Page 51 of Capuleto

"I'll tell you, but if I do, you'll tell me about your nightmares. The ones that wake you up at night screaming." He looked at me, scared. "It's only fair. Truth for truth. You decide."

He must have thought it was a good trade because, although there was some reluctance on his face, he nodded.

We went to his room in silence. Without me asking, he got into bed and covered himself with the sheet. I took the wingback chair next to the bookshelf to give him his space. For my part, I needed a bit of information before providing the explanation he was eager for.

"What do you know about Romeo, his job, and the family's business?" He looked at me strangely.

"My father is a businessman, like Grandpa. They're rich, so they always have bodyguards. There are bad people who envy what they have and might want to hurt them." Well, that wasn't a bad start. "Oh! And Aunt Julieta has a salon where she paints nails, and very posh women go there."

"That's a good summary, yes."

"Did a bad man try to hurt my dad? Is that why he's in the hospital?"

"Let's say not exactly. People like your dad, or like me, aren't usually liked by everyone. Envy is very bad, and as you said, there are many people who covet what we have. But what happened today was something else."

"Something else?"

"Yes, the man who caused your father to be in the hospital wasn't a sane person. I mean, he wasn't in his right mind. Do you know what that means?"

"That he was crazy?"

"A bit. Not because he was naturally crazy, but because something very bad happened to him that drove him mad."

"What happened?" he asked, curious.

"His only son had just died. He took a medication he shouldn't have and died."

"The same one my mom took?" I held his gaze and nodded. The little one closed his eyes, distressed.

"As you know, since Romeo married me, the company that made Mentium now also belongs to him."

"That's why that man went after my dad..." he commented with a sigh.

"Yes. The man was so hurt that he crashed his car into the bar where your dad was and set it on fire. Luckily, your dad is strong and managed to get out. The doctor said he'll spend a couple of days in the hospital to make sure his wounds don't get infected, and then he'll be back home."

"Can I go see him?" His eyes were slightly wet.

"I'll take you myself tomorrow after school. How does that sound?" Adriano nodded and bit his lower lip.

"Thank you for telling me the truth." His response made my heart clench a little inside. "Aunt Julieta told me that lightning had struck and burned the place down, but it hasn't rained a single drop today."

I bit back the smile threatening my lips. As I said, he was too smart.

"Your turn," I prompted.

The boy took the glass of water on his nightstand and drank a little. Telling me something he hadn't told anyone else must be difficult for him.

"My nightmares are because of the demon." I narrowed my eyes and looked at the little one, not understanding.

"The demon?" The boy nodded.

Many families scare children with figures like that. They tell them that if they don't behave or don't go to sleep quickly, the demon will come for them. It's a mistake, it only raises fearful children.

"My grandparents told me I couldn't talk about him because it was a secret what happened at home, and if the demon heard me mention him, he could take me."

"I understand, go on."

"The demon used to visit my mom some nights. She would scream, cry, kick, and I was very scared that he would come for me." Adriano had started shaking like a leaf.

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