Chapter 10
Enzo
“Yes, sir.” The response is equally short.
The door clicks open and Elena walks in.
Dressed in a slim black pencil skirt with a red satin shirt tucked in at the waist. Her four-inch heels have her standing tall and proud before me.
She has light makeup on, just a touch of powder, eyeliner, mascara and what looks to be chap stick or lip balm, no lipstick – interesting.
She approaches and extends her right hand to me.
We catch each other’s gaze and I see what looks to be surprise in her eyes.
Whatever it was, she quickly shakes it off.
“Good morning, Mr. Marino.” Taking her hand in mine, I give it a firm shake and she returns my gesture with equal fervour before continuing –
“Elena Reeves, how do you do?”
“Please call me Lorenzo. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Elena. Thank you so much for taking the time off your busy schedule to meet me. I know you are heading home today. Tony mentioned your book signing event was a success, please accept my congratulations.”
“Thank you, Mr. Marin, – Uh Lorenzo. I appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome. Please take a seat.” I motion towards the chair opposite my desk. She seats herself gracefully, knees together and feet tucked under the chair.
“Shall we start then?”
“Yes please.”
“I believe Tony brought you up to speed with my situation Si?”
“Yes, he told me that you are looking for a permanent nanny for your two-year-old son Angelo. As I am aware, your wife has passed on and you are in need of a live-in nanny to ensure all round care for Angelo due to your extensive work hours. You are a man of habit and as such, have certain rules in place, which I am required by contract upon signing to adhere by. I have read through the contract and discussed it at length with Tony. I believe I understand fully what it is you are looking for and I am aware of your expectations.”
“Well, it sounds like you have a grasp on all the majorly important aspects of the agreement. I am happy to bring you under my employment at your earliest convenience. I understand that you have a life in Michigan and will need time to organize your life there and tie up any loose ends, but I do need you settled and ready to assume your role as soon as possible. I am giving you two weeks to sort out all your affairs after which I will arrange the moving company to help you get your things moved wherever you wish. I do hope this suits you well as it’s all the time I can offer under the circumstances. ”
“Understood. May I meet the child?” After all that I’ve just dumped on her, without batting an eye, I’m rewarded with a single word.
“Understood” The word is final and cuts the conversation short, making no muss over the fact that she does indeed understand and there is no reason to go over the same thing again.
Instead, she asks for Angelo. I have no idea why, but that simple request sends a warm feeling through me and I unconsciously rub my palm across my chest.
“Yes, you may. I’ll just ask Nicole to send him in.”
Pressing the intercom, I ask Nicole to send Angelo in. A few short seconds later, my door opens yet again and my mother ushers Angelo in. Mama looks towards Elena, smiles at her and after a second, rushes to her side offering her hand.
“Hello dear, I’m Cecelia, Enzo’s mother and Angelo’s grandmother, it’s so lovely to meet you.
You and Angelo are going to get along, I can tell.
He’s an exceptional little boy, full of smiles and hugs, unlike his papa.
” She turns towards me with a wistful look in her eye before quickly diverting her attention back to Elena.
“I’m sure he is.” Elena manages a polite response. God bless her for her patience.
“Oh, he is dear. I know every grandmother says these things about their grandchildren, but I assure you, in this case, it’s true. He’s a lovely child.”
“Mama, if you don’t mind, I’m trying to conduct an interview. Miss Reeves hasn’t even signed the contract yet.” I give Elena an apologetic look but she looks amused. She has a little sparkle in her deep blue eyes, it’s bedazzling.
“Yes-yes, I’m off to the cafeteria. Just call me when you need me to get Angelo. Elena it’s been lovely meeting you and I hope I get to see much more of you.”
With that she waves at both of us, leaving Angelo standing awkwardly next to me. He’s looking at Elena with interest. I am about to introduce him to her when Elena surprises me by coming around my desk and crouches down in front of Angelo. She looks at him with a friendly smile.
“Hi there Angelo, my name is Elena but all my friends call me Ellie. And do you know what?” She asks Angelo in the softest voice I’ve ever heard. Angelo shakes his head.
“Well, I was hoping you would be my friend too? What do you say, would you please be my friend Angelo?”
Angelo looks at Elena carefully, then turns to look at me for approval.
I give him a nod and he quickly looks back at Elena and nods his small head at her.
She looks genuinely elated at gaining the friendship of a two-year-old toddler.
She is beaming and radiating all things warm and good.
Angelo senses her energy and smiles an equally wide smile.
“Really?” She asks. “You’ll be my friend?” Again, Angelo nods and smiles his most heart melting smile.
Elena looks beyond pleased and I must say I share her happiness.
Angelo hasn’t been nearly as happy with the other ladies.
But then again, most of them hadn’t taken the initiative to even interact with him.
He put up with them and tolerated them as much as I did.
But now, in this moment, with Elena, he seems happy. That’s all I ever want for him.
“You know Angel, can I call you angel?” Again, Elena is rewarded with another nod. She then looks to me asking the same question but with her eyes and I too find myself nodding like the toddler next to me.
“Okay, so as I was saying Angel, now that we are friends, do you think I could get a hug? Friends are supposed to give each other lots of hugs and cuddles. So, what do you say Angel, can I get a big fat hug?”
She holds out her arms to Angelo and he grins before bolting towards her and running right into Elena’s waiting embrace.
She wraps my boy in her arms, closing her eyes as if cherishing the moment.
For some reason the scene unfolding before me feels special, almost as though I’ve just witnessed the first links of a bond snapping into place.
It’s in this very moment that I know Angelo and Elena will have a very special relationship.
It may not be a blood bond, but it’s there nonetheless.
When they pull apart, Elena reaches into her bag and pulls out a stuffed dinosaur. It’s green with yellow spots and has a vicious snarl. I also notice it has a ridiculous bow around its neck making the otherwise terrifying creature look comical.
“I brought you a present. Your uncle Tony told me that you love dinosaurs. Do you like it?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m so happy you like it. Do you know what dinosaur this is?” Angelo nods his head eagerly, obviously enjoying the attention and praise Elena is showering on him.
“Rex.” Just one simple word from my boy and he’s won her over. Which is more than his papa can say. She speaks to me in a strictly professional manner, stern, to the point and no beating around the bush. It’s exactly what I wanted. This little arrangement couldn’t have worked out better.
“Good job. You’re such a smart little boy.” She gives him another hug and Angelo eats it up like an ice-cream sundae.
I press the intercom and Nicole responds with “Sir?”
“Nicole, take Angelo to his grandmother.”
“Certainly Sir.”
For the third time, my office door opens and this time, Nicole ushers Angelo out, after he insisted on giving Ellie… Uh Elena another big hug. After Angelo leaves with Nicole, Elena is the first to speak.
“Antonio was right.” She says.
“About?”
“He told me I would love Angelo. I honestly do. He’s a remarkable little boy, not to mention, he’s absolutely adorable. He has your eyes.” She looks right at me as she says it. There’s no hint of flirtation in her voice or her gaze. Just a matter-of-fact statement.
“He really is the most adorable child I’ve ever come across.”
“Thank you.” Is all I manage to say in response.
Thinking back to my conversation with Tony earlier on I realise Elena hasn’t mentioned a partner.
I’ve stolen a few glances at her hand to make sure there isn’t a ring there.
To my relief her fingers are absent of any rings at all.
I should ask her though, just to make sure.
“Miss. Reeves, may I ask you a question of a personal nature?” She looks at me cautiously before conceding.
“If you must.”
“You are aware of the clause in the contract regarding any male friends or acquaintances you may have?” She simply nods.
“I fully understand that you would of course be dating in the future if you are not already, but I would prefer if you could keep your private life outside of my home. I do apologise if that comes across as harsh or even rude. I have no intention to be, however it is a rather delicate matter and if I’m being honest, I have no idea how to word the subject in a non-offensive manner.
This is why Tony does most of the liaising on my behalf. ”
She smiles in response and I’m taken aback. Though her smile was not intended to sweep me off my feet, it has taken me by surprise.
“Mr. Marino, I am actually getting out of a rather unfortunate relationship at the moment. It is one of the things I will need to wrap up in Michigan. If it weren’t for that, I would have started work today.
Your offer is indeed generous and I don’t take that for granted.
I understand the terms of the contract perfectly and I know what is expected of me.
I will never bring a man into your home or near Angelo without your prior consent. You have my word.”
“Lorenzo!” I say it like a command and she looks at me in surprise. Clearing my throat, I clarify.
“Please, call me Lorenzo.”
“Yes, of course my apologies. This will take some getting used to.”
The next few minutes involve ironing out a few things in the contract, including adding the “No Expletives” clause. Elena signs the contract and that’s it. In two weeks, Angelo will have a nanny and my life can go back to some semblance of normal. We shake hands, her grasp is firm and confident.
“Thank you for your time, Miss. Reeves.”
“You’re welcome. I look forward to starting.” She smiles at me and this time her smile is warm; she looks at me with what is that? Sorrow? Empathy? I can’t say for certain. I bid her farewell and a safe trip back. She’s almost out the door when she stops. She turns to face me–
“I’m sorry for your loss. I can’t begin to imagine what you and that sweet boy have been through.”
I’m too stunned to respond so I merely nod. A moment later she turns away and she’s gone.