Giorgio (Members From Money Season 2, #136)

Chapter 4

“Coffee?”

The man nodded as he took his position at the informal dining table. Maids were busy putting the various breakfast dishes on the sideboard before leaving the room.

The room was smaller than most of the others, but no less impressive with its creamy walls and antique furnishing. Instead of the usual glittering chandelier hanging from the concave ceiling, recessed lights were hidden in the intricate pattern.

The aroma of strong Italian roast vied with that of freshly baked biscotti. The fruit was fresh, the yoghurt creamy and the jam homemade. Helping himself to the yoghurt and biscotti and jam, Dario accepted the cup of coffee with a gracious nod.

He wasn’t just the family’s counsel; he was also Alfredo’s best friend and Giorgio’s godfather. The two men had seen each other through a lot. Dario had lost his wife five years ago and his son in infancy. The bond between the two men was stronger than that of brothers.

Bringing the coffee pot over, Alfredo pulled out a chair and poured a large cup, before starting the conversation.

“Any word?”

“I spoke to Edoardo earlier and he told me she is still unconscious, but stable.”

“I suppose that’s a good sign.”

“What do you think?” Alfredo had given him the highlight of the conversation the brother had with both Giorgio and the doctor.

“A lawyer huh?”

“Yes.”

“It could mean problem for us. The good news is, I have not heard anything indicating that he has contacted the authorities, and I am keeping a close eye on the situation.

The staff at the clinic are discreet and well paid enough to keep their mouths closed. Not to mention the fact that they signed a non-disclosure before being employed.” He buttered his biscotti. “How is Giorgio holding up?”

“What do you think?”

Dario’s thick brows lifted at the terse tone causing Alfredo to ameliorate his tone. Setting aside his cup, he rubbed his hands up and down his face wearily. “All of last night, I kept thinking how this could have been worse. And it still has the potential to be. Anything could happen.”

“We must hope for the best.”

“I wanted to reprimand him, but he looked so distraught and dazed, I did not have the heart to. He is sincerely contrite.”

“More than. He wanted to call the authorities and do the so-called right thing.”

“I still do.”

“Both men lifted their heads to stare at the topic of conversation.

Giorgio was propped up against the doorjamb, his hands shoved into the pockets of his denims. His hair was tousled and had not been brushed. His handsome face was strained, eyes bleary from lack of sleep.

“Come and have some breakfast.”

“I am not hungry,” ignoring the place his father indicted, he went to the second pot of coffee and poured a generous amount before turning to face them.

“The fact that you are here so early speaks volumes. Ironing out my defense?”

“Nothing that dramatic.” Dario continued to sip his coffee, his face expressionless. He was an excellent ally to have under pressure because nothing fazed him.

“I am here in support of people I consider to be family. We spoke to Edoardo, and the young woman’s condition remains the same. Her vitals are good, so no cause for alarm. The brother is not making damaging phone calls, which is also a reason to be thankful.”

“Is it?” The bitterness in Giorgio’s voice belied that. “She is still unconscious, and we have no idea what is going to happen to her. I don’t care about the legal ramifications- “

“You bloody well should!”

He glanced at his father who was glaring at him. “I was wondering when you were going to start casting stones my way.”

“You went off…”

“Gentlemen.” Dario held up a hand, trying to squash the argument and dissolve the mounting tension. “We have enough to think about as it is. Let’s…”

The phone rang just then, causing all three of them to jump reflexively. Giorgio was closest to it and snatched the receiver off the wall almost frantically and pressed the button. “Yes?” He listened for a minute and hung up.

“Well?”

Looking at his father he murmured. “She is awake.”

*****

“Short term memory loss. She knows her name and the fact that she is American, but nothing else.”

“How is her frame of mind?” Giorgio asked tersely. All three men had traveled in one vehicle with Dario driving and made the trip to the clinic in record time. It had been a relief not to see paparazzi lining the perimeter fencing.

“Confused. Other than that, her vitals are good.” He stared at Giorgio. “She seems to remember someone talking to her last night.”

“I would like to see her.”

“Of course. Go right ahead.”

Leaving the other men in the room with the doctor, he made his way along the passageway and into the private room. This morning with the pale sunlight streaming through the drapes, it looked less gloomy and more presentable. The woman propped up on the pillows turned her head as soon as he opened the door.

The liquid dark brown eyes gave him pause for a second, his heart knocking against his ribs. They looked like melted chocolate and even the look of confusion in them couldn’t detract from the beauty. He felt as if she was staring straight into his wretched soul.

“Hi.” Forcing a smile, he advanced further, cautiously sitting on the chair at the side of the bed.

“The doctor said I was in an accident.” Her voice sent further awareness trembling through his body. It was husky and could be described as sultry.

“You were,” he wanted to take her hand, but he did not want to frighten her. “You don’t remember.”

She shook her head slowly. “What am I doing here?”

“You had an accident…”

“No. What am I doing in this country?”

His heart took another beating at her loss of memory. “You were on vacation.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I spoke to your brother…”

“I have a brother?”

“One who is very concerned about you.” Taking her phone from the pocket of his jacket, he handed it to her. Touching her finger to it, she stared at the screen saver.

“My brother and is that my dad?”

“I am assuming that is the case.”

“Where is he?”

“In America. I am supposed to call him with updates. Would you like to speak to him?”

She shook her head no. “Not yet.” Her eyes focused on his face. “I recognized your voice.”

“That’s because I spoke to you at length last night.” He told her softly.

A frown knotted her brow. “Why are you here?”

“To make certain you are okay.”

“Why?”

Bowing his head, he closed his eyes briefly. “I was the one who caused you to be in here.”

“Was I driving?”

“You were riding, no doubt sightseeing. I am so sorry…”

“I am sure you are. My leg is broken.”

“Yes.” He clipped. “Anything I can do for you?”

“For some reason, I hate hospitals.” She whispered and he could see that she was getting tired and agitated.

“We could ask the doctor when you can be moved, and have you stay at the palazzo.”

“Palazzo?” She frowned at the unfamiliar word.

“Italian for palace.”

“Why there?”

“It’s where I reside with my papa.”

She stared at him for a minute. “I take it you are wealthy?”

He smiled briefly. “You could say that. What do you think?”

She fussed with the sheets and avoided his eyes. “I don’t know.”

“Think about it and as soon as you are well enough to move, we could have you out of here and in a suite with people to take care of you.”

She nodded and stared at the photo on her phone. “Do I look like him?”

“He said you are twins.”

Her eyes flew to his face. “Really?”

He nodded. “The resemblance is strong.”

“Oh.” She closed her eyes, and he waited, wondering if she had fallen asleep. “Will you stay?”

“I am not going anywhere.” He promised.

Closing her eyes again, she drifted off.

*****

“You told her what?” Alfredo glowered at his son.

“She can stay with us, which is the decent thing to do.” He had left her sound asleep, no doubt succumbing to the strong narcotics that were feeding into her vein. And realized how reluctant he was to leave her. She looked so vulnerable and when she asked him to stay, he had felt something clutching at his heart.

“We will ask Isabella to prepare a suite for her and assign her a maid.” Giorgio continued; a set look on his handsome face. “She has lost her memory!” He strode over to the window to stare out at the trees with their leaves blowing in the wind.

It had rained earlier this morning, and the weather had turned even colder. “I have cost her a hell of a lot and I want to do everything within my power to make up for that.”

“By having her move in with us.”

“Yes.” He turned to face his father. “She told me she hates hospital for some reason. I intend to see her as comfortable as possible.”

“You are punishing yourself.”

“And I shouldn’t?” He asked harshly. Dario had left the room to take a business call. It was Saturday and his plans for the day were curtailed. He wasn’t in the mood to see anyone.

“Papa, you don’t have to be here!”

“I have a business luncheon, but I am here for you.”

“You should see the look in her eyes.” He mused. “Like a wounded puppy, making me feel as if I was the heartless bastarda who locked her in a cage.”

“Giorgio…”

“No!” He shook his head, expression pensive. “It’s my mess and I intend to stand by this woman until she gets better. She is going to need round the clock care, possibly therapy.”

“We will make arrangements for it as soon as she is cleared.” Alfredo assured him. “In the meantime, you should go on with your life as usual.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Giorgio, people are going to start noticing the changes…”

“I don’t care.”

“We have functions coming up. You are the face of the stores, the magazines and as such, you have a duty to put in an appearance.”

His jaw tightened. “I am supposed to go on as if nothing has happened?” He spread his hands wide. “As if that woman is not lying in bed, her memory wiped clean because of what I did? How do you expect me to do such a thing?”

“That’s precisely what you are going to do.” Dario came back into the room, a perturbed expression on his face.

“What is it?” Alfredo asked urgently.

“The accident was reported.”

“By whom?”

“I have no idea, still trying to get to the bottom of it. That call that I received is from the Capitano at the station.” He nodded to his friend. “Contributing that amount of money to give the station a facelift has paid off. He is keeping it under wraps.”

“So, once again I have been given a reprieve.”

“No thanks necessary.” Dario told the young man tautly.

“Forgive me for this feeling of – of - total…” his command of the English language was exemplary, but in his distress, he couldn’t find the word. “Frustration.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “I keep thinking about everything that could have gone drastically wrong and all that has, and I am tied up in knots.”

“Then let’s try to put some normalcy on the entire situation.” Dario advised quietly. “We cannot afford to have this leaked to the press. It would only get worse.”

*****

“Hand her the damn phone. I want to hear this from her.”

“She is sedated. Her blood pressure went up alarmingly because she was agitated and the doctor had to sedate her.”

“Of course, her blood pressure is up. Where is her damn phone?”

“In the desk drawer next to her bed. It has been silenced.”

“What the hell is going on?” Julian demanded. “What are you hiding from me?”

“Would you like to speak to the doctor?”

“I already spoke to him.”

“And I am certain he told you precisely what I am saying to you now.” It was very difficult for Giorgio to keep calm. He was flustered.

Last night he had heeded his father and godfather’s advice and gone to a charity event where Russo’s was a major contributor and had received the phone call while in the middle of it from the doctor, reporting that Juliana was highly agitated and asking after him.

He had left the function and driven straight to the clinic. She had had to be given something to calm her down and by the time he got there, she was almost out of it. But she had been lucid enough to reach for his hand and he had stayed with her until she succumbed to the drugs that were administered.

He did not tell the brother that his sister had been agitated because he had not been present. He was already feeling guilty enough as it is.

“Julian…”

“Mr. Campbell!” He said coldly.

His patience snapped. “Mr. Campbell,” His voice was rigid, the accent more pronounced. “I appreciate you are having a very difficult time with your sister’s incapacitation, but I assure you that she is getting the best care possible. She wants to be moved from the clinic because she admitted to me that she hates hospital.”

“She told you that? She remembered?”

“She does not recall why. Would you care to enlighten me as to the reason?”

“It’s none of your goddamn business.”

“Mr. Campbell…”

“Our dad was a guest there for several months and he suffered a lot of indignities.” Julian, obviously sensing the man’s frustration, said grudgingly. “They were very close. He was her hero, and she was his princess.

I was our mother’s favorite, and she was dad’s. Losing him among other things made her unravel. That’s why I erroneously thought that this trip would be good for her. Was I ever wrong.”

Giorgio felt the blow of his words hammering at him. “I promise you this. I will do everything in my power to get her back to where she was. We will have the best people taking care of her and I am going to be with her every step of the way.”

“Considering that you were the one who put her in this mess, I would expect nothing less.”

*****

“She is stable enough to be moved, but I would prefer if she stayed for another few days,” the doctor said.

“She wants to leave. In fact, she is getting more and more agitated staying here.” Giorgio pointed out. It had been a week since that awful night he hit her with his vehicle. The bruises on her face were fading, but her memory was still not back.

His father had grudgingly agreed to having her at the house, even though he would have preferred having her far away from them, but his son had insisted and there was no changing his mind. Alfredo had also noticed subtle changes as well.

He was more sober and conscientious. He was usually off partying or jet setting around the world. But he had not moved an inch, except to visit the clinic every day and spend most of the time with the young woman. He had wondered if Giorgio was carrying his guilt too far.

“I am responsible for what happened to her, and I intend to be there until she no longer needs me.” His jaw was clenched. “How soon can she be discharged?”

“We just need to check her blood pressure and run some other tests, and she can be on her way. Have you told her where she would be going?” The doctor looked at him with raised brows.

“She has become accustomed to the clinic, the nurses, the other doctors here. Taking her to the Palazzo is going to be overwhelming, especially for a person not accustomed to that sort of lifestyle.”

“What are you saying?” Giorgio was getting impatient with what he considered to be the man’s delay tactics.

“I am saying that this will be quite an adjustment for her.”

“I am only adhering to her wishes. She wants out of this place. I will be there. She is familiar with me, seeing me somehow calms her down. I promised her brother that I will take care of her.”

“For how long?”

“As long as it takes!” He snapped, dark eyes glittering dangerously. “You are overstepping yourself.”

“Giorgio…”

Eduardo held up a hand to stop Alfredo’s comment. “I apologize. I just want you to know that I am looking out for my patient.”

“And I want you to know that I am responsible for her becoming a patient.” He was reminded grimly. “I feel responsible for her and whatever she needs, I am going to make sure she has it. Please arrange to have a nurse monitor her while she is at the house. Plus make the necessary arrangements for her to have therapy.

But not until she is ready.” Dragging a hand over his face, he turned to leave the room. “I am going to give her the news that she will be leaving today.”

The two men watched as he left the room and closed the door.

“He is feeling guilty.” Alfredo was not making excuses for his son, but the doctor was a friend and deserved an explanation.

“I am aware.” Shoving his hands into the pockets of his lab coat, Eduardo walked over to the window to stare at the leaves blowing in the wind. “He is assuming all of the responsibilities, and I am afraid the young woman has formed an unnatural attachment to him.”

It was as Alfedo feared. “What do you make of it?”

The doctor turned to look at his friend. “Giorgio is a man of immense good looks, so it is normal for women to gravitate to him. There is also the fact that this young woman has lost her memory, and he is the only familiar person in her limited scope.

He represents some sort of normal for her, and she has no idea who he is. To her, he is just the man who has been there for her. Let’s hope it stops there. I would hate to see her go a step further and depend on him completely.”

Alfredo joined him at the window, a frown on his brow. “You are saying that the longer her memory keeps from coming back, the more danger it represents?”

“Something like that. To her, he is her entire life. We have to hope that the memory loss is only temporary.”

“I have never seen him this committed about anything.”

“He feels guilty. It was his recklessness that caused the accident and put her in this position. I understand you found the villa where she was staying?”

Alfredo nodded. “Dario is very good at his job and very discreet. He sent someone nosing around and collected her things.

A suite, one which my son has picked out himself, one that is of close proximity to his accommodations has been prepared for her. He even ordered flowers and requested that a bowl of fresh fruit be put in the sitting room for her.” He glanced at his friend.

“He has not been out of the house, except for that charity event where he left before it ended because she was asking for him. His entire time is spent here at the clinic. I am afraid he is showering this young woman with too much attention and as you indicated, she might be taking it the wrong way.”

Both men stared out the window in silence, each involved with his own thoughts.

“I hope I am not speaking out of turn.”

Alfredo turned to look at his friend. “Never!”

“This might just be what is needed for Giorgio. He is usually accustomed to being catered to. You have been lamenting the fact that he does not have a responsible bone in his body. During this entire incident, I have noticed how attentive he is and committed to the care of the young woman.”

“I have noticed that as well.” There was a thoughtful look on Alfredo’s face. “He stands up for her and is very protective.” Running a hand at the back of his neck, he stared out the window. “This might be a turning point in his life.”