The sweet smell of lemons filled the marketplace as people, most of them tourists, filled up the place. Tourists snapped photos of sun-washed buildings, oblivious to the shadows of the mafia world.
Rosetta pays a woman at the stall for the lemons, clinging to her basket. She goes on her way through the market, weaving past sun-warmed stalls and murmuring vendors. A familiar scent hits her – sandalwood. She stops. A few metres away stood Christian. His gaze lands on Rosetta, as if he instinctively knows she is present.
Rosetta pivots and slips through a narrow alleyway. Two boys in white vests and shorts ran past her, laughing. Rosetta turns around to warn them, but her words catch in her throat when she spots Christian at the mouth of the alleyway, hands in his pockets. Rosetta looks away quickly and continues up the steep cobbled path, shadows stretching between the buildings.
"Far from home, don't you think, bella?"
Rosetta doesn't turn. "Surprised to find a Don like you in a marketplace."
Christian's footsteps matched hers. "You've been abroad for a few years. Explains why I haven't seen you in these parts."
Rosetta scoffs. "I have been studying criminal law."
"Someone like you might come in handy one day."
Rosetta smiled. "I don't think my aunt would approve."
Christian took the handle of Rosetta's basket. She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"You may serve as my personal legal advisor." Christian smirked.
"I didn't study law to become a pawn in someone's empire."
Christian raises his eyebrow. "How noble of you. You'll learn soon enough – truth isn't always the winning hand."
Rosetta's face grew hot, and she pursed her lips together, looking at the cobbled stones. Christian smiled.
"I'm guessing you didn't want to call after knowing who I am," he said.
"I don't know what to think. You seem like a decent person."
They reached the end of the alleyway and turned into another street with flats on either side. A woman stood on her balcony hanging a few clothes on the line when she called out to Christian and waved. Christian waved back. Rosetta studied Christian's face. He is a stark contrast to what people say he is.
"I can tell you're confused. It isn't easy to be in a family like mine, but it doesn't hurt to be kind to those who are considered vulnerable. A significant teaching from my father I received before he passed."
Christian escorted Rosetta to her apartment. She lived alone. Her parents passed when she turned fifteen, and she grew up with her aunt. They said their goodbyes at the tiny metal gate. After parting ways, Rosetta entered her lonely apartment. In her kitchen, Rosetta unpacked the basket, the scent of lemons lingering. Nestled beside the produce was a velvet pouch and the BlackJack card. For you, Rosetta. She opened the pouch. A silver chain. A purple crystal. Her breath caught. She touched the card, then the necklace. Her fingers trembled. She reached for her phone.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKuB4hWEVD
and then Add to home screen.