Red

CHAPTER 15.

It flew into the air, while dancing in twirls as the breeze guided the yellow and orange leaves to scatter across the playground. The season autumn was still at its peak as it overtook the city Venice.

I couldn't contain the smile that curl on my lips as Xamuela release excited squeals behind the glass of the moving vehicle that the assigned body guard, who formally introduce himself to me as Cirano, parked in the slightly empty parking lot.

She grabbed my hand and nearly fell out of the vehicle from her clear excitement. I warned her to be careful as she pulled me through the entrance in rush footsteps. And with her running before me, I slip my hands into the pockets of my black hoodie to brush off the coldness of the wind.

I scanned the playground, noticing that there were not many children out today, my watchfulness though, came to a halt when I heard Xam crying just a few steps ahead of me.

With the threat from her father hanging over my head still, I held her shoulder and walked around her until I stoop to her smaller frame.

My eyebrows connected together in a uncontrollable frown as she continued to sob. "Xam, tell me princess what is it."

Her body shook as I bring her closer and hugged her. Her tears soaked my collar as she settles her head into my neck.

"Dov'è papà?" (Where is papa)

I breathed a sigh as her sadness brought a hold on me. "Papa is at work princess, he's out saving your world."

I think I've said the wrong thing because that only spring forth more tears and allowed her body to shook. I pulled her back, much to her resistance and wiped her tears with my thumb.

I glance over her shoulder and with a heavy glare, sent towards some of the parents who stopped what they were doing and was clearly dipping up in something that wasn't their business.

I wasn't about to spoil the rest of Xam's day by getting into it with these bitches so I turn towards her and said.

"I promise papa is gonna come okay."

Stop giving her false hope girl....

Nothing can beat a trier but failure.

"And all princesses should keep their chin up no matter the circumstance, even when they're sad."

Her eyes twinkled at that and she gasped. "Even when they're sad?"

Nodding, I laughed and agreed. "Even when they're said."

She then tilt her chin up and then pointed to the empty slides. "Can I?"

I nodded and once again warned her to be careful as she nearly tripped over to the ground. She only giggled and when I saw her descend down the slides then and only then did I felt happy that her sadness was gone.

"She's a cute kid."

I heard the voice of a woman behind me, an instant recognition came to mind when I realize that it was the woman from the club that sat upon Lorenzo's lap last night.

Flashes of her seated on Lorenzo rubbed me in a way that left a pang deep within myself and I had to tell myself that I had no right feeling this way over the man that had a hand in the murder case of my fiancé.

The woman had a perfect balance of blonde and brown hair which stopped at her waist as she had it up into a pony tail, she had pale skin and various tattoos that ran up from her left hand up to her arm.

She had a set of violet eyes which was currently behind a pair of fashion clear glasses, she donned her self in black sweat pants and a short sleeve blue t-shirt which graphics the words 'S#!t.'

"Yeah she is." I shrugged as a fake smiled force it's way around my lips, I turn back my attention to Xam who was now playing with some kids.

"Are you from around here? It's the first time I'm seeing you... no offence, it's just that this is my son's usual go to place when he wants to play you know since he's two years so I know most of the parents that comes."

Nodding my head, I glance over to her son as she pointed to the little boy who was swinging on the monkey bar.

I nearly drop my jaw in shock, he was the exact replica of Rafael.

So my eyes weren't fooling me last night then, they both had something between them.

"Its okay." I laughed as I said. "Times are very dangerous now a days so its good to be observant."

She smiled and then stretch out her hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm Sveva."

I shook it and introduce my myself as well and just like that we engaged the rest of the afternoon in conversation. She was a very great woman and the thought of what happened to her and Rafael was a burning question that was always on the tip of my tongue.

"I can't believe you haven't visited the clubs around here, that's crazy. And you have been living here for three years? There's a lot of commotions that rock them my dear."

Don't you know it...

My subconscious snickered as I thought about last night.

"Mammina! Mammina I'm hungry can we got get something to eat pleaseee." The four-year old boy who had dark blonde, tight curly hair dusted off with hazel and violet eyes asked as he tap Sveva shoulders.

"Angel." She scolded down at the boy who became quiet and listen attentively.

"What do I tell you to do when you see two adults having a conversation?"

Angel replied with his rare eyes staring up at his mom then land over to me. "I should say excuse me."

She sighed and then looked at me. "You see if you don't teach these kids manners, I swear they'll take full advantage of it."

Xam ran over to me right there and then and I could see how beat she was, I wipe her sweaty forehead and then gave her the water bottle to which she took her time sipping as she cooled down.

We decided to go to the food truck that was just outside the playground that specializes a variety of food on their menu.

I ordered a cheese burger with some fries and paid for the meal with the black card Lorenzo gave to me. The look the owner gave me was priceless.

We then headed back into the playground to eat and I settled Xam around the table beside me where Sveva and I were at earlier.

When I gave her the food along with her water seeing that Lorenzo made it clear that she wasn't to drink soda's, the toddler threw down the burger and knock her forehead to the table then started crying.

Feeling a pulse breaching its way behind my forehead where the small cut was, I rub the skin to ease the pain of the headache and sighed. "Xam tell me what is it, stop it and talk to me."

"I don't want any of this stupid water and don't tell me to stop, you're not my mama." She sniffles as she shoved the water away.

Frustration ride me and I felt a surge of an unpleasant change rush through my body.