Elsa
I have seventeen missed calls. I first sit down before checking who called. Most of them are from Rosa, and Rita but when I see Uncle’s missed call, I immediately call him back.
“Where are you? ” that is the first thing he asks on picking up.
“I am fine, Zio. I am sorry I didn’t pick up the phone. I was kinda in the middle of something last night, ” I respond, trying to dodge the question, and hating my life all the same for being answerable to people yet I am an adult.
“I called Rita this morning and she said she’s not with you. She has also tried calling you but you haven’t been answering. Where are you?” he asks, sounding deadpan.
Fuck this! He is not my father. All that matters is am alright, isn’t it?
“I didn’t sleep at her apartment, that’s all. I am fine, Zio. You don’t need to worry about me,” I say, then hang up, feeling like shit. I have never acted insolent to my uncle. I have so much respect for him but he should stop being so dramatic about my safety.
I then dial Rita’s number. She picks up on the second right.
“Elsa? Where are you? You almost got me killed,” she cries out.
“Calm down, Rita. I am alright, ” I try assuring her.
“Your family was already freaking out thinking you have been kidnapped again. Where are you anyway? You told me you were going to my apartment last night. I tried calling Sergio but his phone was off. How did he convince you to go with him to his place?” her voice husky with excitement.
“Shut up, Ritah. I didn’t sleep at Sergio’s place. He couldn’t even manage to convince me to get back together even if he tried,” I say.
I hear her giggling from the other side of the line.
“You are right, Elsa. After what has happened during your exile, your tastes have elevated. That charming mafia king couldn’t possibly leave you the same. Damn, I wish I had got the chance to meet him before the, ” she hesitates, then continues, almost in a whisper “accident. ”
“Well, maybe you still have a chance to see him.”
“Really?” she squeals. “What are you talking about? Did he dismally talk to you? Wait! Did you guys meet up? Are you with him now? Where are you, Elsa?”
I can’t stop grinning. I knew Rita would be able to quickly figure this out.
“I can’t tell you everything right now, but whatever you are thinking about is right. ”
“Shut up! For real? ”
“He showed up at your apartment yesterday night.” I hear her gasping. “I was shocked, you know. I wasn’t expecting him there. I was with Sergio, and he was still begging me to let him in. ”
“What? That bastard! What did he want? ”
“Forgive was. He said he was sorry and he looked to be. But it was too late and I was uncomfortable. That’s when he showed up. Out of nowhere. ”
“Damn. I should have been there to see the look on Sergio’s face.”
“Trust me, it was really worth the tickets. There was some fuss then he left, ” I say, looking behind me just to make sure Marcello is out of earshot.
“Some fuss does sound like an understatement of what really happened, ” she comments.
“Cone one! I can’t tell you the all nitty-gritty right now on the phone. I will fill you in with the details when we meet again. ”
Okay. You should promise. ”
“I promise. ”
“Fine. Now where is our man? In the shower?”
“No, I don’t know. I left him on his phone. He looked kinda busy,” I respond.
“Oh, did he tell you where he has been all this time? Was he really shot as per the news? ” she continues firing me questions. Rita is always hungry for information.
“Trust me, Rita. I was as curious as you are now. Maybe a little bit more, but he needed time to answer all of them. I will tell you everything next time. I promise,” I hope she can let the matter go for now. I have to get back to my patient.
“I’m at. Okay. I am sorry but you know how I am. I don’t like to leave any stone unturned. Are you at his place right now? Is he going to keep you away forever this time?”
The questions never end.
“I have to hang up now, Rita, and no, we are at a hotel. We didn’t want to mess up your bedroom in your absence, ” I respond making her giggle like a teenager
“Come on, Elsa. I wouldn’t mind that.”
“I know you wouldn’t, but I do mind. Bye-bye.”
“Bye. For now. ”
After the call, I suck in a deep breath. I walk back to the living area where I left Marcello. I do not find him there. My body shoots into panic mode, remembering the day he left me only in the hotel in Rome. Shit! He can’t leave me like that again!
Christ! He has just come back and now he’s gone?
I dash to the bedroom, punching the four open. Marcello looks at me his eyes bulging in alarm.
“What’s the matter?” he inquires, his eyebrow raised.
“Don’t you ever fucking scare me like that!” I tell, going to him and falling into his chest. I try to calm down my heart which is thumping like it wants to escape from my chest.
“What happened? ” he asks, clearly confused by my actions.
“I thought you had left me. Again, ” I respond, looking sternly into his eyes. He chuckles, throwing back his head.
“I have been here in the bedroom. I have to dress up,” he responds like that is the most obvious thing and I should have expected it. He holds my face in his palms.
“Look at me, Elsa. I can’t leave you without notice unless it is really necessary. You should expect that sometimes because I don’t have to tell you everything either for your own safety or for mine. But whatever happens, I will always come back to you,” he says, looking honest and clear. I know it’s dangerous but I believe him. I put my head in his chest and close my eyes, and let myself feel his presence.