Do You Remember Baby Girl?

3

"I've been worried sick, Laura! The last thing I was told was that you were seen entering a black SUV which quickly took off!"

Laura placed her head in her hand as she listened to Mark vent over the phone. She had been working for the last several hours and had been so focused on how badly Massimo's former accountant tried to screw him over that she forgot to call Mark.

"I'm so sorry, Mark. Really. I just, I-"

"What! What is so important that you couldn't even call me? The man that you're seeing?" She winced at that last part before standing and walking over to the window. Her view of the patio and pool area was still as breathtaking as she remembered.

"Laura?" He questioned again, this time a bit quieter. She bit her lip. She didn't know if it was wise to tell the man about where she was taken.

Willingly.

Mark would no doubt think she was trying to get back with her ex and she didn't want that. On the other hand, she also didn't want to lie to him. Her good intentions as usual won out.

"My exes assistant called me."

She took Mark's silence as a cue for her to continue so she did.

"He was seriously injured. As in critical condition." Mark's physician status trumped his angry boyfriend status at the moment.

"Was he alright?"

She took a deep breath.

"Barely. He is still recovering. I don't know all the details but I do know that his finances are in shambles. Not by much but it's very noticeable."

"He needed you," Mark said flatly.

"Mark, he didn't ask. I volunteered." At Mark's shout of outrage, Laura continued.

"He doesn't have many people who he can trust. He is worth a lot of money, and he needs someone who can do the job and not become sidelined by what they can get from him."

"And let me guess, you aren't distracted by the money and status?"

"Mark. I've never been impressed with the man's money."

"Oh, so it's just him then."

Laura closed her eyes before leaning her head against the cool glass window.

"Mark. Please hear me. Massimo and I are done. I am only here to do a job. For the next six months-"
"Six months?! You expect me to wait for you because you're helping your ex out of the goodness of your heart and you don't want to be with him romantically?"

"Mark-"

"I can't believe I was that stupid. You were never going to give us a chance."

"Mark," she whispered blinking back tears.

"Save it. Call me when you've got your priorities straight."

Laura heard the dial tone and locked her own phone. She tossed it in the direction of the couch, jumping when she heard a voice.

"Ow."

Quickly wiping her face she turned and faced Massimo.

"Oh, hello. I didn't hear you come in."

Massimo walked further into the room studying her face.

"I heard from Janie that you skipped lunch, so I brought you a salad. She said it'll be good with your heart medication." It was then that Laura recognized the tray of food with the tall glass of lemonade.

"Thank you. You can set it on the desk," she said walking over to it. He did as commanded before taking the seat in front of the desk.

"Is everything alright?"

She forced a smile before taking the seat she recently vacated.

"Yes." She picked up her fork and began to eat. When she glanced up, she found him studying her.

"Yes?" she asked. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Are you okay, Laura? Really." Laura wiped her mouth before pushing her plate away.

"I am fine."

"That conversation didn't sound as if you were fine."

"Well, I am. I was just speaking with my boyfriend."

"Ah, yes. Mark. How is the doctor?" She frowned at him and he chuckled.

"Don't worry. I did not investigate him if you're wondering. Domenico told me."

She relaxed a bit at that.

"He is, well upset. He does not like me here with my ex. He would prefer me back home. I left an event he invited me to in order to come here. It doesn't look good."

"Why did you?"

She paused before answering.

"Because I wanted to help you. Regardless of how you treated me, Massimo, I wanted to help. I knew you would be in a bind, and with you being injured, well I didn't want to see you taken advantage of. If you want me to leave I can-"

"No, wait. Please. I'm sorry. I was just curious is all. And Laura, I want you to know that-" She held up her hand which stopped his speech.

"Save it, Massimo. I am no longer expecting, nor do I need an apology from you."

"I was wrong," he said ignoring her words. She crossed her arms over her chest before looking away.

"I was wrong and I shouldn't have left you as I did. But I was under attack and I thought if you were away from me, they would think I lost interest. That you didn't mean anything to me. It worked. Ever since I killed off the family that killed my father, and threatened to take my business I have not had any other enemies. The other families want no wars, and submitted to me, pledging loyalty."

Laura exhaled before looking into his eyes as he continued.

"I love you, Laura. I shouldn't have left. But I did. And I was foolish. Because I left you hurt and all alone. And I will have to atone for that." Laura hadn't realized she was crying until her eyes became blurry. She cleared her throat.
"I forgive you, Massimo." his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"You do?"

"Of course," she said. "This is your life. You have to always protect your family name and business. You thought you were acting in our best interest by deciding the best safety precautions." Massimo was relieved she forgave him and was about to suggest them starting over when she spoke again.

"Be that as it may, I cannot enter a relationship with you again. It was toxic, what we had between us, and it almost-never mind."

"It almost what, Laura?" he hedged.

"It doesn't matter," she answered instead. "I am in a relationship with a stable man. He is there when I need him, and doesn't take too much from me."
"That doesn't sound like love."

"I had love. I got burned. Not willing to suffer that again." She stood before pointing to the food.

"Tell Janie the food was good. I'll be down for dinner. I have to take a nap."

Massimo called her name but Laura refused to stop. It wasn't until she was in her room with the door locked did she cry. She lost too much.

Including their child.