Esmeralda's Point of View
After eating their lunch, they were about to leave when a woman, in her mid-thirties, with very beautiful features and a curvy body, recognized Lucretius and expressed her admiration towards him. Especially his so-called clean and well-done reputation. 
"I am Bianca Acierno, it's really nice to see you here Mr. Lucretius. It's just a very simple and remote village but you are here. What a humble man you are. You know those are the kinds of characteristics I'd like my future husband to be with." She finishes with a flirtatious wink and bumps of Lucretius' shoulder. 
I am not really an ill-tempered or easily pissed-off person but seeing a persistent and stubborn woman trying to latch herself onto a cold stone man looked like the world was full of awkwardness. I've seen a lot of women like her, the ones who stick themselves to highly wealthy individuals to lift their poor or ugly circumstances. It's almost like a second plan for all the living women actually. To find themselves a knight in shining armor, or even better, a prince charming, who are going to save them from their doomed fate. I can't believe that even I, sometimes, until now, still think of that course of plan too. So, I shouldn't be too angry with that woman, Bianca, because I get her but I still am. Perhaps because of her manner of doing it, or her flirtatious face, or whatever but-
"You look like you have lost a very irrelevant match but you still think otherwise."
I was thwarted from my storming rage of thoughts when Maria talked beside me. Realizing my ungranted promise, I immediately directed my attention to her, so that I wouldn't do something stupid with that woman. "Oh my gosh, so, where should we begin?"
"Begin, with what?"
"To look for your grandson, I promised I'd help right? My boss looks like he's having some fun so it wouldn't be much of a problem if I went with you for some time. So, where?"
"Oh," Maria seemed very delighted with my offer. "thank you very much, my dear. I didn't think someone would truly want to help me. I am so glad to have met you. And to your question, I think it would be much better if we search for the woman's address. "
"Well then, let's go shall we?"
As we went out, Lucretius seemed to notice me because he held my arm but I just used it to wave him goodbye and silently asked permission to accompany Maria. I didn't get to hear his response since the woman kept pulling him and Maria was very eager to find her grandson. As we navigated and scavenged the possible places where her grandson might be, everyone whom we interviewed was either in a state of astonishment or a state of unawareness. Either way, all of them answered that they didn't know anything. Which is quite strange since she said they told her they saw him just recently. 
"When did you say your grandson left again?" I inquired again as we took our break in a vintage coffee shop. 
"Ah, well I said it was last week right? I really forgot the specific day because you know, I am too old to remember. But, as you say, we shouldn't worry too much about him because he might just be around, freeing up his mind. "
That's strange, she seems to be calmer now. Even though we haven't even found her grandson. 'Perhaps because of the coffee she's drinking? Or the beautiful places we've been to?'
"I see, then are you calmer now? You're not worrying too much are you?" 
She smiled brightly and happily sipped her coffee. We are currently in Ancona, where there are some well-known gardens where her grandson might go but unfortunately, as I have felt, no one knows where he is. 
"Did he have some cash, or say, stocks with him?"
"Oh certainly, our family is one of the, what do you call this, old money here. My father has successfully preserved our business which is currently being run by his successor. I am planning to make Von take over someday but alas, the boy's heart seems to have other things inside. That boy loves to cook rather than to be a businessman. I know he can make a living with that but still, what about our generational business? My father's successor is getting old and wishes to retire soon, I don't know if I'll be able to convince Von to manage it. "
"Well, if I may, I think you should let him rest for as long as he wants then. Because if he is indeed how you describe him, he will come back sometime. I just think that he is trying to make a decision for himself you know. Trying things he never experienced. Why not let him wonder for some time? I am certain he knows how to take care of himself."
"Well, if you say so-"
"Madam Maria, what on Earth are doing in here?!"
We were both startled by the loud shout of a woman, wearing a dress akin to a maid's uniform. Instantly, I stood to have a good fight or flight position because of how angry and shocked the woman sounded, but when I saw how Maria went back to being calm, I gladly exhaled. 
"Who is sh-"
"Madam, why are you here again? You know this place only brings you a long-gone memory. Madam, I know how hard it is to forget him but please, do tell me when you go out like this, I've been looking here and there for you. I thought you were lost or something."
I was absolutely blown by the maid's words but since I don't know the whole story, I tried to remain silent as Maria stood up. 
"Ghina, I already told you, I know this place since I was born. This is my whole playground. As well as Von. I just wanted to feel his presence again so I came here with," she looked at me with grateful eyes. "Esmeralda, a very nice and beautiful lady. " After that, she fully faced me and hugged me. 
I reciprocated the gesture as I felt her tears flowing down my shoulder. 
"I really am so sorry my dear, the truth is........Von, my grandson that I was telling you, was....long dead. Killed by his cruel disease. But.....I just can't seem to accept that and until now, I feel like he is just somewhere, asking for me to be with him. To play and roam these beautiful gardens with him. "
I am slowly getting the plot twist of this woman but I am speechless so I haven't given any comment as she guided me to sit again. The maid, or perhaps Ghina, hesitantly sat along. 
"You know, the doctors told us that he died because of hypertension but I doubt it. Because he never even, for once, had a high blood pressure seizure before. And in our family, we don't have that generational disease, we are healthy. See? Look at me, I am still walking freely in my 60's. How could my very healthy and handsome grandson have that disease and unexpectedly kill him without us even knowing, right?"
I looked at the maid, to confirm whether it was true or not. And from her silent nods and pitiful expression, I think it is indeed true. 
" So then, what do you think caused his death instead? Or is he truly dead?"
"I think, he isn't dead yet. I feel like he is just out there trying very hard to escape from the darkness of something that is firmly imprisoning him. "
"You seem so certain of that thought. Why do you think so?"
"Because you know my dear, we have some enemy left from different corners. "
"Enemy?" I am completely astounded by her words, until now families still fight like they are rivaling for the position of a King or Queen? "Are you sure?"