"You win", Lucio whispered, but hard enough for everyone to hear.
"What are you talking about" Gianna asked confused.
"Father you win", this time he says it a little louder, "If you can't stand the thought of me being happy I will end my relationship with Mya".
"Brother you cannot be serious" Gianna stressed.
"Gianna this is not up for discussion" Luca interjected.
"Luca please" Giulia begged, "please don't allow this".
"Mother this is not up for discussion" Lucio commanded.
"She will never be a good fit for my family", Luca said.
"What's so good about your family", Lucio shouted, "Because of your family she's even here".
"What are you talking about boy?"
"On the night of my birthday your brother bought her from sex traffickers as a present to me".
"What?" Luciano spoke.
"This is preposterous, you are accusing my brother and your uncle of human trafficking".
"It's not an accusation father, it's the truth" Gianna spoke.
"You knew about this?" Giulia looked over to her daughter in horror.
"Yes mother, Lucio and Mya confided in me. She really is a lovely girl if you would just give her a chance". Gianna said.
Mr. Avaldi is speechless. He believed his brother when he said that he was out of the Mafia gang, he trusted him.
"This is unbelievable" Luciano stated, "uncle Luigi would never be a part of something that inhumane".
"Why did you wait this long to tell us?" Giulia asked.
"I wanted to handle the situation on my own, I even hired a private investigator but I'm stuck. I have to choose between my uncle and Mya and to tell you the truth uncle Luigi doesn't look so good".
"You would choose someone you barely know over your flesh and blood?" Luciano asked.
"It's not even about Mya. You weren't there to see the way these men were bidding on women What if one of these girls are your own sister" Lucio explained, "or your daughter?" the last part he said looking at Luca.
Luca stood up from his chair and walked out the room.
The family except for Luca is in the study discussing the situation at hand. Lucio stepped out to find Mya. He finds her back in her old bedroom looking out the window. What he's about to do is going to destroy him but to him he has no other choice.
Mya smiled when she saw him but that smile instantly turned into a frown when she saw his face.
"I do not care what your father said, I love you" Mya confessed.
Lucio wants to break down but holds his composure.
"You will move back to this room until you return home" was all that he said before leaving the room.
He couldn't bear to see the hurt he's causing her. Before leaving he waited outside her door, wanting so badly to listen to the voice inside his head which is telling him to go back to her. He wanted to hold her and never let go. He wanted her to stay his. Then when he heard the cries coming from the other side of the door he couldn't take it anymore. He broke down. Lucio was crying. He loved her back, more than anything he has ever loved before but he cannot go back on his word. To him leaving her is saving her. The pain would only last for a while, he thought.
He stood up from the doorway, fixed his suit and tie, dried his face and proceeded back down to the study to join with the rest of his family.
TEXT CONVERSATION BETWEEN LUCA AND LUIGI
LUCA: Come to Italy brother, I need to speak with you in person.
LUIGI: I'm already here…