Still that afternoon in Santoni, Cybele was walking with Iris to Pietro's hotel, and it didn't take her long to see him. The brunette was kissing with a girl, also a brunette, and they couldn't keep their distance.
Cybele gives a crooked smile at the situation, and approaches Iris, making a coughing noise, but they soon stop kissing.
- Cybele? Wow, I lost track of time, were we meeting? He frowned as he stood next to the girl with his hands on her waist.
Cibele scratched behind her ear and said: - If you want we can come back later! - She gave a half smile, and twisted her mouth.
He shook his head, with his left hand on her body. - He turned his head to the girl next to him - This is Gisele, Gisele this is Cibele, my son's mother, and this is Iris, her cousin! And Iris, Omar, my lawyer, is coming," he said, pointing to the two girls and introducing them.
Gisele was tall, dark brown, and quite calm and, between us, her voice was fine and she had met Pietro in therapy.
He held out his hand and they both responded to the greeting.
She gave a sympathetic smile, her cheeks went up - Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, but I'm off! She turned her face to Pietro, kissing him on the corner of his mouth. She said in a low tone, giving him a little wink.
She said goodbye and walked away. Omar one of his lawyers arrives, and he introduces him to Iris, but before they join them in the restaurant next to the hotel. Cybele pulls him over to the corner table, wanting to talk about what happened.
It is very windy and the sky was gray.
She sat down on the table, and held her hair back into a ponytail.
- Well, Pietro, before we talk about Rafael, there's something I want you to know," she pressed her lips together.
He stared at her, sitting up straight and firm, already knowing what she was going to say, then bluntly he says: - Cybele I know about you and Apollo. Whose yacht do you think it was?
She swallowed dryly, surprised. She widened her eyes and said quickly: "What? Apollo asked you something!" She crossed her arms and looked at him, not understanding.
He hesitated and said no, but Cybele was not stupid. Soon he told her about their conversation, he didn't want to tell her, but Cybele was so insistent.
She leaned back in her chair - "Gee, Pietro, I don't even know what to say... I never expected this from you. - She crossed her arms and took a deep breath.
Believe me neither do I, but what matters is that you're well and happy. I hate to see you sad. - He looked at his watch and his mouth begged for a gin, and a rather cold one at that.
She ran her left hand down his right arm and said, "I'm engaged.
Her curly hair, undone from her ponytail, loosened, blown away by the winds as she stared at him. Pietro kept his face expressionless so as not to express pain, and a hint of envy, although he wanted to see her happy, he still wanted to be the man to put a ring on Cybele's finger.
And that at that moment, dear reader, Pietro's heart broke into a million little pieces, that was confirmation. It's over, it's over for him...
- Fiancée? Are you... Engaged? -he said, shaking his head.
He smiled broadly, hearing that from someone else's mouth ''Bride'' ''I am engaged and it's to Apollo, to the man I love'' she thought in her chair.
She brought her hand to her neck and said: - Yes, and I hope we will be fine with that, since he will also be a part of our son's upbringing, and experience ...
- Yes, but if you trust him, and well if you are going to get married, congratulations! - He pulls the chair away and fights back tears.
It was good to hold back the tears, and repress her emotions.
She stands up and feels the urge to hug him, so she approaches him, holding out her arms. He hugs her with his eyes closed, feeling the smell of orange that her hair emanates, the soft and smooth skin in his arms, longing, longing was what defined him
- Shall we sit with them? -She said raising her eyes, and stood up, pushing the chair away.
She pushed her hair away from her face and leaned her head back. Thanks for doing this, really.
He scratched his black hair - No need to thank me, she's my son's aunt! - And also after all she's been through I think it's the least I can do.
They arrive and sit down at the table, Iris had improved the expression on her face, the blonde gave a crooked portly smile and Omar repeated to them everything he had said to Iris.
- Well, as I was telling Iris she has a chance to win, but we have some disadvantages like aggression for example, and the fact that Alice has a lot of money, and is not a Greek citizen. - I'm not going to lie, we have a fifty-fifty chance, but they can increase with witnesses, witnesses to the night Alice assumed she wasn't pregnant, and the girl you said you found her near the stairs. But unfortunately without witnesses to the fact itself it is difficult.
- But it's like I was saying, I have witnesses! - She pointed to Cybele, and jumped up from the chair she was sitting on - My cousin herself saw her that night, she was upset, she threw a vase at her cousin...
- Okay, this is great, then can we go to Rome? -he said, holding out his hand to Iris.
She looks around without understanding, and asks why she would go to Italy. She put her hands back, and he stood up and took out his suitcase.
He stops in front of them - to my office! We have a lot of work to do, to mount the defense, he said, fixing the prescription glasses on his face.
Pietro turned his body more to the side, taking his cell phone from his pocket and said looking at the cell phone: "Iris, you and Cybele can come with me, and it's still 3 o'clock in the afternoon, come early! -He turned his gaze to the two of them.
She straightened the strap of her yellow blouse and looked towards Cybele. What do you think, cousin? - she asked with a frown on her lips.
Cibele finished a drink of water, put the glass on the table and cleared her throat answering: - I think you should go, I unfortunately won't be able to cousin, I have some things to take care of.
Iris didn't want to have to go, all that was already tiring her, but on the other hand she wanted to do justice, so she agreed to go.
-| ⊱✿⊰ |-
Sebastian arrived home early, Athena didn't have duty that day and was on the terrace by the pool, he arrives and passes her without a word, ignoring the dog's barking. Athena is surprised and walks in right behind him.
- Hey, is everything alright? - The redhead asked, approaching him and placing her hands on his back, stroking them.
He stood in front of her and took steps to the table. - No," he shook his head and opened a black suitcase on the table, taking pictures and throwing them on the table in a hysterical manner. - Because I'll probably get fired, when they see that my sister-in-law was with Giovanni Santoro! - He pointed to the pictures on the table.
Athena was unresponsive, her brain was saying "React woman, tell him the truth." The corners of her eyes were frowning, and her body was freezing fast.
He said calmly. - Do you know anything about this, Athena? Because I honestly have no idea where Alexia knows him! - She widened her eyes.
She put both hands on her neck and said everything from the little she knew. He stood still in front of her.
- I think I need a drink. - I said, taking small steps into the kitchen.
But I'm going to talk to her, and tell her that this is all very dangerous... she said, and looked down to see her dog running to Sebastian.
He picked up the dog, tears glistening in his eyes, and stuck his nose in the air as a smile slipped from his face.
He played with the dog in his arms and spoke: - No! You can't talk to her, because how would you know she saw it? You can't, at least not now! I'm going to ask to be taken off the case. And then we'll talk to her, together!
- I'm sorry! - she said, putting her hands over her mouth.
He shook his head and took a deep breath, putting the puppy down. - He looked around, and raised his head, looking up at the ceiling. - Maybe we need to get out of this house.
- I understand! - She looked around and walked over to him, pursing her lips -and my love, I'll live with you anywhere! - She walked over and stood on tiptoe, kissing his neck. - You are my home!
He kissed her forehead and nodded, embracing her.
❦ ════ -⊰❂⊱- ════ ❦
Alexia arrived with Paolo to her home. The girl was happy, she had finally met her father, she goes upstairs bumping into Julia who thought the girl was strange hesitated to talk about how the trip had been, and went upstairs tired.
❦ ════ -⊰❂⊱- ════ ❦
Iris had arrived at Omar's office, it was the biggest gale and rain, after the meeting, she insisted on going home, but even the trains were interdicted, the thunder rumbles were squelching in the sky. Pietro, seeing the situation, called her to go home to his house, there was no way she could go home there in that gale.
It was evening and they arrived at Pietro's house:
He parks the car, and they enter his living room, it is decorated in a modern business style, Iris shivers with cold and wraps her arms around herself.
- As soon as the rain lets up I'm going home! she said shrinking into herself.
He lifted his shoulders and rolled them and said: - Rain? That's an ugly storm. - He shook his head and walked to the table where the drinks were - You don't have to go home, this house has many rooms, you can spend the night here if you want! Because I don't think it's going to pass any time soon.
Iris rolled her eyes staring at the large window in the living room and entered that huge space, looked around and said a bit shyly:
- Okay! - She put one of her blond curls that came out of her hairdo behind her ear and sat down on the big gray sofa. He said, looking around.
He continued standing up and spoke: - And you don't want to anymore? - He turned and walked to her, bending down and put the glass on the coffee table.
- No," he answered while shaking his head, "Honestly I only wanted three things, my baby back, to forget about Stefan.
- I can't imagine the pain you feel, and I'm sorry for that! - He pressed his lips together and sat down on the sofa beside her, resting his right arm on the sofa's head - It's good about the music, you should invest in it, you sing like an angel!
She turned her cheeks rosy, "Gee, thanks! But where did you hear me sing? -You're also a great player! I even like soccer, you know? I remember when I lived in Milan, I always went to Madrid to watch the Champion League matches, I support Real Madrid! You should play there...
He put his hands over his face, and stared at her - I thought about it but refused the proposal, I would have to live in Spain! And it would be further away from my son, I don't want that, he said, shaking his head.
- Oh yes, I understand! And thanks again for everything you're doing to let me stay here, to see your lawyer! -She said blinking widely, and shook her head, startled, when she heard the sound of thunder.
- You're welcome, no need to thank me, do you want something to drink? - He looked around. - Sorry none of my employees are working today, but Vera is coming in the morning. - She raised her eyebrows, and leaned over and took the glass from him.
She brought her hands to her mouth, yawning, and then brought them to her eyes. Please! She brought her hands to her knees, and looked around. She leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes.
She took her purse off her body and rummaged around trying to find her cell phone, soon she managed to find it, typed it with her trembling fingers from the cold, which were now getting warmer with the heater in the house. He let Cybele and his mother know what was happening.
He took the bottle and put the drink in the cup, and turned with a friendly smile, held out the glass to her and sat down beside her, looking out the large window.
- How about a toast to a new friendship! - he said, stretching his arm across the small space between them.
Iris flashed him a shy smile and held out her glass, their glasses meeting making a fine noise. They both soon stretched their arms back and drank from the cup.
Both of them soon stretch their arms back and drink from the cup
- Hum! Who decorated your house...I particularly love it.... She smiled as she asked and crossed her legs.
- Amanda, practically everything in my life she organizes! -He laughed, and looked at the bottle in front of him then leaned over and poured more.
The thunder rumbled louder and louder, and Pietro's huge windows were sweaty and fogged with rain, Iris' heart was pounding.
- Lucky! - She played with the glass and looked him in the eye.
- But I'm trying to change that! You know, I've been acting like a child for too long. - She took a deep breath and scratched the corner of her nose. It's just a decoration, but... I think I need to start choosing for myself, and not let others choose, you know? Start growing up, even if it's a little too late...
Pietro stared at her and spoke massaging his jaw, admiring the rain on the window in front of him. And yes, Iris, I completely understand...
- Yes, I understand, she said as she yawned and leaned back on the sofa saying: - I love the rain! - She uncrossed her legs, which remained together.
- Me too! she said softly, with her hands flat on the sofa.
Iris felt her stomach rumbling but ignored it, her eyelids heavy and her feet throbbing a little, no doubt from all the talking she did to her lawyer.
- Would you like something to eat? I'm a great cook.
-Yeah? I didn't know you cooked! What do you like to cook?
- I'm the best chef of anything you put in the microwave.
She shook her head and brought her hands to her ears, taking out the earrings that were squeezing her. - She laughed, her cheeks red. - I thought you were going to say pizza.
He stared at her and took a sip of his drink. - She laughed lightly.
- Oh my God! - She retorted with her mouth open. -What kind of Italian are you?
- Yeah, I know, I don't even know how they haven't kicked me out of Italy for this yet... - He burst out laughing. - But can you cook? He pointed with his index finger while holding the glass.
The rain was intensifying outside, Iris put the earrings in her open purse and closed it. She turns her face to him and gets up from the couch, understanding the hand in front of her.
- Come learn from the master! -she laughed, showing her teeth.
He took her hand and they went to the kitchen, Iris made some noodles and thought to herself how impressive it was that even though Pietro was rich he had almost no food in the house.
They jet off and although she is sleepy, she is happy to be making a new friend. Something unexpected by both of them for sure.
- Who knew Pietro Ricci was such a funny guy!
And who knew that Iris Giorgiou is a great cook? he said, staring at her.
- Oh, so I'm a grade 10? She frowned and smiled.
He shook his head and looked at his plate. - Note 9, you missed making the hand when you finished! - He looked at her, clenched his chin and gesturing with his hands, closed his hands in the shape of a kitchen and let out a hearty and loud laugh.
Iris looked around and buried her hands in her hair, putting it back and said, "Then I need to sleep.... She closed her eyes feeling her eyelids heavy.
He stood up and said he would show her where her room was. She thanked him and opened the door slowly, he watched her go in, she turned and went to the door, rested her hand on the wood of the door and their eyes met.
- Good evening Pietro! she said in a calm, low tone. No expression whatsoever on his face.
- Good evening Ir... His speech was interrupted by a loud noise of thunder, he frowned and smiled - Iris! Sleep well, he bowed his head a little.
Pietro walked slowly to his room.
❁ ════ ❃•❃ ════ ❁
Despite last night's rain, Rome dawned with the sun shining on Italy's beautiful sunflowers.
Pietro woke up around 10:45 a.m., Iris had already left. He gets up and walks to his kitchen. But he hears the doorbell and goes to the door, it was Amanda.
She had already sent a thousand messages to check on her friend, she wasn't there as an agent, an ex, or a collector, she was there as a friend.
- Infine. I couldn't wait for it to open so I could do this! The blonde pulled his ear, and looked at him with tight eyes - Did you sleep with your therapist? - she shouted.
(Translation: Infine = At last.)
He raised his chest in a deep breath and said: - In my defense it's not my usual therapist, she had to go away and made an appointment with her intern - He pressed his lips together, and threw his palms up.
He walked to the kitchen, Amanda followed him, almost punching him in the face with rage, irresponsible, she shouted.
- Of course she hit on you, she wasn't a psychologist, she needed no professional decorum. - She ran her hands through her hair and took the bag from her arms, opening it, she took out the tablet and her eyes widened - It's all over the gossip sites, your dirt, she wasn't a therapist, she pretended to be one, to hear your secrets.
Pietro looked dumbfounded. -Yeah, that happened to Taylor swifit once. -He laughed and picked up the tablet on the table.
- Pietro has nothing to laugh about here, you told her about that night in the countryside with Cecilia Villar! Pietro, what you did is a crime, and now the club's board wants a meeting this afternoon.
Pietro freezes, for that night was not with Cecilia Villar but with Catarina, Amanda's sister. He purses his lips together and thinks he is the worst person in the world, Amanda never knew this and if she did she would surely hate him, he didn't want Amanda's hatred at that moment, or any moment.
He put his eyes together and huffed with his mouth and pulled his chair from the table sitting down - Crime? You're exaggerating! We didn't kill anyone! - Amanda looked around.
Amanda looked around - No, but they invaded a soccer field, the club's field, and did what they did. - She shook herself and crossed her arms.
Pietro closed his fists and spoke loudly. Can't we sue her? - He broke off a piece of papaya and stabbed it with a fork, raising his mouth - Amanda, I swear I didn't know. - She said as she chewed.
She pulled out her chair and put her purse on the table - And I know, I know worse that it's not even totally your fault. - She leaned her head back and inspected the place smelling food - But of course I thought about it, I reported it to the police, they couldn't find her, but don't worry we will.
Amanda gets up and sees the dishes to wash in the sink, two dishes. Pietro was an easy target for anyone who wanted to take advantage of him. She had seen it happen before, and was afraid it would happen again.
She scratched behind her ear, and looked at him with narrowed eyes, watching him stand up.
- Did you sleep with someone last night? - she asked, her voice cold.
- No, Mom! He chuckles, "I'm fine, you don't have to worry! I'm a big boy. - He raised his eyes, and came closer, kissing her on the corner of her forehead. - And oh, did you hear there's an engagement dinner for Cybele tonight? Are you going?
She widened her eyes and stood up, crossing her legs and resting her hands on the sink. Are you going? - she said in a surprised tone.
Pietro hated to talk about his feelings, even with his long time friend Amanda. He picked up the cell phone on the coffee table in the living room, and unlocked it.
The brunette read the best message he had ever read in his life, his son was healthy and would be discharged.
He immediately shows Amanda and hugs her tight, celebrating. Finally he would have his son in his arms. He held out his cell phone and with tears in his eyes recorded Stories for his Instagram, elated.
And then it became news that everybody knew about, everybody.