Dark Secrets: Luna’s Deceit

As the sun began to dip below the horizon and the sky started to turn shades of orange and pink, the atmosphere in Milan, Italy began to change. The once bustling city now started to slow down and become quiet. The air was crisp and cool, the perfect temperature to enjoy the outdoors. At first, the streets were filled with people rushing to get home after a long day at work. The sound of cars honking and people chattering echoed through the narrow alleys. But as time passed, the crowds began to disperse, and the city fell into a peaceful silence. Walking through the deserted streets, one could hear only the sound of their footsteps on the pavement and the occasional rustling of leaves in the trees. This serene quiet only made the magnificent architecture of Milan more pronounced and beautiful. As the night sky started to darken, the city was lit up by the warm glow of streetlights. The atmosphere was peaceful, and a sense of calm descended upon the city. This made it a perfect time to stroll around and take in the sights without the hustle and bustle of crowds. Even though taking the walk around my neighborhood in the cool of the evening was my favorite part of the day, and my everyday routine, somewhat, I didn't feel excited about going out that day. I couldn't tell why, but I wasn't going to go against my feeling. My husband! I had not set my eyes on him since he got back from work, and that was really surprising. My heart was gripped with a growing sense of unease as I wandered through the opulent rooms of our luxurious home, calling out his name. “Have you seen my husband?,” I asked the maids, my curiosity heightening. The maids, all of them, shook their heads in confusion, none of them having seen Luca since the morning. My worry deepened as I remembered that he had not taken his medication, and the time for his dose had long passed. With each passing moment, my anxiety mounted until I could no longer stand idly by. Determined to find him, I began a thorough search of the sprawling estate, checking every room, every corner, every hiding spot he might have retreated to. Finally, I made my way to the elaborate garden. Even though he had hardly ever visited there, I couldn't help but hope I would find him there. At last! There, amidst the blooming flowers and winding pathways, I spotted the familiar figure of my husband. He stood motionless, his back to me, a solitary figure amid the vibrant blooms. “My lord,” I said, as I often called him, my voice soft with concern, but he gave no response. It was unlike him to hear my voice and not respond. Certainly, something was wrong. Curious, I approached him, stepping lightly along the garden path until I stood just behind him. With a gentle touch, I reached out and tapped his shoulder, the simple action causing Luca to startle and turn to face me. His eyes held a distant, haunted look that sent a shiver down my spine. "What's wrong, Luca?," I asked softly, trying to decipher the emotions that played across his features. “Nothing,” he just said and turned away. “But you are…,” I tried to speak, not convinced by his answer. “I said nothing!,” he cut me short, sounding aggressive. If I needed any convincing that something was off about him, this was it. I have been married to my husband for over two decades, and in that time, he has never been aggressive towards me… Until now! In his outstretched hand, I noticed a delicate flower, its petals a stark contrast to the turmoil evident in his gaze. As I gently reached out to take the flower from him, he spoke again, this time, his words were heavy with a weight I couldn't quite comprehend. "I wanna be left alone," he stated bluntly, his tone final and resolute. “Just go,” he quickly added. My heart clenched at his words, a mixture of confusion and concern swirling within me. I studied his face, searching for a hint of the man I knew and loved, but found only shadows and silence. Realizing that something troubled him deeply, I couldn't just walk away at his command. I hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Luca, please, talk to me. You know you can share anything with me," I implored, my voice filled with a desperate plea. But Luca remained silent, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond me, his expression inscrutable and distant. “Please, just go! I can't tell you,” he said. Left with no choice, I turned my back to leave, my mind heavy with concerns for him. But just as I took some steps away from him, he quickly spoke, cutting my exit from the garden. "Wait!," he said, as he turned. "I'm in some trouble," he added. I needed no second invitation. Quickly, I turned back to look at him. "You're Rossini. You have never known any trouble that is beyond what you can handle," I said to him, trying to remind him who he was. "I made a big mistake, and now, I'm going to pay for it," he said. I felt a chill run down my spine as I listened to his words. I knew all too well about the dangers of getting involved with the wrong people in the mafia world. The consequences could be deadly. “What deal?,” I asked. Luca hesitated for a moment before slowly revealing the details of the deal he had gotten himself involved in. He went on to tell me that it was a deal that he was not supposed to be involved in. "I thought they were genuine, but they are nothing but monsters. I f*****g fell for them!” His eyes were wide with fear, a sight I had never seen before. I could see the panic in his eyes, and I knew that he was not exaggerating about the trouble he was in. “Who are they?,” I asked him, having noticed that he had kept the identity of these business partners from when he spoke. “I can't tell you,” he said, looking away. “Why?.” “They will come for you.” “What about you?.” “A dead man has no hiding place.”