Chapter-25 News (Part 2)

2 days later…

It’s been two days since Nico came home after that night, the remnants of which still kind of haunted me. No phone call. Not even a text. He couldn’t be bothered. And it feels like it has been an eternity since I heard from Maximus as well. Maybe my proposal didn’t get accepted after all.

And Maximus did warn me of that.

I sighed, stared at the doodle on my iPad and grimaced. What the fuck was that? I was trying to get some designs done…just in case. But even after wrecking my mind for the last two days, all I had was a doodle of a hamburger. Every time I tried to focus and think, all I could see was Nico clipping off that man’s fingers and enjoying it, his face and body splattered in blood stains. And all I could hear was his harsh, unfiltered words….

“Then you’re just setting yourself up for more disappointment. And you can’t say that I didn’t warn you.”

“You’re wrong. Because I have hurt an innocent, Gianna.”

Who has he hurt? What was he talking about? What secrets did Nicholas Baldocchi hide from me and maybe the world? I also wanted to see what was in that locked room upstairs. But I couldn’t find the keys anywhere, and no amount of kicking and shoving made it budge. I shook my head and threw the iPad away from me. Maybe I needed a drink or something. Maybe I should go see my mother. I missed her. Or Vittoria, for that matter. Two lonely souls definitely would find some kindling.

I sat up and decided to make myself some chamomile tea first when my phone started to vibrate. The screen glowed with a name I really wasn’t expecting to see anymore—Maximus.

What does he want?

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders and then picked up the call.

“Hello?” I said, trying to sound cool and detached.

“Hi Gianna,” his voice, as usual, was smooth, charming and laced with confidence. “I hope you haven’t forgotten me yet?”

“You don’t have a very forgettable personality, unfortunately, Mr. Vanucci,” I replied sweetly. And for some reason, I could almost sense his grin.

“That flatters me,” he said, his tone playful. “Now, I’m sure you are very busy, as am I, so I will get to the point…”

“I didn’t get it, did I?” I murmured. “You can be honest.”

“If you want me to be honest, then I hope to see you tomorrow,” Maximus said. “Because there is some paperwork you need to sign and some groundwork to be cleared before we can get started. And there isn’t much time to waste because we have got a very tight window on when this project goes live.” I stared blankly at nothing in particular.

What did he just say?

“Wh…what?” I mumbled. “What do you mean?”

“You were finalized for the project, Gianna. The investment committee loved your designs and your ideas. We would like to move forward with the deal. You will get an official email, but I thought I would let you know first.”

No fucking way.

“You’re not kidding, right? Because this would be a really bad joke.”

“Do you think I have the time to call random people and joke with them?”

“No…I…I just can’t believe it,” I whispered, flopping down on the couch. “I could only hope to make it…this is…this is insane. Thank you so much!”

“Don’t thank me. You have vision, and Bellavanti appreciates and honors that,” he said. “Now, to make things move faster, there are some legal matters that need to be dealt with. Can I see you tomorrow for lunch? I will text you the address to my place.” I frowned.

“I am not meeting you at your office?” I asked, trying not to let my skepticism seep through my words.

“Tomorrow is Saturday. I don’t make my employees work on weekends, though my legal advisor and someone from the committee will be present, so there’s an exception to that. But if you are worried about meeting me alone, rest assured, we will not be alone. Yet,” I bit my lip, wanting to kick myself for being so stupid. If we were to work together, I needed to show a bit more trust in Maximus.

“I will be there,” I said. “Just text me the address and time.”

“Great, see you tomorrow then,”

“I look forward to it,” I said.

“Me too, Gianna.” There was something in the way he said that that made me squirm. And I was glad when he hung up first.

But fuck…this was happening. My biggest dream was happening. At this moment, I wanted nothing more than to share the news with Nico. So I picked up my phone and dialed his number…

“The number you’re calling is currently switched off.”

A sting of disappointment crashed over me as the operator's voice came through the other side. I cut the call and shook my head. No, I was not going to let my failing marriage take away from my happiness. My biggest dream was about to come true. My life was about to change completely.

Just not the way I was expecting it to be.