[GIOSEFFO]
I kept my gaze on the game and pretended not to hear his question. It was a simple question, but why couldn’t I answer it? It was easy to say it was for revenge, but it felt like I was lying to myself when I said that.
I’m 13 years old now, almost 14. I’ve wasted nearly a year and a half because I felt distracted.
“You were supposed to seek your revenge last year, but you said it wasn’t the right time. What are you waiting for? You can easily eliminate all of them. Astrid’s status is gone now that Belleza is no more. She’s training her daughter for a different reason altogether. And you? It seems like your plans have changed, right? Is it because of a certain girl? Are you now protecting her instead of seeking revenge?”
“Shut up.” I shot Taddeo a sharp look, but he didn’t relent. Perhaps he knew I wouldn’t do anything to him, and his words hit me deep.
“Perhaps, you’re in denial, Gioseffo,” Taddeo’s playful expression disappeared, replaced by a serious one. “You keep denying that you’re seeking revenge, but the truth is, the desire for vengeance against Astrid’s family has long left you because your purpose has changed. You want to do something different now. You’re angry at Astrid not just for what she did to your grandparents, but for what you’ve discovered she’s doing to her own child. Amelie Pearce, was it? Are you, perhaps, developing feelings for the girl when you shouldn’t?”
My gaze bore into Taddeo, and this time, he got my message. He smiled subtly at me and nodded.
“It’s your life, Gio. I can’t do anything about the choices you want to make. You’re the great Gio Locatelli, and despite our age difference, you’re already highly respected by everyone, both in our organization and our family. Even without an official title, you’ve already earned the respect of everyone in our group,” he sighed deeply. “I just hope that the girl won’t become your downfall. I never question your plans and decisions because I know that when you decide, it’s precise and perfect. But when that young girl is involved, you change, Gio.”
Taddeo stood up. It felt like neither of us had the heart to continue the game.
“Don’t forget your purpose, Gio. I’m just reminding you as your best friend. Don’t get lost just because you’ve seen a glimmer of light in a different direction.”
I didn’t expect Taddeo, of all people, to lecture me like that. Maybe it was because he could see the change in me, and I couldn’t deny it. As time passed, I knew something within me was shifting. Taddeo was right; I had forgotten about my revenge.
Now, they were at the playground. Millie rarely left her house, so I could see her excitement at being here. Many children her age were playing, and while she occasionally tried to socialize, some didn’t want to talk to her, while others joined in her games.
Dario smirked, catching my attention. Elliott, who was with us, looked at me, unsure whether to laugh or remain serious.
“You’re smiling, Gio. We’re not used to it.”
Elliott suddenly burst into laughter, and I couldn’t help but join in, making all three of us laugh. I playfully punched both Elliott and Dario.
“Play! Play!” Mariana exclaimed as she joined in.
When we stopped our play-fighting, I looked back at where Millie was. My brows furrowed as I witnessed a group of boys destroying what appeared to be sandcastles they were building. Some of Millie’s playmates had backed away due to the incident.
The boys tugged at Millie’s hair when she attempted to fight back. I nearly stepped out of the car if it weren’t for Dario restraining me.
“Let’s go, Gio. Don’t show yourself to her right now.”
Elliott and Dario exited the car and went over to Millie’s location, blocking the boys from her. They talked to her, and when persuading her didn’t work and the boys attempted to approach again, Elliott flashed a wide, confident smile.
In less than a minute, the bullies targeting Millie were lying on the ground. Elliott and Dario quickly left the scene and returned to the car. I shouldn’t have been grateful to them, but I was.
One day, I couldn’t visit Millie because I wasn’t allowed to leave the house. It had reached my family that there was an assassination attempt on me.
This wasn’t new to me. There had been numerous assassination attempts before, but none had succeeded in eliminating me completely. These attempts usually took place when my father was not at home.
I woke up in the middle of the night, got out of bed, and left my room. Our house was on high alert due to the news of the assassination attempt. My father was on his way, but he wasn’t here yet.
The entire house was dark when I stepped outside. I walked to the living room and sat on the couch. Gia wasn’t here, so I was the only Locatelli at home.
I took a deep breath as I heard some noises. It seemed like they thought I wouldn’t notice.
“Show yourselves, assassins.”
In an instant, the seemingly empty house filled with people, and all their weapons were pointed at me.
“Good, good! You wouldn’t be considered a Locatelli prodigy if you didn’t sense us right away. Even though you knew we were inside your house, you still left your room.” I didn’t recognize the man, but I knew he was one of our adversaries.
Many had attempted to end my life, being next in line as the head of our family. Furthermore, they feared my methods. They were afraid of what I did, and from a young age, they wanted me gone.
I just stared at the man. I could see the anger in his eyes when our gazes met.
“Those icy and dark eyes, your ruthless and cruel personality. Many of your enemies have united to try to kill you, as you’ve taken too many lives, Gioseffo Locatelli. At such a young age, you’re already soaked in the blood of those you’ve killed. They are scared, which is why organizations that resent the Locatelli family have formed an agreement and attempted to create an alliance to bring you down.”
I didn’t say a word; I just kept looking at them.
“You are a monster, a devil hiding in human form. You have no place in this world, and you will die tonight. All the guards you have won’t help you now.”
I gazed at him for quite a while before a sinister smile formed on my lips, erasing the grin on the man’s face.
“We’ll see who will die tonight,” I said, while glaring at him. “Kill them.”
Various gunshots echoed throughout the house. The man turned to see what was happening, and his eyes widened.
“W-Why are you shooting your own allies? You’re not enemies! Kill this child-”
“Do you know why, out of all the attempts on my life, none have succeeded?” I leaned against the sofa’s backrest. “Because you all are so full of yourselves. You thought a simple setup like this would take down someone like me.”
He looked at me, and I quickly aimed the concealed gun under the sofa’s cushion.