That morning before Eduardo received the news from Viktor, Marcello had made up his mind to go to Russia earlier than expected. He was supposed to leave in a few days, but he left earlier.
Shortly after Eduardo left his room, Mario visited to return his black card. He saw the angry look on Marcello's face and was forced to ask...
"Is everything alright, boss?"
Marcello, still holding his cigarette took a quick glance at Mario and looked away.
"A lot of eyes will be on Eduardo as time goes on. My cousin.. who knows, my father might even get interested in him"
Mario remained silent. He folded his lips into a thin line and smacked it back open. He had no words to say since he's a culprit in what Marcello was saying.
He also had no feelings whatsoever for the man he just met a few weeks back. But as he got closer to Eduardo, he found himself drawn to him.
Why? How is it possible to fall in love with a total stranger?
"Book me a flight" Marcello's voice snapped him back to reality. Mario furrowed his eyebrows, with a puzzled look on his face.
"A flight? To where, boss?"
"Russia. I want the next available flight immediately. Call Viktor on your way out"
"Uh...okay, boss" Mario uttered and left the room. He was still confused but he had to do what he was ordered anyway.
That night, Marcello booked a quick flight to Russia. He also secretly snuck into Eduardo's room. His eyes trailed his body as he was asleep peacefully on the bed. He was forced to touch his huge chest, face and even his neck. It was so attractive that he couldn't help it.
"It's too soon to let you go. Too soon!" He mumbled and immediately left before Eduardo woke up.
Marcello took the flight to Russia immediately.
.
Eduardo woke up and was fully dressed in the new outfits that was bought with Marcello's card. The black shirt that was half unbuttoned, exposing his hairless huge chest and a pair of black pants. He didn't wear any jewellery since he was working as a bodyguard but of course, he had bought some for himself.
He walked out of his room and as usual, the guards around were glaring at him with hatred in their eyes. Some of them had different look as their gaze washed over Eduardo from head to toe.
He shook his head and silently wished he could stay hidden in the room, but he walked himself to Marcello's door which was the next room.
He stood in front of the door and slowly knocked. There was no response or movement from inside.
'Is he still asleep?' was what he asked himself as he knocked again. This time, a little harder. It was the same thing. No response.
Eduardo concluded that he was still asleep and went for breakfast. He arrived at the kitchen and was greeted by the chef in Italian language. He understood it was a greeting but, pretended not to.
The men who were hanging around laughed at the chef.
"This is the new outcast. He's from Russia! He won't understand what you're saying" he spoke in Italian language and the others laughed. Eduardo could understand that he was being mocked by these men. They only saw him as an outcast. But he was fortunate that the chef didn't care. He placed a plate of soup and some bread close to Eduardo.
"Uh, Eat. The. Food" The chef tried to speak English and his accent was weird. Eduardo was forced to smile as he took the plate.
"Thank. You" he replied in the same way and there was no response from the chef and the others around. They've been captivated, just like Mario was. Apparently, it's almost like his smile had power to draw people to him.
"What was that? He's really cute"
"I thought I was the only one who saw that"
"The outcast is pretty hot. I wonder when the young master would get tired of him. Maybe we'll get a chance too"
They spoke again in Italian language. Eduardo turned and left the kitchen, hearing their laughter in the background. He sighed and found somewhere to eat. Just while he was eating breakfast in the wooden table, someone sat close to him.
The dining table was different from the ones Marcello use. This one was for the guards and other staffs in the manor.
For some seconds, Eduardo was curious to know why this person was here and why the person would choose to sit close to him.
"Good soup, isn't it?" Viktor asked.
"Uh, I guess?" he replied, uncertain of what to say. He haven't tried the soup yet. The spoon was still in his hand.
Viktor remained silent after his first question. He started eating as quick as possible. While he ate silently, Eduardo found it hard to digest his food.
"Since you're not getting paid for the job you're doing, it'd be better to stay alone for a while before he returns"
"He?" Eduardo was confused. Viktor sprung up, holding the empty dishes in his hand. He gently brought out his handkerchief and elegantly wiped his lips with it with his eyes closed.
He suddenly opened it and glared coldly at Eduardo.
"Of course. He. I mean, the young master. He's not at home at the moment. Not just at home... He left for Russia last night"
"What? He left for Russia last night?" Eduardo questioned. Viktor placed a hand on Eduardo's shoulder, pressing him down to the chair.
"Yes, he did. And it's all because of you. How can a mere slave like you allow his master wander around? Wouldn't it be better to pay with your life? If you're dead, the young master wouldn't have to go about like this"
Eduardo knew it was a warning and he was pissed, hearing that from the man who hated him. No one actually liked him in the manor, except Mario, who was nice to him.
"I apologise for that" he lowered his head, dropping his spoon. He suddenly brushed Viktor's hands off his shoulder and walked away, leaving behind his breakfast.
Viktor was silent. He watched Eduardo till he disappeared into thin air and also, he went to his room.
___
Viktor entered his room and saw his informer on the couch, with his gaming pad. He saw Viktor walk in and took off his headphones.
"How was it?" He asked.
"The information is true. He doesn't remember his real identity. He doesn't know anything about his former self before he became a slave" he uttered, sitting on the bed.
Viktor was trying to make sure the information he got about Eduardo was right. That's why he tried to intimidate him and also, called him a slave. But, Eduardo didn't respond or show any sign that he knew he was a prince.
"What do we do? According to the information, he was sold off by his step mother. If we return him back...." The informer suggested.
"Do you think the young master would let that happen? He's obsessed with that slave boy and won't let him go" Viktor tutted his teeth and looked away, thinking of a plan.
"Since the young master is away. Why don't you use her... His new fiancée"
Viktor looked at the informer and snapped his finger. He loved the idea already. All he wants is for Eduardo to leave Marcello's life. That way, Marcello would concentrate and become the Mafia immediately.
"Send that information to lady Lucia through one of her guards. We'll let her handle it and support her from behind"
"Yes sir!" The informer added.
He stopped his games and get to work immediately. After using the whole day to stalk every of Lucia's guards, he fooled one of them into believing he had information about Marcello's fuckboy. Of course, she was interested, thinking it would benefit Lucia. She took the file and reported everything to Lucia.
It took Lucia just five minutes to find out what to do, so she sent a message to Eduardo's real family in Russia about the location of their missing son.
The letter was sent to Russia, but Marcello arrived earlier than the letter.
Marcello, who could now be seen in the Rossi manor, with all members of the family trembling in fear due to his presence. He had just two guards with him and it's enough to show off his aura.
Nadia, stood at the corner, shaking in fear. She's not able to meet his eyes, remembering everything that happened the last time they met. The moment she spent in his manor was filled with terror.
Luca tried his best to act strong in front of Marcello. It was his first time meeting him in person and he's exactly as rumour described him.
Cold.
Fearless.
Handsome.
"May...." He opened his mouth to ask a question and his tone went slightly off. He cleared his throat and spoke again.
"Why are you here, Prince Marcello?" He asked.
"You have something that I need, so I came here to take it myself" He smiled.
"What is it?" Luca queried, getting curious.
"Eduardo's slave papers. Hand it over" he spoke in one line and the room fell silent. Luca exchanged glances with his parents who were too scared to speak in front of Marcello.
They were scared of Marcello, of course. But not as much as 'that woman' scare them.
"You should hurry. I have to catch a flight back to Italy" Marcello stared at his wrist watch and before he raised his head, he got his response.
"I'm afraid, that's impossible"
This time, it wasn't Luca speaking. It was his father.