Eleonora opened the door to her apartment in a hurry, still wearing her pajamas.
"Vittorio, what's going on?" she asked, allowing her ex-fiancé to enter.
"Eleonora, I need to know more about my father's death," Vittorio said, stepping into the apartment.
"Vittorio, I've already told you everything I know. Tommaso Grecco was behind all of this," Eleonora replied, sounding worried as she closed the door.
"But there's something more. I need information," Vittorio insisted. "Grecco mentioned a deal with the Kurganskaya Bratva. What else do you know?"
"And why would I tell you what I know?" Eleonora questioned, crossing her arms, her expression serious.
"What do you mean?" Vittorio asked.
"Come on, Vittorio, I did what you asked me tonight and I didn't see any reciprocation from your side," Eleonora explained, approaching Vittorio.
"And what do you want?" Vittorio asked, looking at his ex-fiancée.
"I said it that day... I want you, Vittorio," Eleonora replied, leaning her body against Vittorio's. "For one night... to show you that we belong to each other."
"I'm married, Eleonora. Tonight is my wedding night," Vittorio claimed, holding the shoulder of the Gattone heiress.
"Yes, I know. However, you're here with me and not with her," Eleonora argued, sliding her hand inside Vittorio's pants. "Trouble in paradise? Your little bride couldn't handle it?"
"It's none of your business," Vittorio retorted, holding Eleonora's hand. "I'm here on business, and that always comes first, you know that."
"I know, it's the fifth commandment," Eleonora affirmed. "But you should remember the sixth commandment... Commitments should be honored. You commit to me, honor it as we agreed."
"The seventh one, I shall respect my wife," Vittorio argued.
"Then respect her and go back to your wedding night," Eleonora said. "But you'll never know the information you're seeking."
"Don't do this, Eleonora. It's not just about me..." Vittorio pleaded, his voice filled with emotion. "It's about my family too. Please help me find out who else was involved in my father's death."
"And I'm willing to help you, Vittorio," Eleonora affirmed, looking into the man's eyes. "But give me what I asked for before."
"If I do that, will you help me?" Vittorio asked, his face serious.
"If you sleep with me tonight, I will give you everything you want to know," Eleonora replied.
Vittorio's eyes were fixed on Eleonora's soft, red lips as he approached slowly. Their bodies touched, Vittorio's hands wrapped around Eleonora's waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
***
Vittorio slowly woke up, his mind foggy from the events of the previous night. He opened his eyes and blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the brightness, not recognizing the room he was in at first. After a few seconds, he remembered that he was in Eleonora's apartment, his ex-fiancée, in her bed. Vittorio vaguely remembered the events of the previous night when he and Eleonora ended up in bed together.
He turned his head to look around, realizing that Eleonora had already left the room. He sat
up in bed, running his hands through his disheveled hair, and sighed deeply. He felt confused and ashamed for giving in to the temptation of sleeping with her, even if it was just to obtain the information he needed.
With a heavy sigh, Vittorio got out of bed and began to get dressed. A wave of regret washed over him as he remembered the events of the previous night.
He put on his clothes and walked over to the window, looking out at the still-asleep city. A great weight rested on his chest, knowing that he had betrayed Ellis on their wedding night, even if the wedding wasn't real.
Vittorio glanced at the clock on the bedside table and realized that Ellis was probably already awake. He knew he needed to have a serious conversation with her about what had happened and try to resolve things once and for all.
Lost in his thoughts, Vittorio was approached from behind by Eleonora, who hugged him.
"Good morning, love," she said, smiling at Vittorio with an affectionate voice. "It was wonderful to have you back, even if it was only for one night."
Vittorio quickly stepped back and turned to look at Eleonora with a remorseful expression.
"I shouldn't have done that," he said, his voice hoarse. "It was a mistake."
"A mistake?" Eleonora asked, sounding confused and a little upset. "Funny how you didn't seem to think it was a mistake last night. It felt just like old times..."
"I got married to Ellis last night. I have a duty to her," Vittorio claimed.
"It didn't seem like it. It was pretty clear that you still have feelings for me. Admit it, Vittorio. You know that I love you and have always loved you," Eleonora argued, raising her arms. "And you love me too. Admit it, Vittorio."
Vittorio shook his head, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"That doesn't matter now, Eleonora. What matters now is for you to fulfill your part. Tell me what you know."
"I... I don't know anything else, Vittorio," she replied nervously.
"You know you can't lie to me, Eleonora. If you know anything else, tell me now," Vittorio ordered, gripping Eleonora's chin threateningly.
"What do you want to know?" Eleonora asked, wide-eyed.
"Grecco mentioned a deal with the Kurganskaya Bratva. What else do you know?" Vittorio asked, staring at her intently.
"I only heard about it in passing," Eleonora confessed, looking down nervously. "I... I heard that there was another person involved."
"Who could that person be?" Vittorio asked, staring at her.
"I don't know, Vittorio. I swear. I just heard that there was another person involved... and that they were close to your father," Eleonora replied, now crying.
"Giuseppe?" Vittorio asked.
"I don't know..."
"You do know, and you will tell me," Vittorio asserted, gripping his ex-fiancée's chin even tighter.
"Vittorio, you know I love you, but I can't betray Tommaso like this," Eleonora said. "If he finds out, he'll kill me."
"And if you don't tell me, I will be the one to kill you," Vittorio explained, forcing her to look him in the eye. "Speak."
"Giuseppe was against this deal with the Russians, but I know it was your uncle, Matteo, who introduced them.
Your father didn't want it because their activities put the family at risk, which made your uncle furious, so he started working for Grecco... I just don't know if your father knew about it. But that's all I know, Vittorio."
Vittorio stared deeply into Eleonora's eyes, searching for any sign of deception from her. He couldn't believe that his uncle, his father's brother, was also involved in all of this.
"Vittorio, never trust anyone, not even your closest allies. They can easily turn against you and end your life," Marco's words echoed in his memory.
"I'm sorry for all of this," Eleonora said. "I still love you, and I don't want to make you suffer."
"It's alright, Eleonora. I believe you," Vittorio said before letting her go. He walked towards the door and then said, "Thank you, Eleonora."
He left the apartment and as he made his way back to the car, Vittorio thought about everything Eleonora had told him. It seemed that his quest for revenge was no longer just against Grecco, but now involved members of his own family. He got back into the car, determined to go after Matteo Amorielle, who was involved in his father's death, and deliver justice.
"Where to, sir?" the driver asked.
"Back to the hotel," Vittorio replied as he fiddled with his phone. "I have a honeymoon to attend."
The driver headed towards the hotel where he had left Ellis the night before. Vittorio was already preparing himself to face the consequences of his actions.