I glare at him, unable to discern his true feelings.
"Yes, I won't be working with you today," Bruno adds. "But they'll send up lunch for you, and you're free to work a bit later too, if you wish."
"Thanks." I nod curtly. "See you both later." I take a step toward the office.
Adrian's palm wraps over my forearm. "Something wrong, bambina?" he asks me cautiously.
I raise my eyes to his, my heartbeat fastening when I remember the conversation I just overheard. I force myself to paint a sweet smile on my face and say, "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?" Ignoring them both, I head to Bruno's office, paying no mind to their stares that are glued to my back.
I get to work, trying to pretend I didn't overhear it. But I can't get anything done. My mind is spinning into overdrive. I take a look around the office. This is the second opportunity I have to dig up something to plan something for my escape. This time, I'm going to take it.
I don't have a choice.
If Adrian and Bruno's words are anything to go by, I might not even be around long enough for the wedding.
Making sure no one is watching and that there are no visible cameras in Bruno's office, I start going through his desk.
There are a bunch of documents and papers that mean nothing to me, but a number keeps coming up. 23, 4, 18. 23, 4, 18. Finally, I find a folder with the number marked on the front. I go through it, finding photos of a garage located at 23 Piazza Della Pinta. I see the garage is on the fourth floor of the parking building, the eighteenth unit. Once I see the photos of the inside of the garage, I know I've hit the jackpot.
I smirk and put everything back into place just as I found it. No one is going to suspect I caused this. How could they? I'm just an innocent bambina...
They all trust me.
But they fucking shouldn't.
Later that day, I prepare a letter for my brother, telling Eleanora this one is especially important. I tell him about the garage and what's inside it, explaining I think we can use it as a ruse during Adrian's wedding, which will be the perfect day for me to escape. Everyone will be preoccupied with Nicoletta. I will be able to get away.
I remember the punishment Adrian gave to Eleanora then, merely for leaving a door open the last time. I can't let that happen again. I can't let her get punished because of me.
In the letter to my brother, I add that I want Eleanora to come with me, too.
Once I'm done, I hand my maid the letter.
Smiling at me, she skims the words and awkwardly pulls me in for a hug. She's grateful.
At least I've made one true friend at the Bernardi Estate.
Once Eleanora is off with the letter, I sit impatiently in my bedroom, finally getting the time to digest what's happened.
I've set everything into motion now. But do I really want to run away from Adrian? Do I want to go back to Luigi and Vitto? I feel no connection to my fiancé... not like the one I share with Adrian.
Besides, fuck knows what Vitto is going to do when he finds out I've slept with Adrian. I know how jealous he is... I just know he'll take his anger out on Adrian.
Somehow, I've found myself in the middle of a war I hadn't meant to cause. Now I have to pick between taking Adrian's side, siding with the enemy... or going back to my loyal brother and the man, I don't love.
In reality, I don't have a choice. I heard them today. Either I run, or I won't be around for much longer.
With a heavy sigh, I force myself to get ready for bed. I bathe and change into silk pajamas before climbing between the sheets, feeling their comforting weight on my body.
I'm almost asleep when I hear the lock turning. Then, a warm body slips into bed next to mine. I'm not scared. I turn around to look deep into Adrian's eyes. "What are you doing here?" I mutter.
"Couldn't sleep." His eyes burn with dark intensity. "Needed to see you."
"Why?"
"Might not get the chance to do that so often from now on."
"Because of the wedding?" I ask.
"Because... yeah. That, too." He avoids my eyes.
My heart pounds even harder, knowing he's lying. He's getting rid of me. After everything we've been through together, Adrian's just going to toss me aside and marry Nicoletta. None of this meant anything to him.
Swallowing back tears, I force myself to smile. "How are you going to fuck me when you have to sleep in her bed every night?"
He avoids my answer, too. "Let's not worry about that. We have tonight, don't we?"