Chapter 5 New Beginning

The moment Giana stepped off the plane, she felt a rush of relief accompanied by the cool, salt-kissed air of Venice. She had made it.

Her heart pounded as she walked through the terminal, gripping her small bag tightly. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself a breath of relief. No more looking over her shoulder. No more fear of Catrina dragging her back to the nightmare she had fled. She was free.

She followed the signs out of the airport, her eyes widening as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Unlike the bustling streets of Rome, Venice felt like something out of a dream. The water glistening under the morning sun, boats swaying gently in the distance, and the chatter of tourists mixed with the calls of gondoliers offering rides.

A small smile tugged at her lips. She had never been here before-never even thought of coming-but now, this floating city was her refuge.

She wandered through the narrow streets, marveling at the canals that snaked between buildings and the centuries-old bridges arching over them. Everything felt surreal. The way the golden light reflected off the water, the scent of fresh pastries from a nearby café, the laughter of lovers strolling hand in hand.

For a fleeting moment, she imagined herself as one of them-someone who had come here for adventure, for romance, not as a fugitive running for her life.

But reality struck as quickly as the hunger twisting in her stomach, but even with this realization dawning on her at least she was a free woman.

But for now she needs to find what to eat, if she has to survive Venice.

She had no place to stay. No plan. And barely enough money to survive. heck she had to run for her life to get here, hence she needs to find a way through the life she choose for her self.

The thrill of escape began to dull under the weight of uncertainty.

Pausing at the edge of a canal, she hugged her coat tighter around her body. What now? what steps should I take she questioned no one in particular

She was safe. For now. But for how long?

She needed a place to stay. Food. A job. A way to survive in a city where she was nothing more than a lost girl among strangers.

Freedom, she realized, came with a price.

Giana's drew her feet as she wandered the labyrinth of Venice's narrow streets. The weight of her current situation pressing down on her shoulders, but she refused to let it break her. She had escaped Rome-that was something. But now, she needed to survive.

As she passed a small eatery near the edge of a canal, the scent of grilled meat and roasted vegetables made her stomach grumble painfully. Her gaze darted to the entrance, where a handwritten sign was pinned to the door:

"Daily Workers Needed – Apply Inside."

Her heart leaped. This was it.

Pushing aside her nerves, she stepped inside. The heat from the open barbecue grill warmed her cold skin, and the chatter of workers filled the space. Behind the counter, a burly man with a graying beard wiped his hands on an apron, his sharp eyes narrowing as he noticed her approach.

"Good day " Giana began, forcing confidence into her voice. "I saw the sign outside. Are you still hiring?"

The man-probably the owner-sighed, shaking his head. "You're too late, ragazza. We already have enough workers for the day."

For a minute disappointed washed over her . "Please," she pressed, desperation creeping into her voice. "I'll do anything. I just need work, even if it's only for today."

He studied her for a moment, then exhaled through his nose. "The only thing left is cleaning the barbecue griller. It's filthy, and no one wants to do it. I can pay you for that, but that's it."

Relief and humiliation battled inside her, but she swallowed her pride. She had no other choice. "I'll take it."

He gave a grunt of approval and tossed her a pair of worn gloves. "Out back. Make sure it's spotless."

Giana nodded and hurried to the back alley, where the griller stood-a monstrous thing coated in layers of blackened grease and ash. Her stomach twisted, but she set to work, scrubbing as if her life depended on it. Because in a way, it did.

As she toiled under the midday sun, sweat trickling down her spine, she reminded herself: This was only the beginning, the best is yet to come or so she thought...

She had escaped Rome. Now, she just had to survive Venice. Catrina won't be able to find me in Venice she said to her self.