Chapter 16
Elena
He really is an adorable little boy.
It’s been a full three weeks now and our routine has set in. With Lorenzo’s permission, I’ve taken Angel to the park on four occasions. Lorenzo made sure to take time off to accompany us, probably to ensure I don’t run off with his child.
To say he’s a helicopter dad is a major understatement. The man runs his household with an iron fist. When it comes to his son, there is little to no room for error or change. He’s as flexible as a steel rod.
Angelo is on a strict schedule, a designated diet and set in routine.
However, the few times we’ve gone to the park I’ve noticed how Angelo seemed so much happier.
He slept easier and was more… agreeable, for lack of a better word.
He loved playing in the sand box with the other children.
Unlike his father, Angel has a friendly, warm nature, a trait I believe he inherited from his mum.
The house although beautiful, immaculate and cosy, has a sort of sadness to it, like something is missing.
There are pictures in frames, hanging on the walls, decorated on the study desk, all over Angels room, even in the kitchen. The house is basically a shrine to Victoria, Lorenzo’s late wife.
It’s more than apparent how much he must have loved her. How much he loves her still. I don’t think he’ll ever move on.
My thoughts are interrupted by a clump of cereal being launched clear across the kitchen counter and right at me, missing my hair but getting me right in the centre of my forehead.
I look at the little cereal launcher in shock, but all he does is giggle and drool like it’s the most hilarious sight he’s ever seen.
I grab a paper towel and wipe off the mess from my forehead and can’t help but laugh too.
“Hey! You’re meant to eat that you little munchkin.” I say in mock offense as I move over to the high chair in which Angel is firmly secured so I can clean him up. Sticky cereal is making its way all over him. His hands are messed and he rubs them on his head, creating a fine mess of his hair.
“Wow, you really are energetic today, aren’t you? You’re going to need a bath young man.”
I had just gotten Angel out of his seat and I’m carrying him on my hip heading towards the bathroom when I hear…
“Elena!”
“In here.” I shout in response. It’s not often that Tony comes over.
“Aaah, there he is.” Il mio piccoletto. (my little guy). And what happened here?” I don’t miss the mischievous sparkle in his eyes as he asks.
“Well, your nephew thought it would be fun to use the nanny for target practice.”
“I see, well at least he has good aim.” He’s openly laughing now and I narrow my eyes at him.
“That he does. I was just about to run Angel a bath, is there something I can help you with?”
“Si, Elena, I bet there are many things you can help me with.” He say’s while holding his hand to his heart. The flirtatious bastard.
“But I’m waiting for Enzo. He told me to meet him here. I’ll just wait in the study. Don’t let me distract you.” He winks at me as I walk away mumbling…
“Yeah, we wouldn’t want that.” Rolling my eyes I make my way to the bathroom between the guest bedroom and Angels room to run a bath.
Thirty minutes later he’s all wrinkled up but still having the time of his life throwing his bath toys around and drowning his little duckies. Should I be concerned?
Later I sit Angel down in his playpen while I gather up his toys and open the train set that Tony bought for him. It’s a lovely wooden set, carved out by a sweet old man at the town market. Angel loves playing with it.
After setting it up on the floor, I pick Angel up from the safety of his playpen.
“Would you like me to play trains with you?”
“Yaaay!”
I’m lying on my belly on the plush rug with Angel sitting in front of me.
He’s happy and content, making choo-choo sounds as he drives his train all around on the carpet.
In this moment I have to confess that even I am content, just lying on the luxurious carpet, on my belly with my feet up in the air behind me, playing trains with my little cherub… life is good.
Angel hands over one of the train carriages to me and motions for me to choo-choo it too, and so I do as the toddler instructs.
I’m doing a fine job driving the wooden vehicle around when Lorenzo and Tony join us.
Tony has an amused look on his face while Lorenzo seems…
rigid… almost stone-faced. I immediately stand up, feeling uncomfortable with the searing gaze.
“Are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat? I made creamy chicken alfredo and there’s some cheese cake left over from yesterday.”
“You bought cheesecake?” It’s Lorenzo who speaks. The man has suddenly recovered his voice.
“No, I made cheesecake.”
“You bake? That’s amazing. I may have to steal you away from my brother if you keep impressing me like this Preziosa.” (precious)
“Impress you? How so?” I’m genuinely intrigued.
“You’re a very skilled woman Bella, you are a published author, you are great with children, you’re classy and elegant, strong willed, independent and you’re a master in the kitchen.
A woman after my own heart.” He places his hand, rather dramatically, over his heart with a mock expression of pain on his gorgeous face.
“You know Tony, one of these days that charm is going to get you into a world of trouble.”
“I fear you may be right.” He grins.
“So, food or cheesecake?”
"Cheesecake!" they both say in unison.
“Great! Lorenzo, would you mind watching Angel while I get the dessert?”
“Si, vieni da papa figlio mio.” (Come to papa my son).
“I’ll help you.” Tony volunteers.
“Thank you.”
We cut and plate the dessert and Tony helps me carry the tray to the living area. I hand a plate over to Lorenzo and take my plate and head over to sit on the carpet with Angel. Tony is already halfway through his. The man went through it like a Kirby on a dusty carpet.
Lorenzo takes a bite of his and looks impressed.
“You like?”
“I do; this is great Elena. I didn’t know you could bake. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The guys polish off their plates and leave their dishes in the sink. After thanking me one more time and showering Angel with kisses, they both leave.
Beauty and the Beast – Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson
Enzo
TONY IS STARING AT ME. I can sense his question before he even voices it. “What’s on your mind brother?”
“She’s good with Angelo, isn’t she?”
“I’d say she’s more than good. You hit gold with her. Elena is perfect in every way. You were right.”
“Are you interested in my nanny, brother?” I ask him jokingly but there is genuine curiosity underneath my disguised calm.
“Who wouldn’t be? She’s a knockout. A woman with both brains and brawn is rare these days. If you don’t snatch her up, I will.” He pats my shoulder as we enter the office building.
“I’ve got a meeting with the client for the clinic building that’s for sale. I’ll see you later Enzo.”
I nod at him and head towards my office.
I’ve been sitting here for two and a half hours now and I haven’t gotten a damn thing done. My thoughts keep drifting off to Elena. The way she was playing with my son, lying on her belly, legs kicking up behind her and playing with the train carriage. Nothing about her actions seem forced.
She seems to genuinely care about Angelo. She baked. When did she have the time to bake a damn cheesecake? It tasted divine too.
A warm feeling creeps up my body towards my chest and it’s making me feel uncomfortable.
Shaking my head in an attempt to dispel any thoughts of my son’s nanny, I get back to work.
Another hour passes and I’ve made almost no progress. Giving up I decide to head home, not before texting Tony first to let him know, I’m done for the day.
It’s almost 8 o clock when I pull in to the garage.
Maybe I’ll make it in time to say good night to Angelo.
I set my briefcase on the kitchen counter and loosen my tie, making my way to Angelo’s room.
Slowing down in the hallway outside his bedroom I hear her voice.
Elena is reading to him. Vic used to read to him every night.
I tried to do it as often as possible but, in the end, there was hardly any time at all.
Sorrow and regret claw at my chest as I listen to her soft voice.
“You must impress her with your wit and shower her with compliments.” Her voice is soft and comforting, she changes her tone with each character’s dialogue.
“When the moment is right, you must confess your love. Said Lumiere.”
What story is she reading, I wonder to myself. Still standing in the hall, leaning against the wall, listening like the creep I am.
“Song, song, song.”
I hear Angelo’s very much awake voice.
“You want me to sing the song to you?”
“Uh huh. Pweeez.”
“But we haven’t finished the story sweetheart.”
“Pweeez Ellie, song.”
“Alright you little munchkin, just one time then you have to close your eyes and go to sleep, okay?”
“K”
Just like that, I’m struck by the sweet melody of her voice, almost like a Siren call as she sings to Angelo.
Tale as old as time,
True as it can be,
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small, to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
She sings the whole song, even after I’m sure Angelo is asleep.
Still, she sings it to the end. Her voice, although not perfect, is beautiful.
She’s beautiful; our very own Beauty. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Vic sing to Angelo.
She’s read to him almost every night, played with him, the usual mum stuff but then she got sick.
Now I’m thinking back trying to remember, but nothing… I don’t remember her singing to him.
The thought fills me with sadness and fear. Sadness for my son who never got to hear his mum sing to him. Fear for myself - fear of what this woman is invoking inside of me - fear of the feelings that are being stirred up within me.
“Lorenzo?”
Her voice is soft, laced with concern.
“Are you okay?”
“Uhm, yes, I’m okay. I was hoping I would make it home in time to say goodnight to Angelo. Guess I was late.” No, you weren’t, you made it in time but chose to stand out here like some deranged stalker, creeping around in your own home.
How is it possible for your inner dialogue to be against you?
“Oh, I’m sorry. If I’d known, I would have kept him up a while longer.”
“That’s okay, I think I’ll just call it a night.” I turn to leave…
“Lorenzo?”
I slowly turn back to face her.
“You sure you’re, okay?”
“Si, Bella, I’m fine.” She nods and makes her way towards her bedroom and I can’t help myself.
“Elena!” She spins around immediately.
“Thank you!” She looks confused but smiles and nods before retreating to the sanctuary
of her bedroom.
.