I hadn’t said much after those last words to the woman.
In addition, I opened her eyes to the possibility of securing substantial funding with minimal loss of shares, the chance to expand not just in Europe but also in Arica, and then I left her to her thoughts.
Now it had been over 40 minutes since our talk, and I stood at the Via della Conciliazione.
My hands were in the pockets of my suit, my back straight, and head facing forward.
I was the definition of confidence, but inwardly I was lost.
"Where to now?"
If I could get Prisca to join the faction, I would get to see Chiara. Now the deed was done, but I wasn’t exactly sure how to go about the second half.
Prisca and her assistant were behind , and I an, was there ever a doubt about the woman following ?
The choice between a billionaire and small-ti local nas who were hungry and greedy for money was obvious.
I wondered what Chiara wanted with Prisca, as she honestly would never have entered my radar aside from this encounter.
"Let’s go."
It seed like our obvious destination was the basilica, but I suddenly took a left and had us walking along the edge of the church.
The won behind knew little, so they didn’t complain. They didn’t see gulp as I moved with faith, nor did they notice the relief that went through my body as a nun dressed in black ca strolling out from the other end.
I recognized the woman and she recognized too.
"Marcus, it’s a pleasure to see you again."
The fear she’d shown the previous day, when she fell to her knees claiming innocence and begging Chiara for rcy, was gone.
The woman looked at peace, her bosoms propping up her outfit quite invitingly, and she gave a small smile as she noticed my gaze.
"Please control yourself. You are Chiara’s."
Whatever those words ant, she didn’t elaborate and instead moved on to the skirts following .
"Prisca, your arrival has been long-awaited. We’re glad you ca."
"Thank you for receiving ." Prisca was surprisingly a bit nervous, and she constantly had her eyes on my figure.
"Would you both please follow ? There is so much we have to discuss."
The nun moved to lead the won in the opposite direction, but their feet remained stuck.
"It’s okay, you can trust her."
The won still looked unconvinced, and I understood. They were not just dealing with a new power but one that was high and very strange to them.
"I’ll co see you both later in the evening. You can tell if you’ve been wronged in any way."
Prisca narrowed her eyes at , then reluctantly nodded, her gaze running over the nun’s form calculatingly.
I turned to the nun.
"Take care of them. Don’t neglect the assistant, you’ll find the designer to be half as useful without her. They co as a package."
Prisca’s face twisted at this, while the cute girl’s head dropped.
I found it interesting how I didn’t know her na till now, and I didn’t push for the knowledge.
"Alright, I will."
I watched the won until they stepped into the grand church and went out of sight. I let out a breath and headed out of the Vatican.
My next stop was Bella Italia, and it wasn’t just because I was hungry but because this was where I had been told Chiara was.
........
The bell chid as I stepped in, so of the few eyes in the room turning to .
Though I didn’t spot Chiara at any of the tables, I moved to take a seat.
"Sorry, sir. Could you please follow ? The Madam is waiting for you."
"You’re not speaking English."
"Sorry, it’s just a little trick I picked up. Hope you’re not displeased."
It was a male waiter who had attended to , and he gave a different feel — the bright smile on his face was contagious.
He spoke Italian, but I heard the words in English.
It seed, in so aspects, science lagged behind the supernatural.
"Lead the way."
We walked past the guests in the room and ca before a door, but before I followed him through it, I cast my technique.
Echo!!
As mysterious as this café was, compared to the Vatican I felt I could take care of myself.
I cast my technique throughout the café and beyond, making sure to have everything in my mind.
"Was that you?" were the first words Chiara asked after I went down a flight of stairs and was led into a personal kitchen.
I knew what the woman was asking about and didn’t lie.
"Yes."
"Ever used it in the Vatican?"
"No," I lied.
The question was weird because if Chiara could pick up on the technique now, why couldn’t she back when we were in the chapel?
Though on a much smaller scale, I had used it just when I rushed in to help her, just before her enemies pulled off their attack.
"Smart. It’s a really good technique. I’m even feeling envious, how about you trade it to ?"
"Not interested. I’m here for answers. Can we get to it?"
"No."
"Yes."
"Can’t you see I’m cooking? Enjoy at work, we’ll answer your questions another ti."
"No, you’ll answer them now."
"And if I don’t?"
"I’ll find people who will. You’re not my only option."
"Lucy won’t like that." Chiara’s words made feel a little weak, as if there was a threat in them, but I didn’t back down.
My lips tightened, and I was just about to move them when the redhead’s current occupation caught my attention.
Picking a frying pan up from the stove, Chiara shook it a little, tossing the multiple sizzling contents in it into the air.
Much of what was in it was red, and my eyes followed them, watching as they each individually spun in the air.
They did not disperse as one would expect and fall all over the place, but rather stayed together, maintaining a collective, near-round shape, and fell back into the pan.
"Beautiful, right?" Chiara said, catching my stunned expression.
The woman put the pan back on the stove and moved to a pot on a nearby burner.
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