Chapter 7



The crisp air of Palermo overwhelmed my senses as I strolled out of the private airport exit. The sun warmed my skin, and made me quite nostalgic of my previous years. Italy felt like home, but I couldn’t shake the foreign feel to it. The years that I had refused to come, built a tense wall of emotions that unfortunately had come crawling down once I had remembered what Italy felt like. Home is where the heart is, and it was true. My heart had carved it’s own design into the cobble paths of my small town.

I hadn’t realized I stopped in my tracks until a small Italian man had cursed a string of profanities at me for not moving. I simply apologized with the nod of my head moving along to find a car waiting for me. A small old man, with a black suit held a medium sized sign that wrote Verdi-Rose. Waving his small tan hand at me once he realized that I was his last passenger.

“I will get your bags, ma’am.” He gently nodded, before opening the door that hid the second youngest of the family. Milada.

“It’s good to see a familiar face,” She smiles tucking a blonde strand of hair behind her ear.

“Why did dad bring all of us here?” I glanced over to see she had the same confused look.

“If I knew Mia, I would’ve told you,” She shakes her head, neatly folding her hands on her lap. “I suppose it has something to do with him leaving BE. Never sat too well with the family.” She blinked a few times trying to register why she was here also, but nothing fit the missing puzzle piece perfectly.

I sighed in defeat, tossing my leather bag to the side of the car. A small gasp beside me erupted, and I physically and mentally rolled my eyes. Milada, along with most of my siblings had still kept their straight posture, and elegant ways. I, on the other hand never cared for it. Mothers façade didn’t work as well as she hoped with her last offspring, although it seemed to work just fine with the rest.

I hadn’t realized how deeply brazed we all were. Each of us inhabiting something from what we were taught. And it sort of angered me that we were never allowed to spread our wings. It was like my parents wanted us to be grown in a certain form and anything other than that was unacceptable. My mother was the one to scrutinize, and my father was the dominance, and discipline we all really needed.

“It’s a leather bag, not a dead body Mila.” I groaned, resting my head on the tinted glass window as it proceeded to drive off.

“Yes, but mother wouldn’t be proud.” She warned, blinking aimlessly at me.

“Mother is currently having a jolly time with her new partner. I’m sure she’s preoccupied.” I scoffed, and Mila simply averted her eyes.

“Well, she would still be upset. You know how mother gets.”

“Don’t you just want to live a little? Who gives a fuck about what mother taught us. Haven’t you just wanted to go out, and legitimately have fun?” I bargained with her, but knowing her uptight ways . . . it’d be nearly impossible.

“Mia, we weren’t raised to be party-goers. We were raised to be proper children. Thoughts like this will dwindle over time.” She sighed to herself, positioning herself towards the window.

I didn’t bother to reply, although I knew it had bugged her. I had nothing to say. There wasn’t a sentence in the world that could change her mind, and I didn’t know if anyone could change it. I sort of hoped that someone would come along, and turn her life around so she’d understand how different we really were. But all I could do was hope. Hope for the better, and hope for things to go right. Being in Italy didn’t only bring back unwanted memories, but it brought back a time where we were all carefree. It was like freedom was locked behind a bulletproof window, and all I had was a shotgun to pry with.

I was lost in a sea of thoughts, drowning out any thoughts of survival.

To say I was enjoying my stay in Italy is a total lie, but I couldn’t say I hated it. Although I hadn’t seen the rest of my siblings yet, I was well acquainted with the staff. Immediately put to work, all of us had to somehow weasel our way through this business mishap, and resurface with the enemies head. Not literally, but metaphorically. We had all been so consumed with the difficulties that seemed to be piling onto our once renowned family business, that none of us even bothered to see each other. Sort of like a sweatshop with an addition of some uptight siblings.

Dreadful could be a better word for how I was feeling. I had finally been able to smell the fresh air, and take a nice stroll. Being cooped up in a room full of paperwork does things to you. I was glad that I left before I became programmed to do that crap. It was agonizing nonetheless. Not being around Cameron, not being around the frat boys I had become well acquainted with, not having Lou to comfort me when I had my nightmares, and not having the annoying prick around. It was all something I oddly missed. I knew that family came first, but this whole ordeal was something way over all of our heads. The paperwork, the numbers, the money, made no sense. Everything didn’t add up, and although it was faint, I knew that this ‘minor malfunction’. As my dad would call it was something we had no control of.

My feet scuffled the sand beneath my feet, as I tried to wrap some sort of idea of why or who would be in control of all of this. My phones ringtone buzzed in my jean short pocket as I tried to wiggle it out. The caller I.D unknown I picked it up anyway, and waited a few minutes before answering.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Rose,” A thick accent and a handsome tinted haired man appeared in my imagination. The CEO of NH Industries had called me? Odd.

“Mr. Horan,” I smoothly responded.

“It seems as if your whereabouts are unknown, and I am desperate for some more oversea merges.”

“And you haven’t contacted Preston?”

“No, I have contacted you. I had hoped that you would be of much more assistance.”

“And what is this deal you have in mind?” I question, stopping in my spot, and admiring the sunset.

“Fresh idea’s, new companies, I need your help. Tell me where you are. I’ll meet you there tonight.”

Oddly, I didn’t question why he wanted to travel to see me, but the questions floated around my head nonetheless. I couldn’t decline his offer. How could I? I was lonely, and Mr. Horan was the only thing close to sanity.

“I’m currently situated in Palermo. A small town in Sicily,”

“Well then I will see you tonight, Ms. Rose. Ciao bella.” The phone call was clipped, and I found myself a little anxious for a new incoming friend.


Maybe a bit more than anxious as I had changed my outfit a few times, and paced around my room for a bit. I nervously bit my lip as the table beside me let out a loud vibration. My hands fumbled to answer the call, but I managed to press the speaker into my ear before containing myself.

“I had thought that you might have stood me up, and fell asleep,” He chuckled through the phone.

“Sleep sounds enticing, but I had told you I would wait, and I do keep my word Mr. Horan.”

“I’m currently waiting outside. If you plan on meeting me as planned,” He softly chuckles, and I end the phone grabbing my small clutch along with me.

Hands placed behind his back, and tinted hair that was neatly styled into a curve above his head was the first thing I saw as he lifted his gaze from the floor to me. A charming smile, and a little smirk could have had any girl at their knees but I somehow like always, kept my composure.

“I prefer being called Niall rather than Mr. Horan. Makes me feel old,” He holds out his hand, and I slip mine into his. Glancing at me once more he pulls my hand up to his lips, gently placing a kiss on it before motioning for me to go ahead of him.

“I was thinking a bite to eat?”

Smiling, and laughing summed up about half of the night with Niall. He was like the refreshing dose of sanity that I needed. It was all something I needed. He kept his cool; although in reality he was someone I liked being around. We had discussed future merges, and I had discussed the problems in my own business. He had offered to merge, and help my fathers business, but I didn’t want to be too quick to take an offer that big. I simply smiled, and said I would think about it.

And as the night started to end, we walked down a busy street filled with stores, and boutiques. Always quietly giggling about something nearby.

“Did you see that lady? With a wheel of cheese that big? It was bigger than her whole body!” We laughed in unison until I harshly walked into a tall frame.

Falling backwards Niall was quick to pick me up, and make sure I was okay. “You alright, love?” He frowned, brushing a strand of hair away from my face and behind my ear. The heat rose to my cheeks but I shook my head quickly, flattening out the flares of my skirt.

“Harry, mate! Nice to see you! Haven’t seen you since Sigma Phi!” Niall laughed giving a frat handshake to the only person I didn’t think I’d ever see in Italy, let along Palermo. Harry one of my frat brothers.

What concerned me the most was that Niall knew him, and the frat. Or what should be concerning me is as to why Harry was here, and not in California for classes. Harry had an unreadable glare but soon smiled it off laughing with Niall about how long it had been since their last get-together. I, on the other hand still stood there, mouth ajar . . . wondering how on earth these two knew each other.

“Love, you okay? You seem distracted?” Niall interrupted me from my thoughts, frowning a bit.

“Oh! Ugh yea fine. Just a bit tired? Mind if I head off, and um we can talk about our merging plans tomorrow?” I smiled sweetly at him.

“If that’s what you want. Call me tomorrow we can set a deal, and then I can see your beautiful face in Palo Alto headquarters.” He smirks slightly, and again the heat rises to my cheeks.

“Okay,” I smile at him once more before pecking him on the cheek, and whispering a thank you for the wonderful night.

Disregarding Harry I pace back to the boardwalk in hopes that I have enough time to escape from encountering one of them tonight. Questions run though my head, and I wonder about all the answers until something pulls me out of my trance. A stumble of goods falls in front of my feet, as a young woman tries to pick them up. Helping her with it, she smiles a few times, thanking me over, and over again in Italian before a hand grasps over the last item, and hands it to her.

“Here, you missed this,” A thick British accent echoes beside me, and a crimson red creeps onto her pale features, as she scurries away, fallen goods in hand.

“Well aren’t you a gentleman,” I scoff, before wiping my hands on my skirt, and walking away.

“Hey, no I missed you too? Or hi Harry how have you been these past two weeks?” His sentences waves over me, but the two weeks seem to stay. Has it really been two weeks?

“Did infamous Harry come all the way here to see little ol’ me?” I turned around quickly sarcastically speaking, and pinched one of his cheeks.

“My father wanted me to attend a meeting at one of his headquarters. Don’t get your hopes high Bambi.” He snarled a bit, swatting my hand away.

“Again with those nicknames,” I groan walking down towards the abnormally large beach house at the end of the road.

“Again with the attitude,” He followed behind.

“Why are you here?” I question him as we arrive on my front porch.

“Because your father was generous, and let me stay at your humble abode.” He smiled deviously at me, and before I could stammer out a reply, the door had swung open revealing my father, Claude.

“Harry!” My father exclaimed, enveloping him into what seemed an awkward embrace. “Emilia, why don’t you show Harry to the extension room beside yours?” My father smiled widely causing me to huff out.

Great, just great. My mind groaned, and no doubt rolled her eyes as it was the only thing she could do. The situation seemed to get worse by the minute, and with much luck . . . will only incline from here. It was like the inevitable had traveled along with me in my suitcase, and made itself quite known lately. Not caring about the unwelcomed guest; I lead him into my room before clicking on my playlist tunes, and carried onto my previous duties.

“Mia!” Milada exclaimed from the door.

“Mila!” I mimicked.

“How inconsiderate of you! Leaving the house guest just standing idly by whilst you do whatever you have been doing these past week. . . I am incredibly sorry. The room is right there.” Milada pointed towards the open arch that lead to a separate room not far off.

“Don’t worry! His tattoos are just as harsh as his interior!” I yelped back at her, narrowing my eyes at the forgeiner.

Talk about disaster.

Notes