have cake… Woah!” Marie fell back into the bed, her hand against her head as she gave a faint cry of distress.
“What’s wrong? Marie?” Matteo rushed to sit up and take her in his arms as she rolled to her side. Frantic, he pushed her hand away from her face, his eyes wide and his mouth open to ask more questions.
“Sorry, damn, I’m sorry, Matteo. I’m fine. I just stood up too quick, that’s all. A little dizziness, it’ll pass.” Her voice shook, but when she opened her eyes they were clear and focused directly on him. “I’m just tired, baby, don’t panic.”
“It’s my job to panic.” He ran his hands down her arms as he leaned over her and made sure she was still all in one piece. “What was that about?”
“I’m just tired, really, that’s all. I didn’t sleep well last night and I was busy today. I had a paper to research and write, and then I was out with Trina for dinner. Which doesn’t sound like a lot, but going anywhere here is an adventure, isn’t it?” She sat up slowly and put her palm against his cheek. “See, I’m fine?”
She didn’t fall back again or wobble so he let her up. “Fine, but I’m coming into the kitchen with you.”
“Good, you can tell me about the rest of your meeting.”
He watched her as they walked into the kitchen and saw her gait was fine and she didn’t stumble at all. Maybe it was as she said, and she was just tired. It unnerved him though, the thought that she might be ill. The power of that worry unnerved him too. Maybe he really was in love, in real love. That shook him even harder, but he hid it behind a can of whipped cream he took out of the fridge and sprayed directly into his mouth. That made her laugh and that was the best medicine in the world, for anything, he decided. The sound of her laughter made everything better.
20
Matteo’s finger hovered over the mousepad, what used to be his stomach now a hard lump that ached in his abdomen. Celeste had emailed him and he didn’t want to open it. He reminded himself he wasn’t a coward and clicked the button to open the message.
“You can have your little mouse, Matteo. I’ve thought about it and maybe marriage is a good idea. The woman is beautiful, after all, just like her mother used to be. Marriage gives you an image of wholesome respectability, a family man. It also seems to have given you the backbone to stand up to me, at last. I take that as a sign that you are ready. I’m going to Italy for 6 months. During that time, you will rarely hear from me. The family business is yours to run as you see fit. But, remember, this is only a trial. If there are problems I will come back and take control. I wish you the best of luck. Until next time… Celeste.”
He stared at the email, speechless, really speechless, for the first time in his life. She was leaving him in charge?
Two days had passed since he’d gone to see his aunt. Now, here she was, with her subtle dig that Marie’s mother had ruined her marriage and a little hint that she thought Marie would age as badly as her mother had. Matteo knew her mother had lived a hard life, though, and that she’d had a disease that ravaged her body and her mind. Besides, Marie’s looks weren’t the only thing that attracted him to her.
He closed the email, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and left it on a side table by the couch. It was time to be a king. And the first thing this king needed was his wife.
One final swallow and the glass was empty. He left it on his desk as he walked out of the room, his arms swinging to take off the blue suit jacket he still wore. He threw it on a chair as he walked by. He removed his cufflinks and pulled the white shirt away as he walked in bare feet to the bedroom. She was in bed reading one of her textbooks. The moment she looked up and saw his bare chest in the doorway she let the book fall to the floor and slid down into the covers over her legs, a broad smile on her face.