Is there anything better than to be longing for something, when you know it is within reach?

-Greta Garbo

Willow Kinsella's POV

It's been two days since he left all of a sudden and yet I'm still miserable as ever from the night he suddenly left me wondering what the hell just happened after seducing me thoroughly. He's only been here for eight days to be exact and yet everywhere I turn around the house it seems that he left his imprint.

My eyes were misted with tears again as I curled in my bed and let the misery eat me every second that pass. Having cheated by a man with your friend was one thing—but it was an entirely different thing when you were rejected by the same man in less than twelve hours after you have sex with him. It was the most inhumane thing that could happen to a person.

When I learned about Matt's betrayal of me I swear to myself that I would never let a guy do that to me again. I learned my lesson the hard way and now it seems I realized that I never learn a thing from my past experience.

I flipped open my laptop again and stare at the candid photo of Vicenzo Fiorenza on my computer screen. There were only one or two photos of him available on the internet. It seems that he doesn't always attend society parties but his cousins the twins—I couldn't tell which is which from the two but apparently the other twin was the favorite fodder of the Sicilian tabloids.

It wasn't really hard to dig for information about their powerful family. From what I read on the internet their family was like some sort of royalty in Sicily and they were considered to be one of the wealthiest. His parents' died for undisclosed reasons when he was still young and since then his uncle took care of him and groomed him to be his heir someday.

We're really worlds apart that's why probably a relationship with him would only end in doom since we're practically living in a different world.

I suddenly shut my laptop screen and let out a groan. There's no way I would let my misery eat me. The sooner I accept that there's no chance for us the better for me to move on with my life. I would just think he's like my one-night-stand though I don't do such a thing.

I threw the covers and I jumped out of my bed as I took a shower removing every trace he had put in my body and from my memories. If he could throw away whatever we have in the blink of an eye I can do the same.

As the droplets of water pour over my head so do my tears streaming down in my face. I promised myself that this would be the last time I would let myself cry over him. No man was worth my tears.

After probably an hour in the shower I step out with a towel wrapped around my body and pulled out my working clothes since I intend to bury myself with ranch work until my body and mind were too tired to think about him.

"Come on, Albert. It's time to go out enough of sulking." I told my dog when I was ready to continue my life the way it was before I met him.

I finally went out of the house since he left two days ago. Once I was outside I saw the white fence corral we just painted happily in what feels like a different universe now. I could almost feel that my eyes were starting to get blurry again.

Aren't you tired of crying about him? I asked myself silently fighting away the hot tears that threaten to fall in my years again. The last thing I want was to cry about him while working outside.

I sniffed as I try to block the images inside my head. I could do this, I assured myself silently. Life goes on without him.

"About time you show up again, boss." Jace jested lightly coming towards me with a brotherly smile on his face. "I thought it will take at least a week before you come out of the house. You okay?"

I tried to give him a confident smile. "Why will not I be?"

"You know," he said, placing his hands on his rear jeans pockets as he look away from me. "About that fancy guy, you nurse back to health. Our small town is abuzz with the gossips that Neon came from the wealthiest family in Italy."

"His name is Enzo Fiorenza, Jace." I told him sadly. Until now I refuse to say his name out loud. He isn't the same man I met in the forest last week. That guy Neon doesn't exist. "And yes, his family was probably the wealthiest in Sicily."

"He probably can buy our whole town just a snap on his fingers," Jace commented and I couldn't help but laugh at the thought. But that idea might not be far from happening if he wants.

"But you're okay?" Jace urged after a moment. "You know, you guys seem to like each other before he regains his memories."

I walked and sat on the wooden steps on the porch. I stared up at Jace who follow me. "He is not the same guy we used to know."

"That's it?"

I gave him a brave smile. "Yeah, that's pretty much it."

He surprised me when he suddenly sat beside me on the wooden steps as he tap his shoulder. "Need a shoulder to cry on?"

"I'm fine, Jace."

"From what I can see you're not fine." He said with brutal honesty. "I think you just need a good cry and then after that, the heartache you are experiencing right now will be just fleeting memories of the past. Come on, I am like your big brother, right?"

"All right," I exhaled a deep breath as I stare at him helplessly. "But don't tell anyone about this, are we clear?"

"I promised, Willow." There was compassion in his eyes but belied the playful smirk in his mouth. "But don't soak my shirt so much with tears, okay? The last thing I want when I get back to work is for my cowboys to think I took a nap and I spread drool in my shirt."

I couldn't help but laugh as I leaned on his shoulder with the heaviness in my heart. "In a span of eight days, I developed some kind of feelings for him despite my reservation when it comes to men."

Jace whistled softly. "So he has that much effect on you, huh?"

I just managed to nod since my throat is a lump with emotions that's about to choke me any moment now. "I wish I can deny it fiercely but I am only lying to myself if I told you that. From the moment I saw him I already feel the instant attraction for him if that is even possible."

"You like the guy, then?"

I smiled at the irony, remembering how he rejected me twice. "Too bad, he doesn't do relationship as he told me before he left. He told me I deserve better than he's willing to offer."

"If that's the case then he deserves to lose you, Willow." Jace comforted me with his words more than he realize. "You are too pretty to waste your tears to that worthless son of a bitch."

I held back my tears and smile despite the pain I feel in my heart. I removed my head on his shoulder and stared at him with amusement. "You know what? For a man who can advise like this when it comes to love. I'm surprised to see you still single until now."

He gave me a mocking smile. "Boss, there's a difference in just giving advice to others and applying it to yourself."

Our conversation was interrupted when my mobile phone sounded in my pocket. I frowned when I saw the unknown caller id. I slid my finger on the screen as I answer the phone call. "Hello?"

"Is this Willow Kinsella?" The deep heavily accented voice of a man said on the other line.

"Yes. And this is...?"

"Cesare Fiorenza." Upon mentioning that surname I suddenly sat up straight as my eyes widened at the recognition. "I am Vicenzo Fiorenza's uncle."

I cleared my throat while my heart started to pound so loudly on my chest. How did he get my number? What does he want from me? Those were only the questions that race through my mind at the unexpected phone call. "What can I do for you, sir?"

"I heard that you are the girl who saved my wayward nephew from his helicopter accident. I am thankful enough for your kindness."

"It's nothing, Mr. Fiorenza."

"I would like to extend my gratitude personally." Cesare Fiorenza stated on the other line.  "I'd like to invite you here to Ragusa."

"What?!" I abruptly stood from the steps and stare at the vast land in front of me. Jace gave me a questioning look but I just ignore him and focus on the phone conversation.

"I'd like to invite you here to our hometown in Ragusa, Sicily." He repeated calmly. "My daughters are throwing a party for Vicenzo for his safe return and I would like to personally invite you to come as our special guest."

I shook my head in disbelief. The last thing I want was to come face to face with the man who broke my heart. "I don't think that's necessary, sir."

"I insist."

"But I don't have a visa. Heck, I don't even own a passport I never leave North Carolina all my life!" I blurted out without even thinking about it. I suddenly feel embarrassed admitting that I never leave our small hometown since I was born.

"That's not a problem. My private secretary will keep in touch with you and help you process the legal documents you need for your trip. I am expecting you this weekend in my home." Cesare Fiorenza stated with finality as if that's not so much as a problem.

"But what if the airlines are fully booked by then?" I asked, wondering if I still have time to check for the airlines for my sudden trip to Italy.

"Don't worry. My plane will personally fetch you."

Of course, the Fiorenza family owns their plane when my eyes wandered at my old battered truck park nearby. I couldn't even buy the spare parts that need to be fixed on my dad's pick up Enzo Fiorenza must have a fleet of cars back home.

"Sir," I said after a moment of silence. "Maybe I should not come. I don't want to leave my ranch but thank you very much for the offer, though."

"Nonsense. I will wait for you here this weekend. I'm sure my nephew will be happy to see you."

"I'm not so sure about that, Mr. Fiorenza."

"But I am." With that, he disconnected the phone call before I even had the chance to protest more. I was just left staring in disbelief wondering what had just happened.