I wake up the next day with a terrible headache; I really need to stop drinking. I climb out of bed and walk to the bathroom to freshen up before going downstairs but notice something different. This is not my room or my clothes. Where in God s name am I? I look under the t-shirt I am wearing, praying dearly my underwear is still there, and it is, thank God. I don t see any pictures around the room to help me guess where I am. I decide to walk outside the room to find out. I take the stairs downstairs and find someone in the kitchen. I carried my shoe in my hand in case the person kidnapped me.
"Who are you," I say to the person with his back to me.
"Good morning to you too," He says, turning around to face me.
"Stefano," I say, dropping the shoes to the floor in shock
"Here eat," He says, placing a plate of eggs with baked beans and bread in front of me
"What am I doing here?" I ask, taking a seat on one of the kitchen stools
"You don t remember last night," He says while looking at me, shocked
"Not really" I can recall some aspect of the night, but none include Stefano.
"That is a bad thing, and you shouldn t be drinking so much if you have such a problem."
He has started with his nagging. I think I preferred when he only spoke rudely to me.
"I was with Aurora, so I am fine, and speaking of Aurora, where is she. I need to call her and find out if she is okay," I ask, standing up to look for my phone, but I can t even find my dress; I wonder how I will know where my phone is.
"Aurora is fine, and here is your phone," He says, handing me my phone
"Thank you," I say, taking my seat back on the stool
"Are you serious about not remembering anything from last night?" He says, staring at me intensively like he wants me to remember something important last night
"I don t remember, and can I have some coffee."
"Sure," He says and gives me a cup of coffee. In the process of collecting the cup from his hand, our hands brush each other. I feel a spark when my hand comes in contact with his. The spark sends a calming sensation down my spine. I don t think this is the first time I felt this, but I can t remember when I did either.
"If your memory is so bad when you are drunk, that would mean you also don t remember I took you home the night of Aurora s party," Stefano says, and it s like a light bulb goes off in my head. I remember everything now.
The night of Aurora s party was the first time I felt that spark with him, and I also remember last night. I can t believe I almost said that to him. I don t even know if I feel that way for him yet. Thank God I passed out before I could say anything. I can remember also feeling something poke my butt while I forced him to dance. I can t believe I caused such a reaction to Stefano. I don t know why but I am happy I can.
"I remember, and thank you for taking me home both nights."
"You are welcome, and we have found Petrova s location here in Italy. We plan to visit her today."
"Where is she?"
"She is in Rome"
"What time do you leave?"
"Right after I send you home."
"I am coming with you."
"I didn t tell you, you could"
"Please, Stefano, let s not revisit this kind of conversation. I am coming with you because I am part of this investigation as much as you are."
"We leave by 12; if you are not in the warehouse before that, I am leaving without you."
"Don t worry, that won t happen."
After I am done with breakfast, Stefano drives me home. I am still wearing the t-shirt and shorts he changed me into last night. I vomited on my dress, and Stefano took it upon himself and threw my clothing away. I just hope no one sees me when I walk inside. I can t bear to face anyone looking like this after a night out. Once the car comes to a halt, I quickly thank Stefano and quickly walk inside, but my plan of not getting caught goes out the window once Thomas sees me walk in.
"It seems someone had quite the fun last night," Thomas says, smiling
"Hi, Thomas, it s not what it looks like"
"Trust me, honey, it is, and it s totally fine. I hope he makes you happy," He says and continues walking towards the front door. I wish what you think happened is true, but it s not.
I continue walking upstairs, but before I can turn my doorknob, I am caught again. I am caught this time by someone who won t let me live past the end of this. What is with the Costanzo siblings seeing me today in my most undesirable moment?
"Welcome home, princess," Aurora says, clapping her hands while smiling
"Aurora, it s not what it looks like"
"Really, because you are coming back home the next morning in a man s clothes. What other way does it look like, my friend."
"We didn t sleep together; in fact, nothing happened."
"Really," Aurora says with disappointment laced on her face. I didn t know Aurora wanted me to be with her brother.
"Yes, and I will fill you in on what happened once I take a shower and change."
"Alright, I will be downstairs in the living room."
I walk into my room and lay down on my bed for a moment. I look for my phone in my purse to charge it but realize it s not inside my handbag. I must have left it in Stefano s car while I was using it. I quickly run out of my room, hoping he has not gone already. Luckily for me, he hasn t, and the car is open. I carry my phone from under the seat; it must have fallen while putting it in my handbag. While walking into the house, I hear some voices in the living room. I never listen in on people s conversations, but I stopped in my tracks once I heard my name mentioned.
"Stefano, Andrea told me what you did during her lunch date yesterday. Was that really necessary" Aurora asks.
"It was not a date, and I don t trust that guy," Stefano says
"If it was a date or not is not your business because, if I recall, you made it so. And why were you even angry when you brought her home yesterday."
"Yes, I know I did, and I had every right to be angry. She was angry at me for trying to protect her."
"Why do you even care that she was angry."
"I don t know, and that is what is more frustrating. The fact that her being annoyed with me makes me angry is making me angry at myself."
"Stefano, I hope you know there is a way to make yourself feel better."
"Aurora, like I told you, I will never repeat that mistake in my life."
"What happened was not your fault, and you need to stop blaming yourself."
"If I didn t feel the way I did towards her am sure she would be happy right now."
"You don t know that, and it s time you move on."
"I am fine like this."
I hear footsteps, so I quickly walk away before one of them sees me. I did not fully understand their conversation. At a point, they stop using names, so it was a little hard to understand, but the part I did understand was the beginning of the conversation. I understood that Stefano hates it when I am angry at him, but the big question is why and I will find my answer soon.