Chapter 28 Enzo’s girlfriend
I woke up with a sharp pain radiating through my neck.
I groaned, my hand flying to the stiff muscle, and slowly opened my eyes to find myself still perched on the window seat. I had fallen asleep here last night, curled up against the glass, watching the darkness and wishing I could disappear into it.
Brilliant, I thought bitterly, rubbing at the crick in my neck. Just brilliant.
I wiped at my eyes, feeling the crusty remnants of dried tears on my cheeks. I looked out the window at the grey morning light filtering through the clouds and sighed.
Another day in this godforsaken place.
I pushed myself up to stand, and immediately cursed as a hot feeling shot down my left leg.
"Damn it," I hissed, bending down to massage the tense muscle. "Stupid window. Stupid house. Stupid Giovanni and his stupid-"
A knock on the door interrupted my muttered tirade.
"Come in," I called out, still rubbing my leg.
The door opened, and Claire stepped inside, followed by three other maids I didn't recognize. All of them were carrying trays containing different sized bottles, and towels
My brow furrowed. "What's going on?"
Claire's face lit up with a smile. "It's spa day, Miss Arya! We're here to prepare you."
My face fell. "What?"
"For the wedding," one of the other maids added helpfully. "We have everything planned for you. Just trust us to take care of you and-“
"I didn't ask for any of this," I said, standing up despite the protest in my leg.
"Mr. De Santis arranged everything," Claire said gently. "He wanted to make sure you were properly cared for today."
Of course he did, I thought darkly. The man was a control freak.
But as the maids bustled around my room, setting up their stations and chattering excitedly about the products they'd brought, I found I didn't have the energy to fight them.
What was the point? Tomorrow was happening whether I wanted it to or not.
"Fine," I said, sighing. "Let's get this over with."
The next few hours passed in a blur of pampering that I absolutely refused to admit I was enjoying.
The rose-infused bath was heavenly, the water soothing away the aches from my terrible night's sleep. The maids massaged scented oils into my skin until I felt like I was floating.
My nails were filed and shaped, and by the time Claire was painting my toenails I felt almost human again.
I watched the way she held my foot with such gentle care, and something in my chest loosened slightly.
"How did you know?" I asked quietly.
Claire looked up, her brush pausing mid-stroke. "Know what, miss?"
"That rose pink is my favorite color for polish.” I wriggled my toes for emphasis. “I've never mentioned it to anyone here."
A smile spread across Claire's face. "Master Giovanni told us. He gave us very specific instructions about everything. The bath oils to use, the massage techniques, even the nail polish color." She resumed painting. "He told us to do everything we did today."
I stared at her, stunned into silence.
Giovanni had known. The thought of him caring enough to get those details right made something uncomfortable twist in my stomach.
"He probably just said that because he doesn't want me looking terrible during the wedding," I muttered, pushing the thought away. "Can't have his bride looking like a disaster in front of all his important guests."
"Maybe," Claire said, a knowing smile playing at her lips.
My eyes narrowed. "Whose side are you on, anyway?"
Claire looked up, tilting her head thoughtfully. "My boss's side."
"What?" I gasped, my mouth falling open. "You just broke the girl code!"
Claire giggled and my heart clenched painfully. The laugh sounded exactly like Christabel's, down to the way her eyes sparkled with mirth.
I was about to say something else when another maid appeared in the doorway.
"Miss Arya? Mr. Enzo is here to see you. Should I let him in?"
"Yes, please," I said, grateful for the distraction.
Enzo strolled in moments later, his hands in his pockets, and a casual grin on his face. He took one look at me and whistled low.
"Look at you," he said appreciatively. "You're glowing. Giovanni's going to lose his mind tomorrow."
Despite myself, I felt a flush of pleasure at the compliment. "You think so?"
"I know so," Enzo said, dropping into the chair across from me. "The man's already half-obsessed with you. Tomorrow's going to push him completely over the edge."
We laughed together, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. Somehow, Enzo had become something close to a friend in this strange, suffocating place.
"So," Enzo said after a moment, his tone shifting to something more serious. "There's something I wanted to tell you. About tomorrow."
I raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"
"Someone special is coming to the wedding." He shuffled in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck, and I watched in fascination as his face turned distinctly pink.
I had never seen Enzo look uncomfortable before. It was... unsettling.
"Who?" I asked, leaning forward with interest.
Enzo cleared his throat. "My, uh. My girlfriend."
I blinked. "Your what?"
"My girlfriend," he repeated, his voice slightly strangled.
My jaw dropped. I looked at Claire, then at the other maids, all of whom were grinning and nodding like they'd known this information for ages.
I huffed, shaking my head in disbelief. “You have a girlfriend!?"
"He does," Claire confirmed, a knowing smile on her face. "And she's very pretty."
I stared at Enzo, taking in the blush spreading across his cheeks, and the way his eyes had gone soft at just talking about her.
I had never seen him like this before. He was almost boyish in his affection.
At least someone here had a normal love story, I thought wistfully.
"I'd love to meet her," I said, and I meant it.
Enzo's grin widened. "She's going to like you. A lot."
I didn't respond to that, just offered a small smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
"You should get ready, though," Enzo said, clearing his throat in a way that made me stiffen. "Gio wants to see you."
My smile fell instantly. I looked down at my painted toenails, and a tightness wrapped around my chest.
For the first time, I felt dread at the idea of going to meet Giovanni De Santis