That sound buzzed in Rose's ears, remnants of a long, exhausting journey. Three days and three nights had passed like an endless nightmare, and now she was stranded on the island of Sicily - a place that immediately topped Rose Alianovna's "Most Hated Places" list.
The Sicilian wind greeted her with a gloomy whisper, carrying a strange aroma that made her hair stand on end. The cool air that should have been refreshing felt oppressive instead, as if the island itself was rejecting her presence.
In the corner of her vision, Rose caught sight of a hard-faced man in strange clothing, standing like a living statue in the corner. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through her, adding to the discomfort that had been weighing on Rose since she set foot on this island.
Her journey felt like an endless series of trials. From the nauseating taxi ride to the boat trip that nearly made her kiss the deck, followed by a bus that somehow managed to navigate Sicily's treacherous roads. And now, she was stranded in a part of Sicily she never even imagined existed - a remote area seemingly forgotten by time and civilization.
Rose heaved a long sigh, a mixture of exhaustion and irritation. Every detail of this island seemed designed specifically to annoy her.
The girl continued to navigate the streets of Sicily like an explorer on an alien planet. Her eyes darted around, searching for a glimmer of friendliness in a sea of stony faces. Every turn promised hope, only to deliver disappointment.
"Geez!" she grumbled, her frustration peaking. "Are the people of Sicily competing to be living statues? Or did they all agree to hide from me today?"
The empty streets seemed to mock her. When someone finally passed by, their fierce faces made Rose feel as if she had accidentally wandered into gangster territory. Every sharp glance seemed to say, "You're in the wrong place, Blondie!"
Just when Rose was about to give up and consider starting a new life as a Sicilian vagrant, her eyes caught a sight that was like an oasis in the desert - a welcoming two-story building amid the barren attitudes of the locals.
"Oleander's Pizza," Rose read the name displayed above the pizza shop, her voice a mix of disbelief and immense relief. "Finally! I thought I'd find Atlantis before this place!"
The enticing aroma of pizza tickled her nose, promising not just food, but also clues in her crazy adventure. Rose couldn't suppress the relieved smile that spread across her face. Maybe Sicily wasn't as bad as she thought - at least they had pizza.
With lighter steps, Rose pushed open the entrance door. The sound of the bell above the door was like an announcement of a lost princess's arrival. "Excuse me!" she called out, her voice a mixture of hesitation and boldness.
"Welcome!" The warm greeting hit Rose like a shock wave, nearly making her stagger.
Before her stood an elderly couple who looked as if they had just stepped out of a fairy tale about kind-hearted fairies. Their faces were adorned with friendly smiles that contrasted sharply with the expression of Grandpa Delonix she had known all her life.
The couple moved with surprising energy for their age, ushering the still-dazed Rose from the doorway. She felt like a kitten suddenly picked up and moved to a more comfortable basket.
Although they looked older than Grandpa Delonix, there was an aura of warmth radiating from this couple. Rose couldn't help but compare. If Grandpa Delonix was a sturdy, hard oak tree, this couple was more like soft, protective willow trees.
"Well," thought Rose, "at least here I don't have to worry about being knocked unconscious with a stick." But then, remembering her crazy adventure so far, she added mentally, "Well, hopefully not."
"Come in, dear," Grandma Oleander invited with a voice as soft as velvet.
Rose followed the couple up the stairs behind the cash register, feeling like Alice who had just found her magical rabbit hole. Each step took her further from the harsh Sicilian world outside, and closer to an unexpected dimension of warmth.
The second floor greeted them with an atmosphere so contrasting to the one below. If the first floor was the stage for their business, the second floor was the Oleander family's private paradise. Warmly painted walls were adorned with memory-filled photos, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked apple pie hung in the air.
Grandma Oleander, with a gentle touch on Rose's shoulder that felt like a mother's caress, guided her to a soft chair. Rose sank into it, feeling as if the chair was embracing her.
"Rose," Grandpa Oleander began, his voice deep and soothing like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold night, "from now on, Grandma and I are your family. Don't be shy, okay?"
Those words seeped into Rose, slowly melting the layer of caution that had enveloped her. Her nervousness began to thaw, replaced by a strange but pleasant sense of comfort.
"Turns out not all Sicilians are scary," she thought with a small smile spreading on her lips. "Grandpa and Grandma Oleander are like an oasis of kindness in a desert of tension."
Her mind wandered, imagining herself, used to the warmth of her village, having to adapt to the atmosphere of Sicily that felt like an Italian film noir. The image made her shudder, as if a cold wind had suddenly blown.
However, the warmth of the Oleander home chased away those gloomy shadows. This couple's openness reminded her of the warm embrace of her distant village. For a moment, Rose felt as if she had found a missing piece of home in this foreign land.
But then, like a dark cloud suddenly covering the sun, Rose's smile suddenly vanished. Her eyes widened, as if just awakening from a beautiful dream to harsh reality.
"Wait a minute," she said with a deeply furrowed brow. "I'm not a tourist on vacation. I have a mission!"
Her determination hardened again, like lava cooling into obsidian. Her main purpose wasn't to relax and enjoy this strange hospitality. She came to find answers, to solve the puzzle her grandfather had left behind.