Page 21 of The One
“I’m happy to have you here.”
I’m overwhelmed by her friendly welcome. It’s not at all what I expected or am used to.
Our housekeeper, Eleonora, while lovely, isn’t warm or overly welcoming. She runs a tight ship, showing the respect due to our family.
Giulia, though?
I can tell that she must be more like family to the De Marcos.
When the Don informed me I’d be going with his brother to help out at the Rome house, I expected to be shown to the servants’ quarters, and for the housekeeper to dictate everyone’s comings and goings.
But the atmosphere here is homey, and part of the tension holding my body hostage eases. I can breathe easier.
Giulia is back behind the stove, stirring what smells like a rich, aromatic risotto. The smell makes my mouth water and my stomach rumbles loudly. I cover it with my hands, embarrassed to draw attention to myself.
“Mia cara, you are hungry?” Giulia asks.
Starving, I want to say, but settle for, “Yes. I’ve not eaten since lunch.”
And even that I had to force down my throat, my guts already churning then. Well, and we all know what happened at the church. Now my stomach is as empty as can be.
“The risotto is nearly done. And then I need to take that food to the other side of the house.” She points to the other side of the island where a tray with a covered dish is sitting.
“I can help,” I offer. “I can stir the risotto or take the tray.”
Please let her pick the first option. I love to cook.
Giulia stops stirring, her face turning serious as she mulls it over. She doesn’t answer right away, and I wonder why Dario or one of the guards can’t take the food to whoever it’s for.
I wait patiently until Giulia comes to a decision.
“Okay. You take the tray. I need to stay with the risotto. It needs my special seasoning, you see?”
Merda.
Not what I was hoping for.
I force a smile. “No problem. Where do I take it?”
“Dario will show you.” She nods at the man who’s now sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper.
He folds it in half and tucks it under his arm as he rises and walks to the door. With tingling fingers, I pick up the tray holding a covered plate of food and two water bottles.
“Please don’t speak to the girl,” Giulia says before I get too far.
Huh?
“It’s whyIusually take food to her. Signor De Marco doesn’t want any men near her.”
What?
My stomach drops, and I sway on my feet.
Is this his girlfriend?
But he doesn’t do relationships!
I take a step back, looking at her, frowning.
