〖JJBA - EN〗- Last Judgement

Chapter 35: Fresh start.

Naples, Italy. January 20th, 1989.

Ah, Napoli. (Y/N) couldn't deny it, she had missed her city. When she left the airport, early in the morning, the first rays of the sun were illuminating the buildings, giving the port city a pleasant golden color. (Y/N) took a deep breath, enjoying the sea spray again.

Her life was beginning again normally.

At least, that was what she thought.

As she was about to take a taxi with the money given by Joseph for her return, she was stopped by two men in suits.

"(Y/N) Zeppeli?"

Her blood froze. She turned to face them, forcing a smile on her face. She knew very well why they were there. And that didn't bode well.

"Herself.

- Polpo is asking for you."

Obviously. She couldn't hide anything from Passione. The whole organization must have already known about her return, even long before she boarded the plane in Cairo. What a pain.

"Very well, thank you. I'm going to visit him right away.

- We have orders to escort you."

She was therefore not even given time to go home to put down her things, or even go through the headquarters to greet her friends. Her throat felt like tightening but she nodded, pretending that everything was fine. She had to stay calm. The two men called a taxi to escort the young woman to the prison where Polpo was being held. After a quick search, security guards let her in and the two men with her stayed outside. She crossed the great dark corridors alone, nervously fiddling with her fingers. She knew the way by heart, she had been here so many times. So why was she so scared?

"Hello, Zeppeli.

- Hello, Polpo.

- You are late."

The huge man leaned over to grab his glass of wine, a small laugh escaping his lips. She gulped. Of course, she had exceeded the three-week limit to come back.

"Your trip went well?"

Trick question. She lifted her head and frowned slightly. Her jaw tensed and she clenched her fists.

"I can explain everything.

- No need, I already know everything."

Obviously. She didn't know how, but the information about the trip to Egypt had already leaked. Polpo took a sip of wine, before chuckling.

"You know, the boss was furious at your disappearance. It was even worse to learn that you weren't going back to Italy, and of your own free will.

- ... I was attacked by a man named Vanilla Ice. And Passione has always taught me to pay my debts. I had to hunt him down.

- I see."

He started peeling a banana, looking mischievous. The young woman continued:

"I am sorry that I could not keep my promises as to the time it took me to return. I had...a slight setback.

- The Boss plans to punish you."

She opened her mouth but closed it quickly to hide her surprise. She wasn't at all surprised, actually, because Mela and Lampone had warned her on the phone. And the Boss was known to be uncompromising. She looked down at her shoes.

"... I am ready to accept the consequences of my actions.

- Are you really?

- I am sure of it."