The Heiress returns

Chapter 1: The Return of The Heiress

"Welcome to the Milan Malpensa International Airport. Local time is 6:06:57 am, and the temperature is 82°F/28°C. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened."

I sighed as the announcement for the preparation to descend from my private jet went on. I didn't know if I was relieved or tense. I looked to my side and watched the princess sleep.

She was either out of her mind or a damn good friend for volunteering to stay by my side through an unforeseen future. I tapped her gently, and she opened her eyes, yawning loudly.

"Are you doing well, Ursula dear?" I asked.

"Certainly," she replies with a bright smile.

"Okay then, welcome to Milan." I smiled at her.

We descended from the jet, and I paused to drink in my environment because the private hanger in the airport had been provided for us at my request. I didn't want to risk anyone knowing I was in the country just yet. I brushed my hair aside and put on my ray-band shades to block the sun. Strutting on my red bottom heels, we spotted the car that would take the princess and me home.

The journey home was pure undiluted nostalgia. Every turn we passed held memories. Every building, restaurant, and the shop had beautiful yet tragic memories of my family. I sniffed and blinked hard, fighting the urge to cry.

I was no longer the little girl who had everything taken away from her. I was now a fully grown woman and would be damned if I let something as trivial as memories make me lose focus.

"It's such a gorgeous city, Mari," Ursula said, grabbing my hands and squeezing.

"You've barely scratched the surface. Wait till I drive you around. You'll stand in awe."

"If it's coming from you, then it's true. I can't wait" Ursula smiled.

We arrived at the estate an hour later. Stepping out of the car was strangely not as tricky as I expected. However, when my eyes rested on the house I grew up in, the resolve I earlier had started to shake.

All the beautiful memories came rushing in like a mighty wind. It was so nostalgic and bittersweet I held tightly to Ursula. I didn't know my grip was so hard until I felt someone shake me. I had drawn blood.

"I'm sorry, Ursula!" I apologize sincerely.

In turn, she folded me into a hug while patting my back. I freed myself after I felt like I had poured out enough of my heart. It wasn't something I often did and rarely in the presence of Ursula. However, she had been by my side for so long it was time to begin to show her my vulnerabilities.

"It's alright," she said, and I nodded. I looked ahead and smiled when my eyes landed on Zia Benedetta, my housekeeper running towards me.

"Finally returned him after all these years," I muttered.

"Maria!" Zia Benedetta screamed, enveloping me in a hug. I inhaled her scent, and it indeed felt like home. She pulled me back to inspect me correctly, and I laughed fondly.

"You've indeed grown into a fine, beautiful, and powerful woman. I love that," she exclaimed.

"You aren't different either, Zia Benedetta," I replied, and she burst into a fit of laughter.

"I see you didn't lose your humor, girl."

"I sure didn't."

"And Zia Benedetta, this is princess Ursula' I said, suddenly remembering my manners.

"Forgive me, princess. You see, it's been so long since I saw my Bambino," she said, bowing.

"Oh no, Zia Benedetta, don't do that," Ursula said, grabbing her arms and linking them to hers as she propelled her forward.

"Here we go," I muttered, knowing Zia Benedetto ears were about to explode. Once Ursula starts, there's no stopping her.

"You see, I'm a very progressive princess who does not believe in all these unnecessary rules. I mean, it's the 21st century already," she said, rolling her eyes hard. I shook my head and smiled as we walked into the house.

I managed to wrestle Ursula's mouth from Zia's ears, which earned me a scolding. Zia Benedetta already had such a liking for Ursula and her stories in barely an hour. It confirmed what I already knew for the longest time.

Ursula was indeed a lovely friend. Zia has the spirit of discernment and would never have taken to Ursula if she wasn't genuine.

"Looks like you have a new best friend now," I said, dragging her into my room.

"Jealousy much? At least Zia likes my stories," she teased me.

"I always listen to you," I said, feigning anger.

"Yeah, sure," she replied, rolling her eyes.

"You wicked little thing" I threw a pillow at her, but she ducked, already expecting it.

"You do know you're attacking a princess, right?"

"Then I'm glad we're damning the rules of the royalty. I mean, it's the 21st century after all," I replied, jumping on her as we rolled on the bed trying to one-up each other. She tickled me, and I lost it.

"Okay, I quit," I said, tapping out, but she continued, and I laughed uncontrollably. I knew I had many problems I needed to solve, but for that moment, I was truly grateful I had Ursula by my side.

Ursula's POV

I watched as Mari laughed heartily and was fully content. This was the side of her she barely showed, and that was why it felt so special that I got to see this side. She had gone through so much in life, and all the mental scars she possessed were testament to that.

When I promised to help her, I meant it with all my heart. She had such potential to radiate joy outwardly as she did inwardly, but the demons of her past needed to be exorcised first.

Mari didn't just change my view of the world, and she also taught me the strength of a woman, and I was going to do everything within my power to help her get justice from the bastards that not only took the innocence of a child but also scarred the heart of the woman she became.

VINCENZO's POV

I stood in my office, unable to shake off this lingering thought. The picture in my hand told a thousand stories that were all tragic. The striking resemblance could not be pushed aside. She looked too much like her, but how is it possible? I was not a man that believed in such miracles.

I dealt with facts, and the points were that Maria died alongside her family in a tragic plane crash. So why was I holding a picture of a girl that looked so much like the woman my father loved and lost? I dropped the picture on the table and held my throbbing head.

Maria Caruso/Maria. C. Delvey.

"Who are you?" I muttered as the headache threatened to split my head open. "Cazzo!"

I spotted a bottle of aspirin and popped it open. Maybe I needed to rest more, as my mum always said, but how can I do that? The future of my company rests on my shoulders, and for some reason, Maria has blatantly refused to give me a chance.

"Ha!" Of course, if she was Maria Caruso, I could see why she wouldn't want to work with me. My family and hers never caught eye to eye, but one would think so many years have passed already.

Why be hung up on parental hatred that should never have crossed them? Besides, this was all business. Or maybe it was just a resemblance. Didn't they say everyone on earth has a doppelganger? Perhaps this was just the German version of the Italian beauty.

I had a million thoughts running through my mind at once. I needed to know more about the devilish beauty who has blocked every attempt of the progression of my company. Her audacious dismissal of my proposals irritated my spirit beyond words.

I wonder who she thinks she is. As long as Vincenzo Santoro is concerned, she was just a woman playing God in a man's world. Still, a part of me could not shake the feeling that the knowledge I sought so bad could be the spark that lights an inferno that'll plunge all of us into the most bottomless abyss.

Still, the need to know was too strong. It overcame my pride which was something that barely ever happened. Sighing, I picked up my phone and dialed a number. At the second ring, he picked up at the first ring, and I smiled appreciatively.

"Hello, Amico," that cheerful voice I had grown to love like a brother spoke up.

"Matteo, I need you to send me details of everything you have about Maria C. Delvey."

"I don't understand why you're so interested in this"

"Matteo, I have never asked for anything more important than this. I have a suspicion I need to confirm, and you're the only one that can help me with this"

"Okay, Dude," He replies.

"Sure!" Now I'll wait and see if this stone-cold woman is the girl I used to love.