hates being outsmarted and outmaneuvered.

The following day, Natalya withdrew money from three different banks. The account names were not named after her but they were still her account nonetheless. She couldn't risk being under suspicion if she withdrew that large of amount in one account.

When Natalya once again saw the information broker, the man was carrying a hardbound. Before she gave her payment, she browsed through the contents.

"That's all the information I have on that man."

The information broker was an Englishman who went by the name of Arthur Kirkland. Natalya did not bother knowing any more than the name and nationality. She could run the background search later on if she needed to. After giving the payment, Natalya was left alone by the broker.

The woman then texted her older brother about what she knew. While waiting for a reply, she hurried to the airport to book a flight for London. After receiving a go-signal from her older brother she proceeded to buying the ticket and boarding the plane. While for the plane to take-off, Natalya read through the numerous papers bounded together.

There were gaps in the information about Gilbert Beilschmidt; although from what she paid, it was inconsequential. Most of what was inscribed were personal information. However what really stood out was information that was not found by her older sister (who was in-charge of gathering intelligence).

By the time the plane landed in London, Natalya decided to begin her search tomorrow when she was fully rested and a plan is made in her mind.