Page 25 of Bella Rosa
"She went to visit her sister in Chicago one winter while we were living in Florida. She fell on some ice, and her knee and wrist got pretty messed up. She had three surgeries, and was put on pain pills." He turns so he's fully facing me. The look of anguish on his face takes my breath away. He slowly turns away from me to face the door. "After a year of rehab she was completely healed. She no longer needed the pain pills, but she didn't stop taking them. Soon, pain pills weren't enough, so she turned to alcohol. That led to other drugs, and before my father and I knew it, she wasn't my mom anymore."
I listen, wanting so badly to reach out and comfort him.
"My father never gave up on her though. Even though she sold the house, the car, and basically everything she could get her hands on so she could support her drug habit. The title to the house and car were in her name. She even started shoplifting so she could sell that stuff too."
My heart breaks for this man. This wonderful man.
"She overdosed one night while my dad was at work. We were living in a cheap hotel, and my dad was working three jobs to try and pay for my mom's treatment. She had gone to rehab so many times it was difficult to find any financial help. I called the police after she passed out. She almost died, and that still wasn't a wake-up call. My dad checked her into a rehab facility that night. She left three days later. I haven't seen her since."
He moves so he's standing with his palms on the door and his head is hung low. "After she left, my dad packed up what little we had left and we came back to Italy."
I walk over and wrap my arms around him from behind. "Your dad sounds like a wonderful man."
He lets out a shaky breath before he turns to look at me. He puts both hands on either side of my face and searches my eyes. "Where did you come from?" He asks softly.
My answer is standing on my tiptoes and kissing him. I kiss him so hard I see stars. He answers me tenfold. He spins me so my back is against the door. He's caging me in, but I've never felt more free. We kiss for what feels like an eternity of bliss before he breaks away to look me in the eye.
"I'll pick you up at nine in the morning. Wear comfortable shoes." He kisses my forehead, before pulling me away from the door and opening it. "Goodnight, Rosa." When he opens the hallway door, Alda and Juli are leaning against the opposite wall waiting.
They don't say a word. They just watch him walk down the hallway and disappear down the steps. No one moves until we hear the door close downstairs. Alda speaks up first. "I'll go make you some tea." She turns to walk down the hallway to the kitchen downstairs.
Juli rushes into my room and closes the door behind her. "Tell me everything."
Little does she know, I won't be telling her much of anything. What Matteo said was just for me.
16
Noted.
Matteo
Ittakeseveryounceof strength I have to walk down the stairs and out the front door. I want to walk back up the stairs and claim the rest of her just like she offered.
I won't do that though. Not tonight anyway. I want to do this right. She's not the type of girl you fuck and run. I don't think I could run away now even if I tried. I want to do right by her. She deserves that, because after our twelve days are up—I'm not going to think about that now. I want to focus on the time we have together. We can figure out everything else later.
As I drive away from the woman who has turned my life upside down, I know one thing for certain: she ruined me with one kiss. I'll never be the same.
9 a.m. can't come soon enough.
I arrive at Alda's the next morning with a strange feeling in my chest. I tossed and turned all night. Did I make the right decision opening up to her? Did I ruin everything by kissing her? I have worked myself up so much I didn't even eat breakfast this morning. I feel like a sixteen year old picking up his date for prom.
I run a hand through my hair and walk through the front door. Alda, Juli, and Rosa are all sitting around the dining room table sipping coffee. The conversation stops when I enter, and Rosa turns to look at me. Alda says something, but I can't hear her over the roaring in my ears.
Rosa is a vision in high waisted jean shorts, a tank top that hits just below her belly button, and white sneakers. Her dark hair is curled and loose, floating down her back.
Alda comes up and pats me on the arm, breaking me from the spell Rosa put me under. "Would you like some breakfast?" She laughs under her breath as she gestures to the table piled high with food. I must have forgotten how to speak, because all I can do is shake my head no.
Rosa stands and gathers her small crossbody bag. It's not the normal one she brings with her for our dinners. I find my voice again enough to ask, "No camera today?"
She shakes her head as she walks in my direction. "Nope." She waves her phone at me. "Just my phone. I don't want to have to deal with a big camera today. My phone does just as good." She grimaces. "Well, for the most part anyway."
She walks up to me. She doesn't have heels on today, so she only comes up to my chin. I reach up and tuck a stray hair behind her ear. "Ready to go?"
Why are my hands tingling? And why is my heart beating so fast?
She nods her head and looks over her shoulder, and waves goodbye to Juli and Alda. "See you later."
They both wave and Juli says, "Have fun!" She adds a little squeal at the end. I roll my eyes at her as I wave goodbye. She shoots me the middle finger as I walk away.
