Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 163540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 818(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 818(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
We walk through the grand palace and out into the back area, the house is as big as Enrico’s but it has more antiques in it. It feels more formal and less house like. “Just out to the terrace.” She smiles as she gestures outside.
Enrico leads me through and past a beautiful white kitchen and out through concertina doors to a mosaic terrace that overlooks a huge pool. The house sits high and rolling green hills can be seen for miles, my mouth falls open in awe. “Oh my gosh, this is beautiful out here,” I gasp.
Bianca smiles as she looks around. “It is.” She takes a seat at the table and Enrico pulls out a chair for me. “We take it for granted sometimes.”
A young woman appears from the house wearing a traditional white maids uniform. “Marcella, puoi portarmi un caffé, per favore?” Translation: Marcella, can you bring some coffee and tea please?
The young woman’s eyes flick to Enrico and she nods her head nervously in a greeting. “Buongiorno, signor Ferrara.” Translation: hello Mr. Ferrara.
Enrico gives her a slow smile as he leans back on his chair. “Ciao, Marcella! È bello vederti.” Translation: Hello Marcella, it’s good to see you.
Marcella blushes and tips her head bashfully, she can’t hide her excitement that he addressed her, she rushes inside.
Ha…so his mother’s staff think he’s a bit of alright, do they? I look at him sitting there, legs wide and back straight, all confident and gorgeous…can’t say I blame them to be honest.
My eyes float over to my flirty boyfriend and I raise an eyebrow.
He smirks with a wink in reply.
“Enrico behave, stop encouraging her,” Bianca scolds.
He holds up his hands. “I said hello.”
I bite my bottom lip to stop myself from smiling at his mother’s comment.
Bianca turns her attention to me. “How are you liking Italy, Olivia?”
“It’s beautiful.” I smile nervously.
“Yes. It is.” Her eyes hold mine for a moment. “Andrea tells me that you two met a few years ago.”
“Yes.” Oh shit, his brother has been talking about me.
“And how did you end up back here?” she asks.
“I brought her here,” Enrico replies sharply.
My eyes flick to him in surprise, I didn’t expect him to tell anyone that.
Bianca raises an eyebrow. “Really?”
Enrico’s eyes hold hers and I get the feeling he doesn’t like her tone. “Yes mamma…. really.”
Marcella returns with a tray of coffee. She puts them down on the table with a shaking hand as we all watch on. Poor girl, I feel sorry for her.
Enrico must too, because he sits up and helps her put things onto the table. “Grazie Marcello.” He smiles kindly.
She nods and disappears again as Enrico pours everyone a cup of coffee. He passes them to us.
“Where are you living?” Bianca asks.
“With me,” Enrico says as he sips his coffee. “We have moved into my lake Como house.”
Bianca’s face falls as she looks between us, a frown crosses her brow.
“Yes, mamma,” Enrico says flatly. “That’s right.”
What does yes, mamma mean? Did I miss part of the conversation? I look between them in confusion.
Bianca drops her head and clasps her hands on her lap. “I see.” Her back is ramrod straight and I don’t know why, but I get the feeling she isn’t happy about something.
“Olivia will be converting to Catholic this week,” Enrico says. “I have everything lined up with Father Delpini already.”
Huh?
This is news.
He seems to be putting out some kind of fire with her, one that I don’t even know about.
I think back to the conditions he laid out for us to get back together and I vaguely remember something about being Catholic.
I begin to perspire.
“Francesca, portala dentro,” Translation: take her inside. Enrico says with his eyes locked on his mother’s. I get the feeling that if I wasn’t here it would be all guns blazing.
“Do you want to come and see my bedroom Olivia?” Francesca asks softly.
I look over at her in surprise, I forgot she was even here. “Yes.” Anything to get me out of here. “That would be lovely.”
She stands, holds her hand out for me and I take it gratefully.
She leads me into the house with my heart pumping fast. Once through the doors I peer through the window to see the two of them still glaring at each other.
“Oh no,” I whisper. “What’s going on?” I ask Francesca.
“It’s okay.” Francesca smiles. “Mamma is about to freak out and Enrico didn’t want you to see.”
“What about?” I stammer with wide eyes.
“You.” She takes my hand and leads me through the house.
“Me?” I gasp. “Did I do something wrong?”
“She’ll be okay,” she says as we start walking up the stairs.
“But what did I do?”
“It’s not you.”
“Then what?”
“Enrico.”
“Oh.” I exhale feeling a little mollified. I don’t care if she hates him, just not me.
We walk down the luxurious corridor and she takes me into her room. It’s cream and pinks with a chandelier and fireplace. It’s huge. “Wow.” I smile as I look around in wonder. “This is beautiful.”