Chapter Four

It has been a year since Antonio was born and things have been going fine ever since. Vincenzo has been supportive, he's over almost every other day bearing gifts and kisses...for his son.

We try our best to keep Antonio out of the media because we don't want anyone revisiting our last relationship.

He hasn't shown up today, I wonder if all is well. He's usually here by 4:00 pm but this was past 6, I wonder if I should call him. Just then the doorbell rang, and after a yelled 'come in', Vincenzo came in bearing gifts as usual. Antonio jumped from my lap and wobbled/crawled to meet his papa. Vincenzo gave him a new toy and settles him in his baby walker. He came over to me and before I could react, dipped his head and kissed me full on the lips, I forgot myself for a moment and kissed him back. I regained my senses when I heard someone behind Vincenzo.

"Sorry to interrupt..."

I broke away from the kiss immediately and looked behind Vincenzo.

"I'm sorry Clarissa. Elena, meet Clarissa. Antonio's nanny."

What?!

"Vincenzo, can we talk in private?"

Without waiting for a response, I stood up and walked to my room. I sat on my bed and waited as Vincenzo came in and closed the door behind him.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"The meaning of what?"

"Why would you hire a nanny without first consulting me?"

He took a deep breath and joined me on the bed.

"Clarissa...I just thought you'll be resuming come Monday and you'd need someone to help out with Antonio. Clarissa comes in highly recommended and I just thought I would throw in my two pence."

I thought about it for a while. I do need the help and I would rather have someone who is verified than having to ask for a nanny from an agency.

"Okay, so when does she start and how is this going to work."

"I own a building on your street, I gave her an apartment there, so she comes when you're about to leave for work and leaves when you are ready for her to leave."

That was a good plan, I won't need to worry about bad babysitters.

"Who recommended her?"

"My cousin Matteo, the one you ran into at your office the other day."

"I've been meaning to ask you; did you never find the pregnancy test?"

"What test?"

"I was planning to tell you about our baby when I found you with...anyway, I left the test in our nightstand. You never found it?"

He shook his head.

Oh, well. Water under the bridge I suppose. Now I know where to hide my stuff if I don't want Vincenzo to find it.

That was a dangerous thought.

I won't be in the same living space to hide anything from Vincenzo or even be in that kind of relationship with him again.

"Could she also come on Saturdays?"

"Yes, of course, but I thought you would want the weekends solely to yourself?"

"Yes, but I just registered at this gym and I'd be starting there on Saturday. She could come over or you could have Antonio to yourself the whole day."

"I'd pick him up, you let me know when you would be leaving."

"Okay then."

I stood up and walked towards the door with Vincenzo following suit, in my living room, Antonio was telling Clarissa a story- it looked like he was telling her a story with all his wild hand gestures and baby language.

He seemed quite taken with her and that is a good thing.

"Hello, Clarissa."

"Hello, Miss Matthews."

"Please call me Elena, no need for such formalities. Vincenzo has briefed me and all I need from you is just your phone number and you can be on your way."

I gave her my phone and she saved her number and vice versa. She picked up her stuff and made her way to the front door.

"Bye Elena."

"Bye Clarissa, I'd give you a call."

She nodded and shut the door behind her. Vincenzo stayed for a little more time before he headed home too, he tried to kiss me on the way out, but I just gave him my cheek. He might seem like a changed person, but I could never forget what he did to me and I couldn't go down that road with him if I can't look past that.

I put Antonio to bed, as usual, it was a hassle. He always has to throw a hissy fit whenever it's bedtime and after eight bedtime stories, he was finally out like a light.

I went about my nighttime routine and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I walked into the gym and I have to say, it's quite nice here. Though I've never been to a gym before, I always workout at home but if this is how gyms look like, I'm about to become a huge fan.

I set to work immediately on the treadmill, after about forty-five minutes on it I could feel the burn in my legs, so I stopped. I worked on other stuff too like I used the dumbbells and jumped rope, I thought about sparring, but I decided that it wouldn't be nice to get my ass kicked on my first day, but I could watch them spar which was what I did.

Women were paired with women and men with men. The women looked pretty strong and proved to be strong too, I was so engrossed with watching them that my heart fell into my stomach when I heard a voice from beside me.

"Enjoying the show Bellisima?"

I turned to my left to see a tall man; he had a crooked nose that showed he had been in one too many fights. And he had dimples.

I'm a sucker for dimples.

"Umm...hi...yes. I am enjoying the show, it's quite entertaining. You?"

"I have the most beautiful view right before my eyes."

I felt my cheeks redden; I can't remember the last time I blushed. I could swear that was before Vincenzo and that was with high school boys, not muscled men. He held out his hand for me "I'm Alessandro De Luca, what's your name?"

"Elena Matthews."

I took his hand and shook it, he raised it to his lips and kissed it. I felt like I was going to explode.

"A beautiful name befitting of an angel."

I laughed and lowered my head.

"Can I interest you to lunch?"

I thought about Antonio for a second and then about Vincenzo, what would he think about this?

Why am I thinking about him?

He didn't think about me when he was fooling around with other women or when he stripped me of all my assets.

"Yes, I would love to. Let me know when you're ready."

"Whenever you are Bellisima."

I blushed hard, again. I can't remember the last time I was called beautiful.

"I'll...just go to...um...have a shower."

He nodded and I heard him whistle. I felt like the ground should open up and swallow me, it’s been a long since I've been given that type of attention. The old me would have swayed my hips more and given him a show but this me just wanted to run away.

Alessandro was waiting for me by the door by the time I was done, he was decked out in a grey tee-shirt and dark blue jeans. It was just a simple attire, but it made him look quite exotic, which made me wonder what he'd look like in a suit. I tugged the hem of the black fitted gown I wore this morning as I made my way to him, he stood up and I began to wish I had heels. I was by no means short as I stood at 5 feet and 7 inches, but he was much taller.

"You ready?"

"Yes."

"I know this great place; they make the best Italian dishes."

We chatted to the restaurant and through the meal, he was right, the food here tasted like it was made in heaven. Alessandro is an amazing person, I enjoyed my time with him, and even though I don't understand some of what he says in Italian, my cheeks somehow my cheeks change color.

We caught a cab back to the gym where my car was parked.

"I had an amazing time, Alessandro. Thank you."

"No need to thank me Principessa, the pleasure was all mine and I'd love to do it again...if you let me. Dinner?"

Okay...that was fast.

"Yeah, sure. Why not?"

"Tuesday night. Wear something nice."

He opened my car door and waited till I drove away.

I opened the door to my house and met Vincenzo wearing a hole in my floor.

"Is something wrong?"

I dropped my bag on the floor and went over to Antonio who was napping in his cot. I stroked his hair and went to the kitchen for a glass of water, Vincenzo just stared at me as I took a seat on the couch.

"Where the fuck have you been. I've been waiting for you!"

"Don't yell, he's asleep. And you have no right to know my whereabouts unless you ask nicely of course."

My phone pinged and I took it out, it was Alessandro. We began texting back and forth and I forgot that Vincenzo was in front of me until he pulled my phone from my hands and began going through my texts. I didn't even bother trying to get it back because he was much taller and stronger than me, so I just laid back on the couch and let him look his fill.

"So, this is where you've been. Whoring yourself out to any man who says hello."

"Not that it's any of your business what I do..."

He threw my phone down on the table and I knew that statement must have pissed him off. Well, serves him right for calling me a whore.

"It's my business because you are the mother of my son, and my son has to be raised by a decent and responsible woman not a cheap roadside slut."

That's it!!!

I wasn't about to allow myself to be degraded by this man in my own house. I sprung to my feet and looked down my nose at him, it wasn't an easy feat as he was taller than me but I managed.

"You're one to talk, and I think you're right."

He cocked his head to a side and studied me.

"I don't want my son growing up around backstabbing, double-crossing, cheating assholes with zero integrity. People like you. So maybe it's time you use the door..."

He raised his hands over his head and began to argue.

"...and if you feel you'd be a better parent, take it to court. Now. Get. Out!!!"

We had a staring contest for a second before he packed up his things and left. I honestly hope that he doesn't think he could do a better job because I knew deep down if he took me to court, I would most certainly lose. I sighed and lay back down on the couch, watching Antonio.

Today has been the most eventful day in a long while.

It was finally Tuesday night and I stood in front of my mirror hoping I looked good enough and that what I wore wasn't trashy or desperate.

I had settled on a knee-length black gown with thin straps and a sweetheart neckline, I had my hair done up in a coiffure and minimum makeup. I had called Carissa beforehand and informed her of my plans and she was currently with Antonio at the moment. I heard the doorbell and I thought to myself ShowTime, I slipped my feet into my heels, picked up my purse, and made my way down from my room. I opened the door, and I came face to face with the wrong Italian. Vincenzo. He stood at the door with a bunch of flowers and something that looked like a bunch of chocolates.

"Vincenzo, how are you?"

"Ciao, I've been better. You look Bellisima."

"Thanks, you don't exactly look bad yourself."

"I just wanted to apologize, I brought peace offering..."

"It's okay but I can't do that tonight, I'm going out."

And just on cue, Alessandro pulled up in front of my street. Vincenzo stared at him as he stepped out of the car and made his way towards me. They did a little staring contest before Alessandro broke contact and hugged me, placing a kiss on my cheek.

"Umm, Vincenzo this is Alessandro. Alessandro, Vincenzo, my son's father."

I had told Alessandro about Antonio the first day we met and he was eager to meet him, I've put it off for later because I don't want to introduce a man who isn't yet significant in my life to my son. I told him because I didn't want any secrets and I was really happy he wasn't put off by it.

The two men just nodded at each other in greeting and Alessandro turned to me.

"You look beautiful, Principessa. You ready to go?"

I nodded my head and turned towards Vincenzo who looked like he was about to explode, he also looked like he was about to kill Alessandro. I hope his actual mood was none of the two.

"Bye Vincenzo, Antonio is inside with Clarissa, he loves chocolate. But please don't give him much, we don't want him having stomach problems."

I side hugged him and went with Alessandro, and it was only when we got to a respectable distance, I stopped feeling Vincenzo's eyes on my back. It was quite unnerving, even when not looking at him, I could feel his anger rolling off of him in waves.

We've been driving for close to fifteen minutes and I couldn't help but admire the way Alessandro navigated the roads with his car, but I needed to know where we are going.

"We're going to my restaurant outside of town?"

"What?"

"You said you needed to know where we were going."

Oh. Did I say that out loud?

"Yes, you did."

Crap.

"You said that out loud too princess."

Get it together, Elena.

"You know you can talk to me, right? You've been silent most of the car trip and I want to know you more. So instead of getting lost in your head, let's talk."

I nodded my head, and we began to talk, we talked about almost everything and I learned that he had a daughter too with an ex-wife. She was five, her mother left them and ran off with her lover, she sent him divorce papers from England and he signed.

"Why did you sign it?"

"I knew she was cheating but I turned a blind eye to it because of our daughter, but since she left of her own accord, we've been much happier."

"I would love to meet her someday."

"Definitely."

The rest of the ride was quite silent, the dinner was amazing, and Alessandro has been the perfect gentleman. We chatted about everything and anything, even menstrual cycles were not safe.

As he finally pulled up into my driveway, I realized that I needed a night like this, and I planned on doing it more often even if it meant going alone.

"I had a wonderful time tonight, Alessandro."

"What else can I say, I aim to please."

I took off my seatbelt and leaned over to peck him on the cheek.

"Goodnight Alessandro."

He just smiled and nodded, he waited till I stepped foot in my door before he started up his car. I waved at him one more time before closing the door behind me, I took off my heels in the dark before turning on the light. I almost fell when I saw Vincenzo sitting on my couch looking right at me. I looked at the time, it was past eleven.

"What are you still doing here? I thought you'd be gone by now."

"Why are you just coming back? Was the dick that good?"

I thought about just giving him a direct answer then thought better of it.

"I had a good time...besides it's not your problem who I get it from anyway."

I saw him clench and unclench his palm, knowing Vincenzo as I do, he was doing a grand job holding his temper in.

I sat on the couch opposite him and stretched my legs out on it, I almost moaned as I felt the pressure leave my legs.

"Was he good to you?"

"Well, I'm here right?"

"You know I can be better, right?"

"You had your chance to be the best to me...just like I was to you, but you threw it away. That's on you. After all the betrayal I've faced you'd have to agree that I need a breather."

"Elena, I love you. I'm sorry for everything that happened in the past, I wasn't thinking. I could give you back the company if..."

I raised my hand and waved him off before he could finish the statement.

"I don't want the company anymore, I found something working where I am now. Fulfillment, and that's something I haven't found in that company. Besides, it's Antonio's now."

He heaved and hunched over, placing both hands on his face while his elbows rested on his knees.

"At least give me another chance...please."

I shook my head at him. He just wanted me back because it hurt his ego to see me with someone else. He nodded his head and stood up to leave.

"I'll still try Elena, if not for anything else, for the love we once had."

I was tempted to say I was the only one in love for the duration of our marriage, but I just wanted him to leave so I just remained silent. I only stood up to lock the door after I heard his car startup.

There was once a time when I would have fought him not to drive at this time of the night but now...meh!