Vincenzo walked Cha-young to her door personally. On the journey, he had explained everything he knew so far about the bodies, which admittedly wasn't much, and he had listened carefully to everything Cha-young could remember about her encounters at the airport, asking her to repeat descriptions and minute points as she remembered them. Once at the house he made sure to carry her small suitcase and if any of the staff had thought to comment on it, they kept their opinions out of earshot of the boss. Vincenzo simply wanted to see the Korean lawyer's reaction to her rooms. He had chosen the décor and furniture in her rooms carefully, had taken great pains over them, and he wanted her to be pleased. With an open hand, he indicated that she should go in and was not disappointed by her reaction.

Cha-young covered her open mouth with her hands. Despite her exhaustion from the journey, her wide eyes stared around her in amazement and delight.

'When you said you had a room for me, I wasn't expecting this!' She managed to blurt out. 'I have lived in entire apartments smaller than this!'

She moved around, allowing her fingers to trail over the opulent furnishings. Vincenzo allowed himself a smile, despite the upset of her initial arrival, this at least had made her happy.

'Is this like a VIP guest suite or something?' Cha-young asked, turning to face him.

Vincenzo shook his head. 'It's only yours.'

'Just mine? Whoa!'

He pointed towards the dressing room. 'The clothes you sent are in there, along with a few others. There will be a party to welcome you, I took the liberty of ordering a selection of gowns, hopefully, there will be one you like.'

Cha-young gaped, before breaking into a grin. 'You do have excellent taste, so I'm sure they are all fabulous.' She crossed to where he was still standing respectfully in the doorway. 'Thank you.'

Vincenzo smiled. 'You are welcome, I want you to feel at home here.' With one finger he brushed a strand of hair away from her face, their eyes locked. Almost as instantly the moment had passed. He cleared his throat, suddenly all business. 'You must be exhausted. I'll let you freshen up and get some rest and I'll see you later. If you're hungry I can have some food sent up?'

Cha-young shook her head suddenly serious. 'I'm not hungry, but I would like to shower, get changed and talk?'

Vincenzo nodded, understanding.

Cha-young smiled. 'I'll see you later?'

He nodded once more. 'When you're ready.' and quietly left her to explore.


After her shower, Cha-young felt a little better. She was still tired but determined to stay awake until the evening and regain her sleep pattern. She dressed casually in pants and a sweater and was about to go looking for Vincenzo when the thought of the dresses piqued her interest and she decided instead to explore the closet. She wasn't disappointed, the gowns he had selected were exactly to her taste. Lifting one out off the rack, her attention was caught by a strange indent in the rear wall. Rehanging the dress, she pushed the others aside and regarded the back of the closet curiously. There was a door. With nimble fingers, she traced around the edge until, with a click, it swung open.

She stuck her head through the gap, intrigued. There was another room beyond, equality opulent, and there was music playing, it sounded like opera. Throwing caution to the wind, she stepped through the door and followed the sound. Sitting on the floor, Vincenzo was toying with a chessboard, seemingly engrossed in the game and the music. She felt momentarily embarrassed having caught him in such an unguarded moment, but relaxed as he turned his attention on her, completely unsurprised by her sudden appearance.

'There was a secret door…' She blurted out.

'I know, I put it there. The staff are extremely loyal, but they do love to gossip. Makgeolli?'

He held up the bottle of her father's favourite drink. Cha- young sank beside Vincenzo and accepted the bowl he now filled.

'What are you doing?' She asked, taking a drink and refilling his bowl.

'Thinking.' He said simply.

'About what happened? Can I help?' She answered with a smile.

'I don't know.' He sighed, resting his head back on the sofa and staring up at the ceiling. Eventually, he looked at her. She noted he seemed tired. 'This is not how I wanted your welcome to be.' He said apologetically.

'It's not your fault.' She said. 'Don't blame yourself.'

'I need to talk to some people tomorrow, I'll know more then. Let's think of happier things. Why don't you tell me about the tenants and what they have been up to?' Vincenzo replied.

And so, Cha-young regaled him with stories about the tenants and their escapades as extended members of the Cassano family. They drank, talked and laughed until finally, Cha-young's eyes began to close, and she rested her head upon Vincenzo's shoulder.

'You should go to bed, you're exhausted.' He said, stifling a smile at the pleasure of having her there.

'Mmm in a minute.' She replied, nestling against him, which only caused him to smile wider. He didn't want to move, even when it was apparent that she was fast asleep, cuddled against him. Reluctantly, realising she would get cold and stiff, he gently tried to get a half-asleep Cha-young to her feet. She stumbled and he lifted her in his arms and carried her across to his own bed. Pulling back the covers, he laid her gently on the bed and covered her with the duvet. Within seconds she was sound asleep.


Cha-young woke up suddenly and stared at the unfamiliar surroundings. It took her a few moments to realise where she was. A movement caught her eye from the other side of the room, where she realised Vincenzo was fixing his cufflinks. He turned his head to look at her. 'Buongiorno.' He said.

'Buongiorno.' She replied automatically, the unfamiliar word feeling strange on her sleep-filled tongue. 'Why didn't you take me back to my room?'

Vincenzo returned with a cup of coffee which she took gratefully as he sat on the side of the bed. 'You were fast asleep, and I didn't want to wake you.' He grimaced, 'Not to mention, you're heavier than you look.'

With a snort Cha-young batted at his arm, earning herself a small smile in return.

'Where are you going?' She asked, taking a sip of the coffee and letting out a contented ahh sound.

'I told you, I have to make some enquiries this morning. I thought you might like to catch up on sleep or explore, whatever you want, and I'll meet you later. I want to show you the island this afternoon.'

'Anything I can help with?' She asked, her eyes brightening with interest.

'Not at the moment. I have some contacts I need to speak to.' He said, brushing it off. 'If you go to the dining room, Mrs Accardi will show you where you can get something to eat.'

'Who's Mrs Accardi?'

'She's the housekeeper. She basically runs the place.' He said with a shrug. 'I have to go.'

Cha-young put her hand on his arm.

Vincenzo placed his own hand on hers. 'It'll be ok.' He said, gently releasing her grip.

Cha-young sat up in his bed sipping her coffee. This was where he slept. She pulled the covers up to her nose and inhaled as she contemplate what life must really be like as a boss of a mafia family. Eventually, the grumbling of her stomach got the better of her. Slipping out of bed she made her way back through the secret door and prepared to face the Cassano family en masse.


The house was huge. She gazed at the paintings, mostly classical poses, and wondered how many of them were originals. Her fingers lightly traced the handrail of the sweeping curved staircase as she descended. At the bottom of the stairs, a plump Italian woman in a plain black dress and string of white pearls was directing a younger woman who was carrying a covered tray. The girl was dismissed, and Mrs Accardi turned her attention to Cha-young.

'Buongiorno.' Cha-young said, with a respectful bow.

'Buongiorno Ms Hong.' Mrs Accardi said, with a bright smile. 'You are very welcome. I'm sorry, I do not speak Korean, however, Mr Cassano tells me that you are learning Italian, and doing so very well.' The woman spoke in a measured way, not too slow to be patronising, but enough to allow Cha-young to understand.

'I am doing my best, but I think he flatters me to say I'm doing well.' Cha-young said, pulling a face.

Mrs Accardi clapped her hands. 'I think you sound almost as Italian as Mr Cassano.' She lied kindly. 'You must be hungry. I'll show you where we have breakfast.' She indicated that Cha-young should follow her. 'Italian families love to eat together so even if they are staying in their own villa's, everyone seems to meet here.'

The dining room was huge, luxurious and in keeping with the rest of the house. It had an enormous table that could easily seat a multitude of people at a time. Currently, there were a couple of groups of young men dressed in dark suits eating at the table. They glanced at her, then returned to their food without much interest. The mother and daughter from the boat watched her intently but didn't look exactly welcoming, and just returning to her seat with a full plate was Antonio. She waved that Cha-young should join her. She was just about to thank the housekeeper for her hospitality when the woman whispered cryptically in her ear. 'Ms Antonia is a nice young lady with principles, but she is very outspoken and likes to share her opinions. They are not always very well informed, especially when it comes to Sir.' There was a knowing smile and suddenly she was gone.

'I would say I'm surprised my cousin has you out and about on your own, but I suppose there aren't many places you can escape on an island.' Antonia said as her opening gambit. She smiled at least, which was more than the open hostility the mother-daughter duo was sending in her direction.

'I'm still finding my way around.' Cha-young replied.

'Where did he get you from?' Antonia asked.

Cha-young frowned as she surreptitiously consulted the translation app in case, she had misunderstood some linguistic nuance. 'I'm sorry?' She asked.

'Vincenzo. Where did he find you?' Antonia supplied.

'Oh, we met in Korea.' Cha-young replied. She nodded towards the disgruntled women. 'What's their problem?'

'I would say you are.' Antonia said with a shrug. 'That is Mrs Silvestri and her daughter is Isadora. It's ok, they have barely two brain cells between them. They probably think…' She laughed. 'That you and Vincenzo are together or something.'

'Would that be a problem?' Cha-young asked. 'Not sure whether she should be offended or whether something else had been lost in translation.

'For them, it would. Mrs Silvestri has designs on her daughter making fat babies with the boss of the Cassano family, whoever that might be, and all the status that comes with it. She is very ambitious. It's disgusting.' Antonia said with a sneer.

Cha-young, who had taken a mouthful of coffee, choked out a laugh. 'Did you say fat babies?'

Antonia failed to see the humour. 'They will of course overlook the fact that he is Korean by birth, but yes, now that Vincenzo is the head of the Cassano family, he must produce at least one strong male heir, and they are looking for Isadora to be the broodmare.'

'Really?' Cha-young looked incredulous. 'That sounds awful.'

'For her maybe. My cousin is not one for romantic attachments, at least once he's satisfied, so it will be a marriage of convenience. I dare say he won't much care who the mother is, as long as she's not hideous of course.' Antonia said sniffily. 'He does love things to be stylish.'

'What do you mean, satisfied?' Cha-young said, frowning.

Antonia leaned forwards conspiratorially. 'My cousin can charm anyone when he puts his mind to it. There are more than a few ladies who have succumbed to his attentions, or so the rumours go.'

Cha-young's mouth was working but she was unable to form words. Her mind was reeling. She could only think how flustered Vincenzo had been on occasion around her. He had always been so respectful. This image of a man who seduced women made no sense. Fortunately, she was saved by a hand on her shoulder.

'Ms Hong, it is a pleasure to see you again.'

She looked up into an amiable face she recognised. 'Luca!' She exclaimed in delight, immediately jumping to her feet and holding out her hand in greeting.

The driver shrugged and pulled her into a traditional Italian embrace of greeting. She complied stiffly. 'You are one of the family now.' Luca said quietly into her ear.

'You two know each other?' Antonia said, glancing from one to the other in question.

'Yes, Miss Hong and I met when the boss was in Korea.' Luca supplied, still smiling at Cha-young. 'I'm sorry, I have to go, but I hope to see you later?'

'Of course. Nice to see you.'

Cha-young was released as Luca went to collect one of the young men eating breakfast, presumably for his boss.

'You really did meet in Korea?' Antonia asked.

'Yes, did you think I was lying?' Cha-young replied. She glanced up suddenly. There was the unmistakable sound of furious shouting in Italian, Vincenzo if she wasn't mistaken, which was muted by the closing of the door.

Antonia rolled her eyes and continued. 'Not exactly, just that you might not want to talk about it. To be honest, I thought you were here for the same reason as me, well not for exactly the same reason but…' She paused. 'I'm a human rights activist. I'm here about the human trafficking.'

'Human trafficking?'

'Yes, I thought you were something to do with it…' Antonia looked a little embarrassed. 'The way you looked on the boat, how you were dressed, I thought you were one of the victims brought here to give Vincenzo information and that was why he was keeping you so close.'

'You thought I was being trafficked!' Cha-young said, extremely offended. Then she considered. 'I suppose I did look pretty terrible.' She had to concede. She brightened. 'I should introduce myself properly. 'Hong Cha-young. Lawyer.' She held out her hand, which Antonia took reluctantly.

'If you don't mind me asking, what is a Korean lawyer doing mixed up with an Italian mafia boss?' Antonia asked.

'You wouldn't believe me if I told you.' Cha-young said, rolling her eyes.

'I might.' Antonia said, obviously interested.

'Miss Hong.' Luca interrupted. 'The Boss wanted me to tell you that he will be ready in about an hour and that he will meet you at the front of the house.'

'Is everything... alright?' She asked, rolling her eyes in the direction of the shouting.

'Of course.' Luca said innocently.

'Ok. I'd better go and get ready.' She began to clear her breakfast things.

Antonia placed a hand on her arm. 'I really would like to hear your story.' She said. 'And I think you should know what you've gotten into.'

Slightly annoyed at the condescension, Cha-young pulled her arm away. 'Oh, believe me, I know.' She said brightly, tossing her hair and sashaying out of the dining room.

'I don't think you do.' Antonia said, shaking her head.