Now that I realized it, I was so wiped out I couldn’t even properly recall how I’d been brought up to this room. I looked at my ring. I took my phone out and took a picture of it, then I sent the picture to Katie.
Her reply was instantaneous and full of emojis and gifs of shocked cats falling over.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Half asleep but will call you in a few hours. Get ready to tell all.
I calculated the time difference and realized it was four in the morning in Boston. With a sigh I rose and headed into the bathroom. After a steamy shower, I felt a hundred times better and refreshed so I tightened the tie of my robe and went towards the balcony. It was quite cold so I didn’t bother stepping out, but through the glass doors, the view beyond took my breath away. We were right by the ocean, and in the distance, were mountains and cliffs with houses built into them. It was like a painting and as I stared, I could feel my whole body relax and calm down.
My stomach grumbled then so I turned around and went to my suitcase where I found a pale green sweater and a pair of dark blue jeans. Then I tied my hair up in a ponytail. I knew I would be meeting Luca’s parents at some point today so I put a little bit more effort in my makeup. I was nervous about meeting them and wanted to try and look presentable. When I was ready I headed over to the door.
I pulled it open and peeked out into the lavishly decorated corridor. I didn’t want to just go wandering off in someone else’s home, but at the same time I didn’t want to remain in the room. At that moment a message pinged in my phone. My heart lurched when I saw it was from Luca.
Awake?I sent back my reply.
Awake and very hungry.His reply warmed my heart.
I’ll come get you. We’ll have breakfast together.A few minutes later, he arrived at the door and I pulled it open for him. He looked dashing. Dressed in all black and with his hair in thick waves and a slight facial growth he looked nothing short of a regal Italian Prince.
“Ready?” he asked softly.
I nodded shyly and went with him. He led me through the beautiful villa to the ground floor dining room where a lavish buffet was laid out. A servant waiting by the table wished us both good morning in Italian.
“Would you like a cooked breakfast?” Luca asked me.
I shook my head. Even the thought made me feel slightly nauseous. Luca spoke to the man in Italian. He explained to me that he had opted for a slice of toast and some poached eggs. I immediately gravitated towards the fruit and fiber cereal. Everything on the table looked delicious but I only had the appetite for something sweet.
We sat at a round dining table overlooking the pool.
“My parents wanted to meet you earlier,” he said.
I nearly choked on my mouthful of milk and cereal.
He handed me a napkin that I eagerly accepted and quickly dabbed my mouth with.
“They’ll be back later for lunch,” he continued calmly. “So perhaps they can meet you then.”
“Alright,” I said.
“I also have twin sisters, but they’re currently at boarding school in New York. No doubt, you’ll meet them sometime in the future.”
I was quite surprised at that. That he had twin sisters and he mentioned a future where I was part of it. “Really? How old are they?
“Sixteen,” he replied.
I nodded.
I continued on with my meal. Then the waiter came to the table with a plate decked with golden yellow scrambled eggs and slices of buttered toast.
It looked delicious, but when the smell of the eggs reached my nostrils, my stomach suddenly lurched. I turned away and stood so fast I nearly threw my chair to the ground.
“Skye,” Luca called anxiously, as he too stood.
I held out a hand to hold him at bay as I dry heaved. “Sorry,” I muttered. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”
When I was calm again I faced him. His eyes raked my face while I tried to settle the bout of nausea that had suddenly attacked me. I found I couldn’t even return to my seat. The smell was that horrible to me.
“I think… I think I'm not really hungry,” I said, with a frown.
I looked at him and he was staring at me with a strange expression on his face. As if he had seen a ghost. He looked like a stranger. I froze. Then he asked the most dreadful of all questions.
“Are you pregnant?”Chapter 49SkyeBefore I could answer him and tell him there was no way I was pregnant, a man walked into the room. I tore my eyes away from Luca’s strangely stunned face. The man who had entered the room didn’t look like Luca, but I knew instantly that he was Luca’s father. He had cold, dead eyes, which he trained on me.