Page 230 of My Italian Love Affair

With that, he steps out and pulls the door closed behind him.

I stare after him, the sound of it closing still reverberating through the room.

Theemptyroom.

The chair behind the desk is all plush black leather, the view from the window overlooks the beautiful, bustling street below, and the desk still smells faintly of Mark’s terrible aftershave -

But the surface is clean now, save for the nameplate sitting dead centre.

I lean forwards and trace the letters with my fingertips.

Daphne Sinclair, Senior Sports Correspondent.

Why does it feel like my world has just tilted sideways?

*

The moment I get home, I kick off my shoes, throw my bag on the sofa, and collapse onto the cushions with a groan.

The nameplate Richard gave me feels like it’s burning a hole in my bag, even though it’s just a small, inanimate object.

Daphne Sinclair, Senior Sports Correspondent.

It sounds absurd. Like an elaborate prank.

With a sigh, I pull out my phone and open my messages.

Priya, are you around? I need to talk.

The dots appear almost immediately.

Give me 5 mins. Just left the beach club. It’s been insane here since the Grand Prix.

I smile despite myself. Of course it has.

Monaco during Grand Prix weekend? Pure chaos.

The perfect mix of billionaires, celebrities, and the sort of drama Priya thrives on.

While I wait for her call, I wander to the kitchen and pour myself a glass of water.

My reflection catches my eye in the window, and I realise I’m still frowning.

Senior Sports Correspondent.Permanent position. Full-time, right here in Rome.

Shouldn’t I be jumping for joy right now?

Before I can spiral further, my phone buzzes with an incoming video call, and I swipe to accept.

"Hey, you."

Priya’s face appears on the screen, glowing with a golden tan, oversized sunglasses perched atop her head.

The background shows pale stone buildings, palm trees swaying in the breeze and the faint blur of boats in the distance.

"Hey, babe," she greets. "Okay, what’s going on? I can practically feel the anxiety from here."

I sink back onto the sofa. "I got offered a job today."

---