Chapter 17: Alone together

SOFIA'S POV

The hospital release was harder on my step-dad. His need to protect, met face to face with my adult boundaries.

I wasn't going back to Rome and he would have to trust me on taking better care of myself.

"I'm getting your jeep delivered here then. Walking will have to pause for now," he declared.

He wouldn't take No for an answer and driving myself around had instilled more discipline. I liked to drive in the night to just calm my mind.

"Okay,"

He takes his phone out and dials his assistant.

"Get an Express courier to the house for My daughter's jeep and have it brought to Milan. I'm sending you her address,"he says before hanging up.

"You really do need to scold me once in a while or people with think you spoil me,"

I tease.

"You make me so proud. It's only fair to let you live a little,"

He wraps me in his tight embrace in the car, outside the apartment. He doesn't get out mostly because it'll draw attention and we've talked about the public knowing when I'm ready.

"I'll call you every day,"

"And I'll pick up every day,"

He chuckles as I get out.

Waving him off as the car disappears down the street.

The streetlights are starting to light up so I get inside the building and into the apartment.

Mila had a date with her boyfriend and Paolo said he'd be over for a sleepover.

I go straight to my room to take a shower because the hospital smells still lingers.

This time I take my time.

I trade the walk in shower for the bath tub.

The medication the hospital had me under is enough for 3 days, but I'll still need to continue with my usual routine.

The foam covering my naked body feels soothing. I didn't do this enough, appreciate myself for everything I've done to stay alive.

The front door opens so I conclude that it's Mila. I rest my head on the edge rearranging the foam pattern. When I'm content with the bath I step out and slip my white robe on.

Clothes would have to wait.

Her cologne fills my nostrils the minute I open the door.

Was Nova here?

Why didn't she call out?

I walk cautiously to her bedroom with the door half open.

"Castiello?"

Silence. I push the door wide open to a dim lit room but no sign of her.

The front door swings open with my bestfriends arguing about something. Mila has a grocery bag and Paolo, two wine bottles and a pack of diet Cola.

"I'm just saying that a couple getaway to Bali beats one in Maldives,"

"We're not having a double couple's trip,"

I chuckle watching them.

"Can I come?"

"No offence Sofia but you wouldn't survive a day alone, in such beautiful places,"

He places the bottles on the kitchen counter now focusing on me.

"What did your dad say?"

Mila asks as I take my seat on the kitchen bar stool.

"The usual, except this time he offered me a driver but we settled on having my car brought here,"

They send glances at each other.

Like there was more to the question and I missed it.

"About Castiello. The two men are business rivals from my research,"

"To follow my heart and leave the business stuff to them,"I say.

Matteo wasn't as strict in his personal life, as he was professionally. He'd made some mistakes in his past and he learnt from them. That's the same way he raised us. No cheat sheet on love, just parental guidance.

"Can we keep this between us?"

They pause. Then nod in unison.

Paolo asks questions and I answer them as I was trained to. He's my friend but there's a lot of confidentiality around the Vescovi name.

A couple of glasses down and they're sobbing halfway into the Notebook movie.

Maybe I'm judging because all I've had is two cans of diet Cola, and the pasta I helped Mila make, as an introduction to cooking. She needs to learn.

My reminder beeps and I excuse myself to take my meds.

I found it inconvenient to take them infront of people because of how questionable the intake is, but to me this was the lowest dosage I got.

My phone rings on the bed and I pick up knowing who it was. Probably my car delivery.

"Hello,"

"Hey Tinkerbell," she says

Her voice raspy, low and inviting.

I checked my screen again, it wasn't her number. I had saved that one.

"Hey, Castiello. Living your best life still?"

"I want to see you,"

"You know where I live,"

"I'm outside,"

She breaths over the phone. The car door opening on her end as assurance.

"I'm inside,"

"Please,"

My heart does that thumping again.

This wasn't playful.

This wasn't teasing, it was her asking.

Asking me to agree to something I'd never say no to.

She knows that.

"Okay," I say before the call cuts.

I look over my pajamas deciding that having my blown out hair let down would be whimsical enough.

"Where are you going?"

"To get my car. I need to sign for it,"

I lie. If they knew, they'd hate her more or worse, expect from her.

I didn't have any from her.

Atleast not yet.

There's a black Mercedes outside with her leaning against it.

The smile on my face grows wider as I go down the steps to meet her.

Would this hurt? It would shatter me. But not now.

And that's all that mattered.

I hug her torso catching her surprise. Her hands slip out of her pants pockets wrapping around me.

"Thank you for being my chauffeur,"

She chuckles as I pull away.

"I want to show you something,"

She opens the door to the back seat and I hesitate but enter.

She settles on the other side with the driver starting the car.

"You didn't come back,"

"Unavoidable circumstances,"

She chuckled. But it felt performative.

"My parents need me back home,"

Her voice is flat.

Like she had memorised those words.

The car parks a safe distance from the Naviglio Grande.

She offers her hand and I take it letting her lead the way. The streets are close to empty because of how late it is. There's a boat with the lights on. Isn't it a little late for one to be operating?

"I pulled some strings,"

She feeds my curiousity as we get on the empty boat, with just the guide operating it.

"What's all this?"

"Stealing you for moment,"

Her answer is flattering.

"It wasn't your fault, the hospital emergency...It wasn't your fault,"

"I know, i just don't like seeing you like that,"

She's barely seen me that way.

I chuckle.The captain does have a sense of depth.

"You do know at some point Delia is going to find out you're nice to me on purpose,"

Her body stiffens. Her gaze shifts to the water.

"I need to tell you something,"

She starts, taking my hands in hers.

"The kiss wasn't a mistake. But the reality of our worlds is–"

"Would you fight for what you want if nothing else mattered?"

A pause. Her head lowered.

"I don't know,"

"I think you're not shallow, you pretend to be,"

I exhale.

I want her to know that.

My hand reaches out for her face and she lifts it up to meet my eyes.

This time I lean in, closing the distance between us.

Her lips fit perfectly on mine.

Her hand moves slowly to my upper thigh sending tingles down my panties.

The kiss is messy, intense and sensual. Her tongue shoved in my mouth and my need to feel it all over my body hightens.

Her hand wraps around my neck tilting it so she can have access to it, leaving a trail of kisses.

A sudden noise pulls us apart, with the guide shooting a raised brow in our direction.

She chuckles.

"I should take you home,"

I frown. I was just starting to like this.

The excitement in seeing her like this, no facade.

Just her.

"Just so we're clear this wasn't a date, just the beginning,"

I laugh.