Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise.

-Maya Angelou

Willow Kinsella's POV

"Welcome to Ragusa, Willow. Nice to see you again."

I only managed to awkwardly mutter. "Hi. How did you know I finally arrive?"

Laila smiled at me kindly. "Oh, an old friend came to visit and I just see her out when I heard another incoming car."

"Oh..."

"Please come inside." An elegantly dressed Laila step aside to accommodate me inside their intimidating home. As I expected the interior of the palace was as grand as the outside with high ceilings huge chandeliers and walls painted with white and gold detailing and then there's the grand double staircase connecting to the second floor.

Jesus, where am I?

I think my whole house could fit in inside this palace. And then I notice that a maid was already holding my luggage in her hand I tried to stop her. "Oh, thank you but I can carry my own luggage."

"Nonsense," Laila answered with a smile. She looked at the maid beside us. "Please, take her luggage to her room." The maid nodded and started to ascend to the staircase and then the woman beside spoke again. "I hope you will like the room we prepare for you."

I just managed to nod. "Any room will be fine."

"Come," she invited friendly, hooking her arms around mine as she led me to the grand staircase. "I hope you are not tired yet from your flight but I would like to introduce my twin first before showing your room."

I nodded again as I force my legs to carry me even further inside their imposing home. Never in my wildest dream have I expected that they are living literally inside a palace. Laila led me to a series of corridors on the second floor I have to remember where exactly we're turning or I will be lost in here.

I have the chance to study the painting and portraits hangs on the wall with gilded frames. These stern-looking people on these oil paintings were probably their ancestors given the striking green eyes.

Finally, we arrived at our destination when Laila knock at the heavy wooden door at the far end of the hallway before opening it.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I followed her inside and then I realize that this was their family library! Goodness, this library was way better than our community college library in our town. Look at those collections of first edition books.

Then I realized that the mirror image of Laila staring at me with amusement in her dark green eyes while a stern-looking grey-haired man was sitting on the mahogany study table near the bookshelves. That must be Cesare Fiorenza, I guess.

"Leila. Patri." Laila performed the introduction while collective green eyes were directed to me. "I'd like you to meet Willow Kinsella. Willow, this is my sister, Leila, and my father, Cesare."

Before I could even speak the woman named Leila to march towards us and surprised me when she envelop me with a bone-cracking hug. "I wanted to meet you so badly since Laila told me about you, Willow. Thank goodness you are finally here."

I gave a shaky laugh unsure how to answer her but it feels nice to see that's she's so welcoming. While her twin was more reserved and demure no one could deny that she's the rebel one the darling of the tabloids.

She drew back from our hug and look at me from head to toe. She grinned when she noticed my outfit. "Look at you, a very southern girl. I like your fashion choices."

"Thank you." Then I notice that the man silently sitting on the table finally stand up from his chair. I smiled at him. "Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Fiorenza. Thought I think this is not necessary."

"Welcome to my humble home, Miss Kinsella." He announced with his commanding voice. I nearly scoff at the way he describes his home because as far as I am concern there's nothing humble about his home. Intimidating was one way to define it. "I hope you will like it here."

"I'm sure I will," I said, though I highly doubt it since I don't belong here.

The door sounded again, this time the galloping of my chest intensified. Is that him? My mind thought frantically. Does he know that I am here? Will he be happy to see me here? Or perhaps he will get mad.

"Come in," Leila answered.

I exhaled the breath that I didn't know I was holding when I saw a maid brought a tray of tea and sweet desserts and place them on the coffee table.

"I hope you are not so tired to join us for a tea. We want to get to know you better since...you save our cousin—that is." Laila stated while pouring tea on the cups.

So this was how the wealthy people spend their afternoon? Drinking tea with their expensive porcelain teacups. I wondered silently watching Laila administer the procedure with such expertise.

"Would you like a cup, Patri?" She intently looked at her father who sat back at his study table reading the local newspaper.

He lowered the paper in his hand and look at his daughter dryly. "That tea will just ruin my throat, my daughter." He suddenly folded the newspaper in half and stood from his chair. "I hate having tea and the smell of it makes me nauseous I'll better just work instead of enduring the pungent of it."

His daughters and I watched him walk away from the library. Once I was alone with Vicenzo Fiorenza's cousin I abruptly feel nervous.

"Is he mad or something?"

The rebel twin grinned at me while sitting on the forest green satin sofa nearby. "Trust me, that's one of his best moods, dear. Believe me, he's happy right now."

I just raised an eyebrow in their direction silently. I don't understand their weird relationship with their father. Laila smiled kindly at me while gently tapping the space next to her on the sofa. "Come seat with us, please."

I reluctantly sat next to Laila and accept the offered tea. I tried to sip the hot liquid and tried not made a face after. I carefully placed the delicate ceramic saucer plate on the table. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask about their cousin but I was so shy to inquire.

"Laila told me that you own a ranch in North Carolina?" Leila asked conversationally, sipping her tea casually. "Tell me do your farm animals and train wild horses?"

I nodded with pride. "Yes, it's a family business."

"My husband is also running their family estate in Spain along with his other businesses. I'm sure he will be happy to meet you since you have the same taste for wild horses."

I stared at her questioningly while her twin threw a disapproving look in her direction but the woman merely ignore our reaction and just leisurely sipping her tea.

"Leila..." Her twin started.

"You know what my husband told me about taming a wild horse?" She continued, completely ignoring her sister's warning. "What you have to do is catch the attention of the horse and then shoo it away for a few times until it realizes that when it's looking at you you're in charge. Believe me, you can get the horse and his untamed heart."

I eyed her cautiously. "Are we still talking about animals here?"

"Of course."

And then the door suddenly flung to open. "I have enough of being detained in this damn house since I arrived!" The subject of my thoughts finally showed himself but he took no notice of me since he was so occupied with his outburst with his cousin. "I need to get away from here. Lend me your keys, Leila."

"What about your cars?" Leila shot back, not even slightly bothered by her cousin's explosion. "You have at least three different cars as I remember."

"Have you forgotten?" He reminded her, still focusing his attention on her. "Cesare took them as hostage even my spare keys are in his possession. Now give me your car key." He held out his hand impatiently. "I want to go to town."

"Cousin," The rebellious sister had said sanguinely but clearly enjoying what she sees. "Please remember your manners. Laila and I have a company don't act like some uncultured swine and humiliate our family name like this."

I think it's time to make myself known to this man. I tried to make my introduction as indifferent as possible. "Hi, Neon."

That's the time he managed to slide his gaze on me. The recognition in his eyes was almost laughable. "Y-You...! What are you doing here?"

It was Laila who answer. "Now, Enzo. Don't be rude to Patri's visitor."

"The hell she is!" The shock in his striking green eyes was palpable, he was staring at me with such intensity that made me feel hot and uncomfortable. "That cranky old man never invite someone in his damn house."

"Well, it seems that Cesare woke up in such a good mood this morning, don't you think?" Leila stated the mischievous glint in her eyes was unmistakable. "In case, you forgot cousin. Let me reintroduce this woman to you so your malfunctioning brain will remember, all right? Cousin, this is Willow Kinsella the woman who saves you from your death. Willow, this is my dolt cousin Vicenzo."

"Enzo." He corrected firmly.

"Whatever." His cousin replied nonchalantly. "She will be staying with us until your homecoming party, Enzo. Isn't that exciting?"

He just remained silent while his eyes were still focused on me. I tried to look away but he held my gaze captive with his forceful presence.

"Stop glaring at her, moron." Leila inserted smoothly while tossing the keys in his direction. "Now leave the hell out of here. Get lost."

He didn't even bother to catch the keys and let them fall on the ground. I looked away from this forceful gaze. "As if, I will leave now." He muttered under his breath. "Leave me alone with Willow for a moment."

"I don't think that's a good idea.

He glared at Leila darkly. "I am not asking you I am telling you. I need to have a word with Willow now."

"Ask nicely, then." Leila retorted, challenging her cousin. "Do you want me to inform Cesare that you are harassing his very important visitor?"

"Leila..." He warned dangerously.

"I think we should give them so privacy," Laila stated, standing from the sofa and pulling her twin towards the door.

When we were finally alone. I looked up at her from the sofa and ask. "What now?"

"What are you doing here, Willow?" He asked in a much calmer voice this time. He finally collected himself from his shock.

I gave him a big brave smile that belied all the emotion inside me right this moment. "I came here to get closure."