“Oh my, that poor girl. Why do people not take their promises seriously anymore?”
“I gave her name to Andrea Rossi…” my mother smiles, “… she’ll be perfect for the charity.”
“Yes, she will,” my mother agrees. “Do you have feelings for this girl?”
“Yes, but…” My mother raises a brow at me. “It’s not our time.”
She waves my concern away. “If you think she is worth the fight, then fight.”
“Really?”
“I want you to be happy.” She places her hands either side of my face and says, “That’s all a mother ever wants. I’m a mother first, a princess second.” I wrap my arms around her tightly. “I’ll not stand in your way, Luca.”
I give her the biggest kiss before I say, “Thank you, Mamma.”
I think it’s going to take a lot of work to get Lilly back, but I’m up for the challenge.
22
Lilly
It’s been a couple of weeks since Mr. Rossi sent through the information about his charity. It’s perfect. Everything I have been looking for in a job.
I’m so nervous my leg will not stop bouncing as the car races through the ancient streets of Rome to my hotel. I have an interview with Andrea Rossi, the CEO of the charity foundation, and I’m guessing a good friend of Luca’s because he’s the reason I’m here.
My mind wanders to Luca—I’m in his hometown.
I wonder what he’s doing now?
I just hope I don’t run into him on this trip, especially if he has company. I don’t think my heart could handle it if I did. He’s persistent with his messages every couple of days, and if I’m honest with myself, I look forward to them even though I never reply.
I’ll send Luca a message if I get this job. It’s the least I can do to thank him.
The sleek black Mercedes pulls up out the front of a tall glass office building.
“I’ll take your bags to the hotel, Miss Simpson,” the driver advises me as he helps me out of the car.
“Grazie.”
I take a moment to compose myself and walk into the luxurious building. I check in with the building’s receptionist, she hands me a special day pass and gives me directions to the twentieth floor.
Here I go, all or nothing.
I needn’t have worried because the interview was a success. They offered the job to me on the spot, and I couldn’t say no. I get to help save people’s lives with lots and lots of money, and that’s difficult to say no to anyway.
My driver is waiting for me out the front of the building and takes me to my hotel. Picking up my phone, I send Luca a text message.
Lilly: Thank you for introducing me to Mr. Rossi. I got the job.
My heart is racing as the sound of the text sending echoes through the car. Not long after leaving the office building, my driver is pulling up out the front of a gorgeous old building near the famous Spanish Steps.
“Signora Simpson, welcome,” a well-dressed doorman greets me at the door.
This hotel has great customer service.
“Grazie.” I follow him into a grand foyer. I notice there isn’t a reception desk, which is weird. Perhaps I came in the back entrance or something. He holds open the lift door for me, and I follow, then he hits the ‘A’ button. Usually, the top button is for the penthouse site, and attico is the Italian word for penthouse.
This charity has gone all out.
I feel bad because this must have cost them a pretty penny to put me up like this.
“We are here.”
The lift doors open, and the man asks me to step out, which I do, right into a grand marbled foyer. But what gains my attention instantly at the end of the foyer is a terrace, and all I can see is grand Italian buildings all around me. I rush outside and take in the picturesque view. We’re right above the Spanish Steps with some other famously old buildings surrounding me, but I have no idea what they are.
“It is beautiful, isn’t it?”
That voice.
The one I have missed for the past couple of weeks.
No. He can’t be here.
I feel his presence behind me, but I don’t dare look.
“Lilly, please look at me.”
My hands are shaking, I’m not prepared to see him. I take in a deep breath and turn around. Nothing in my head prepares me for the man standing in front of me. This man really is gorgeous. The man, right here, definitely looks like a prince. His scruff has been shaved off and replaced with a clean-cut vibe. His inky black hair is slicked back, and he’s dressed in a killer suit.
“Um… you look good.”
That cocky smirk is still planted on his gorgeous face as chocolate eyes drift over me from head to toe. My body warms under his intense gaze.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to say congratulations in person on your new job.”
My eyes narrow—I have only just texted him. He made it here quick.
“Thank you.” My eyebrows pull together because something isn’t right.
“You’ll be an incredible asset to our company.”
I still.
Our company.
“This is your charity?”
Luca realizes his faux pas because the tone of my voice pretty much tells him what I think of that.
“We raise a lot of money for that charity. I’m it’s patron.”
“And you didn’t think you should’ve mentioned this to me?”
“I thought you would be happy.” He looks at me, lines forming in his forehead.
“You tricked me.” The room goes silent at my accusation. “I can’t take it.”
“What! No. Lilly, no.”
I can’t do this.
Another lie.
Pushing past him, I search the enormous penthouse for my bag.
“How big is this fucking place?” I yell, opening up a million and one doors.
“It’s the door on the end. My bedroom.” His voice has a sad tone, but I’m angry right now.
“This is your home?” I look around
