“Yes. It’s Ethan. He’s possessive, controlling and… extremely jealous. He should be named Cronus. I know we have been together for only a short time, but he demands too much. We see each other practically every day. He wants me to sleep at his place every time we go out at night, every weekend.” She sighed. “But what has been nagging me is that although he wants me at his side in a permanent way, he shuns Gabriela… He doesn’t say it, but… he finds the most ridiculous excuses. And she is missing me at home. Well, I always knew it would be difficult… That some men…” She looked at him; her hands moving as if asking for an explanation, some help.
Edward sighed too and held her hand. “Sophia, Ethan is… He isn’t for you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“A feeling. Seems that this instinct thing of yours is infectious.” He smiled at her and tucked a strand of her raven hair behind her ear. “But, listen… if you do wish to stay in this relationship, you have to look at it with his eyes. Gabriela is not his daughter. Give him a little more time. He will come around. Your daughter is too kind and beautiful. She will win him over.”
She looked at her hands. “Would you believe me, Edward, if I said he is even jealous of Gabriel?”
“He knows who Gabriel was?”
She shook her head.
“And you are not telling him,” he stated the fact. “Sophia, you’re in England. There is no reason to hide from everything and everyone anymore. It has been almost two years… You can’t go on living like that. What if someone remembers you in front of one of your new friends?”
“I will deal with it when the time comes.” She wrung her hands. “It’s not easy, Edward.”
He put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I know it isn’t, but you have come a long way. Are you going to keep hiding because of what happened to Gabriel?”
She rose, angered. “You don’t know anything. It happened to me. Have you been shot before? Have you?” She heaved and paced the office. “I still have nightmares. Horrible nightmares. I wake up screaming almost every night. I can’t sleep near my daughter. Don’t tell me you know-”
“Hey, easy.” He put his hands up. “I’m just trying to help.”
She stared at him for a second and dropped on the sofa, her face in her hands. “I’m sorry, Edward. I apologize. I shouldn’t-”
“Hush, love, hush.” His fingers pried her hands apart and he took his handkerchief from his suit. “Here. Don’t cry.”
“I’m so confused, Edward.” She put her forehead on his chest, her tears falling silently. “I don’t know if I should… If I want to stay with Ethan. And I don’t feel safe. At all. Alberto has been sniffing around too close for my peace of mind.”
“I understand. I swear I do. Don’t worry too much about Alberto. What could he do to you? You’re not in Brazil anymore.” His hand caressed her hair. “No doctor here will fall for his bribery. And you are stable, now.”
“He could get me arrested, Edward,” she whispered. “I would lose Gabriela.”
“He has no proof. No one has,” he paused for a moment and thought about his next words. “Sophia, you and I, we know what you did was wrong. But it’s done. And all that was left… were just ashes… They can’t speak against you. Ever. And the… guys won’t either. They are guiltier than you are. They are the criminals. Their word won’t hold up. Can’t you understand that?”
The faces of eleven evil men floated in Sophia’s mind and she shook her head hard, shooing the images away. She raised her tear streaked face to him. “Rationally, I can. But here,” she touched her chest, “deep inside, I can’t. What was I thinking, Edward? Sooner or later, one way or another, I’m going to pay for it.”
“Sophia, please, stop this,” he hugged her in his arms, heavyhearted.
After a few moments, a frown appeared on his brow. “But this isn’t the eye of the storm, is it? I know what is making you so confused.” He curled his fingers under her chin. He lifted her face to his, took the handkerchief from her hand, and he dried her tears. “It’s him, isn’t it?” he finally said. “You don’t know what to do with him.”
“Who?” she asked, disconcerted. “Ethan?”
“No.” His knowing gaze pierced her. “MacCraig. Alistair Connor.” He sneered at her and jutted his chin toward the beautiful and fresh white roses in a crystal vase on her shelf. “That big hunk has been stalking you every other day. He has stirred your feelings back to life, hasn’t he? He is the one for you, Sophia. Trust me.”
“He’s dangerous,” she sighed. “Trouble.”
“Oh, love… What is life without a bit of danger, of risk? What are you afraid of, Sophia? Afraid of loving again? Is that why you’re wasting your time with Ethan?”
Italy, Venice, Marco Polo Airport.
Friday, February 5th, 2010.
2.10 p.m.
The Hotel Cipriani’s assistant greeted Ethan and Sophia at the Marco Polo Airport to escort them to the pier and transport them in the hotel’s private boat.
Set on the water, the timeless beauty of Venice awakened all of Sophia’s senses. She returned to Venice time and again, and it always brought new and different experiences.
Sophia sighed as she watched the breathtaking sight of opulent palazzi, majestic churches, and atmospheric canals passing by as the boat sped in the direction of the hotel.
They arrived at the private garden and dock of the Palladio suite. With a flourish, Ethan opened the door of the suite for her and she felt as if she was suspended above the lagoon. The sumptuously decorated living room had panoramic views over the magical Venetian lagoon through huge windows. And there were red roses everywhere she looked. She felt transported to the eighteenth century.
“Ethan! You crazy man!” She smiled at him.
“All for you, baby.” He smiled back. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Ethan said as he opened a Krug Rosé that had been chilling in a silver cooler.
Sophia walked up to the window, enchanted by the view.
“I want you to enjoy the weekend.” Ethan came from behind and handed her a flute.
“Cheers. To you.” She touched her flute to his and drank. “I love this city.”
He breathed in her hair, wrapping his arms around her waist. “And I love you.”
She whirled around. “It’s-”
“Shhh. I know you’re still unsure, but I love you. You don’t have to say anything.” His Mediterranean azure eyes were sparkling. “I’ve planned so many surprises for you.”
“It’s your birthday and you planned surprises for me?” She sipped her champagne.
“Yes, starting in…” he looked at his Vaucheron Constantin Tour d’Ille watch, “five minutes, max.”
Their personal butler knocked on the door, and announced they had visitors.
“Starting now,” Ethan said, bit her earlobe and turned to receive the group.
The butler announced Signora Marconi and she suddenly flooded the airy living room along with four assistants. In their arms, the two women and two men carried heaps of velvet, silk, and plumes.
Sophia looked at Ethan, questioning him silently.
“Our costumes for the doge’s ball,” he explained. “Mrs. Marconi, I’m sure everything is perfect for tomorrow night.”
“Signore Ashford, this is my easiest and most pleasurable mission.” The short and thin woman answered as she measured Sophia. “Signora Ashford is belissima!”
Sophia giggled at the mistake and Ethan kissed her soundly. “See you in a few minutes, Signora Ashford.” He waved at Sophia with a wicked smile, leaving the room with the men to try on his ensemble.
The small woman unzipped a black garment bag and took out a mantua with a small train made of black velvet embroidered with silvery thread and Swarovski drops. The embroidery was a delicate pattern of flowers and swirls. The black velvet sparkled like a starry night.