Chapter 3
“What? Murdered?” Beth looked at Mia in shock, a deep frown crossing her delicate features as her hand flew to her mouth.
“Si, but like I said, it’s just rumours. Let me explain properly. Gino’s mother was English, his father is Italian and was and is still a very powerful and wealthy man. We don’t know the details, but when they were younger, Gino used to confide in Nico that his parents were always fighting. A couple of times, he even overheard his father threatening to kill his mother.”
“Oh no, how terrible!” Amber looked sadly at her friend. “So, what happened?”
“Well, we don’t really know the truth, or I guess for that matter, never will. The story was that she was coming back home late one night with his driver, who apparently lost control of the car. The strange part is that the driver walked away with only a few scratches, yet she died at the scene.” She shook her head, shrugging her shoulders.
“Oh my God.” Amber was stunned. “But why would they think he was responsible?”
“Well, like I said, we knew they weren’t getting on. From what I understand, and rumours once again, but people whisper that he’s connected with some underground thugs. Since her death, Gino withdrew away from his father, but I really don’t know all the details. Nico never told me if Gino confided in him — in fact, I don’t even know if he told Nico anything and I didn’t think it was my place to ask.”
“That’s awful. Poor, Gino.”
Mia nodded and took a sip of her water, whilst the girls considered the information. “Yes… so, that’s what I know of Gino.” Mia got up and walked to the window, looking down onto the street below. The November weather had the few people walking below bundled up in their coats and scarves, heads bent at the blustery wind as they went along their way.
Beth brought back her attention. “Mia, you know what? I don’t get why Gino says he can’t be with you?”
“I don’t know either, Beth. Well, any hope of that is ruined now that he’s getting married.”
“If he is really getting married.”
Mia spun around, looking back and forth at both the girls as Beth continued, “I mean, did he confirm it to you?”
Mia took a deep breath. The thought of Gino marrying someone else was physically hurting her chest. “He didn’t, Beth…but he didn’t deny it either.” She spoke softly.
“Okay, but I think Beth’s right. You need to hear him out.” Amber’s concern was etched across her pretty features.
Mia nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll call him tomorrow.”
The girls spent the remainder of the day relaxing and catching up on the events of the week. Mia tried her best to raise her spirits and to focus on Beth’s impending wedding. Locating her folder, she pulled out her sketchbook. Beth’s eyes lit up in anticipation as she watched her thumb through the pages.
“Oh wow — are those the sketches for my dress?”
“Yes, but bear in mind, these are just preliminary ideas. We can adjust or change anything you don’t like.”
“Fantastic, oh, thank you for doing this, Mia. I completely trust your judgment.” She grinned, clapping her hands gleefully. “Anyway, I’ve already had the pleasure of wearing one of your evening gowns, which fitted me like a glove. I’ve no doubt my wedding dress will be sublime.”
Mia smiled, remembering the collection she had sent over to Beth’s stylist in Barcelona, over the summer. “Yes, I remember the green dress well.” She laughed. “How could I not? It became one of my most requested designs after you wore it so well and the photos were released.”
Beth smiled, lowering her eyes and blushing at the compliment, thrilled to hear that she helped in some way with Mia’s new collection.
Mia pointed to a couple of designs, her eyes critically scanning the drawings. “So, I’m thinking that either this trumpet or mermaid style would be perfect for your slender, yet hourglass figure. What do you think of this one?”
The girls spent the next couple of hours deciding on the shape and fabric for the dress. In the end they all agreed on the trumpet style and then moved onto the Maid of Honour dress for Amber.
Amber was her single bridesmaid as their other best friend, Jess, was unfortunately going to be out of the country over the New Year. She had insisted that she would change her travel plans, but Beth had pleaded with her to carry on for she had booked her trip months in advance, before Beth had even met Theo. With the wedding taking place on New Year’s Eve, Amber was also pleased that she wouldn’t be showing too much on the big day.
It was towards early evening when Beth and Amber left Mia’s flat. They hugged each other goodbye at the door.
“Thank you so much for coming today. You both made me feel so much better. And stronger.”
“You’re welcome, Mia. Anything for you. Just promise us you’ll call him tomorrow?” Amber hugged her again, holding her tightly.
The last few hours had provided a welcome distraction, but the thought of calling Gino caused another lump to form in her throat. She nodded through her reply at Amber, smiling as she gently pulled away and blinked rapidly to stop the tears forming once again.
Once the girls had left, Mia flopped onto the sofa, flicking through the television channels. She was still tired from her restless night, so gave up on the TV and decided to take a long bath and then retire for bed.
As she passed her bedroom, she noticed her phone on the bed, realising she hadn’t checked it all day. It was obviously still on the vibrate function from this morning as she hadn’t heard any calls.
Retrieving her phone, she was shocked to see that she had over fifteen missed calls on the display. She quickly swiped the screen and saw that besides her brother, the remainder of the calls were from Gino.
Mia sank back onto her bed, clutching her phone. The little icon on the corner of screen was indicating a voicemail alert. She knew it would be him, but didn’t have the strength, nor the courage to listen to the message right now.
Tomorrow, she decided.
She would take her warm bubble bath and then deal with Gino tomorrow. Never in her life had she experienced such heartache and the thought of hearing his voice tonight would break her further. She tossed her phone onto the bed.
* * *
She woke early the next morning. Yawning widely, Mia stretched but as soon as she opened her eyes, the feeling of dread settled all over her once again. She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut, hoping for another blissful moment where she could close her eyes and forget that Friday night ever happened. Failing miserably, she realised it was no use so she dragged herself out of bed.
Following a modest breakfast, she sat at her table, looking at her phone. With a deep breath, knowing she couldn’t prolong it any longer, she hit the voicemail button and listened to her messages. Three messages from Gino, getting increasingly more desperate with each one, pleading to speak with her. She sighed as she put down her phone and looked at the time. It was just past nine o’clock. Now or never. Mia felt her heart rate pick up as she located his number through her contacts and hit the dial button. After two rings, she heard his voice.
“Mia. Thank God, I was so worried about you.” His voice was filled with concern.
“Gino. I got your messages.” She tried her best to sound impersonal.
“Please, Mia. Can I come over? I would really like to speak with you.”
She was silent for a moment. Listening to the pleading and agony in his tone. As much as she wanted to scream and tell him to get lost, she couldn’t bear to hear him sound so obviously distressed.
“Mia? Are you there?”
“I’m here, Gino. Okay, fine, come over.”
“Thank you, Mia.” She could hear the relief in his voice. “I’ll be there shortly.”
“Bye, Gino.” She hung up.
Gino’s flat was in a very trendy part of East London, so she knew it would take him just over half an hour to drive over on a Sunday morning, when the traffic would be light. She drained her coffee and took a quick shower to freshen up, wanting to look her casual best to unconsciously show him what he was missing. Flicking through her wardrobe, she found her favourite dark green wool dress, which emphasized her jade green eyes.
Holding it up against her as she looked in the mirror, she was satisfied with her reflection and quickly slipped it on. Then she ran a brush through her straight brown hair and applied some light make up. Thankfully, her face didn’t look blotchy like it did yesterday and with the help of some eye drops, her eyes no longer looked bloodshot either.
Just then, she heard her door buzzer. She froze, as her heart began to pound against her ribs. Could she really face him? He was here, right now, probably about to tell her that he was getting married. Once again the buzzer sounded, snapping her out of her paralysis. She forced herself to take a few deep breaths and then quickly released the lock.
Mia heard his footsteps pounding on the stairs — it was clear he was running. She stepped back slightly and then he came into view, his grey eyes blazing into hers.
He looked like he hadn’t slept as he had deep shadows under his eyes and his tanned face looked pale and drawn. She looked at his clothes - a crumpled white t-shirt under his worn leather jacket, finished off with dark jeans.
Mia felt her breath stuck in her throat as she drank in his muscular physique, involuntarily feeling the pull of her eyes being drawn to his lips. She couldn’t deny the attraction she felt for him and a sudden feeling of grief and despair tore through her at the thought of never having him in her arms. The air between them was thick with tension.
“Hi, Mia,” he said softly as he ran his hand through his short hair. “Please, may I come in?”
Mia sighed, a suffocating sensation tightening her throat. She willed herself to be strong. “Sure, come in.” Her voice sounded strong even though she was feeling anything but and she led the way to the sofa. “Can I get you a coffee?”
He smiled softly at her as he sat down. “Sure, that would be great. Thank you.”
The television was still on, so he absentmindedly picked up the remote control, seemingly engrossed in the buttons, whilst she busied herself in the kitchen. A heaviness had centered in her chest and she knew she was only moments away from finding out the truth. Wiping her clammy hands on her dress, she brought two mugs of coffee through and sat down opposite him, watching him closely.
His features carried a look of sadness as he picked up his mug. “Thank you.”
“Prego.” She took a gulp of her coffee and immediately winced, the hot liquid scalding her mouth. “Ouch!” She quickly slammed the mug back down.
“God, are you okay?” He immediately sat up, almost seeming like he was about to reach out for her but then decided against it. That lack of action, combined with her fast blistering tongue, was the final straw for Mia. She gulped hard, hot tears slipping down her cheeks and choking her voice. “Okay? Am I okay, Gino? No, I’m damn well not okay. With anything!” She heard her voice rise and got up, fleeing to the kitchen for a cold glass of water to soothe her tongue.
She squeezed her eyes shut and placed her hands on the counter. Within a moment, Gino was beside her, wrapping his arms around her from behind and holding her tightly against him, as she furiously battled to get her emotions under control.