Chapter 60 When in Rome

Chapter 60 When in Rome
Present......

NOVA'S POV 

My alarm goes off loudly. I almost fall off the couch because of how sudden it was.

Well I set it for afternoon but it still caught me offguard.

I picked up running recently. With my journal gone I had to pick up another distraction. Only this one feels like I'm training for the olympics at that hour.

Because apparently 7.00AM is the best time to run if you want a quiet feel of the city.

I hope in the shower because after the run I just collapsed on the couch and drifted off to sleep.

Definitely not making it an every morning thing.

I think someone almost recognized me.

I chuckle at the thought as I let the cold water run over my body. 

The Nova the public know is a different version no one cared to look into.

I mean no conspiracy stories whatsoever...just a typical heir partying her life away and making appearances.

I think dad preferred it that way too...because then he'd look like a good parent fornot giving up on an almost lost cause.

I throw on a black pair of loose pants with a ribbed white tank top and throw a white flanel shirt over it.

Mona made me try out thrifts stores...i don't think I'd ever worn something not shopped exclusively from designer bags.

First releases. Tailor made...but never clothes someone had already worn.

When I'm done I grab my keys along with my cross bag. 

I lock up and rush down the stairs because I'll be late if I keepmy usual pace.

A part of me feels...more alive.

Sofia is awake now. How I know?

I don't....i just assume she is because all my texts show read.

Her stepdad wouldn't go through her phone so it has to be her.

I check my phone on my way to work. 

A part of me hoping she hasn't blocked me yet.

I feel an impact on my right shoulder making me look up.

I turn to a guy yelling in italian to watch where I'm going so I stand and start typing.

Me: I chose you, Tinkerbell. That has to mean something.

Me: I gave up my family name...not for you but for what could be.

Then I put my phone away.

I feel like I'm going to rethink them by the time I get to the shop.

I watch tourists hold hands and take pictures like this city has been a vacation for them.

At the shop I walk in the same time Mona also walks in. Great! I won't get scolded for being late now.

I remove my flanel in the back nd replace it with the apron before moving to my section on the front display of gelatto.

Mona appears, letting out a long sigh. One that I'm used to by now.

"What?"

She looks over to my before her face drops even more.

"My boyfriend isn't comin to the beach party with me. Band practice." She saysand I don't know what to say.

So I just stand there awkwardly.

"Why do you look constipated?"

"I don't."

"You do." She insists before a customer walks in. She gives out her order and I just move to the cups to get started on it.

I hand it over to her and she walks out of the shop recording the gelato layered scoops.

"what are you doing tonight?"

My eyes narrow trying to read through her question.

"nothing."

A cheeky smile spreads across her face.

"you're coming with me...i have an extra ticket." 

I sigh.

"Partying isn't my scene anymore."

"So don't drink and just enjoy the music. You could use a night out after surviving a month in Rome."

My phone vibrates and I hastily reach for it in my apron.

Just weather updates.

Mona's laugh fills the shop.

"Honestly, whoever this Rome girl is...i need to meet her. She has you working on yourself and checking your phone like your bills are due."

I roll my eyes my eyes at her. Apparently my life is some comedy show for her. 

"fine I'll go." I say and watch her flip her hair like she did something.

I just want to have an excuse to stop texting her continuously. Or worse...expect her to reply.

Somehow I feel unsettled. What is Sofia doing? Is she okay?

As if on queue, a group of tourists walk into the shop. 

Each one with a more complicated order or onefrom the review pictures. 

By the time everyone is attended to I already feel like I've worked my shift to its limit. The smiling was killing me. Especially because its the first time I don't mean it.

I gave Sofia the Notebook. So I hoped that she would storm my apartment or this shop asking for answers. Just to look at me at tell me that she doesn't want to anything to with me. 

"I'll be outside." I inform Mona before walking outside still in my apron. My phone vibrates in my pants pocket. This time I hesitate before reaching for it.

A text from mom. She hasn't reached out since I left...yet the simple:

Hey, I hope Rome is treating you well. The Vescovi girl is awake.

Makes my heart race. I haven't gotten to her being nice with her intentions towards me if dad hasn't approved. So I'm not sure f that's a good thing or not. Even then I needed to know that. Because for a second, I almost concluded she wasn't awake.

So I scroll through the dozens of texts I've sent her. 

Maybe I was going about it all wrong. 

What if she thought I was doing all the texting from Milan, still wrapped around my dad's finger?

But no, I think dad must have already made a huge announcement on my whereabouts. 

I type out a last message. 

She must have finished reading the notebook by now. 

Or she just needs time.

Me: I'm in Rome. i need to see you. Then I'll leave you alone for good.

I look over the text a few more times, then put my phone away. The old me would done literally anything to make her like me again. But now I'm just realising that love isn't supposed to feel like this. 

Almost hopless but barely hopeful.

The rest of the day goes by really fast and Mona is still reminding me not to rush out because we have a party to go to.

"I have a friend picking us up in a few minutes." She says checking her phone with her other hand tagging on my white flanel shirt.

Her friend pulls up in a car I couldhave sworn was vintage and sure as hell expensive.

I look over to her and she just shrugs.

"He works for valet parking."mona explains getting in and I do to hesitatntly. The last thing I need is being in a mugshot that anyone could have access to. 

I settle in the back and let them talk because I don't think I have nothing relatable to say. All my stories involve slight illegal tendenies with proper cover ups that could annihilate me.

The drive feels short but thats maybe its because I was thinking about what I want to do with my life. 

Is it still basketball or should I do something different. I chuckle tomyself. It's always been basketball. I got scouted too somaybe I need tostop stalling with my answer.

Ofcourse my dad had influence but I made sure to focus on the one team he didn't try to buy shares to.

I get out of the car and so does Mona before her friend drives off. Somehow that sends a wave of relief down my spine because I wouldn't want him getting in trouble over something like this.

I follow closely behind her down to the boat where she says hey to a few people and I just nod because I was only ever used to a circle that knew my influence. 

Here no one seems to give a fuck about the tall girl at some beach party. 

"I'll get us some drinks...in the meantime you could try to talk to girls here." Mona suggests making me scoff.

Her smirk grows when a girl walks over to me.

I'm simply not interested. Not because my heart belongs to someone else but because I don't have it in me for anything shallow.