I show up at home in a teary-eyed mess banging on the door profusely. It seemed like forever before Chrissy opens it, with Conrad standing behind her in just his loose sweatpants.
“Nessa thank god, I was calling you a thousand times. What happened?” She asks as she steps to the side, dragging me in.
“My ah…. My phone is still off.” I look around trying to avoid any eye contact.
Shame will do that to a woman. Avoiding any eye contact, and conversations relating to the event is a key rule if you don't want to expose yourself any further than you already have.
“I left him. I told him I loved him and he.. he.. he told me he has no love to offer me.” I cry out, running to my room.
I throw myself onto my bed crying like a kid. Seconds later the bed dips and Chrissy starts to rub my back trying to comfort me.
“Babe, I love you to death. But the shit you pulled tonight was not you.” She looks at me as if I suddenly grew two heads.
“I know. But ever since Luca entered my life, I haven’t been the same old me.” I sniffle.
“That’s true. But did you really have to go and pull that shit you did? You had two men just about kill each other tonight all because you fell in love?” Her was voice expressionless. I sit up on the bed and look at her through watery eyes.
“How is Conrad?” I ask concerned.
“He’s fine. A few minor scratches that’s all.” She shakes her head.
“God, he must think the worst of me.” I groan.
Knock, knock…….
Chrissy gets up and opens my bedroom door. Conrad stands there holding two steaming mugs. Chrissy takes them from him and kisses him lightly on the lips before she walks over and hands me a mug.
“I guess not if he made you one of his famous coffees spiked with a healthy dosage of Baileys?” She murmurs.
I take the mug and look at Conrad. “Conrad. I’m sorry about tonight.” I genuinely apologize.
I stand up and walk over to him.
“And thank you for putting yourself in harm’s way. You must really love Chrissy to take Luca on when it wasn’t your fight?” I smile weakly at him.
“I do.” Conrad proudly admits as he smiles and winks at Chrissy.
“But I stood in front of Luca tonight for you Nessa. You. Are a part of Chrissy’s family and that means you fall under my protection too.” He shrugs like it is no big deal to him.
“Thank-you. That really means a lot to me.”
I lean in and hug Conrad and he hugs me back before walking to Chrissy’s room. I sit back on the bed cradling my mug.
“I can’t see him anymore Chrissy. He’s not right for me.”
“I got you hon. I know there was a power struggle in the relationship, but I honestly believed you were on your way to being happy.” She takes a sip of her coffee looking at me over the rim.
“I was and then I wasn’t. He wormed himself into my heart and the worst part is….” I wipe the tear sliding down my cheek.
“I liked it when he challenged me. I hated it, but it also turned me on like crazy.” I groan.
“Your dad left you with your mum when things turned to shit. Your mum was a tragic mess leaving you to defend yourself. So, there was no real authority in your life.” She takes another sip of her coffee. “So... because he never took no for an answer, and showed up even when he wasn’t invited, a part of you grew dependant on him knowing he would never fail you when you needed him.”
“I guess so.” I put my mug on my desk.
"I think there's more to the story that you're not sharing with me, Nessa." She sighs.
"No one can help you if you don't open up."
"My demons still haunt me daily." I stand from the bed.
"You show us those demons and we will haunt them right. the. fuck. back." Chrissy says.
I manage to sum up the energy to smile for her. "I know you will Chrissy. I know you'll move mountains for me."
Cause she would if she had the power to. I'd do the same thing for her too. I love the bitch to pieces.
"That, and so much more Nessa."
“I think I’m just going to try and get some sleep.” I lean over and give Chrissy a huge hug.
“Thank you. Thank you for everything. Now go back to bed before you end up single with me. Again...” I chuckle.
Chrissy gets up, turns off the bedroom light and slightly closes the door. I pick up my purse on the floor and pull out my phone switching it back on. When it’s fully powered up there is a continuous chain of Dings...
I have multiple missed calls from Luca, Chrissy and then more from Luca. There’s a text from Sanz.
Sanz: Just checking in to see how you're holding up. I'll you at lunch tomorrow.
Great, another reminder of why Luca and I argued!
There's also a few from Luca when I was at the club ignoring him.
Luca: Are you deliberately ignoring my calls?
Luca: Pick up Vanessa.
Luca: Where are you?
Luca: You turned your phone off?
Luca: I’m on my way to the club now. I told you I would always find you.
Then there were the ones sent after I walked away from him in the penthouse.
Luca: Please come back Vanessa, we can work something out.
Luca: You’re being very irrational right now.
Luca: I’m yours is that not enough for you? I will commit to you and you alone.
Luca: As you wish Vanessa. I will leave you alone. But I will be here waiting when you come to your senses and return to me, Tesoro.
I turn my phone off again and push my face into my pillow silencing my cries of heartbreak. No, I love you too or I can grow to love you in time. Out of all the men I involuntarily give my heart to, why did it have to be Luca Ven-damn-turi.