Chapter Five Bianca
Chapter Five
Bianca
Bianca thought of Harry. The idea of him proposing to a woman he’d only known briefly unnerved her more than she let on.
She remembered his proposal to her, on her front porch in Louisiana, twelve roses in his hands, his palms sweating.
He hadn’t dared ask permission from her Abuelita Josefina, who had insisted they focus on their studies, not marriage.
Harry had quieted the chaos inside her. He made her believe she could be okay, normal.
Despite all the bad circumstances in her life.
Now, someone else had taken her place in Harry’s life. It clawed at her whenever she let down her guard. She hated herself for what she’d done—the thing that had driven Harry away—and she hated the woman he was with even more, though she didn’t even know her.
She was shaken from her thoughts by the sliding of the back door. “Here you are.” Remi handed her a glass of red wine. “Penny for your thoughts.”
“Nothing, really. Just enjoying the night,” Bianca lied, stretching out her legs on the lounge chair. The wine helped dull the ache, but not enough. “I needed this getaway too.”
Remi sank into the chair beside her. “How many times have you called Amelia since we left?” she teased.
“Not many.” Bianca smirked. She’d called the girl three times in the past hour—maybe four. She couldn’t help it. Her business, like her life, needed constant control.
“You’re too much.” Remi shook her head.
“I know it. I can’t help it,” Bianca replied, leaning back into the cushions.
“I’m a little tired,” Remi murmured. “We’ll rest tonight, explore tomorrow.”
Bianca smiled, but her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. They lingered, uninvited, on Harry and the woman who now occupied the space Bianca once called hers. A life she had built. A man she had loved. Gone now, yet some part of her still refused to let go.
It was her first night in Napa and she couldn’t sleep.
It was always like this when she traveled—whenever she lay in a bed that wasn’t her own.
It usually took her a couple of nights before her body settled, before the unfamiliar felt safe enough for rest. She spent most of the night staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint chirp of crickets outside the window.
The sheets smelled fresh, clean, but they weren’t hers.
Around seven o’clock, she crept downstairs and wandered into the grand kitchen.
She needed motion. She rummaged through the cabinets, pulled out a pan, and pulled fresh vegetables from the fridge.
She sliced, diced, and sautéed. The garlic sizzled—its sharp, pungent aroma filled the house.
The beat of J Balvin’s “I Like It” invaded the kitchen.
She turned the volume down lower, so as not to wake Remi—but danced, with hips swaying anyhow.
But it was too late. She’d already awakened her.
Remi appeared in a pink robe, rubbing her eyes. “You sure know how to wake up a house.”
Bianca twirled and kissed her cheek. “Time to rise and shine, amiga!”
Remi chuckled. “You couldn’t resist this kitchen, could you?”
Bianca smirked. “I couldn’t wait. And that garden outside? It’s paradise.”
“Well, welcome to wine country,” Remi said, but her tone was off.
“You okay?” Bianca asked, catching the shift.
“Fine. I was thinking we might stay in today.”
Hadn’t she promised that they would explore the city?
“Absolutely not. We can’t sit here all day and allow your emotions to get the best of you. We’re going to see what’s going on in Napa Valley. Maybe we’ll even drive down to Sonoma Beach, show off our bikinis …”
“Maybe you’ll show off your bikini.” Remi laughed. “I’m a one-piece girl.”
“You could totally do a bikini with that bod, girl—a body that you don’t even have to work hard to maintain. God gave it to you just because he felt like it. On the other hand, people like me … we gotta work at staying in shape.”
“I have my challenges too.”
What challenges? Remi had everything, in Bianca’s opinion—the perfect home, the perfect child, had the perfect husband.
Gerard took care of her every need. She never had to think about anything other than keeping house.
Her time was hers. Bianca had long envied that life.
She used to wish that Harry had been more like Gerard—strong, confident.
Gerard had a larger-than-life presence and the ability to command a room like no one she’d ever known.
And he never met a stranger. People naturally gravitated to him.
He took great care of Remi and Zoe—ferociously protected them.
“What challenges?” Bianca asked, more sharply than she meant to, an edge of jealousy in her voice. “You have everything.”
Remi didn’t flinch. “I don’t have everything. Sure, I have physical, tangible things, but not everything that I need or want. The things that truly matter. And if you’ve forgotten, my life has changed overnight.”
Bianca’s tone softened, reminding herself that Remi was still fragile. “You’re right, sweetie. I didn’t mean to suggest …”
Remi offered a light smile. “It’s okay.”
Bianca forced some cheer into her voice. “Either way, eat up, get dressed and let’s go! We’re getting out of this house.”
“Not taking no for an answer, huh?” Remi asked.
Despite the fatigue that had been pulling at her lately, Bianca held firm. “Not at all.”
They drove through winding roads, vineyards stretching endlessly on either side. They had just parked in downtown Napa when Bianca’s phone buzzed. A text.
Unknown number: You’re not as invisible as you think, Bianca.
She gasped. Her fingers trembled against her phone.
“What is it?” Remi asked, peering over at her.
Bianca quickly locked her screen. “Nothing. Wrong number.”
Her stomach twisted.