Shiiiiitt......
I jolt awake with my body covered in sweat. My breathings erratically fast, I sit up and place a hand over my racing heart trying to control my breathing. I look over at Chrissy who's still sound asleep as I get up. I walk into the bathroom and take a hot shower, hanging my head under the cascading water. I appreciatively let the heat wash away the sweat that clings to my body. I try to make sense of the dream... or nightmare.
I’m not sure what to call it just yet. The conversation we had felt real, everything made sense and has made things for me more clearly. I place my hand over my stomach and pray silently that if there is a baby, I will have the strength to do the right thing by him or her and stand by Luca’s side raising our child. I still won't know if I am pregnant for a few more days. I know, I told Luca I didn’t want to see him until after I found out.
But he has Rosalia with him and it would be stupid of me to keep my distance from her because I'm too much of a coward to face Luca. Rosalia deserves better and Celeste wants me to share some of our greatest memories with her. And that’s exactly what I intend to do. I turn the shower off and grab a towel off the heating rack.
I wrap it around myself and pick up my dampened clothes as I walk back to the room. Chrissy's still sound asleep, I look at the clock and it is only eight in the morning. No wonder why my body still feels sluggish. I get changed and quickly walk around the room picking up my things, packing them away slowly getting ready to leave.
Twenty minutes later I’m all packed and standing at the foot of the bed wondering if it’s a good idea to wake sleeping beauty up. I've thought of a few evil ways to do so. A cold bowl of water? Nah... The famous cream and feather tickling? Hmmm... Is it worth feeling her wrath later though? This is the question I need to ask myself.
A few seconds after my inner debate, I decide against it and let her sleep. I walk into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee, I take my phone out from my jean pocket. I look up Luca’s contact number as I Take my steaming coffee with me out onto the balcony.
I close the sliding door behind me for some privacy and the hopes of not waking Chrissy up. I take a sip of my coffee and look out towards the city enjoying the morning sunlight. Sighing deeply, I take a step back and take a seat on one of the lounging chairs, courageously calling Luca. After three rings he picks up.
“Vanessa...” He deeply purrs my name.
“I’m surprised and glad to hear from you at this time of the morning Cara Mia.” His voice sends a wave of recognition down my ‘Luca’ deprived body.
“Luca, Chrissy told me you have Rosalia with you?” I sigh.
Trying to ignore the Goosebumps suddenly appearing all over my skin like a plague.
‘Si, Rosalia is in Auckland with me. I would have told you yesterday if you hadn’t hung up on me and ignored my calls afterwards.” He says in his clipped tone.
He’s not impressed by the way I handled our call.
“I shouldn’t have called...Sorry” I hang up quickly regretting the outcome.
My phone starts to vibrate.
I don’t need to look at the caller ID, I already know it’s him, I take a deep breath and answer it.
“I don’t want to argue with you, Luca,” I answer.
“I don’t either and I’m sorry.” His voice is much softer this time.
“ I know I told you that I didn’t want to see you for another few days...But... That was before I knew you had Rosalia with you. Is it okay if we can make plans to meet up tomorrow?” I try to keep the sorrow out of my voice.
“I would prefer today as it is more appropriate for me. I have meetings lined up all day tomorrow and I can't cancel or shift them around. Even for you Vanessa.” He says sternly letting me know he has other priorities.
“Oh... I, uh... I won't be back in Auckland till later tonight and truth be told I don’t think I'll make a great first impression on Rosalia. It’s a long journey and I haven’t had a good nights sleep.” I confess without thinking.
“Where are you travelling from Vanessa?”
“I’m in Wellington,” I say quietly.
“You went to see your parents?” He asks softly.
“Yeah... And a big fat waste of time that turned out to be.” I lean back into the chair and tilt my head back towards the sky.
“I’m sorry Cara Mia. It mustn’t have been easy for you.” He sounds really sincere.
“No, but it was easier than making this call to you Luca,” I say honestly.
“Si, I understand. I am glad that you did though, we have much to discuss when you get back.”
“I can't be with you again Luca, It hurts too much. I told you I loved you and you practically threw it back in my face.” I sit up and take a sip of my coffee swallowing the rejection away.
“You can make your decision after we have spoken. But right now, I will arrange for my plane and the crew to fly over to you. I want you to use it. I don’t want you to drive, I would be much happier knowing that you're back in Auckland in a few hours safe and sound.”
“Okay... But you might want to lighten up. I might start thinking that you care about me.” I laugh softly
“I never stopped caring about you Vanessa. Text me where you're staying and I'll have someone come by to pick you up.”
“You will never change will you?”
“I’m not following...?” He says confused.
“You always feel the need to control everything. I say yes to one of your requests... and boom! Your planning three steps ahead of me.” I run my fingers through my hairs.
“I can't help the way I am. I need to be in control to keep those I care deeply for safe. It’s a trait I have learned to pick up over the years when I became a doctor. Things can go very wrong when you are not in control Vanessa.” He says seriously.
“Yes... I’ve recently learned that myself.” I distantly say.
“ Right, I will pick you up from the airport. I'll also inform Conrad so he can make arrangements to pick Chrissy up.”
“What about the car?”
“I will have someone drive it back. Just make sure you get on that plane and come back to Auckland as soon as you can. I will have dinner arranged at my penthouse and we can meet Rosalia there.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, the last time I was at your....”
“The last time you were there, I behaved like a prick and I don’t intend on doing a repeat. I will see you in a few hours. Ciao Bella.”
He hangs up.
Bye...
I finish my coffee, enjoying the view and send Luca our hotel details. I stand up and walk back inside. Making sure I close the sliding door behind me. I place my empty cup in the kitchen sink and walk into the room. Chrissy isn’t in the bed. I can hear someone quietly talking and as I move closer to the bathroom I can hear her talking more clearly on the phone to somebody.
“Are you sure it is a good idea babe? I mean, I don’t want her being left alone with him.” She says worriedly.
I don’t want to bother Chrissy and Conrad anymore than I already have with my issues. Plus, having her discuss what she thinks is better for me with Conrad is far more attention given to this situation than needed. I knock on the door deliberately interrupting her.
Knock, Knock...