Chapter 36
Emily
The sun had set. I found myself in the bedroom, in the same arrangEmilyent as hack in the Fanucci
mansion
Alessio lounged on the sofa, while I lay in the bed, and as usual it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop
“We’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow,” Alessio broke the silence. His voice was casual, as if he was discussing the weather.
“Okay,” I answered.
I wanted to talk more, to somehow end this unspoken thing between us, but the words just wouldn’t come out. I even wanted to tell him we could just share the bed, I wouldn’t even mind–but the thought of his rejection kept me quiet,
“They are nice people.” I tried to keep the conversation going.
Alessio’s response caught me off guard. “Are you sure? Because you looked like you needed saving from the daughter.”
I thought of Pilar and her endless chatter at dinner. She did talk a lot, but there was something sweet and kind about it. “She talks a lot, but she’s nice,” I said.
Silence fell over the room again, and I knew I should ask him about sharing the bed before it got too late. but the words could still not leave my mouth.
“Do you-”
“Have you” Alessio spoke
at the same time.
“You go first,” I offered, eager to hear what he had to say.
“No, you go,” he insisted.
“It was nothing important, really,” I told him, feeling my cheeks warm with Emilybarrassment. That was my one shot to ask him, and now I didn’t have the guts to do it anymore.
“Have you thought about tomorrow?”
I hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yes, I would love to do something with you.”
EIN
Chapter 36
Alessio chuckled as a breath escaped from his lips Why are you being and agents flangir soN GEHELE
past that.”
“No, I’m not–I’m not being weird,” I protested, defensively rare thing m
4, wtur we hamarsson
“I was thinking dinner,” he suggested
“Sure, dinner sounds nice,” I agreed, feeling a bit relieved it would be something as simple as caring and nothing out of the ordinary. Bringing the spoon to my mouth and chewing semiget like the right sprin
I
When he didn’t say anything in return. I took that as a sign not to talk anymore as he was genially teet I turned over, settling into the bed before slowly drifting off to sleep
After a relaxing morning by the pool with Pilar, Naty, and the kids. Pllar had whisked me to the mal for a shopping spree. We were on a mission to find the perfect out for tonight’s dinner wrth ein, and Pilar had taken me to an upscale boutique.
The shop exuded luxury, much like the place where I’d bought Naty’s dress. It was clear this boutique catered exclusively to the wealthy, with Emilyployees who paid attention to customers states and affluence.
In the changing room, I stood in front of the mirror, trying on my fourth dress. Pilar had turned nose at every one so far, but I felt confident that this dress would change her mind.
HP
her
It was a short, black designer dress with a large bow at the back. Usually, something like this would be out of my comfort zone, but I couldn’t help but smile at my reflection. It had been ages since I dressed up like this, and the feeling was invigorating.
I wasn’t always like this. I used to enjoy my nights out with friends, even after Naty was born. Unfortunately, those days came to an end when Jason criticized my choice of clothes, accusing me of enjoying dressing like a ‘slut‘ to hit on other men while he was ‘providing for our family.
I sighed, pushing those dark thoughts aside, and stepped out of the changing room, giving a twirl for Pilar’s approval.
“Yes, this is it!” Pilar exclaimed, clapping her hands. “You look perfect!”
“Thank you,” I gave her another twirl.
“Now we only need heels, a matching bag, visit a hairstylist, and do your makeup!”
“What?” I blurted, widening my eyes. This was supposed to be a simple dinner, not a red carpet event,
“How much time do we have?” Pilar asked.
I checked the clock on the wall. “Too much time,”
Pilar nodded determinedly. “Thut not too much to fix you.
We had managed to find a matching pair of shoes and a bag. For my hair, Pilar had managed to look an appointment with one of her friends, James.
As I sat in the chair, he began running his fingers through my hair. His frown of disapproval showed that he was not happy with whatever was going on, on my head.
“When was the last time you got a haircut?” James asked.
“Oh, well uh,” I struggled for an answer. It had been years. My hair, which was always in a ponytall, had been past my hips for as long as I could rEmilyEmilyber. Jason had told me that was the way he liked his women, and I obeyed without question, in an effort to please him.
“I think the last time was like ten years ago,” I finally admitted.
“So James, can you fix it or not?” Pilar moved around, impatiently..
James nodded his head as he made an imaginary cutting motion with his hands just under my shoulders “Everything below this is dead. It’s gotta go.”
I swallowed hard, accepting his words. Cutting off more than half of my hair felt terrifying
“And,” James wasn’t finished talking. “I think we should go honey blonde. It’ll make your features pop
out.”
“Exactly what I was thinking!” Pilar agreed.
I paused, running my fingers through my dark hair that had never been dyed. I’d thought about changing it before but never followed through because Jason always told me not to.
It had always been that way. Now that I considered it, Jason had controlled every little detail of my life.
Maybe a change was just what I needed.
“Let’s do it,” I smiled. “Whatever you’ve got planned–let’s do it!”
Many hours later, I glanced in the mirror and almost didn’t recognize the woman looking back at me. My long dark brown hair, which I’d had for ages, was now cut shorter and transformed into a honey–blonde shade. To top it off, James had applied makeup to my face.
“I look different,” I murmured, surprised.
Pilar, who had been anxiously watching my reaction, let out a worried sigh. “Oh no…”
Chapter 36
13
“No, I mean–in a good way. I like it!”
She hugged me from behind. “She likes it!” Pilar sang, her voice filled with excitEmillyent
I nodded, still admiring the reflection. “I really do.”
Pilar glanced at her watch and gently pulled me from the chair. “Okay, how much time do we have
“An hour,” I responded, checking the time myself
“James, we’re going to change in the back!” she said, pushing me away.
After getting dressed, we drove back to the mansion and arrived with just two minutes to spare stepped through the door, Naty came running down as if she had been waiting for me
“Mommy!” She gasped, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug “Wow, Mommy, you look like an angel!”
As always, she knew her way with compliments. Touched by her reaction, I stroke her hair affectionately “Thank you, baby.”
“B–But Mommy, can we dye my hair?” Naty asked with hopeful eyes, digging her fingers into my arm
“No, maybe when you’re older?”
Naty pouted, “Aw, not fair!”
Pilar tapped her finger on her wrist, rEmilyinding me of the time. I had agreed to meet Alessio dov here, and by now he could arrive at any second.
Luckily Pilar agreed to watch Naty. There were also nannies who supervised the children at all time but 1 trusted Pilar the most. If it wasn’t for her agreeing to watch her. I would ve most Hely backed out and stay at the mansion.
“Naty, how about I ask one of the maids to help you and the triplets bake a cake while Mommy goes out?
Naty’s disappointment vanished, replaced by a big smile. “Yes!” she cheered ‘Let’s go get thEmily
As she walked away with Pilar, she looked back at me one last time. “Have fun. Mommy” she called out
“You too!”
Standing alone in the hall, I had the time to think about how much I had changed in just a fr just in appearance, but in spirit too. I felt lighter, happier, alive.
I had never noticed just how much I missed the presence of a friend after moving away. If only I could
Chapter 36
put Pilar in my suitcase and take her with me. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with the Fanuccis all the time,
I fiddled with the ends of my dress, my mind going back to Alessio. Since I was in a good mood, I would try to just be Emily tonight. The real me.
The ‘occasionally‘ outgoing, talkative, curious–Emily.
Hearing Alessio say that he treated others how they treated him gave me hope that we could get along as
friends at least.
I heard the sound of approaching footsteps and looked up. My heart skipped a beat as Alessio revealed himself. He was dressed in some nice pants, a long–sleeved black button up, and I released a breath, silently thanking god that I hadn’t overdressed.
He stopped right in front of me, looking every bit as handsome as I had expected him to be. His brown eyes didn’t leave mine for a second, until he had inspected every detail of my face..
Then his eyes traveled up and down, eyeing my transformed appearance.
I held my breath, waiting for some kind of reaction–but as usual, his expression was unreadable. He did squint his eyes, as if he was trying to crack a code, but that was all.
Did he disapprove?
Maybe he was like Jason, and didn’t want me to change?
For each second he wouldn’t give me a reaction, I kept filling myself with those negative thoughts.
“Let’s go, we’re running late,” Alessio finally said, breaking the silence.
He turned to leave, but this time I couldn’t let it go. This time I wouldn’t let him treat me like this, only for him to pretend as if I were the problEmily. “Wait!” I called out with a loud voice.
Alessio paused and turned back, smirking. “Yes?”
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” I touched my hair, hoping for some acknowledgment of my
“About?” He asked.
“About?” I repeated in a stunned tone.
efforts.
Alessio frowned, the same smirk still visible on his lips. “Your new necklace matches your ring.” he chose to focus on the new piece of jewelry, and the engagEmilyent piece instead.
By the smile he carried, it was as clear as day that he was enjoying all of this. “Now, let’s go. I’m hungry.”
