Chapter 16 #3
My stomach drops at the thought. I should have stayed upstairs and made an excuse to come down later.
I slink off to the side, swapping it for a juice glass.
“Quite the party you’ve arranged,” Sophia says, coming to stand next to me.
“Sophia, I wasn’t sure you were going to make it,” I say, straightening.
“Callie was my PA for four years before Sandro took over. I wanted to be here to say goodbye.”
“You don’t think she’ll be back?”
She turns her head to look at me. “Do you?”
I smile. “No, not that she’s realised it yet. But I have a feeling once her baby arrives, she’s not going to want to be separated from them.”
“It’s been a battle for them both,” Sophia says. “I’m just happy it’s all worked out.”
The party is in full flow when Alessandro takes to the stage.
He knocks a metal spoon against his glass next to the microphone, causing feedback.
I flinch.
It takes a moment for the room to quieten down.
“Thank you all for coming. I’d say to celebrate Callie leaving, but we’re celebrating her moving on to a new chapter in her life. Come on up, Callie. Mother.”
Sophia steps onto the stage next to him, and I realise what she’s doing. She’s stepping up so I don’t have to, knowing this moment is going to be recorded and posted. Potentially scrutinised. My heart starts to thunder in my chest, and I move further back, only stopping when my back hits the wall.
Callie makes her way to the stage.
“Callie, we had a small whip-round,” Alessandro says, his eyes finding mine. I sent him a message letting him know exactly how much had been collected and what I was going to do with it. “We’ve arranged for a few gifts for you and the baby.”
I recognise two of the kitchen staff, who step forward and move the tables, leaving the presents I wrapped last night, centre stage.
Callie’s hand flies to her mouth, her head spinning to David, who is simply smiling up at her.
“I don’t know what to say,” she says, her voice choking up once more.
“Open them,” someone shouts.
Callie turns and grins.
She holds out a hand to David, who joins her, Alessandro and Sophia on the stage.
Between them, they ooh and ahh over the gifts, all of which came from Callie’s baby list, the one I compiled over the two weeks we’ve spent together.
She looks out over the sea of heads, her gaze finding mine.
She mouths the words thank you and places her hand over her heart. I tilt my head in acknowledgement.
It’s another hour before Callie and David say their final goodbyes.
Callie pulls me in for a hug.
“Thank you, this was amazing. I feel very spoilt.”
“It wasn’t hard, believe me. Everyone wanted to be here. I also have a host of messages to forward to you, from those who couldn’t make it and wanted to send their well wishes.”
Callie bites her lip, her eyes glistening once more.
“Hey, no more tears. You need to get home and put your feet up. Time to rest now, doctor’s orders, remember. I’ve got this,” I say, winking at her. Her eyes dart to Alessandro. “Don’t worry. I’ll look after him,” I say, following her gaze, only to find him watching us.
Callie turns her head.
“Somehow, I think you will,” she adds with a slight smile. “I’ll call you about lunch.”
“You better,” I say.
“Thank you,” David says, shaking my hand. “This has meant a lot to her. Don’t put up with any of Alex’s nonsense.”
“Don’t worry,” I say with a smile. “I have older brothers.”
He chuckles. “I can see why Callie likes you. I don’t think he stands a chance.”
After they leave, I check with Monty that everything’s in order before heading back upstairs to the office.
It’s eerily quiet, the corridor lit only by the emergency lights.
As I reach my desk, the elevator pings at the end of the hall. Alessandro appears, his posture stiffening as he sees me.
“What are you still doing here?” he asks.
“Just forwarding some of the lovely messages sent to Callie by people who couldn’t make it this evening.”
He nods, continuing towards his door.
He holds the handle before turning.
“Well done. Tonight was a tremendous success. I wasn’t sure you could pull it off, but you did. I think everyone will be talking about it for quite a while, and I know it meant a lot to Callie and David.”
My lungs expand at his praise, before suddenly constricting, the smothering sensation almost overwhelming me.
I’m proud that tonight went well. Callie enjoying it was what mattered, but drawing attention to Brooke was not the aim.
I spent the evening dodging camera phones and friendship requests.
If I thought I could have got away with it, I’d have made my excuses and left, but Callie would have worried, and Alessandro would have questioned what was wrong, so I stayed. I just pray that wasn’t a mistake.
“Thank you,” I say instead. “Is there anything else you need before I head home?”
“No,” he says. “Have a good weekend, and I’ll see you Monday morning.”
I’m about to say the same, but he’s already turned away and headed into his office. The click of the door signals our conversation is over.