Minutes later the sound of leather shoes could be heard descending the stairs. Francis walked down the stairs in one of his vintage suits looking more handsome than ever.

"Mario!." Francis' voice boomed through the room and a man in an all black suit walked in immediately.

"Master.. you called for me?."

"Yes.. I want you to get the car ready, we'll be leaving soon." Francis said as he sat down. "I'm really sorry Master but we won't be able to leave early today." Mario said, his face expressionless.

"What do you mean by that?."

"One of the tires got damaged by a rusted nail.. I already got people working on it now, but it might still take some time for them to be done with the work." Mario said.

"Then go get the other car ready.. it isn't only one mode of transportation we've got in this house now is it?." sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"But Master, you ordered that all of them should be taken to be repainted last Thursday and they aren't ready yet." Mario muttered.

"Oh.. I almost forgot about that. No matter what, I have a very important meeting today and I don't want to miss it! so make sure the car is ready before then. È che è capito?.(Is that understood)" Francis asked, his voice as cold as ever.

"Yes Master.. I'll make sure of it."

"Fine then. You may leave" Francis said, waving Mario off, his attention now on the meal being served before him.

Mario left immediately and the maids placed Francis's breakfast on the table. He's got to do what his Master asked, Seeing him angry was practically a death wish.

**

LOCATION:- NEW YORK AMERICA..

DAYS LATER..

Juliana's POV

"So it's settled then huh?.. You're really leaving me?." Mercy asked, pouting her lips as she watched me pack my suitcase.

"Yeah don't be like, everything has already been taken care of. Dr. Farley already told me he'd be handling everything, I'm just happy that my mother would be able to get well again" I sighed.

"And God willing, she'd respond to her treatment very well. And in no time we'd be back in the states and we can finally get back to our old lives again". I placed in the last of my jeans and zipped up the suitcase.

I laid on the bed facing the ceiling, counting the dots and lines has become a habit. There was a few seconds of silence until Mercy spoke up. "So.. moving to Italy huh? sounds like that's going to be fun"..

"Not moving.. we'll just be going there and be back like nothing happened, there's nothing 'fun' about it." I scoffed.

Fun?!

What's fun about going there, yes I agree Italy might be a beautiful place filled with jaw dropping landscapes.

But I'm not going there for that, what I'm going to do there is important, I'm going there for my mother, nothing is more important than her well being right now.

"Wait a minute!." Mercy squealed, breaking me away from my thoughts.

"What is it?!."

"I know this is sudden, but shouldn't you be practicing how to speak Italian yet?." Mercy asked, one of her sneaky smiles playing on her lips.

"It's a really beautiful language, you should at least give it a try." Mercy muttered tugging my arm.

"No thank you, not interested."

"Why would I need to learn to speak Italian?.. there's absolutely no need, besides we are only staying there until Mom gets better, after that happens we'll get a flight right back here." I said with much determination in my voice.

I know it would just mean I'd have to come up with a way to get more money if that's the plan I'm going to go through with.

But I don't really care right now.. no matter the cost I'd do anything for my mother.

All I want and need right now is for her to get better and for everything to go back to the way it was. And maybe, just maybe when everything is cool and calm. I might just bring up the idea of going back to school.

**

LOCATION:- MILAN, ITALY..

AT RAY'S MIRACLE HOSPITAL..

WARDROOM 12, FLOOR 205..

"Come on now, open wide you need all the energy you can get." Valentino said. "You know Lino, your Zuppa di manzo stufato (stewed beef soup) is always the best and I know that I'll be feeling better in no time" Roxanne giggled.

"I know that, now eat up". Valentino smiled as she took the spoon into her mouth by herself. "Could I ask you a question, Lino?.." Roxanne asked softly.

"Of course you can.. ask me anything you want" He said softly, dropping the bowl of soup on the side table beside her bed. "Well I was just thinking about Francis.. he, well_" she stopped mid-sentence taking a deep breath.

"I haven't seen Francis since I woke up from the long nap I had.. I was just thinking maybe he is upset with me?.. maybe I shouldn't have told him that you already informed me about my leg's current condition." Roxanne mumbled, fumbling her thumbs.

"No.. don't think like that Roxanne, your brother was here the entire time you were unconscious and when he had an important meeting to attend or anything of the sort I was here and always available to fill in for him". He said placing his large hands over her small ones.

"I knew you'd be watching me Lino, even with the ten bodyguards outside, I just knew that you'd still watch out for me because you care for me." Roxanne smiled.

"Exactly the way I care for you".

Her statement made Valentino freeze immediately. It felt like the world was on pause. Roxanne didn't know the gravity of her words as Valentino heard it. He could've landed on the ground if he wasn't holding the bed post .

His heart was pounding so fast he could hardly breathe. The trance was broken when Roxanne spoke up.

"Now come on.. feed me more of your delicious soup".

"O-of course.. anything for you.”