Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Around and around. It’s so frustrating, and the worst part is, I feel like I’m trapped in Villa Bruno.
The yard is quiet except for chirping bugs and buzzing creatures. The day’s heat is already getting sucked out from the ground and I lean against a low retaining wall and look out over the desert, past the swimming pool and into the rocky landscape beyond. The villa feels like an oasis on the edge of an alien planet. Gavino’s house is out there—his little dumpy shack, at least compared to this palace—and I wonder what he’s doing. I wonder if he’s even home.
The back door slides open and I jump slightly in surprise. I stand very still as three women step out, all of them with wine glasses in their hands. I recognize Olivia, but I don’t know the other two. One is intensely blonde, so blonde it looks white, with long fake nails, fake lips, fake eyes, fake boobs. She’s laughing loudly about something, I’m not sure what, and the other two cluster around her. The other girl is around Olivia’s height with olive skin and thick brown hair and dark eyes and a very Italian look.
They’re all extremely pretty, and I feel suddenly out of place and uncomfortable, at least until Karah steps out to complete the group and spots me.
Now there’s no escape and I’m completely stuck.
She waves, smiling big, and the other women all look over. Olivia seems a bit hesitant, though the blonde girl looks positively excited. She’s clearly the oldest of the group and hurries over to me as Karah follows after, looking vaguely worried.
“There you are!” the blonde woman says. “Ugh, Karah, how’d you hide this one from me for so long?”
“Elise,” Karah says in a warning tone. “Be nice.”
“You’re Gavino’s new girlfriend—sorry, I mean, his new assistant.” She beams at me. “I’m Elise, and this is Mirella and—”
“We’ve met,” Olivia says, tilting her head. “How are you enjoying your stay at Villa Bruno?”
I gawk at the group of women. They’re all beautiful, well dressed, stylish and glowing in that happy and wealthy sort of way, a glow I’ve never experienced before. Karah looks sympathetic, Elise seems to be enjoying herself, Olivia is vaguely hostile, and Mirella is frowning at the others like she’s not sure what to think.
“Uh, it’s a little overwhelming, but this place is really amazing,” I say and edge away from the group. “I was just heading back inside. Nice seeing you all.”
“Hold on,” Elise says loudly. “No way you’re escaping that easily. Ignore Olivia, she’s a little cranky right now.”
“Hey,” Olivia says.
“It’s true,” Mirella agrees, grinning. “Hi, Jeanie, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Fynn’s wife.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
“You’re staying,” Elise says and before I know it, she’s got an arm over my shoulders and she’s steering me toward a large table surrounded by tiki torches. A glass of wine appears in front of me as if by magic and more lights come on as the sun disappears and night falls. The women get themselves settled around the table, and I’m placed at the far end while Elise sits across from me, her back rod-straight, looking over the group with a grin.
“Please be nice to her,” Karah says, rubbing her face. “I know she’s new, but—”
“She’s a stranger,” Olivia says, not looking at me. She’s not wrong, but it still stings to hear it, especially the disapproval in her voice. “We don’t bring strangers into this home.”
“If Gavino vouched for her, that’s enough for me,” Mirella says and smiles at me kindly. “Don’t let Olivia get to you. We were all strangers here at some point.”
“I’m just saying, we don’t know this girl.” Olivia squints at me. “What’s your deal anyway? How come Gavino’s bringing home strays?”
“Olivia!” Elise laughs, sounding scandalized. “You were a stray once, if I recall.”
Olivia’s back straightens. “I was never a stray.”
“Your father married you off to my brother,” Karah says, jabbing a finger at her. “And now you’re giving this poor girl crap for ending up here?”
“I’m pretty sure nobody comes to this place with a Bruno brother willingly,” Mirella says, grinning bashfully and leaning toward me. “I was hired as Fynn’s physical therapist and ended up marrying him. And believe me, I didn’t want to get anywhere near Villa Bruno at first.”
“It was quite the saga,” Elise says, winking at me. “So really though, what is your deal, Jeanie? How come Gavino decided to break from his usual isolated and deeply unhappy self and let you stay with us?”
I hesitate as all their eyes turn to me. Olivia’s glaring, Mirella’s looking at me like I’m a lost puppy, Karah seems thoughtful, and Elise has a sharp squint like she’s measuring and judging me. I clear my throat, beyond uncomfortable, and take a long drink of wine to try to stall for time.