Innamorata

*Chapter Sixteen*

Parma, Italy

It was three in the afternoon when Ceres, Lucan, and Montez arrived at Parma Airport or Guiseppe Verdi Airport in the olden times. It was a long flight but made comfortable by first class amenities. Modernity at its finest.

Pawang hatak-hatak sa isang kamay ang malaking maleta habang nakasukbit naman sa balikat ang mga luggage bag. Ceres and Lucan walked around the airport hand in hand. Dark sunglasses and caps on. Both in blonde wigs and contact lenses under the shades. Disguise in full blast with fake moles and all.

"Excuse me," ani Montez sa likod ng dalawa, he was pushing a trolley that was full of suitcases. Warlock and fashion stuff. Nasa trolley din na iyon ang ilang karagdang suitcase nina Ceres at Lucan. "The last time I checked we're siblings."

Agad na nagbitaw ng kamay sina Ceres at Lucan. Giggling like kids caught doing something naughty.

Sa labas ng airport ay nag-aabang na ang sundo na maghahatid sa kanila sa Piacenza. Sa probinsyang iyon matatagpuan ang lambak ng Val Riglio, isa sa mga lambak na nasasakupan naman ng bayan ng Val d'Arda. Piacenza, is one of the provinces of Emilia Romagna region. And Emilia Romagna was Salvatore's main turf in the entire country.

From the airport they have to journey for another 50 minutes to get to Piacenza and another more minutes to get to their target town, Val d'Arda. Riding a black heavily tinted van they set off to the northwestern part of Italy.

Pagkababa ni Ceres mula sa van ay agad niyang pinuno ang dibdib ng sariwang hangin habang iniikot ang paningin sa malawak at berdeng kapaligiran. Flashes of vivid memories both happy and painful came back to her in a bittersweet way.

"Oh, well... hello again, Val d'Arda." She said aloud.

Napatingin sina Lucan at Montez sa kanya. Gaya niya ay pinagmamasdan din ng dalawa ang paligid, their minds were filled with thoughts of their own.

Pagkababa ng driver sa lahat ng gamit nila ay agad na rin iyong nagpaalam at umalis. It was five in the afternoon and they were all alone in the vast property Ceres acquired.

"Nice house," ani Lucan na lumapit kay Ceres. Matamis siyang nginitian ng dalaga at sabay pa nilang itinuon ang paningin sa hindi kalakihang bahay sa harapan.

It was an Old Italian mansion in the outskirt of Val d'Arda. Beautifully landscaped garden at the frontyard with array of colorful flowers. No fences or gate at all, just an open field of green valley were surrounding the whole property. It was a two-storey house, beige in color and adorned in red bricks, huge pillars, and statues on the forepart exterior. The huge double-panelled red wood door would welcome you in. Lots of arch windows for sunshine and ventilation, and a front side veranda at the second floor.

"Better than pictures," Ceres said, satisfaction laced her voice.

"I can only agree." Ani Lucan. "Good thing this place were hidden enough."

"I made sure of that, it isn't that big to be noticeable too."

"Yeah."

"Let's go in?" Yakag ni Montez sa dalawang nag-uusap.

Bitbit ang kanya-kanyang mga dalahin ay naglakad na ang tatlo patungo sa bahay. Montez kept all the keys, so he was the one who opened the front door.

Pagkapasok sa bahay ay agad na naupo sa malambot na sofa sa drawing room si Ceres gayundin si Lucan na tumabi sa kanya. She leaned her back on the sofa and rests her head on Lucan's shoulder. Lucan in return kissed her forehead gently.

Montez went straight to the kitchen and rummaged the refrigerator for foods. Napakiusapan niyang mamili ng grocery supplies ang broker ng bahay kapalit nang malaking upa para sakaling abutin sila ng gabi sa daan ay hindi na kailangan pang lumabas para bumili ng pagkain. As a result, happy tummy. Punong-puno ng supplies ang frigde gayundin ang mga cupboard. He also noticed the brand new car Ceres had bought, nicely parked on the open garage at the right side of the house. Almost perfect. If only they weren't there to take on Gustavo's army, everything would've been perfect since they have everything they need for a lovely getaway trip.