" in a masquerade of lies, stand forth; a scoundrel with a true face is nobler than a saint in a mask"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A gloomy morning, filled with fear, tension, and panic, grips Rome after the heinous crime of the previous night.
After a period of dormancy, leading Rome to believe its reign was over, it has resurfaced in a chilling manner.
The insidious killer "F" , The man who assassinated Mr. Roberto, a former minister, in his home..
left his signature as usual with the letter F, as if to tell the world he was back in business.
People were shocked by what happened because they didn't understand why Roberto, known for his morals and principles, was targeted.
But this idealized image he hid behind was shattered when investigations revealed he was a corrupt politician wearing a mask of idealism.
His involvement in mafia activities and backroom deals was proven.
But In the mafia world, loyalty is everything.
When someone plays both sides, their fate is already sealed.
If there is enmity between two clans, it is declared and everyone knows about it.
Therefore, such people usually end up being disposed of after their usefulness is over.
.....
Rodolfo was holding an important and urgent meeting in a very secret place with the leaders of the Mafia clans he ruled.
"The reappearance of the killer F means the beginning of problems, so we must prepare,"
he tapped his fingers against the marble table, his voice so low it forced everyone to lean in just to catch his words.
One of the clan leaders replied,
"Roberto was a danger to all of us, so this time this crime is in our favor."
The others nodded in agreement..
but Rodolfo continued,
"You may be right But always remember that F isn't on our side, so he's certainly not doing you any favors. This proves that hr was serving both of us, so we can't rule out him leaking some of our information to them."
One of the members asked
"But what's the real reason for his reappearance? I don't think just Roberto summoning F ."
This was the question on everyone's mind in the room, because F only appears for difficult and delicate missions.
And of course, Roberto is just a subservient former minister lacking intelligence, making him an easy target.
Rodolfo said with a hint of sarcasm, his eyes darting around, sensing danger miles away,
"Correct analysis. F didn't come back for Roberto, but for the data chip. I'll send someone to check his house for it to be sure. Because if he took it, he's taken the bait."
All the men looked at him with a mixture of emotions until he continued,
"Because the original chip is here,"
he said, holding up a tiny, seemingly insignificant piece in his hand, but which had actually been capable of thwarting many of their plans, and of course, Rodolfo wouldn't allow that.
Everyone nodded seriously..
The meeting lasted for hours, during which Rodolfo presented his meticulous plan and assigned roles to each person with such precision that the margin of error was less than zero percent.
Rodolfo stood up, announcing the end of the meeting.
Everyone stood up and began to leave one by one, until only he and Alfredo remained.
Alfredo smiled a dead smile, a far cry from his usual playful self.
Rodolfo put his hand on his shoulder..
" The mission is yours... "
...
About a week after the assassination, people calmed down and the gossip decreased significantly, especially after they learned about his corrupt policies.
which made it an ideal time to search his house and make sure that the fake Data chip had disappeared.
Two hours after midnight, Alfredo set off, disguised in a black mask and moving with the precision of his plan.
He entered Roberto's villa, which was quite large, making the mission take longer than he anticipated.
However, Rodolfo's meticulous strategy made it easier.
He targeted Roberto's room precisely, behind a portrait of his father, carefully removing it.
Then he smiled triumphantly..
Exactly as his brother had described.
He found a small safe that required a code to open.
He entered the numbers 12122003,
the date he joined the Mafia, the beginning of his curse..
The safe opened, just as he had expected—empty.
He began the process of returning home and left without leaving a trace.
This was Alfredo's strength; in stealth missions, no one surpassed him in experience..
.....
Sirani Castle
In a secret underground location, beneath the Serrani Castle.
Racina and Alejandro were meeting in complete secrecy.
He is very careful about this regarding F's missions; because even the Serani clan itself doesn't know that F is one of them.
and that he is a woman..
Rasina..
except for Alejandro and Moreno, who only recently discovered the fact.
She passed him the chip.
"My mission has been successfully fulfilled, Boss " she said.
He nodded and gave her a look that spoke volumes, as if to say he had no doubt about F's success.
Alejandro turned her over carefully in his hands, then the look of pride faded and was replaced by a smile that Racina didn't immediately understand.
"It's fake,"
He said in a cold voice and with an even colder smile .
"What? How is this possible?"
Rasina said, her face showing disappointment and anger.
Alejandro replied calmly,
"Calm down. It seems someone wants to play with us a little, so we will play too."
...
Celia opened her bedroom window wide, enjoying this beautiful spring day.
She took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrance of flowers and the delicious aroma of breakfast that filled the air.
Celia woke up a little late because it was the weekend. She went downstairs to have breakfast with her parents, her favorite moment of the day.
Especially if her mother makes her beloved apple pie.
In fact, it's not just her, but everyone who tastes it falls in love with it and becomes addicted to it—
her favorite addiction, as she calls it.
"Celia, finish your breakfast and go shopping. I've run out of apple pie ingredients, and other ones for preparing some sweets for the Spring Festival,"
Lizzie said as she poured a cup of coffee for her husband, Michel.
"Yes, Mother."
"Haven't you changed your mind about the festival, my daughter?"
Michel said calmly, hoping so.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I really wanted to go with you. You know how much I love the festival, but I have to work."
Lizzie sighed wearily.
They really don't know how they will spend it without her, because Celia adds flavor to it.
She finished quickly and got ready to go out. Her brown hair was falling gently over her face, unlike weekdays and work days when she always tied it in a ponytail.
She wore a long dress decorated with flowers, making her look like a sweet princess.
She called Bianca many times to go with her, but she didn't answer. That lazy girl must still be asleep..
After finishing her shopping, as she strolled along enjoying the scenery, a very fast motorcycle nearly hit her.
She swerved at the last second, causing her to fall to the ground, scattering her purchases.
"Damn that reckless driver!"
The man quickly got off his motorcycle and helped Celia up.
"I'm so sorry, miss. Are you hurt?"
Celia, furious, stood up and hastily gathered her belongings.
"You idiot! You almost killed me! If you can't learn to drive, leave it to someone who can!"
"I'm really sorry, miss. I was in a bit of a hurry,"
he said, helping her collect her things.
"Wait, is that you?" He said, staring at her .
She looked up and saw him removing his helmet.
"You?..."
the man from the company who helped her when she had her asthma attack...
"I'm sorry again، I left quickly that day so as not to keep you from work because I know my brother is intolerant and..."
"Wait, wait... what do you mean? You're Rodolfo's brother?"
"Yes, my name is.."
she interrupted him in shock. Placing her hand over her mouth, she said,
"Alfredo..."
"Y.. yes... Do I know you?"
She sighed, tears of joy welling in her eyes, for she truly couldn't believe it.
"Miss...?"
"Of course you know me... Unless you've forgotten me, Pinocchio..."
Alfredo let the bag fall from his hand, staring at Celia in shock.
"Is that really you..., my blue fairy...?"
Celia laughed, her whole being. Then they embraced tightly, tears of joy in their eyes.
"Alfredo.."
" Celia..."
Life is truly so short, and so strange too. Who would have thought they'd meet again, and in Rome...
After keeping them apart for all these years, it brought them together again in their childhood city and its streets, to revive their strong friendship, their childhood memories, their special "La belle époque " (a term referring to a time when they had everything).
"I thought I'd never see you again," Celia whispered as she hugged him.
"Me neither..."
"My mother made your favorite apple pie. How about you come home with me?"
"Girl, who said I was waiting for your invitation in the first place?"
Celia hit his shoulder.
"You're still rude."
"And you're still beautiful."
She raised her head and shook it haughtily.
"I know."
"So, what's the story of your work for my brother?".
Celia sighed.
"It's a long story."
"And how did you come back after all these years?"
"That's a long story too," he said, pursing his lips.
Then he added,
"I think we have plenty of time to hear these stories, right?."
Celia smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and genuine happiness.
That's why she loves spring; it always brings her joy!
.
.
.
...
༺ཌ༈End of chapter ༈ད༻
The events are becoming increasingly exciting!!
what do you think?