Although the night was beautiful, the same wasn't true about that annoying conversation. My ears hurt as I couldn't take listening to my mom anymore. She was great, but I'd rather disappear than listen to her when she became obsessed with a subject. I closed my eyes, praying my mother would stop and realize I disagreed with her views. Besides, the weird man wearing a black hood didn't leave my mind. If Sandro had told the stranger who I was, I'd destroy him. I had faith I find a way to make my powers work on Sandro. My thoughts made me so crazy that my legs were sweaty.

"Are you listening to me, Val?" my mother crossed my arms. "I'm trying to help!"

I forced a smile. "You're succeeding! That's why I'm thrilled to be here.

"I love you, but you must stop being sarcastic," she sighed while observing the St. Mark's Square. "It's not ladylike."

"How devastating!" I laughed softly. "I care so much about strangers' opinions!"

"Here we go again," my mother put both hands on her face. "If you keep acting like this, I'll never be a grandmother."

"I'll only marry a man who accepts me for who I am," I took a deep breath and decreased my tone of voice. "Regardless of how much I wish more of them appreciated my personality."

"This isn't about love. It's stability," my mom's eyes widened as if she was about to freak out. "You need a good Catholic man to provide for you. Pietro and I won't be here forever."

"Why do you suddenly care about religion?" I laughed while shaking my head in denial. "My dad was a Muslim, in case you forgot."

"He got murdered, and we were never allowed to be happy," my mom bit her lower lip as she tried to avoid crying. "I won't let you go through the same thing."

I hate to agree with her sometimes.

Nodding, I thought of what my mom had said. I didn't like certain stupid rules, but she wasn't wrong. Dad's cruel assassination wouldn't stop haunting me. I couldn't let the same happen to my husband if I managed to get one. If I ever caught feelings for someone from a different faith, people would persecute us forever. Besides, marrying somebody from another religion was forbidden. Mom caressed my back as if she knew what I had thought.

"Stop thinking marriage should be based on love. It's mostly about aligned interests," my mom started walking slower. "Pietro knows some nice young men. He'll find you someone."

I ground my teeth. "I don't want this! Why don't you respect my will?"

"What you wish doesn't matter. I've learned that the hard way," mom scowled and narrowed her eyes. "You'll marry someone decent, whether you want it or not."

Huffing, I couldn't believe that situation. My mother was trying to tie me to another man... How insane! I knew my mom wasn't happy with Pietro, so I didn't want the same fate. They were only married because my mother needed to recover her reputation after escaping Palermo with an illegitimate child. Also, no family wanted Pietro to marry their daughters. Being stuck with an annoying man for the rest of my life was the last thing I needed.

"This for your own good," my mother walked towards our home. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Can't wait...

Walking back and forth, I wasn't sure what to do. Could I convince her I didn't deserve to enter an unwanted relationship? Why were people so worried about what others thought? My back wouldn't stop sweating as I thought about everything. To make things worse, my ignorant stepfather was in charge of finding me a suitor. The disappointment was endless.

"It seems my family isn't the only one desperate for a marriage..." a familiar male voice said from behind.

My eyes bulged as I turned around. Sandro grinned, apparently enjoying the situation. Glancing in every direction, I pulled him to an empty street. I put my hands close to his face again... Nothing. I sighed and cursed in Sicilian, unable to accept my magic didn't affect him.

"I like your name," he nodded while analyzing my body. "I heard it while you talked with your mom, Ms. Valentina."

"I'll smash your bones if you tell anyone!" I ground my teeth. "What are you doing here?"

Sandro glanced at the floor. "Hiding from my family."

"I've done that before," I tried not to remember my mom's pressure. "What happened?"

He approached. "I'll tell you everything."

I nodded while Sandro explained the horrible things he faced that night. His father's attitude, his mother's suffering, the women... All of it. Sandro's dad was worse than Pietro, making me feel slightly better. I controlled myself not to smile as I had found someone who knew what family pressure felt like. Looking deep into Sandro's eyes, I tried to see signs of lying. Surprisingly, I didn't find any.

"Your story seems true," I narrowed my eyes. "Did you reveal my identity to somebody? Perhaps to a hooded man with a golden symbol on his black cape?"

Sandro shook his head in denial. "I didn't reveal your secret. Much less to a creepy stranger."

I took a deep breath while analyzing Sandro's facial expression. Nothing indicated he was deceiving me. Although I was skeptical, it seemed Sandro told me the whole truth. He tilted his head to the side, seemingly confused. If Sandro knew that strange man, he probably would've said something.

Maybe Sandro doesn't want me dead like most people...

"Would you like to take a walk?" he gazed at the square. "There are better things to do than discuss marriage with the parents."

"I suppose a walk won't hurt," I put my hand close to his badge. "First, let me get rid of something."

I prayed my powers wouldn't betray me again. Sandro glanced at his badge, apparently wondering what I was doing. I sighed in relief as the purple glow surrounded my hands and the yellow circle disappeared. He frowned while I slowly turned the badge invisible. How come that spell worked, and the other one didn't? I had no idea magic could work on someone partially. There were many things about my powers I didn't understand.

"I'll need the badge back when I leave," Sandro chuckled softly. "My parents will notice."

"You're welcome," I took a deep breath. "Shall we go?"

I hope this won't be bad.

My hands trembled while I went to the square with Sandro. What if he was a good liar? I wanted to convince myself he was, but I couldn't. There was something about him that gave me a feeling of inner peace. For some reason, he appeared to like me. Maybe it was a matter of time until he left. It didn't take long for people, especially men, to notice my weirdness.

I pressed my lips together. "How much did you hear of the conversation with my mother?"

"Everything," he glanced away. "I'm sorry about what happened to your father."

"At least you're honest," I put both hands on my face. "I'm so embarrassed!"

"There's no reason to be. My parents also made me crazy with the marriage talk tonight," Sandro huffed. "Especially my father."

"My stepfather would love to meet him," I narrowed my eyes while remembering Pietro's stupid speeches. "Mom should've never married that idiot."

"Did Pietro make you hate weddings?" he bit his lower lip sharply. "Because my father did that to me."

"I don't dislike all marriages," I recalled my parents' relationship. "I still believe in love despite the things I witnessed."

Sandro raised a brow. He most likely thought I was crazy, but I didn't care. Being hopeful kept me alive. If I wanted to give up on everyone, I would've done that a long time ago. I couldn't lose faith in people because of a few bad ones I had met.

His mouth was half-open. "Why?"

I remembered some men I liked. "With the right person, a wedding could change your life in a good way."

Sandro and I looked at each other for an instant. His lips curled into a discreet grin, making me tempted to smile back. My attention turned to four musicians that started to play. They had a drum, a lute, a vielle, and a flageolet. After forming a circle, five people alternated between clapping and dancing. I wrinkled my nose, wondering how anyone could enjoy that activity.

"This is boring," Sandro shook his head in denial while chucking. "Can't people be more creative?"

"I couldn't agree more," I nodded. "We should create our own moves and show these people what true fun looks like."

Why did I tell him that? I'm such an idiot!

I deserved a punch in the face. How could I say that to someone I barely knew? Besides, women never invited men to dance! My chest felt strangely warm with the thought of dancing with him. I was crazy. Perhaps my mom was right, and my unusual personality indeed scared men. Surprisingly, Sandro didn't appear to be startled. In fact, he got closer... What was wrong with him?

He gawked. "Did you ask me to dance?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't make me regret it."

"I accept," Sandro put his arms around my waist. "Will you follow my lead?"

"Sure," I took a deep breath while facing him. "Aren't you scared by my invitation?"

He winked. "Excited would be a better word."

Breathing quickly, I put my hands around Sandro's neck. Something about him made me forget my problems. At that moment, the only things on my mind were Sandro and the music. He took three steps forward while I took three back. My mouth was half-open as we danced quickly, then slowly, then quickly again... A perfectly unperfect rhythm. The crowd approached us, seemingly curious. I couldn't help but laugh.

Sandro chuckled softly. "Is that a smile?"

I grinned discreetly. "Maybe."

He looked deep into my eyes. "Let's turn this maybe into a yes..."

Sandro took my right hand, making my heart pound. He slowly lifted my arm and led me into a turn. My stomach fluttered weirdly as the turn ended with him very close to me. His arm was around my waist as my back partially touched his chest. Our dance was bolder than most, which made me smile. Different religions, same craziness... That was Sandro and me.

This is incredible!

After a few more turns, the song ended. My eyes bulged as Sandro took me close to the ground. It seemed I would fall, but he caught me. Surprisingly, most people clapped and cheered. We locked eyes for a while. Unfortunately, my mother and Pietro arrived. The crowd dispersed as the two of them approached us. I gulped.

"You should've told me about your new suitor! I'm so proud!" my mom's eyes gleamed. "That dance was a bit scandalous, but you make a good pair."

I blinked fast. "Why... Why would he be a suitor?"

My stepfather crossed his arms. "Because that's the only reason you'd dance with him in a public place."

I took a deep breath while my mother and Pietro kept staring at me. They wanted an explanation, but I didn't have one. I was so nervous I couldn't blink. Sandro stepped forward, apparently noticing my situation. He cleared his throat, bringing my family's attention to him.

"Valentina and I met recently. I'm Sandro... Zanetti," Sandro held out his hand. "Sandro Zanetti."

"Are you a Catholic?" my stepfather narrowed his eyes. "I don't want Jews or any other strange people near my family."

"Me? Definitely!" Sandro laughed nervously. "Jesus. Holy Spirit. Amen."

This is funny and tragic at the same time.

Although I subtly elbowed Sandro, I laughed softly. His poor lying skills made me relieved. I bit my lower lip so sharply that I tasted my blood. If my stepfather saw through my invisibility magic, Sandro was doomed. I wrinkled my nose, wanting to punch Pietro in the face. Whoever insulted people based on their religion or appearance deserved a special place in hell.

I glared at Pietro. "Will you ever stop being an idiot?"

My stepfather pointed at Sandro. "He could be disguised!"

"There's no Jewish badge on him," my mom turned to my stepdad. "He's one of us."

"Let's hope so," Pietro turned to me. "Say goodbye to the young man and meet us for dinner."

I nodded. Mom and Pietro soon left. Once they were far away, I took Sandro to a dark and empty alley. After making sure no one was nearby, I made his yellow circle visible again. He kept gazing at me as if he didn't want to leave.

"I'm sorry for my stepfather's behavior," I squeezed my eyes shut. "God shouldn't have given him the ability to speak."

"Don't worry. I'm used to it," Sandro sighed as if he recalled other situations. "Did you have fun tonight?"

"I had a great time," I wouldn't stop recalling the dance. "If you want to see me another day, I'm usually at Mr. Fenaroli's pottery shop. It's next to the Basilica."

"Really? You said we shouldn't see each other again when we met," Sandro leaned closer. "Did you change your mind?"

I chuckled while taking a step back. "I must leave."

"You're good at dodging questions," Sandro smiled coyly. "Good night, Tina."

"No one ever called me that," I rubbed my chin. "Tina Trovato... It's not so bad."

"Wonderful," he waved goodbye. "It was a pleasure talking and dancing with you."

Once Sandro left, I came back home. My head was spinning. Mom probably thought I had gone crazy because of the huge grin on my face. Although I didn't know Sandro well, I had a feeling he was a good guy. Our first encounter felt strange, but the second was better. Perhaps we'd get along better than I had thought. Only time would tell.

****

Author's note: Something interesting happened here... What does this mean for our characters' future? Will Valentina and Sandro meet again? Keep reading and you'll find out... ;-)