Ella had worked nonstop for years after she moved to Florence. She couldn’t even blame her hard work on the company she worked for since it was her fault not taking a break and overloading herself, as long as her mind didn’t wander off to what she had left behind. A client from Madrid had called early that morning, yelling at her. The software she had developed got glitches, and they couldn’t keep up with their customers. The problem wasn’t the software, but their outdated machinery. She calmed them down and convinced them to upgrade some of their equipment to function better, but it had exhausted her. As she talked to them, her stomach churned and Ella felt the signs of a headache add up to her already tired state of mind and cursing under her breath. She massaged her temples, hanging up the phone with a loud sigh. To make things worse, Ella would have to visit them to set everything up, she thought, leaning back in her chair.The week spent in Madrid was far from easy, among fixing

Justin bordered on insanity. He fled to his cabin before he behaved like a monster, and he didn’t even know how he got there. When he came to his senses, it was already late morning the next day, and an empty bottle of whiskey accompanied him on his bed. He felt desperate, and for the first time, he didn’t know what to do. Claire couldn’t be alive, no one would survive that fall. 'How? How is she here?' Tears of anger and frustration flooded his long dark lashes, and for a long time, he was just there lost in his thoughts. After a while he forced himself back from his ordeal; showered, got dressed in faded jeans and a black T-shirt, and left.Evening came, and he had stalked Ella the whole afternoon. Justin got himself behind some columns, and Ella was on the deck by the ship’s balustrade. She looked prettier than he remembered, looking at the blackness of the sea, and once in a while, she would close her eyes, enjoying the sea breeze touching her face, making her long ebony hair floa

“Are you ready to order?” Anna handed the drinks and gave them space to decide on the food and under their watchful eyes, Ella grabbed her beer and gave a long and nice gulp on it, to ease the stress of the day. His eyes darkened, and at that moment, he wished he was that bottle just to taste her lips.“Delicious! I needed this!” She closed her eyes, savoring the drink. “Would you like some pasta dish?” he asked after a few seconds, knowing Claire’s love for Italian cuisine.“Well, I’d rather have fish, but sure, why not? Once in a while doesn’t hurt, right? I’ll let you choose.” She grinned and closed the menu, blushing a bit. Justin talked to Anna and ordered for them.“What are you doing so far from home?” He stared at her, sipping on his beer.“Which home, Florence or New York?”“Let’s start with New York.” He smiled, and from the way her cheeks burned, she knew they were crimson.“When I graduated in college, I wanted a life of my own, and since I spoke the language, Italy seeme

“Sorry, it’s stronger than me. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he said, tapping his foot under the table. “I’m trying to figure out what happened to us last night.”“First, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve never behaved this way with someone I’ve just met, but there’s something about you that makes me lose my reason and it’s freaking scaring me!” She got exasperated, blushing even harder. “Second, you think I’m someone I’m not. I’m not this person, whoever the hell she might be. I’m not this girl!” she answered in distress. “If it makes you feel any better, I feel the same way.” The strain in her tone made his eyes go from dark gray to black in a flip of a second.“So I think we should keep a distance from each other until we get back to Italy.” “I don’t think so.” He got in a very sour mood.“But I do. I came on this trip because I needed time for myself, and I won’t get it with you around me.” Ella twisted her fingers on top of her lap. “Ok, let’s stop playing ga

“Ella! Ella!” Valentina called a few times and no answer. “What’s wrong with you?” she said, waving her hands in front of her boss. “Yes, I’m sorry… What were you saying?” Ella closed her eyes, massaging her temples. “Meeting a new client?” “What’s wrong with you? You’re acting weird since you’ve got back from Spain.” Her gaze fixed on Ella. “You lost focus, you’re spacing out all the time and don’t concentrate anymore!” Val crossed her arms. “What happened on board that ship, Ella?”“We need to talk, I feel like I’m going to burst.” She wiped her eyes to dissipate the tears threatening to fall.“You haven’t been yourself at all, why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” Valentina enveloped Ella in a warm hug, sliding her hand up and down, soothing.“I know. Just a little more patience, please? For now, can we just go back to work? What about the client?” She stepped back, her eyes were full of tears and seeing her in distress, Valentina nodded.“Ok. Signore Di Bianco. His secretary ca