Sorry for not posting for a long time, I lost the password to this account and was too lazy to change it. I've actually wanted to post what I initially had written during the bang for the longest time now (half a year maybe a year now?) but couldn't log in. This is straight up copy and pasted so I have a huge favor of to ask of you: Please don't read it. It is choppy and none of it is actually relevant anymore. I've actually been working on revamping the plot and everything that comes after the last chapter because it's so cringy and I really want to give you guys a cohesive story. I know I should have finished it during the initial bang and while I did have my 21k written by the time the bang ended, meeting the word count, I hadn't finished the story. I bit off more than I could chew and I'm sorry to everyone for that, including my artists. But the past is the past and like I said, I'm going to be rewriting everything from here on out and editing what I have from the past chapters to be in 3rd person and reflect my writing style now. It's going to take a while because I have other commitments at the moment and I don't want to post it until it is all finished but it will be done. Also, this doesn't really have a real plot line but further down you will see the dancing/date scene that one of the art pieces was based off of and that will be the only scene I will be keeping, albeit rewritten in the new version. Also, in here you will find scenes with Feliciano that do not make any sense. That is because I had edited out those scenes from the early chapters in hopes of posing them after Chiara's story as a part 2 sort of thing. If you wish to brave the cringy mess the kudos to you and please don't let it deter you from reading the new rewritten + completed version once it finally goes up. Even if you're out of the hetalia fandom by then, please give it a chance. Anyway, here it is.

The phone line rang twice before he picked up. "Hello, Chiarina?"

"Hi, uh my grandfather is going to be gone all morning tomorrow so if you want to come over to start your investigation, then would be ideal." I rushed out. It felt awkward calling him considering how I barely know him.

"That will be great. If you'll give me your address I can be over at ten o'clock. Oh, and by the way, I've started talking to some of the people you listed were close to him. The majority of them were pretty useless but some of them just don't trust me. I think you're right; you'll have to come with me to get them to talk."

My heart clenched but I couldn't tell whether it was in excitement at finally doing something about Feliciano's disappearing or how little everyone really knew about it. "Then we can start on that after you come over tomorrow. A few of them go to my university so we can start with them. I won't have classes until the afternoon."

"Alright, that will be great."

I tell him my address before hanging up. It might not be progress just yet but it's the start of it. I'm lucky he's even letting me help; I know that most prefer to keep the client out of the investigation process, I'm not stupid. It almost makes me wonder why he's being so kind. Maybe he still feels guilty for that jerk friend of his.

I threw my cell phone on the bed before getting up and taking out my supplies for guache painting out. I hadn't touched it since Feliciano had gone missing but for the first time, amidst the desperation and misery was hope.

I grabbed the pad of thick paper and headed down to the patio. With the light fading, I'd have to work fast but I already have an image in mind to sketch out. I want to make something to capture that feeling even though I don't usually create pieces like that. I want to create a scene with a child standing at the shore at night looking up at a tiny golden light floating down. It may sound cheesy but that's the kind of stuff that Feliciano would make and I want to give it to him if-when he comes back home. It's actually reminiscent of the first time we were taken to the beach at night. Papa had brought some paper lanterns and Feliciano had started to chase them down. At first he was upset that they were flying away but mamma whispered something to him to calm him down.

Whatever he's going through has got to be hard for him and I don't want to have him feel like he's alone even if it's something as stupid as a painting.

There is another idea I have in mind that I think I'll try out later.

I want it to be something similar to that painting of papa's he'd always loved. Papa had bought it weeks before he died and left it to us. It's in storage right now because nonno couldn't bare to look at but supposedly it's really old. He keeps it at a controlled temperature in a place that specifically stores art.

Feliciano

I watched the window, confused, as the metal grating was unbolted and ripped from the fraim. If I stood up on the bed I could see outside but I didn't't to take the chance. What if this is a trap?

There was a grunt then a clang and finally gloved fingers curled around the edge. A head appeared suddenly and I yelped.

"Shh. You don't want to alert the guards." The man looked to be asian, though I can't really tell which nationality.

"Who are you?" I whimpered.

I really don't want to be kidnapped again. It wasn't pleasant the first time around and it wouldn't be a second time!

The man's face relaxed slightly. "Do not worry, I am here to rescue you. I work for a man who knows your grandfather very well. In a moment I will toss down some rope for you to tie around your waist and I will help you out."

"You know my grandfather? Romulus?" I eagerly said, could this be really happening? Nonno really didn't forget me!

"Yes, now here, take this. Make sure it's tight; I don't want it to slip loose. This window is pretty small so you'll have to be careful with no footholds."

I'm finally getting out of here!

I nodded furiously and reached my hands up to clasp one of his. "Thank you, thank you so much! I'm in your debt!"

He didn't say anything to that, only pulled his hand back to put the rope in my hands.

I grabbed the rope and hastily tied it around my waist, pulling on it first to make sure it wouldn't slip loose. I'm not the best at tying knots. "Alright, give me a moment." He dipped out of sight for a moment. I almost panicked but he was back before I could call out for him. "Give me your hands. My companion will pull on the rope as I help pull you up by your hands. Try to brace your feet against the wall."

"Okay, just don't let go."

I felt shaky from the excitement and there was this weird tightness in my chest but I ignored it. Now is not the time for nerves. My palms felt clammy and it hurt a little bit but with a little effort, I was starting to lift up into the air and be pulled out. Once I was able to reach out the window, I gripped onto the ground outside the small basement window. I could see a figure out a few feet away pulling tightly on the rope as the man gripped my armpits and finished hauling me out of there. It was a unconventional and a little bit painful but I don't care. I'm free.

It was slightly windy outside but the Florida heat felt nice on my face even if it was kind of cloudy. I stayed there, collapsed onto the asphalt for a moment, relishing it.

Is this really happening?

I could feel my eyes stinging alongside the pain in my ribs. Who cares about that, I'm free.

"Thank you, God." I whispered.

"Can he stand? Get him up, if we're caught then we're all dead or worse." The figure said in annoyance.

"He is right; you have to get up." My savior said gently, putting his hands on my shoulders to support me.

I took in a deep breath of air and forced my legs underneath me. "I might need a little help."

"The car isn't too far away but put this on." The other guy held out something grey and hairy and a hoodie.

"What is it?"

"A wig and jacket, so they don't recognize you. No doubt someone would recognize you as you are now. We have to walk to the car otherwise they would realize what is going on."

"What are your names?"

The man who'd pulled me out gave a simple smile. "I am Kiku and this is Leon."

Said Leon nodded before stepping forward to grab the tools used to pry open the bars and then motioned to the rope still tied around me.

"Oh," I fumbled with the knot before finally loosening it enough to slip it off. Leon grabbed it. I guess they don't want to leave any evidence behind. That's smart. I'm not sure I would have remembered about that.

Kiku grabbed the wig and motioned for me to put the jacket on and I complied. Then he helped me put the wig on which was very uncomfortable and didn't fit right. After that, he motioned for me to stay quiet as Leon went forward to scout ahead. Kiku pulled out his phone a moment later and pulled me forward.

What if we get caught? I really don't want to go back there.

"Slow down. We don't want to attract unwanted attention." Kiku murmured.

"But I don't see anybody."

"That doesn't mean that there won't be anybody watching from inside. This whole area is their territory."

That shut me up.

Of course he's right. Maybe they were already suspicious.

Every step forward was filled with adrenaline; my heart is racing. Please don't let us get caught. I don't want us to get caught. I had to put my hand on top of the wig to keep it from slipping back but other than that, things looked like they were going smoothly. It was a five minute walk to the black van where Leon stood leaning against it on his phone but in all that time, I only saw three people who presumably worked for those same guys back there.

"Why wouldn't they have been suspicious of the two of us then?"

"Because this is technically a public road. This road is busier in the afternoon since this district has a lot of warehouses plenty of companies use actively."

"Wait, we're not in Boca Raton, are we?"

Kiku shook his head. "Miami."

"We're going to the police now, right? And then I can go home?"

I can't wait to see everybody.

Kiku didn't say anything but I didn't think anything of it. Once we'd reached the car, Leon looked up and walked around the front of the car to the driver's side and got in. Kiku ushered me into the back seat and sat up front himself.

"Thank you again. You have no idea how grateful I am to you both."

Kiku nodded while Leon murmured an acknowledgement as he started the car Leon did a U-turn and sped away from the warehouse.

"How did you guys know where I was being kept? I didn't even know that. Does my grandfather know?"

Leon shot Kiku a look before glancing at me in the rear view mirror. "The details aren't important right now."

"I'll explain later but for now, you can take off the disguise. Are you hurt anywhere else? Anything urgent?"

"My ribs, I'm pretty sure one's at least cracked and my fingers hurt a lot." I hissed as I tried to press take off the jacket. I had ignored it before but the pain is flaring up again. It's a small price to pay to get out of that cell. I just wish I was home already.

"Okay, we're going to stop off to get those checked out. He's very discreet so you don't have to worry about it."

Discreet? Why aren't we going to the police?

Outside, I couldn't tell if we were heading north or south, the road curves too much. It's disorientating me. I took in a shaky breath. Can I really trust them? "What-" I hesitated, clearing my voice because I sounded shaky. "Why are we going there first? Shouldn't we be going to the police? I-I don't understand."

Maybe if I have to, I'll throw myself out of the car at the next stop light.

"To put it bluntly, the police have a mole; they are being led by a corrupt commissioner. We can't risk taking you there so you will be taken to a safe house." He turned around to look at me, pausing. There is nothing to worry about, we are on your side."

"How do I know that? Do you have proof that my grandfather really sent you?"

"Just give him the letter." Leon grouched, slowing to a stop at a yellow light.

"Leon!" Kiku snapped before saying something in another language. Definitely not Japanese. Cantonese maybe? Mandarin?

"What letter? Tell me!"

It went on like that before he heaved a heavy sigh and shifted around. He handed me the letter, the seal on it a familiar one.

"Nonno Roma." I breathed.

"I really shouldn't be doing this but seeing as Leon can't keep his mouth shut-"

"He told us to give him it, I don't see what your problem is. Rules are meant to be broken."

"Not Yao's." He said tersely.

Who's Yao? Why am I not supposed to see this letter?

I tore open the envelope and pulled out the cream colored stationary hurriedly. What's going on?

My dear Feliciano,

I am sorry that I cannot meet you but know that I love you. I have asked a friend of mine to rescue you and keep you safe. His family helped me all those years ago when we first moved here. I don't want you to worry for me or your sister and I don't want you to contact us. We will see each other again but until the threat is no more, I want you to be safe and do what these men tell you to do. They are very loyal to my friend and will help you however they can. I am sorry that I cannot tell you what's going on but the less you know the better. Be strong.

Ti amo molto, Romulus Varga.

I wiped the tears. "I love you too." I whispered. Why is everything turning out like this. Why can't I go home? Is this really because of papa? Was I right to think that the mafia has targeted our family because of him?

"I thought we'd escaped them when we left Italy." I thought bitterly.

"Perhaps you did… but an elephant never forgets." Kiku murmured.

I bit my lip and eyed Monika warily before looking back to Kiku. "Are you sure I can't go back home? Please, I miss my family."

Kiku nodded solemnly. "You will put your family at risk, especially your grandfather. They want something he has-something a lot of people used to fight over. Florida is generally neutral territory for mafia but if they can cement their hold here in Miami then that could cause problems for everyone. A lot of families would love to take the city from them, given the opportunity. There would be a lot of bloodshed."

Monika sighed. "I get it but are you sure that your boss can handle things? You're putting me at risk here too."

I feel bad about that too. A total stranger and she has to put up with me at the risk of herself and her family.

"Of course but these things take time. Boss wants to teach them a lesson but the conditions aren't right. He's trying to get some allies from other families who vacation here often. He's trying to get them to believe that it would be beneficial for them to keep these people out of Miami. Most of these people already have territory up North and have no interest in expanding in neutral territory but this could change. I know this may sound like a lot of pandering around to you but that is as best as I can explain the situation without dragging you in unnecessarily. The mafia is not a nice group of people. They are loyal only to their own and even then not always." Kiku straightened up and bowed his head slightly. "I have to get going. If I stay here too long then they could find out where you are. It's not going to be hard for them to figure out who took you."

I nodded sadly. "Okay but be safe and thank you so very much for everything you've done."

"Ja, I don't want to get a call from Leon one day telling me you're dead."

I hesitated a moment before stepping forward and launching myself into a hug. "I'll never be able to repay you for what you've done for me. Thank you."

Chiara

When the doorbell rang I bolted up from my place on the couch and raced to the door. I'd made sure to clean up the place a bit and close the doors to areas he didn't need to see.

Wrenching open the door, I tried to school my expression. I'm anxious about what he'll find, if anything at all.

Okay, and it's the first time I've had a handsome man like him in our house. Alfred and Etienne don't count.

Antonio's mouth and brows were all twisted up and he was looking at something purple in his right hand.

"Did you know this was in your bushes?"

Huh?

I cocked my head slightly. It almost looked like a bow that Sofía would wear. It even has a broach on the middle and she's constantly wearing those thing.

"I think that's Sofía's but I don't know what it's doing here."

"Has she been here recently?"

I shook my head. "Not that I know of. She used to teach Feliciano and I piano but I dropped it years ago. Feli continued on for a little while and they're still friends so maybe she dropped it then."

He shrugged and eased his tense expression. "I'm sure you're right but would you mind if I kept this? Just until the case is closed?"

I could see the wheels turning in his head and even though I thought she was too stuck up, I didn't want Sofía to be thought of as a potential suspect when I know for a fact she's not capable of that.

"Alright- but just so you know, she'd never do anything to harm him. She acts way too much like a mother to him to ever do anything other than scold him."

I opened the door wider and stepped out of the way.

"That's good to know." He merely said, stepping past me and examining the stairway leading up to the second floor living area. "This isn't your typical house layout. Whoever took him would have had to have known the layout of the house. I assume the bedrooms are on the third floor?"

I nodded, closing the door. To the right was the door leading into the garage.

It felt awkward having him follow me up the pale beige stairway. It wrapped around once before revealing another door at the top that led into the rest of the house. The hallway next to the garage actually leads to a small laundry room that you can get to easier from the garage itself.

Nonno never usually used this entrance. The backyard sloped up into a hill, meeting with the back of the second level and allowing for a set of French doors to lead to a deck. The second floor comprised of another stairway that wrapped around once into the bedroom area, a large living room to the left, a dining room, and a nice kitchen to the back right of the house with the french door behind the dining table. In the dining room there's a nice wrought iron console that nonno was able to rescue from our old home in Italy. It's been in the family since he was in his twenties.

"Let's start at the back door since that's most probably the point of entry."

I blinked in surprise.

"Ah, I took the liberty of checking the perimeter. That's why I found this." He smiled sheepishly.

I rolled my eyes in disbelief. Guy barely knows me. It's first time over and he's already snooping. If he wasn't doing his job, I'd be angry. "I guess it's alright. The cops never found that anyway. You've already got one step up on them anyway."

And so it went on like that. He thoroughly checked over the entry points, sometimes stopping to analyze possible scenarios and then we moved up the stairs. I pointed out Feliciano's room, hesitant to open it. Something about it just makes me very sad. As if I'll open the door, expecting to see him sleeping or painting in there. I crossed my arms and rubbed them as he gave me an understanding room and twisted the doorknob open.

"I'll stay out here so you can do your job; if you need to know anything, just ask."

"Okay."

I watched from the doorway as he moved throughout Feliciano's pastel blue room. Feliciano loved the color and paired it with robin's egg blue covers, complete with the speckles. There's a part of his wall on the left, closer to the back wall with the window facing the backyard, with paint splatters of several different colors. It was from an art piece he'd gotten frustrated with and just went crazy with the paint. In the end, he thought it looked better messy like that. His bed is pressed up against the right and south wall, with his nightstand a few feet away from the door.

I bit my lip.

God, please let me see his goofy smile again-not just a lifeless photograph.

"Chiarina?"

I sniffed and shook my head. "Yeah?"

"Was this always like this?"

I came forward and looked to where he was pointing to a stack of canvases. It looked as if someone had hastily looked through them.

"The kidnappers did that. I'm not sure why."

"I got that but there are tick marks on the sides of all the paintings. Like they were being marked."

Feliciano never does that. I furrowed my brows. "What would his paintings have to do with his kidnapping?"

"Did Feliciano ever advertise his paintings or offer to recreate originals?"

"Yeah, online he advertised but he's no counterfeiter. He'd never recreate someone else's painting like that."

"If that's the case then why are these all recreations of famous paintings?" He moved the front two and revealed one that I didn't recognize. "From here back, they're all similar to renowned paintings that have been stolen at some point or another."

"Are you trying to accuse-"

Antonio raised his hands in a calming motion. "I'm not saying anything but maybe someone noticed his advertisement and thought they could employ his skills. If that's the case then it gives us possible motive for why someone would want your brother. It looks like he's a remarkable painter. I took an art history class once and though I'm no expert, these look very much like the originals. Enough to pass for the real thing if you don't know how to look."

"But he'd never knowingly do something like this! There has to be an explanation!" I grabbed one of them and turned it over. No signature. I repeated the process until it was undeniable that his signature was nowhere to be found on any of the three. Not on the paintings or behind the canvas in ink.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. "There has to be an explanation for this."

"You're lucky the cops were either extremely incompetent or dirty. This could make your brother a person of interest. I'm going to have to run this by a friend of mine who works at the precinct and see what he knows. For now, I'll just take some pictures of these."

I couldn't stay and watch.

Now not only is Feliciano missing, he could be involved in a crime!

I hate this!

"I'll figure this out." He said softly, catching my attention.

I stared at him silently for a second before muttering. "You better."

As promised he combed through the room and proceeded to step aside to call his colleague. While he was doing this I headed downstairs to the kitchen and grabbed a chilled water bottle from the fridge for him.

Feli

I twisted my lips in a playful manner and pulled my right leg up to rest my chin on it. "You know," I said to catch Monika's attention so she'd stop folding her laundry and putting it away. "If you'd let me pick out your outfit, I bet you'd definitely get the attention of that potential employer. My nonno says that in an interview, how you present yourself is very important. In that split second, they've already decided whether or not they're going to take you seriously or not. After that if your resume isn't impressive enough, they won't even give you a second thought."

She glared at me before spinning around fully and placing her hands on her hips. "I know that, I'm not stupid. I can pick out my own clothes; I don't need your help to put together a classy look. I'm perfectly capable on my own."

"Classy, who cares about classy? What you need is impressive and right now your look is so utilitarian, you have nothing going for you except your… um… well you know. Just give me a minute and I'll find something nice. Please? I have nothing else to do; I don't have any paint and I'm feeling antsy in my pantsy."

She groaned at my silly joke but nodded. "Fine but I have to approve of it."

Jumping up and off her bed happily, I bounded to the closet. Alright, what do we have here? I rummaged through it until something caught my eye. "This is nice but why does it still have the price tag? Does it not fit?" I held out a stripped ⅓ sleeved striped peplum blouse.

"Well, it does but it just doesn't seem like my style. It was a gift but I just don't see myself wearing it." She looked uncomfortable.

I beamed at her. "Don't worry, you'll look great. I wouldn't steer you wrong."

It took me a minute but I finally found nice complimenting pieces. Muted navy boot cut jeans, flats, and a nice pair of earrings would complete the look.

"There, since you said the place is very classy, you'll need to look the part. Woman coworkers can be snobby about how you dress, even if you're a great worker in places like these. Trust me, my sister came home complaining about how the boss lady who interviewed her for a job in the mall got all snippy about her clothes."

"Wow, that seems harsh. I knew that presentation was important but is it really that defining? It's not a very good work ethic."

I shrugged. "Some people don't care about work ethic."

She shook her head. "It will only be part time, I'm sure you're just exaggerating. After all, you've never worked there before. You don't even have your license."

Grumbling, I tried not to stomp down the street alongside Gilbert. I can't believe that jerk Antonio thought it was a good idea to make him go to class with me. The day was unbearably hot and even I was beginning to sweat a little in my short sleeved cream lace short romper and black lace up gladiator sandals so for him it must have been unbearable. Though I have to admit, seeing him all dolled up in a sun hat and slathered in sunblock, was kind of hilarious. To top it all off, he was wearing a white long sleeved shirt and shorts, making him stand out even more.

"You know, a parasol would solve your sun problem." I snickered at his misery. Serves him right for choosing to live in the sunshine state when he would have been better off in some place with a little more snow. Especially with how he's treated me.

"Shut up, I may be doing this as a favor to Toño but that doesn't mean that I have to take your crap, little missy."

"I told you both that I could go to class on my own, having papa on my back is more than enough no thank you. I can take care of myself." I raised my chin and adjusted my grip on my backpack.

"Oh yeah? And what will you do if those guys that have been following us for the past five minutes attack you?" He said in a low tone.

"Che cosa?" I shouted, jerking my head to look behind me only to have Gilbert's arm wrap around my shoulders and pull me into his embrace. "What do you think you're doing, you macho potato?!" I struggled to no avail.

"If they realize you've noticed then who knows what they'll do. It's best if you just ignore them for now."

"But what if they know what happened to Feliciano? I'll rip those b** fingernails out one by one if they've hurt him!"

"Calm down, it'll do you no good if they try and capture you too, or worse shoot you for being such a trouble maker."

He's right unfortunately.

Elbowing him in the gut, I escaped his grasp but stayed by his side with clenched fists. I felt anxious and frustrated that I couldn't do anything to help.

The familiar sting of tears filled my eyes and my throat clenched. "I hate being so useless."

He cleared his throat awkwardly but didn't say anything. The rest of the way to the campus was silent as I stewed in frustration. When we reached the building my class was in, I heard someone call my name. Over at the stone bench there stood Heracles Karpusi and Sadik Adnan, looking like they had already started fighting.

Looking to Gilbert, I said. "Stay here and don't do anything stupid."

He scoffed but pulled out his phone. But before I got very far, he said. "You are helping him, you know. You didn't give up on him like the cop did and you haven't broken down like some would. He's gonna need your strength when we get him back."

Taking in a shaky breath, I smiled at him. Maybe he isn't so bad. "Thank you."

Once I got close enough I was able to hear Sadik complaining about Heracles' philosophical 'bull'. I guess he's in another one of 'those' moods again.

Chiarina talking to Feli

"I can't believe you!" I scrubbed my forehead, continuing on in Italian. "And what about those paintings, eh? Were you really selling counterfeit paintings?"

For a moment he looked confused but then realization dawned on him. "Ah, no! It's not what you think! A friend of nonno's asked me to paint them for a movie he's helping out with. It's supposed to be about art thieves and those were the paintings they wanted to use. He was supposed to collect them but then all this happened."

He looked guilty. Well at least he's guilty about something. At least I know he's not a criminal.

I growled and threw my clenched fists down to my side. "Well at least your not a criminal so who cares that you never even bothered to contact us to tell us you were fine!"

"I've told you why I couldn't! Why won't you understand?" He was starting to get frustrated. I could tell it in his pinched face and balled fists. In the way he leaned forward and his voice raised an octave.

"We were worried sick! For a moment there I thought you were dead!"

The room was silent as tears formed in my eyes.

"I couldn't stand the thought of loosing you for good, too." I muttered bitterly.

"I'm sorry." All the fight had drained of us both but it was clear that this was only the beginning.

Gilbert still had a darkness about him as he glared at Monika.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Feliciano

I gulped back the words and flinched as the door slammed shut before falling back onto the couch. Maybe it had been a mistake to hide things from her and nonno. Will she ever forgive me? She's spent so much time and money worrying and looking for me and here I was having fun with Monika. I didn't even know her brother was a private investigator.

I looked up at Monika through my lashes. "I hope Kiku's right because if he's not then I've just wrecked our relationship."

Monika twisted her lip and nodded. "I trust Kiku but I know what you mean. I didn't know my brother was looking for you. He never calls when he comes home anymore so I don't know when to expect him. We should have hid you better. I'm sorry about this; I feel like this was my fault."

I sighed. "No, you're just stuck in the middle of an impossible situation. If anything I should be apologizing to you. I shouldn't have let Kiku drag you into this."

"Nonsense. I was already dragged in when my father did what he did and besides, I was the one who agreed to Kiku's proposition. When I heard of what was going on from Kiku, I wanted to help. You needed a place to lay low and stay safe and Kiku needed someone who wouldn't ask questions."

Aldrich cleared his throat from behind. I looked back at him hesitant. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this too."

He shook his head, an unreadable expression on his face. "It's no problem. It's not like I can kick you out now. Just be careful and we won't have a problem. That's not what I wanted to talk about now though. Monika, can I see you in the kitchen for a moment? There's something I want to tell you."

Without waiting for her answer, he turned on his heels and went back to the kitchen.

~Chiara gets home after finding out about Feli

Yanking open the desk drawer, I pulled out the painting and clenched my teeth. What's the point in keeping this anymore if it's meaningless now! I growled and stalked downstairs to the kitchen, ready to throw this away. I really was going to but my arm froze once I stood in front of it.

My eyes pricked with angry tears. I hate this, he's hurt us this badly and I can't even bring myself to get rid of this stupid gift. He doesn't even deserve it! He's safe and won't even think about coming home!

I pushed at my left ankle with my right foot in frustration before letting out another noise.

"Bambina? What's wrong?" Nonno's padded into the kitchen behind me.

"He's not coming home, there's no point!"

There was a pause behind me and then Nonno was pulling the frame out of my hand. "You'll regret it if you throw this away now. I know it's hard, but you can't lose hope. You have to have faith." He wrapped me in his arms and I struggled for a moment before sobbing angrily.

Nonno may never have been big on religion but he always tried to support Feli and me. I really just couldn't deal with anything right now. I want to kick and scream and just throw things! He doesn't understand and he can't! Feliciano won't let us help him and there's nothing we can do because they're right!

Yao and Kiku are right and I hate it!

Even that cold hearted witch was right!

The next morning, things were kind of awkward since it was his day out with Hera. I made an excuse saying I'd be with Alfred all day and left for Antonio.

He wasn't expecting me there on his doorstep. He wondered how I'd gotten past the lock downstairs but I didn't answer him.

Instead, I leaned forward and kissed him. It was awkward, that was for sure but it was only my second kiss; the first was with Eitan.

He put a hand on my cheek and pulled back, wide eyed. "Chiara, I…"

"Well, it looks like you two have things to work out so we'll be out if you need us. Come on Gilbert." Francis grabbed his wallet and keys and pushed past us. Gilbert only glowered before heaving himself up and shoving past us too.

Not my smartest move. I thought he was home alone!

My face burned but I didn't back down. I did however, look to my feet.

"Well you might as well come in."

"I-I- that kiss; I'm sure you've noticed it by now but I like you. A lot."

I moved past him quickly and looked around the apartment. My fingers were starting to tremble from the nerves so I started to chip at the polish. What if he rejects me? He might have just been acting kind to me. Those looks I thought I'd caught from him could just be nothing more than me misinterpreting him.

"Chiarina? Will you look at me?"

"I told you, call me Chiara." I muttered, complying.

My eyes slowly rose to look at him. There was a faint blush on his light-medium olive skinned face and there was an almost nervous look in his eyes. "I'm not sure what brought this on but I don't want it to complicate our arrangement. You're my employer."

"Just tell me how you feel and cut the crap."

He took a steadying breath and my heart felt like it was going impossibly fast. "I tried to hide it but I've always been very passionate about my feelings. Yes, I do have feelings for you but you hired me to look into your brother's case and I-"

"My brother's alive and well! Your job is done so… so don't use that as an excuse. I-" I looked to my feet. "I see the way you look at me."

"I'm twenty-four; that's five years difference."

"And I'm nineteen, perfectly legal. I can make my own decisions." Why is he making excuses? I stepped forward and squared my shoulders. "Tell me. Do I stand a chance? Are your feelings enough that you'd be willing to-I don't know-be with me?"

I was starting to get frustrated and he still hadn't moved a single inch from his place in the small entrance hall.

"Tell me!"

"Yes! Okay, I like you a lot but I'm not entirely sure we should be doing this."

"Why?" I said angrily. If we like each other then what's holding him back? It's not like this is a stupid Shakespeare tragedy.

"Because, you hired me in a time of distress. This could be nothing more than a typical savior complex. It wouldn't be the first time it's happened. A client comes to one of us in a time of distress and becomes emotionally dependent in an attempt to deal with those negative emotions. I don't want to get involved only for you to realize this was nothing more than that."

"What-you-I can't believe you!" I looked around for something within reach to throw. "I am perfectly in control of my feelings! I don't need you spewing psychological bullcrap and telling me what I feel! I am not unstable."

I bent over and ripped my shoe off, ready to throw it at him. Unfortunately, now aware of my intentions, he hurriedly reached forward to grip my arm tightly.

"Let go of me, I need to beat some sense into you!"

"Hey! I'm not trying to make you feel unsta-ow! Stop that." We struggled for a moment until I leaned my head forward and bit his hand. "Yeouch!"

I ripped my hand away, dropping my shoe in the process. "You're right, this was a mistake."

I bent to pick up my shoe and raced for the door.

"Chiara, wait! I never said that-just listen to me!" He called out, racing over and this time grabbing me by the waist. "Why can't we just talk?"

"Because I'm done talking! You said you liked me but you won't date me. What's left to say?" My voice cracked as he pulled me to his chest, restraining me.

"We are going to talk." The stern tone only served to make me in an even worse mood. I wasn't prepared for him suddenly picking me up and carrying me to the grey suede sectional, which faced the large windows, looking out over the street. When he dropped me on the couch, I squeaked. It was hard to break my fall when I have a shoe in my hand.

Flipping my hair out of my face, I glared at him, unaware of the tears beginning to form. "So? Are you going to speak or what?" I said after a stretch of silence where he just stood there, hands on his hips.

I vaguely noticed that said hips were clad in khaki dress pants and a black leather belt before shooing the traitorous thoughts away.

Antonio rubbed the side of his face before raking his hand through his neat hair. "I know you think this is unfair but try to put yourself in my shoes. You're angry at your brother when not two days ago you were worried and stressed out. Not to mention that while your brother's whereabouts may be known, you're still in danger. Or did you forget that you're being followed?"

Actually I did. I straightened, realizing that I hadn't tried to hide my destination on my way here."

He dropped his head slightly, exasperated. "See? You've been forgetful lately; Alfred told be about how you even failed your last test because you forgot to study. You're grandfather even wanted you to go to therapy. I'm not going to take advantage of you when you're in a vulnerable state. I refuse to act like some idiot in an action movie."

"I know what I feel and that has nothing to do with everything else." I blinked at the tears starting to fall. "Dio, this is so stupid; I shouldn't have come here." Why am I crying? I scrubbed at the tears, angry that I couldn't keep it together in front of him. I'm only proving to him that everything he said is right.

He knelt down in front of me, his expression now gentle. "I'm not trying to make you upset so please don't cry."

"I'm not crying."

"Yes you are. I'm sorry for being so harsh." I could feel his fingers underneath my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Come here." He pulled me into his arms with little struggling on my part. I just wanted to be held, even if he was being aggravating.

"Why can't we just try?" I muttered.

Sofía

Sofía felt beyond guilty. Daniel wasn't talking to her and she couldn't get ahold of Gilbert. She'd never meant to cause that much of a hindrance: she was just so scared. She couldn't get over what the men had told her and now that she'd told the investigators she felt lonelier than ever. No one would speak to her.

She didn't have a lot of friends, after all everyone always thought she was stuck up and stupidly rushed into relationships with anybody willing.

Sofía paused to pull up her stockings before continuing on into the music store. This place was her favorite place to get new sheet music and replacement string. She'd known the man here for nearly 7 years now.

Maybe she'd visit Monica. After all, she hadn't seen her recently.

She would be able to advise her on what to do.

It was when she was just about to pull open the glass doors when someone tapped her shoulder. "Yes?" she answered annoyed. But before she could fully see the person's face she felt a sharp pain to her temple and blackness flooded her vision.

The shopkeeper whistled as he came back out to the register after helping a customer. On his register sat a peculiar envelop addressed to the shop. Opening it, the man took out the polaroid picture. The blood drained from his face and he grabbed the telephone, frightened. In the photo was Sofía who stood in front of his shop pulling up her piano stockings with the words ''she talks too much" written in neat black pen.

Romulus sighed, rubbing his brows as he sat down. "Listen, I need to tell you something.

Chiarina

My breath caught in my throat as the band began to play 'Eternally'. My eyes shot up to Antonio who bore a nervous smile. "This is…how?"

An apprehensive chuckle slipped from his lips as he looked down at his lap for a moment before looking back up at me. "I know the owners; I cashed in a favor from a case I solved for them. As for all of this," He motioned with a sweeping gesture with his arms. "I've been planning this all week. I wanted this night to be special—to show you that things aren't so bleak after all."

Blinking back the stinging in my eyes from unshed tears, I felt something bubbling in my heart. "Grazie mille… davero." I whispered.

Standing up, he extended his palm out to me, his eyes sparkling. "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"

My face flushed in delight, the romantic in me squealing from pure delight. Putting my gloved hand in his, I stood up and smiled a bit more confidently. "Of course, I would."

He jerked his arm back and allowed me to stumble into his arms before pulling me a few steps away from our table.

I sighed and rested my head against the space between his shoulder and chest. "Will you sing to me? Something happy?" I murmured, depressed and tired.

His chest vibrated in response. "Okay, give me a minute to think of something."

He adjusted his arms around me and pulled the blanket up higher on me. The tv in front of us was muted and he brought my left hand up to kiss it. I had no energy left today after what happened with Feliciano. "Okay, I've got one. I haven't warmed up in a while so I won't sound the best."

You'll sound wonderful, I resisted the urge to say.

I couldn't say something like that. Then he'd really know something was up. I thought back to the note I'd intercepted in the mail today.

I'm coming to visit. ~Mamma.

Why now, after all these years? How did she even find us?

When Antonio picked up the tune, it startled me. He chuckled. "You fall asleep already?"

"No." I snapped, poutily. "Continue."

I didn't have to look to know that he'd raised an eyebrow. I could only do one side, darnit.

He started to hum for a bit, establishing the tune before the words came out in spanish.

Chiarina looked to her left suddenly and Antonio couldn't help but smile from where he sat. She was looking at the cat all wide eyed and innocently, he wondered if she would mind him taking a picture of her. She'd been staring out the blinds for a little while now without saying a word. Antonio discretely pulled out his phone as she continued to watch the cat jump onto the scroll wrought iron Tuscan sofa table (it's a mouthful, he knows).

With the click of his phone, she turned to face him with her brows furrowed. "Why are you taking pictures of me?"

"You just looked so innocent, I couldn't help it. It's not an expression you show very often-ow!" He yelped as she moved the book and plopped down into his lap.

"Let me see it, I'm not going to let you keep it if I look stupid." She snatched the phone.

"Belleza, don't be that way. I promise you look wonderful!"

He watched her nose scrunch up as she smiled slightly. She fiddled with his phone before handing it back to him. "You're lucky."

If there was one thing he'd learned from her after all this time it was that she didn't mind her picture being taken as long as she looked nice and liked the photographer. She leaned her head onto his shoulder and they sat there for a minute in silence.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about your brother? I know it couldn't have been easy to lie to your grandfather about that."

"What is there to talk about? The traitor won't come home and we still don't know why he was kidnapped because the brat won't talk. While we've been busting our tails off trying to get any sort of lead to find him; he's been sipping beers with that new fling of his. Ten bucks says this relationship ends the same way his past ones have."

Antonio wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to her ear. "Okay, that's enough of that." Kiss. "How about," Kiss. "We," Kiss. "Watch a movie?" He pulled away rapidly and leaned over to grab the controller, grinning.

Chiarina's face had gone red, but not in anger, or at least, he didn't think so. "You think you're funny, huh?" She slapped his shoulder with one hand while rubbing her ear with the other. "What are you, Casanova's great grandchild? I'll show you funny."

Antonio gave her a smoldering look as he caught her hand. "Oh, I think I'm very funny."

She scrunched her face up at him before ripping a hand free and jabbing him in the stomach multiple times. "You won't seduce me this time!" It wasn't long before it turned into a playful jabbing war. They'd try to jab at each other and dodge at the same time. Eventually the two were running around the apartment, squealing and yelling triumphantly. It wasn't until she almost tripped on Giovanni's tail that they stopped.

Chiarina laughed as she layed down on the couch and picked up the controller again while Antonio jogged to the kitchen.

"Hey, do you want a snack? I'm going to get some snack mix."

Chiarina tapped her right fingers thoughtfully against her stomach and said. "Maybe something to drink? I'm not sure."

"How about that vanilla spice shake I told you about?"

"Okay and don't forget the straw!"

I flicked the tv on and flipped through the apps until I found one with old movies on it. There was one movie in particular I looking for; Roman Holiday.

Thanks to Alfred, I'd become fascinated with Audrey Hepburn's work.

"I hope you don't mind an older movie. I think you'll like it." I called out. As far as I know, he was a movie snob who only watched the latest action movie.

"Don't worry, as long as it's good, I'll watch it." The sound of the blender covered up the last word.

It wasn't until. It was 5 o'clock that our bubble was burst by Gilbert.

~close to end

"Are you one of them?" I twisted myself to look at him from the side better.

Yao gave me a strange look before he smiled cryptically.

"It's considered polite in society to not glare at strangers." Francis murmured cooly. "You're going to draw attention to us and that would not be advantageous."

"I can't help it! What if you were staring straight at the man who ordered your Joan's kidnapping? You're just lucky it's me here and not Gilbert." I hissed.

I couldn't believe we'd gotten this far without anything going wrong.

Francis narrowed his eyes at me. "point taken but just calm down a bit. Mingle so you don't stand out. You wanted to help? Start by not blowing Antonio's cover."

I huffed before turning back to the refreshments table. "Fine." I grabbed an appetizer topped with tomatoes before shoving it in my mouth "Blargh!" How could someone make tomatoes taste so horrible?

Francis patted me on the back as I forced the thing down. "Here, have some champagne."

"Are you okay miss?" A hand appeared in my vision to the left.

"Yes, she's just not accustomed to the taste." Francis replied with an apologetic smile.

That was my cue. Looking at the man with the meticulous style blond hair, I straightened.

"Mi scusi ma non parlo molto bene Inglese."

A sheepish look came across his face. "I'm sorry, I don't know Italian, only Danish and German." He stuck out his hand. "My name is Mathias Kohler."

"I am Louis and this is my cousin Gina." I nearly stomped my heel into his foot. Could he have picked any more obvious names? Those are two of the most stereotypically French and Italian names ever. "She's visiting so I thought I'd show her around."

"Oh, well good luck. Not that I'd want anyone quoting me but this place is full of sharks. That lady over there loves those things Gina just choked down and has thrown people out for less. She's the wife of the man hosting this shindig."

I struggled to keep my face neutral as Francis made a face of mock surprise. "Really? Well then, we'll just have to pay our respects then."

Mathias pulled out his phone suddenly, his face unreadable. "Hey, I gotta get going. I need to find a friend of mine but have fun and try not to step on anyone's toes. It was nice to meet the two of you."

Francis murmured a goodbye and I wiggled my fingers at him as he turned his back. I waited until he was lost within the crowd before whirling on Francis and stomping on his toes.

"Hey!" He yelped quietly.

"Gina? Way to go genius? Half the girls in Italy are probably named that. It's the same as if someone took on the name Sarah as a fake name."

"Sorry but average is what we're going for. We don't want them to remember our faces and an average name helps."

I scrunched my nose up before sighing and swiping his champagne flute. Tasting it, I noticed the floral taste. "What is this?"

"It's rose champagne, it's actually one of Joan's favorites. Maybe I should bring a bottle next time I go see her."

I rolled my eyes. "Look, I'm going to go float around and see if there's anything interesting to hear. I've got to do something while I'm waiting for him.

"What do you think you're doing here?" Wang Yao scolded softly as hd stepped into the room. "You're going to get yourself killed and worse, alert them to what's about to go down!"

"What are you talking about?" I furrowed my brows as I pushed off of the fancy desk. My left heel clicked awkwardly against the hardwood floor.

"I mean, my men are setting up a hit against the

My stomach dropped and the urge to scream rose. No, why is this happening no? She's not supposed to be in here yet!

"What are you doing?" I hissed, my mouth as dry as cotton balls.

She looked back to me and pursed her lips in a pathetic attempt at a smile. "Sorry cara but it's nothing personal. It's just business."

What?

Is she really…

How could I be so blind! "You *! I believed you when you said you just wanted to help!"

Androv stepped forward and handed her an envelope as the cronie next to me gripped my arm tightly. "Here's half in advance. You'll get the other half when you deliver on the painting. If I don't see it here in my office within the next twenty four hours I'll shoot her."

"If I'm not here in the next twenty four hours you have my blessing."

I screamed and wrenched myself forward to no avail. "I'm your daughter!"

She turned to face me a gave me a look of pity. "I know, I'm sorry." She put the palm of her hand on my cheek before gliding past me and out the office door.

I screamed again and tried to escape from his grasp but the other bodyguard grabbed me by the feet and lifted me. Presumably to carry me somewhere they could lock me up. I was too angry and terrified to speak, so I kept screaming until tears streamed down my face and Androv motioned for one of the men to silence me.

"Shut her up. We don't want anyone to be alerted."

Surprise, surprise, he punched me. A sharp pain bloomed and my teeth clicked together as I nearly bit my tongue. Dio it feels like an elephant dislocating my jaw!

"Where you want her?" The first man who was now gripping me by the shoulders grumbled.

"Take her through my passageway and be discrete. If she starts screaming again or causing trouble knock her out. Don't put her with the other, they might get ideas. Keep them separate."

Faintly I recalled Sofía. She's also here somewhere.

Androv stepped forward after grabbing something from his desk and leaned toward me. "Just incase." And with that, he wrapped the cloth around my eyes despite me trying to jerk my head away. Then he stuffed something into my mouth but not before I managed to bite the tip of his finger. He yanked on my hair before I heard his voice whisper in my ear.

"You were a fool to come here but that works to our advantage so thank you."

I shivered in disgust.

It seemed like they were taking forever to get to wherever they're taking me but at the same time, I noticed that it was on the same floor and somewhere behind the office room.

I grunted as my bermuda shorts caught on something and scratched me. This would be a lot easier if we could just go straight out and run. Me and my big mouth; we should just leave and leave that file here.

"Hurry!" Sofia hissed. "It won't be long until they find out we're gone."

It would also be easier if I didn't have to worry about her falling behind. That fluffy skirt of hers needs to go.

"You should have ditched that fluffy thing back there."

"I will not! This was expensive! I don't care if I have to burn it after this but I am not leaving it here for those cretins! Who knows what makes them tick." She muttered the last part.

As much as I hated to admit it, even though she was being over dramatic, she's right. That guy who brought us water bottles looked super shifty.

My stomach growled at the thought of the sandwich he had held. "When was the last time you ate?" I said suddenly as I maneuvered myself around the next bend.

She was silent for a moment before muttering. "Two days ago. The last time I tried to bite the guy's hand so starving was my punishment. It was stupid of me."

I felt guilty then. If it hadn't been for me, she wouldn't have been here. It's not like she even made a difference in finding Feliciano, he was living it up here in Miami by then. All I had to do was wait for him to contact me and things would have been fine. If they would have let him. Maybe Yao never would have.

I shook my head.

It was necessary. How was I supposed to know this would happen? Besides, had I been in her place, I would have stepped forward instead of keeping the information hidden.

My head's a mess.

I stopped at the next vent and peered through the slats carefully to see which room this was. "I think this is the office. The file is in the hidden compartment in the bottom drawer, right?"

"Yes but be careful."

I grunted and wrapped my fingers around the slats and tried to pull but nothing happened. It was bolted tightly. Luckily I still had my hair pins. I pulled one out and blinked. The bolts were put in from below. I cursed.

"Looks like we're going to have to do this the noisy way." I shifted so I could maneuver myself with my feet to the vent and kicked several times until it fell with a dull clatter. Thankfully the fluffy throw rug muffled the sound. Who knew that Androv's eccentric taste in decoration would be a positive thing? I have to be quick. It will only be a matter of minutes before someone comes to check, if not seconds.

"Be ready to pull me up." And with that I pushed myself out and fell onto the grate, slipping backward. "Ow," I bit my lip and did a mental check to make sure nothing was broken. First thing's first, lock the door.

"Are you okay?" She whispered from above.

"Yeah." I grimaced. "But I think we're going to have to find another way out. I can't get back up there. Even standing on the chair, it's too high."

She made a face and I ignored her, heading for the desk instead. My hands were shaking slightly and my heart was beating in my ears. I'm seriously risking my life right here. If they catch me then I'll be dead. We'll be dead.

"This was a bad idea."

"Yeah but what if we never found a vent that led outside, then we'd really be screwed. Besides." chewed my lip nervously. "Aren't mafiosos supposed to have secret escape routes?"

She was quiet for a moment as I opened the drawer with ease. No lock, that's sketchy.

Ah, that's why.

The secret compartment has a hidden lock hole.

I growled. This is getting to be annoying. What is this, the Godfather?

"See if he has a gun."

I whipped my head to look at where brown hair fell out from the vent. "Have you finally lost it? I don't know how to use one much less am I willing to!"

"Well, we need something to protect ourselves with. If we don't find a way out without getting caught then we'll need leverage!"

I hate it but she's right.

"Fine but I'm giving it to you." I muttered, pulling back out the hair pin again. Hopefully my almost nonexistent lockpicking skills will be enough. It was hard but I managed to unlock it. Hurriedly, I slid the stuff off and opened up the panel. Right there sat the file that would help incriminate them. I swear if those stupid cops try to claim that it's void in court because it's stolen, I'll sucker punch them myself.

I grabbed it and stuffed it under my shirt and into my waistband. I'm pretty sure he kept that gun strapped under the desk. I hope it's still there; after all, if this is his only gun then that's a stupid move. What if he got caught unarmed in his office? I took a shaky breath and reached my hand under to feel for it.

Jackpot.

I slowly pulled it out and wished Sofia didn't want to take the heavy and deadly thing with us. I paused to look at it. Maybe I should take up fencing after this. After all, a sword has got to be more elegant and less deadly than a gun, right? "Just in case." I muttered flicking the safety on. I walked over to the back wall and examined it, before running my hands along it. There's got to be an exit here somewhere! There was one painting and a clock hanging on the wall. This jerk doesn't know the meaning of symmetry.

Click.

The panel beneath my right hand sank further back before swinging open slightly. Holy cow, I was right!

Still in disbelief, I turned back and made my way around the desk.

"Alright, I got it. I'll move the chair for you, so you can jump." Within a few seconds I had moved the grate out of the way and set the chair directly below. I gripped the back of the chair and signaled for her to jump. "Be careful; don't lean forward so you don't fall off."

She dropped with little more than a grunt; feet first. She almost fell onto the floor and would have hit her head if it wasn't for me grabbing the back of her shirt.

"I told you to lean back!" I hissed.

"I tried!"

"Just come on, we need to get out of here."

Sofia blinked. "Whoa, there really is a secret escape."

"Come on!" I grabbed her arm. It might have been my imagination but I think I heard footsteps. "Let's move everything back so they won't suspect anything."

"They'll figure it out eventually." She huffed, grabbing the chair to move it back.

"At least it will buy us some time."

I grabbed the grate and closed the desk drawers; careful to move the items in the desk back to how they had been arranged. Once I was sure everything was back in it's place, I ushered her to the passage. I'd leave the grate in the passageway. "Go on, I'll be right behind you, I just have to unlock the door."

"Are you crazy? What if they're right out there?"

I gave her a firm shove and set the grate beside her in the dark tunnel. There didn't seem to be much lighting. "Go."

She stared at me for a moment before conceding.

I didn't waste a moment. I hurriedly ran to the doors and unlocked them. My hands were shaking as I dragged my feet across the fluffy rug to erase our footsteps. I hope I'm not forgetting something. Any bit of evidence will tip them off faster if they don't immediately see the giant hole in the corner of the room at the ceiling.

It's a good thing this factory had a good ventilation system. If this was any other normal building, we would be screwed. If it didn't, we would have never made it out of that room. I'd just barely made it to the tunnel and slid the door closed when I heard the door out there bust open. I jumped in fear, my heart practically in my throat. Please let them be in observant idiots. Please don't let them look up. Please protect us, God.

I tiptoed backward for a few paces. I didn't want to take my eyes off of it and find out that they had opened it and saw me or worse. They would hear me running away. It was only when I was to the turning point did I turn and run down the stairs, careful to keep a hand on the wall. The tunnel seemed to lead down underground. It was actually pretty smart but I really hope this doesn't lead to the sewer.

"Sofia?" I whispered. "Where are you?"

"Over here!" Her voice sounded, not too far off. I continued in that direction until I saw her outline. "I haven't found an exit yet. I don't know where we are in the building."

"It shouldn't be too much farther. "I said shakily. "Let's just keep going, I'm sure we'll find it soon enough."

As we continued on, I noticed that it was sloping downward a was another minute until we saw the outline of an exit but something was off. It was cracked open. Did they already figure it out? I cursed, and grabbed onto her arm tightly.

"Keep quiet." She hissed.

I will not go back. Something clicked and I realized it was the safety mechanism on the gun. Sofia was pointing the gun forward. "What are you doing?!"

"Protecting us! I'm the older one here and I've been here for days. I have the proper motivation, and traumatization. If I have to shoot, they'll go easier on me in court."

"You've thought about it?"

"Yeah, while you were back there. I may be scared out of my wits but Edelstein women are calculating. I don't do anything without a reason."

In that moment I admired her. I never gave her credit for much more than her classical beauty and skill on the piano.

"Okay then lead the way." I spoke past the lump in my throat.

Fear seemed to paralyze my legs for a moment but I forced them to move. I have to be brave.

Sofia wedged her boot in between the door and the jam and kicked it back towards us.

My breath caught in my throat. In the sewer stood Kiku, Yao, Tino, and the blond police man from the party. Tino and the blond man hurriedly pointed their guns.

"Stop, wait!" I shoved myself forward and put an arm across Sofia's out stretched arms.

"Chiara?"

I froze.

"Oh thank Dio!" Mamma moved from behind everyone and shoved forward. "I was afraid of what they'd do to you."

Before I could register it, she'd pulled me forward and wrapped me in a hug.

"You know them? Who are they?" I heard Sofia say from behind me.

"Mamma?" I whispered.

I felt her pet my hair and kiss me on the cheek before my brain started working again. I shoved her back.

"How dare you!" I cried out angrily. "You traded me for, what, money? I trusted you!"

"Somebody shut her up or we're all dead." Yao complained.

"Now's not the time for this." Sofia put her arm through mine.

"Change of plans, grab the girls and let's regroup. If they've escaped then they know about it. We won't have the advantage anymore." The blond man commanded, stowing his gun away.

"Cara, I had to. Please don't be mad; I never intended to let you stay there. It was an act!"

"Some act, you could have gotten me killed! Like I'll ever trust you again."

Kiku put a hand on my shoulder and shook his head. "If you don't keep quiet, they will find us and this time it will be worse for you two. So kindly shut up and follow us. Miss Sofia, if you would hand me the gun?"

"I doubt you even know how to properly point the thing." Yao muttered.

Everything was happening so fast, my head spun.

Before I knew it, I was being ushered forward by Kiku and Sofia, who kept a protective arm on me. Tino had stepped forward and pulled my mother to the side and whispered something to her. I couldn't hear what it was but it seemed to calm her down so I glared. Man this place smells awful

The policeman fell into step beside us. "I'm not sure you remember but we met before, only you were called Gina."

The man from the party; Mathias Kohler, I remembered.

"Why are you guys here?"

He smiled and looked at Kiku. "Actually Kiku came to me a week ago about your brother for help. Yao was planning something and needed help. Then yesterday I got a call from Tino, my partner and he told me everything Fernandez had been doing and how you had been kidnapped."

"So you're a police?" Sofia acknowledged

He nodded. "We'll clue you in on the rest but for now we have to get to the van before we're spotted. Just follow us and stay quiet, okay? We can't stay hidden here any longer."

"I don't have to walk through that, do I?" I scrunched my nose at the murky water in between the sidewalks on either side.

Mathias laughed and Kiku gave a tiny smile.

"I will not go through that filth. One of you will have to carry me!" Sofia turned her nose up. I for one agree with her. I glanced at her feet and only then did I notice how they shook. She hasn't eaten in so long, this is probably sapping the last of her energy.

"Don't worry." Kiku consoled. "You will not. Fortunately for us the ladder leading up to the street we need to be on is on this side. I would advise you two to put these on though." He pulled out some papery medical masks. I gave him a strange look. They weren't wearing any for the smell. "Ah, no. These are for when we go topside; so no one can recognize you. This is their territory after all. I wouldn't be surprised if at least one man knows your face, Chiara."

"Oh." I muttered, snatching one anyway.

At least this would help a little.

"Let's get going. We have no time to waste." Yao called out from where he stood to the left of the door, heading north.

We all gathered together and began to make our way with Sofia and I in the middle. I thought of the file then and reached for it. "Don't ask how I got this but, it's important." I held it out and handed it to Mathias, who walked behind me along side Kiku.

His eyebrows went up but he took it without question. I heard a hiss. "This a file on-wow. This should be more than enough to go to court with substantial evidence against them. I'll have to wait until after the raid to present the information-so as not to raise questions but good job."

"Wait, raid?" I turned to look at him, causing Kiku to come up short. "Is that what this was?"

"No, it was just a reconnaissance mission." Yao said.

"We needed to know the layout and make sure you two were still alive." Tino looked back sympathetically.

Wait- make sure we were still alive?

"Were you even going to rescue us, you jerks?"

There was a silence and then my mother spoke.

Epilogue

I threw my head back laughing right before he spun me. "Toño!" I squealed and grabbed onto his shoulders.

It felt good being here with him, without anything to worry about. Just dancing in the near empty studio. How Antonio had managed to convince the owner to let us use it for half an hour, I'll never know. His Italian is horrible-he refuses to use the word loro; apparently in spanish that's the word for parrot.

Who know?

He wouldn't have as much trouble if it weren't for his procrastination. He doesn't take much time on his own to learn it. He says he'll pick it up better by ear and that he's just that good. He's not that good.

The song changed from a fast paced jazzy one to one by Carlos Rivera. One of my favorites actually that Antonio had shown me not too long ago.

The movements changed to a slower yet exaggerated sway. Our dancing wasn't the best, you could almost call some of it interpretive.

"I'm glad you seem to be enjoying this, Mrs. Fernandez." He murmured playfully.

I scrunched my nose and lead the movement into another one. "And I'm glad you seem to have finally gotten rid of your twinkle toes. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up."

He scoffed. "I hadn't had my morning coffee yet and besides, you know that airport sickness is no fun."

Ah yes, the night after we got here, Antonio caught some sort of cold and as a result the first two nights were spent with him sniffling miserably. On the bright side though, those first two days, I got to show him around some of the quainter places here in the city before forcing some soup down his throat from this fierce little nonna's cafe.

"But you're not anymore so-oh!" He pulled me into him.

"Stop that!" I pounded on his chest lightly before giggling with him.

And we continued on like that, dancing and talking until our feet were too tired. We packed up and decided to head back to our rented villa to shower and relax before going out for dinner tonight.