The next morning, Georgia's head was pounding like crazy. Everything was spinning around her, she felt dizzy and even on the verge of vomiting. The woman couldn't remember what happened the night before, she only knew that she would never drink again because she didn't want to feel that way ever again."Oh my God!" she exclaimed, seeing her clothes still on and completely dirty. Slowly, Georgia opened her eyes and tried to adjust her vision to the light coming in through the open window. But even though the day was sunny and bright, at that moment the light bothered her greatly, not to mention the annoying sound of her phone that wouldn't stop ringing in the front pocket of her jeans.Although she didn't want to talk to anyone, she took out her phone and looked at the caller ID. It was Valery, but why was Valery calling her? She wondered. But that wasn't the question she should be asking herself, but rather, why wasn't she at Valery's house?Slowly, the woman began to regain her memor
"Dad!" Thomas shouted as he saw his father.Alessandro was learning to be more affectionate and careful with his son, so he knelt to his level and hugged him tightly."How was your trip, son?" he asked.Before answering, Thomas looked around for Georgia, but there was no trace of her, which worried the little boy, who really wanted to tell Georgia everything."Where's Georgia?"Alessandro rolled his eyes, even his son was completely infatuated with her."She couldn't come to pick you up, so I came instead," he lied. The truth was that the day before, Alessandro called Georgia, telling her that she had permission to stay with her friend for a couple more days since he would be free and could take care of Thomas.That wasn't true; Alessandro's schedule was busier than ever, but he still didn't want her to come back until he had erased any trace of that night when she was drunk and confessed her love. Then he wouldn't see her again. Alessandro didn't want to behave immaturely, but he did
Thomas was jumping with excitement, getting the attention of everyone who looked towards Alessandro, who didn't remove his hand from Georgia's waist.To prevent Thomas from further drawing attention, the cunning woman knelt to his level and offered him a dollar."Go buy some cotton candy, honey. After that, we'll go to the parent-child activity," she said, caressing his cheek.Thomas hugged Georgia tightly. "You're the best mother any kid could have," he said, pleased. Georgia was good to him, treated him with love, took care of him, and even gave him money to buy candy. She was perfect!Georgia smiled at the boy and then waited until he was far enough away. When he was, she stood up and looked angrily at Alessandro, who was extremely pleased with the situation."Why the hell did you say we were husband and wife? Do you want to hurt Thomas more by getting him excited about something that's not going to happen?""Thomas doesn't care if you and I are married or not. All he wants is for
"What are you talking about? Who wants to harm you?" the man asked hurriedly, furrowing his brow and approaching her. One of his biggest fears was that his business would splash onto someone like Georgia. He didn't want to involve her in anything that could hurt her or cause her harm. That, although he hadn't wanted to admit it, was one of the many reasons why he didn't dare get involved with her. Georgia didn't have the cool head that was necessary to cope with a life alongside someone like him. She could never endure it."Who wants to harm you, Georgia?" he grabbed her arms in desperation and shook her to make her give him a name or at least a description that could give him some clue."I don't know! I don't know!" she frowned, still confused by everything that had been happening recently. "This morning when I left Valery's house, there was a car following me. I'm sure they were following me. I had to run away and hide in the backyard of a house until they left me alone," she sighed
Georgia was at home, reading one of her favorite books and enjoying the library, which had become one of her favorite spaces. In truth, the place was beautiful and pleasant, and that small space made her feel calm and safe, as if within those walls filled with books, she could escape from the reality that sometimes made her wobble, the one she often didn't understand. And it was Alessandro who had enough variety of books for her to explore those worlds she hadn't had access to yet.While she was there, reading Tolstoy, her phone began to vibrate in her pants pocket. The woman looked at the caller ID and answered as soon as she recognized the number of the public nursing home where her grandmother was."Miss Alcott?" the nurse said as soon as Georgia answered."Yes, it's me," Georgia swallowed and waited for the woman to speak. Her heart was racing. Normally, she only received calls from the nursing home when she had overdue bills, and luckily she had been up to date with each of her p
"Where the hell were you, Georgia?" Alessandro yelled as soon as she walked through the front door of the house.Georgia was agitated, her breathing so labored that it made it difficult for her to speak normally, her legs ached from the physical exertion, and her heart was pounding desperately in her chest."I need to go pick up Thomas," was all she could say.Alessandro shook his head and looked at her in disbelief and disdain. "Pick up Thomas? Haven't you realized what time it is?" Alessandro raised his voice, he was extremely upset with her. "Thomas is already home! I had to postpone an important meeting to go get him because the woman I paid forgot she had work to do.""Is he okay?" she asked.For a moment, all Georgia could think about was that if she was being followed, it was very likely that other members of the families were being followed as well, especially given what Alessandro had said that afternoon when she told him about the black car. It was very likely that someone w
Valery helped her friend load her belongings into the car, both in absolute silence. Valery didn't want to be intrusive with her questions, so she just gave her friend curious glances. But the truth was that Georgia's expression didn't reveal much about her feelings either. Georgia had a poker face; she didn't make any gestures, nor was she crying. She seemed almost asleep or numb.By that time, Georgia was so lost in her own thoughts that she couldn't say a word. So much had happened that day that her brain was still processing all the events. The girl certainly appreciated that, for once, her friend decided to respect her silence."Sweetie, I don't want to be intrusive, but is everything okay?" Of course, someone like Valery couldn't remain silent for too long, especially because Georgia's calm attitude intrigued her even more than if she were screaming and crying. Valery didn't know what was worse, hysteria or tranquility."Yeah, everything's fine. I just don't feel like talking ab
"Georgia! What's taking you so long?" Valery knocked on her friend's door, trying to get her to come out already. Valery was aware of how stubborn Georgia could be.Inside the room, Georgia straightened her black top, trying to look less like a nanny and more like a woman her age. She looked at herself in the mirror, feeling satisfied with the little she had done in those few minutes. But even though her appearance was quite pleasing and attractive, the truth was that Georgia's eyes revealed how sad she felt inside. She was tired, exhausted, and above all, mentally unwell."I'm coming!" she shouted, so Valery would stop knocking on the door.After waiting a few more minutes and taking a deep breath, Georgia left her room and joined the group sitting on the sofa, where Valery had just settled in."Georgia, my love, come here!" Valery patted the empty seat next to her.Georgia smiled kindly and sat next to her, trying to ignore the uneasy looks some of the men around her were giving her