Vanished

Chapter 9

It's now 3:00 PM on Saturday. I've been planning out the tour I'm going to give Lorenzo all day, and now I have to find my outfit. I don't want to overdress, and I also don't want to under dress, so the only option is to dress like myself. Deciding on that option, I take out a pair of skinny jeans that hug my curves in all the right places while putting on a long sleeve sweater that looks great but also feels comfortable. I brush out my hair and leave it natural because that's how I am every day of my life. I want to be myself on this date or tour or whatever this thing is because I want Lorenzo to know the real me.

As I walk downstairs to leave for Buckley's, I contemplate going into my mom's room and telling her about the date I may or may not be having today with a boy I don't even know. Yeah, that wouldn't go over well. Plus, I'm 90% positive Ash is here for the 4th day in a row and I don't want another pretend dad lesson from him, so I'll just be on my way.

As I'm one second from stepping outside the door, of course someone has to stop me.

"Bailee," I hear called from upstairs "where do you think you're going?" My mother asks strictly.

I roll my eyes to myself before turning around to look up at her from the staircase.

"I was just going to hang out with Josh. Is that alright?" I make a complete lie on the spot, hoping for her to buy it.

"You know you're supposed to tell me before you go anywhere." She begins to come down the stairs with a stern look but before she can continue I quickly reply

"I thought you were busy with Ash, so I was just going to call you later."

At the mention of Ash, she immediately stops walking down the stairs.

With a regretful look she says, "Honey, if you are going somewhere I want to know, even if Ash is here. I want to always keep you safe and knowing where you are going is as best as I can get."

I smile at her because that's the nicest things she's said to me in a long time.

"Okay mom, I'll tell you even if you're with Ash." I say sincerely.

"Alright good. I don't want to keep Josh waiting. Remember, be home by 10. I love you."

At the mention of Josh, I remember the lie I told moments before. I don't like lying to her, but I know I would get in trouble If I told her the truth. She wouldn't let me give Lorenzo the tour he wants and I'm really looking forward to it.

Therefore, I just reply with, "I will mom, I love you too." And I head out for Buckley's with only 15 minutes to spare.

Ding!

I enter the café and as usual for the weekends, it pretty empty. I look around seeing if I can spot Lorenzo, but there's no sign of him. Am I too early? He did say around four, but it's exactly four o'clock so maybe I'm too early.

Suddenly I hear two Italian laughs coming from the back and I recognize one instantly. Marco. The laughs begin to get closer until Marco and Lorenzo enter the café area with big smiles on their faces, laughing about something hilarious apparently. Marcos hand around Lorenzo's shoulder as a sign on family.

"Mia Figlia!" Marco exclaims happily.

I laugh, "Hi Marco, how are you?"

We hug, and he gives a slight nudge to Lorenzo.

"I'm doing great! Thank you for showing Lorenzo around today. You two behave yourselves."

With a slight smirk and what seems like an innuendo directed towards Lorenzo, Marco slyly walked over to the counter to serve a customer that just walked up.