Chapter TWENTY-THREE
It's been a few days since that almost wonderful moment between Stefano and me. That almost kiss situation got me really thinking about why I wanted him to kiss me so bad. I thought I was only attracted to him because he is a handsome man, but Aurora helped me realize it is more than that.
She reminded me how much I care about him. You can only care about and be attracted to someone you like. I never thought too deeply about caring about him. I always looked at it as caring for a friend, now I know it is more than that. I like Stefano but I am not sure if he feels the same way. Yes, he almost kissed me that night, but it doesn't mean he likes me. A lot of people have sex with people they can't stand. I hope he has genuine feelings for me, not just attraction.
We came back to Sicily a few days ago and still trying to find Petrova. That night we couldn't find shelter from the rain, but we got service, and we were able to call for help. We came back to Sicily the next day, a few guys from the Kazan gang were caught trying to blow up one of the warehouses in Sicily. Because of Petrova running away when I was trying to talk to her, we are sure now that the Kazan gang is the one behind all the attacks. The only problem is, supposedly they don't exist anymore, Stefano wiped them out. Unfortunately for him, the former gang leader's distant cousin Petrova has rebuilt the gang again. Aurora told me this gang did something to Stefano that was really personal and hurtful to Stefano. That's why when we confirmed the gang was back, Stefano has been on edge since. His behavior this morning proves this.
Earlier this morning:
I woke up a little late, I was out of the house before 11 am and on my way to the warehouse. I wanted to help with the investigation as much as I can. I walk over to Stefano's office at the warehouse as soon as I arrived; I knocked on the door and only walked inside after hearing a response.
'Hello," I said, stepping inside.
'What are you doing here?" He said, his face buried in papers as always when I am around. He never looks up, but he always knows it's me, I wonder how.
'What do you mean, what am I doing here?"
'You don't understand English anymore? I mean, what is your business here?" he says, in a harsh tone.
'Stefano why are you asking me these questions as if you don't know the reason why I am here," I say, surprised by his harshly toned question. Did he lose his memory or something?
'If I remember correctly, I did not ask for you and don't need anything from you."
'Have you forgotten I am here to help in finding Petrova?"
'I don't need your help; so you can leave."
Why do I feel like he is a little more hostile towards me today?
'I want to help."
'I don't need it."
'But I am responsible for finding Petrova since I lost her."
'It is not your responsibility, so leave."
'I feel the need to help a little."
I wonder why he is suddenly not accepting my help. Did I do something wrong?
'I don't think you are listening; I don't want your help!" he says looking murderous as he raises his voice.
'Did I do something wrong?" I ask, confused with his behavior
'No, you didn't."
'Then why don't you want my help."
'Because I don't want it."
'Stefano, if I did something to offend you, you can tell me. I would apologize for it if I were wrong."
'You did nothing wrong. I just don't want you near anything related to the Kazan gang."
'Why?" I ask, surprised by his request. He opens his mouth to speak but pauses for a second. He uses his fingers to massage his temple and closes his eyes for a second. He seems to be thinking about something and looks really stressed with this conversation. It is only making me more confused.
'No reason."
'No reason," I say, astonished by his answer. 'You want me to suddenly stay away from helping you find the people responsible for almost killing both of us, for no reason," I say, wondering if he has lost his mind.
'Yes,"
'You have got to be kidding me."
'I am not joking, Andrea. I don't want you having anything to do with this again."
'You can't be serious."
'I am, now, get out."
'No, I am not leaving. I plan to help, and I will"
'Andrea, I said leave!" Stefano says, raising his voice, standing up from his chair while pointing at the door. I had only seen Stefano act this way towards me the day at the restaurant when he wanted to take me home.
'Stefano, I don't know what made you suddenly change your mind about me helping, but whatever it is, I am sorry."
'You don't even know what it is, and you are sorry about it. I wish you could really help, unfortunately you can't, so leave."
'What did I do for God's sake, that sorry can't even fix it," I ask, thinking of possible answers myself.
'When it concerns things we can't control, sorry is useless."
'I really want to know what that is."
'I will never tell you, so leave."
'I will leave, because I don't see you changing your mind, I really hope you do, though," I say, before walking out of the office.
I feel like there is a big reason why Stefano is pushing me away from things related to the Kazan gang. But I can't think of a reason, the fact that sorry can't fix it is only making me angry and confused. I really need to find out more about this gang, maybe I will find my answer.
Present time
I plan to go back home next week; I call my dad to inform him. It rings three times before he picks
'Hey, Dad."
'Hello Dear, how are you doing?"
'I am doing fine, and you?"
'I am doing great, to what do I owe the pleasure of hearing your voice today?"
'I am calling to let you know I will be coming home next week."
'That's wonderful, Honey, we can't wait to see you."
'Me too, Dad, I also wanted to ask you about something."
'I am listening, Dear."
'Do you know anything about the Kazan gang?"
Every time I asked Aurora, she said it's better if Stefano tells me about his relationship with the gang himself, but I am curious to find out more about the gang.
'Yes, I do, why are you asking?"
'Can you tell me everything about them. I am asking because they were the ones behind all the attacks on Stefano and me"
'Dear, the only thing I know is the gang is a Russian gang, and they have a deep connection with the Costanzo family. The connection the two have, I don't know."
'Alright, Dad, thank you."
'You are welcome, Honey, see you next week. Goodbye Dear."
'Bye, Dad," I say, as I hang up the phone.
I wish someone would tell me more about the gang. I really want to help, but I can't find anyone who wants to tell me anything.
After my call with dad, I walk to the living room to watch some TV. There is a lot on my mind, but there is nothing I can do to help ease my mind. While scrolling through the channels, Aurora joins me.
'Why do you look stressed? Is something on your mind?" she asks, taking a seat beside me on the couch.
'Of course, I look stressed. I want to help Stefano, but he pushed me away. What's more confusing is I don't know why."
'Andrea, as I told you before, the Kazan gang did something horrible to my brother. It's so bad we don't speak of it in our family."
'I understand that, but it does not explain why he suddenly doesn't want me to help. You should have seen him this morning. He told me he doesn't want me near anything related to the gang. He was so serious; I am scared he will find out I am talking to you about it and he will be angry at both of us."
'I am not surprised he did that, please, Andrea, I need you to respect my brother's wishes."
'You can't be serious, Aurora" I am shocked she is taking her brother's side in this.
'I am serious, right now, you might not understand, but hopefully, you will soon."
'Why don't you help me understand now?"
'I wish I could, but I think it's best Stefano does when he is ready."
'Oh God, you guys are all the same," I say, massaging my temples in frustration. These siblings won't explain a single thing to me, just expect me to respect their wishes. Why?'
'I am sorry I can't explain why."
'It's fine, it's not your fault you can't tell me."