Chapter 44: Chapter 44

It surprisingly takes me only thirty minutes to unpack. After I shove my bags back into the bottom of my closet I go into the kitchen and check the fridge and cupboards. I want to make something for dessert to make the dinner feel less formal and more of a social gathering.

I pull out my homemade cookbook made up of recipes I got from google that just happened to be a tasteful success.  A ‘ Chocolate Banoffee Pie’ screams out to me as I flip through the book, It only takes thirty-five minutes to make and sets within an hour and a half. Plenty of time to set before we are to sit and eat dinner.

I finish cleaning up and there’s a knock at the door, I open the door and Cullum is standing there.

“Cullum, Is everything okay?” I open the door wider and invite him in.

“Yes, Everything is fine Miss Maddison.” I quickly pop my head out the door and take a quick look outside before shutting the door.

“You’re alone?” I move past him and walk into the living room.

“Yes, Mr Venturi has no idea I’m here.” I turn towards him and he looks at me seriously.

“I have come to talk to you about Mr Venturi in private.”

“Okay.” I start to feel a bit uneasy.

“May I sit?” He asks stiffly.

“Oh, yes please do.” I rush over and clear a seat for him on the sofa.

“May I ask what this is all about?” I ask him as he makes himself as comfortable as he possibly can get.

“I have never made it my business to interfere or personally get involved in Mr Venturi’s private life.” He looks at me sternly.

“But... It seems that I cannot sit back and just watch the two of you dance circles around each other and pretend that I'm personally not affected.” He leans forward resting his clasped hands on his knees.

“Oh... Oh...” My eyes nearly pop out of my damn head.

“You're in love with him?” I ask faintly.

His head snaps up. “No! Miss Maddison. Well, not in the sense you are thinking of. I am not in love with Mr Venturi. But I have grown to love him like a little brother and because of that I cannot sit back and watch him make a big mistake with you.” He rubs his hands together.

“I’m not following.”  I slowly shake my head.

“I’m just gonna come out and say this.” He stands up and looks me in the eye.

“If you think that Luca does not love you, you are incredibly wrong. That man has done nothing but, be on cloud nine since the moment you entered his life. I have not seen his face light up the way it does when he is talking or thinking only of you. I have caught him looking through old emails and text messages exchanged between the two of you when he’s had a glass or two of his finest whiskey.

I have never known him to keep messages from any of the other women he has been in contact with sexually. Though the past few weeks have been nothing but torture for all of us. He lashes out at the slightest hiccup in his security detail even though it is his wrongdoing.  And that is why I have come to the discovery that this relationship is not only sexual for him, he has emotionally involved himself and he is blinded by that.” He continues to stare at me.

“He has done nothing but lies to me all this time. We share a niece and I've not known of her until recently. I love him...I do and I have told him. But, I can't just pretend that I am not affected emotionally and mentally, if anything I am devastated that he had kept this from me. She is the last link to any family I have.” I chew on my lower lip to subside the tears.

“Only Luca can tell you the honest truths that lay behind his actions. I can only assume and that is not good enough for me to use in trying to convince you to have an open mind in tonight’s gathering. You are a very strong and beautiful young lady Miss Maddison. I would hate to think that you could move forward without looking back and not have any regrets where Luca is concerned. You could be the only lady he would ever consider committing himself to.”

“That’s because we are yet to find out if I am carrying his child.” I glance away briefly. Feeling ashamed that I wasn't good enough for Luca before that night.

“No, it’s because you ascend affections in him that he has been immune to feel in the presence of another female. An unborn child cannot bring a man to his knees the way you have with him.”

“A life with him is not safe, he is always watching over his shoulder and that is not the future I want for myself or my children.”

“Understandable. But can you honestly say that Luca has no place in your life and future? And... You'll go on to living a happy life without him?.

I let his words sink in and a violent shiver runs down my spine.

"He is in the process of leaving his life  behind in Italy and never returning.” He clearly states.

“I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you're on about. How is he in the process of leaving that life behind exactly?” I say confused.

“He has applied and is willing to pay a hefty price for citizenship under a new name.  The life he now leads is coming to an end. It has been made very clear that Mr Venturi and Ms Venturi will both be residing here in New Zealand permanently. In the upcoming months.”

“What about Giovanni?” I whisper as I try to quickly digest this new piece of information.

“We have been working around the clock arranging three fake deaths.”

“That is crazy! That stuff only happens in the movies.” I yell at him.

“Nope, it also happens in the real world too.” He lazily shrugs his shoulder like he’s done it before.

“I’m sorry, but this is just absurd. Even if they fake their deaths how can you all be sure that their lives will be safe and no one will find out?”

“No one can confirm that. But it is a risk that the three of them have agreed to take. Giovanni will keep his distance and live in Ireland for the next two years serving as the towns local GP. There is to be no contact between him and Rosalia until the two years is up and he migrates here to New Zealand.”

“It’s like a never-ending train wreck with him isn’t it?” I ask softly.

“Well... At least you know your life together will be a far cry from being boring.” He smiles.

“Yeah... But this is all still too much to take in right now and unexpected.”

“I understand.” He looks at his flashy watch strapped to his wrist.

“I should get going in case he realises I have left the building.” He reaches the front door and turns to look at me.

“All I’m asking is that you give him another chance to make things right. Give the man some space to slip up only to be left to grovel at your feet and kiss the ground you walk on.” I nod my head and watch him leave.

Am I the only one that doesn't see the sun shining from Lucas perfectly shaped ass?

Lucas going to be living here permanently. I think to myself. The three of them are going to return here for good. Well, Luca and Rosalia for the first two years then Giovanni will follow after spending time in Ireland. Why Ireland though?

I couldn't imagine any of this being easy for Giovanni especially since he hasn't been back since Celeste died. I wonder if my ratchet of a mother will try to manipulate him and press charges against him after all these years. I wouldn't put it past her cause that lady knows how to hold a grudge.

How will they fake their deaths?

There are so many possibilities.. House fire, Car accident, a robbery gone wrong, a drive-by.....I could make a long list in seconds.

Is this what his meetings are for tomorrow?

No Nessa!

It's none of your business and doesn't go about making it yours either. You have enough shit on your plate that you are trying to sort out.

God...

I wish Cullum hadn't shown up and informed me of their new plans. The Venturi brothers live a wildly dangerous life. I wish I was brave and courageous enough to say.

"Ha! I laugh in the face of danger."

When in reality. Ya girl over here runs in the opposite direction when life gets too risky.