As time past Jack and Squigly soon became very close. After all, they spent most of their time together. They were homeschooled together, ate together, practiced together, trained together, sometimes even slept together. But as weeks turned to months, friendship turned to love. It was not long before their love caught the eye of Squigly's parents.
Roberto sat both of them down and then sat himself down across from them. Were they in trouble? Jack couldn't think of anything they had done. "Do you love my daughter?" Roberto asked bluntly. Jack was suprised at the question. He swallowed. Was that wrong? Was it taboo? Was he forbidden? In any case, he knew he could not lie to the man who took him in. And he would never hide his feelings. Jack sat up as straight as possible. "Yes. More than anything in this world." After his answer. Roberto turned to Squigly. "And do you love him?" He asked. Squigly grabbed Jack's hand. "With all my heart." She said. Jack's heart skipped a beat at her words. Until now their love had been unspoken. Roberto considered their answers. After a moment he nodded his head. "Alright then." He said simply. "Love is a rare thing. Some people go their entire lives without finding it. Others simply never try. But I know true love when I see it." He said standing up. "You two take care of each other, alright?" He asked. Jack and Squigly glanced at each other. "Yeah alright" "Yes of course". They said. "Good." He said walking off. They sat in silence until he left the room. Jack and Squigly spent the rest if the day practicing, until Roberto once again called for them. "Jack, Squigly, I want you to meet a good family friend of ours." Roberto said. They stood in front of a tall man He had very sharp features and a certain aura around him...an aura of deception. "Hello children. My name is Lorenzo Medici." He said. "Lorenzo has been very good to our family. He and his family funds the opera house we preform at. He is joining us today to discuss some business." Roberto said. Lorenzo extended a hand to Jack first. Jack made no effort to shake it. Instead he looked at him. He had to force himself to look into his eyes. In them he found nothing. Every fiber of his being wanted to take Squigly as far away from him as possible. Seeing that Jack had no intention of shaking his hand he instead reached toward Squigly. Squigly, being her kind self, went to shake it. Before she could Jack grabbed other Squigly's hand and pulled her away before they could make contact. She looked at him. "C'mon. Let's go..." he said leading her out of the room. "What's wrong? She asked. Jack said nothing as he practically dragged her up stairs. He led her into his room and roughly closed the door. "What's the matter?" she asked again. "I don't like that man. He's... I just don't know..." Jack said with frustration in his voice. Squigly put a hand on his cheek. "Jack it's fine! If dad trusts him, then that's good enough for me." Jack put a hand on hers. "I suppose you are right... I just dont want anything to happen to you..."