Caught Between (If Roses Are Red #1)

Chapter 41

I beamed at the television as I watched the book signing event. A kid of five took a picture with Esther Clyde, author of Red Bows.

It hurt I could not be there as co-author and illustrator. However, even if I can't be there, my creation is.
I shut my laptop and set it on the table beside the MP3. Pictures of my travels to different cities littered the wall. The semester was already over and I had not decided where I should travel next.

Istanbul, Rio, or Bora Bora?

I heard the door open and close downstairs. Gianna, the housekeeper, must be back from the supermarket. I grabbed the empty juice box and glass and hurried down the stairs.

"How was your trip, Gianna?" I asked the elder woman who had nose upturned haughtily at the mess her son, Luigi was leaving. Mud covered his tiny boots and stained the tiled floors.

"Principessa, it was uneventful." She gave me a small smile before glaring at her son. "Luigi, go get rid of those boots. I have to clean these floors again."

"I will help, Gianna." I turned on the tap and washed the glass I had used and disposed of the juice box. I mopped the floors and went through the items she bought while she scrubbed and cleaned it to its original squeaky clean glory.

"You remember Maria?" I nodded at her, eager for some juicy gist. "Turns out her baby is not her husband's. She has been cheating on him with that mailman. That is so shameful of her."

"Wow," I scrunched my face in disgust, "why would she do that to her husband?"

She shrugged, clucking, and shaking her head. The doorbell rang jerking us with a start. "Did you order something?"

"Not one I remember." I leave the kitchen for the door and opened it. A uniformed man with a cap and a packaged box in hand stood at the door. "Hello?"

"Hi. Delivery for a Miss Nora Ricci from Vionic." He brought out a pad and pen.

"Oh, that's me. I totally forgot the shoes I ordered last week. Thank you." I signed the pad and collected the package. I closed the door when he turned away.

I tear the package and admired the shoes. The newest edition is to die for. The pink and black lines were highlighted on the white sneakers. I put them on, glad they got my size right. Delivery mishaps are the worst.

"Those are very pretty." Luigi exclaimed. His muddy shoes were replaced with green flip flops.

"Your birthday is next week, right? I'm going to take you out to buy anything you want."

"Really? Thank you."

I ruffled his hair and walked around the house in my new sneakers. The doorbell rings again.

"Strange," I frowned, "I don't think I ordered anything else."

"I will go check." Gianna wiped her hands with a small towel and made for the door. After a while, she came back with a bouquet of red roses and a bottle of wine.

"Apparently, you got an admirer." she exclaimed looking confused.

"Who?"

"No secret letter or note. My bet is on that kid next door." She had a slight glimmer in the eye as she smiled.

"He's pretty sweet."

"Uh huh and you are out of his league."

Chuckling, I bring the roses to my nose and take a whiff. "They aren't fake either. Luigi, get me a pot please."

Wearing gloves, we placed the roses in the pot and poured soil into it. After watering it, I placed it in the balcony to receive as much sunlight as needed. I paused in my ministration to it. Who sent it?