His Untamed Heart

Chapter 15: Ragusa, Sicily

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.

-George A. Moore

Enzo Fiorenza's POV

It's been four days since I learned that they were planning a party for me behind my back. Despite my constant protest, my family seems to developed deaf ears since I arrive. No one listens to me about my reasons why this party should be canceled as soon as possible.

Thankfully, my cousins managed to stop working with the plans for the party and now enjoying a cup of tea and desserts in the drawing-room of this house while their husbands work from their respective makeshift offices somewhere inside this fortress.

It was nice not my idea to join them for their tea but they invited me anyway and I don't want to be rude so I join them. It's a breath of fresh air not to argue with them once in a while. I missed the old times when they weren't shoving girls under my nose and letting me lead my life the way I wanted it.

"Would you like a slice of a Ricotta Pie, Enzo?" Laila asked conversationally, helping herself a slice of that sweet-tart.

"No, thank you," I answered tautly, looking at the pie I couldn't help but remember the Pecan pie Willow and I baked together and ate after a day of work at the ranch. I silently groaned, I manage not to think about her for this past four days it wasn't an easy one but I somehow manage to do it.

Now I'm back to square one.

"Is there something that's bothering you, cousin?" It was Leila who asked with curiosity in her eyes but I couldn't miss the smirk on her lips that she's carefully hiding from her teacup. "Are you hurt? You look like a man in pain."

"I'm fine," I said in a clipped tone.

"If you say so." She replied nonchalantly before sipping her tea. Then she looked directly to her twin. "Laila, do you remember our old gardener?"

My sweet-natured cousin's eyes lit with recognition as she smile at her twin probably remembering the old man. "Oh, you mean Signore Antonio?"

"Yeah," She grinned to her sister while sliding a look in my direction that made me frown. What does that supposed mean? I thought silently. "You see, I run to him when Leandro and I went to town the other day."

"Oh, really? How is he?" Laila asked.

She was giving me that look again as if gauging my reaction before answering her twin sister. "He informed me about his willingness to return as our gardener since he missed his old job. I told him that I will use my willpower to convince Cesare to hire him back. I even told him that I want a willow tree in the garden so it would be a good shade to play for the kids in the future."

I placed my cup on the saucer plate a little harshly that made them look sharply in my direction. Something ticked inside me the way Leila pronounced some words while casually talking to her sister. If I didn't know better those words were focused on me. "For god's sake! Stop playing games with me, woman."

She had the nerve to look innocent as if she has no idea what I am talking about but the smile that kept slipping on her lips tells a different story. "But I have no idea what makes you so angry about, cousin."

"Stop stressing the word will...will...will...will in your sentences!" I exploded like fireworks as I stood from the sofa I glared at her hotly. "I am not playing your games, Leila."

"Jesus, what has gotten into you?" Leila asked in confusion. "Do you want me to eat alive because of that? Well, I am deeply sorry next time I will think of another adjective to use."