We were on the jet on the way to Florence, Italy. Benjamin was peacefully sleeping in my arms while Alejandro did some work in the opposite seat. I was weary about Benjy missing school so much but I was adamant about coming with Alejandro, and he reasoned that leaving Benjy at home while both his parents were away wouldn't be good. I don't know how he convinced Benjy's principal to have his work sent over but the perks of being rich I guess. I looked to him and his brow was creased with worry. I felt so bad that I couldn't ease his pain somehow. I understood how much Arsenio meant to him.

Arsenio was Alejandro's brother. He was a sweet, loving, kind 23-year-old guy, who acted like a 6-year-old.

Arsenio was retarded. But that didn't take anything away from the amazing guy he was. I had met him when Alejandro took me to a diner. When I had entered the quaint little diner, the first thing I had noticed was a group of high school jocks who were picking on a frightened boy who huddled over. I immediately went over and drove them away, not knowing that the boy was Alejandro's little brother who had wandered off when Alejandro went to the bathroom. Arsenio had refused to leave my side after that, convinced that if I left, the bullies would come. I remembered him, though only vaguely. I remember how jovial he was, how his face would light up whenever I brought him something to color on, how he loved to brush my hair.

Benjy moved slightly and I looked down to make sure he was still fast asleep. I pushed away the strand of her which had fallen to his eye and he snuggled into me. I chanced a look at Alejandro and discovered that the worried look he sported only seemed to worsen. I carefully lifted Benjy and placed him in the chair next to mine, thankfully, he didn't wake up. I made my way to Alejandro, took his MacBook and placed on the chair next to his. I then soft plopped myself in his lap. I gently massaged his head, trying to ease as much of his tension as I could. He leaned into me and held me close. I felt warm all over.

"We're gonna find him Ale. I promise", I looked down to find him already staring at me

"How?. He's never been out of the villa alone before and the backyard is just a dense forest. What if he got lost in there?"

I could see the fear in his eyes growing and placed a soft kiss on his head, "We'll go look, post flyers, we'll call the police if we have to but we're gonna fine him. Together. »

He gave me a slight nod, « Thank you for being here »

I was almost shocked. Did he not realize I would follow him anywhere he went?, with absolutely no inhibitions?. "I will always be here Ale. Wherever you are that's where I'll be", I looked at him intently. I wanted to tell him. Tell him the three words that would either solidify or break everything, but I was scared of being turned away, scared of losing what I was fighting so hard to keep. I almost spewed them out when a hostess walked toward us.

"Mr and Mrs Delmanti please put on your seatbelts. We will be landing shortly", she said

I got off him and made my way to Benjy. I didn't want to wake my baby up but he couldn't put on his seatbelt sprawled across the chair like that. Alejandro released a deep, rich chuckle at the more than grumpy look Benjy had on and my panties quickly moistened.

Gosh!!. Down girl, down.

Not up to 30 minutes later and I walked over to the sleek black car waiting a short distance away from the private jet while Alejandro carried a sleeping Benjy behind me. The driver made quick work of getting our luggage into the car and soon we were off to the villa.

It didn't take long to reach the villa, considering that Alejandro told the driver we had no time to waste. I'm pretty sure the guy broke at least 10 rules to get us here this fast. The car briefly stopped at the iron wrought gate, long enough for the driver to punch in the code and then the gates opened to a lavish mansion.

And I thought the house back at America was grand.

I couldn't shake the worried feelings that weighed on me. Diana, God bless her heart, had tried her best to ease my worries. It hadn't done much but I was still heartily grateful. The car parked in front of the house and I almost jumped out but remembered I had a sleeping Benjamin in my arms. Diana rushed to my side and held onto my hand, giving me some much needed confort. I gave her a thankful smile and led her to the house.

The villa was in a visible state of unrest and panic. The maids chattered fearfully amongst themselves, while the guards walked around, some on their phones probably already notifying the authorities. But that all stopped as soon as they noticed me. Everyone avoided my gaze, knowing they were all in big trouble for letting him out of their sight. If somebody didn't give me an explanation soon, I was going to go on a rampage. A buff man walked up to Diana and I.

Rigorio Santini was far from old as his silver grey hair insinuated. An ex Navy Seal, Rigorio was meticulous and ordered, one of the many reasons I hired him as head of security.

"Rigorio", I grit out, "You better have a damn good explanation for this". Benjy moved and I motioned for one of the maids to come get him. "Take him to the master bedroom", I turned to find Diana looking at the retreating figure wearily, « Don't worry darling, he'll be fine », I assured. Rigorio looked at her skeptically. I decided to introduce them, I didn't want my staff walking around thinking my wife was some flozzy. « Diana, this is Rigorio Santini, the head of security. Rigorio, this is my wife, Mrs Diana Delmanti. ». I didn't miss the lift of his brows at the mention of the word wife.

« Nice to meet you Mr Santini », Diana said while giving him a dazzling smile. Rogorio seemed out of it at the sight of that perfect smile. I suppressed a chuckle. He definitely wasn't the first to fall under her charms.

« Likewise Mrs Delmanti », he smiled back

« An explanation Rigorio », I reminded

« Oh right. Signore Arsenio was in his room coloring when his caregiver came in to give him his food, but she forgot something downstairs and in a hurry to go back and get it, she left the door open. When she came back, Signore Arsenio was gone », he said

« Did nobody see him around the villa?, anywhere? »

« Nobody saw him around Signore, the alarm was made when the caregiver came back and didn't find him. The guards and I combed this place from top to bottom but we couldn't find him »

« Bring me the caretaker Rigorio »

« Si Signore »

Diana gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. I couldn't thank her enough for being here. A few minutes later, a stout woman came toward us.

« I was the one with the young master Signore Delmanti ». I quietly observed her. She looked so homely and had the kindest eyes. I highly doubted she could hurt a fly, not even Arsenio.

« Did Arsenio tell you anything?, tell you anywhere he wanted to visit?, anyone he wanted to meet? »

« No Signore. The young master never told me anything out of the ordinary »

I was about to lash out when Diana stepped forward, « Please. Arsenio means a lot to us.Please, anything at all that you remember »

She scrunched her face up, giving off a vibe of hard thinking. I prayed that it would work.

« Well, he had told me before that he missed his mother. That he was going to see her. But I didn't think too much of it so I just forgot about it »

« Oh God. Rigorio gather some of the guards. We're going to search for him »

« Where Alejandro? », Diana asked

« The forest behind the villa. Before Mamma died, she told me that she wanted to be buried close to the home we would build as a family. She never got to see this, but I kept her wishes. Alejandro said he was going to see her, that's where he would have gone »

Rigorio came back with a pair of raincoats and flashlights. I hadn't even realized it had started raining. He handed a raincoat and flashlight to Diana, which caused me to stare at her in disbelief.

« You won't need that », I said while pulling them out of her grasp

« Would you rather I soaked through my skin Ale? »

« You're not going Diana »

« The hell I'm not! », she yelled

« I mean it Diana. It's too dangerous for you. Rigorio and I will handle it »

« I told you we would find Arsenio together. I meant every word of that Ale », she hastily put on the coat and pulled the hood over her head, « Let's go bring him home Alejandro »

I released a heavy sigh.

Let's go bring him home.

I could barely see 3 feet ahead. Thank God for the flashlights Rigorio handed out before we left. Wish he would have given some boots as well. The downpour only increased the deeper we got into the forest. The rain came down in heavy torrents which quickly soaked the ground beneath my feet. I could feel the muddy water soak through my sneakers. I continued to follow the rest of the crew when my leg got stuck in a branch. I tried to pull free but remained trapped. I pointed the flashlight down to see some of the branches had left bruises from when they pulled on my skin. I resolved to break off the branches which hindered my movement. By the time I was free, I looked up to find nobody in sight.

Oh no!.

I had been so focused trying to free myself, I didn't notice the group advancing and they had been so focused trying to find Alejandro that they didn't notice someone was left behind. No, no, no!. I hastily looked around, trying to find some light to lead me back in the direction of the villa, but I was only met with forest, forest and more forest.

I continued walking, hoping I would bump into one of the guards. I walked till I bumped into something hard. I almost screamed my lungs out thinking I had come across some sardonic killer, but the object was to solid and concrete to be a living thing. I pointed the flashlight toward it to find a headstone. It was covered in creeping vegetation but I pulled them away, ignoring the slight sting in my hands as I struggled to read the name.

Gianina Andrea Delmanti.

This was Alejandro's mother's grave. That meant Arsenio had to be somewhere nearby!. I looked around but found no sign of him. I sent a silent prayer to God, hoping that Arsenio was safe and sound. Only then did I hear the faint whispering. It sounded like a chant, like someone was constantly repeating the same words. I followed it as meticulously as I could to a small huddled form under a thicket.

Thank the heavens!.

« Arsenio?, Arsenio are you alright? », he looked up at me, soaked to the bone and shivering.

« Pretty? », he asked

He remembered me. At least this small gesture helped reassure me that he was hopefully fine. I then screamed at the top of my voice.

« Alejandro!!! »