Giorgio (Members From Money Season 2, #136)

Chapter 13

“Two million dollars. That’s quite a payout.” The bitter note in her brother’s voice was not lost on her.

“I don’t think of it like that.” She chided him.

“What else do you call it? Payments for services rendered?” Her reproachful look had him backing down slightly. She had been back for a week now and as much as she tried to put a positive spin on things, he knew that in the privacy of his spare bedroom, she suffered and for that, he wanted to seek out the bastard and strangle him.

And she was still insisting that she was pregnant. He was fervently hoping she wasn’t.

“What are you going to do with the money. It appears you are now a millionaire. Will you be going back in the publishing business?”

She shook her head. “I had an idea when I was in Italy.” She stretched to work out the kinks in her body. She had also spent time doing her research, while waiting for Giorgio to come to his senses.

The articles regarding him were breaking her heart. He was back to his old lifestyle, partying and going out with a different beautiful woman each time. She was not fazed by any of it. She had come to know him and realized what he was doing.

“I want to open a bookstore. I spent so much time in that fantastic library, reading all sorts of literature that I became fascinated. I have even identified the location. On Spring Haven Road, there are some quaint store fronts, and this rather lovely one located between a café and an Italian restaurant is ideal.

It needs a little sprucing up and I intend to do it myself along with a designer. I know exactly what I want and have been writing things down. I even have the name. Le Evasione. It’s Italian for…”

“Escape, get away, I know.” He grumbled. “Unlike you I have an aptitude for languages.”

“Show off.” She laughed at him, and he wondered how she could be so upbeat after that eventful trip that had almost cost her life. It had certainly cost her heart. He knew she was pining for the Italian bastard and refused to talk bad about him. He had threatened to make a call, and she had persuaded him to let it go.

“It’s my situation and I am dealing with it my own way.” She had told him determinedly. He had let it rest, for now.

“You want to open a bookstore.” His skeptical expression had her rolling her eyes.

“Not just any bookstore. Something vintage, with tables and sofas for book clubs, a room for books turned into movies in the afternoons, teas, pastries, discussions, somewhere to escape from the rigors of the world and into adventure, romance, and mystery. I am going to be dedicating a section of the place to creative arts.

Say, a person who likes to make jewelries or do quilting or is excellent at baking pies? I want to encourage them to explore that side, give them the opportunity to shine. I have a bit of pull in the publishing industry, so I can get little known authors to come and do book signing. Things like that.”

His skepticism turned to reluctant admiration. “That’s actually a brilliant idea.”

“You think so?”

He nodded slowly, a smile wreathing his face. “You are a pretty smart cookie.”

“You sound surprised.” She observed.

“And I shouldn’t be.” He scooted forward and took her hands. He had persuaded her stay at his place and be in no hurry to find a place of her own. “I love having you here and after almost losing you, I want you sticking close.”

“You just want a live in housekeeper who cooks like a dream.”

“You got me.”

So, she was staying, and it wasn’t bad. She had her own suite and really enjoyed having him come home in the evenings and having dinner with her when he could. He didn’t crowd her and afforded her space.

The cast on her foot had been taken off and she was as good as new – at least on the outside. At nights, she was yearning for the man, she loved more than her life.

“I insist on going to the location with you.”

“I would have it no other way.”

“You also need an accountant. I happen to know one.”

“Of course you do.” Her dark brown eyes twinkled.

He smiled in return. “I am happy you are doing this.”

“I no longer have to sponge off you.”

“You weren’t.” even though she was teasing, he took it seriously. “Having you here is great. You do your duty and keep the place clean.”

“I am an unpaid housekeeper.”

“You earn your keep.” He squeezed her hands. “I still want to pulverize him.”

“Then you would be hurting the love of my life and the father of my baby.”

“Honey, you might not be pregnant.” He reminded her.

“Oh, I am.” She told him with a laugh. “I feel it, felt it the moment it happened. I will officially confirm it next week by going to the doctor. But first, I want us to go and look at the store.”

“Tomorrow, I will leave the firm at noon, and we could swing by and look at the place and then stop for lunch at the Italian place.”

“Good idea, but now that I have all this money, I am buying.”

“Absolutely.”

Later that night, in her room, she sat on the edge of the bed and opened her phone to where she stored his photos. She had taken pictures of them having dinner on her balcony and his.

There was one with both of them reclining on the sofa inside the library. Then another one where he was cradling her in his arms, his chin propped on top of her head. There was also one of him, lounging against the mounds of pillows. He was naked, with only a blue satin sheet covering his hips.

She had stared at this photo so often, she knew every nuance of his expression, the smile on his sensuous lips, the glossiness of his beard, the golden skin, and the magnificent body, with the furrows of dense dark hairs on his impressive chest.

He was so achingly beautiful that she found herself getting breathless each time she looked at the photo.

“I hope you are not planning on selling this to the highest bidder.”

“I could get a lot of money for it.”

“I would then have to have my lawyers get in touch with you.”

“As if I am afraid of men in expensive suits.” She had scoffed. “My brother happens to be one of them. This is for posterity.”

“Come here.” He had coaxed in that deep accented voice of his and had her insides going weak. And she had dropped the phone and joined him. He had covered her body with his and conversation had ceased for a long time.

Exiting the app, she put away the phone and settled back against the pillows, her hands cradling her flat stomach. She knew her brother did not believe her, but she had felt the difference that night when he filled her with his essence. And it had been thrilling to realize that she had something of him growing inside her.

She had not set out to trap him, far from it, and she wasn’t going to contact him when it was confirmed. She wanted him to come to her without knowing that she was carrying his baby.

No matter how long it took.

“Oh Giorgio,” she whispered achingly. “I need you so much. I am praying it does not take you too long to realize how much you need me too.”

*****

The object of her desire was also thinking of her. It was a week since she left, and it felt like a year. He went out every night and was seen with a different beautiful woman on his arm, but he was not happy. His life was empty.

His father never said anything to him about what a fool he was, but it was implied. He had stopped going home for supper and spent his time filling his life with aimless activities. He spent most of the time at the club, unable to bear staying inside his bedroom, where her presence was still lingering.

Whenever he was home, he would go into the guest room where she had spent those eventful days and just sit there on the edge of the bed. And he was spending time in the library, sitting on her favorite sofa, and looking at the titles she read.

He was behaving like a lovesick fool and feeling like one. Surely, he should have gotten over her already. It had never been this difficult for him in the past.

Now, everywhere he was, he could swear he saw her. As if she was haunting him. As soon as he closed his eyes, she was there, the scent of her, the intimacy they shared, the taste of her nipples, the essence of her was always with him.

He couldn’t touch another woman, and he had tried. At one point, he had gotten to the part of taking off his shirt, when he could swear, he heard her soft voice calling his name. He had gotten the hell out of there and drunk himself into a stupor.

He had not called her, telling himself it would be unfair to her. He had already done enough. And he had not changed his mind. But Cristo! He was dying. His need for her was so great, he could hardly stand it.

He was becoming dangerously miserable and no longer the life of the party. What had pleased him before was no longer getting pleasure from what he used to do. Not even sports did it for him. And he had tried everything.

Leaning back against the cushions, he stared at the book he had picked up, a smile touching his lips.

“Pride and Prejudice?”

“Yep.” She had responded jauntily. “I am absolutely in love with the famous and aloof Mr. Darcy.”

“My mother loved it too.”

“She had great taste. Have you read it?”

“A classic romance?” He had scoffed. “No. Perhaps.”

“You are trying to pretend you are not a romantic at heart.”

“Who is pretending?”

He jumped guiltily when the doors were pushed open, and his dad stepped inside.

“I was just…”

“It appears that both the women in our lives shared an affinity to the written word.”

Alfredo stared at his son and felt the familiar anger churning inside him. The boy was unhappy and pining away for a woman who would have him, if he would just call, but his obstinate nature was a source of contention between them.

“She loved this room.” Clutching the book, he stared around the room. “She tried to use the step ladder to grab some title on the top shelf. I came in just in time to see her trying to navigate the steps.” He shook his head. “She was so determined and frustratingly independent.”

“Sounds like a hell of a woman.”

Giorgio looked up at him. “I don’t need another lecture.”

“I am fresh out, just to say that you are a fool.”

“Why, thank you, papa.”

“You are clearly unhappy. It’s evident. You spend your time mooning in this room and the guest bedroom she used to be in. What the bloody hell is it going to take for you to go to her?”

He sat there staring at the volume in his hands. “She is better off without me.” He murmured hoarsely. “I am actually doing her a favor by staying out of her life.”

“What about you?” His father demanded.

“Me?” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I will be fine.”

*****

“It’s nice.”

“Nice? Please Julian, you are making me nervous with your enthusiastic response.”

He grinned at her as he continued to walk around the space. It was certainly large enough and the structure was solid. From the outside, it looked more like a cottage than a store. And it would need just minimum interior work.

The owner herself was trying to strike a deal with them and she was eager to unload the place. She had told Juliana that she was excited about her idea.

“My dear, several people approached me before, but I am sentimental about the place and your idea is the best I have come across. It sounds wonderful.”

“My office would be through here.” She led the way into a small area where the window overlooked a surprisingly large parking lot with trees forming a semi-circle around a non-functioning fountain, something she had every intention of remedying.

“It shows potential, and the price is reasonable. She wants to sell outright?”

Juliana nodded, taking a slow circle so she could take in the rest of the place.

“She is retired. She was selling antiques at this location and when a larger entity took opened up a few blocks away, business started to decline.”

Her brother, tapped the paneling. “I am assuming you did your market research?”

She rolled her eyes but was very happy to have him taking charge. He would be doing the negotiating and setting up the purchase of the place.

“I did, extensively and this place is exactly what is needed here.”

She waited while he took another look around, going into the bathroom and a back area that she was going to use as a chill-out spot where one could escape, tuck in, and read a favorite title.

“Where is she?”

“Margaret lives a few blocks from here, but she wanted us to view the place without interference from her.” Walking over, she tucked her hand through his arm. “Have I told you just how much I appreciate you looking out for me?”

He gave her a wry glance. “You don’t have to suck up Jules. I am sold on the idea.”

“It doesn’t hurt.” She smiled brightly and snuggled against him.

“Okay, enough. Let’s get you the store.”

*****

Margaret Bailey welcomed her into her small cottage like home and served them tea on the front porch. “My dear, I am so happy you came up with this idea.” She handed over the plate of homemade biscuits she baked just this afternoon. “I am looking forward to seeing the idea blossom into something wonderful.”

“So am I. I suppose you will be taking that cruise?”

The woman bobbed her snow-white head, blue eyes twinkling. “I have a yearning to go to Wales – that is where my mother came from, you know, and I have never been. My late husband and I kept wanting to go, but it never happened. With raising the kids and running a business, there was never enough time.

Now I am free and unencumbered, perfect time for exploring.” She stared at Juliana curiously, privately admiring the young woman’s flawless skin. “Where did you come up with the name?”

“I was recently in Italy. And I started learning the language. I had the privilege of spending time in a residence there with a library that surpassed anything I had ever seen.”

“You have been Italy.”

“Yes.”

Julian watched as his sister settled the cup back in the saucer carefully.

“I have always wanted to go.” The woman was unaware of the stirring of sadness she had stirred up. “My Bert and I planned on going for our honeymoon, but things were tight back then.” Her eyes misted as she took a sip of tea.

“You loved him.”

“We were married for fifty years.” Her smile came through the tears like a ray of sunshine as she answered Juliana’s question. “We met when we were seniors in high school. I went to business school, and he went into the military.

He was in the navy. He wanted us to get married before he left, but my parents would not hear of it. I was terrified that he would not come back home to me.

The minute he returned; we were married three weeks after. He was the only man for me and even though he is not here in the flesh, he will always be here,” She thumped the place where her heart was.

“I have discovered that nothing beats loving the person you spend most of your life with. And we loved each other dearly. He has left me a legacy of memories that I will carry with me as long as I live.”

*****

“I am going to kill him.”

Turning her head, she stared at him and knew he realized she was moping. Margaret’s story had touched something deep inside her and made her wonder if she was going to have to spend the rest of her life without him. Her unflagging optimism had taken a beaten.

“Then I would be losing the two most important men in my life,” she said lightly.

“He is an asshole.” Julian tooted his horn to get the vehicle in front of him moving. The afternoon traffic was a mess, and it had started raining.

“Please, don’t.”

“Don’t what? Speak my mind? Be angry about the way he is treating you? Be angry that you didn’t listen to me?”

“You were the one who encouraged me to have a holiday romance.”

“Yes.” He bit out. “Holiday romance, not a lifelong love affair that’s completely one-sided.” He could have bitten off his tongue at the look on her face. “Jules, I am sorry as hell.”

“Thanks for coming with me today. The purchase of the place will take a week to finalize. I want it up and ready for the middle of October.”

“Jules…”

“No.” She shook her head. “You have said enough, and my heart cannot take anything else. Let’s leave it at that, shall we?”

He lapsed into silence and for the rest of the journey to his place, the silence continued.

As soon as he pulled into the parking space of his townhouse, she excused herself and went upstairs to her suite, leaving him standing in the living room, cursing that damn son of a bitch to perdition. His sister had tied his hands, and he could not call to give the man a piece of his mind. But he hated to see her hurting.

Swearing profusely, he went to the cabinet to pluck out a bottle of scotch and not bothering with the glass, drank straight from the bottle.

*****

The preparation of her store kept her busy and her mind occupied. And her pregnancy was confirmed. She would be due in June.

“Call him.” Her brother urged. “He has a right to know.”

“No!” She said stubbornly. “And if you take it on yourself to do so, I will never forgive you.”

A designer had been hired, and a carpenter was seeing to the exterior. She was actively involved in the redecorating of the store, consulting with the woman on color schemes, furnishings among other things. She stocked up on healthy food for her baby and had cut out caffeine. She drank her milk and bought books on the development of the fetus. She was as happy as could be. Her store and the seed she were carrying were making up for her yearning for Giorgio.

Her brother was very supportive, but she knew that as soon as the baby was due, she was going to find a place for herself. He insisted on her staying and stubbornly refused to accept that she was going to have to leave.

“Not yet. You are pregnant and need the support.”

She did not have the heart to tell him she was more than capable of taking care of herself. He made her nutritious meals whenever he was home before her and encouraged and supported her every decision regarding the store.

It was all coming together. She had chosen pastel colors for the interior, pearl pink in the ‘escape room’ lime green in the main area, shell pink for her office and for the lounge as she was calling the area designated for book club meetings and various activities, she had gone for lavender.

The exterior was more or less left alone as she had decided that the aging faded bricks would give the place a lived-in look. She had already contacted various booksellers and publishers and was expecting her first shipment in the middle of October.

Standing in the neat office, she stared at the antique file cabinets and the old-fashioned desk she had picked up at an antique sale and nodded. Pressing a hand to her tummy, she rubbed the area slowly.

She was not exhibiting the usual symptoms yet but was looking forward to it. “What do you think darling? Next step is to design a play area for you.”