The Diavoli Forti

Chapter 10: Errands

           The next morning I woke up all tucked in my bed. I don't even know how I got in bed. The last thing I remember was being on the floor. I jumped out of bed and walked over to the closet. Inside was thousands of outfits and shoes to choose from. The maid was right, JR really stocked it for me. Tony was spot on for the sizes. I grab a maroon, long sleeve romper with floral print on it. There were some beautiful brown wedges I grabbed to wear with it. I quickly hop in the shower. As I wrap a towel around myself I rummage through the cabinets in the bathroom to find all kinds of beauty products. I pull out a fully stocked makeup bag, blow dryer and straightener. This was the first time in a week I had felt really clean and was able to pamper myself. I straighten my long, thick hair and proceed to throw on some simple makeup. I walk over to the full body mirror sitting in the corner of my room and looked at myself. I was sort of.. pleased with how I looked. I walk downstairs and head to the kitchen. I could smell the aroma of bacon and eggs. I enter the kitchen to see Max over the stove cooking.

"Good morning sunshine." He smiles as he's flipping bacon.

"You cook?"

He chuckles, "It's one of my hidden talents. How'd you sleep, your first night here and all?"

"It wasn't so bad."

"Would've been worse if you would've slept on that floor."

I look at him puzzled as I hop on the counter to sit, "How did you know I.."

"Tony and I came up there to check on you. Make sure you didn't shimmy out the window or something. You were passed out on the floor. Tony picked you up and put you in bed."

I raise my eyebrows in shock. I thought Mr. Too Serious would have left me there to wallow on the hard floor with my "holier than thou" attitude. As Max turned back around to continue his cooking, Tony walked in.

"Speak of the devil!" Max points his cooking tongs at him.

"Morning." He hangs his head low and gives me a slight nod but doesn't actually make eye contact.

I hop off the counter and walk around him towards Max, "Can I have some of that?"

"Sure! I'll make you a plate. Everyone is on the back patio eating."

I grab my plate from Max. I walk over to the back door on the far side of the kitchen and look out before making my entrance. I see all the men sitting outside in chairs, laughing. The sun was shining bright. In the distance I could see it shimmering on the lake. As I step outside everyone's glances come to me.

"Good morning! I assume you slept well! Come have a seat." JR beams.

I walk over and take a seat next to him. On the other side of me was Jonathan. I give him a side glance. He had a cut above his lip that wasn't there last night.

"Hey, I just wanna say, I'm sorry about last night." He says hesitantly.

I give him a nod and a half smile. Tony and Max walk out onto the patio and join everyone.

"What do you plan on doing today?" JR elbows me.

"There's not really much I can do."

Everyone chuckles. I don't understand why they found that so amusing.

"Actually, I was wondering if I could run an errand today?"

Everyone stops eating and looks over at JR awaiting his response.

"You're not allowed to leave the premises alone. You know that." JR states sternly as he stabs some eggs onto his fork.

"It's kind of personal."