****
Ariana knocked the huge door.
“Come in” She heard a deep voice.
She gulped and opened the door and found herself walking slowly inside.
“I’m sorry for coming late” Ariana bowed. She was speaking in Korean. She understood Italian but she couldn’t speak the language.
“Sit” Leo Da Cruz said in Italian.
She looked up and glaced at his tough face before moving to the sofa.
“I need you to draw for me” He commanded.
Ariana bowed.
“Anything for the Don”
“You don’t have to act formal with me. I won’t treat you inferior” Leo Da Cruz smiled.
Ariana swallowed and looked at him.
“I’m just quite nervous since its the first time I’m talking and seeing you from up close for the first time”
He was dressed in suit. He had beards all over his chin and jaw. He wore a black glove abd black socks with shoes.
“Its fine. Most people think I’m scary but it quite the opposite”
Ariana looked at him again.
“You see…You’re getting a hand of it. Don’t fell shy. You can only feel shy in front of Malcolm, okay?”
“Excuse me?” She widened her eyes, suddenly.
“I notice the way you keep spying at my consigliere all the time”
“What? You saw what? No…Thats not me” She shook her head
“You don’t need to lie” He laughed.
Ariana sighed.
“I really didn’t spy at him. I was actually using him as a muse for my art. So, I needed to look at him deeply before drawing and that was it. I actually don’t have feelings for him. Why do most of y’all keep misunderstanding”
“Well,,, Thats what it seems” He shrugged.
“So,,, Have you completed the art?” He asked.
“Nope. I just drew his eyes on the face and that was it”
“Why didn’t you continue?”
“I got caught by his girlfriend and my boyfriend so I gave up”
“So,,, You don’t have any feelings for him?”
Ariana sighed and bit her lip.
“None at all. I’ve a boyfriend” She shook her head.
“Though,, There’s something I grew I grew feelings for on him”
solely written by sommy pearl f. bloggers, do not copy and repost.
“What?”
“His eyes…and his tattoo. They’re both intoxicating and beautiful”
“You mean,,, the… star?”
“Yes” She nodded.
“You like it?”
“Yes”
Leo Da Cruz swallowed nothing down his throat.
“I gave it to him because he asked”
“Oh…I guess both of you have the same and great taste” Ariana smiled.
He chuckled softly.
“It’s pretty but I wonder why he chose to draw that tattoo”
“Why? What’s wrong with it?”
“The tattoo reminds him of his tough past. I think why he drew it was to remind him of revenge…”
Ariana eyes blinked, confusedly.
“How about this?” Leo Da Cruz smiled.
“You draw something for me…in secret. Let keep this confidential,,, between both of us only. Don’t tell a soul even Gilberto and I’ll help you get a tattooist who would give the same tattoo. You said you like it, right?” He asked.
Ariana smiled and nodded.
“I want to draw it somewhere secretive. Probably on my thighs or hip?”
“Easy peasy” He nodded.
She looked at the table in front of her and saw the drawing instruments required.
“What should I draw for you?” She asked.
“A tree…a dark tall tree with sandy area laid on its roots. Add lightening on the dark skies. Make it look like a serious storm” He cooed.
“Why…do you want such drawing? Does it have a meaning?” Ariana asked.
“Yes…” Leo Da Cruz swallowed.
“Its a nightmare”
“What? Why would you wanna draw a night-
“No questions!!” He suddenly roared.
“Do as you’re told” He added.
Ariana shivered and nodded.
“I’ll make a frame for it…” He whispered
“And keep it where no one excepts the true owner will find it”
“Don,,, Do you know? You can end those nightmares” Ariana whispered.
He looked at her.
“I heard only bad people feed on nightmare but you’re a nice and good man…If you do more good deeds,, Your nightmares will come to a great stop. Its an assurance”
Leo Da Cruz sighed deeply.
“What’s your name?”
“Ariana Bells” She answered, calmly.
“Ariana…I’m not who you think I am. I’m actually…a very bad person”
“You don’t seem like a bad person base on this first encounter and also based on what I heard about you. You’re a good man and have done good deeds only” Ariana smiled.
“I would love to be like you. You’re my role model, Leo Da Cruz and just like a loyal servant,,,, I’ll always stand by you and with you” She further said and he could only force a smile.
FLASHBACK ENDS**
“What does he mean by that statement. There’s a lot I dont know about” Ariana whispered.
ITALY**
Malcolm looked at the painting and tears ran down his eyes.
“Mum…Dad…I finally got my revenge but why does my heart still aches this bad? I now know why Ariana came for me. I know the reasons behind Rhoda true arrival now. I know about the stupid bet now! I also know what Gilberto wants but i won’t let him have it. I’ll get to the root of this and get Leo Da Cruz’s fortune” He whispered with burning eyes.
THE NEXT MORNING**
MAFIA’S HIDEOUT**
“So,,, What’s that you wanted to tell us first before we start the plan?” Cindy asked.
Everyone looked at Ariana whose eyes were down facing the floor.
“I…have recovered my lost memories. Everything” She answered, lowly.
