A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.

-George A. Moore

Enzo Fiorenza's POV

It's been four days since I learned that they were planning a party for me behind my back. Despite my constant protest, my family seems to developed deaf ears since I arrive. No one listens to me about my reasons why this party should be canceled as soon as possible.

Thankfully, my cousins managed to stop working with the plans for the party and now enjoying a cup of tea and desserts in the drawing-room of this house while their husbands work from their respective makeshift offices somewhere inside this fortress.

It was nice not my idea to join them for their tea but they invited me anyway and I don't want to be rude so I join them. It's a breath of fresh air not to argue with them once in a while. I missed the old times when they weren't shoving girls under my nose and letting me lead my life the way I wanted it.

"Would you like a slice of a Ricotta Pie, Enzo?" Laila asked conversationally, helping herself a slice of that sweet-tart.

"No, thank you," I answered tautly, looking at the pie I couldn't help but remember the Pecan pie Willow and I baked together and ate after a day of work at the ranch. I silently groaned, I manage not to think about her for this past four days it wasn't an easy one but I somehow manage to do it.

Now I'm back to square one.

"Is there something that's bothering you, cousin?" It was Leila who asked with curiosity in her eyes but I couldn't miss the smirk on her lips that she's carefully hiding from her teacup. "Are you hurt? You look like a man in pain."

"I'm fine," I said in a clipped tone.

"If you say so." She replied nonchalantly before sipping her tea. Then she looked directly to her twin. "Laila, do you remember our old gardener?"

My sweet-natured cousin's eyes lit with recognition as she smile at her twin probably remembering the old man. "Oh, you mean Signore Antonio?"

"Yeah," She grinned to her sister while sliding a look in my direction that made me frown. What does that supposed mean? I thought silently. "You see, I run to him when Leandro and I went to town the other day."

"Oh, really? How is he?" Laila asked.

She was giving me that look again as if gauging my reaction before answering her twin sister. "He informed me about his willingness to return as our gardener since he missed his old job. I told him that I will use my willpower to convince Cesare to hire him back. I even told him that I want a willow tree in the garden so it would be a good shade to play for the kids in the future."

I placed my cup on the saucer plate a little harshly that made them look sharply in my direction. Something ticked inside me the way Leila pronounced some words while casually talking to her sister. If I didn't know better those words were focused on me. "For god's sake! Stop playing games with me, woman."

She had the nerve to look innocent as if she has no idea what I am talking about but the smile that kept slipping on her lips tells a different story. "But I have no idea what makes you so angry about, cousin."

"Stop stressing the word will...will...will...will in your sentences!" I exploded like fireworks as I stood from the sofa I glared at her hotly. "I am not playing your games, Leila."

"Jesus, what has gotten into you?" Leila asked in confusion. "Do you want me to eat alive because of that? Well, I am deeply sorry next time I will think of another adjective to use."

Arguing with her was just pointless and a waste of time and energy so instead of replying I walked towards the huge window and stared outside.

I heard Laila sighed deeply. "Can the two of you stop arguing, please? We're not children anymore."

"I am not the one who is spoiling for a fight." Her twin sister defended herself. "It's not as if he remembers something with that word, does it? Oh, wait! Maybe he does. Willow Kinsella, right?"

I turned around to give her my darkest look but didn't bother to answer her. I would not let her bait me like this.

"Oh, that reminds me," Leila said brightly. "I heard that Cesare will have a special guest at the party, Enzo. You might want to meet her."

"Not interested."

"Don't tell me you like this American girl who saves you from the crash site." The devil woman prodded when silence filled the room. "That must be the reason why you are so hyped about the word 'will'."

"I don't know what are you talking about, Leila."

"Willow, Willow, Willow, Willow, Willow..."

I sighed deeply, trying not to forget that she's my cousin or else I will do something violent to this maddening woman. "Shut up."

Once again, I focus my gaze back outside. I squint when I saw a car stop on the driveway and a blonde woman went out of the car. I couldn't see her face from here but my heart starts to pound so hard that I found myself running on the hallways ignoring the evil laugh of Leila.

I descended the staircase I don't care if my leg hurts like hell with my pace. I just want to run towards the entrance door.

The doorbell sounded, I open it with such happiness that fill my whole being. Could it be...? But the ready smile on my face faded when I saw the woman in the doorway. "Hi, I came to see Laila and Leila."

I tried to smile at her while the hope in my chest died upon seeing Rafe's wife. "Yes, come in they are in the drawing-room having tea."

"Oh, great!" She said as I step aside so she could come inside the house. When she noticed that I was looking for the sight of her husband on the driveway she added. "Rafe is not with me. He's busy at the office. I went here all by myself."

I just smiled at her but didn't bother to answer since my mind was still hoping for someone else a woman with blonde hair also. Of course, she will not come here all the way to North Carolina after our bitter goodbye. I deserved to feel miserable like now since I have been honest about her that I don't do relationships casual affairs are my thing, not the serious ones.

The sooner we made it clear that we do relationships differently the sooner we can accept that there's no future for us. But if that's the case so why the hell my heart feels like it's been rip off my chest?

Willow Kinsella's POV

"Would you like some juice, ma'am?"

I was startled and look up at the cabin crew who was smiling down at me waiting for my answer. I tried to return the smile and reply. "Yes, thank you."

The woman nodded and felt me alone in the luxurious Gulfstream G450 owned by Cesare Fiorenza. I still couldn't believe that I was on a private jet heading to Italy only moments ago I was in our quiet small town of St. Petersburg.

Everything went blur for me from getting the necessary documents I need to for my trip and up to the fact that Cesare Fiorenza took the arrangement of my transportation from the car ride going to the airport and until now.

Once I arrived at the airport I didn't do the usual thing that ordinary people have to endure on long queues at the airport terminals. Nope, I skip the customs just giving my documents to Cesare's private secretary and she did all the works. So this is how the elite one percent of the world travels, huh? I asked myself in awe as I stared outside my plane window.

"Thank you," I said to the flight attendant who brought my drinks. "How many hours more before we can arrive in Sicily."

"Two more hours, ma'am."

"Oh," I suddenly feel nervous as I shifted in my seat. Two more hours and I will see him again. I still don't know what will be his reaction when he sees me but I need to remind myself that this trip will be the last time I will see him and nothing more. Whether he will be happy to see me or not that's up to him I just want closure on whatever we had.

"If you need anything else, ma'am. Please inform me."

"This will be fine, thank you." I smiled at her grateful before she went back to her station near the cockpit.

At exactly, two hours and ten minutes later we landed in Sicily. I gasped when I saw a heavily tinted black luxury car parked at the tarmac don't tell me that's going to be my ride now. But before I even gather all my thoughts the cabin crew was back with a sympathetic smile on her face once the plane was standstill at the runway. "Your car is waiting for you, Miss Willow."

"That thing?" I pointed my finger at the plane window where the car was waiting. "That's my car?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Somehow my legs managed to carry my walk from the private jet and I saw the captain waiting for me at the plane's exit. "Welcome to Sicily, Miss Willow. It's my pleasure to be at your service. I hope you enjoy your stay in our beautiful city."

"Thank you," I muttered softly to the captain not used to be treated like royalty or something. Who would have thought that a small-town girl like me who was surrounded by horses and cattle would experience something like this in her lifetime? It was a surreal experience for me.

As I descended from the metal staircase of the private jet I suddenly feel that my cowgirl boots were out of place in this sophisticated city thank goodness I decided to wear my white cotton dress and blue denim jacket instead of my usual jeans and plaid shirt.

I quickly miss my buddy who left in the care of Jace while I am here. I thought it would not be appropriate if I bring Albert with me.

Before I could even reach the car a uniformed driver went out of the car and open the passenger's door at the back. I muttered a thank you before I was ushered at the lavish interior of this car.

When we drove away from the tarmac and I couldn't help to be amazed at the beautiful city of Ragusa. It feels like I travel back to the fifteenth century with the baroque architecture of the buildings around us. I couldn't resist getting my phone and took photos of this magnificent city I will show Jace once I get back. Then I notice that we took a private road that leads to the imposing castle at the top of the hill.

"Where does the Fiorenza family resides in this area?" I asked the driver since I saw there's no other house in the area but I wasn't even sure if he understand English since he never speak a word to me. He nodded to where the castle standing proudly at the peak.  My eyes widened at him through the rear-view mirror. "You mean to say they are living somewhere beside that castle?"

The driver shook his head staring back at me from the rear-view mirror of the car. "No, ma'am. They are living inside that palazzo."

I felt my mouth hang opens at the unexpected revelation. So Cesare Fiorenza and his family reside in that stately castle? Jesus, what kind of trouble did I land myself in?

Before I have the chance to absorb all this astonishing surprised the Fiorenza family had thrown in my direction we finally arrived at the massive gate and drive to the meticulously maintain courtyard complete with a fountain and English garden I thought I only see this one in movies. Apparently, some people really live like this.

I stepped out of the car with my jaw practically touching the ground as I stare at the impressive palace. My goodness, I would be surely lost in this place in no time.

"Oh, shoot..." I told myself when I was about to knock on the door. "I cannot do this."

I was about to leave and go back to North Carolina when the door suddenly open and Laila was smiling at me. "Welcome to Ragusa, Willow. Nice to see you again."

I only managed to awkwardly mutter. "Hi."