Book 2: Chapter Eighty-Four - Catching Up With Each Other
Book 2: Chapter Eighty-Four - Catching Up With Each Other
“Why not? Don’t you want to start Synergist?” asked Amelia in surprise.
“Not yet. I want to concentrate on my children. I have three,” said Genelia proudly.
“I too have three. I’ll bring them the next time we meet,” said Brooklyn. Matteo, Marco, Marcello, and their Mama joined them soon.
“You can keep Dad’s money, Amy. I will shift to South Africa near Brandon’s place soon. I’ve applied for a senior position in a prestigious hospital there,” said Ryan.
“Are you both sure? I’ll divide the money and transfer your shares to you.” Viola brought the girls into the room and Amelia introduced them to her guests.
“So, when are you shifting to Sicily?” asked Carlos.
“In a couple of days. We still haven’t booked the flight tickets,” said Marco.
“I could drop you on our way back home. I have my private jet. We’re returning to Napa Valley, California, a day later,” said Nikolas.
“That would be great, Nikolas. I don’t want to stay here for so many days. We’ll go with you,” said their Mama.
Amelia helped serve dinner when Megan, who had been quiet for so long, approached her in the kitchen. “I’m sorry for the way we parted, Amy,” she said, helping her carry the crockery to the table.
“That’s okay. Alex was kidnapped because of me.”
“No, it wasn’t your fault. I was overreacting! Alex’s kidnapping traumatized me and him for many years. He couldn’t go to school for fear of a repeat. We had to opt for homeschooling! I realized how wrong I was to misbehave with you when you were going through more difficult times than us.”
“How is Alex now? Why didn’t you bring him along?”
“I’ll bring him the next time we meet. He’s a fine young boy now. I want to keep in touch, Amy. We have a small family and yours and Gia’s presence keeps Ryan happy. Please come down to Johannesburg, South Africa, whenever you can. You can meet both Ryan and Gia.”
“Sure I will.”
After dinner, Carlos called Evita and updated her about his success in rescuing Matteo. He handed the phone over to Amelia and she thanked her repeatedly. “Why don’t you come down to meet him before we leave Florence?” she invited Evita.
“When are you all leaving?”
“A day later,” informed Amelia.
“Oh, that soon? I’ll come down tomorrow.”
They all left with a promise to catch up at Carlos’s restaurant the next day. Mariella and Angela were the most excited since they hadn’t gone out to eat ever.
“You shouldn’t have agreed to go in Nikolas’s private jet, Mama. What will he think of us? We shouldn't take advantage of his kindness,” scolded Marco.
“It’s alright, Marco. Nikolas is a nice person. He cares about Emilia since his wife is her best friend. Are we ready to leave so soon?” asked Matteo.
“Yes, we are,” said Viola. Amelia packed up their stuff while Matteo watched her.
“Where are my clothes, Emilia? I’ve been wearing these I borrowed from Marco.”
“Oh, silly me. I’ve been carrying your stuff around with me, hoping you would return soon. Here, they are in these two suitcases.”
Matteo smiled with relief, thankful to get his stuff back. He changed into his own clothes that looked fresh even after so many years. “I washed them a few months ago and packed them up again.”
“You’re incredible you know. I thought I would have to buy everything or return to New York for them.”
“Will we return to New York? I don’t know how Freddie and the boys are managing the shop. When I left New York, they were doing fine. I lost touch with them over the years.”
“Yes, we will once we settle Mama and my brothers in Sicily.”
“So they haven’t closed the shop. How did you run the expenses for so long?” She informed him about the dreary conditions that forced her to escape New York. She explained about her visit to his lawyer, Mr. Berkeley.
“Luigi was after our lives and Di Salvo saved us but he wanted to extort money in return. I didn’t give in.”
“I know. I’m proud of the way you handled things. Carlos told me everything,” said Matteo with a sigh.
“Your family bore all our expenses. They didn’t let me spend much.”
“Oh, I’ll check with the bank to see how much I have in my account. I’ll have a talk with Freddie soon.”
The packing was complete, and they tucked in Mariella. With no nursery available in the small house, they had to accommodate her on their bed. Matteo felt a little frustrated and eagerly waited to get away from this place.
Mariella slept after Amelia read out two stories to her.
“I can’t wait to go to Sicily. We won’t admit her to a school there. We’ll leave for New York after a fortnight.” They went out to the balcony to catch up before going to sleep.
“So, what did you do in my absence? How did you feel when Mariella was born? Tell me everything.”
“I never gave up hope when the US Marshals Team declared you dead. Then the NYPD and the FBI too closed your case. Yet I didn’t believe them. My heart knew you were alive. I went to the shop every day. Marco, Marcello, and Viola left to rejoin their work, and it was just Mama, Mariella, and me there. Then Luigi attempted to kidnap Mariella, and it scared me immensely. Marco came over to take us back with him.”
“I missed you terribly when Mariella was born. I hadn’t thought of a name for her. It was Mama who came up with this name. I was with Freddie and the boys when I knew I would give birth. They took me to the hospital. I wanted to hold your hand in the labor room like all women did.” Matteo held her by the shoulder and pulled her closer to his side.
“I missed all the important milestones. This wasn’t what I had planned our wedded life to be.”
“I know Matteo. So, how did Luigi and Di Salvo die when no one could nab them for so long?” she asked, gazing at him with curiosity. Matteo looked away, wondering if he should tell her about his misdeeds. Would she fear him if he admitted he was the one who killed them all? But he could hide such an important fact from her. He had to tell her. He informed her about overhearing about Di Salvo’s visit.
“It was then that I planned to kill him. It was my only chance to free myself. I hid in the attic and waited for his arrival.” He explained what exactly happened that day.
“They were badly injured and fighting with one another. They couldn't defend themselves and begged me to save them from each other. It was my only chance. I shot them dead. Carlos found me and rescued me. He destroyed the gun and asked me not to tell a soul about it or the cops could arrest me for murder.”
“I’m glad you could take your revenge, Matteo, for everything they did to us.” She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling much better. Anyone in his shoes would have done it much earlier. But it was concern for them that Matteo couldn’t take the plunge. Added to that was his mental condition. It was really a feat that he could finally set himself free.
“I’m glad you think so, Emilia. I was afraid you would misjudge me.”
“I know you too well to misjudge you.”
Matteo felt better after admitting his innermost inhibitions to her. If only he could make wild love to her. That was the only wish which remained unfulfilled. “Then you should know what I need right now,” he whispered hoarsely.
“Yes, I do but that can’t be possible tonight. I can give you a kiss. Will that do?” Of course, it would. He cupped her cheeks and smashed his mouth to hers without waiting a second longer. It was a kiss filled with passionate longing. He plunged his tongue deep into her mouth, tasting every recess lingeringly, hungrily. Amelia kissed him back in the same manner, her fingers stroking his silky hair.
A groan escaped his mouth, and the kiss turned wild. Amelia knew he was trying hard to restrain his need to just a kiss. It was a difficult feat when both of them were already aroused and needy for more.
“You’re driving me crazy, Cara.” He bit her neck, marking her and licking the sting with his warm tongue. It send a tremor down her body and her core throbbed with desire.
“So are you, caro. Another day and we’ll be in Sicily. Hopefully, we’ll get a room all to ourselves.”
“I’ll make sure we do or I’ll whisk you away to New York right away.”