To Outwit an Angel

10. Sleepover pt. 2

Sharlene's POV:

The hours had waned into two a.m. by the time we reached Piangi's house.

 "Won't we be tired tomorrow?" I asked. "Maybe we should go to bed right now."

 We entered his foyer, which was dark save for a dim lamp on a table. He had asked me to keep my voice low. I was unsure why, especially since he lived alone, yet I did so anyway.

 "Tomorrow, I'll show you a trick that will give you energy all day." He said.

 "I'm intrigued."

 Before he could reply, footsteps pattered down the hall. The stringy, messy hair of a nightgowned little girl emerged.

 "You're back! I've been waiting on you. Is it bedtime now?" The girl said, her voice groggy.

 "It was your bedtime hours ago, Miss Ginevra." Piangi replied, scooping the giggling girl into his arms.

 My cheeks had already warmed, as an awful realization sunk into my gut. He had a child, clearly, which meant he was either married or so committed to someone he might as well be. Either way, where did that leave me? Was his wife about to step into the foyer in pursuit of Ginevra? Would she see me and lose her mind? Had that been why he requested I keep my voice down? Is that why he refused to kiss me back at the opera? Did it hint at a future he was unwilling to offer me?

 Maybe Piangi wasn't as nice a man as I thought.

 "I just can't sleep unless you're home." Ginevra said, the epitome of happiness in Piangi's arms.

 Dare I say it, the child seemed downright exhausted. Even then, she stared at me, evidently unsure how to react to my presence.

 "I understand, my dear. I do, but I'm not going anywhere again tonight. Go to sleep now."

 Tenderly, he smoothed the girl's hair off her forehead and lowered her to the floor.

 My disbelief and shame had since erupted into pure rage. The minute little Ginevra was safely tucked in bed, I'd give Piangi a whopping piece of my mind and march out of here.

 "Come now, Ginevra. You've been awake long enough."

 Another voice from within the shadowy hallway broke into the conversation. The wife? My God, this was a disaster.

 "I will sleep now, then. Goodnight to all!"

 With proper Italian flair, she placed a smacking kiss on her hand, then waved it to us. Ginevra departed with the female voice, and at once, I whirled on Piangi, ready to unleash my wrath.

 "How dare you!" I said, voice tense.

 "How dare I?" He asked, genuinely taken off guard.

 But I wouldn't believe that for a second.

 "Yes, how dare you! How dare you trifle with my time, only to have the audacity to bring me here like some torrid midnight secret. How dare you leave both your wife and daughter up all night, worried about where you've been!"

 I had more to lecture about, but in the time I stopped to take a breath, Piangi butted in.

 "My wife? What are you talking about, Carlotta?"

 "That woman! She must be your wife!"

 I was moments away from slapping him across the face. The gall of this man! To deny the existence of his wife when I'd just encountered her!

 "You mean Madame Veuillot?"

 "Don't lie to me! That woman is your wife!"

 To my utter surprise, Piangi released a long, hearty chuckle, grinning from ear to ear.