Continuation of chapter 4

Riding up to the building, 'Romano Industries', Lucenzo's breathing was broken and tired. He took his time to scroll through all the thoughts in his head which he planned to pour out at Milano, but his anger blocked all his good intentions. He quickly got out of the car and went up to his brother's office. He didn't want to postpone their conversation any further. He decided to dot the i's and cross the t's.

He entered the room and found his elder brother. Milano was sitting at his huge desk, hunched over a pile of his drawings and simultaneously taking some notes. Lucenzo was glad that he didn't find his brother on the table with his secretary otherwise he would have definitely thrown the nearby chair at him.

Feeling someone's heavy gaze, Milano looked up from his work.

"Lucenzo?" He was surprised. "I didn't expect to see you here today. Come in, brother." Milano gestured to his brother to sit while he was still busy with his work.

"I don't know if I should accept your invitation or not, Milano, because I feel like I'll blow your whole office to hell!"

Lucenzo understood that he couldn't stop, despite how Milano was quiet, as if he was afraid of the unintended consequences of their conversation. Maybe he was holding something back from him.

"What are you talking about, Lu?" Milano didn't look interested, continuing to trace some lines of a future building's facade and checking the accuracy of the lines of the drawing.

"What? Don't act ignorant, Milano! I thought you have matured, but you are still the same! How could you?"

Milano suddenly raised his head, pausing from his work and looking suspiciously at Lucenzo.

"Why is my brother yelling at me as if I'm guilty of all mortal sins?"

"You let your secretary plait ropes out of you! That's why! She didn't tell you that Francesca's call was urgent!" Lucenzo shouted.

"What?" Milano couldn't understand why the whole sky was falling on him and why his brother looked at him with such fury and discontent. What did he do wrong? Or rather, what didn't he do?

"You know what I mean, Milano." Lucenzo said, coming ever closer to his brother.

Milano growled. "Tell me what is going on and stop acting like a neurotic!"

"I'll explain and then clobber you! Veronica is sick. She's pale as a sheet. Francesca is now sitting at home with her. I think you're glad that soon you will get rid of Veronica. We had a doctor come over and she said that Veronica will lose the baby if she is going to be hard on herself and work all day without resting. Why didn't you see it? Why didn't you give a shit about it? And why did you lie to me? Why did you behave like this with your Angel Veronica?"

Milano stiffened in the chair. He stopped typing on his tablet, still not believing this situation. He didn't know what to say to his brother because Lucenzo was right. Milano acted like a selfish and apathetic man. He often noticed that Veronica didn't answer him when he asked what she ate and rarely talked to him. But he was afraid to push her because he wanted tranquility for his Amazon and their child.

But how could he be so blind as to not notice her internal mental state; not notice that she was meek and humble, although usually, she had never been like that? Did something eat her from the inside and Veronica couldn't handle it?

"What do you say now, Milano?" Lucenzo stood beside his brother's chair, disapproval readable in his eyes.

"I'll cancel all my appointments! To hell with this job! I'm going home!" Milano abruptly stood up, grabbing his tablet and jacket. But Lucenzo detained him.

"You should have done this much earlier, Milano. You should not have allowed this to happen with Veronica! I so want to smash your face!" Lucenzo's jaw seemed a little grimmer. He could hardly restrain himself from starting a brawl.

"You can smash it in next time, Lu. Let's get home fast." Milano suddenly drooped, and his green eyes were so cold. Lucenzo was always scared of that look. He didn't want to see sadness in Milano's eyes again; to see him falling into an inferno. He didn't wish to watch Milano getting lost in his darkness again.

"The doctor already did everything necessary. Don't worry, Milano." Lucenzo consoled him. But why did he decide not to scold his brother, but to calm him? Lucenzo understood one simple truth – the more you kindle the flame, the more you will be burned. "The Lamborghini is outside. Leave your car here. Pietro can bring it home."

Milano agreed. He rushed out of the office with Lucenzo and told Susan. "Cancel all my meetings for today. You are free to leave. You can go and visit your ill mother. I will deal with your insubordination when you get back!"

Susan was shocked, hearing such words from her boss. But she could contrive nothing in her defense, because she didn't know what he meant. She only nodded, as Milano and his brother swiftly left the building. Milano didn't have time to sort things out with his secretary, because right now Veronica needed him. She wasn't feeling well and he should be at home to protect her and indulge her in his arms.

Half an hour later, the men were home. Milano left his things on the couch and quickly raced up to his room. He carefully opened the door, quietly stepping on the parquet floor, making sure not to wake Veronica if she was asleep. His chest almost ripped out from desperation when he saw a picture he never wanted to see in his life. Veronica lay on her bed, looking wan and exhausted, as if all these weeks the blood was being drained from her. You suck all the juice out of me, whatever you can... Veronica's past words sounded in Milano's head and he realized that he ruined everything.

"Are you happy?" Rising from her armchair, Francesca hissed. "If Veronica loses the child, you can continue to hang out with all your whores, like that Susan! What a lousy man you are!"

"Don't talk nonsense, Fra! I haven't been hanging out with anyone and I don't care about that bitch, Susan! I just didn't want to disturb Veronica and I was easy on her. But Veronica didn't talk to me. She was so secretive about her feelings. How can I understand what she's going through if she doesn't talk about it?" Milano defended himself.

"And you were so blind that you didn't see what was breaking her from the inside?" In Francesca's eyes was a fire of indignation.

"Maybe..." His head bowed and he sighed so hard, as if he was holding the weight of the globe. "I can't read people's hearts..."

"Of course not, because you're an ugly bastard!" Francesca retorted.

Her patience was destroyed and she was already at her limit. With all her strength, Francesca started to beat Milano in the chest so that he would finally realize what he had done to Veronica. And Milano didn't resist; he stood and endured all the blows that Francesca struck at him. It was like he was punishing himself for being so blind towards his goddess.

Lucenzo panicked seeing Francesca's despair and the inaction of his brother. He had to end the suffering of his loved ones. He grabbed Francesca's waist and lifting her in his arms, carried her out of the room, while she wept bitterly. After all, Francesca never had any female support and the Veronica's arrival had changed her life. She became like a sister to Francesca. Veronica made clear to her that she was ready to help Francesca and support her.

Milano understood that he had behaved worse than any villain. He so mutilated Veronica's existence that she didn't have any thought of being with him or carrying their child. But what did he do wrong? He worked and brought money into their house, so that Veronica and their child would have everything they needed. He was with her the way she wanted him to be, patient and understanding. Although it turned out that he didn't manage to do it right and their problem wasn't solved. He was just lying to himself that he had changed. But he was hiding in his shell, not wanting to open up. Did his fear of experiencing the overwhelming love stop him? Did he still not realize that everyone deserved a chance to be loved, even him? Couldn't he just start over? Maybe some strong thrust in the right direction could change his opinion?

Milano quietly sat down next to Veronica, took her hand which was so small compared to his broad and powerful hand. He began to gently kiss her, afraid that he might disturb her sleep. For the first time, after so many years, a tear rolled down his cheek... Did the glacier finally begin to thaw?

"I'm sorry, my sunshine... I'm sorry that I didn't see what tormented you..."

He patted Veronica on her fragile shoulder, from which the chintz nightgown slid and he hated himself for being so heartless to her soul's anguish. He was willing to subject himself to any inquisition so that all of Veronica's pain would switch to him. He felt bad.

"Veronica is asleep. The doctor gave her sedatives. Don't touch her." Francesca said quietly, coming up to Milano from behind.

"I'll sit with her. Maybe she will want to talk to me..." Milano whispered.

"No..." She shook her head. "You'll only upset her."

Without saying anything to Francesca, Milano left the room and went down to the kitchen, approaching the bar and taking a bottle of brandy along with a glass. He sat down at the table, pouring a glass for himself, to extinguish the terrible pain in his heart. Why did it come back to him? Why? Oh, how he scorned that pain! He detested her dirty chains which has been keeping his darkened soul in captivity for such a long time.

"And you think you can help Veronica like this?" Lucenzo's voice thundered. He was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, watching his older brother drown his sorrows in cognac.

"Get off, Lu! Don't..." Milano grunted. "Why did I even let you all come into my life?"

"To not feel even more pain! You are soaked in it, Milano. You think I don't see it? You think I'm so narrow-minded?"

"Oh shut up, Lucenzo! You know nothing about my pain. Nothing!"

"Listen to me, Milano!" Lucenzo put his hand on his brother's shoulder, while Milano impatiently fidgeted on the chair and tried to pour another glass. Lucenzo grabbed the bottle of brandy which Milano held in his hand and threw it in the trash. Milano muttered something under his breath. "Stop being a baby and make up your mind! Stop drinking and try to become a proper husband to Veronica."

"I made a proposal to her months ago, but she said nothing! What else should I do? Dance salsa for her?" Milano snapped.

"You don't have to offer a proposal. You should just marry her, Milano!"

"You want me to forcibly drag her to church?" Milano barked, overturning a chair as he got up and walked into the living room to lie on the couch.

Lucenzo smiled, not knowing what to think. Milano, for the first time, was seriously thinking about marriage and lawfully taking a wife. Lucenzo couldn't believe it. Did something serious begin to happen in Milano's heart? It was clear that marriage was something very important and precious for Milano and it was beyond believable for Lucenzo. Perhaps Lucenzo made the wrong conclusions about Milano's principles.

"What are you snickering at? I'm serious." Milano pouted, turning his face to the back of the sofa.

"Come on... Don't feel aggrieved." Lucenzo chuckled, noticing that his brother intended to get some sleep. He frowned. Lucenzo knew that Milano rarely slept and he didn't approve of this. More precisely, he hasn't slept at all.

"Do you have nightmares again?" Lucenzo continued.

Milano nodded. "When Nicky is not with me, nightmares don't release me from their clutches."

"You speak about them as if they are existing characters." Lucenzo assumed, sitting in a chair and not looking away from Milano.

"It is so, Lucenzo, when I fall asleep alone."

"Why aren't you sleeping with Veronica? Where do you sleep by the way?" Lucenzo was surprised.

"I sleep in an armchair because I'm scared to see the terror in her eyes when I wake up from the nightmares. She witnessed this 'show' in Pisa, and I don't want to repeat it. She knows that I'm a real Demon and I don't want to scare her anymore..." Milano closed his eyes as he tried to convince himself that everything in Pisa was just a figment of his imagination. But the most recent memories didn't let him doubt in reality, especially his actions that involved his goddess. If not for his temporary insanity, Veronica would never have gotten into the rapist's hands.

Lucenzo rubbed his forehead, completely puzzled. What happened to Milano? What tragedy did he experience in his life that made him so unbalanced? And what did Lucenzo need to do to bring his brother to a normal state?

"Brother, if you're going to continue like this, it will not be surprising if people wanted to send you to a mental asylum. Sleep is rest for the soul and body and you haven't had it at all. No wonder you're acting crazy. I think you need a good psychologist." Lucenzo decided.

"Is it so important to you what happens with me?" Milano hesitantly asked him.

Lucenzo tightly clenched his lips into a hard line, not endorsing the views of his elder brother.

"Of course, damn it! You're my own brother, Milano. My brother! I see how you break yourself from the inside, how you want to change and cease to feel this pain. But this is the wrong way, brother. Wrong! You have to destroy the wall between your heart and your emotions and go forward! Got it? You need Veronica just as she needs you. You will be able to improve her health, no one else. You both are two halves of a whole. You have to be together!" Lucenzo's advice seemed logical, but Milano was in denial. He was really afraid of his emotions.

"Give me a break, Lucenzo! I don't want to hear this crap about love!"

"Well, then I'll take care of Veronica myself, if you don't want to."

Lucenzo rose from his chair, daring to go to his room. But Milano was overcome with a wild jealous feeling and he jumped up from the couch, grabbing his brother by the collar of his shirt.

"What do you mean 'I'll take care myself'?"

"Aha! So you're jealous and don't want to give Veronica to anyone else!" Lucenzo laughed, seeing his brother all wound up. "Let me go, Othello!" *

"One more word and I'll beat you, Lu." Milano seriously looked into his younger brother's eyes, while Lucenzo was still smiling. "Don't tempt me! You've tasted my fist."

"I won't, I won't..." Raising his hands in defeat, Lucenzo gave up with a smile.

"Good." Heading to the third floor, Milano somehow felt satisfied. Lucenzo only shook his head disapprovingly, knowing that his brother will not admit what he felt for Veronica anytime in the near future, unless some miracle happened.

After a few minutes, Lucenzo went to Milano's room to inquire about Veronica's state. But he saw his brother at the doorway and Milano tilted his head, pointing in the direction of Francesca, who was fast asleep together with Veronica. Lucenzo didn't want to wake them up. He gently lifted his woman and carried her to his room. Milano smiled at Lucenzo's quality of not moving a single step away from Francesca. For him, it was weird.

"You are slumbering so sweetly, my little bird..." Milano said softly, when they were finally alone. Barely touching her head, Milano began to comb the blonde curls of his goddess, feeling their natural softness. Obeying his inner desire of wanting to be closer to his unique woman, he gently kissed her lips. He didn't want to cry or laugh. He was afraid to be like everyone else. Veronica was urging him to experience such strong emotions which he was trying to forget. She was like the sun; the sun which could burn him with her brightest light.

_________________________________________________________

*Othello is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Othello was a Moorish Prince, who killed his wife out of jealousy by strangling her, only to realize later that she was faithful. After learning the truth, Othello commits suicide. In this context, Lucenzo calls his brother 'Othello' because of his jealous nature.

_________________________________________________________

Author's Note: 2800 words

Copyright © OlgaGOA

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey, sweets!

You surprised with this new chapter #FIP2 ? Surprised that Milano came to Veronica so fast even this bitch Susan couldn't do anything about it? You doubt in him that he can do anything for Veronica or you still understand him and love him in despite of how jealous he can be, how possesive he can be, how controlling he can be and sometimes so closed inside.

Does Milano deserve to be with Veronica or not? Does he deserve new chance to be loved as well? What do you think?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your endless support, my best readers! I really appreciate it xox

Don't forget to comment, vote for chapters, share my book with social nets and also don't forget to write about your first impressions after reading xo ♔

Thanks for love, my besties!♡♡♡

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FATEFUL ITALIAN PASSION 2 OST ♪: The XX - Say Something Loving

Lyrics:

Before it slips away

Say something loving
I just don't remember the thrill of affection
I just don't remember
Say something loving
I need a reminder, the feeling's escaped me

I went looking for it
Could have been anyone's kiss
Throwing my arms at no one
When I gave up, I found love

The thought flows through my mind
And it's growing all the time
I do myself a disservice
To feel this weak, to be this nervous

You say something loving
It's so overwhelming, the thrill of affection
Feels so unfamiliar
You say something loving
Without hesitation it hits me, hits me
It feels so unfamiliar

Before it slips away

Your touch stays on my skin
I feel it start sinking in
Here come my insecurities
I almost expect you to leave

Were you really looking for me?
Try your best to reassure me
I wasn't patient to meet you
Am I too needy, am I too eager?

I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
I don't know what this is, but it doesn't feel wrong
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
I don't know what this is, but it doesn't feel wrong

Did you hear me say it?
Say it
Did you hear me say?

I say something loving
I can't hold it inside, the thrill of affection
Is only getting stronger
I say something loving
All my hesitations are fading, fading
I feel it taking over

Before it slips away
Don't let it slip away
Before it slips away
Don't let it slip away