Chapter TWENTY-FOUR

The next day I decide to leave the house and get some fresh air. I visit an art studio to help clear my mind, art always helps me to calm down. I look at pictures or paintings and try to imagine what the artist was thinking while creating them. It calms my mind and takes me away from my problems. After seeing the art exhibition, I visit a bookstore close by and engulf myself in another world. I am obsessed with historical fiction. When there is romance in it, you have me in your pocket. I spend the rest of my day at the bookstore by the time I am ready to go home, it's dark outside. I call Aurora to come pick me up, she is still busy at the office, so she asked someone else to pick me up. She did not mention who, but when he arrives. I am starting to think Aurora intentionally sends her brother my way. I don't say anything to him as I watch him inside the car, waiting for me to get in. He rolled down the windows of the car, so I would know it's him. He looks far worse than yesterday. He seems really stressed, and all I want to do is help him with his workload, but all he does is push me away. It pains my heart to see him suffering, but I can't do anything to help. He doesn't say a word to me as I get into the car. Once he starts the car, he finally speaks. "I am too tired to drive you back to the estate. If you don't mind, could you stay in my penthouse for the night" he says in a low, hoarse voice. He is genuinely exhausted. "I don't mind at all," I say, getting comfortable in my seat. I feel sleepy, but I will hold it. I don't want to make him carry me when he is already exhausted. After driving for a few minutes, we arrive at the Costanzo hotel. I am not surprised this is where he is staying. We take the elevator to the penthouse. Stefano shows me the guest room and offers me some clothes for the night. I walk over to the guest room and quickly shower so I can go to bed. But for some odd reason, I started feeling tired towards the end of the night. I wake up during the night to the most excruciating pain in my waist. I quickly run to the bathroom to confirm my suspicion. It is supposed to come three days later, not now. I wonder why it is here now. I feel like they are grinding a hole in my waist. I have horrible cramps; and it usually lasts three days. I drag myself out of the bathroom and search my purse for a tampon. I always keep a spare in my purse in case of emergencies like now. I search in my bag, but I can't find it; I must have forgotten to replace it the last time I used it. What am I going to do now? I am in no shape to go outside to get one by myself. I think about calling Aurora, but I decide not to. It will take her a while before she gets here if she has gone back home, and I need a tampon now. Remembering who I am at the penthouse with, I can't bring myself to even think about calling him. That would be the most embarrassing thing ever, but what choice do I have. I don't even get to finish deciding if I should call him or not when the door opens, and it's him standing in the door. "Andrea, are you ok? You sounded like you were in pain," Stefano says, quickly walking over to me on the floor, crouched down in a curve. I was making little sounds of pain; I didn't know I was loud. I look at him, and his eyes are filled with worry. "I am fine, nothing is wrong," I say, trying to sound better, failing as the pains get worse. "You don't look or sound fine. Do you need something for the pain? Just tell me what you need. I will get it for you," he says, his full attention on me. I plan to tell him it's nothing but realize he is the only one who can help me right now. "I need uhm……." I am a little shy about telling him what I need. "You can tell me, what do you need?" He says, coming closer to listen to me. I look at him, and it's like he is a totally different person. I am so surprised I have his attention right now. "I need a tampon," I say, closing my eyes. I feel too embarrassed to look at him after saying that. I slowly open one eye, and the expression on his face does not surprise me. He swallows his saliva before he speaks again. "Oh, is there anything I can get you for the pain." "Yes, please, I need a hot water bottle and ibuprofen." "Alright, I will be back shortly with everything you need, first, let me carry you to the bed." "No, you don't have to." Stefano ignores my protest, and lifts me off the ground without any difficulty. He gently places me on the bed. "Hold tight, I will be back soon," he says, quickly walking out the door. Stefano comes back in a record of time with everything I asked for. He helps me walk to the bathroom; I tell him he doesn't have to but he does not listen. While changing, I can't help smiling as I picture him buying these things for me in the store. I am sure he must have looked cute while buying them. Once I am done in the bathroom, I walk outside to find him still here. "Stefano, you can go, you helped with everything I need." "I will leave when I know you are feeling better. Now, get into bed," he says, walking me to the bed. He makes me lie down as he tucks me under the covers. The whole time I can't help staring at him. The way he is taking care of me like a delicate flower is mesmerizing to me. I would never picture him being so calm and soft with me while I am in pain. He also helps me place the hot water bottle gently on my stomach before he tucks me in and hands me a glass of water to take the medication. I expect him to leave after that, instead, he places a chair beside my bed and sits down. "Stefano, you don't have to stay with me. It's just cramps, I am not sick or anything." "I know, I still want to make sure you are fine the whole night." Once he says the whole night. I can't help wondering if he is serious, there is no need for him to stay the entire night. I am about to protest but decide it's useless knowing Stefano. "Alright, if you say so," I say, turning away from him, closing my eyes to sleep.