Chapter 1
Mia Aloisio
Life is great, wonderful even. It's something that I can be proud of at the moment. Even though I have to be looking through my window to make sure that everything is alright, to make sure that happiness is not a dream.
It has been a few months since Lorenzo told us that he saw Jacob. We have been waiting and expecting something to happen, but he never came. We wondered why that was. He said that he would be back, so what is he waiting for?
If he is waiting this long, it must be something big.
I will protect my children with my life. He won't get to them, I will make sure of it.
My children have grown into wonderful young men. Lee is 17 years old, Lorenzo is 15, and my last son, Fabio, is 8.
A lot has happened over the years, I have spoken to my parents, Kaleb and Trishana, and my younger brother Terence.
Leonardo got into contact with them for me. At first, my father wanted nothing to do with me. He said I was a disgrace.
My mother was a little more gentle even though she was still upset that I left home with Jacob.
The person who was most angry with me was my younger brother, Terence. He is an adult now, but he's younger than I am.
Terence is married to his lovely wife, Doraine. They have two lovely kids together. At least one positive thing happened in my life.
Walking down the stairs and into the kitchen, I saw Fabio with two cookies in his hands. "Fabio, who gave you those?" I asked. It was Saturday, so all the boys were home.
He jumped in fright and hid the cookies behind him. "No one, mom." He answered.
"Fabio, don't let me ask you again." I scowled.
"Brother Lorenzo gave them to me, he said not to let you see them." He told.
"That boy." I muttered. "Eat those, but you're not having anymore until next Saturday." I told him.
"But mom -" I glared, and he kept quiet.
I went into the living room and saw Lee and Lorenzo playing video games on television. They had headphones over their ears.
I took off Lorenzo's headphones, "What the -" he started saying but stopped when he saw that it was me. "Mom." He greeted with wide eyes.
"Why did you give your brother cookies after I told him he couldn't have any?" I asked.
"What? He said that you told him to ask me for it." Lorenzo said, looking at his younger brother in disbelief.
"Fabio, did you say that?" I asked.
"I really wanted a cokkie, mom." He answered with his head down.
"Go and face the wall! Do not move until I say so." I told him. Fabio started to cry while he walked to the wall.
I ignored him and went back to the kitchen. It's almost dinner time, so I'm going to make dinner.
I put the pot on the stove and started cutting up the vegetables. I was so stressed out that I was not paying attention to what I was doing.
My hands grabbed the handle of the pot that was currently on the stove. I screamed when I felt a burning sensation in my palm. I just touched a hot pot.
I quickly turned on the tap and placed my hand under the running water. Lee, Lorenzo, and Fabio rushed into the kitchen.
"Mom, are you okay?" Lee asked, looking startled.
"I'm fine. I just burned my hand." I told him.
"You should just order in. It doesn't look like you are um...focused enough to cook." Lorenzo suggested.
I glared at him. "Get out." I told them. Lorenzo put his hands up in surrender.
"Fabio, stay where I can see you. Face that wall right there." I told him, pointing to the wall near the kitchen door.
Fabio faced the wall, and I continued cooking.
Leonardo Aloisio
I entered my house and expected to be greeted by Fabio. He is always the first one to greet me when I get home.
Upon entering the living room, I saw Lee and Lorenzo sitting on a couch. "Where is Fabio?" I asked them.
"Mom made him stand in the corner because he lied." Lorenzo told.
"Mom burnt her hand, we told her to order food, but she told us to get out of the kitchen." Lee blurted.
I sighed. Ever since Mia found out that Jacob is alive, she has been stressed out. She even told me not to allow Michael to come to the house because she does not trust him.
When I got to the kitchen door, I saw Fabio facing the wall. "Fabio, come here." I called him.
He turned to me, and his eyes widened. "Papa!" He said, running into my outstretched arms.
"Picolo, you should never lie to mom or Papa, okay?" I told.
"Okay, Papa. I'm sorry." He said, his head down in shame.
"Go and sit with your brothers." I told him. He nodded his head and walked away.
I went and stood behind Mia, who was washing something in the sink. When she felt my hands around her, she leaned into me and broke down crying.
Mia turned in my arms and hugged me. She continued to cry. "Mia, you can’t continue like this. Jacob..." she stiffened at the name. "He won't get to you. I've double the guards around the mansion and I've told everyone to keep an eye out for him." I assured her.
"I'm scared, Leonardo." Mia sobbed. Kissing her forehead I said, "I will so everything in my power to keep you and the boys are safe." I promised her.
