All I could think about was those aggressors from three days ago. Besides, the mysterious Shadow wouldn't leave my thoughts. She had a strange and yet compelling personality. I had heard a few things about Shadow, but most were probably rumors. Some people said she was an evil monster disguised as a human, while others claimed she was a spirit that changed bodies every once in a while. I didn't know what to believe. Despite knowing nothing about Shadow, it seemed she had a good heart. Why else would she risk herself to save me? My head kept coming back to that night as my new woman held my hand.

The girl grinned. "What is your opinion?"

Gulping, I hoped she hadn't realized I was distracted. Women hated it when men ignored what they said... and how could I blame them? Not paying attention to someone was extremely unpolite! I rubbed my brow while trying to find a way to fix that situation. She looked deep into my eyes, apparently expecting the intelligent answer I could never give.

I forced a smile. "I think this is very interesting."

"I knew you'd agree!" she giggled and caressed my arm. "You're hilarious."

What is happening?

I had no idea what was going on. If she'd insulted me, I had just agreed. Hoping I wouldn't get in trouble, I stayed with her for a few more minutes. We kissed in an empty alley. For some reason, doing things I wasn't supposed to felt exciting. When we reached my dad's store, we said goodbye. Roberto folded some rags as I approached him. He analyzed me thoroughly.

I helped him with the rags. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes," Roberto scowled. "Your attitude."

"Great!" my lips curled into a weak smile. "I'd love to hear what you have to say!"

"Don't be sarcastic," my best friend sighed. "I just want you to know having empty relationships will take you nowhere."

I nodded. "That's the idea."

Roberto raised his brows. "Have you ever thought of being with a woman for more than a week?"

"I don't want to love anyone," I rolled my eyes. "How many times will I need to repeat this?"

My best friend shook his head in denial. "You shouldn't let your family get in the way of your happiness."

That's because you don't know them so well.

Scowling, I wondered if Roberto was a mind reader. I hated it when people found out what I thought. It was embarrassing, to say the least. My best friend kept frowning as if he wanted me to tell him everything. Unfortunately, I couldn't hide it much longer. Most people would say I was silly if they heard the truth, but Roberto didn't seem to be one of them.

"I saw the way you glare at your dad when he mistreats your mom. I've also heard you stopped talking to your grandfather because he cheated on your grandmother and despised her," Roberto bit his lower lip. "That scares you, doesn't it?"

I gazed at the wall, praying my best friend wouldn't continue talking about that. Besides hating to discuss feelings, I didn't like remembering the men in my family were terrible. According to my aunts, things weren't always that way. A particular event changed my grandfather and my dad's lives forever. Something I avoided more than anything.

"I'd rather die alone than become a monster," I squeezed my eyes shut. "Marriage turned my dad and my grandfather into horrible people."

My best friend knitted his brows. "You're nothing like them. There's no reason to keep an irrational fear alive."

"Irrational? Mom told me my father was a good man when they were engaged!" I laughed nervously. "Two years after their wedding, he started treating her horribly. Same with my grandfather."

Roberto leaned on the table. "That doesn't mean the same will happen to you."

"I'm not taking any chances. Besides, what's the point of falling in love?" I couldn't help but recall my dad's dreadful behavior. "People only get married with who their families want them to."

My best friend nodded. "I can't disagree."

I rolled my eyes as my father argued with my mother from a distance. He pursed his lips, as usual. If anger could kill, he would've died a long time ago. Mom looked at the floor. She didn't have to say a word to show how heartbroken she was. My eyes widened once I had an idea. What if Shadow could heal emotional pain? If I found her, I'd ask for help. Perhaps I'd try to end that unfinished kiss... or not. She'd probably slap me, so that wouldn't be a good idea.

"Sandro, wake up!" Roberto snapped his fingers. "What's distracting you?"

"I met a woman yesterday," I pressed my lips together. "She was unlike the others I've met."

"When did that happen?" my best friend crossed his arms. "I thought you were too busy escaping the aggressors."

I shouldn't have mentioned her!

Even though I felt tempted to say her name, I couldn't. I trusted him, but Shadow would hate me if I told anyone we had met. Her life was constantly in danger, so I couldn't make things worse. I knew how it felt to be seen as evil for being different. I had to protect her, even if it meant lying to my best friend.

"It was after they lost me," my lips curled into a wide grin as I recalled my meeting with Shadow. "She had a different accent, so she probably isn't Venetian."

"I only know one female foreigner," Roberto rubbed his chin. "Did she have olive skin and long black hair?"

How does he know?

Although it wasn't likely for Roberto to do that, I wondered if he had a connection to the aggressors. My mind went crazy places sometimes, but how else would he have that information? Maybe I was overthinking. Roberto had never given me a reason to question his character. Hesitantly, I nodded. My best friend chuckled softly.

"It's the Sicilian girl! I purchased a pottery bowl from her last year," he smiled coyly. "She was sweet and gorgeous. A different kind of beauty."

I slightly narrowed my eyes. "Do you like her? Did you ever have feelings for each other?"

"Am I sensing jealousy?" my best friend chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not stealing your lady."

"I'm not jealous! She's not mine," I cleared my throat. "Where did you find her?"

"Just turn right twice when you see St. Mark's Basilica, and you'll find Mr. Fenaroli's pottery shop," Roberto glanced away as if he remembered something. "She must still work there."

"A Jew in the most Catholic area of the city..." I forced a smile. "What could go wrong?"

Roberto laughed. I wasn't excited to go near a Catholic church with my yellow badge, but at least the place was beautiful. St. Mark's Basilica was a massive place with white marble outer walls, colorful mosaics, and impressive domes. The architecture was captivating, just like Shadow. She seemed stronger than that church's marble pillars. Unfortunately, the smile on my face disappeared quickly.

This can't be good.

Shaking my head in denial, I couldn't believe what I saw. Dad walked towards me with four women who seemed my age. Mom's expression was stern, so I couldn't understand if she was upset or angry. Roberto wrinkled his nose as if he knew what was about to happen.

"Roberto, you may leave," my father turned to me. "Let's talk upstairs before I lose my patience."

"You? Losing your patience?" I laughed sarcastically. "Never!"

Dad growled like an animal and slapped me. Mom squeezed her eyes shut, seemingly holding tears. I grimaced as his nails left a small and yet painful scratch on my left cheek. The four women looked at the ground as we went upstairs. Although chairs surrounded our rectangular wooden table, nobody sat down. I gazed at the wall, unable to bear the tension.

Dad pointed at the girls. "Pick one."

I blinked fast. "Excuse me?"

"You're too old. If you don't marry now, we'll never have a grandson," my father crossed his arms. "Time to stop having dumb affairs. Grow up!"

I controlled myself not to freak out. "What if it's a granddaughter?"

"A woman who gives birth to girls is a failure," he approached the ladies. "These women come from families with a male majority, which is what we need."

I shot him a defiant glance. "The world doesn't need more men like you."

"Shut your mouth!" my dad ground his teeth. "All these ladies will provide us great a dowry. Choose one and quit being an idiot."

Why is this happening to me?

I took several deep breaths while thinking of a way out of that situation. My poor mother wouldn't open her mouth, and I couldn't blame her. If I were married to a man like that, I'd pretend to be dead. It was the best solution, given his behavior. The ladies had a mysterious expression, so I wasn't sure how they felt about my dad's attitude.

"Is this really about marriage?" I glanced at the women. "It seems more like a slave trade."

My mother tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

"Did anyone ask if these girls want to be here?" I bit my lower lip. "This can't be right!"

Dad laughed. "Who cares what women think?"

Breathing quickly, I controlled myself not to punch my father in the face. The worst part was most men agreed with him. Although other guys didn't treat family like filth, they also said those nonsensical things. I hoped the world started showing ladies more respect. Different from what my dad thought, they weren't born to please others. People needed to listen to women rather than try to silence them. Shadow was the only woman I knew who didn't seem to care about others' opinions. Her determination made me smile.

"Pay attention, spoiled boy! You're letting yourself get distracted," my father breathed angrily and pointed his index finger at me. "Make a decision."

"I already did," I looked so deep into his eyes that I didn't blink. "I choose not to end up like you."

A woman gulped. "Can we leave?"

My father yelled as he threw a plate in my direction. I dodged, and the object crashed against the wall. The ladies screamed and ran away. Mom put both hands on her head while crying. I wouldn't stop running around the house as my crazy father kept throwing objects at me. He crashed so many things against the wall that he ruined the painting.

My mother got in front of my father. "You'll hurt our son, Giosuè! Stop this madness!"

He pushed her away. "Get out, witch!"

"Don't talk to her like that!" my eyes bulged. "I hope the Catholics are right about hell's existence. You deserve to rot in there."

Mom shook her head in denial. "You shouldn't say these things to your father!"

"It's official. My family is insane!" I laughed nervously. "I can't believe you're defending this monster you call husband!"

Dad's lips curled into a cruel smile. "That's because she knows her place."

When my dad was about to attack again, I put a foot in front of him. He fell on the wooden floor and flinched. Running faster than I did from the aggressors, I left the house. I walked for such a long time that my legs ached. I had reached a very distant neighborhood. Looking in every direction, I hoped no one would come after me. People who disliked Jews were everywhere. My eyes widened as I looked around. The white marble, those reddish-brown roofs, the huge St. Mark's Basilica... I had forgotten how astonishing St. Mark's Square was.

"I need to find out what's wrong with my magic," a familiar female voice said. "That man must have done something to me!"

"Why are you so nervous, my darling? It just failed once!" another lady exclaimed. "You worry too much."

It's her! The woman who saved me!

My lips curled into a broad smile as I looked at Shadow. She walked beside a tall woman who seemed older than her. I approached them and hid in a corner, avoiding calling attention. I enjoyed looking at Shadow, but she most likely didn't feel the same. Especially after she said we shouldn't meet again. I followed them to a small street near the Basilica. Roberto would've laughed if he saw me at that Catholic place. I was asking for trouble, and yet I wasn't afraid. Shadow was too intriguing to ignore.

Shadow sighed pronouncedly. "Mom, I must find a solution!"

"Everything will be fine," the mother embraced her. "Let's change the subject. We have something important to discuss, Valentina."

Valentina... I won't forget that name.

It wasn't right to be curious about a conversation that didn't concern me, but did I care? Not really. My curiosity dominated me that night. Besides, it was much better to listen to Valentina's powerful voice than to my father's aggressive one. She gave me an unexplainable peace, which I couldn't understand since we had only interacted once. Following Valentina, I hoped to learn more about her.

****

Author's note: Now that Sandro knows the truth, what will he do? Why did he make Valentina's magic fail? Keep reading and you will find out... ;-)

Aesthetic: Before moving on, I'd love it if you checked out my aesthetic for Sandro. I chose John DeLuca to represent him. As I said before, I'm just showing my vision, so don't feel forced to imagine Sandro the way I do. The aesthetic is right below.