Chapter 20
Lago di Como, 2010
* * *
“Let’s position the love seat between the two stone urns,” Ariana said, directing Livia and Emilio. “Pink geraniums spilling from those urns would contrast well with blue cushions in the seating area.” She put a finger to her chin, considering the patio furniture groupings on the terrace.
Ruby had given her carte blanche to design the exterior space, and Ariana was thoroughly enjoying herself. The blue lake beyond the terrace and the white-capped mountains as a majestic backdrop set a serene tableau.
She hadn’t realized how much she needed this respite. Ariana’s distress over Phillip was fading in the bright sunlight that beamed into her room every morning as if it were a serving of happiness to begin the day.
Ariana wished she could stay here with her aunt, yet the responsible action would be to return to Los Angeles; it was, after all, her home, and she needed to work as long as she could. Yet, the shop space next to the café intrigued her. Had Ruby filled her head with a fantasy, or could Ariana make a go of a design studio and boutique? That was what she’d studied, though she wondered if she could pull it off here. She didn’t know many people, nor did she know the rules and regulations of the region.
As Ariana was thinking, her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out. The name she’d been dreading appeared on the screen.
Kingsley. Her boss.
She hesitated for a moment, calculating the time difference. It was awfully late in Los Angeles. Maybe it was an emergency.
“Hello?”
“There’s the runaway bride,” he said sarcastically. “Aren’t you the clever one?”
Ariana gritted her teeth. “Hi, Kingsley. Guess you heard. Well, what can I help you with?”
“I’m wondering what’s happened to one of my top costume designers.”
Kingsley’s words were slightly slurred. He’d been drinking. At the office, people feared his drunk calls. Signaling Livia, she stepped to the edge of the terrace. “Enjoying a much needed mental health trip.”
“Ariana, don’t be silly.”
Biting her lip, Ariana braced herself against his condescending attitude.
“You’ve lied to me,” Kingsley said. “You took time off for a honeymoon. Not a jaunt around the globe.”
“How do you know where I am?” She pressed her lips together in consternation. Phillip must have spread the news.
“I know where you should be. And that’s at your desk. I expect you here on Monday.”
“That’s impossible.”
Kingsley’s silence was fraught with threat. “Oh, is it?” he finally said.
“I’ll check flights,” Ariana said. He made her feel like a child playing hooky from school. But why? She was a grown woman. An experienced professional.
And Kingsley was a master manipulator and intimidator.
“I knew you’d come around,” he said, sounding conciliatory. “I can always count on you. But don’t ever test me again.”
In a few months, she would have a baby. A child who would depend on her protection against the Kingsleys and bullies of the world.
Kingsley wrapped up the conversation now, saying, “I’ll see you on Mon—”
“No, you won’t.” Ariana sucked in a breath.
Silence.
“I’m taking the time I arranged,” she said in a strong voice. “The time I’ve more than earned.”
“You know I hate it when people renege on their promise.”
Ariana squeezed her eyes. Did she dare jump from the professional ledge of safety? Or stay and take another heaping of boss abuse?
“I won’t stand for this, Ariana.”
She gulped a breath of courage. “Kingsley, consider this my notice of resignation.”
A sneering chuckle erupted in Ariana’s ear, followed by a few choice expletives. She held the phone away. But not far enough to hear Kingsley’s parting shot.
“Good. Saved me the trouble of firing you.”
Click.
Ariana stood in stunned silence.
“Darling?” Ruby’s voice floated to her across the terrace. “Are you okay?”
Staring at the phone, Ariana turned around. “I just threw away my livelihood.”
As Ruby crossed the terrace, her expression warmed with empathy and relief. “Thank goodness. Kingsley is a vile little man. Now you’re free. You can start to have some fun.” She wrapped her arms around Ariana.
Her heart hammering over what she’d just done, Ariana leaned her head against her aunt’s shoulder. She was reeling in disbelief. “What’s wrong with me? I’m acting crazy. Do pregnancy hormones do this?”
“You’re waking up to life’s possibilities.” Ruby took her hand. “You have nothing to be afraid of. Come on, let’s jump into the deep end of life.”
“How?” Ariana asked, bewildered at the irresponsibility of her action. She was the calm, orderly one who planned ahead. Panic swiftly set in, and she began to tremble.
“Lease that space before someone else gets it,” Ruby said. “You have a lot of work to do now.”
Ariana swept a hand across her face. “It’s intriguing, but I don’t know the first thing about starting a shop in Italy.”
“If only you knew someone who had a business here,” Ruby said pointedly.
“There’s Lorenzo, I suppose,” Ariana said. The café owner might be handsome and charming, but she wasn’t attracted to him like she was to Alessandro. Lorenzo was the safe choice. After all, he was old enough to be her father.
Ruby arched an eyebrow.
Ariana couldn’t fool Ruby. “Or maybe Alessandro.” Even mentioning his name quickened her heartbeat. Why hadn’t she ever felt this for Phillip? Because he wasn’t the one, a little voice inside of her insisted. But her intense attraction to Alessandro wasn’t normal either. Maybe it was merely raging hormones.
“Shall I call him for you?” Ruby asked.
“No, I will,” Ariana replied, lifting her chin. This wasn’t the time to let emotions get in the way. She had to take action, and at least explore the opportunity of a shop because she’d just lost her source of income. Ariana wouldn’t ask her mother for help—Mari would have enough I told you so’s as it was. Ruby would offer, but Ariana wanted to show that she could succeed on her terms. She had skills, and it was time to put them to use.
Ariana’s head was whirling with what she needed to do. And fast.
“You’ve had a shock,” Ruby said. “Let’s sit down. Livia just made fresh juice from fruit harvested from our overgrown orchard. As it turns out, the oranges are naturally sweet. And good for you.”
Ariana nodded. She knew she had to take better care of herself.
Ruby asked Livia to bring out a pitcher of juice and glasses. Ariana eased into one of the cushioned chairs they had just arranged.
“I like this furniture grouping,” Ruby said. “We have a clear view of the lake, framed by pink bougainvillea.”
“That was the idea,” Ariana said. Her phone buzzed with a message, and she frowned at it.