NICCOLÒ

6. A Night to Forget

Cee was on edge.

Of course she was on edge. She was being held hostage by a murderer and may have just caused her only friend a lot of pain.

She couldn't eat. Anna was sweet, she tried to persuade her to eat, but she couldn't. What if Flo was hurt? Because of her, just like Luca?

It wasn't just Flo. She was no longer allowed into the medical wing, for any reason. Guards stood at the entrance, guns in hand, just waiting for an excuse.

Even the extra blanket she had brought for Stefano had been turned away. 'It could be dangerous' they'd said; Cee scoffed internally, glaring out of the window.

She had taken the blanket to her greenhouse, draped it over the crates to create a sort of nest. It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but it was a safe haven. She read the books to herself, even The Catcher in the Rye, to pass the time now.

Her three boys had been moved, even Dean. She checked, every single time she passed through to her greenhouse, but the room sat empty, abandoned. It was coming up to her monthly anniversary of her arrival, and she was more alone than ever.

Cee sighed. She wasn't sleeping as well as she used to, when she knew Flo was around. Now she lay awake and worried. The greenhouse was the only place where she felt even vaguely safe, and she could only leave the room for a couple of hours each day.

She knew it was the day of whatever celebration Mr Romano had invited her to; everyone had been dashing around earlier, cleaning and fixing things - the kitchen had been working hard all day.

"May I have permission to enter, Miss Fiero?" Cee stared out the window silently, not bothering to answer.

Eventually the door opened.

"You have a party to get ready for." Cee whirled around, beaming at Luca; she'd expected it to be Anna, or some other employee.

"Luca!" Forgetting to restrain herself, Cee darted across the room and flung her arms around his neck. He caught her easily, setting her back on her feet and clicking his tongue disapprovingly.

He hadn't been around the house for a few days, due to business. He looked well, more tanned, more colour in his cheeks.

"I missed you, firefly," he teased, pushing her off him. "But you have to get ready!"

"Oh," Cee forced a laugh. "I'm not invited." Luca frowned, his confusion evident. "Mr Romano doesn't like me," she informed him, reaching to her neck instinctively.

His eyes followed her fingers, raising his hand to touch her bruised skin; wordlessly, his expression hardened.

"Well," he said finally, after a long pause, dragging his eyes away from her bruises. "I'd like you to be there, as my plus one, if not a guest."

Cee bit her lip, pretending to think it over.

"Why not," she decided eventually, winking at Luca.

Mr Romano would be furious, she could tell. Serves him bloody right, she thought.

---

Cee didn't recognise herself from the pale little ghost she'd been wandering around as for the past week. She looked like herself again. The makeup had transformed her; her hair fell in sleek, shiny waves to brush her shoulders once more, her eyes almost hazel against her blushed skin.

And the dress: startling, scarlet red - the Fiero colours. It swept around her feet, just kissing the floor gently, like how Cee imagined a dress a princess would wear.