Chapter 5

MIA

T he day after Bianca's wake, I existed in a blur of exhaustion and a lingering, draining emptiness.

It took me until early evening before I dragged myself out of bed and into my bathroom.

I was staring at my reflection in the mirror when I realised I'd misplaced my mother's heirloom chain and pendant, and I had no idea when or where.

I had never lost a piece of jewellery as I was always careful with my belongings. That said, I was going through the most challenging season of my life and even forgot the most straightforward conversations.

Panicking, as the necklace was one of the last remnants of my mother, I searched my ornament box and my entire small cottage.

‘Damn.' I remembered the clasp had been loose when I had tried it on for the service and wake.

I went over every inch of my home a dozen times, upturning furniture and getting on my knees to check under the bed. It was maddening, as I had no idea when I'd lost it.

Closing my eyes, I walked back my memories and caught a flash from the day before of it glinting on my neck in Bianca's bathroom after my moment with Lorenzo.

Jumping into my small van, I descended the mountain and headed to her house.

Worry clawed at my chest as I sped down the winding ridge road towards the secluded home.

I screeched to a halt in front of the elegant estate, my hands trembling as I leapt out of the car.

The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I raced up the steps. I unlocked the house and threw open the heavy entrance door, my heart pounding in my ears.

Divested of mourners, the place now stood eerie and quiet.

The scent of lavender and her perfume filled the air. I took the staircase to the upstairs bathroom, where I remembered seeing the necklace last, my heart pounding.

My gaze swept over the counter-top, hunting with increasing desperation for a glint of gold.

There was nothing.

I went downstairs into her study, searching the desk I'd sat at.

Still no sign of it.

Suddenly, the disappearance of the necklace was too overwhelming.

I sank into an armchair and wrapped my hands around my knees. Bleak on the inside, dry eyes pointed to the stunning canyon outside.

At the back of my mind, I grasped my misery wasn't just about the jewellery; it was about the aching grief of losing my mother, then Bianca and the unmooring from my sense of meaning and purpose now that I was deprived of both pillars in my life.

That's when I spotted Bianca's unexplained gift to me - the fist-shaped small amulet in white, gold, and diamond.

I'd abandoned it the day before on her desk.

I picked it up on a whim and let it fall into my palm. Stroking it, I sent a prayer, wishing for my pendant to be returned to me somehow.

An unlikely peace fell as I set my head on the back of the seat and let the shrouded mountains and the purple haze rolling over their peaks calm me.

Much later, I rose, tucked the amulet into my pants pocket and left the house, locking it after me.

I slid into my van and headed back home once more, feeling like shit.

Only after a few twists and turns did I tag a car in my rearview mirror—a shadowy, looming SUV, keeping up with my every move and acceleration.

I clutched the steering wheel, my heart racing as I took sharp spins and quick accelerations, trying to lose the truck.

My unease intensified. Still, the mysterious vehicle stuck to my tail, its headlights washing the thoroughfare behind me, lighting up the shadowed trees and dark corners.

The realisation that someone was following me sent a chill down my spine.

This country roadway that took me home was a winding back lane with farmhouses far apart.

No shopping centres, fuel stations, or illuminated stops existed in these high ranges that I might escape whoever the fuck was following me.

No street lights lined the road either, and I panicked, hoping to make it back to the small village I lived in, safe and sound.

My hands gripped the wheel tighter, knuckles turning white, as I navigated the loops with growing desperation. Freakin' well aware that if the person meant me harm, it'd be easy to run me off the path and spirit my body into the wild peaks of the mountains.

Never to be seen again.

As the chase continued, I made split-second decisions at each intersection, hoping to shake off my pursuer.

But no matter how fast I drove or how many twists I took, the sizeable car remained dogged in its pursuit. It loomed like a silent threat lurking in my rearview mirror.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel, my heart racing as the persistent driver followed my every move.

Paranoia gripped me, and I took a series of abrupt turns through the narrow maze of lanes.

It was early evening, so I hedged my bets and decided to pull up to my cottage, where if I screamed, there would be plenty of neighbours to hear me.

A baseball bat lay under my seat in the van, and I hoped I'd have enough time to reach it when I arrived.

I figured I'd use it to protect myself while I legged over to my neighbour, Big Pete's place.

He'd always looked out for me and had a reputation for handling things with discretion.

The car behind me matched my every move until I screeched to a halt in front of my home, parking under a single streetlight.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I fumbled for the club, my heart thudding. I clutched the weapon with shaky hands and prepared to run for it.

I yanked my car door open and tumbled out, brandishing my bat.

‘Mia Kassa?'

I turned to glimpse a brawny figure folding out of the late-model SUV.

He stepped closer, and in the light, I recognised the burly bodyguard from the day before.

Lorenzo's sentinel.

‘You again?'

His palms were up and out, showing that he meant no harm to me. ‘Relax, Miss Kassa. My name is Mauri.'

‘Damn,' I whispered. ‘Why the fuck did you chase me through the mountains?'

He shrugged with annoying nonchalance. ‘I didn't have your exact address, so I staked Lorenzo's aunt's place hoping you would come by, and I lucked out.'

‘Why?' I whispered, body still shaking from the adrenaline of my imagined flight from him.

The bulky guard gestured for me to put down the baseball bat, eyes scanning my face. ‘Lorenzo sent me.'

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I dropped the weapon, still holding onto it and facing him.

Still, the mere mention of his boss elicited a shiver. Memories of his cold eyes, icy demeanour, and ruthless face flooded back. Along with the unexpected tenderness that had softened the harsh planes of his face when he'd sat with me in my sorrow.

But I kept my composure, gripping the lowered bat as I eyed the bodyguard with wariness.

‘What does he want?' I demanded, despite the turmoil brewing within me.

Mauri took a step forward, his expression unreadable in the dim light. ‘He asked me to give you something.'

He reached into his breast pocket and took out a flat, mid-sized black box.

I stared at it until he extended it once more. ‘Take it, it's yours.'

My heart skipped a beat at his words.

I set the bat on the van's bonnet and, with all caution, extended my arms to accept the box.

I shot a distrustful glance at the bodyguard before returning to the mysterious package.

My fingers trembled as I opened the lid.

The streetlamp illuminated the contents—a delicate chain with a dangling pendant. My breath caught in my throat as I recognised my mother's necklace.

I was hit with a wild tear of delight.

‘He found it?' I asked, eyes flicking to Mauri.

He gave me a slight smile and nodded.

The smile on my face widened. ‘Where?'

‘He said you dropped it on the terrace. He asked me to have the clasp fixed, which I did.'

‘Why, thank you. Can you please pass on my sincere gratitude?'

‘That's not all. I have one more parcel for you.'

The man reached into his car and pulled out a substantially-sized square package.

It featured a wide black bow that glittered and gleamed.

He held it out to me. ‘Take it. It's from all the Calibrese brothers.'

I reached for it, mouth gaping in awe.

The weight of the larger container surprised me, but before I could dwell further on the unbelievable generosity and its implications, Mauri turned to walk away.

‘Wait,' I called out, my heart warmed by the generous gesture. ‘I want to write a thank you note.'

The bodyguard paused mid-step and rotated, giving me a quizzical glance.

‘It'll take just a few minutes,' I added.

He regarded me for a moment, his gaze inscrutable, nodding in acquiescence.

With a grateful smile, I closed my van door with a foot and locked it using my fob.

Then I tracked back into my cottage, the jewel box perched on top of the more significant gift I clutched.

Inside, I placed my unexpected bounty on the dining table and dashed to my writing desk.

One of my indulgences and hobbies was collecting stunning stationery and beautiful pens.

I found a sheet of lush paper infused with my homemade perfume. It came with a matching envelope, which I signed first, giving myself time to gather my thoughts and express my gratitude to Lorenzo in a meaningful way.

I was sitting at my tiny workstation, the ink soaking into the dense stock paper as I poured out my heartfelt thanks.

The words flowed, infused with genuine appreciation for his unanticipated act of kindness. After reading over the note, I folded it into a neat rectangle and sealed it in a thick stock envelope.

Hurrying back outside, I caught up to Mauri, who stood with a booted leg propped on the running board of his open SUV door.

I handed him the letter, ‘Please pass this on to Lorenzo.'

He tucked the envelope away with a faint smile. ‘I'll make sure he receives it, Signora.'

With a nod of farewell, the bodyguard climbed back into the SUV and drove off into the night.

Standing on the doorstep of my cottage, I watched as the vehicle's taillights disappeared around a corner.

My relief at having the precious heirloom returned only deepened my intrigue in Lorenzo. Memories of his handsome, cold, and cutting face returned to me. As did the glint of dark fire in his eyes, the rumble of his voice, and his enigmatic presence.

Yet his consideration in returning my pendant was unmatched, and I felt a lingering need to see him in person and thank him myself.

Wishes were for horses, I thought. There was little chance I'd ever see Lorenzo again.

Tamping down my wistfulness, I stepped back into the cottage and opened the jewellery box, resting on the package again.

The locket and chain glinted in the soft light as I lifted them, my fingers tracing the intricate design. I clasped them back close to my heart where they belonged.

With a sigh, I turned to the mysterious parcel.

I untied the premium ribbon and removed the contents packed with stylish tissue paper, one by one.

I found an eye mask, a crystal facial roller, an aromatherapy cream, and a body salt soak inside.

Also tucked within were two extravagant gift vouchers, one to a luxury spa retreat and the other to an exclusive women's fashion boutique. Additionally, there were three boxes of pure indulgence chocolates, a bag of rock candy, and a bottle of Mo?t & Chandon non-vintage rosé imperial champagne, gift-boxed in a matching pink colour.

The accompanying token card was printed with a personalised message.

The words were simple: ‘Thank you for attending to Bianca. My brothers and I appreciate you taking on the burden of her farewell arrangements and making it a simple, elegant and moving affair. We are forever grateful— Lorenzo.'

The thoughtful gifts and heartfelt meaning were touching, and I sighed as peace fell over me. I'd fulfilled Bianca's request to care for her nephew.

Suddenly, I remembered her fist-shaped pendant and pulled it from my pocket.

I noted it had a tiny hook, and so, with a smile, I added it to my necklace, now back around my nape.

Having my mother's memory sit alongside Bianca's amulet gift felt right.

With a wistful smile, I poured myself a glass of rosé and sat on my couch, savouring each sip.

All alone in the world. Strangely enough, however, my earlier loneliness had lifted.

Lorenzo's kindness reminded me of my worth, and at the right time, I prayed that love would find me once more.