So many people around me. So many strangers, unfamiliar faces, speaking a foreign language. I felt lost but not scared. There are scarier things in this world than being alone in a foreign country... I was calm and I had nothing more to lose. All I had, all I loved already is far away. Somewhere beyond the mountains, over the sea, somewhere in the country where I was born.
My eyes looked around that new place without interest. It was a beautiful town with old buildings and modern architecture combined so perfectly together. But I didn't care, it was all the same for me. No use of the beauty of a flower, if there is no one to see it. No use of aromatic smell, if there is no one to smell it. No use of a beautiful girl if her body is just an empty shell...
I took a deep breath stepping outside the taxi. The driver gave me my luggage and left mumbling something. My eyes were looking for a building number... I had a letter in my hand with that address. It was one of my mom's letters, the one where my father's sister was writing about his accident. I made this decision to come here to Trieste and find her.
Entering through a big wooden door I walked down the hall looking for somebody I could ask where to find Giancarla Maretti, but the place looked deserted. Only silence and the sound of my footsteps. So creepy and scary. What kind of place is this? Who can live here? It looks more like a museum, not a family house.
- Hello!!- I called- Is anyone here?!- My voice echoed through the empty hall. I made a few steps more, not sure where to go, when I heard the sound of the door opening somewhere at the end. I speed up in that direction but the door on my right side opened suddenly and somebody knock me down. I fell on my side over my suitcase.
- What a.....?!- I shout turning my head to see what was that. A young man was standing by the door, still holding the doorknob, looking down on me with a surprise.
- Who are you? How did you get here?- He was frowning. I get up cleaning dust from my clothes, looking at him angrily.
- You should open doors carefully I could hit my head or something!- He folded hands on his chest
- You don't say?! Is there something more I should learn from you? Like how to be an intruder in someone's house?- I put both hands on my hips
- I'm not an intruder! I'm looking for Giancarla Maretti!- He came closer and that was the first time I saw his eyes. They had the same color as mine- blue-purple! How unusual! But it seems he noticed that too because he frowned again scratching his temple
- Why do you need Giancarla?
- I have one letter to show her.... but who are you anyway? And why do you keep interrogating me like this?- He smiled for the first time and that smile seemed somehow familiar.
- It's because this is my family house and you just came like it's yours!
I tucked my hair behind my ear
- Then can you please tell me where can I find Mrs. Maretti?- He laughed
- Wow suddenly you sound so nice and polite almost like you are a different person!- I rolled my eyes mumbling something only I could hear.
-Francesco?!-someone called from the room from where he came. He turned
- Zia che sono qui (aunt I'm here)- an older woman appeared at the doorway but she stopped looking at me intensively. I bowed at her
- Zia this girl is looking for you- he showed with a hand gesture at me. Women came closer
- You look like someone I used to know a long time ago... She was from Korea. - I smiled
- I'm from Korea too, signora (lady)- She took my hand
- Your eyes! You have eyes like my brother Gio! Look at her Francesco she has Gio's eyes!!- He nodded
- I notice that too...but how is that possible?
- Are you talking about Giancarlo Maretti?- I asked looking at both- They looked at each other, then in me.
- Giancarlo Maretti was my brother.- I smiled in relief
- Then you must be Giancarla Maretti?! I'm so happy I met you! - Pulling the letter from my purse I gave it to her
-You wrote this to my mom...- she took an envelope and red few words, then looked at me
- You are little HyeMin right?- Smile appeared on her face and she hugged me
- Oh this day is so happy! Francesco this is HyeMin your half-sister!- He looked at me with confusion but nothing more than I. Mrs. Maretti took my both hands
- We found about you recently. Your mom kept as a secret from my brother that she had you, but it was meant to be that he finds out... But oh... we don't have manners standing here like this. Let's sit first, you must be a tired poor girl? I see you have luggage with you...did you just come to Italy?- I nodded
- I came here straight from the airport...
We entered the room which seemed to be the living room. It was a large but cozy place. Old massive wooden furniture from oak three. Oil paintings on the walls with faces of ancestors. Heavy dark red curtains, brassy candelabras on both sides of a fireplace. It looked like a scene from a renaissance castle. But I liked that place, it wasn't that scary as I thought at first. It had its own charms.
We sat in big armchairs and one girl brought us a cappuccino. I took a small sip tasting real cappuccino for the first time. Mrs. Maretti was smiling like she could read my mind. She was a real lady from head to toes. Well dressed according to her age, with a wise look in her green eyes. Her hand was soft and gave trust. We liked each other right away, and that was a real surprise for me because I never gave my trust that easily to strangers, which I couldn't say for Francesco... He was cautious with me but considering all that was a normal reaction.
-My brother loved your mom so much. I was the only witness to their love. That year he brought me to Korea on a vacation. I fell in love with that place but my Gio fell in love with your mom. She was so nice and lovable person and soon we became friends. But after two weeks it was our time to go. Gio was a well-known actor and he had important schedules. We never assumed what will happen next. When we get back to Italy our father called Gio and introduce him to his future wife contessa Lara. It was a long tradition for a parent to arrange a marriage for their children and our family name is old and respected. Gio was furious, he fought with his father the best he could but our father was stubborn and also a dangerous man. He would never hurt him or me but for the others, I can't even think about it!- She left a sigh looking into my eyes with sadness
- Gio then went to Korea once again to see your mom for the last time... I know he had thought to just disappear with her, but as he told me later, our father had his men everywhere and they didn't have the chance to escape. Their goodbye was so sad and I saw Gio crying so many times remembering that day. After he left your mom he was a broken man. Nothing was the same as before. Father made an ultimatum forcing him to marry Lara. He tried so hard to be a good husband and father over the years and I know he loved her in a way but his wounded heart never healed. Even his last word was your mom's name....- She stopped talking looking through the window. Outside was already dark. Francesco was sitting silently with a blank expression on his face. Contessa Lara was his mother and I know how hard must've been for him to hear this story.
Mrs.Maretti gets up Let's talk more tomorrow..it's getting late and you must be tired HyeMin.- I nodded
-I'm so thankful for this story. It clarifies many things.- She took me both hands
- Stay here with us. I know we are just strangers to each other but we can change that..and after all like it or not we are family now.- I was hesitating to look at Francesco. But he nodded approving her words
- Stay HyeMin I don't have anything against you.- I was surprised thinking that he will despise me seeing me as an intruder who want to take his place or even worse. Giancarla was waiting for my answer so I took a deep breath and said "yes"
-Yes I would like to stay and know more about my father and his family and if my presence is not a burden for you....- She shook her head
- I can see you are real your mom's daughter. She was talking the same way you talk now. Always modest and considerate. Ah, I miss our talks...maybe you and I can talk sometimes? You seem like a smart young woman and this old lady needs someone to talk to...- I smiled nodding
- I would love that Mrs.Maretti! - Please call me Zia, everybody calls me like that.
-HyeMin come with me I'll show you your room- Francesco called me holding my suitcase. I said goodbye to Zia and we climb to the 1st floor. We walked through a huge corridor and entered my new room. It was a large room with big windows and king size bed- oh... -I was surprised
- This room is so big...- he laughed- This is one of the smallest rooms and I brought you here because from this window you will have the most amazing view! - I sat on the bed with caution expecting it to be hard and uncomfortable but I was so wrong! It would be heaven sleeping in there and just by the look on those pillows, I felt sleepy. Francesco smiled
- I will let you now rest and we can talk tomorrow- he went to the door but I called him
- Francesco why are you so nice to me? This is not usual behavior from someone who just heard a story about his own father...
- HyeMin I already know that story. My father confessed to me all before he died... I have more to tell you, some things not even my Zia knows...but you have to rest first. Let's talk tomorrow.- I nodded hiding my jawn with my hand
- You are right..thank you for all! - He nodded too and left.
I took my clothes off and laid on the bed covering myself with blankets. Closing my eyes I saw Jun smiling at me...pictures of his happy face haunted me all these hours but I pushed them trying so hard not to break ... I changed my phone number after I send a message to YunRea:" I'm leaving Korea to try to find my fathers family. Please don't say anything to anybody especially to Jun! I will explain things later when I settle down... don't worry about me I'm ok!"
Turning the lights off I let darkness sneak inside and wrap around me like Jun used to wrap his hands around my waist... On that place where used to be my heart only hole left... My body became an empty vessel... real HyeMin died that night in his arms...
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A/N: New chapter for this month! Please share your thoughts about this story with me I would like to know what do you think
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