I took the liberty to get Madeline new books. Before I leave Nicko's house I'll fill her mind with happy endings. It's day three and so far, his wife is not around. I love that. I live for drama and confrontation but I don't want one this time round. It has a lot to do with me only wanting to focus on Nicko.

The drinking... it's too much. Last night at about midnight, probably a little later than that, I heard a loud thud. I hurried out of the bedroom to check and found Julio trying to wake him up. I was scared he had hurt himself when he fell down the stairs. When I get closer, I realized that his blacking out is the result of him smelling like a whiskey bottle. The bodyguards carried him to his room. He hasn't woken up and it's noon. It is very unlike my son and this worries me.

"Good you're back. The weatherman says there could be a storm tonight."

"The weather looks terrible. This is why I hate this place. Nicko?" I asked the woman who always takes care of him.

"Snoring away." Lupe answered. "What are those?"

"Story books for Maddie. Did you know that Margaux ripped out all the happy endings in her books?"

"What?" Lupe frowned at me.

"Imagine that. That woman has to be darker than any darkness we know! Maddie is a child and yet she's filling her little head with so much negativity!"

"I was thinking Signora. What if you just take Maddie and go back to Florence? I'll stay and take care of Nicko. But you take the bambina and go."

"I wish it was that simple but she can sue me. I'm not her mother. If Nicko was to take her then it's okay but he's a mess! Do you know where I can find Keira?"

"I have never even seen her." She laughed. "Maybe ask Julio." She placed a plate of food in front of me. "Why are you looking for her?"

"Well, I want to ask her to help with Nicko. I dint even know if that will work... but... I don't know. It feels like when Nicko was a baby and I didn't know what to do. Right now I dint know what to do-"

He's walking our way. His eyes are mere slits. A scowl rests in his face. "Hey!" I smiled at him.

I don't think we have really talked. He's aversive, something he's usually not.

He walked past us without a word. He proceeded down stairs. I followed him only to see him in the wine cellar. He picked three bottles of wine and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. It's painful to watch someone you love descending into self destruction. I blocked his path. I know I look like a joke given how big Nicko is and how dainty I am. "Figlio mio, what are you doing to yourself?"

He tried to get past me but to move me out of the way he will have to put the bottles down.

"Per favore, get out of my way." His voice is dull, almost lifeless.

"Nicko, maybe we should look for help. This is an addiction that you are developing and it's not healthy. I can help you. We can go together."

He scoffed. There's emptiness and sadness in his eyes. He walked back and put away all the bottles just where he found them. He then hurried up the steps and literally pushed me aside. I nearly stumbled but he caught me. "If I can't drink in my damn house then I'll drink somewhere else. I don't want your help."

I followed him but he got into his sports car and I watched helplessly as he disappeared at full speed. I really thought it would be easier. I need Nate's help. His way is aggressive but if it saves him from being a drunkard, why not? Alcohol ruins lives. It dulls brilliant minds like Nicko's and it will affect all of us.

I walked back into the House wearing disappointment on my face.

"He's gone."

"Call his father or Don Giovanni before he is far gone." Lupe advised me.

"Where can I find Keira?"

"You can't go out today. The school called and asked that we pick Maddie up. They are concerned about the weather."

"Let's go pick her up."

Keira's POV

It's well past evening. I have been cleaning up the house all afternoon. I spent the morning working around the farm. The aim is to keep my mind busy. I don't want to slow down. According to the news, a storm may be passing by. I want to be settled down with a hot cup of cocoa and some cookies. I'll read a book I picked up from the flea market. That should take care of me tonight.

My parents were to return today but because of the storm, they will try tomorrow or the day after. I can already hear the strong winds blowing and strangely, the barn door where the animals are is slamming repeatedly. Didn't I close it?

"Dang it!" I mattered.

I pulled on a pair if boots and grabbed an umbrella. It's quite a walk to the barn. The skies above are dark with rage. Thunder is rumbling. There's still no rain but the wind is strong. I out the umbrella back and started walking towards the open barn. Those poor animals must be feeling cold and wondering where I am to close the doors.

"It's all right guys. I'm here!" I told them. "Just one moment and you guys will be all right."

I tried to close the door but it's like the wind is acting against me. Worse still, I hear a creaking sound that is not good! The 12ft tall doors are heavy on a normal day. On this day, twice as heavy and it wouldn't be a problem if not for the strange creaking and bending. Before I could anticipate it, one of the doors caved and it fell on me, sending me to the floor of the barn.

I opened my eyes and sighed with relief. I'm still alive. I laughed a little. I can't die from a door falling on me! But I can't ignore that it's heavy and my arm hurts. I struggled to roll from underneath it, trying to avoid the splinters as much as possible until I succeeded.

The barn has only one door left. It's dark and I'm not handy with tools. I looked behind me at the chickens, the cows and the horses all staring at me. Poor things will freeze to death if I don't find a solution.

"I don't mind company. Do you guys want to come into the house? You could all squeeze into the guest room." I'm speaking to animals. It isn't strange. I always do when no one is looking. I think they hear me but too bad they can't respond in a way I'll understand. "Dear me! How is a door even fixed?"

I walked over it on the short distance out of the barn. It's pouring! Why did I leave the umbrella? Dang it! But am I seeing my own things or are there a set of headlights close to the house? Who is here? I grabbed a shovel and stayed put, watching someone getting out of the car. I'm not big on running towards the unknown but it's just me. I have to go see who it could be.

My father keeps shotguns in the house. I can't get to the house because the back door is jammed and the only way in is through the front door. The stranger is in front of the house.

I braved the cold rain, making my way towards the stranger.

"Who are you?" I shouted as much as thunder drowned my words. "Who are you?" I'm now a stone throw away. It's a man! Whit is it a man? He moved towards me but I extended the shovel. "Don't come closer!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry to drop in like this!"

"Who are you?"

"My name is Tom. I mean you no harm!" He explained. "My car... something is wrong with it and this farm is as far as I could go! What is your name?"

"What do you want Tom?"

"Shelter for the night! Please."

Shelter for the night? I'm alone here. I can't shelter a strange man for the night!

"Are you handy with tools?"

"Yes!" He answered.

"Help me fix that door," I pointed. "...and we can figure something out."

"I'll be happy to help. Where are the tools?"

"Walk towards the barn."

He got closer to me with a fleeting smile. He extended his hand. I shook it with a lot of hesitation. "I promise, I dint have bad intentions."

"We'll see. Just help me with the door. After you."

"You're carrying a shovel and you're asking me to walk ahead of you?" He asked me.

"I don't know you. I'm not about to let you walk behind me. Walk." I insisted. He walked ahead of me to the barn where we sheltered from the rain. I got to see his face. He's a handsome man! His smile is what Lorraine would call sexy. "This door fell off."

He crouched down to look at it. His hair is as dark as mine. "At least the hinges are still attached. Are you willing to assist me? It's 12ft tall. I'll need the help."

"Sure thing."

"I need screws, a drill, a ladder and possibly nails and a hammer."

"On it."

I moved swiftly, gathering everything he asked for. He helped with the ladder. We got to work without saying much other than necessary instructions. In a few minutes, the door was up and with his help, we closed it. The animals should be safe for the night.

"Thank you." I told him as we took shelter under the extended rood of the the barn.

"I don't need much. Just shelter. I can stay with the animals. I'm not fussy. Just lend me a blanket and something hot to drink."

I am tempted to say yes. But is it fair to make him sleep with the animals when I have a five bedroom farm house to myself? He looks believable but it would be stupid to have a stranger in the house.

"Don't be silly. Come with me." We braved the rain to the house. Once we got in and closed the door we both sighed in relief. "There is a bathroom down the hall. I'll bring you some dry clothes and towels."

"Thank you miss. You still haven't told me your name."

"Keira." I offered my hand. We shook hands again.

"I'm grateful. Excuse me."

I'll give him some of Keith's clothes. He should fit.