COLLAPSE(On Hold)

Chapter 5 (part 2)

"So where is my dad?" I ask slightly hurt. He was the one I expected to see today, not Giovanni. Don't get me wrong I am happy he showed because that means I'm not alone today, but I'd much prefer my father to be here celebrating with me. It's me and him against the world.

"He had to leave for work a bit earlier than usual. Something about being needed for an urgent meeting. He texted you, and I recall texting you as well. Did you not get our texts?" he frowned.

"No I did not. I was a little preoccupied," I blush remembering how he found me earlier. I also felt embarrassed for not paying attention when my phone had gone off. I thought nothing of it.

He chuckled, "Go on and check your phone."

I head over to my bedside table and pluck the phone from its spot. As I unlock the phone I see that there are in deed texts from the both of them. Some of them being from my father apologizing and wishing me a happy birthday while the other was from Giovanni saying he'd be over soon.

"Oh I am very sorry for not paying better attention," I mumble out.

"Simple mistake," he waved off. "Anyway, Happy Birthday Amalia! I apologize for not being here earlier. I was caught up in traffic after I retrieved your present. You are going to love it!" Heading over to the door he picked up a medium sized box that sported small holes over the top and placed it at my feet. Studying the box I couldn't help but wonder why there were holes. That is very unusual for a gift, no? Giovanni seems like a punctual, sophisticated man who prefers unblemished items. So the holes definitely stumped me.

"Should I open it now?" I ask warily.

"Yes, Ovviamente!" he exclaims.

With a small smile I lowered myself to the ground and placed my hands on the box. I gently ran my fingers across the holes. I lift my face to look at Giovanni who is sporting a bright smile. He nods his head at me, encouraging me to open it.

Slowly I began opening the box. Once my eyes feasted upon the precious thing inside I let out a squeal of absolute joy. Reaching both my hands in I wrapped them around the sleeping creature and brought her into my arms.

"She is so cute!" I pouted in awe. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I jump up and bring Giovanni into a giant hug, but carefully being aware of the angel in my arms.

"Your welcome," he grins widely.

Pulling away I place her onto my bed to examine her. She is light tan color and a slightly larger than Duke. She was a chunky, big eared french bulldog. I'd say she is about two months old. She is the cutest thing I've seen since I first received Duke.

"What are you going to name her?" he asks.

"Aspin! I have always loved the name. I think it suits her well, don't you agree?" I exclaim gleefully.

"I think it's a beautiful name. She is a shared gift. Your father and I both agreed that she was the perfect gift for you, so it is from your father and I. He wanted to see your face when you finally saw her, but he will have to settle with a picture," he says as he pulls out his phone. "Smile!" I smile widely and hold Aspin close as he snaps the picture.

"You know you did not have to get me anything. I would've been okay with just having company" I smiled genuinely. I haven't felt happy in a long time. I guess I can say that Giovanni is a good addition to my life. Ever since he walked into my life things have been more exciting. I can't thank him enough.

On a whim I place a quick peck on his cheek hoping he gets the message behind it. "Thank you. It means a lot to me," I blush.

"I'm glad I can bring joy into your life," he grins happily.

Awhile later:

My shoulders slump as I ask, "Why isn't he here yet?"

"I am not sure. He said he would be here twenty minutes ago. He might be stuck in traffic," he offered.

"You're right, he is probably stuck in traffic," I try to assure myself. However I can't help but think of the worst. What if something happened that caused him to get hurt? What if he actually got hurt? What if he never comes home? What if, what if, what if.

"Hey, stop," he orders gently. "I can see that you're thinking way to hard about this. Don't let it get to your pretty little head, okay?"

"I'll try," I mutter pathetically.

He sits next to me, gently draping his arm around my waist to pull me closer. I feel his hand rub circles on my side which cause a flutter of butterflies to flap wildly in my stomach, but the action also calmed me.

We sit like this for twenty minutes not speaking a single word. It wasn't needed because it was just relaxing to be in each other's presence. It's now that I realize just how safe I feel with him. Although I don't know everything about him we have grown closer over the past couple of days. I've come to believe that he is, in his own way, a prince charming. He is as sweet as can be, very caring, a great listener, fantastic problem solver, and a person who makes others feel safe and sound. He I assume is the ideal man in society, but I wouldn't know much.

I have read a few magazines and news articles though, so I'm not completely clueless to the outside world. As well as countless books on history, math, etc. I had to be educated somehow. I was just put on the homeschooling path. I don't complain because I'm sure I would freak out in a crowd of people anyway. Which makes me extremely nervous for my wedding day. He said it would be a small, family only type wedding, but who knows how huge his family is. I guess I will have to wait and see.

A ring sounding throughout the room catches my attention. I look towards Giovanni as he pulls the phone to his ear and mutters a few words into it. I assume he is speaking to someone. Although he does not seem to happy about it.

"What do you mean? Sei un idioto!" he exclaims lividly as slips away from the bed and paces around my room. "How could this have happened? Why was no one watching?" he angrily asks.

I watch as he stalks his way into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. I can hear his angry shouts from the other side of the door. What has him so angry? What could have happened? Oh no. What if it has something to do with my father?

I jump back as he opens the door and stares at me. "Merda! We need to leave now! Grab the dogs. We don't have time to pack anything else. I can replace any of your items except for your dogs. They have a place in your heart and quite frankly there's nothing I could buy that could replace that."

I want to question him but it doesn't seem like a great time too. Turning around I quickly grab a purse and shove my phone and my stash of money in there for emergencies. Then I head over and grab Duke placing him into his cage. I would do the same for Aspin but she doesn't have a cage. I will just have to carry her. I watch as Giovanni carries the cage as he heads to the door. Hurriedly I throw on a jacket and a pair of shoes and head to the door with Aspin in my arms. As I get closer to the door I remember something. I turn back around and head to my dresser.

"Amalia we don't have time!" Giovanni shouts.

"Just a second," I answer shakily.

I quickly grab the photo of my mother, my father and I then shove it into my purse as well. I couldn't leave it behind. I look around one last time before taking my locket in between two fingers, a nervous habit of mine, and walk towards Giovanni. He had the door open and was waiting for me in the doorway.

Breathing deeply I finally walk through the door that withheld my future from of me.