Dangerous Numbers

Chapter 13

ALEXANDRA

It's been almost a month since I came to Italy. I must say I feel settled in and now I know my way around the places. I took control of the accounting for the vineyards and the restaurants as well. Vittorio is always next to me, in the meetings with the clients and our main associates until I know them very well. He's also helping me with the language, as Italian are a bit rusty. Sometimes he also takes me to places around the province as this is the first time, I visit the country and I'd like to learn more about it.

Gianluca was close by with his team making constant checks on the estate and the winery for any bugs that Juliano might have placed during his previous visits. He never visited again Vittorio's father since that day and neither did that bitch, Mia. As a couple, we had nothing more apart from some hand holding for the public eye on our promenades and a date per week - as the tabloids say - to keep the flame on.

I cannot complain, it was nice walking around holding hands with him, our fingers entangled, causing shivers of pleasure to run down my spine, and I imagined sometimes what feelings will awake in me if he touches me more than just holding my hand. But he is also my boss and I have to keep some distance between us otherwise the roles could be easily mixed up. This will help me maintain control.

During our 'rendezvous' we try to open up a bit to each other. However, I cannot let go of the fact that never in my life so far had I been so willing to talk to someone, and I don't know why. I was pretty sure he had found out as well. The first time, he was almost getting the words out of my mouth. Now I feel more relaxed when I'm with him. Although he was not so willing to open up to me, so I barely know something more about him. It was bothering me at first but then I didn't argue more about it.

I also got my first salary payment. At first, I almost pass out when I saw the amount but then Vittorio reassured me that this was not a prank and my job was excellent, so I deserve it. Of course, I kept the minimum required as everything has been provided by him and for the rest, I sent it to mum. Dante's texts are becoming rarer now but every time I got one text from him the news was giving me hope that she'll be fine.

One day I was busy at the winery preparing some spreadsheets for the meeting we have later in the day with the distributors when the door bursts open hitting on the wall and Vittorio marches inside in fury. His eyes are dark, and he immediately walks toward my office which was placed on his own in a far corner. I instantly stand up looking at him with concern, I have never seen him so angry since that incident back in London.

"You lied to me!" he shouts and the whole room fills with his thunderous voice. Startled I take a step backwards. Before I could even open my mouth to ask, he cuts me off. "You know very well that trust is one of the values I hold the most and you betrayed my trust." His eyes are blazing with fire. "You told me that it was only you and your mum. What about him?" he asks and tosses a photo on my desk. I pick it up and look puzzled at Dante's picture.

"He's my cousin Dante, we had a long time to see each other but now we're speaking more frequent as he's with my mother in the hospital," I answer looking at him straight into the eyes. "I cannot understand why you make such a scene for him."

He snorts looking away from me. "Cut the pretence and make this easy for both of us. You're in this together to take me down?" he asks but it's heard more like a demand. "SPEAK!" he shouts, and I jump on my feet. His mask breaks and his face changes. Tears begin to gather in my eyes, but I try not to let them break my voice however it was futile.

"I had to see him since high school. We only talk to each other on Christmas and birthdays. And now he happened to be in Greece for vacation and helps my mother while she's in hospital." I answer with a trembling voice, ready to start crying at any moment. "I don't know what plan you're assuming we're into." He turns to face me now his eyes with concern and sadness. "I opened up to you." I continue. "You know things no one else knows except me and you accuse me of lying to you? Whatever you asked I answered truthfully. NO! I won't accept this treatment!"