Sofia didn't want to bother nonna Rosa too early so she decided to walk around the city and go to nonna's place around the evening.

Few hours of sleep and food sounded like heaven to her. She was so grateful to Bruno for offering her that. After all, she was just a stranger, he had no reason to help her, and yet he did. He had a good heart.

She knew very well that she's using that women's and her grandson's kindness and she felt like a beggar for not being able to refuse Bruno's offer. She knew she will need to repay them in the future for all they did for her. It was a miracle that she found them. What would happen if she didn't? If she was all of her own? She didn't know how to survive on the streets.

She didn't know how to get food, how to find shelter, how to wash her hair in a public bathroom, and on that topic, she was starting to stink.

She looked at the water bottle she received on the plane two days ago and it was almost empty. She should've first drink at the cafeteria and then go to talk to Valentino.

She hid her face in her hands embarrass by her own stupidity. She's a homeless teenager escaping a murderer she needed to start acting smarter or she will end up as one of the girls in Paul's brothel or worse. Like, mother.

No, don't think about it. Sofia scolded herself. She couldn't break down right now. It was not the time.

When the sky reached pitch-black color she was at her absolute limit and she decided it's time to start walking towards Rosa's house.

Unfortunately, something stopped her.

With the corner of her eyes, she noticed the headline of the newspaper. "Missing American Teen Last Seen At Catania Airport". There was a huge picture of her face printed in black and white on the first page of the local newspaper.

Shit.

Sofia looked around frantically to see if anyone is looking at her. Some people sent suspicious glances towards her. There was a grandpa who looked like he's about to ask her about something. This is when she entered the panic mode. She pulled her blue hoodie over her head and started running.

Change of plans.

Now she couldn't go to Nonna's house. Someone from school for sure would report to the police that they saw her with Bruno. Police will show up at Rosas place even if she won't call for them.

She absolutely couldn't let them catch her because that would mean coming back with Paul to the US.

But she also had nowhere to go. Her dangerous encounter with her supposed family member left her disillusioned that she will receive any help from them. She was completely, utterly alone.

After hours of walking without purpose, she ended up in the park. It was already very late and considering it was a middle of January - cold as fuck.

Sofia was exhausted and out of the lack of options, she lied down on the green park bench. Despite the cold weather she slowly started drifting away into sleep.

Until she smelled something not so pleasant. A mix of alcohol and what was that? A dried pee? Someone was touching her. Someone's smelly hand was touching her.

Her eyes flew wide open and she scrambled off the bench backing down from the drunk man who just approached her. Now his hands was lifted up as if he was trying to tell he won't hurt her.

"Hey don't be like that I just wanted to talk" he slurred and started slowly walking towards her.

She quickly started walking away from him unable to say a word.

"Hey come back here baby girl" he said gently trying to coax her into staying in place. She almost gagged at the pet name he chose for her. Sofia kept moving and he kept following her. His voice was starting to becoming less and less gentle "Hey, I said come back here bitch stop ignoring me"

As she was starting getting faster until she hit something hard.

She looked up to see a handsome looking man with brown dark brown hair and steely grey eyes. He was wearing a black old leather jacket that was cracked in some places, worn jeans, and simple black T-shirt's. To be honest he looked homeless too.

"I'm sorry!" She said quickly but he wasn't looking at her.

"I don't think the lady needs help. Get lost" he said harshly to a man that has been bothering her.

"Hey, don't you speak-"

The boy looked like he was Sofia's age. He moved quickly and efficiently towards the drunk stranger. He pushed him hard enough to force him into making few steps back to regain his balance "Have I been unclear? Get. Lost" he barked. His voice was so forceful and threatening the man actually looked scared right now.

To Sofia's shock, the drunk man really started walking away mumbling hateful curse words under her breath.

Her savior now turned around to look at her. "Are you okay?"

"I-I... I mean" she stopped speaking, she realized she's not using Italian right now. Suddenly her mind went blank like she forgot the language completely. Shit.

"Everything is fine. He's gone" the boy said in calming voice seeing that she's still deeply afraid.

Sofia nodded and because she fell like her world is spinning she directed her exhausted body towards the nearest bench. Suddenly he was right next to her helping her to get there. If he wasn't there to support her weight she would probably fell.

"Are you okay?" he repeated his previous question.

"Y-yes. I just I though he just-"

"I know" he stopped her pitiful attempts to form a sentence.

She was now sitting on the bench and the boy was kneeling in front of her. His grey eyes indicated sincere worry.

Sofia was violently shaking and once again he has lost the contact with her. He was trying to talk to her but he received no response. "Shit, you're freezing" he muttered after he touched the palm of her hand. "I should call the ambulance"

"No. No, if you call them he will find me" she said terrified.

"Okay, okay. No ambulance then. I'd have a problem too if I had to call them" he said dropping his heavy leather jacket over her shoulders "Listen, risking that I will sound like a total creep. You look like someone who needs a place to stay. Do you have any shelter for tonight? I know a place you could crash in"

"I can't go with you. I don't know you" she responded wiping a tear from her cheek. When did she start crying?

"You sure about that? You will end up in the same situation if I leave you. I'm sorry to give you bad news but I'm your best shot for tonight. It's really dangerous for girls like you to be on the streets on their own"

"Like me?" Sofia repeated confused.

"I was trying to say you're pretty," He smirked.

Oh, Sofia blushed but she felt sort of insulted. All girls are pretty.

She didn't respond still unsure about his proposal. He sat next to her on the bench.

"You look like absolute newbie how long are you on the streets? Week? Two weeks?" He asked.

"Two days?"

"Oddio. You stink as if you weren't home in a month at least" he joked.

"Gee you sure know how to complement a girl," Sofia said her voice dripping with irony.

The boy shrugged his shoulders "I already told you sei molto bella (you're very pretty). And I meant your face, not the smell. I'm Anastasio by the way"

"Sofia. I'm insulted" she said drily shaking his hand.

"Sofia with a weird accent and weird name. Where are you from?"

"America" she responded curtly.

He shook his head and started chuckling "Cavolo! Sounds like you have a story to tell"

You have no idea. Sofia thought.

"Thank you for calming me down" she said eventually.

"Any time. I am after all the Prince Charming material with my looks and all"

"And by all, you mean the shameless overconfidence?" Sofia asked.

"Oh you got me good" he said with amusement. He wasn't trying to deny it.

"And how do I know you didn't pay this guy to scare me so you could gain my trust by saving me?"

"And why would I do that?"

"I don't know to lead me into the forest, murder me and then chop off my body"

"Honestly why would I bother to do all that? You don't look like a girl hard to kidnap"

"Awesome" Sofia said sarcastically and he started laughing again. Apparently, he was in a good mood.

"I'm offering you a squatting place. It's no luxury but it's better than a bench in the park at this time of a season. There are other people there in the same situation as yours. We have boys and girls. I will also be getting some food in the morning So you're going or staying? As much as I appreciate your company I have things to do. In case you're staying it was nice to meet you, Sofia from America, ciao"

With that he stood up and started walking, completely relaxed with hands-on his pockets.

As he was slowly walking away Sofia's clouded brain was still processing what the boy was saying.

Food. He offered her food. She could feel her stomach growling.

"Wait. I want to come" she started running to catch up to him. Sofia has never been so hungry in her life. In other circumstances, she would never trust the guy like Anastasio but right now she had to.

🔆✨🔆

Hi guys!

Do you like Anastasio? 👀

Please be patient with me her brothers will show up very soon. I hope you enjoy this story so far.

Aa always I'm very grateful for any comment and vote, thank you ❤️