Atlanta, Georgia. It begins in a manicomio, an Italian madhouse, and is just the beginning-albeit not quite clear. Alfonso Borello has just relocated from Milan, Italy. At Hartsfield-Jackson international airport he meets Nena, an attractive Jamaican-American woman; the two become almost inseparable. At a dinner party Alfonso meets Meili, Nena's close friend from China. At first, he is seduced by her striking appearance then deluded by her laconic attitude, "One word in forty-five minute," Alfonso complains to another friend during dinner. After a long conversation, Mira, a young lawyer with whom he spent the rest of the evening, asks him to reconsider and invite Meili out for breakfast. Meili is autistic, but Mira fails to explain that to Alfonso. He promptly declines, because he doesn't understand. The same night he meets Carla, a rich attractive brunette who owns a restaurant. The two become emotionally involved, but tension is just around the corner as Alfonso becomes aware that Meili needs his help. He finally spends time with Meili, but Carla is not happy and ready to complicate everything. Defiant, Alfonso gravitates toward Meili, but their beautiful love story is suddenly interrupted by fate and sorrow.