The next morning, Matteo woke up early and began preparing his things as usual, unaware that it was Thursday a day that would be different.
He stepped out of his room, closing the door behind him, but that strange feeling crept back in… that someone was watching him. He turned around quickly no one was there.
He arrived at the store earlier than usual and sat waiting for the shift to begin, not knowing that something dangerous was about to unfold.
Meanwhile, Leonardo was also getting ready, as elegantly as ever. Despite heading to what his father called -a poor man's place- Leonardo didn't care about appearances. His thoughts were heavier than anything he could wear. He knew it was Thursday. He knew what his father was planning.
Leonardo remembered what had happened the last time when Matteo standing up to the soldiers, shouting at them to defend the wages he'd worked hard to earn all week. He had nearly lost his job because of it.
Leonardo headed downstairs and found his father speaking with the soldiers, giving orders and instructions. Unable to bear the scene, he rushed out of the palace, heading straight to the store.
By the time Leonardo arrived, Matteo had already arranged the goods and organized the space. Leonardo approached and whispered with a worried voice: "Hide some money from the register… quickly."
Matteo looked at him, confused: "Why? And where should I hide it?"
Leonardo answered, calm but tense: "Because it's Thursday… the soldiers will be here soon to take the money. Hide it with me. Now."
Disappointment struck Matteo. Before he could respond, a group of soldiers stormed into the store. They began searching, tearing things apart, hunting for coins. One of them moved toward the register.
Matteo was about to intervene, but Leonardo gently placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered: "Wait… don't lose your job."
The soldiers left after ransacking the place, moving on to another store, leaving behind chaos just like every other time.
Matteo, Leonardo, and some of the workers began to tidy the store once more. Despite the sadness, they all carried on.
Time passed. While Matteo was attending to customers, he noticed a young man approaching without asking for anything. The man leaned in and whispered: "Meet me on the hill, just after dawn, alone. Don't refuse… this is about your past and your father."
Matteo froze. But before he could react, the stranger disappeared into the crowd. Matteo didn't understand, but the words echoed in his ears.
From a distance, Leonardo had noticed the man approach Matteo, but he couldn't hear what was said.
Matteo continued his work, lost in thought. Who was that man? Was he connected to the shadow that always followed him?
After work, Matteo left the shop. On his way home, he looked behind him again and again, hoping to spot the shadow but the street was empty.
The one who usually followed him… was gone.
He returned to his room and collapsed on the couch, exhausted. His mind spun with questions about the mysterious young man. Could he be the same one who'd been following him?
No answers came. Just more questions. But Matteo had made his decision he would meet this man, no matter the cost.
That night, he barely slept. Worry and curiosity tangled in his thoughts. The meeting weighed heavily on him.
He slipped out of the room quietly so no one would hear, and made his way to the place the man had told him: the hilltop.
His heart pounded. Fear filled him. The hill was empty. But suddenly, a calm voice called out: "I'm here, Matteo."
He spun toward the voice and saw an elderly man, hair white with age. Matteo said in surprise: "Who are you? The person who called me was a young man—not an old man."
The man smiled gently: "I'm Giovanni. I sent that young man to you."
Matteo stepped closer, asking warily: "What do you want from me?"
Giovanni's tone turned serious: "I want to tell you the truth... about your past. There is hope and that hope rests with you."
Matteo froze in place, staring into the man's face, waiting for him to speak.
Then, Giovanni began to explain: "Thousands of years ago, on this island, there was a legendary falcon called FALCO. He fought against tyrants and crushed injustice. But after completing each mission, he would vanish… only to return when tyranny returned."
Matteo scoffed: "Is that why you brought me here?"
Giovanni only smiled and said calmly: "You ask many questions. But why haven't you asked how I even recognized you?"
Matteo stared into his eyes: "Then tell me how do you know me?"
Giovanni's gaze shifted toward the horizon: "Have you never wondered about the birthmark on your hand?"
Matteo frowned: "It's just a normal mark."
Giovanni shook his head: "No, Matteo. That mark is not ordinary. It is the symbol of the new FALCO."
Matteo laughed bitterly: "So you brought me here to make fun of me, old man?"
Giovanni ignored the mockery: "Do you know who your father was, Matteo?"
Matteo's voice lowered: "No... Do you?"
Giovanni sighed deeply: "For years, the island's people suffered under Francesco's iron fist. No one dared to resist. But that silence didn't last. A well-known merchant named Lorenzo De Rossi reignited FALCO's flame. He created a group, with the help of two friends: Antonio and... me. I stand before you now Giovanni, after all these years."
Matteo was stunned: "And where is this group now?"
Giovanni smiled: "I knew you'd ask. I'll tell you. The group was destroyed after its founder, Lorenzo De Rossi, was assassinated. With his death, FALCO's dream was buried… until you appeared."
Matteo, puzzled: "And what does any of this have to do with me… or my father?"
Giovanni looked him straight in the eyes: "I thought you were smarter than that, Matteo. This has everything to do with you because you are the heir of FALCO. And your father… was Lorenzo De Rossi himself."
Matteo chuckled lightly: "If that's true… what's the mark got to do with anything?"
Giovanni smiled again: "That mark your birthmark was on your father's hand as well. It only appears on the heir of FALCO. Few know of it."
After a long pause, Matteo asked: "And what makes you think I'll believe any of this?"
Giovanni calmly replied: "What will make you believe… will come to you in a week. Right here. Same place."
Before Matteo could respond, Giovanni turned and walked away, leaving Matteo stunned, overwhelmed by what he'd heard.
He walked back to his room, the truth about his father spinning in his mind.
To be continued...