Chapter NINETEEN
The following day I wake up with the most excruciating headache of my life. I feel like they are beating drums inside my head. I walk downstairs to find something to help make the pain go away. I walk into the kitchen to find Mrs. Costanzo making breakfast. She makes breakfast sometimes but most days the maid does it.
'Good morning, Katherine," I say, taking my seat on one of the stools in the kitchen. Mrs. Costanzo prefers for me to call her by her first name.
'Good morning, Dear, take this, it will help with the pain," she says, handing me Advil and orange juice.
'Thank you, have you seen Aurora? We didn't come home together last night. I don't even know how I got home myself," I say, trying to remember last night.
'Here she comes," Katherine says, as Aurora walks into the kitchen.
'Hi Mom, Hi Andrea," Aurora says, taking a seat beside me. She looks a mess like me.
'I can see you guys had a wonderful time yesterday," Katherine says.
'You could say that, but I barely remember half of the night," Aurora says.
'Do you even know how you got home; I can't remember how I did?" I ask.
'Not really, I am happy I got home in one piece."
'Me too."
'Anyways, have you posted any pictures we took last night on Instagram?"
'Not yet but soon."
'Andrea is there anything you would like to tell me," Aurora says while looking at her phone.
'What are you talking about?"
'Maybe you could explain to me why your new Instagram post is in front of a Pagani Huayra and not just anyone, a Hermès Edition which I am sure belongs to my brother."
'Oh, about that, Stefano, gave me the keys to the car and told me to bring it back in one piece. I don't even know why he gave it to me, I asked him why, but he refused to tell me."
'Maybe someone is trying to be nice to you,"
'I hardly doubt that's what he was trying to do."
'It is, I know Stefano well. I am sure it was his way of saying ‘Thank you.'"
'For what?"
'For taking care of him and helping with his business while he was injured."
'Really, you think so?" I say, amazed with her conclusion as to why he gave me the car for a day.
'Stefano is not a man of words but actions when it comes to his feelings. Anytime I did something nice for him, he would always get me something or does something wonderful for me. I am sure he gave you the car you love for a day as a way of thanking you."
'Are you sure?"
'Yes, I am, trust me."
'Wow, I would have never guessed that"
'That's the whole point; he does not want you to know your actions touched him."
I am truly surprised Stefano is touched by the fact that I took care of him and his company. I did it because I care about him, not for any other reason. I am happy he felt touched by it.
'I am happy my kindness touched him."
'Me too, it's high time someone melts that rock of a heart of his"
'What do you mean?"
'Nothing you should worry about"
'Alright"
I wonder if she means I should make Stefano have feelings for me. Do I even want that? Just last week, I was warning myself about liking him. Now, the idea that Aurora might want him to like me makes me doubt my decision. The first question I should ask is if I even have any feelings for him. I know I care about him but having feelings for him is totally different.
It's been a few days since Aurora's birthday party. I am on my way to meet Ivan for lunch. The last time we saw each other was during Aurora's birthday party. I walk inside the restaurant and find Ivan without any difficulties.
'Hello Andrea," Ivan says, standing up to hug me.
'How are you doing," I say, hugging him back.
'Seeing you today made my day, and you," Ivan says, smiling.
'I am doing fine, have you ordered food."
'Not yet, I was waiting for you," Ivan says and calls a waiter to our table. We order our food and get back to talking.
'So, I asked you to lunch today because I have something to ask you," Ivan says after the waiter walks away with our orders.
'What would you like to ask me?"
'Do you have a boyfriend?" Ivan asks, stunning me with his question.
He surprised me with his question. Why would he be interested in that aspect of my life? Ivan is an attractive man, but, if he is asking for a reason, he wants something with me. I feel bad for turning him down.
'No, I don't."
'That's wonderful, please, say yes to the next question I am about to ask."
'Which Is?"
'She won't be saying yes to that question of yours," A voice says behind me before Ivan can speak. I turn around and see the last person I expect to say those words.
'Stefano, what are you doing here."
'What I am doing here isn't important, I need you to stay away from him."
'Why would you say that?"
'I will explain later, come with me," he says reaching over to take my hand, but I move it away.
'I am not going anywhere with you until you explain what you just said; besides, you don't even know what he was going to ask?"
'Of course, I do. He was going to ask you out on a real date and that is not happening," Stefano says, shocking me with his statement.
'Excuse me, what did you say?" I ask, confused by his answer.
'You can't date Ivan."
'Who are you to tell me who to date? How do you know his name?"
'How I know his name is a discussion for another time, I am serious about you not dating him."
'Stefano, you don't have a say in who I date."
'I do when it concerns your safety."
'Since when did you care about my safety?"
'Since the day you walked into my life," Stefano says, shocking me to the bone. What in God's name does he mean by that? Has he cared for me all these weeks we have being together? Does Stefano care about me? I shouldn't think too deeply about his words because his actions say another thing entirely.
'Stefano, I am grateful that you care about me, but I think it's my decision to say if I would date Ivan or not. Besides, he didn't ask me to date him. It's possible he wanted to ask me something else."
'I didn't say I care about you, I said I care about your safety. Those are two different things."
I was right not to think too deeply on his words, I am still confused about what he means. You need to care about someone, to care about their safety, or can there be another reason.
'What you mean doesn't matter now. I would like you to give Ivan and I some privacy."
'You have two minutes to wrap up your lunch; then we are leaving. I am waiting outside." Stefano says walking away before I can protest with him about what he just said and did.
'Ivan, I am so sorry you witnessed that"
'No, it's totally fine, we all have a crazy ex."
'I wish he were my ex; it would explain his behavior. I am so sorry."
'It's fine, why don't we continue our conversation another day."
'No, we don't have to do that."
'I insist, besides, my friend needs me."
'Alright, if you say so, I apologize for his behavior."
'It's fine, goodbye Andrea," Ivan says, standing up to hug me. I hug him back before walking outside.