Chapter TWENTY-SEVEN
Things have been shocking since that beautiful moment with Stefano. I decided to stay for a few more days since he gave me a good reason, but I wonder if I did the right thing. I haven't seen or spoken to Stefano since we kissed. I don't know why, but since we kissed, he stopped coming to the house, if he sees me at the office when I visit Aurora, he runs away from me. I don't know what I did after we kissed to make him behave this way. I am so pissed off at him for his childish behavior, but I can't even tell him because he avoids me.
While watching TV in my room, I hear my phone ringing. I check, and its dad calling.
'Hello, Dad," I say, answering the call.
'I am very angry with you, young lady," My dad says in a stern voice.
'I am very sorry, Dad. I know I said I would fly home a few days ago. Something came up, I can't leave."
I didn't inform my dad about the cancellation of my trip back home. I was so happy about Stefano kissing me that I forgot.
'You might be my daughter, but I have a company to run. I can't hire you as the VP and have you not available almost all the time."
Since I am not the one who they are trying to kill, there is no need for me not to go back to work.
'I know, Dad, once I am done with my business here, I will come back home."
'I advise that you quickly wrap up your business over there and come back home soon. While you are dealing with your business over there, I will send you some documents I need you to go over, even if you aren't here. I will have my secretary email you all the things you can get done from there. You need to start taking responsibility, young lady."
'I totally understand, I will get everything done immediately and email them back to you."
I can imagine the workload I have waiting for me. It's been four months since I left home.
'Good, now take care, Dear."
'I will. Bye, I love you."
'Love you too, Sweetie."
Dad's secretary didn't waste time emailing me all the documents I needed to go over. There are so many things I need to get done. I am happy I will have something to take my mind off Stefano.
I walk downstairs to get something to eat while I work. I walk into the kitchen to find Mrs. Costanzo making a sandwich for herself.
'Hi Katherine."
'How are you, Dear?"
'I am good, and you?"
'I am good, but I am not so sure about you..."
'Why do you say that?"
'You look like something is troubling you."
'Is it that obvious?"
'Not really, but I can tell."
'Sorry he is your son; but he is making me lose my mind."
'I can imagine."
'You are not surprised?" I ask shocked.
'I am married to his father, I am not."
'Mr. Costanzo loves you and treats you so well, but your son…" I am a bit hesitant to start complaining about Stefano to his mom.
'Stefano is acting the same way his father did."
'You are lying." I am surprised by her words.
I think after my parents Mr. and Mrs. Costanzo, are the happiest couple I have ever met. Anyone can tell Mr. Costanzo is madly in love with Mrs. Costanzo even after so many years of being married. I can't picture him making Mrs. Costanzo feel the same way I do right now.
'You would be surprised, my Dear, but Stefano cares about you. He might not say it, but I know he does. I promise you if you are patient with him. You won't regret ever falling in love with my son again."
'Falling in love," I said wide-eyed. 'I won't say I am in love with Stefano again."
'Not yet, but soon trust me," she says, smiling, walking out of the kitchen with her sandwich.
Once she leaves, I can't help but think about what she just said. I can't believe I even allowed myself to like him again and wished we could be something more. When Mrs. Costanzo said again, I remembered why I was hesitant to let myself feel for him again. The first time I loved Stefano, I confessed my feelings to him, all he did was make fun of me, make me hate myself for loving him. Now I am a little confused, if I should be happy he is avoiding me or allow myself to try and make it work with him this time?
The next day I decide to get some fresh air while working, I visit a coffee shop not too far away from the estate to get some work done. I am also meeting Emily. She is leaving tomorrow and wanted to see me one last time before she goes.
'Hello," A person says while taking a seat in front of me. My eyes are glued to my laptop screen, so I don't know who it is, but I have a good idea.
'Hi Emily," I say, moving my eyes from my laptop screen
'You seem pretty busy," she says, referring to the pile of papers on my table.
'I have missed work for four months; you can imagine the workload I have."
'I could help I have a degree in office administration."
'I would love that; but I can't have you working on the last day of your vacation."
'I don't mind, it's not like we can do anything else."
It would be nice to get a helping hand with all these documents I have to go over. I think about it for a few seconds before agreeing.
'Thank you so much," I say, handing her a few documents.
'You are welcome," she says, smiling.
After what feels like hours, we finally finish with the pile of work I brought with me to the coffee shop.
'Thank you again for helping me. I wish I could have a secretary like you when I get back."
'You are welcome, and you could."
'What do you mean?"
'I actually plan on quitting one of my jobs when I get back home, so I will have time to work as a secretary."
'Really, you won't mind working for me?"
'Of course not, I would love to work for a big company like your father's."
'That's wonderful. Once I get back, I will ask HR to hire you. I can't wait to start working with you," I say, smiling.
'Me too," she says, smiling also.
I say my goodbyes to her before taking a taxi home. I am walking into the house when I see him coming out of the kitchen. Neither of us say a word, and just stare at each other. I take my time staring at him, he looks as handsome as always. He looks like he just got off work, his tie is nowhere to be seen, his sleeves are rolled up, showing off his tattoos. I lock eyes with his and stare into those lovely green eyes of his. His eyes are also searching my soul like I am doing to his. He adverts his eyes before I can guess what he is thinking about. He walks past me like I am not standing there, I feel a slight sting in my heart. His intoxicating cologne lingers even after he is gone, it only makes me miss him more. I feel on the verge of tears from the pain his actions are causing but, I push them back. I can't cry for a man that kisses me and acts like I don't exist. I come back from my thoughts when Aurora walks towards me.
'Are you busy tonight?" She asks, looking troubled, and I wonder what's wrong.
'No, I am not. Do you need me to talk about something" I ask, concerned?
'I wish I could tell you, my dear friend, but right now, all I want is to drink till I can forget my problems."
'Aurora, what's the problem" I am more worried by the second. Aurora had a date last night with a man who offered a joint alliance between both families through marriage. I know that her family isn't forcing her to agree to the wedding, but she's been acting weird since last night.
She is about to speak but stops and takes a deep breath before talking.
'I will tell you at the club, be ready in an hour."
'Alright, no problem," I hope the man did not do anything to my dear friend, I shouldn't be too worried. Aurora is the first daughter of the Costanzo family, only a mad man would dare hurt her.