Giorgio (Members From Money Season 2, #136)

Chapter 5

She was fast asleep within minutes of being gently guided into the passenger seat of the sensible four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle he had chosen to transport her home from the clinic.

Giorgio figured that it was a left over from the drugs still in her system. He was vastly relieved that she was alive and well and was praying fervently that her memory would return very soon, so that she could be fully healed. During the week’s stay at the clinic, he had seen little of her body except her throat and face.

The cases that had been retrieved from the villa had been taken to the closet of the room assigned to her and he had chosen a black sweater and a pair of cream leggings. She had approved of the selection and was now wearing them.

He had not seen a jacket and figured she had not brought one with her. So, he had called one of their stores and had one sent over.

It was a glossy black leather and suited her perfectly. She had stared at the obviously expensive item with a frown but had not commented. He had ordered some other things for her, and they were hanging inside the closet.

Her short curls had grown out somewhat and flattered her small face. He had adjusted the seat backwards in order to accommodate her broken leg and added a cushion for her head. She was sleeping peacefully, her head turned towards him.

The paperwork as well as the thorough examinations the doctor had insisted on, had taken up the better part of the afternoon and by the time they left, darkness had already descended.

The drive home was only half an hour, and he was used to the scenery, the lights from the various buildings, the graceful towering structure of the Colosseum. He wanted to take her sightseeing. He was intensely proud of his country and wanted to show it off, but first and foremost, she had to get well.

Her eyes flickered open just as he swung into the arched mile long driveway. Sitting up too quickly, had her head spinning and her injured leg bumping up against the dashboard and had her crying out in pain.

His hand whipped over her, a concerned look on his handsome face. “Easy. Are you hurt?”

Leaning back, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“I was disoriented. I am fine.” She gave him a watery smile, before turning her head to look out at the scene spread out before her. A gasp escaped her as she stared at the dazzling scene laid out before her.

The place was massive, and she realized why he called it a Palazzo. Lights were on in almost every room from the top floor to the bottom, spilling out and highlighting gracious lawns and colorful plants, some of which she could not identify.

The ground was landscaped as if every blade of grass had been precisely measured and lined up. A fountain spewed water into a sculpted basin. Graceful sculptures were at either side of the steps leading up to a wide porch, or whatever they called it in Italy.

“Juliana?” The deep slightly accented voice brought her back around, her eyes still opened wide in wonder.

“It’s…” She swallowed the lump inside her throat. “Overwhelming.” Her hands moved restlessly, and he only just stopped himself from reaching for them. “When you said you were wealthy, I thought it was just ordinary wealth.”

She stared at him, taking in the incredibly handsome face, the tidy beard that somehow added to his beauty, the straight nose, the mouth- Shaking her head, she lifted her eyes to his. “Who are you, really?”

“Does it matter?” He asked her gently. “I am the person who caused your accident and am trying my best to make it up to you. My name is Giorgio Russo which will not mean anything to you right now.” He nodded towards the building, never taking his eyes off hers. “It is just a house, a very large one, but a residence, nonetheless.

My dad will be there waiting to welcome you, and you have already met him. We have a full complement of household staff who have been informed of your imminent arrival. And I promise you that I will be here for you. I am asking you to trust me.”

She stared at him for a moment before glancing down at her hands. At the clinic, he had seemed like an ordinary – no! She mentally shook her head.

One could not look at him and thought of him as ordinary. He was too handsome, too distinguished looking to be considered commonplace. Even wearing jeans and sweater, it was obvious that he was special.

“Juliana?”

Her head lifted to meet his gaze, and she found herself succumbing to the assurance in his eyes. From the moment she opened her eyes and saw him sitting there, she felt an affinity towards him and instinctively knew that she could trust him

“If I make a fool of myself, I hope you will be there to set me straight.” She offered a tentative smile that had him releasing his breath in a sigh.

“Absolutely. Ready?” He asked her gently.

She nodded.

“I am afraid that using the crutch is going to make us go very slow. I am still trying to learn how to navigate it.”

“There is an alternative.”

Before she could ask what, he was out of the car and opening her door. Her breath whooshed out when he put one hand around her shoulders and another carefully under her knees.

“I didn’t mean…”

“Hold on tight.” His charming smile flashed, sending butterflies inside her tummy. She wrapped her hands around his neck and inhaled the scent of his expensive cologne as he strode towards the steps.

A stoic looking thin as a rail man, garbed completely in black, opened the massive double doors, his expression not changing as if seeing the son of the house carrying in an injured woman was something that happened every day.

“Juliana, this is Aldo, he is in charge of the household.”

“Signorina Campbell, welcome to the Palazzo Russo.” His thin lips curved slightly in what could be considered a smile.

“Thank you.”

“Signor Alfredo is waiting in the informal drawing room.”

“I am a mess…”

“We will just go and say hello before I take you up to your suite.” Giorgio glanced at the man who was standing at attention and waiting for further instructions. “Would you have a meal sent up to her room?”

“Of course.” With a slight bow, he was gone.

“Giorgio…” Her voice trailed off as she stared around the massive marble entrance. The arched ceiling soared upwards, and, on both sides, the walls were a mellow cream with a hint of rose pink. His long legs carried them swiftly along a passageway, until he turned towards an open doorway.

Alfredo turned towards the arched doorway, one thick brow elevated as he stared at the scene.

“She is not familiar with the crutches yet.”

“You should put me down.”

Alfredo’s expression did not reflect what he was thinking or how strange he found the situation. His son was holding the woman protectively in his arms as if he had no intention of letting her go.

“Signorina Juliana,” he smiled warmly, dark eyes welcoming. “It’s so good to see you looking better. I know you are probably tired from the trip, so I will not prolong the greeting.”

“Thank you for having me.” She told him lamely.

“You are absolutely welcome.” He looked at his son. “I will be here when you return.” There was a subtle warning that a conversation was due.

“Of course. I will just let her get settled.”

Alfredo watched as he turned and left the room, a thoughtful expression on his face. Moving towards the built-in cabinet, he poured a drink and walked over to the fire blazing inside the massive hearth.

Leaning against the mantle, he stared into the hypnotic flames. He would have to be extremely careful in dealing with this situation. Right now, his son felt responsible for what happened to the young woman, and he was doing his best to make up for the harm done.

But what if there was more to it?

*****

“What do you think?” He placed her carefully on the side of the lovely Queen Anne bed with the quality satin comforter. The room was a pearl pink with lovely antique furnishings the color of pale gold.

A closet took an entire section of the wall and had shelves and compartments on both sides. There was a curved vanity table with an oval mirror and a padded stool in front of it.

A fire was blazing inside the hearth, giving off a warm comforting glow.

“There is a sitting room – the bathroom is through there…” He looked at her cast doubtfully. “I don’t want you falling on your way to…” He gestured with one hand. “To relieve yourself. I should have a maid sleep in the spare bedroom…”

“No.” She held up a hand, her laughter spilling out and warming his heart. “I will manage somehow. Is it a bath or a shower?”

“Both.”

“Oh.” She shook her head. She had never seen such luxury in real life, and it made her uneasy. A tray was resting on the bedside table, within easy reach. “I’ll be fine.”

He was reluctant to leave her, and it confused him.

“The food is here.”

“So, I see.”

“Tired?”

“A little. I slept most of the way here.”

“You did.” He stood there with his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “Want me to…” He gestured towards her jacket, and she nodded, lifting her arms so he could remove it. It was while he was hanging it up, that she noticed the clothing inside the closet.

“Whose room is this?”

Turning, he gave her a surprised look. “Yours, of course.”

“Are those my clothes?”

“Yes.”

She continued to stare at the array in confusion. “I could never afford anything like that.” Her mind was a complete blank and over the past week, she had been trying to force the memories which had only led to frustration. The doctor had warned her to let it take its natural course and she was trying to do just that.

“I took the liberty of ordering some items for you.”

She stared at him puzzled. “Why? I am not going anywhere.”

“Consider it a gift.”

“Giorgio, you have been wonderful and attentive. I know you feel guilty…”

“I do!” He made his way over to the bed and hunkered down in front of her. “More than you will ever know.”

“I am still alive.” She had the strongest urge to run her fingers through his hair to assess if the strands were as silky as she suspected. “I am staying in a palace and being waited on hand and foot. I couldn’t have asked for more than that.”

She told him softly. “You have got to stop torturing yourself and buying me expensive gifts, like those clothes.”

“We own department stores.”

She frowned at him. “You do?”

He nodded.

“How many?”

Her question threw him for a minute. “I…,” he frowned as he tried to come up with a number. “That’s a good question.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Like a Macy’s?”

“Macy’s?”

She shook her head. “I-I think it’s a chain in America. A well-known one.”

“Your memory…”

“Comes and goes. Sometimes it’s elusive, something would pop into my head and the minute I reach for it, it will be gone. Very frustrating.”

“You should allow it to take its natural course.” He advised.

“I am trying.” She smiled at him. “What else do you own?”

“Uhm…” He smiled slightly. “That’s a conversation for another day.”

To her disappointment he rose gracefully and stepped back. “Eat something and try and get some sleep.”

“Giorgio?”

He turned to look at her, feeling the familiar stirring at the sound of his name in her sultry voice.

“Yes?”

“I would like to learn your language.”

His eyes flared as he stared at her in surprise.

“I could hire a tutor…”

“No.” She shook her head. “I want to learn it from you.”

“I am not a tutor, Juliana.”

“Just simple words and then complicated ones.” She smiled at him, and he felt his heart turning over.

“Let me think on it.”

“Why is your English so excellent?”

“Years of attending Oxford and Cambridge.” He told her with a grin. “My parents wanted to ensure that I spoke as many languages as possible.”

“How many?”

“Five including my mother tongue.”

She stared at him in shock. “And they are?”

“If I tell you, will you promise to eat something and get some sleep?”

“I promise.” She told him solemnly.

“French, Spanish, English, Italian and Chinese and I know a smattering of German.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Is it? Now eat and then get some rest. I will check on you in the morning.”

She nodded and watched him leave the room, closing the doors behind him.

She took the chance to slide off the bed and hobble around as she took in the expensive paintings on the silk walls. Her mind might be a blank slate, but she knew quality when she saw it.

And everything in this huge and lovely bedroom was of the highest quality. A gasp escaped her when she stood in the open doorway of the bathroom. She was pretty sure that it was the biggest she had ever seen.

An antique claw footed bath stood in the center of the swirling peach and cream tiles. A shower, large enough to fit half a dozen people easily had more knobs than she probably knew how to navigate. The sink was a double one with marble tiles and oval mirrors and recessed lightings.

There was a separate space for towels, and other accoutrements. She stood there staring around the room, her expression one of wonder and awe. He had said they owned department stores, and something was nagging at her as if she was trying to remember where she had heard the name Russo before.

Shaking her head, she hobbled over to the commode and relieved herself. Washing her hands, she stared at her reflection in the mirror in dissatisfaction. A man like Giorgio Russo would never be interested in a woman like her.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” She exclaimed. “Where on earth did that come from?”

Turning away from the unforgiving mirror, she hobbled back into the bedroom to see what was on the tray.

*****

“How is she?” Alfredo handed him the glass of scotch as he came into the room.

“Settling in. Thanks.” Taking his drink with him, he went to sit on a plump sofa near the fire. “She is a little overwhelmed. She was asking questions.”

“What kind?”

“Who we really are and so forth.”

“What did you tell her?” Alfredo sat across from him in an easy chair his wife had gifted him on their twentieth anniversary.

“That we own department stores.”

“What did she say to that?”

“She mentioned something by the name of Macy’s.”

Alfredo laughed softly. “What a comparison.”

His son shrugged gracefully as he sipped his drink. “She wants to learn our language.”

“Oh?”

Giorgio shrugged again. “I offered to hire a tutor, and she said she wanted me to teach her.”

“And?”

“I told her I would think about it.”

Alfredo stared at him for a few seconds before lifting his glass to his mouth. “What are your plans for her?”

“To make sure she gets well.”

“And then?”

“As soon as she is fully healed, I will make arrangements for her to go back to her country.”

“I see.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“It doesn’t sound like nothing. You think I am taking this guilt thing too far.”

“Aren’t you?”

“What would you have me do?” Tossing back the drink, he lunged to his feet and went to get a refill. He was angry with himself and confused. Ever since the accident, he was not himself. His taste for the opposite sex had waned.

He was getting calls from his love interests, but he was not returning them and when he did, the conversation was brief. Partying was not so entertaining anymore.

He had left her upstairs and had wanted to make certain she was tucked in and not fall over her crutches while navigating the room. His obsession with doing things for her was beyond him. He had almost offered to undress her and only just managed not to voice it.

“We have a house full of staff who would be willing to see to her needs. You brought her here to be taken care of and she will be. Your job is done.”

“It’s not.” He uttered harshly. “I have to see this to the very end.”

“Giorgio…”

“No.” he shook his head. “This is something I have to do.”

“You have a board meeting tomorrow; first thing and we have the charity ball on Saturday. Are you going to blow those off?”

The impatience in his father’s tone did not escape him.

“I will be there.”

“Sofia has been calling.” He saw when Giorgio’s shoulders stiffened.

“And?”

“She wants to know when she is going to see you.”

“I have no idea. She is not my type, and I have no intention of marrying her, so seeing her is not going to make a difference.”

“You have not been with anyone.”

He turned around. “Make up your mind, papa,” he said sardonically. “When I was gallivanting and partying all over the globe, you upbraided me and warned me to clean up my act. Now I am walking the straight and narrow and you are complaining? Are you that difficult to please?”

“I am just wondering why the change? Or should I guess?”

“What are you getting at?” He demanded.

“Figure it out.” Finishing his drink, Alfredo rose and headed towards the doorway. “You have changed over the last week and it is drastic. Something to think about.”

He was left alone with his thoughts. Troubling ones. First, he mowed her down with his vehicle and almost ended her life, the accident had certainly done its damage. It had wiped her memory clean and secondly, shaking his head, he shied away from that particular thought. She was not a classic beauty.

She was much too thin, her features small. Her eyes dominated her face and every time he stared into them, he felt as if he was drowning. Not only that, but her voice soothed and intrigued him. He enjoyed talking to her.

What amazed him as well was the lack of accusation and blame. She knew he was the cause of her misery and yet she had never once convicted him. There was also this fierce protectiveness he felt where she was concerned.

He did not like to see her hurting. When he had taken himself off to that function, he had been unable to enjoy himself because his thoughts had been at that clinic and in that room where she was. As soon as he received the call, there had been no hesitation, he had gone running.

There was an intrinsic bond between them, a spark that he could not and would not dare explore or fan into flames. He had told his father that his intention was to make certain she got the best care, and he meant every word.

He could not touch her, if needs be, he would stay the bloody hell away from her. How sick would he be to want to take off her clothes and explore every inch of her slender body? Hadn’t he done enough?

Feeling the sickness churning at the pit of his stomach, he decided it was time to make a call. Downing the drink, he slammed the glass down and reached for his phone.

*****

“I apologize.” He said stiffly.

“What can I do?” She asked quietly.

“Nothing.” He was about to use a trite expression about it being about him and not about her but decided against it. It would only rub salt into an open wound. He could not believe this was happening to him.

He could not perform. He had called her up after ignoring her for the past week and she had invited him over without hesitation. Now this. He was as limp as branch that had been dislodged from the life-giving support.

He actually recoiled when she touched him and her efforts to bring him to life had failed dismally. He was disinterested, and his mind was elsewhere. He found himself wondering if she was sleeping soundly or having nightmares.

“I apologize.” He repeated and without another word, dragged on his trousers and retreated hastily.