Seeking Their Destiny

It was rumored that Alessandro di Sione had fired an employee because he had brought him his coffee two minutes late and five degrees colder than he had ordered. It was rumored that he had left a lover, after a long time, with a "goodbye" and the information that his secretary would give her a farewell gift in a few weeks. It was also rumored that he breathed fire, slept in a dungeon, and fed on the souls of the damned. So when his new temporary secretary walked in hot on his grandfather's heels, it was no surprise that she was as red as a tomato and looked like she was headed for the guillotine. Naturally, no one could stop Giovanni di Sione from entering wherever he wanted. No secretary, no matter how imposing, would have been able to keep her grandfather out, regardless of her age or how poor her health was. However, since his usual secretary was on maternity leave and her replacement had only been there for a couple of weeks, she didn't know that. Naturally, she was afraid that Giovanni was an intruder and that she would be punished for this breach of security. He didn't think it necessary to correct her. It was quite possible that she would spend the rest of the day deciphering the meaning of the looks he'd given her. It was quite possible that when she told him, she would say that the black color of his eyes was a reflection of the color of his soul, and thus cast a further shadow on his reputation without him lifting a finger. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Di Sione," she apologized, placing a hand on her bland breasts. He let out a low, censuring sound and raised an eyebrow. She began to shake like a puppy. "Shall I return to work, sir?" she asked, glancing nervously at the door. He waved a hand and she left as quickly as she had entered. "I see you're up and out," Alex commented, without getting sentimental. Giovanni's health had improved a little with each lost lover he had recovered. –It's been a while since my last treatment and I feel better. –I'm glad to hear it. "You haven't been very kind to your secretary, Alessandro," his grandfather reproached him, sitting opposite his grandson. –You say that as if you think I care about being considered kind. We both know that's not the case. –Yes, but I also know that you are not as atrocious as you pretend to be. Giovanni slumped back in the chair with his hands on his knees. He was getting older, and the leukemia had returned after being in remission for seventeen years. Besides, he was ninety-eight years old and probably didn't have many years left to live, regardless of his health. The goal was to find each and every one of Giovanni's lost lovers. The stories of those treasures were etched in Alex's memory, which he had heard since he was a child. Now, Giovanni had tasked each of his grandchildren with finding one of those treasures. Except for Alex, who had been waiting to find out what role he was to play in that mission.