Princess of St. Vincent

Chapter 26

Vada walked into the apartment in the City- wondering what she would find.

"This is a nice building." Nora murmured.

"At least it looks safe." Brian answered, looking around.

She couldn't believe she was actually here- with her parents, moving into Viviana Peroni's old apartment.

"Vada- are you okay?" Georgina had asked as she entered Vada's room. Vada sat on the bed, sobbing. She couldn't believe what she'd said to her parents. It was too much, all for the sake of getting back to Davide. How she hated him.

"Do I look okay? Didn't you hear the horrible things I said to them? To mom? She's a saint. She doesn't deserve this." Vada said. Georgina moved towards her sister, reaching out to hug her but Vada pushed her away.

"Vada- you did what you had to do. It's for their own safety." Georgina said.

"George- I need to know. Who are you? How do you know all this?" Vada asked, pleading with her sister.

"I can't tell you." George said. "You better than anyone knows it's best if you don't know."

Vada stared at her sister for a long time, realizing she didn't know her at all. After she left, she spent the afternoon sobbing, having fits of rage and tears, throwing things... it was late when she finally managed to cry herself to sleep.

"Wow." Vada said, as she flicked on the lights of the apartment, realizing that although it was small it was very nice.

"Oh my- this is adorable." Nora said, walking around and looking at the furniture. Brian sighed, dragging in the bags himself. They had insisted that they didn't need to hire anyone because there was only a few bags and they would all help but of course, those two women left him to do it.

"It's so nice. I can't believe that Mrs. Peroni suggested I stay here." Vada said.

"I wanted to make sure you'd be comfortable."

They all turned towards the door as Viviana Peroni walked in with a smile.

"Mrs. Peroni." Vada said, approaching her. Brian dropped the bags and moved towards her.

"Viviana, it's good to see you." He said, taking her hand.

"Viviana! This is great." Nora said, rushing over to greet her.

"Well, when Davide explained that Vada would be in the city and working at EPI- I didn't like the idea of her just staying in some hotel or getting an apartment who knows where when I have this one available." Viviana said. "It'll be nice to have you around, Vada."

Vada smiled at the older woman, for a moment wishing she could spill the beans about how horrid her son was but the smile on the woman's face, full of kindness, made it impossible for her to do so. How could she break her heart that way?

Then Vada realized Viviana must know who her son and husband were- could it be that she and her husband knew why she was really here?

"I'm really thankful for everything." Vada said.

"Once, a long time ago, I was just like you. Starting out on my own, not a clue how to do it and this place was my haven. And you are all my friends. I'd like you to feel like this is your home as long as you need it to be." Viviana said.

Vada felt ashamed-how could she think that this kind woman would know what her son was doing? Even if she did know they were Mafia...

"Vada?"