Chapter 53 Start of a wild Summer

Chapter 53 Start of a wild Summer
SOFIA'S POV

"Wake up sleepy head!" I jump at the sudden yell with someone juping on my bed. 

My eyes open reluctantly.

Shouldn't they be asleep by now? None of them is a morning person.

"Why the fuck are you two up and giddy?"

Mila giggles cheekily.

"Paolo and I had the wildest idea last night. It's still summer and the three of us haven't really had equal luck. So....drum roll please."

"Dum dum dudum!" Paolo dramatises making me chuckle.

The fall on the bed.

"A wild wild summer!" Mila announces.

She's usually the one behind ideas like this.

I actually think that's the best idea they've had. 

"Define wild summer."

My eyes narrow when Paolo grins looking over to Mila.

"Basically partying the shit out of being single instead of wallowing in heartbreak." Paolo explains.

"I can't drink."

"Alcohol. You can't drink alcohol...but mocktails and alcohol free drinks exist."

I chuckle. 

They really thought this one through.

They start listing stuff to do while I just lay there and watch them.

"Still doesn't explain why you guys are up early." I say earning death glares from them for interrupting.

"When in Rome...wake up at the ass crack of dawn and day drink." 

That one suprisingly, comes from Mila.

Paolo nods approvingly before getting off my queen sized bed and Mila follows.

"Ten minutes...then we're dragging you by your gorgeous hair, babe." Mila says before they walk out.

Now that I realise it they're both fully dressed for the day.

I laugh at the whole scenerio.

And here I thought my summer would be boring and sad.

I hop in the shower then do my skincare routine after. 

I contemplate on putting my haire in my usual slick back bun but decide to let my curls breathe.

Its the least Ican do under this heat.

I pick out an outfit, settling on a blue denim short skirt and a white vested tank top.

I grab a pair of my favourite white sneakers to finish the look.

When I'm done I grab my totebag wth essentials and head downstairs.

"Well Fuck!"

"Language." The housekeeper says dicing up fruits by the kitchen counter. 

"How come I don't look this good when I dress like this?"

"Have you seen the legs on Sofia? No wonder she was hidin behind baggy clothes." 

Paolo gawks shamelessly like he's not the gayest guy in every room he walks into.

We settle at the dining table for breakfast and they fill me in on the day's itinerary.

Apparently there's a beach party later in the day and a rave somehere in the heart of Rome in the afternoon.

How do they know all this when I've lived here my whole life and all I've managed to be invited to is the boring ones?

We eat in silence excited about the day.

For the first time I don't feel empty.

The houskeeper brings me my meds and I take them all as by the routine. 

I used to manage my own medication but my stepdad believes I need a person holding me accountable.

When I'm done my bestfriends cheer as we walk to the front door. 

Outside my driver is leaning against the car assigned to me. 

Right.

I forgot about that.

"Who's that?" Paolo licks his upper lip making me scrunch up my face.

Isn't he the only one of us three in a relationship?

"My driver."

They turn to face me like I missed out on a key detail.

"His my shadow now."

"Well atleast I can get drunk without worrying about your driving."

"Good point...she's way too cautious."

"I'm right here you know?" I fold my arms hardening my face.

They both chuckle.

"There's no way we're driving aroung in that."

"Right."

I walk over to my driver and they follow, asking him to bring out my jeep instead.

My stepdad had it brought back to Rome when I was still in a coma.

After a while he pulls up to where we were and Polo jumps in the front seat abruptly.

Only he wants to seat there clearly.

"Let summer begin." Mila says connecting her playlist to the car's bluetooth speaker.

I feel a sudden wave of adrenaline.

Maybe the therapist was right.

I need to allow my feelings to come and go without habouring any of them more than they should.

My favourite song comes on and the two of them join in with the fluent lyrics we've grown to yell out loud in cars. 

The driver just focuses on the road.

He parks a safe distance from the cafe Paolo double checked on the map.

"Rome might actually be better than Milan over summer."

Mila and I scoff at the same time as we walk across the road to the cafe and she taps my shoulder.

My phone vibrates inmy hand as the two lead the way inside.

Nova Liar: I know you've read my texts...that means you're awake.

My heart drops. 

I managed to ignore the texts she sent. That's still the case.

"Sof you coming?"

Mila furrows her eyebrows.

I lock my screen abruptly.

"Yeah." I smile walking past her holding the door into the cafe.

She hurt me.

She lied to me.

So why do ifeel like there's more to it?

Why do I want to....see her?

For people who had breakfast earlier, milkshakes don't seem to bother them.

"sofia!" Paolo yells from the cashier place. "What are you having?"

All eyes land on me making me chuckle. 

Such a milanes thing to do.

"An Iced lemonade!" I yell back because of how innocent his action was. 

He and Mila argue over the bill and I just watch without wanting to intervene. 

They'd just team up against me given my family networth.

All the drinks are in to go cups confusing me abit.

Was this a stop?

Just how many things are we doing today?

Either way I'm just happy to be a part of it.

"We're not staying?" I ask and they both laugh.

What about that was funny.

"you're too adorable Sof Pow! We have swimsuit shopping for the beach party tonight." Mila explains.

"Oh."

I might have zoned out at that part.

"Who's the extra drink for?"

"UH Damiano."

"Who's Damiano?" 

"The driver. Geez you two are so dense sometimes."

Mila glances at me cheekily as we exit the cafe. 

I feel a few eyes on me reminding me that I don't have an ordinary life. 

Damiano gets out of the jeep when he spots us and walks over to the passenger seat only opening it for me waiting for me to get in.

Paolo's face falls.

I can understand the disappointment...but Damiano probably has good reason.

He hands him the drink they got for him and Damiano takes it, with a rehearsed smile plastered on his neutral face.

He must hae really caught my bestfriend's eye if his doging the obvious signs that its not mutual.

My phone vibrates loudly as Mila tries to connect the playlist again.

My shoulders stiffen.

"I that your dad? Your phone has been vibrating alot."

"Probabbly another instagram notification." 

The lie rolls out effortlessly. 

Why am I even hiding the fact that Nova has een texting me?

I haven't replied to her so that doesn't make me a willing participant.

I already told them about what she did and they have first hand experience of what that did to me.

What her lie cost me.

"Just turn the notificatiosn off. I did that months ago.

"I will."

I lean back in my seat as we drive through the streets to the swimsuit store.

Paolo asks the driver a few questions and he just answers candidly. 

Even he's learnt the art of not ignoring Paoloor it'll make him more persistent. 

My bestfriends get out first outside the store.

"Miss Sofia, you should be more careful. You're being watched by tabloids."

"I have you don't I?"

He pauses.

"Just be alert."

He gets out of the car and I do the same.

If my dad only hired him then he's more than just an assigned driver. 

There's more to his role....but I could be wrong.

I glance athim before walking into the store.

Paolo and Mila are already picking out swimsuits to try out.

Why can't I be as carefree as both of them are?

Its not like their lives are perfect either but they make the most out of life.

I wan that to be me too.

My phone vibrates again. 

I sigh before bringing it to my face. 

This time it's not from Nova.

I press on the unknown number.

My throat closes instantly.

My phone slips out of my hand falling on the tiled floor.