Still shaken by the evening, I keep up appearances. I greet a few guests, then thank the organizer for the invitation and finally leave, barely containing my eagerness. Once in the car, I sigh with relief and ask Salvatore to take me to Le Rouge à Lèvres.

"I don't think it's a good idea, nor would Don Ezio appreciate it."

"Salva, let me be clear, I couldn't care less about what Don Ezio thinks. I want to go have a drink there, with or without your help."

He nods, understanding that there's no point in arguing, and starts the car.

Once we arrive, we settle at the bar and order drinks. I notice on my phone that Ezio has tried to call me a dozen times, but still too sober to feel the need for explanations, I turn it off and put it away.

The night is in full swing. I down drink after drink, letting the ashes of my heart swirl in my stomach. Salva tries desperately to keep me company as best as he can, but he seems more intent on convincing me to leave than on entertaining me. After yet another drink, boredom sets in and I decide to go dance.

In the middle of the crowd, I let the music's waves wash over my body. Drunk on both alcohol and the melody coursing through my veins, I let them take control of the puppet I've become.

As I sway to the rhythm, I feel hands on my hips. I turn around to find a man with black, shoulder-length hair and smoldering eyes facing me. I smile at him and dance seductively against him, the rhythm turning sultry, and with the help of alcohol, I surprise myself by kissing him passionately. After the kiss, I look at the stranger and realize that I had imagined Ezio in his place the entire time.

I apologize and back away, then rush to the bathroom, feeling the shots make their way back up. I enter the first available stall and empty the contents of my stomach into the toilet. Sitting in front of the bowl, my head against the wall, I burst into tears.

I don't recognize myself; I drink like I've never drunk before and kiss a stranger.

At that memory, I suddenly feel nauseous again and overwhelmed by a feeling that until now had been dormant. I don't know if it's the alcohol clouding my judgment, but it's on all fours, in front of this damn toilet, after kissing a damn stranger, that I realize I'm in love with Ezio.

My anger traps me in my thoughts, and I don't hear the footsteps approaching until I hear knocking on the door.

"Miss May, are you alright ?"

Energetically, I open the door and find Salvatore, worried, holding on to the doorframe to keep from falling.

"Yes, Salva, I'm fine." I reply, irritated.

I push past him to wash my hands and splash water on my face, then, as I walk past him, I announce that we are leaving. Like my shadow, he follows closely.

This time, I may be physically unscathed, but mentally, it's a different story.

Salvatore drives, and after a time I cannot define, parks at the foot of Ezio's building.

"Thank you, Salva, for tonight. Sorry for dragging you into this. See you soon, have a good night and take care."

"Thank you, Miss May, you too." he replies with a sincere smile on his lips.

I step out of the car, the cool night air doing me a world of good. My stomach churns at the thought of finding Ezio still awake, waiting for me. Leaning against the elevator wall, my leg shakes in sync with my lips dancing under my teeth. During the ascent, I pray he's already in bed so I can go to sleep without any drama and postpone the discussion until tomorrow when my mind is less foggy. But when the doors open, disillusionment grips me. As I step out, I see him in the armchair, staring at the flames dancing in the fireplace, a glass of whiskey in hand.

He doesn't even look at me as I approach, and in a cold voice, he asks:

"Did you have fun ? Do you enjoy putting yourself in unnecessary danger ?

Not in the mood for a fight, I decide to ignore his questions. I take off my heels and head towards the stairs to go to my room.

"Where do you think you're going ? We're far from finished with this discussion !"

"I don't want to talk tonight. Let's talk tomorrow when I have a clearer head."

I start to climb the stairs, but he continues speaking.

"Does it not bother you to not have a clear head when you're kissing another guy ?!" he thunders, throwing his glass against the fireplace, shattering it into a thousand pieces.

I stop dead in my tracks, realizing he already knows, and it's better to address the issue now. I go back down and sit in the armchair opposite him, the coffee table providing enough distance between us.

"Did you really think I was going to sit quietly and wait for you, watching you trample on me like you do ? Without acting and approving of your double life ? I ask him calmly.

I look him straight in the eyes. They have turned steel blue, consumed by anger.

"I don't have a double life. You would have known much sooner if you hadn't gone to get drunk and acted like a whore in that bar !"

His words pierce me like daggers, stabbing my already wounded heart.

"Excuse me ?! Now you're insulting me on top of everything else ? Are you seriously saying this is my fault ? You're going too far, Ezio !" I flare up in response to his disrespect.

"You're the one who kissed a guy, and I'm the one going too far ?!"

"Are you kidding me ?! Were we not at the same table tonight ? Your dear Paola compared your kisses to those of a god and said you were a beast in bed, and I'm the one going too far ? You're completely out of it !"

"She lied. We never had sex."

"And kissing ?"

He looks away without answering.

"Fine, I'll sleep in the guest room tonight and leave tomorrow."

I stand up, and as I walk past him, he grabs my wrist.

"May, give me some time to explain. This situation is not what it seems. It's far more complicated than that."

"Then explain it to me now."

He clears his throat.

"Believe me, I want to, but I can't tell you right now. It's a risky situation. You need to trust me. As soon as it's over, I'll tell you everything."

I laugh bitterly at these words that only serve to deepen the void of his actions.

"Trust you ?! You all hide behind these lousy excuses. You're just like your father. You don't trust me and don't see me as worthy of being one of you."

I wrench my wrist free from his grasp with a brusque motion and walk away.

Heartbroken and enveloped in disillusionment, I wrap myself in the cold sheets of the bed. After a very short and restless night, I decide to take a shower to calm and awaken myself. Once ready, I call Andy.

"Hey, my favorite bitch, how's it going ? Did you enjoy the party last night ?"

"Honestly, not really. Can I stay with you for a few nights until I find an apartment, please ?"

"Uh, yeah... Yeah, of course, come and stay as long as you want !" she replies, caught off guard.

I can tell by her tone that she's surprised and worried. Nevertheless, she knows the time for explanations will come later and focuses on the essential.

"Perfect, I'll just make a quick stop at the shops to buy some clothes and then I'll be there."

"Yeah, don't worry, take your time. I'm not going anywhere anyway. See you later."

I thank her and hang up. I put on the only clothes I own and head downstairs.

I find Ezio with his back to me, leaning on the terrace railing. Taking a deep breath, I join him.

"I'm ready to leave."