Chapter 34: Chapter 34

“Go on, do it.”

I straighten getting to my full height and waiting for the impact of his hand to land across my face.

“You can’t hurt me anymore than you already have. But I promise you this… You will be sorry.” I look him dead straight in the eyes.

“You threatening me?”  He takes a step towards me dropping his hand.

“No. I don’t like to make empty threats this is more of a promise” I smirk.

“What, because you’re aware of the truth you now you think you're better than us?” He sneers.

“No, it’s because I’ve survived and gotten to where I am today that I know I am better than you and without you...”

“Oh please.” My mother laughs cutting me off.

“You may like to think you are something special but you’re not. We use to think your sister was special, but look how that turned out. She became the death of us all.” She extends a hand out examining her polished nails.

“You really are a piece of work you know that you both are! She was special and she was carrying something even more precious! It’s like talking to a brick wall. You refuse to listen and see any logic. You both deserve each other to make one another miserable for as long as you both live. But I highly recommend that you go and seek professional help because of this…”

I wave my finger between them both.

“Is not normal. You need to own up to your mistakes and make things right with the Venturi’s. You have a granddaughter out there. She’s your flesh and blood too.” I pick up my bag and slip it over my shoulder.

“We will do no such thing. We stand by our decision to have nothing to do with it.” My mother says.

“That it...  has a name  And her name is Rosalia. Rosalia Venturi.” My throat tightens as I speak her name out loud.

“That’s nice to know, but we have no intentions of ever meeting the child.” My mother looks at my father and he nods his head agreeing.

“Why am I not surprised mother? This is the last time you will see me.” I promise them.

I walk towards the front door with a heavy heart. I shouldn’t have expected this to go any better than what it had. All these years I thought they were heartbroken and it turns out they were anything but that.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” My mother laughs.

“No, please do let it. Maybe it will knock some sense into you.” My father mutters, halting me in my tracks and I turn to face them.

“I hope you enjoy your afterlife in hell and I really do hope it burns like fuck!  Because you deserve nothing but to slowly suffer.” I open the door and walk out panting with rage.

I get into the car and put my bag on the floor on the passenger’s side then I start banging my hands against the steering wheel screaming. I pull myself together and start the engine reversing out of the witch’s driveway. I push the Bluetooth phone icon on the steering wheel.

"Call Chrissy,” I say loud and clearly for it to comply with my request.

“Calling Chrissy,” It says as it dials her number.

Pick up, Chrissy……

“Hello."

“Finally!” I yell out, softly sobbing.

“Nessa, are you okay. How did it go?” She asks sounding genuinely concerned.

“Like total utter shit! Why did I believe for a second that they would give me the answers I was looking for? They practically laughed in my face” I mutter.

“Because you didn’t want to believe that Luca was lying to you this whole time. Your parents are a lost cause babe, I don’t know how many times I have told you before but it’s best to let them go and move forward hon.” Her voice is soft and comforting.

“I know… I just, they didn’t bother to soften the blow you know? She said that Celeste humiliated the family and that she decided to selfishly take her life.”

“What a heartless cow.” She mutters. "Sorry babe”

“It’s the truth, they’re both heartless and gutless.”

“What now?”

“Now I go back to the hotel and freshen up. Then I hit a bar for a few hours and drown my sorrows.” I sigh.

“Do you think that’s a good idea when you’re alone and vulnerable babe?”

‘Truth be told.. Nothings a good idea when you're alone and completely vulnerable.” I laugh.

“I can catch the next flight through? It won’t take long for me to pack and we can make a night of it?”

“I can’t ask you to do that Chrissy.”

“You didn’t, I offered and I don’t think you should be alone right now. You’ve just found out some heavy information from the man you have just admitted to falling in love with and kept the biggest shittiest secret from you and your parents…. God your parent’s babe. They have just crushed you completely this time around, I am going to go home, pack and catch a flight. I’ll text you the details and you can pick me up from the airport in a few hours?”

“Chrissy are you sure? I don’t want to take you away from your work and Conrad. I’ve already leaned on you enough as it is.” I don’t want her to keep dropping things for me.  I already sound like a needy best friend.

“Of course I’m sure!” She sounds exasperated. “You and my dad were all I had for years before Conrad came along. We may not be blood-related but we are sisters and we stick together no matter what. The sooner you get that stuck into your impulsive little head, the quicker you’ll realise blood isn't always as thick as water as people make it out to be. You can’t choose your blood relatives  but you can choose your family and we are family.”

I love this bitch!

“I love you, I don’t know if I’ve ever really told you. But I do love you like a sister and I’m so happy that I met you all those years ago. Even when I did think you saw me as a charity case.” I laugh lightly.

“Ditto, I’ll text you text you the info once I’ve booked my tickets.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in a few hours then.”

We hang up and I feel like some of the heavyweight has disappeared. I can’t help but think that maybe through losing one sister I have gained another and on top of that, I have gained an awesome family too. I will move on from this with the support of my non-biological family. They've helped me get this far and I am certain they will continue to help me recover and move past this. I just need to be strong and figure out where I go from here.

I get back to the hotel and jump in the shower desperately washing off the filth that’s been clinging to me ever since I left my mother’s house. I scrub my body till I’m left feeling red and raw,  taking my time washing my hair. I let my head hang under the hot flowing water embracing the calmness it washes over me. My life was already chaotic and now it’s… God, I don’t even know if there’s a word to describe how I feel about my life right now. But one thing is for sure. I want...

No scrub that..

I need to meet Rosalia. No matter the consequences I have the right to be involved in her life. I've missed out on so many years as it is. I can’t bear the thought of missing out on watching her grow into an amazing successful young lady. I will not allow anyone to rob me of my niece. I turn the shower off and hop out wrapping myself up in a towel. I walk into the room and pull out my laptop firing it to life. I patiently wait sitting on the bed and once it’s loaded and ready to go.  I open up my email.

______________________________________________

From: Vanessa Maddison

Subject: Rosalia

Date: August 23, 2020, 12:18

To: Luca Venturi

Dear Luca, I'm writing to you to ask that you please extend the courtesy of giving me the correct information and safety procedures for going about meeting Rosalia. I do not care about the danger I may bring upon myself, I have lived many years not knowing that she existed and I cannot continue to live many more without getting the opportunity to meet her. She is the last link I have to Celeste and I'm not willing to let her go. Just know that I have done the decent thing by asking you first. If I have to I will hire a Private Investigator and go toe to toe with you just to find her myself. And...

I would like to think that we can all be civil and I am allowed to meet my niece.

Kind Regards,

Vanessa.

I push send…

And hope for the best. I leave my laptop on my bed and open up my YouTube. I play my premade playlist and check my phone to see if Chrissy has texted me with her flight plans. Nope, nothing. I get changed and call for room service ordering a B.L.T toasted sandwich with a side of fries and a glass of house wine. I decide to blow dry my hair while I wait and comb through some Moroccan Oil. I'm just about to finish up when there is a Knock… at the door.

“One moment,” I call out as I quickly wash my hands.

I open the door and a young gentleman is standing there with a small trolley holding my food.

“Smells good.” I smile at him and wave him in.

“That it does Ms.”

He says as he pushes the trolley past me and smiles. I grab my purse and grab a twenty dollar note out.

“Thanks.” I smile and hand him the money.

He takes it and bows his head before he leaves my room closing the door behind him. I grab the two plates and place them on the bed and grab my glass of wine. I sit on the bed with my back against the headboard devouring the food. I have come to realise that food makes me happy no matter what mood I may have been in prior to consuming my meal. It’s my happy place and I get it when people say that they prefer to eat their emotions away, I just have to remember to try and take a brisk walk here and there to help keep 10% of the food off. It’s a sad day when you go to put on your favourite jeans and they feel more snuggly than they did two weeks ago. Nothing's more agonizing than hearing.

‘Easy on the lips, heavy on the hips’

Chant on repeat in your head. Ding…

Chrissy: I’ll arrive at the airport in two hours. Make sure your out front waiting for me by 4.30 pm.

Vanessa: I’ll be the one standing there with rock star style sunny’s on and hopefully decently dressed.

I could do with an overly large pair of sunny’s to hide my big puffy eyes. I obviously will be standing there decently dressed, I’m not that much of a tragic mess. Ha-ha, not yet.

Chrissy: I can work with that. Just don’t go eating your bodyweight in Ice-cream cause that’s a hard act to follow.

Vanessa: Mmmmmm, Did you mention Chocolate Mud Ice-cream?????

Chrissy: You’re bat shit crazy if you attempt to do that shit again Nessa. The last time was horrifying enough to put me right off Ice-cream for a year straight. I’m slowly indulging again and you’re going to ruin it form

Beech….

Vanessa: Relax, it was a joke. I still haven’t been able to lose the 2kg weight gain from that night.

Chrissy: You're right, it went straight to your ass.

Vanessa: I haven’t had any complaints so it’s a welcomed improvement in my assets.

Chrissy: Did I say ass? I meant your head.

Vanessa: Bitch, Always knew you were green with envy.

Vanessa: Be careful…… I may just stand you up and leave your ass to rot in the airport.

Chrissy: You wouldn’t dare.....Would you?

Vanessa: Test me? Okay, see you at 8 pm

Chrissy: Seriously?

Vanessa: Okay, okay…. I’ll see you when I see you.

Chrissy: I swear you will be the death of me one day. I’m too young for the stress you put my mind through child.

Vanessa: But that’s why you love me so………… much!

Chrissy: That’s not exactly how I’d describe it.

Vanessa: Fine!!!!!! I’ll see you at 6 pm.

Chrissy: I will hunt your ass down if you make me wait there longer than I need to. Do you hear me, Nessa?

Vanessa: Loud and Clear Chrissy….. Over and Out.

CHAP 32

I laugh as I put my phone in the bedside drawer. I wish I could be a fly on the wall just to watch her face turn red with annoyance. Chrissy has and always will be the most punctual person I know. She always tells me I will be late for my own funeral if I don’t get my A –into-G and start time managing my life properly. But how does one go about being late to their own funeral if they aren't driving themselves to the chapel?  Bizzare....

I finish eating the rest of my chips that are now cold and put the plate and glass on the trolley wheeling it out the door to be picked up. I pick a movie to watch online to kill a few hours before picking Chrissy up. I'm halfway through the movie ‘She’s all that’ when my e-mail icon starts flashing. I minimize the movie and open up my e-mail.

______________________________________________

From: Luca Venturi

Subject: Conditions

Date: August 23, 2020, 15:42

To: Vanessa Maddison

My Dearest Vanessa,

I am afraid this request you have made is not mine to decide upon. This is a decision Giovanni and Rosalia must make together as father and daughter. I would prefer you to keep your distance and not disrupt Rosalia’s life as she is having a difficult time as it is coping under these circumstances here in Italy.

Though, I know you will do everything in your power to find where she is so I will talk to Giovanni about the possibility of setting a meeting up. I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to you if you do decide to travel to Milano. But do remember that if Giovanni and Rosalia agree to this, you and I will be seeing a lot more of each other and things may become complicated again. I will give you a friendly reminder Tesoro...

I was not ready to let you go the other night and if you walk back into my life I won’t allow you to walk away ever again. I can only say sorry for keeping Rosalia from you. I am a man and I am only human. I was doing what was asked of me and I thought I was protecting you, but I now realise I have caused you more unnecessary pain. And for that I am sorry.

Ciao Bella,

Luca.

I continue to stare at the email repetitively reading it. Bastard! If he thinks we will be anything more than Rosalia’s Aunt and Uncle he needs his damn head examined. I close my laptop forgetting about the rest of the movie.

Who does he think he is…?

God’s gift?

It’s over between us and that’s how I intend to keep it. It may be an impossible implication but it’s not a hundred per cent voidable, Jeez I wish I could hate the Son-Of-A-Bitch with every ounce of passion I consume. But I can’t! Even with everything that’s happened, I feel heartbroken and lost, for the first time in a long time I feel completely alone. And it’s all Luca Venturi’s fault, if he hadn’t strutted his fine ass into my life I wouldn’t be in this mess I’m tangled up in now. I look at the time.

Shit!

It's almost time to get Chrissy.  I jump off the bed and change into a pair of white jeans and a sleeveless light denim shirt tucking the front into the waistband. I put on a pair of black sandals and tie my hair in a high loose bun, then dab on some lip balm and make a rush for the door grabbing my phone, bag and sunglasses. Chrissy will grill my ass if I’m late.

I manage to grab a parking space in front of the ‘Domestic Flight’ building. I spot Chrissy walk out with her suitcase and carry on bag. I quickly jump out of the car and park my butt on the bonnet of the car giving the impression I’ve been waiting a while. She looks my way and I wave out to her, she looks relieved to see me and I’m relieved I just made it in the nick of time.

“How was your flight?” I ask her when she reaches the car and I take her suitcase to put it in the boot of the car.

“I know it was only an hours flight, but let me tell you how stretched that hour seems when you are seated next to the most ignorant man on the planet.” She sighs fanning her face with her hand.

“Luca was on the plane with you?” I ask sounding astonished.

“Ha-Ha very funny. I would have preferred him over that jerk, to be honest with you. At least I would have enjoyed the view.”

“Surely he couldn’t have been that bad?” I ask as we hop in the car and put our belts on.

“You have no idea… I thought spoiled children were terrible. I’ve sadly been mistaken because spoiled grown arse men are terrible. They make the children look like saints!” She declares with a high pitch screechy tone.

“The things you do for me go beyond my expectations Chrissy.” I sigh and smile at her as I pull out of the parking spot.

“I know you would do it for me, Nessa. We have both been through some shitty stuff and I don’t know what I would've done without you when my Grandparents died.” She says softly and looks out the window.

“We survive with each other yeah?” I grab her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. “

Sisters by fate.” She squeezes my hand and smiles.

I smile back at her while nodding my head.

Chrissy’s grandparents Mr and Mrs Senior Johnston were driving back from Raglan late one evening after spending the weekend at a friend’s Bach by the beach. They were only three kilometres away from their house when tragedy struck. Mr Johnston suffered a stroke behind the wheel causing him to lose control of the car and they crashed into a riverbank. He died from his stroke without any pain, Mrs Johnston was knocked out from the impact of the Airbag rapidly inflating, they reckon that when she came to and saw Mr Johnston lying there next to her lifeless she lost the will to live on and died from a broken heart and hypothermia hours later.

A family walking their dog the next morning found the car. I was blessed to be allowed to meet the lovely couple. I always wondered why the good ones were taken from us early. Then I came to the conclusion that we live in hells heaven we must earn back our clipped wings before it’s too late. I also like to think Celeste earned hers by making the ultimate sacrifice with the two lives she saved for sacrificing her own.  They say suicide is a sin that’s an act of selfishness and weakness. I don’t see that with Celeste, I see the complete opposite with her act of selflessness and bravery. I don't think I could've done it. It was risky but it seems like she knew what she was doing and it worked out the way she wanted it to in the end.

“Where to?” I ask Chrissy as we drive out of the Airport.

“I could do with a decent meal and a glass of Gin.”

“You wanna order room service or dine out?”

“Let’s go out. I have to call Conrad later to let him know I made it safely.”

“Sweet as Let's hit up the restaurant by the wharf. I’ve read good reviews and they have a live band playing after six o’clock if you wanna stay and have a few drinks.”

“Yes! Let’s do it. I’ll just give Conrad a call when we get to the restaurant in case we get back late.”

That’s us then, off to the restaurant we go to. I’m in a better mood than I was this morning and if I have to elaborate about this morning’s altercation with my parents I think the night could end sour. A good decent meal and drinks with my girl are just what the doctor prescribed and yes the doctor being me. When we enter the overcrowded restaurant we are directed to the bar to wait for a table to become available.