135- On the Gun's Sight

**ALESSANDRO MESSINA'S POV**

My plan worked out, and I'm excited about our stay on this island. Of course, I don't wish to stay here for the rest of my life, but when Giullia realizes I'm the right man, we can travel the world searching for adventures.

After handing her the phone so she could talk to her son, I managed to get her to eat. As always, she's very stubborn, and that's precisely what fascinates me even more. After breakfast, she returns to the room, and I remain at the table, lost in thought.

"Boss, don't you think she might stay like this forever and not give in?" My subordinate stops beside me.

"Maybe I should bring her son here too, but that would limit her in experiencing everything I want to provide. By the way, how's that idiot Cassini doing?" I look at him, awaiting answers.

"Since we brought her to the island, I haven't been able to get any news," he informs.

"What do you mean, no news?" I widen my eyes and stand up.

Knowing this destabilized me. I'm quite assertive in my ideas and meticulous to ensure nothing goes wrong. I kept an infiltrator within his group to give me all Vittorio's steps. Where the hell has he gone?

"What happened to the infiltrator?" I get nervous because I don't feel comfortable making plans blindly.

"We talked to him this morning; he reported that Vittorio spends a lot of time in the office but doesn't seem to care about her kidnapping. He's dealing with business as usual and tells his son that she traveled naturally," he informs.

"That's very strange. Call him for information about Giullia's call to her son this morning. What effect does that have on them?" I order and leave the kitchen.

I go to her room and cautiously open the door. I see Giullia on the balcony, gazing at the sea with distant thoughts. I walk over there, stopping beside her, and look at the calm sea this morning. Giullia remains silent, and I try to break that barrier.

"I understand the longing you're feeling. You look at the horizon and imagine being in that person's arms, a hug, a caress, and looking into those eyes that are always distant. The feeling of helplessness, of having nothing to make that person materialize close to us." I let the words come out sincerely.

Giullia looks at me attentively as if processing everything I just said. She wipes the tears from her face and sighs.

"How do you know so much about this feeling?" She's interested to know.

"I'm not a monster, Giullia. I understand the pain of absence from a very young age. Several attempts to get attention. The painful loneliness that made me sensitive to anyone who offered me affection, no matter how minimal!" As I speak, I look at the sea and recall long-held memories.

"I was in Miami; the staff took me to the beach when I was only 13. I felt the sand under my feet and looked around. A ball rolls to my feet, and I see a boy approaching, grabbing the ball and completely ignoring me. He ran off, and I looked to where he was. A group of kids playing on the beach, and I'm here, alone and without any excitement.

"'Go for a swim, kid!' The woman who takes care of me in the United States orders.

"'I don't want to, I want my dad!' I growl.

I turn my back and run along the sand. In front of me, the guards form a barrier, leaving me scared. They pointed to the parked car and ordered me to go there. So I do, in tears and much sadness."

I'm lost in memories, unable to hear anything around me. Giullia's hand pushes my shoulder, making me shake. I look at her, who seems startled by my reverie.

"Are you okay?" she asks curiously.

It took me a few seconds to return to reality, and I smiled. I liked seeing that she cared about me. In all my existence, no one had ever asked me that question, meaning no one had cared if I was okay.

"I'm fine; it was just a memory. Nothing more," I replied calmly. "Shall we walk on the beach?"

I invited her, even though she might not accept. Giullia took a while to respond; she glanced at my lips, and I noticed a small smile forming on hers. I didn't want to create expectations, but I believed she might be relenting.

"Sure," she replied.

I felt ecstatic but contained my excitement. I gestured towards the door, and she walked towards the room's exit. We walked peacefully until we left the house; it didn't take long before we were on the sand, strolling along the beach. Giullia looked out at sea in absolute silence.

"Have you ever traveled to a beach before?" I asked, intending to break the silence.

"No, especially not a place like this. The water is warm and clear, and the sun is scorching," she spoke while gazing at the sea.

"Are you uncomfortable?" I grew concerned.

"No, I'm fine. But..."

As she responded, she turned to face me. I felt anxious, like a teenager in love with a schoolgirl. I had never felt so alive or had so many goals as I did now.

"Can you give me a hug?" Giullia unexpectedly asked.

I was caught off guard, looking at her like a fool. I was achieving my goals faster than I had imagined. I took a few steps towards her, and my arms opened. She approached, and I was surprised as I felt her body close to mine. Giullia grabbed my gun from my waist, took two steps back, and pointed the gun at me.

"You're keeping me from my son, parents, and the man I love. Did you think I would give in?" She looked at me angrily as she pointed the gun.

"Don't do this," I pleaded sadly. "For a moment, I thought someone was asking me for a hug for the first time in my life."

I lowered my gaze, even though she was pointing a gun at me; my only disappointment was that the request wasn't genuine.

I lifted my gaze and noticed one of my men approaching stealthily, trying to stop him from doing anything to her.

"Don't touch her!" I shouted.

Giullia was startled and accidentally fired the gun. Pain consumed me, and I staggered backward, falling onto the sand. I closed my eyes, groaning in pain.