It Began In Italy | ✔️

Chapter Twenty Eight

Fiddling with the sleeves of my hoodie, I walk through the aisles of the pharmacy. When I finally reach the pregnancy test section, I pick up two boxes - different types.

Heading towards the counter the woman gives me a smile. "Congratulazioni," she smiles, and I feel my eyes go wide. Not wanting to be rude, I give her a small smile before handing her the money.

Taking the boxes, I leave the pharmacy and head back to the house. Only then am I stopped by a voice travelling through the night. Someone I hadn't planned on running into this late.

"Heidi, was it?" I cringe and turn around to see Jacques. The same smirk is plastered on his face, and I can smell the liquor from miles away.

"Yeah... you're from the bonfire?" I say and try to hide the pregnancy tests beneath the thick material of the hoodie. I hadn't realised the one I had picked up was Nico's, meaning it hung loose about me.

"Jacques," he re-introduces himself, despite me already knowing his name. "Listen, I didn't like how we left things... I was hoping we could have a redo," he moves closer.

"Yeah, sure," I say figuring that agreeing with him will probably go down better than rejecting him. "I have to get go-" he cuts me off.

"There's a small gathering at mine and you're welcome to join. Nico isn't really invited though, for obvious reasons - as long as that's okay. I was just going to get more drink for the party, but I saw you coming out of the pharmacy..." he trails off looking at the boxes in my arms.

"Yeah, um, I'm just not feeling great. I think I've got a sickness bug or so-" Jacques cuts me off once more.

"I take it you won't be drinking," his smirk grows, and I begin to move backwards. Slowly walking away from him. "Listen, come on... it'll be fun. Maybe you and I could pick up where we left off," he shrugs.

"I really have to get going... it was nice seeing you," I say and don't wait for his response before setting off in the opposite direction. With more speed in my step, I beg to get back without any more run-ins or even worse, Jacques following me.

I hadn't realised the several dings of my phone whilst he was talking to me. Unlocking it, I open messages from Calli - apologising profusely and blaming it on her tired state. Tucking my phone back into the waistband of my shorts, I breathe in the night air.

Finally getting back to the house, I slowly place the key into the door - praying for the door to not creak when opening. I thank the heavens when the door is as silent as ever. At least someone is on my side today.

Sliding my shoes off, I move towards the stairs but am stopped in my tracks when I notice someone sitting on the chair near the door.

"Per l'amor del cazzo. Where the hell have you been?" his voice almost makes me drop the boxes. Turning away from him, I attempt to stash them beneath the hoodie, tucking them into my waist band. Which only causes my phone to slip through and hit the floor with a loud bang.

"Shit, shit, shit," I breathe and lean down to pick up my phone. "Um... I had to take a phone call. Calli, she needed my help," I cringe at my own lie. Despite my back being towards him, I can feel him getting closer.

"Are you going to tell me the truth or am I going to have to find out what you've put under the hoodie myself?" Nico says and I curse beneath my breath.

"It's a surprise for you, so you can't see it," I say and Nico scoffs. "You of all people should know the fundamentals of surprises," I shrug.

"I'm going to give you one last chance to tell me the truth. I don't like lies, Heidi, and I'm certain that neither do you," Nico says, his voice much closer. I mean I have nothing to hide...