The Italian

I stare at my phone and bite my bottom lip as I contemplate asking the next question. Oh, stuff it, I want to know. I text back.

Is Bianca Awake?

A reply comes in.

Yes, she’s in the kitchen.

I’ll meet you there.

I cringe. Fuck.

I was hoping not to see her. She seems nice but she’s very vague with me. I know she is only being polite. I can feel an underlying edginess coming from her. She didn’t mention our engagement at all last night, and I know she knows. Enrico told me that he called her on Sunday. He said she was happy, but now that she didn’t say anything to me, I’m not so sure. It was late when arrived last night, though. Maybe we’ll get a chance to chat now.

Damn Enrico for putting me into this position. Bianca and I have said like five words to each other and now he makes me sleep here without him. What was he thinking? Hopefully Francesca is awake. She’s lovely and may help me break the ice.

I puff air into my cheeks as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I do have to get to know them better at some stage, I suppose.

Here goes nothing.

I quickly dress and make my bed. I throw on my clothes, and with one last look around the beautiful room, I open the bedroom door.

I’m greeted by the sight of three men, each sitting on chairs in the hall. There’s Marly, Pedro, and Alexander.

What the hell?

“Hi.” I look between them. “What are you guys doing?”

Marly stands. “Just a nightshift. Are you okay? Ready to leave?”

“Have you been out here all night?”

Marly takes my overnight bag from me and holds his hand out to lead me downstairs. “Just doing our job.”

“Oh.” I walk down the grand staircase and can hear people talking in the kitchen. Francesca’s laugh echoes, and relief fills me. Thank God she’s awake.

I twist my fingers nervously in front of me and walk into the kitchen. I find Bianca and Lorenzo sitting at the kitchen counter drinking coffee. Francesca is at the table eating her breakfast in her school uniform. Her face lights up when she sees me, and she jumps to her feet.

“Olivia.” She smiles happily as she hugs me.

“Hi.” I smile back. “It’s so lovely to see you again.” I look up to Bianca who forces a smile and sips her coffee.

“Hello,” she says.

“Hello.” Oh God, she hates me. I can tell. “Thank you for having me last night.”

“That’s okay, dear.” Her eyes hold mine, and I just want the earth to swallow me up.

“Mamma, don’t forget I’m going to the library this afternoon after school,” Francesca says.

“What is this sudden interest in going to the library every day lately? Can’t your friends come here to study?’

“No, Mamma, it’s easier for my study group to meet there. It’s central for all of us.”

“Antonio has to wait around there for you every day,” Bianca replies.

“It’s okay, that’s what he gets paid for,” Lorenzo interrupts. He looks over at Francesca and gives her a warm smile with a wink, and she smiles back. It’s obvious these two get along well.

I’m assuming that Antonio is Francesca’s bodyguard.