His eyes filled with tears then and he would always remember the anguish he felt, he could not believe that his brother was in such danger, and that all this time he had hidden it from him. Why hadn't she told him anything?
Her tears did not stop falling, then he came closer and looked at her with intensity, with a look that he had never seen before. He must have felt sorry to see her like this.
—Don't be afraid ragazza, I'll take care of you... I didn't want you... I would have preferred you not to know, your brother wanted to hide it from you and I think it was not right... I'd rather you know now, it's impossible not to ... I imagine you must have been suspicious.
Irina trembled when she felt her gaze, she didn't stop asking herself questions and she had the feeling that everyone was hiding something from her, not only her brother of course, but that stranger, that young man with the pleasant face and black eyes. He was looking at her as if he knew her before, as if… he cared about her. She must have figured it out of course, he was just a stranger.
"No... I never thought it was so serious." But why would you want to help me, what would you have in return? I'm sure you could have a prettier wife who's Italian like you said…" she wiped away her tears and looked at him.
—Smart girl... I've always noticed that Russians are cold but very intelligent people. What do you think I'll get in return?
She didn't expect that answer even though she did suspect something big was at stake, but what was it?
"I don't know, maybe money, state secrets, something my brother must have promised you in exchange for you taking care of me."
He didn't deny that possibility, but he didn't openly tell her what her deal had been, on that occasion he was more reserved and even humble if she could call herself that...
—You shouldn't worry, Russian princess, let the godfather Massimo solve everything and take care of you. You only have to sign some documents called a pre-marital contract because, after all, marriage is nothing more than a signed and agreed contract.
But she didn't swallow that muffin and replied incredulously: "Just marry you and sign an agreement?" And why would such an important man marry a young woman who is not even Italian?
He smiled again and this time he caressed her blonde hair with some lighter, more natural strands and he didn't hesitate to tell her that he liked her.
—It's just that I like you a lot, little girl, you're not like the girls from my country, I'll have to educate you so that you learn our customs. But fear not, it will be a sham marriage. We will be married for a while and then you can return to Russia if you want with your brother or wherever you want.
It seemed like a reasonable deal, except for one thing…he didn't think it was a sham marriage. He liked her, he had told her, so... would he marry her and not touch her? Wow, and who could believe that?
-This is not...
—It's not the wedding you dreamed of, I imagine, well, I'll do my best to make it up to you Irina...
She thought the whole matter over carefully. She would have to hide for a while until the danger passed, her brother would go far away, she did not know where and she would remain buried in the south on a country farm, in
middle of nowhere, full field. And that was tempting? No, it was not...
But that Italian had told her very strong things that night, things that she could not forget, now she knew part of the truth and that was not easy to digest. She suddenly looked at him and said: —And if I don't accept what you offer me? What would happen?
"I just don't think you have a choice...because I promised your brother I'd take care of you, and that means I'll have to take you south with me." If you run away and fall into the wrong hands...
"You want to scare me."
An expression of surprise appeared in her eyes when she heard her words.
"Hey no... but I think you already know what it's like to be afraid and scared."
Her words were a provocation and she suddenly began to attack the chocolate dessert with rage. Now at least he knew the truth, or part of it.
Wow, she was fed up with the enigmas, of not knowing what her brother was doing in that laboratory, why he spent so many days missing and why the hell was she now afraid for her life.