When the doors opened she was greeted with Veronica's face. The brown-eyed girl's face shifted from a neutral expression into annoyance the moment she saw who's visiting.

"What do you want?" she asked in a hostile voice.

"Is Anastasio here?" Sofia asked trying to make her voice gentle and unthreatening. She didn't know what she did to annoy Veronica, she just wanted to get over with it and see Anastasio. She didn't have much time.

"Why?" Veronica asked defensively and then looked at the bodyguard standing behind Sofia "And who's he? Have you brought a cop with you?"

Behind challenge and aggression in her voice, there was fear. Sofia realized that Veronica wasn't a bitch just for a sake of it. She just didn't trust strangers and why would she? She was a homeless kid many people must have failed her if she found herself in this predicament. Sofia understood, she understood more than she wanted to where all Veronica's anger is coming from.

"No. He's my... friend" Sofia said hesitantly to reveal that he's her bodyguard for some reason. Maybe it just didn't feel right for her to have a bodyguard in a world where Veronica can't afford food.

"Hey, do you want a focaccia?" Sofia asked randomly handing her the pile of focaccias and saving one bag for later. A shocked expression was painted on Veronica's face and Sofia couldn't help but wonder when was the last time she was eating.

This is when Anastasio chose to appear.

"I thought I told you, you can't come back here," he said but he didn't sound mad, his voice was relaxed and he sent a curious glance at the man standing behind Sofia.

"I am not chased by the police anymore and I just came here to thank you, I owe you a focaccia" she responded and handed him the last piece of bread she had in her hands. At that gesture Veronica's eyes narrowed, she scoffed and left with a pile of food in her hands.

"Well, I guess if police are not on your ass anymore, we can go for a walk," he said with laid back attitude as he held his hands in his pockets.

Sofia's heart started to beat quicker and she felt excitement in her chest. For a moment she forgot it would be a good time to go home because it's getting late and she energetically nodded her head.

"Sure, let's go"

"And why is this huge guy following you?" Anastasio asked pointing rudely at Raul who's lips were now pursued into a thin line. Oh, he didn't look happy by the turn of events.

"He's my bodyguard, Raul" Sofia revealed awkwardly.

"Well, damn. Hi Raul" Anastasio said and waved at the man. Anastasio didn't look even slightly surprised by the idea of her having a bodyguard. He acted as if it was the most normal thing in the world and they started walking forward.

Oh, the other hand Raul didn't even bother to greet him back. Actually, he was completely silent as he was following a couple of friends. Sofia sent him a nervous glance but she was too scared of his grave expression to start speaking and ask what's wrong. She was also afraid that he will force her to go back home.

When they got to the point he want to show her Sofia took a deep breath and said "Holy shit"

That is the only thing she could muster after seeing the place Anastasio brought her to. They were at the ruins of ancient theatre The auditorium the columns were added to the sides of the stage. Behind the ruins, the most beautiful scenery imaginable unfolded. She could see the Gulf of Taormina with Mount Etna in the background, a plume of smoke ascending from its crater and merging with the sky and the color of the Mediterranean sea.

"It's one of the main tourist attractions if you come earlier another day I will give you a full tour" Anastasio suggested as they sat on the bench.

"A-another day?" Did he suggest that they should meet again? Her heart fluttered at the idea. She would love that so much.

"If you want of course" he added quickly.

"Of course I do," she said hotly and smiled.

"I am glad you do" he returned the smile.

" So. I suppose you have found your family" Anastasio said glancing at the bodyguard who is currently reminded more of a stone statue. "Do you mind filling me in with the story?"

"Around twenty minutes after I left your place the police found me"

Anastasio snorted "Not the best at hiding, aren't you?"

"Hey! I had a hood over my head I don't know what else could I do" she said defensively "How good are you at hiding from law enforcement, smart-ass"

He shrugged his shoulders and said "Pretty good at this point, I think"

"Good to know, should I be scared?" she asked dryly.

"With that dude standing behind us? Highly doubt it. It's me who should be scared"

Sofia glanced and Raul and she decided that Anastasio is probably right.

"Anyway, back to the topic. I didn't find my brothers. My brothers found me"

"Brothers? How many?" Anastasio questioned curiously about her use of the plural in that sentence.

"3 that I know of. They're nice. A bit scary too. And loaded. What about you?" Sofia asked.

Sofia's question surprised Anastasio "What do you mean?"

"I am asking what's your story" Sofia clarified.

"What makes you think I am going to tell you?" he asked shaking his head in amusement.

"Don't tell me any details. Just what you can" Sofia tried to convince him.

Anastasio gave her a long look as if he was wondering if she's worthy of his trust. He decided she was because he started speaking.

"I ran away from my house" he started.

"Just like me. But why? Was it because of an abusive situation?"

"It's slightly more complicated than that" Anastasio said. He leaned over and whispered into her ear "My brother is evil". Sofia could hear a shift in Raul's position caused by Anastasio's closeness to her.

"Evil?" Sofia repeated, her eyes filled with confusion.

Anastasio nodded to confirm and said "You know sometimes people do bad stuff because they're victims of circumstances but he's not like this. He genuinely enjoys hurting people"

That was scary.

"I'm sorry, has he bullied you or something?" Sofia made a guess trying to prompt Anastasio to keep talking

"He was plotting my death" Anastasio grinned.

"You're shitting me. I was asking seriously"

"I am not joking"

"Do you... Do you need help then? My brothers may be able to help"

Anastasio looked at her with amusement "No matter how rich they are there are just some people even the rich cannot touch. Let's just leave it at that"

"I am really sorry Anastasio if there's anything I can do to help..."

"Shush. It's okay" he said quietly and stroked her cheek. He watched her, his gaze was intense and so was her. They were very close now and almost kissed but then Sofia recalled her bodyguard is right there and pulled away from the boy awkwardly. She could feel the burning gaze of Raul on her back.

"So is he going to stand over us like a sleep paralysis demon?" Anastasio asked very unhappy with Raul's presence now.

"Raul, can you give us some privacy?" Sofia asked with hope in her voice

"I'd have to call Don Alessandro and ask" Raul responded in a formal tone.

Fuck. Not this again.

"Don't call him. Never mind" Sofia quickly accepted defeat.

"Wait. Who's your family?" Anastasio's brows furrowed the moment when he heard her eldest brother's name. "What's their surname? Not Sanzaro?"

"Sanzaro was my mother's last name they're Ianniello"

"Fuck" he cursed quietly and stood up.

"What?" Sofia stood up as well and watched Anastasio in confusion.

"Nothing. I need to go" he said getting up from the bench.

"Wait. I wanted to leave you my number in case you needed my help."

"Your help? You will help me by staying away from me"

Sofia with wide eyes observed his shocking change of behavior. "I don't want anything to do with your family," he said with disgust.

At the same moment, he was grabbed by Raul and forcefully kept in place.

"Ms. Sanzaro was not finished speaking," he said, his voice cold and stern.

"Ah yes I'm very sorry," Anastasio said sarcastically "Continue principessa I would love to hear what you have to say"

Principessa sounded like an insult in his mouth. Suddenly she missed her previous nickname. Bella. It was so pretty...

"Raul, just let him leave if he wants," Sofia said.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes" only after her verbal confirmation Anastasio's arm was free again.

He started walking away and then when he was at the safe distance from Sofia and Raul he stopped and looked back to say. "One day it will all make sense to you but if I was in your place I wouldn't want to know"

And just like that he left and Sofia felt abandoned again.

Author's note

What do you think about Anastasio?