2015 (Saitama, Japan & Vicenza, Italy)
The Sakura bloomed beautifully in the garden at the Yakuza's traditional mansion. The flowers flew as the wind blew and some scattered on the ground, most fell on the top of a rectangle marble stone that was right under one of the trees, and the petals were spread out all around it. The stone was a marking that a person was buried underneath it, underneath the Sakura tree.
Jane knelt in front of the screen as she wipes the fallen petals from the stones until the writing that was carved beautifully were visible enough to read:
DON RORY CASSANO - RIMARU
A QUEEN, A WIFE, A MOTHER
Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not - Yoda
She smiled as she read the quote at her mother's gravestone. Rory's passion for Star Wars had sometimes driven her husband crazy but he had loved her nonetheless, even though she made him watch all the movies and did Star Wars trivia on him.
"Ce l'ho fatta, mamma.. E me ne vado a casa," said Jane, caressing the gravestone with her thumb. (I did it, mom.. And I'm going home)
She heard a footstep coming towards her and seconds later, Jericho joined her, kneeling on the ground with a red rose in his hand. He laid the flower on their mother's tombstone and leaned his head on his sister's shoulder.
"Perché non posso venire con te?," asked Jericho, pouting a bit. (Why can't I come with you?)
"Perché non hai ancora finito il tuo addestramento, e poi hai la scuola," replied Jane, patting her brother's head. (Because you haven't finished your training yet, and besides, you have school)
Half an hour later, both were standing at the entrance door, joined by their father and some of the members of Yakuza, including Roselia and Jeremy. After exchanging a few hugs, family kisses, and words of encouragement from her father, Jane got inside the car which will take her to a private airport where her father's plane will take her to Italy. The flight to Italy took about eighteen hours and finally, she landed at a secluded airport where only private jets were allowed to land there.
Light Ray was already waiting at the hangar when the jet parked inside. She grinned when Jane emerged from the entrance door, and at the sight of her mother's longtime friend, Jane rushed down the steps and hugged Light Ray, both laughing happily.
"È bello rivederti, Jane," smiled Light Ray, still looking at her old boss's daughter. (It's nice to see you again, Jane)
"È bello vedere anche te," replied Jane, as she looked around behind the Deputy Capo where few of their men were standing behind respectfully. (It's good to see you too)
One of the men took her luggage and brought it to one of the cars that were actually waiting for her and it took them only an hour drive back to the old Cassano mansion in Vincenza. As the cars entered inside the gate, Jane's heart started to beat fast. Memories flood in and she can see an image of her mother sitting in the garden with a cup of cappuccino waving at a young version of her coming back from school.
The image then changed to the night of her mother's death, her father carrying her body, his face full of sorrow. She can see herself and little Jericho crying, holding hands as they trailed behind him. Jane quickly turned her gaze towards the mansion as they got closer and the car finally stopped at the main steps. There were more men gathered at the steps where all of them were waiting for her. One of the men who were nearest to the car opened the door for her and both her and Light Ray stepped out of the car.
"Bentornato a casa, Capo," said the man, beaming down at her. (Welcome home, Boss)
"Grazie, Deb," smiled Jane, "È così bello essere tornati,". (Thank you, Deb. It's so good to be back)
She walked towards the entrance door and stepped inside the mansion. It was like walking back to a memory lane. The memories of her family, her mother reading in front of the fireplace while her father joined too with a guitar in his hand, trying to serenade her and at the same time distracting her so that she could give her attention to him.
"Jane?," Light Ray called her as she stood in front of a single door near the staircase.
Jane turned her head, coming back to reality, and quickly followed Light Ray entering the room. It was her mother's old office. The moment she entered the room, her eyes transfixed at the large desk that was positioned in front of a window with that big leather chair. It was empty but that was always her mother's throne, not even her father sat on that chair. Her eyes shifted around the room and realized that it hasn't changed since they left, everything was still the same even the type of cleanliness.
"Puoi sederti sulla sua sedia, Jane," said Light Ray, as she beckoned Jane to come closer, "Dopotutto, è tuo,".
(You can take a seat on her chair, Jane. After all, it's yours)
Jane walked towards the desk and stood behind the leather chair. She glanced at the polished wooden desk and saw that the family picture was still there in a glass frame. The smiling faces of her family including sixteen her old self were sitting in the garden back in her father's home in Saitama. The picture was taken a few weeks before the attack and the death of her mother. She slowly rolled the chair and sat down, pulling herself towards the desk.
"È bello riaverti, Il Ragno Rosso," said Light Ray, bowing her head in respect. (It's good to have you back, Il Ragno Rosso)
"Non credo di essere degno di essere chiamato con quel nome," said Jane, her eyes lingering on her mother's large portrait on the wall. (I don't think I'm worthy to be called by that name)
"Bene, puoi iniziare guardando questi file che abbiamo ottenuto da una delle nostre informazioni," said Light Ray, nodding at Deb who had a folder in his hand. (Well, you may start by looking at these files that we got from one of our intel)
Deb put the folder onto the desk and Jane carefully opened it. There were two pictures of two different men separately, and a few paper works containing the details of the two men. There were three capital letters spelling the word CIA on the top of each paper.
"Agents?," asked Jane, looking up at the two people in front of her.
"Sì, e sono qui a Venezia," replied Light Ray. (Yes, and they are here in Venice)
Jane looks at the pictures again and more memories start flashing into the night they were attacked and the death of her mother. She stared at the man in one of the pictures and frowned.
"Cosa c'è che non va?," asked Light Ray. (What's wrong?)
"Quest'uomo ti sembra familiare?," asked Jane, holding the picture for Light Ray. (Does this man look familiar to you?)
Light Ray stared at it for a second and with Deb peeking on behind her shoulder. Her eyes were slowly full of rage and fury.
"Era lì, ad aiutare quell'agente ferito a scendere le scale," said Light Ray, slowly as she handed the picture back to Jane. (He was there, helping that injured agent going down the stairs)
"Allora, abbiamo del lavoro da fare," said Jane, putting the pictures back inside the folder. (Then, we have work to do)
Light Ray excused herself and started working on her phone as Deb followed behind her, nodding at what the Underboss ordered. Jane sighed as she leaned back on the leather chair. Her eyes linger towards the large portrait of her mother on the opposite wall.
"Così inizia, mamma," said Jane, smiling as she looked at her mother's portrait. (So it begins, mom)
YOU ARE READING
Revenge Is Sweet & Sour
ActionJane was adopted by a woman who happened to be a Don of Il Ragno Rosso, one of the most powerful mafia families in Italy. But her mother's life was cut short after they were attacked by the CIA when Jane was in her teen years. Since then, she and he...
