Serena
I tried to go with the flow, never making concrete plans or setting expectations unless it had to do with work. Life was easier that way, at least that was what I told myself.
So, when we pulled up to La Luna, Martina Vinci’s highest-rated restaurant out of the four she ran, which was booked out months in advance and a place I had never been, I went with it.
La Luna was a place you went with someone else, maybe someone special to you. There had never been a reason for me to eat there.
The morning was amazing. I was on cloud nine. Eating at La Luna, if we managed to get lucky, would be the cherry on top of an unexpected, yet best morning of my life.
I crossed and uncrossed my legs, checking my reflection in the mirror. I wasn’t dressed appropriately for a fine dining meal. My lunches consisted of low-key, easy-to-grab meals on the go, when I remembered to eat at all.
Even when I was married to Charles, he never took the time out of his day to take me to lunch.
Except, I glanced to my left at Enzo, maybe there was now.
He walked in like he owned the place. The hostess gathered two menus, put on what I knew was a customer service smile, and said, “Mr. Lombardi, welcome back. If you’ll follow me.”
She turned and headed to a table off to the side that had a view of all the entrances.
Walking through the tables, I noted how underdressed I was in jeans and a tank top, my hair thrown up in a ponytail, and black high-top Converse on my feet, while everyone else was in summer dresses and linen, and overall much better prepared to be at a Michelin-star restaurant.
“Have you been here before?” Enzo asked, pushing the menu aside.
“No.” There were no prices next to the meals. It was standard practice for me to pick the least expensive thing on the menu.
The server came over, prattling on about water and specials, none of which I caught because I had decision anxiety.
“We’ll have a bottle of Pinot Noir,” he said, and then ordered the rest of the food for the table.
Once the server took our order, they bowed and ran as fast as possible from our table.
“Oh my gosh, Serena!” Minnie’s voice rang out.
I searched the room and found her in the middle, waving her hand at me with too much excitement.
She walked over. The moment she spotted Enzo, her smile grew.
“Hello, my dear.” She bent down, touching her cheek to mine. “Have you eaten yet? I’ve been trying to make a reservation here for ages, but it never worked out.”
“Well, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Charles said behind his mother. I wanted to throw up. It was one thing to see Minnie while I was having lunch with Enzo.
It was an entirely different situation to be faced with Charles. I straightened, knowing this was a prime moment for Charles to create drama.
“Martina is a friend,” I said, gritting my teeth.
“Of course she is.” Her eyes went wide when she looked over at Enzo. “Well, it’s a pleasure to see you again, Enzo.”
Oh no. The minute we left, Minnie was going to hit me with a thousand questions I wasn’t sure I could answer.
Ones like I thought you didn’t want to date, or please tell me he’s good in bed, or, even worse, when’s the wedding?
Each one would be filled with excitement that her son hadn’t ruined me for all men, but would become increasingly more invasive.
I hadn’t even told her about the break-in yet.
Charles’ gaze went from me to over my shoulder. His face darkened. I prepared myself for what he was about to say because it was going to get ugly.
“Oh, are you on a date?” he sneered. “You never were one to dress up. Can tailor, can’t dress.”
“It’s clear this was a surprise. Who doesn’t love surprises? Especially when it involves handsome men and beautiful restaurants?” She winked at me. “Senior is calling for me, but it’s wonderful to see you out like this, sweetheart. I can’t wait to chat later.”
Minnie swan dived away, over to Charles Senior, who was chatting with an older couple.
“Oh, I concur with Charles.” Apple came up behind him, sliding an arm between his. “You were always good at serving. Maybe they should get you an apron.” She smiled and tilted her head. “I’m sure you’d fit right in.”
A body brushed against my back. Without turning, I knew it was Enzo. He’d always been calm, but Apple had the unique ability to send anyone into a rage.
If there were two things she was good at, it would be spending someone else’s money on herself and rage baiting.
“Oh, is this a work meeting?” Her insinuation was clear and loud enough for nearby tables to hear. I recognized some of them as former clients and wanted to disappear into the background, but I couldn’t.
“It’s lunch, and you were interrupting,” Enzo said, staring at her, bored. “You were lucky Martina let you in, but that can easily be fixed if you don’t sit.”
“Yes. It’s very easy for me to tell you to get out and blacklist you,” Martina said. I heard her but couldn’t see her until Charles turned.
Martina was in her chef’s jacket. It was clean, which meant she hadn’t been cooking, more likely ordering around her lunch staff while she stood off to the side.
“I have thousands of followers. One post about how poor your service is and—” Apple made an explosion sound with the hand gesture to match.
I couldn’t help it. I snorted. Once I started, I couldn’t stop laughing.
Was Apple that stupid, or did she think she had so much influence over other people? She had such an inflated ego, and I couldn’t wait for Martina to pop it like a balloon.
“You could try.” Martina shrugged, throwing a small hand towel over her shoulder. “I’m not the one to mess with, though. And once I make you look like the fool you are, the only place you’ll be able to eat is the Bodega down the street, and even they’ll laugh at you when they see you.”
“Apple, cease speaking and sit down for all our sakes. You’ve already ruined my morning. I won’t be banned from my favorite restaurant because you have no idea how to act when you see Serena. Sit down and stop talking,” Minnie ordered.
“I think that’s a wise decision,” Enzo added. I glanced over my shoulder. Enzo was glaring at Charles.
Charles’ face grew pale as he noticed Enzo’s glare and the menacing vibe that screamed: “Try me.”
Charles, who had stood behind Apple, happy as always to have her do the dirty work, tugged on Apple’s elbow.
“What?” she said as she whipped around. He bent and whispered in her ear.
She stomped her foot like a child, brushing past him and stalking to their table.
It was then that I saw Charles Senior, sitting at the table, reading the menu, like his son, and whatever Apple was to their family wasn’t causing a commotion.
But then, Charles Senior wasn’t involved in any kind of altercation unless Minnie forced him to be. He cared about making Minnie happy and making money. He’d given up on trying to parent Charles into a better person a long time ago.
Minnie hugged me, squeezing tight. Pulling back, she gave me a peck on the cheek, pointed between Enzo and me, mouthed love it, smiled before walking away.
With the three of them gone, Martina pointed to the table.
“Sit.” She jabbed a finger at the chairs and walked back to the kitchen.
“Come on,” Enzo said, placing a hand on my lower back and guiding me back to the table. “I want to see your designs.”
I did my best to focus on Enzo, but I couldn't shake the dark cloud that had settled over lunch.
Eyes were on me, from other guests of New York high society to Charles. I didn’t need to turn around to know he was staring; it was like a sear across my back.
“Can we leave?” I asked, and guilt hit me. Enzo spent half his day with me, never leaving my side and giving me space to work. I didn’t want to come across as ungrateful, but the faster I got out of this restaurant, the easier I could breathe.
“Yes.” He nodded, standing up and coming around to my side of the table. “But only if you really want to. Not because others are making you feel uncomfortable in places they don’t belong.”
“It’s not that,” I said. Enzo helped pull my chair out, and I stood. He reached for my hand, guiding me out of La Luna.
The minute the door closed behind us, the cloud that hung over me disappeared, chased away by the sunshine.
“Serena,” Minnie called out.
I cleared my throat, turning to her as she hurried out after us.
“Hey, Minnie,” I said, trying and failing to smile at her. I needed to get away from her—not because of Minnie herself, but because Charles would follow, and I didn’t have another confrontation in me.
“Oh, sweetheart, I hate that he’s like this.
” She took my free hand, her eyes dropping where Enzo still held the other, a smile spreading across her face.
“If I could, I’d beat some sense into him, but to be honest, I don’t think that would work either.
Anyway, I wanted to check on you. Lord knows when Apple is around, I want to hide.
She’s vile, but I’m on a number of charity boards with her mother, and I need to keep the peace. ”
I nodded. Minnie had outlined it all early in my relationship with Charles.
“This isn’t the time, but can we have lunch or dinner sometime soon? Charles’ finances will change, but that will not affect his financial responsibilities to you.” Minnie placed a hand lightly on my arm. “You will always have Chuck and me.”
“What do you mean? Is there something I should be worried about?” I asked, suddenly panicking, my thoughts racing through everything Charles was required to cover.
“You are taken care of, I promise. Harper’s school and the financial support, which isn’t enough in my opinion, won’t change at all.
” Minnie sighed, tilting her head to the sky.
“We warned him to get his act together. That showing up to work wasn’t enough.
” She stared at me, lips in a tight line, and shrugged.
“There’s a morality clause in his trust fund that we can exercise if we feel it’s appropriate. It’s gotten to that point.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, alarm bells ringing in my head.
“He’s a father. He has a child and responsibilities to Harper.
You should have told me he wasn’t exercising his visitation, that he wasn’t showing up when he was supposed to.
Instead, he’s out,” she waved her hand around before bringing it back to my wrist and giving it a soft squeeze, “partying and making every excuse under the sun on why he’s a terrible father and Chuck and I won’t allow it anymore. ”
The door slammed open. Charles stormed out, face flushed.
“This is a mistake, Mom,” he snarled at Minnie. He trailed her arm to where it touched me. With a menacing step forward, he sent me the most hateful stare I’d ever received. “This is all your fault.”
Enzo was in front of me, blocking Charles. “Take a step back.”
“Or what?” Charles challenged.
Frozen, I waited to see what Enzo would do. He was stronger, faster, and I had no doubt that he could wipe the floor with Charles.
“Charles,” Apple called out as she exited the restaurant. “My driver is coming around the corner.” She looked at Minnie, and it was like I didn’t exist to her, which was fine by me. “Minnie, always a pleasure,” she said with as much of a smile as her Botoxed face would allow.
“Is it though?” Minnie said with a wince.
Apple walked to the curb, Charles following her. Their heads were bent together, whispering and glancing back at us until a black town car pulled up.
“Well, I think I’ll go have a martini.” Minnie turned and walked back into La Luna.
Donovan pulled up a moment later. Enzo ushered me into the car.
Enzo leaned toward me, placing his arm on the headrest, almost wrapping it around me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
Despite Charles showing up, the day had been full of surprises and fun. The morning had floated by in a blur of drawing, page after page, my creative muse finally flowing freely. It was rare that I had time to sit and draw when the inspiration hit.
I wasn’t alone while doing it, either. Enzo wasn’t handing me sharpened pencils, but he was there. Every time I glanced up, he was there, leaning against the wall or in a chair, typing away at his phone.
With him, I was completely at ease. To create and not feel rushed to do so was fulfilling in a way I didn’t know how to describe. It was a rare chance to breathe and dive into a world I didn’t often have the time to be in.
It was like I was myself or the version I wanted to be, and it was because Enzo gave me the opportunity to experience that.
How did I express that to him?
I did my best not to worry about Charles, but the thoughts of what he could and would do to Harper were always there in the back of my mind.
“Has he ever been violent before?” Enzo asked.
I whipped my head to him so fast I think I pulled a muscle. “No. He makes nasty comments, can be demeaning, but never physical.”
“Has he ever threatened you?”
I couldn’t help but snort with laughter. “Yeah, plenty.”
Only a few weeks ago, he threatened to take Harper away. It clicked.
“But he’s never been physical, and he doesn’t have much follow-through with any of his threats. He wouldn’t...” I stopped there, afraid to put the accusation out in the universe.
“Hire men to break in with the intent to harm you?” he asked. “I’ve seen people do worse because of less. I’ll take care of it.”
Charles wasn’t a good person, father, or husband. But he wouldn’t go so far as to hire someone to hurt me.
Right?