Mrs. Armani

Chapter 43

Chapter 43

3 weeks later-

Florence, Italy.

A woman donning a beautiful red dress walked past the tiny local stores lining the street, as river  Arno flowed past the city, carrying along with it secrets and stories of yesteryears and many more dreams. 

The woman stopped to stare at a certain store. 

A store for kids clothing. 

She grazed her own stomach, even though it wasn't noticeable, she still felt the weight of another life, a baby. 

She smiled as she walked on, until she reached the cafe at the end of the cafe. 

"Buonasera Eric." Vittoria greeted the man on the counter, as soon as she entered. 

"Madame Armani." Eric greeted her back, "the regular?" 

She nodded. She took her seat, as she opened her notebook to write. 

She had basked in writing as the sun went down each evening. It had become routine for her to do so. But then again, she felt like calling something so beautiful would be a disservice to the beauty of sunsets and writing.

Eric served her regular coffee along with a croissant. 

The bell chimed, signalling the arrival of someone. 

"I knew I would find you here." Gianni said as she walked to Vittoria.

Vittoria looked up, half surprised and half happy.

She got up and embraced her friend. "Gianni its so lovely to see you here, when did you get here?" 

"Ah! I missed you girl, I took a flight this morning and here I am." Gianni stated. "so this was the cafe you kept telling me all about, it's exactly how you described it babe." She said as she looked around admiringly. 

"let's get you a coffee!" Vittoria said as they both sat down. 

Gianni looked at her intently, "you look different." 

Vittoria gulped, she smiled nervously, "different how?" 

"different- in a good way, you're glowing." 

"It's the weather here," Vittoria waved off, "how have you been?" 

Gianni spoke, "the usual- work, parties and social events. I ran into Nickolas the other day, he looked miserable."

Vittoria looked down at her coffee, unintentionally grazing her stomach, "every man for himself I guess." Vittoria joked, trying to lighten the mood, knowing full well where this conversation was going.

"Vittoria, he's coming for you, next week." Gianni whispered. 

"I know." Vittoria said as she sighed.

"I don't think you know love- there's something you need to know Vittoria." Gianni said as she gulped. "Nickolas has his men all around this city, keeping an eye on you." 

Vittoria scoffed, "I understood that on the second day here."

"Vittoria-I'm sorry but Nickolas had asked me to keep tabs on you." Gianni said as she winced.

"what do you mean?" Vittoria said with a frown.

"After your marriage, Nickolas had this irrational fear that you would leave him and one day he approached me and asked me to tell you everything that you tell me, I refused at first- but then he got super insistent-- he wanted to know what was on your mind all the fucking time- so I gave in, I was so stupid- I thought he was in love with you and everything, but I know better now." Gianni Said.

Vittoria's breathing was ragged, as she took in everything Gianni just told her. 

"that's not-- that's not possible, right?" Vittoria said as she shook her head in disbelief. 

"I'm sorry Vittoria- I love you man, I thought that this would help your marriage, I was so fucking naive." Gianni said ruefully.

"I can't believe you would hide this from me, what all did you tell him?" Vittoria asked with a frown.

"Mostly everything." Gianni whispered. "I'm so sorry." she said as a tear slipped down her eyes.

"I can't believe you." Vittoria's eyes had also welled up. 

A trust had been broken. 

A friendship of years was risked. 

2 years of lies.

Vittoria got up to leave. "I can't have this conversation with you right now," 

Gianni nodded, "take your time, I'm staying at Macy's, it's one lane down from where you're staying." 

Vittoria heard her, but gave no reaction.

"And Vittoria?" Gianni said, Vittoria turned around to look at her, "You won't be able to hide that bump for long." 

~

On the other side of the road, a man in a  black Rolls Royce watched the two woman talk, however his eyes stayed glued to the one in the red dress.