11 #3
Jerome poured Gia a glass of wine and then poured himself a small glass.
“I’ve thankfully found two managers who’ll be able to work in shifts.
I’ll also need to restructure and maybe promote a couple of staff to assistant managers, so that they can help out when the managers are sick or on holiday.
” Jerome took a sip of wine and then picked up his fork.
“So Liz won’t be working there anymore?” Gia asked trying not to sound irritated but failing miserably.
Jerome tensed at his mother’s tone but smiled tightly. “She can go in and overlook things. I’ll leave that up to her. Now that she’s focused on restarting her modelling career, she may not have as much free time.”
“I see. Well she certainly looked happier on Saturday.”
Jerome chewed on his food slowly, then swallowed. “Yes, she did.”
Gia’s eyes narrowed as she watched Jerome take another forkful and place it in his mouth.
She was in two minds about whether she should voice her opinion regarding Liz’s modelling career, and the lack of interest in a thriving business her husband had built up for her, when Jerome’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He scowled and pulled it out.
Saved by the bell, he thought. He looked at the number, which he didn’t recognise, and then answered it. “Hello?”
Gia continued to eat and Jerome’s eyes flitted up to her. She pointed to her plate with her fork and indicated it was delicious. Jerome grinned at her. He always got a kick out of her compliments.
“Hi, Jerome? It’s Joseph.”
“Hi, Joseph, how are you?”
“I’m good, other than running around like an idiot, trying to get my hotel on track. I have had a bit of a run in with my accountant and I seem to remember your father had an accountancy firm.”
“Yes, but Cosimo runs it now.”
“Great. Do you think you could give me their number? I need a company that isn’t living in the dark ages.” He sounded exasperated.
Jerome chuckled, “Sure.” He quickly gave him Cosimo’s number, then told him he’d call Cosimo and let him know that he’d be getting in touch.
Gia watched Jerome joke with Joseph and then make arrangements to meet up this week to see the hotel, glad she hadn’t mentioned her thoughts on Liz, and spoiled their rare time together.
She’d never understand why he put up with Liz and her unreasonable demands.
She knew her son deserved better, much better.
But she was resigned to the fact that there was little she could do to change his situation.
She just needed to accept it and make the part of his life she was involved in as fulfilling and as trouble-free as possible.
DANI SAT CROSS-LEGGED on her bed and stared at her phone. She couldn’t pluck up the courage to call Jez. Now that it was time to do it, her previous good intentions had dissolved and she couldn’t face it.
It was four o’clock and she knew he’d be starting to get ready to go to the bar in an hour.
Maybe she should email him. At least he wouldn’t interrupt her and she’d get to say what she needed to say.
She sighed to herself. What did she want to say?
That he’d hurt her? That she felt used and her time had been wasted on someone who had no intention of committing?
She knew she deserved to be treated better and when he said he loved her, he was lying.
She buried her face in her hands. Why did she feel guilty?
She didn’t need to explain her actions. He’d betrayed her.
Why did she even want to explain herself to him?
Screw it. She pulled over her laptop and started up her email, then started to compose a reply.
Jez
I asked Adam to deal with the house as I can’t face it. I really don’t feel I can speak to you, I’ve said all I wanted to say. Nothing has changed. I want a fresh start and I’m beginning to get my life back in some sort of order. Please stop harassing me.
You say you love me. I know that’s not true but if you really do, you’d leave me to get on with my life.
Please don’t make this harder for me. Agree to either buying me out or selling the house. The choice is yours.
Dani
Dani’s finger hovered over the ‘Send’ option and wondered whether the email was too cold. She knew this was the coward’s way out, but she still wasn’t ready to talk to him. She pressed ‘Send’, then shut down her laptop.
IT WAS DARK BY the time Jerome pulled into his driveway.
Liz’s Mercedes was parked up and Jerome went through his usual feelings of relief that she was home and anxiety as to what mood she was in.
Lately, he never knew what her mood would be and he didn’t want an atmosphere while the children were there.
He stepped into the kitchen and strained to hear where everyone was.
The TV was on and Jerome could hear Kara and Alessandro talking with Nina.
It was six thirty, so the kids would have had dinner.
Jerome scanned the kitchen to see what remnants were left, but it was spotless.
Nina was a real marvel, he thought, opening up the fridge and checking what he might put together for himself later.
Maybe he’d just get take out. He huffed to himself – Liz would flip out.
There were a number of plastic bottles with wheatgrass in the door shelf and some pre-cut and prepared salad in bags filling the other shelves.
Jerome shook his head, thinking it was ridiculous that a restaurant owner’s wife lived off this food.
He shut the fridge and headed towards the dining room and opened up the bar.
He reached behind the bottles to the back, and pulled out a bottle of Tequila, then splashed a generous measure into a heavy crystal glass.
He smirked to himself as he thought of Dani and how she’d reacquainted him with it.
He took a swift sip and savoured the taste. It tasted better cold, he mused.
Jerome headed to the lounge where his kids were and peered around the door at them.
It took them all of a couple of seconds to notice that he was leisurely leaning against the door frame.
They both jumped up and ran over to him.
Hugging them both, he joined them on the sofa as they watched some children’s program and Nina rose from her chair.
“Where’s Liz?”
“She’s in the studio.”
Jerome nodded. He sighed inwardly, knowing this was how it would be, now. She’d be working out constantly and watching every single thing she ate.
“Are you hungry? Shall I make you something?” asked Nina. She knew on Mondays Jerome usually ate at home, as La Casa and Sky were closed.
Jerome shook his head. “I’ll sort myself something later. I’ll just go up and see Liz. See what she’s up to.” He drained his glass, then got up, leaving Nina with the kids.