Olivia
Two weeks later
I look at the three swatches of fabric as I try to work out what I’m putting on this vision board for an upcoming dress I am delivering next week. One is browner than I thought, and damn it, I thought it was going to be perfect. I hold the sequin swatch over the fabric. They do still look good together though.
“Delivery for Olivia Reynolds,” someone says.
I glance up to see a delivery man with a big bunch of red roses. “What in the world?”
“Are you Olivia?”
“Yes.”
“Sign here, please.” I sign the card, and he hands over the heavy crystal vase filled with beautiful roses.
“Thanks.” I smile in surprise and open the card attached. It reads:
I need to see you tonight.
Luciano’s Italian at
7:00 p. m.
Rici
xo
What the fuck?
* * *
I walk into the restaurant just after seven. I’ve been a bundle of nerves all day.
What does he want?
It’s been two weeks since I said goodbye to Rici. I would love to say that I haven’t thought of him once, but I would be lying.
He’s the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of at night.
His love has lingered on my soul.
The restaurant is dark and moody. Candles sit on top of every table.
I catch sight of him sitting at the back, and I smile as I make my way up to the table.
He stands and smiles. “Bella.”
Unable to help it, I smile at the mere sight of him. He takes me into his arms. “Hello.” We are genuinely excited to see each other and we hug and take a seat.
He has this twinkle to his eyes, and he pours me a glass of champagne.
“What’s this about?” I ask. “You wanted to see me.”
“I did.” He takes a sip and seems in a rush. “I’m just going to get straight to it. I have a proposition for you.”
“Do tell.”
“Although there are some conditions that you will need to adhere to.”
“Conditions?” I frown. What the hell is he on about?
“You will become a practicing Catholic.”
Huh?
“You will learn Italian and speak it as your first language.”
I frown and sit back.
“You will be under guard twenty-four hours a day, and will not go anywhere unaccompanied.”
“I’m sorry… what?” What the heck is he talking about?
“You will move to Lake Como with me, into my main residence.”
I raise my brows… speechless.
“You will become an Italian citizen.”
“Enrico, what are you talking about?” I whisper.
“I can’t live without you, Olivia.”
“What?”
“I have been fucking miserable since you left, and I am not giving you up. Not for my country, not for anyone.”
Has he lost his mind?
“I want you, in every sense of the word.”
“You want me to become… Italian?” I frown.
“Yes.”
“Why would I do that?”
“So that I can love you.”
Olivia
I stare at him, lost for words, while his face is filled with hope.
“This is why you wanted to see me?” I ask.
“Yes.” He reaches over and takes my hands in his and lifts one and softly kisses my fingertips.
My stomach clenches. “What makes you think we will work now, when two weeks ago, you were so sure that we had no chance?”
“You could at least act a little excited,” he whispers half annoyed.
“Talk to me, please.” I sit back in my chair and pull my hands from his. “Last week, it was a completely different story. Help me understand this. I don’t understand your thinking.”
He rearranges the napkin on his lap. “I was thinking about what you said about our magnets and why we like each other. Our conversation last week had a deep impact on me. Our wants are what makes us special.”
“Enrico, me reminding you of your old life is not enough to build a future on,” I huff.
“Don’t call me Enrico, and it’s more than that. I can’t leave you alone. I think about you all the time. I can’t drop this, Olivia, I tried. God knows how hard I tried.” He pauses. “I’m not leaving someone I want for something I should. What good is all the money in the world if I can’t have who I truly care for? What we have is sacred…and you know it is.”
I stare at his hopeful face. Unable to help it, I smile softly. “Olivia, I know I’m asking a lot but we can make it work; I know we can.”
“I’m not Italian, Rici.”
“You are if you’re with me.” He smiles. “Don’t you see?”
“It will take me time to learn your language.”
“That’s fine.”
“And besides, I don’t know if I want to even live with you.” I frown.
“That’s non-negotiable. I need you with me.” He squeezes my hand in his.
I like that he needs me with him. My mind begins to race. There’s so much to consider.
“So, we’d never live In Australia?” I ask.
He purses his lips. “No.”
My face falls.
“But we can have a house there and holiday whenever you want. Your family are always welcome here, too. Olivia, I am under no illusion that this is going to be easy for you. I will be patient and try my best to help you, you have my word on that. I’ve thought long and hard about this and I know it’s what I need to do. There is no other way around it.”
“Rici…” I sit back to distance myself from him. “You’re asking a lot of me.”
“I know, bella.”
I sip my wine. I really want to pick up the whole bottle and start pouring it down my throat.
“What I’m asking is if you care enough to build a future with me.”
I stare at him, and emotion begins to pump through my system.
“Do you?” he asks.
“What about your family?”
“I’ll deal with them.”
“What if I make a bad Italian?”