Chapter 23 #2
“You and me both. I tried to shield my stomach as much as I could, but he just kept kicking and punching. Gosh! That was such a nightmare. When I saw the doctor in Indiana, I was so fucking glad when he said that everything was fine. The relief was so palpable.”
“You have no idea how happy I am for you. No one else deserves this more than you.”
“Thank you. By the way, you still haven’t explained how you’re even here right now,” I tell her.
“Sorry. We just have so much to catch up on. After you got sent away, your father fired a lot of us. He just kept a few of the household staff and, of course, his men. He threatened the rest of us on what would happen if we ever said a word about him to anyone, and shit like that. Anyway, after Enzo found you, he called with a job offer. I’m going to be working here from now on to keep you company and help with the baby when she gets here. ”
“Oh my God! Are you serious?”
“Yes!” she laughs. “I told you that man is in love with you.”
I can’t help the cheesy smile that crosses my face. We haven’t said the words to each other yet, but I know he does because of the way he treats me. I’m going to tell him I love him tomorrow when I say my vows.
By now, we’re done eating our dinner, and she grabs my plate from me, taking it into the kitchen.
“I brought your dress for tomorrow. Do you want to try it on now or later?”
“Now. I don’t want to wait until later because then I’ll feel too lazy. What kind of dress?” I ask.
“Your wedding dress.” She chuckles.
“Really? I just figured I’d be wearing something from my closet since he didn’t say anything about clothes. I should’ve known he would have it handled.”
“Nope. Your man went wedding dress shopping,” she says, dropping that little bombshell.
“Enzo went wedding dress shopping? As in he actually went into a bridal shop, looked, and picked out a dress for me?” I ask, doubtfully.
“Yep,”
“What? Somehow, I don’t see him having the patience for that,” I laugh. “Were you there with him?”
“Well, he did. And yes, I was. I don’t even know why, because the man picked it out himself. He didn’t want any input. He did say he can’t wait to see you in it,” she recounts.
“I’m excited! Come on! Let’s go try it on!” I tell her. I have more energy now than I had earlier today.
We go into the room, and I try it on. It fits perfectly, and I’m so in love with it. It’s something I would have chosen for myself if I was the one picking out my dress.
“It’s gorgeous,” I say, in awe.
“It is, and you look fucking amazing in it!” Giana tells me. “You look like a princess.”
“Thank you,” I reply through sniffles.
“Alright, alright. No crying until tomorrow,” she jokes, and that has me sputtering out a laugh through the sniffles. “Let’s go enjoy the rest of girls’ night.”
“Fine. Let’s go,” I say and realize that we’ve spent nearly an hour in here. “I’m surprised Enzo isn’t banging down the door to check on me.”
“He knows that I was going to have you try on the dress, and I made it clear that he’s not to interrupt us because he can’t see you in the dress before the wedding. I mean, I know he’s seen the dress since he picked it out, but it’s totally different from seeing you in it.”
“That explains it.” I laugh as we make our way back to the living room. Just as I sit back down on the couch, Enzo appears in the hall on the other side of the room, which leads to his office.
“Spoke too soon.” She laughs.
“Everything okay, Principessa?” he asks as he makes his way over to where I’m sitting. He drops down onto the couch and pulls me into his arms, his hand resting on my stomach as he hugs me and gives me a quick smooch.
“Yes. I’m fine. The dress is perfect. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, baby. I just wanted to check up on you and make sure you were alright,” he tells me before kissing me again and then getting up to go back to his office. “Take good care of my girl.”
“I will,” Giana grins.
An hour later, the coffee table looks like a mess. We have popcorn, nachos, M&Ms, and a few other snacks scattered on the table as well as water for me and wine for Giana. It’s a bummer I can’t have any wine, so she’s drinking my portion for me, and I’m pretty sure she’s already tipsy.
Our shoes have been kicked off, and we’re both sprawled on the couch as our movie marathon continues. In the midst of watching the movie, we’ve also been talking and joking around.
Giggling at all the corny jokes, loud and unfiltered. For once, we’re not scared, we’re just being ourselves. Back when I was home with my father, the only times we had movie nights together were when he was away overnight on business.
But even then, we were scared to make any noise in case he came home early and caught us. We would have been punished. But here and now, it feels good to be free, to let loose without worrying about any kind of consequence.
“It feels amazing being here now,” she tells me.
“Right. Who would have thought that our lives would change in just a few months? And change for the better, too.”
“Right.”
“I’m so glad you talked me into attending their party. Now it feels like I’m Cinderella and I’ve finally gotten my prince.”
“That’s so romantic,” she says with a dreamy sigh.
“I’m so glad he’s the one I gave my virginity to.”
“Less romantic,” she deadpans before we both burst out laughing.
By midnight, we’re still sprawled across the couch, the movie long forgotten.
“Thank you for coming to work for Enzo. To keep me company and take care of me, I mean, you didn’t have to. You were technically free.”
“Are you kidding? I love you, Aria. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be and no one else I’d rather work with. You’re the best, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I love you too!” I whisper, my throat clogged with emotion.
“I can’t wait to meet the little princess so I can spoil her rotten. Expect that,” she smirks.
“Get in line. Geez, between you and Enzo, she’s going to be such a spoiled little diva. When she reaches the tantrum-throwing stage, be prepared to deal with that all on your own,” I joke.
“Done.” She chuckles.
Just then, Enzo walks into the living room with Bruno behind him. “Did you two have a good time?”
“Yes. We did,” I tell him, a soft smile playing on my lips.
“I hope you didn’t eat too much junk food,” he says, looking down at the coffee table still lined with snacks.
“Don’t worry, Daddy. I didn’t go overboard.”
“Mmm. You know I love it when you call me daddy.” He smirks.
“Of course you do.” I chuckle.
“Eww. Gross. TMI! You guys know I’m still here, right?” Giana asks, acting appalled.
“Yes.” I laugh.
“Come on. Let’s get you to bed, babe,” he says, helping me up.
“Okay,” I say, snuggling into his side.
“You know where your room is, right, Giana?” he asks her.
“Yes, sir. You two head on up and I’ll clean up,” she tells him.
He nods before turning to Bruno. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Will Giana be living here?” I ask, while we’re walking up the stairs with his arms around me.
“Yes,” he replies.
“Yay!” I squeal in excitement.
“I figured you’d want some company when I’m at work,” he mentions.
“That was very thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, baby. I just want you to be happy and comfortable here.”
“Bruno too?” I question.
“Hell no! But he will be your personal guard, along with another one of my men. They’ll be here in the penthouse during the day to watch over you. They’ll also be going out with you, along with more security whenever you need to leave the penthouse to go anywhere,” he lets me know.
“Okay,” I agree.
“Wow. That was easy. I thought you’d at least give me some attitude,” he jokes.
“Ha ha. Funny! But no. I don’t mind the guards because once our little girl gets here, I want her to be protected at all times.”
“I want you both protected,” he says as he walks into our room and lays me down onto the bed. He pulls the blanket over my body before going around to the other side and getting in.
He pulls me into him, wrapping his arm around me, making sure that his palm is splayed on my belly. The protective gesture has a smile forming on my face.
The last thing on my mind before I fall asleep is how perfect today was. Having Giana back with me is more than I thought possible, and the impromptu girls’ night binging movies was exactly what I needed.