Chapter Twenty

Sophie



Waking up in Raphael's bed threw me off a bit. It's not that I didn't remember how I got there, I did, but the experience was still new to me. I have only slept in the same bed with a man twice in my life, both with him.

I moved to open the vast window in my bedroom, standing to look at the ground below. The beautiful roses reminded me of home. Suddenly I felt nostalgic; I missed my grandmother, how we sat on the front porch sipping afternoon tea as we watched the sunset.

A man appeared, stroking the roses as he paced back and forth, talking on a phone. He was unknown to me, though, to be honest, the only people I knew were three-five, including nonna and Flora. I was so lost in his movements. I wasn't aware he was looking directly at me, but I was pretty sure he couldn't See Me.

I moved from the window to unpack my meager belongings, which looked out of place in this beautiful room. I arranged them on the Wardrobe, such a huge wardrobe I wondered who could own so many clothes to fill this myriad.

I jumped in the bathroom to take a shower, change, and maybe catch up with Raphael before he left for the day. I wanted to see him once more before he left, talk to him, hug, kiss him.

I remembered how it felt to hold in his arms; I could still feel it; it's like he had imprinted himself on me. Every kiss, every word, his scent, his expressions. Everything, including the way he let me hug and kiss him. This powerful man relinquished his control and allowed me one moment to lead him my way on my own terms. I loved it.

Choosing what to wear was easy, mostly because I didn't have much to choose from and because I stayed indoors, so I selected a short denim skirt, a spice girl off-shoulder t-shirt, and sandals. I gave myself a one over on the huge dressing table mirror and walked out. My stomach had enough butterflies to cause me anxiety. I was a girl in pursuit of a boy I could love. I giggled, for Raphael wasn't anybody's idea of a boy. He was a man.

Their loud voices led me to the dining room where everyone was congregated for breakfast, even Gabs, seated next to nonna at the far end of the table, probably trying to be invisible. Raphael sat in the same place he had the previous night. He had taken a shower, his hair curled at the back, giving him a softer deceptive exterior as opposed to his usual devil-may-care look.

I walked in, and everyone turned to stare at me. I became the center of attention. Gabs encouragingly smiled at me-knowing exactly how I felt standing there, having all those eyes on me. My trembling smile and shaky voice as I bid everyone a good morning must have shown how uncomfortable I was.

Raphael's eyes were unwavering fixed on me. Those dark orbs giving me a glimpse of the memories we both shared.

"oh, Piccola, Spice girls, really? Were you even born when they were a hit? " Bruno made a disapproving and disgruntled sound. He was seated on the far end from Raphael, wearing another designer suit.

Bruno had an easy swagger, a hard face that wasn't really conventionally handsome, but he had the most striking green eyes I had ever seen. Eyes that gave the impression they could see through your soul.

He also had the ability to laugh at himself and the two guys around him. He was the easiest one to talk to, more friendly and almost protective.

Romano was the opposite. Quiet, no-nonsense, he rarely laughed, but it was mostly a smirk when he did. But once in a while, I saw a genuine smile on him, especially at me or when he was making fun of Bruno.

Raphael, on the other hand, was the king. A man of rugged beauty. He had a Michelangelo David's face. He was also intimidating, cold, and aloof; his eyes were expressive as they were cold. He chose what to show and what to conceal. A very manipulative and dangerous man.

The memories of the night he killed a guy outside Aldo's was still at the front of my mind. I wanted to discuss it, but I felt like a million other women who decided to bury their heads in the sand for a while to keep from rocking a perfectly floating boat. But I knew I would have to ask him about it sooner.

Nevertheless, they all had a few things in common. They were tall, Italian, and hot. For a second, I allowed myself to imagine them on the cover of GQ magazine. It would make massive sales.

"Is that a dig on my height? Just because I'm vertically disadvantaged doesn't mean I'm not old enough."

"I heard Romano chuckle; I lifted my head to look at him, seated on another small dinner table positioned inside the kitchen; he seemed to enjoy the flowing conversation and the advantage of not participating, which suited his character just fine.

Our eyes met; he had a mischievous twinkle.

"Is that a politically correct way of saying you're short?"

"I'm not short!"

"Of course not! You're vertically disadvantaged? He emphasized.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"A little"

His voice was deceptively meek, using his thumb and his index finger on his right hand to demonstrate.

I glared at him, moving around to pour some tea.

"Anyway, to answer your question. I said as I turned to Address Bruno.

"I love their girl power?"

"What the hell is girl power?"

It was comical, the three of them asking the same question. Even Raphael seemed interested now, not crunching and scrolling his phone, making me jealous by thinking he was texting another woman.

"It's when women independently, successfully, and confidently take on the world and shine. These women ruled Europe at some point"

"I thought the queen ruled Europe," Bruno mused.

"No, I think the Beatles ruled Europe."

Romano's drawled, feigning confusion, walking up to refill his coffee. He stood with me, towering over me, his arm slightly rubbing on my shoulder as he stirred the sugar in his coffee. I decided I liked being here. I stole a glance at Raphael, who was giving Romano a look I didn't understand.

"Are you messing with me again?"

"You mean the Beatles did not rule Europe at any time? "

With a fluid motion, Raphael rose, pushing back his chair, noisy "You've become quite chatty" I could see he was irritated. I wondered If I had done something wrong, said something wrong. He didn't even look at me. He just left, walked out, his hands in his pocket with his head held him.

He didn't say goodbye. I was disappointed that every little thing I had imagined doing with him before he left wasn't going to happen—my heart felt crushed. Instantaneously, I wanted to cry, get into the room, and hurl at everything on-site, unseen. But I have never been dramatic or destructive, so I smiled.

I felt a light touch on my shoulder. I turned, and Gabs was standing beside me, her head bent, scrolling through her phone. She didn't speak, but it was comforting.

"So, what do you ladies want to do today?"

Gabs longingly said she would love to read a few manuscripts but her boss probably already fired her.

"He didn't fire you; he agreed to give you some time off, as much as you need. Romano stated those words like he was crystal clear.

We both watched as Romano and Bruno walkout in sync. I heard Bruno laugh as they disappeared from the room, leaving Gabs and me; unexpectedly, I felt left out and abandoned. I noticed nonna had left at some point because we were the only two people in the room.

We walked hand in hand to the theater room. This room could fit into my whole house and leave some space. It was huge; the television almost covered the wall.

"Any idea on what we should watch?" I asked Gabriella excitedly as we sat on the same couch.

"I don't know, too many options," she started to lay down on her side of the couch, and I did the same, our feet touching.

Flora strolled into the room, carrying a woolen blanket, and covered us with it.

"Do you girls want any snacks?"

"No, Flora, we are fine. We just had breakfast."

"Okay. There is a phone on each side; dial 333 and let me know what you need.

We both sat up instantly, at the same time to check.

"OMG, Soph, where are we? I heard Gabs ask; I doubted my mind had the ability to process anything at the time. I was impressed, but I was also bordering on unease.

We didn't have much time to dwell on it; the television's sound interrupted our train of thought.

"You're sitting on the remote."

"Got it!" I said, "let's finish off daredevil," I said, hitting on play.