She shrugged her shoulders in disgust and appraised my ba's attire. As always, she was on top, elegance itself, her mother. White trouser suit, due to which her skin looked golden, stilettos, she never cheats on them and at one time taught me to them, but I never fell in love them, with the exception of any social events. Her dark hair was covered with an elegant black hat, she was very fond of hats, she had at least twenty of them in her arsenal.

- Honey, I have everything under control, don't worry. Victoria, have you finished setting the table?

-Yes signora.

Grandmother decided to beautifully translate the topic so that I would not bring her with my moralizing.

I pour myself orange juice into a glass and I see out of the corner of my eye how the doors to the courtyard are flung open, and Batista, his own person, is heading towards us with a confident gait.

Wow, in four years he has matured even more. The black suit fits him like a custom, although what I mean, of course, he will be custom. The white shirt contrasts strongly with his swarthy skin. Black hair, laid back, stubble , framing his high cheekbones and this look of the king of the world. In the open areas of his body, I noticed tattoos, on his arms, on his neck and even on his fingers, he had them before, but now he decided to clog his whole body along the way, I have and the couple itself had, but what would the whole body? No, I wouldn't go for that. Definitely.

-OU! If I were younger, I would take it.

-Baaa, my God! What are you saying? This is Batista, he is like a grandson to you. And in general, as if you were especially interested in the age of your partner.

- Look how excited I am, don’t be afraid, I won’t do this to my beloved granddaughter, I won’t break up your future couple. And the partner’s age, by the way, matters to me, no younger than thirty-seven years.

She said how she cut it off, so she didn’t continue this topic further. But at the expense of “breaking the future couple”, I would argue with her. The fact is that someday I will be interesting to Batista as a girl, equal to one percent, although at times he led behaved strangely with me and made strange hints. And once he even took advantage of me, but I don’t want to remember that night. I won’t dissemble, but I always loved him, even when he behaved like a jerk.

Circumstances took four years from us. It's a pity that we had to meet in such a situation.

Batista did not come alone, his consigliere came with him, I saw him only three times, but I remember him by the scar on his left cheek and by his light blue eyes, whose gaze looked straight into the soul. I did not spend too long in his company , but only five minutes were enough for me to feel insecure next to him. My father also had a consigliere, but he was in the car with his parents, he had a family, his wife Eliza and daughter Rose.

- Batista, Signor Orsino! What an honor!

-Señora Marcella, good afternoon! Please forgive me for not being able to attend the funeral myself. Please accept my condolences.

Batista's gaze fell on me and I held my breath. The look of green eyes, you know, is the case when the earth leaves from under your feet and a fire breaks out in your stomach.

As a child, when we had to go to resorts with our families, I always tried to prevent him and his next passion from seclusion.

- Hi Mia.

Is he serious? Just hi Mia! What about hugs and kisses?

-Hello Batista, how are you? Blooming and smelling, as I see it.

Batista decided to ignore my question. At least one of us is smarter.

God, why did I say that?

-Ahem. ... let's sit down at the table, otherwise Victoria was so worn, she tried so hard.

Granny, what, trying to save the day? This is clearly not like her.

- First, let's have a bite, and then we'll start talking, we won't wait for Sarah, she called and said that she was late.

-In fact, we have little time, we need to deal with the affairs of Don Lorenzo as soon as possible and I must provide you with protection, especially Mia, Don Lorenzo is no longer there, but his power still lives on and many who want to take it into their hands. The direct heiress of Mia, which means that a blow will be directed at her.

-And what do you suggest?

- My suggestion is that Mia should live in my house for the time being. She will be safer there.

I choked on the juice, which attracted the attention of the three of them.

- And no one wants to ask me what I want?

"Amazon, I'm afraid we're not in a position to choose. You really are in danger, you'll be safer with Batista."

- Well, you're a traitor, so you're leaving for another cruise, and they hand me over to the commission. Just get hurt, tell me honestly, did you know what the conversation would be about?

- Yes, Mia, I knew I contacted Batista by phone, a couple of days ago, he knew that you would react like that and you don’t dare to look at me like that, as if I were an enemy of the people. I just want to protect my granddaughter. When you yourself become a grandmother, then you will understand.

Grandma specially played this performance just now, so that I would believe that for her this is the same surprise as for me?

Granny, I give you a deuce for acting!

As a result, I decided to take my mouth with my favorite dessert so as not to shake anything superfluous. I love Victoria's cheesecake, but to be honest, I love almost all of her dishes.

While Marcella was chatting with Orsini about almost everything in the world, and Batista was looking through something on the phone, I secretly watched him and was about to pick up drool, he is very handsome.

Suddenly ... a shot is heard from the house.

Batista and Orsino jumped up abruptly and pulled out their pistols. Everything happened so quickly, but it seemed to me that an eternity had passed.

-QUICKLY UNDER THE DESK, HIDE!!

Batista's order faded into the background.

Everything is like in slow motion, as if an unknown force lifts me.

I quickly jump up and run to the house.

- MIA, STOOOO!

I open the doors and enter the hall.

What I see is the truth of my worthless and dangerous life. Victoria is lying on the floor, blood is flowing from her chest.

I fly up to her, drop to my knees and just pray that this was a stupid dream.

I try to close her wound with my hands, but I understand that it is pointless.

- Wee... Vicki.

What’s wrong with my voice? I don’t recognize it, it’s so quiet, so broken. It seems that all the strength was drained out of me.

- Oh my Piccino! I'm so sorry! So sorry!