My road to freedom

The memories

Emma's POV 

I leaned back on the couch and closed my eyes. I'd been watching the video for quite a while. Max was clearly a workaholic. From the moment he stepped into his house, he went on straight to his study and started work. No wonder he was deemed one of the best in the field. He was a workaholic. My eyes were teary and itchy from watching the video. I opened them slowly. 

* 

"Gianna", Max said walking leisurely into the living room. 

Gianna was curled up on the floor, reading a magazine. 

"Yes uncle", she said looking up. 

Max's expression was grim, as if he regretted something he had done. 

He took a seat silently and looked at his brother's only daughter. She was beautiful, just like her mother. As much as he hated that woman, he had to admit, she was beautiful, angelic in fact. If only her actions were angelic. 

"I think I have given you enough time to come to me and tell me what happened". 

The words were said so calmly, insinuating nothing whatsoever. It was these words that got witnesses to talk in court. He watched her intently. He already knew something had happened, what he wanted to know was what. He was a good lawyer. He hadn't failed to see Onnica's nervousness earlier on. 

"What are you talking about?" Gia feigned surprise. 

She would make a good actress, he noticed. Her body language clearly indicated surprise, but he wasn't fooled. He knew her, better than any of her parents did.  

"Your shopping trip", he said simply. 

He didn't want to put any pressure on her, knowing that if he did, he would not achieve anything. She would just crawl into a cocoon; refuse to say anything to him. 

"Nothing happened", she said brightly. 

"Gianna, ever since we came back here, you spent the last 2 hours in your room. You only came out now". 

"So? You spent those hours in your study. What's the difference?" 

"Don't get smart with me young lady. You never spend more than an hour in your room, unless you are sleeping...and no, you weren't sleeping. What happened, Anna?" 

During the conversation, she hadn't even bothered to lift her eyes from the magazine. Her eyes suddenly shot up, and Max knew she was angry. 

"Tell that bloody assistant of yours to keep her opinions to herself!" She stood up, making a bee-line for her room. Max got up swiftly and caught her by the arm. Gianna twisted, wanting to be set free. 

"What did Onnica say?" Max asked. 

"Let me go!" Gia warned. 

"Not until you tell me", Max stood his ground. He loved Gianna and wanted to protect her, he'd given his word to Carlo that he would, but he also had a soft spot for Onnica. 

"Do you love her?" Gianna stunned him with her question. 

He was so stunned the grip on her arm slackened. Where the hell did that question come from? He had never thought of love, not since Maria. Why did Gianna think he loved Onnica? Did he? 

"Now, where does that question come from?" 

"You haven't answered me", Gianna pointed out, smirking. 

It had been his intention to avoid answering the question, simply because he had no idea what to say. He didn't love Onnica, right? So why was that so hard to say?