(Five years ago)
"Mamma Mia! Che giornata fantastica! Bravissimo! (Oh my God! What a fantastic day! Splendid!)" The blond woman in front of us squeals with excitement and flings the massive, wooden door open as wide as she can. "Due uomini sexy si presentano alla mia porta il giorno del mio compleanno (Two hot men show up on my doorstep right on my birthday). Things couldn't be better. Wow, are those blue galaxy orchids? Awsome."
"Of course they are. Did you think I would forget your favorite flowers? Naughty child. Come and give me a kiss. How come you keep getting prettier every time I see you?" I open my arms for captain Luigi Russo's youngest daughter.
Our families never lost touch in the last fifteen years. However, Lydia and I became the closest. We were both nine when we first met in the hospital after the incident. Our interests turned out to be quite similar. We clicked instantly. I see that even though we haven't seen each other for quite some time, nothing has changed. She does not waste a second and clings on to me.
"Ryooo, we are exactly the same age," the girl yells and starts pinching my cheeks. "You gotta stop calling me a child. I'm turning twenty-five today, remember? And do I have to remind you that I was taller than you until you were fifteen?"
"You were? Not anymore." I kiss her on the forehead and push the huge bouquet in her hands. "You are still lovelier than me, though. I can't argue with that. Blonde definitely looks good on you. Very impressive. Where is the rest of the Russo gang?"
"Waiting for us in the garden," she says and pokes a finger into my chest. "By the way, the changes in my appearance wouldn't impress you so much if you came to visit more often. We haven't seen you in ages. Dad keeps asking about you every day. You've been untraceable since becoming a businessman."
"Ahem... Cough! Cough!" Luca unceremoniously shoves me out of his way and directs what he thinks is his most seductive smile at Lydia. "Miss Russo, let a handsome, promising, and very experienced, young count give you a small piece of advice... I am obviously referring to my humble self, if it's not clear enough... You, my darling, are hugging the wrong man. No matter how hot this long-haired, dark-eyed fellow here is, he will be of absolutely no use to you."
She laughs out and cheekily squints at my best friend. "You think I have no chance with Ryo because I'm a woman?"
"Well, that too. But there is another, far more important reason to turn your attentions to his incomparably better-looking companion, aka me." Luca baits the cackling girl with a finger, takes her hand, and makes her stick it in his pants pocket.
"Luca De Angelis, you are shameless," she screams through laughter. "I certainly feel something hard in there."
"No, no, no! Bellezza, mi hai frainteso (Sweetheart, you misunderstood me). Just grab whatever you find and pull it out." Lydia retrieves a small, black velvet, jewelry box, victoriously grinning from ear to ear. Luca smirks, full of satisfaction. "The reason is that no matter how big a man's bunch of flowers is, the one with the diamond bracelet in his pocket always wins."
"Aaaaa! Ragazzi, siete pazzi (You guys are crazy). Thank youuu!" She rewards us both with a kiss on the cheek and hurries to put the elegant jewel on her wrist.
"Di nulla (It's nothing)." Luca dismissively shrugs it off. "I am filthy rich, you know. And Rio paid half the money, too. So, don't mention it."
"How is your psychologist practice going? Did you share an office with that college friend of yours?" I ask as we cross the huge living room towards the French doors leading out in the lush garden. "You planned to work together, right? What was the name? Sarah? Too bad we never got to meet, but now that we stay more often in Genova, we can do it at last."
"Sorry, too late," Lydia answers. "There was a change in plans. She was in a hurry to go back home because her best friend needed her. I, on the other hand, decided that being a shrink is too boring... and does not pay enough. Life presents so many exciting opportunities. I am taking the chance to do something special."
"Good girl!" Luca pats her shoulder. "Never start a job if it's not super fun or doesn't make you a hell of a lot of money. My main principle."
"I agree." She nods and leans closer, almost whispering. "I and some friends decided to start our own business. It will be something else. Extraordinary and thrilling. We will work only for VIP clients. And when I say this, I mean really big cheeses. Our services will be very personal, very expensive... and strictly confidential."
"Wait a second." I raise a brow at her. "What are you up to, girl? I better like it when I hear all the details."
"Calm down, silly. It's nothing illegal. She bends even closer. "I bet you'll be blown away. Actually, I thought of offering you to be one of my first customers. What do you say?"
"I'll think about it when you give me more information." I want to help her start her own company, but she better convince me it will not get her in any kind of trouble. I know her well. We are like two peas in a pod.
"Does it require physical effort or other tedious activities? I won't set my foot in a gym, let alone pay a fortune for it. And don't talk to me about yoga," Luca groans. "I have my own, more efficient relaxation techniques. Otherwise, I'm in."
"Hmm... about the physical part... I'll tell you later," Lydia hisses and points to the nearby canopy.
Captain Russo and the rest of his noisy, wonderful family are waving at us. His voice booms booms through the garden. "Cosa sta succedendo (What is going on)? We can hear you cackling from across the house. Secrets again, huh? Hurry, come over here. My spaghetti Genovese are waiting. Lea, don't keep the boys only for yourself."
___________________________________
Photo by MaximFesenko from istockphoto.com
A/N
Hello everyone at the end of chapter 74.
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Love: Anny
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SAFE (mxm)
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