Book 2: Chapter Eighty - Where's Emilia?

Book 2: Chapter Eighty - Where's Emilia?
Carlos and Donovan accompanied Matteo out of the house for the first time since Mariano came to power. 

“It’s such a beautiful morning!” said Matteo, breathing in the fresh air outside the house. 

“Yes, it is. So do you remember me? I’m Carlos Sorrento. We’re both related to Evita, your cousin.” 

Matteo smiled and shook his head. “No, I don’t remember you now but maybe I will soon.” 

“Yes, I’m sure you will. This is Donovan, my best buddy. We both used to work for Don long ago. Do you remember your cousin, Rafael? He died, but he too used to work with us.”

“Good that Rafael died,” said Matteo as they walked down to the main gates. 

Carlos immediately turned towards him with a frown. “Do you remember Rafael?”

“I don’t remember distinctly but I think I’ve heard the name a million times. He harmed someone close to me.”

“Yes, he harmed your wife’s family. They died in the accident he was in. It’s a long story,” said Carlos, not going into the details now. “Do you remember your Mama, your siblings, Marco and Marcello? You have a five-year-old daughter too, Mariella. She was born after your capture.”

Matteo’s eyes sparkled at the mention of his family. “Long ago I went to Sicily with Don. I escaped to my family home, but no one was there. Don captured me again.” 

“If only I knew about this before. I could have rescued you, Matteo.” 

His uncle and Officer De Felice joined them soon, and they all left the massacre behind. “We need to pick up Nikolas and Brandon from the house before we leave,” said Carlos. He knocked on their door and Brandon opened with a worried look on his face. 

“Mission successful. Let’s go,” said his uncle with a smile. 

“Congratulations. Have you captured the criminals?” asked Nikolas worriedly. 

“They’re all dead!” said Matteo with a smile.

“So you’re Matteo? I’m Nikolas, your wife’s best friend, Brooklyn is my wife. This is Brandon, Genelia’s husband, and Brooklyn’s twin. You remember Genelia, don’t you? She’s your wife’s younger sister.” Matteo smiled sadly since he didn’t remember a thing. It was all too confusing for him to find out so much all at once. 

“He’ll catch up, Nikolas. Right now he’s in a state of shock,” said Carlos. They climbed into the car, waiting to take them to the airport in Tunis. “We will first take him to a hospital in Florence.”

They boarded Nikolas’ private jet but Matteo soon fell asleep from exhaustion. For the first time in five years, he slept peacefully, knowing he was with friends now. His worst days were over. He had survived the ordeal!

“Let him sleep. He’s gone through a lot,” said Carlos. 

“Why don’t you join the police force, Carlos?” asked Officer De Felice. 

“I’m happy at my little restaurant, Officer. It was my Mama’s dream!” 

“That’s good. You should live up to your parents’ expectations.”

They discussed what happened, but Carlos didn’t mention a thing about Matteo’s involvement in the killing of the criminals. He disposed of the weapons in a pond on his way to the airport. They accepted the fact that the two criminal leaders died in combat. He glanced at Matteo, who looked exhausted with dark circles beneath his eyes. His handsome face looked hollow and thin, while his body looked like a skeleton. It would take him years to come out of his state. Only Amelia’s love could help him regain his health. 

Later, they all caught up on some sleep. After four hours, they reached Florence and took Matteo straight to a reputable hospital. Giorgio Sorrento and Officer De Felice hastened the admission process. They checked Matteo thoroughly and put him on drips. He was extremely dehydrated and needed special care for at least 24 hours! 

“His mental condition will improve once he unites with his family. We will observe him for 24 hours and if all is well, we will discharge him,” said the doctor. They all went home to freshen up but Carlos, Brandon, and Nikolas stayed by his side. The doctor discharged Matteo after two days and he smiled with relief. 

“I’m feeling better already. Can we go home, please?” asked Matteo, looking much better than he did when they rescued him. 

“Yes. We’re taking you there,” said Nikolas. They bundled into Carlos’s car and left the hospital. Carlos’s uncle was already there at the base to talk to the officials about releasing the family from the place. With the death of the mafia leaders, they were now free to lead normal lives. They didn’t inform the family about Matteo’s rescue, since Officer De Felice had asked them to wait for a couple of days. 

In the meantime, the DIA arrested the rest of Di Salvo’s gang members from Catania first. Aldo had informed his friend Giuseppe who fled before the cops raided their hideout. Even Dario left the mafia circuit a day before Di Salvo’s death. They raided Luigi’s hideout in Palermo and arrested all members of his gang too. 

“Why are we in a military base?” asked Matteo, looking around at the protected base where his family lived. 

“Your family has been living here for the last five years. Ever since your disappearance, Luigi had been after their lives. Even Di Salvo wanted to extort money from your wife in return for saving them. They had to seek police protection,” explained Carlos. 

“Oh, I didn’t know their lives were under threat too. Don promised to take care of them if I worked for him. He betrayed me. I’m glad that I could take my revenge. I’m glad I killed him,” he swore angrily. Nikolas and Brandon gaped at him with surprise while Carlos sighed. The secret was out now. 

“Did you kill Di Salvo?” Nikolas asked Matteo in a whisper. Matteo gave Carlos a worried look realizing what he had done.

“Yes, he killed both Di Salvo and Luigi. I disposed of his weapon so that the cops couldn’t nab him on charges of murder. Those two criminals deserved to die,” said Carlos. 

“I’ve killed Mariano too,” admitted Matteo. Brandon smiled and patted Matteo on his back. 

“I’m glad you have. Don’t worry! I’m in the same situation as you are, bro. I’ve killed Ross Moretti for everything he did to Genelia.” 

“Oh! Then I’m safe,” said Matteo with a relieved smile. 

“Ross Moretti is Rafael’s notorious twin and your cousin. He was worse than Di Salvo. I’ll tell you all about him some other time. Now let’s go inside,” said Carlos. They went inside to the office room where his uncle and Officer De Felice were waiting for them. 

There were other officers present who made Matteo sign a few documents to close the case once and for all. “Come, I’ll take you to your family,” said an officer, leading the way. Matteo couldn’t contain his excitement. This was what he had been living for. His heart skipped a beat at the thought of meeting his wife, Emilia. Despite the hardships he went through, he never forgot the name even for a second. Every time he thought of the name, he felt calm. The wish to see Emilia once in this life gave him the zeal to go on! 

Now that wish would come true. He would be united with Emilia. He would see her finally! 

They walked up to the ground floor of a two-storied house and rang the doorbell. Matteo’s heart pounded with anticipation. Maybe after seeing them, he would remember everything. The door opened and a young woman peered out. Was she Emilia? But Matteo didn’t feel a thing for her! 

Her eyes widened with disbelief, and a gasp escaped her mouth. 

“Bro? Mama, Marco, come quick,” she yelled, tears streaming down her face. Matteo knew instantly she was not his wife. Why couldn’t he remember her? 

A man came rushing and opened the door wider. “Matteo?” he gasped, breaking down into uncontrollable tears. He pulled Matteo into a hug, refusing to let go. 

“Marco, you’re crushing my bones,” said Matteo suddenly. He gasped, realizing that his subconscious mind had remembered his sibling. 

“Do you remember him, Matteo?” asked Nikolas with surprise. Marco released him and looked quizzically at Nikolas. 

“Matteo had lost his memory for the last five years. It’s a wonder how he remembered you,” explained Nikolas. 

“My subconscious mind knows him,” said Matteo. “But I can’t remember you.” He looked at Viola apologetically. 

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m Viola, Marco’s wife. Come in, please. Mama will be so happy to see you.”

They invited all of them inside. “When did you rescue him? How did this miracle happen? I still can’t believe bro is back with us,” gushed Marco once they all sat down in the living room. 

“Who are you talking to, Marco?” asked their Mama as she emerged from her bedroom. Her gaze fell upon Matteo, and she froze in disbelief. 

“Matteo? Oh my God! I can’t believe this,” she opened her arms while tears streamed continuously down her cheeks. 

“Mama!” Matteo whispered, getting up to embrace her. He remembered her very clearly, now that he saw her.

“This is the best day of my life, God! I can’t believe Carlos has rescued you. God bless you, Carlos!” she broke down uncontrollably. 

“I haven’t done it alone, Aunt Bianca. It was a joint effort,” said Carlos. 

“Please sit down, Mama. I’m now back forever. Our worst days are over. The criminals are no more. We can now live a free life,” said Matteo, leading his Mama to the sofa. His eyes looked around for his wife, but there was no one else in the house. Where was Emilia? Didn’t she live here with them? 

“Where’s Emilia, Mama?” he couldn’t help but ask her.