21. Luca
Chapter 21
Luca
I manage only a couple hours at the office.
What with Vincenzo’s incessant questions and the suspicious looks he throws my way; I decided that I would rather face Caterina. It was ironic really, considering that I hated being in the presence of my wife and thought I would much rather play in a swamp, infested with crocodiles, than be around Cat. But she was the easier Conti sibling to deal with, and a much better option than having Vincenzo hover over me like the grim reaper – so home was where I decided to go.
After my secret visit with Allegra and her brother, my eyes had been somewhat opened. I was learning very quickly that everything was not as it seemed. Sure, I have had my doubts, but they have been confirmed since my meeting. And only one statement crossed my mind.
Believe nothing. Question everything.
The sun is just about setting by the time I pull up outside the white mansion. When I turn the ignition off, I don’t get out of my car straight away, instead taking a few minutes to compose myself. I inhale, exhale, then repeat, praying for a patience I don’t feel. Over the last couple weeks, I have become familiar with my wife’s patterns, her different personalities and I expect to find Cat borderline hysterical when I get inside. If her many voicemails and texts are any indication of her mental state right now, then I would put money on it. Having never called her back like Vincenzo demanded, I can only imagine the shit storm I'm about to walk into.
Pushing the car door open, I climb out of my Audi before making my way up the marble stone steps. Opening the front door, I step inside, pausing to listen for any sign of Caterina. Downstairs is silent, no pots or pans banging in anger, but I do hear a whiney voice coming from somewhere upstairs. I am somewhat surprised that she wasn’t waiting for me in the entryway, ready to rip into me for ignoring her calls. Oh well. This is better than I expected. Shrugging off my jacket, I move toward the stairs, freezing when I hear her whine a familiar name. By only hearing my wife’s voice and a one-sided conversation, I am guessing she is on the phone.
“You promised, Benito.” She is silent, no doubt listening to whatever Benito is saying before she speaks again. “You said you were okay with me doing this, so why are you acting this way?” she demands, and I move quietly up the stairs, wanting to get closer so that I can hear more. She laughs, but it's humorless. “No. I haven’t fucked him. He doesn’t want me, no matter how much I try. Vincenzo is pushing me to fuck him though. He wants me pregnant.” I cock my head at her admission. Caterina is silent again, no doubt listening to whatever Benito’s response is. “But I only want you,” she whispers wistfully, then clears her throat. “Nonetheless, this is for the greater good. We all agreed.” Silence. “Yeah well, if you didn’t think you could handle it, then we should have run when we had the chance.” I am outside our bedroom now, peeking through the small space where she didn’t fully close the door. Though I can’t hear what Benito is saying, his voice is loud enough that I know he is shouting. “Fuck you, Benny. If that’s what you want. Go ahead. You won’t find anyone else like me,” Caterina sobs, tears running down her cheeks.
She paces the room, before throwing her cellphone down on the bed and growling. Frustration, heartbreak and pain cover her red, tear-soaked face and I almost feel pity for her. But then I remember what I heard, and that she is as deep into this shit as her brother.
Fuck her.
Having seen and heard enough, I move quietly down the landing and staircase. Reaching the base of the stairs, I tip toe across the entryway, to the door. Pulling it open, I then slam it shut, making my wife believe that I have only just arrived home.
Moments later Caterina appears at the top of the staircase, her face no longer the picture of distress I just saw and clear of all tears. She smiles down at me though I can tell it's forced.
“Hey,” her soft voice echoes in the space.
“Hey.” My gaze flicks to my office. “I’m going to try and get some more work done.” I step forward, pausing when she rushes down the stairs.
“Luca, wait.”
Annoyance has my jaw grinding shut. The less time I have to spend looking at my lying, deceitful wife the better. I don’t know what I am capable of or what I might do, if she gets in my space.
“What do you want, Cat?” I bite out, not bothering to look at her.
Her hands land on my chest making my body tense. It takes everything in me not to push her touch away. “I made dinner. Ple-a-s,” she stutters out, her voice breaking, and I know it has everything to do with Benito and not me. “Please, can we have dinner together? I need you tonight.”
My lips tug up into a sardonic smirk as I glance down at her. Caterina doesn’t need me. She is just emotional and wants comfort. Has she not realized by now, she is not going to get that from me?
“Why?” I snap, making her jump.
“Why what?” she asks, frowning.
“Why do you need me?”
“I always need you,” she whispers, casting her lying eyes to the floor.
As much as I want to call her out, maybe wrap my fingers around her throat and watch as the life drains from her, I need to be rational, calculated. Cat cannot suspect anything.
“Okay.”
Her gaze snaps to me. “Okay?” she repeats, hope in her eyes. Silly woman thinks I am going to fuck her.
“Yeah. Let’s have dinner together.”
Her shoulders sag in disappointment. “Okay.” Her eyes narrow as if she just remembered something. “Where were you today? You didn’t answer my calls.” Accusation laces every word.
“Doctor’s appointment,” I drawl, brushing past her and ignoring her other questions.
Between her, her brother and the conversation I just heard, they have brought to light the lingering questions I have had since the moment I awoke.
This is not my life.
I just have to find out the reasons why they would try to convince me that it is.