“Wait.” She halted, her eyes widening. “This isn’t my seat anymore.”
“What?” I frowned over at her. “Of course, it is.”
“It’s not.” Her gaze moved behind me, and my back straightened. I could feel her before I’d seen her. And although I knew I should have turned around and greeted her, I couldn’t. I needed to set out as I meant to go on. She wasn’t here to be my partner. She was here to be my wife in name only.
“Sit down, Ma.”
Ma cut her eyes at me, not needing to say a single word for me to know she wasn’t happy with what I had said. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I was the one who decided where everyone would sit, but I knew my limits. Respect was a two-way street, and she was still my ma.
“Aida, come and sit here.” Ma pointed at the seat she’d half pulled out. “Your place is by Lorenzo’s side.” I hated the words she’d spoken. I didn’t want anyone by my side. If I had it my way, I would have stayed as free as a bird and put all of my energy and focus into the business. But rules were made for a reason, and not even I could break them—not yet anyway.
I heard the shuffling of feet, the waft of Aida’s rose scent, and then she was sitting next to me. I gritted my teeth, trying to tell myself to act in a certain way, but it was hard when all my head was focused on was a stranger sitting at the table. I didn’t know her—I didn’t want to know her.
“What would you like for breakfast, Mrs. Beretta?” the housekeeper, Mrs. Larson, asked, her gaze downcast. She’d been working here for twenty years, and I could count on one hand the number of times she’d actually looked any of us in the eyes.
“Erm…” My nostrils flared at the sound of Aida’s voice. “I don’t usually eat breakfast.”
“It’s the most important meal of the day,” Sofia supplied, her tone mocking. I stared at her, willing her with my eyes to look my way, but she was too focused on Aida. “Right, Ma?”
“Oh. Well.” Aida cleared her throat. “We don’t usually sit and eat breakfast together as a family. It’s more of a grab-and-go type situation.”
“You don’t eat together?” Sofia asked, bringing a spoonful of oatmeal to her lips. “That’s…weird.” Her eyes widened. “I don’t mean it’s bad. Just…something we don’t do. I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be silly.” Aida laughed. “I get it.” My gaze drifted to her, but my head stayed in exactly the same position. “We’re all just so busy at home.” Her eyes lit up and her lips lifted into a smile I hadn’t seen on her face before. “Dad is normally out on deliveries, and Ma is working in the shop. Noemi is at her second job, which just leaves Vida and me.”
“Vida?” Ma asked, engrossed in what Aida was saying. Part of me wished she’d sat down silently like I’d wanted her to do, but the other part of me was intrigued.
“She’s my niece.” Aida leaned forward, her hands planted on the solid oak table. “She was here yesterday.”
“Oh! Yes.” Ma laughed. “I remember her. Such a little beauty.”
“She is.” Aida sighed. “So yeah, it’s normally just us two. I help Noemi out by taking her to school some mornings if she’s not back from her job in time. If I’m not doing that, then I’m heading to college.”
“College?” Ma asked. “I didn’t realize you were in college.”
“Yeah. I’m in my second year. I’m there on scholarship.”
“That’s amazing,” Sofia said, her tone wistful. “I always wanted to go to college, but school just wasn’t my strength.”
“It’s not for everyone,” Aida said, winning over Sofia in a single sentence. “I’m sure you have other awesome talents.”
“I do.” Sofia leaned forward, fully into the conversation now. “I love to draw. And paint. Anything artsy. I have part of my bedroom converted into an art studio upstairs. Maybe you can come and—”
I pushed my chair back and stared at my half-finished breakfast sitting on the table. “I have a meeting.” All conversation stopped at my words, but I didn’t look at any of them. I needed to get out of here. I needed to get away. I needed to not be reminded of what I’d done yesterday—what I’d committed to.
“I’ll see you later, Ma.” I spun on my heels, not acknowledging anyone else, and headed straight for my office.
I hadn’t been in there since it was officially mine. For weeks I’d waited to make it my own, haunted by the memories inside the four walls. But now, I was able to do whatever I wanted to it, and I had the perfect person in mind who could help.
Grinning, I pulled my cell out and shot off an email to Veev. She’d not only get the job done, but she’d be able to distract me from everything else.
The perfect combination.
AIDA
“You don’t understand,” I groaned. “It’s like I’m constantly walking on eggshells.”
Noemi laughed as she rang up another customer, clicking the numbers on the screen with her fake nails. “I don’t understand?” She raised her brow and turned her head so she could make eye contact with me. “You’re right, Aida. I don’t understand. I don’t understand what it’s like to live in a freaking mansion.”