Act like my wife

43. What happened in Spain?

She showed me the baby's face... "Our little boy."

At that very moment, everything seemed to go in slow motion. The breeze swirling around us felt surreal and was accompanied by a dark cloud. I could hear a sound warning at the back of my mind. I ignored the sound and took the time to study the baby's beautiful little features; from his curly brown hair to his adorable button nose, and even the shape of his eyebrows as he slept.

My heart swelled with pride, and my lips widened into a smile... he is my son.

My inner voice was still screaming bloody murder; there was something off about Veronica, there was something off about this whole situation... but seeing my son in her arms was enough for me to push that feeling to the back burner.

I took slow strides over to them. I caressed my son's tiny face and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Come on in, mio figlio." I looked up into Veronica's eyes, "Welcome to Italy, my love, you must be tired"

"I sure am" She chimed. "Oh, and start thinking of a name for him." She pecked me on the cheek and went inside with our son in her arms.

Bella stayed behind instead of going in with her mother, she was awfully quiet for such a chatterbox. She stood as though her feet were nailed to the floor, and her hands clamped together uneasily. I put out my hand in front of her and she took it, we made eye contact and something caught my attention; her hands were shaking and her pupils were dilated. She was afraid?

I crouched to her height. "What's wrong, little one? Are you alright?"

Her big blue eyes looked at me with an emotion I couldn't grasp. "M-mummy..." Before she could finish her words, she darted a glance over my shoulder, to someone behind me.

Veronica's voice came from the door, "Come in, Bella darling," She stretched her hand for Bella, but the latter hid behind me and tightened her little hands around my wrist for dear life.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked, looking in Veronica's direction.

She shrugged. "We've been traveling for hours, she's probably tired"

"About that-" I began, but decided against bringing up their kidnapping in front of the children, "Maybe later. Let's go inside" I lifted Bella and carried her in my arms. "You're safe now, okay?" I whispered. She nodded and wrapped her arms around my neck while I carried her inside.

***

We went in, and I walked behind Vera who headed toward the sofa.

"Don-" Felicia's words were cut short when she saw Veronica.

"Venire, Feli, this is Veronica" I introduced.

Felicia walked down the stairs apprehensively, her eyes scrutinizing Veronica. It was a stare-down between both women.

"So, this is The Felicia," Remarked Veronica, but not with a positive attitude. I could sense some judgment in her tone and I did not like that. She continued, "I heard about how you follow Patrizio around like a fly"

Her choice of words didn't sit well with Felicia as the smile on Felicia's face disappeared, "Excuse me?"

I was in no mood for this unnecessary drama, so I stepped in. "Stop that, Vera," I reprimanded. "Felicia has been helpful with Gio over the past months. I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk to her like that."

Veronica raised her hands in mocking surrender. "Sorry, accept my apologies, Felicia, nice to meet you." She offered her a hand which Felicia accepted in a small unenthusiastic handshake.

The awkward silence ended when Felicia pointed upstairs, "Gio is asleep but I can wake him-"

"No, please don't." I stopped her since I had something to discuss with Veronica.

"Okay, can I take Bella?" Feli offered.

Veronica shot up from her seat. "No, it's fine!" She grabbed Bella's hand, but Bella pulled away with a whimper. For a split second, I saw sheer rage in Vera's eyes as she glared at Bella. No mother would look at her child like that.

I subconsciously covered Bella so she didn't get intimidated by her mother. "It's okay, Feli is good with children."

"But-"

"I said it's fine," I said firmly, shutting down whatever objection Veronica wanted to make.

After struggling with some internal turmoil, she finally budged. "Alright, but Bella is tired, she is probably gonna be saying a lot of nonsense."

I couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth about her own daughter, but I chose to leave that for later.

I cooed at the little girl in my arms, "Belle, will you go with Aunty Felicia?" I waited to see if she was comfortable to go with Felicia. She nodded, and I handed her over.

Soon, Feli and Bella disappeared upstairs and I could focus my attention back on Veronica. I sat on the sofa and she joined me.

"I missed you so much" She hungrily planted a kiss on my lips and soon started kissing my neck. I closed my eyes as she left a wet tongue trail on my skin.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable and gently pushed her away. Ignoring the obvious look of disappointment in her eyes, I slowly took our son from her arms, she didn't object.

I got a proper look at him and my heart melted all over again. Nothing else mattered but my family and I'm willing to do anything to protect my family.

I looked up and caught sight of Veronica who didn't seem phased by the beautiful moment. I pushed back all the mushy stuff and started with my interrogation...

"So tell me, what happened in Spain?"

She answered with a dismissive hand wave. "Oh that, a group of crazy people kidnapped Tess and me as a prank, but they let us go."

I creased my forehead in disbelief. "Just like that? The kidnappers just let you go?"

She shrugged, "Well, they didn't hurt us"

"But they killed Enrico, your driver. That makes them dangerous." I can't believe I had to explain that to her.

She shrugged again, "Well, I guess we were lucky."

The crease in my forehead had nowhere near disappeared. "I just can't wrap my head around the whole thing. And Tessy? Where is she?"

She laughed. "She decided to go back to Santa Fe"

Yet another unbelievable statement, "Why didn't she come with you?"

She answered, "Cause Tess had business to take care of."

I wanted to ask her some more questions when suddenly, our baby started crying loudly. Veronica took him from me. "He is hungry, I need to feed him and freshen him up." She got up and headed up the stairs.

"Vera" I called.

She stopped in her tracks and looked at me. "Yes, honey?"

"How do you know the way to my room?"

She looked like a deer caught in headlights but answered instantaneously. "Well, I was gonna ask Felicia when I got up there. She smiled and continued until she was out of sight.

I got up and went outside...

***

Leo was standing in the garden, looking over the glistening water surface of the pond. He seemed lost in thought for a minute there, but when he sensed my presence, he turned to me and nodded as a sign of respect. I moved closer to him and spoke so no one could hear us...

"Find out all you can about Tessy's whereabouts, something just doesn't seem right."

Translation(s)
🇮🇹 Mio figlio: My son
🇮🇹 Venire: Come