CARLA'S POV
Jessica, Santi and Jackson had left a couple of hours ago and I just hoped everything is going well. It's at that moment the doorbell rings and I wonder who it is, because no one knows we're here, I just hope the press haven't discovered it, because I don't know how Jessica is going to react.
"Who is at the door?" Miky asked with a frown. "I don't know, but you guys stay here, I'll come now." I said, getting up from the sofa and going to the door, I look through the peephole and as soon as I see its Sofia, I open it without hesitation. "What is the reason for your visit, dear?"
"Is Jessica here?" Sofia asked, "No, but why do I get the feeling you're angry about something?" I questioned, leaning against the door frame "Of course I am. Do you want to explain to me what the hell it is Santi is expecting a child with that girl? She asked angrily "Wait, wait, what are you talking about?"
"Don't act like you don't know, because it's everywhere." She responded, annoyed "I really don't know what you're talking about. Come into the house so we can talk more calmly." She entered the house and headed to the kitchen. Before going to her, I made sure the kids were okay and then I went to the kitchen to try to understand what she's saying about Santi's child.
As I entered the kitchen, I could see Sofia pacing back and forth looking at her phone and I could tell she's getting a little angrier with every second that passed. "First of all, I'm going to ask you to sit down and relax, I don't want you to scare the children more than you did the other day." I asked nicely, "I'm just going to do it because those kids mean a lot to Jessica."
"As you wish, and now, calmly, try to explain to me what you are talking about, because what you said before doesn't make any sense." I calmly asked, "Look at it for yourself and explain it to me." Sofía handed me her phone with the screen unlocked and on it I could see thousands of news items with one thing in common, the supposed pregnancy of this viper and the child is Santi's.
"This is not true; I can assure you that." I quickly responded, "Then explain to me why that girl is saying that if it's not true?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Because this morning, I had a meeting with the record company, and those assholes told me I had to be Santi's girlfriend in front of the cameras, which I didn't accept, of course, we're friends, nothing more, and well, apparently in between, they offered it to her, and she signed the contract agreeing."
"And Santi accepted while being with my sister?" She asked without believing it, "NO, of course he didn't accept, in fact, he no longer works at the record company because of that. He loves your sister more than anything in the world, and he wouldn't hurt her like that." I assured "So, what the fuck are we going to do? Because trust me, when Jessica finds out, she's going to be mad." She responded, "I hope she haven't found out, because if not, we're in big trouble. I'm going to call Santi so he can tell her for himself before she finds out from the press."
"I'll call Jessica." We both started walking through the kitchen. This couldn't be happening. That girl had taken it upon herself to tell the biggest lie to all of Italy, and if there's one thing, I agree with Sofía, it's as soon as Jessica finds out, Troy will burn, and we can't allow that. What got on my nerves the most is that Santi isn't answering the phone, and I was about to call him for the fifth time when Madison comes into the kitchen with Santi's phone in her hand.
"Santi's phone won't stop ringing, and I don't want it to wake up Miky," Madison said, handing us his phone. "Jessica isn't answering the phone, it seems like she's talking to someone on it." Her sister said, "This can't get any worse." I murmured, "Can I know why you are tense? What's happening?" the girl asked curiously. "Adult things Madison."
"I'm old enough to know about things, and I get the feeling it has to do with Jessica, and as her sister, I want to know what's going on." She pointed out, crossing her arms. "It's complicated, I'll explain everything to you when it's settled." I responded, "I can help you." Madison assured, "Can I know why you are making so much noise? You woke me up." Miky said, removing the sleep from his eyes. "Both Carla and Jess's sister are hiding something about her from us."
"Is something wrong with Jess? Has the doctor told her anything?" Miky asked in a worried tone. "I have no idea, I guess they are still there." I said, shrugging my shoulders. "So, what's going on?" He questioned, "Well, Alison's viper told the press she's pregnant with Santi, which is not true at all, and I want to warn Santi of the shit he's involved in at the moment and tell Jessica that it is not true."
"Is that why you worry so much?" Madison asked, raising an eyebrow. "You obviously don't know Jessica." Sofía murmured, "We know her more than you do at this moment and let us tell you she won't believe what the press is saying, she knows it's not true." Madison said, "I'm not so sure about that."
"Madison is right, Jessica knows Santi wouldn't do something like that to her, and he made it clear he loves Jess, so stop worrying about that, because I can tell you Jessica isn't going to believe it" Miky insisted, "I hope so." I muttered, "Let's hope you're right and she's not impulsive like always, because if not we're going to have a big problem."
"You must trust us on this one because we're going to be right. Relax." With that, they went to the living room where they were before, leaving Sofia and me alone in the kitchen again. We sit and stare at our phones for a few seconds when she starts talking.
"Wait, why does Jessica have to go to the doctor?" Sofia asked, frowning. "I don't know what you're talking about." I said looking away "When the kid came into the kitchen that was the first thing he asked. What's wrong with Jessica?" She questioned, "I don't have the slightest idea."
"You're lying to me, and I know it, so you better tell me what's wrong with my sister before I get angry." She asked, crossing her arms, "It's not my turn to tell you, it's Jessica who has to say it." I responded, "And when is she supposed to tell us?"
"I don't have the slightest idea; she's had a lot on her mind lately." I said sincerely, "Okay, I understand she doesn't want to tell it, and I respect that, but at least tell me it's not something we should worry about. We can't afford to lose her again." Sofía murmured the last thing "You won't lose her, but it's something to worry about."
"Shit" She murmured, "But don't worry, it's Jessica, and nothing can beat her. I'm sure she'll get ahead, as she always does." I assured, convinced, "I hope so, because I don't want to lose my sister again." Sofía responded, "You won't lose her, I promise." She hugged me and I didn't hesitate to hug her back, after all, it's what I needed, and as her "sister" I wanted her to be well and not worry about Jessica without being necessary, or at least that's the hope.
An hour later, I hear the door open, and I get up from the chair I had been sitting in for at least two hours, and Santi looks happy I must say, but I don't see Jessica anywhere and that's what worries me. "Where is Jessica?" I asked, straightening up. "She had to settle something with Mónica, and left with her, I thought one of the bodyguards told you."
"What bodyguards?" I asked, "Three of those who came home at lunchtime, it seems Jackson will stay calm taking more bodyguards with her." He responded, shrugging his shoulders, "At least tell me you've talked to her about what happened at the record company." I asked "I did it, and luckily for me, she understood everything. She's not upset or anything." Santi said with a big smile on his face "Well let's hope she isn't when she sees the news."
"What news?" He asked, frowning. "Oh, you haven't seen them." I muttered with a snort at the end. "No, I left my phone at home." He responded, "I realized that since I called you about forty times." I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Has something happened?" He asked, "It's better we go to the kitchen and sit down and talk, the three of us."
"What three?" He questioned confused "Hello brother-in-law, it's good to see you again. At least you won't be killed today, you should be grateful." He said with a smile and leaning against the kitchen door frame. Can anyone explain to me what's happening?" He asked even more confused. "Let's go to the kitchen, sit down, and we'll explain everything to you in great detail."
We went to the kitchen, Santi sat down and before we could say anything, I hear the children calling us, so I get up to see what they want, but what I see on the screen is not what I expected to find. I don't even know what they're doing watching that show. "What are you doing watching that show?" I asked curiously. "There is the lady who was with Jessica this morning."
"Mónica?" I questioned, focusing my attention on the screen. "That same one, it seems like she's going to give an interview." He said "That's weird... Wait..." At that moment I remembered the moment when Santi came home and said Jessica was going to be with Mónica to settle some issues, I just hope that's not what I'm fearing, because if at this moment, the influx of journalists is going to increase with the news that woman gave, I can't imagine how much it will increase if what I'm thinking happens. I sat on the couch trying to take in everything going on through my head now and I call both Santi and Sofía to see it for themselves.
"Carla, are you okay?" Miky asked next to me. "I have no idea." I mumbled, confused and praying what's going through my mind isn't true. "You're pale, I'll go get you a glass of water." Miky left the living room to go to the kitchen, meanwhile Sofía and Santi arrived and looked at me.
"What happens?" Santi asked Madison "I don't know, she got like that ever since we told her who they were going to interview on this show." Madison reported "An ex-boyfriend you haven't seen in years?" Sofia joked. "Someone is much worse." I said without looking away from the screen, "It would be nice if you could explain to us who so we can understand why you are pale right now."
I didn't even need to tell them, because at that moment Mónica appeared on the screen, which made them look at her without understanding anything. "Isn't Jessica supposed to be with her?" Sofia said "What?" Santi asked, confused. "Let me hear what she's going to say, maybe she's going to talk about another of her clients."
"Well Monica, it's good to have you on set this afternoon." The presenter said once she greeted her, "Thank you, it's a pleasure for me to be here." She responded with a smile "It took us a while to convince you, but you accepted. I know it will be difficult to talk about this even though four years have passed since Jessica Leone died in that storm in Los Angeles, but given what Alison Corleone said this morning, we would like to know what Santi's relationship with Jessica was like. But before that, we want you to tell us what happened that afternoon in the city of Los Angeles if it's not too much trouble."
"Talking about that is complicated and it's not something I like to talk about." Monica admitted, looking away. "We understand, but we understand Jessica went out into that storm to save a boy, is that true?" the show's host asked. "It's true, that boy is alive at this moment, and it's thanks to Jessica."
"She was a great girl and it's a shame she ended up like this." The woman said, "That's right, but I don't want to talk about what happened that day." Monica said with a grimace. "I understand, it must be difficult to talk about it since you were close to her." The presenter noted "She is a great friend and treats all her employees as people, not like the majority of those who have money."
"She sure was. Are you still in contact with her family?" the presenter asked curiously. "We talk from time to time." She admitted, "Do you know how they took what Alison said this morning about Santi?" He asked and she denied, "Honestly, I don't have the slightest idea. I didn't even find out until I came to this set."
"Do you think Santiago has already forgotten about Jessica and is rebuilding his life with Alison?" She questioned and Monica denied, "No. Santi loves Jessica too much to be with anyone else." Jessica's assistant assured and a smile appeared on my face, because at least there were people who knows it "But his girlfriend died almost five years ago, don't you think it's time for him to rebuild his life?"
"He will do that in case he has to." Monica said, shrugging her shoulders. " Wait a second..." the woman said, putting her hand to the earpiece she had in her ear, listening carefully to what they were telling her, and I could see how her face was changing as the seconds passed.
"We have a last-minute exclusive. Let the girl come in." She said excitedly and just at that moment Jessica appears in the image. She's doing it and hadn't told anyone. I don't know what's going through her head at the time she decided to do this, but now we were going to have the press on her "Shit." I mumbled, closing my eyes. "What's Jessica doing on TV?"
"That's what I would like to understand." I said sincerely, "I can't believe it, Jessica Leone?" The presenter asked without believing what she was seeing. "The same one" Jess answered with a big smile on her face and sitting next to Monica "Uh... This... I don't know what to say."
"Don't worry, it happens to a lot of people, I guess it's impressive to see someone who's supposed to have been dead for four years appear out of nowhere." She admitted this "Yes, something like that. How...?" the presenter began "How is it possible? Well, easy, I didn't die in that storm." My best friend responded with the smile still on her face, "What has happened to you these four years?"
"I was living in Los Angeles with a woman and her son who took me in and helped me in every way they could." Santi's girlfriend answered, "Why didn't you return to Italy all this time?" the woman asked curiously "Because I had no idea who I was. I thought I was a normal girl like any other." My best friend responded, shrugging her shoulders, "How is it possible you're here right now? Did you remember who you were?"
"I wouldn't be here at this moment if my best friend and my boyfriend hadn't found me in Los Angeles. They and my family are helping me get my life back little by little." Jessica simply said "Your boyfriend? Do you mean Santiago De Luca?" The presenter asked, straightening up. "Yeah, he is the best person I can have by my side, and I love him madly."
"Including he's expecting a child with Alison Corleone?" The presenter asked and I heard how Santi let out all the air he had in his lungs. "What is she talking about?" He asked, "You listen, and I promise Sofia and I will explain everything to you later."
With that, the five of us fell silent and focused on the screen again. I don't know why; I had the feeling Jessica already knew before going into that interview. "The truth is, it's not my place to talk about what that girl said because I know that's not true." Jess assured with a big smile on her face. "How are you so sure?" the other woman asked curiously. "Trust. I know Santi wouldn't cheat on me. From what I could read, she is two months pregnant, and I can confirm two months ago, Santi was with me in Los Angeles."
"So, you're saying she's lying?" she questioned, probably happy with all the information she's getting and all the money she's going to earn thanks to it. "I'm not saying she's lying. She can be pregnant, what I am saying is she's lying she's pregnant by my boyfriend."
"But we have sources close to Santiago who tell us they have been a couple for almost a year. And before that, there were rumours he was with Carla Bastianini. Isn't that a reason for you to be angry with him?" She asked and Jess laughed in her face. "I can assure you none of that is true, and if it was true he was with other women, I had no right to be angry with him."
"Are you saying you wouldn't mind if he had another partner?" she questioned "Don't get me wrong, it would bother me, I would be jealous he had a partner at this moment, but luckily for me he was single, and things remain the same." Jessica said, "And isn't there a possibility he lied to you and hiding from you the relationship he may have with Alison?"
"I would not do that." Santi immediately protested, "If there is anything I can remember, it is Santi is honest and hates lying. It might be I have forgotten my entire life, but if I'm sure of one thing, it's that Santi isn't lying to me. Since he found me in Los Angeles, he has not left my side and is doing everything he can and more to help me recover my memory."
"So, what would you say to Alison if you had her in front of you right now?" the presenter asked something I'm completely sure would end up being controversial. "Well, let her tell things as they are and not lies. If she's pregnant, we can do thousands of tests to check if Santi is the father and everything will be negative." My best friend said, completely convinced, "So you want Santi to take the paternity test?"
"It doesn't matter to me because I know it's not his, that's Santi's business." Jess responded, shrugging her shoulders. "Well, we have to finish the program, I hope we can see you again soon and talk more calmly about what these four years were like for you." The woman asked, "The pleasure is mine." Jess said, with a smile planted on her face "That's all for today ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed the program and were as surprised as we were here. Have a good afternoon."
And with that, the credits rolled. Yes, this was the way in which Jessica wanted all of Italy and probably the world to find out she's alive, she had achieved it, all of Italy had found out she's alive and we were going to have all the press on us.
"I'm increasingly impressed with my own sister who I have known all my life. You guys didn't know she was going to do this?" Sofia asked, looking in our direction. "Not the slightest idea. "I hate your sister is so impulsive." I snorted. "And why is she supposed to be impulsive right now?"
"Because she did it for that girl, I'm almost sure." I said, getting up from the couch and starting to walk back and forth. "She never saw her" Jessica's sister noted, "But she did see the news before we saw it ourselves. She's doing all this to keep the news quiet." I said thinking like Jess would, "And she'll shut her up, now she will be the one in all the headlines."
"Now can someone explain to me what the hell its Alison is expecting my child?" Santi asked angrily. "Well, that girl came out and gave the exclusive at some point this morning." I informed my best friend "But that's a lie." Santi protested in frustration. "And we know it, but that doesn't stop her from saying it."
"Now she's breaking up with me and there's nothing I can do to convince her it's not true." He muttered to himself, making me snort at the stupidity he had just said, and Sofia rolled her eyes. "Don't be stupid, you heard what she said in the interview yourself." I said, "But that doesn't have to be true."
"Jessica wouldn't lie about something like that. And if your sister-in-law understood it, she will be no less. She knows it's not true and she's clear you love her more than anything." I assured, "Carla is right, if she convinced me I didn't kill you for what you were doing to Jessica, she will know it herself. If I know anything, it's that my sister loves you and trusts you. Stop torturing yourself thinking she's going to leave you and all that shit, because it's not true, she won't."
"Wow, I think those are the most beautiful words I have ever heard you say, I congratulate you." I said with a smile on my face "Stop being stupid Carla and let's focus on making this guy understand what's true before Jessica gets home." She noted, "Why?" Jess's voice said, making us all look in her direction. "I correct you; she'll find out."
"About what?" Jess asked again. "Your boyfriend here thinks you're going to leave him because of what the press is saying about him" Sofía revealed, "There's no way I'm going to leave you, I know it's not true." Jess said quickly, rolling her eyes. "Really?" He asked in a whisper, looking at his girlfriend, "Yeah"
"Well, the children, Sofía and I are going to the other house to let you talk. You talk to her about what we talked about this morning, because otherwise you'll force me to do it, and I don't want her to find out from me." I didn't even give Santi time to protest. He had to talk to Jessica about what he's afraid of, it's time for him to convince himself Jessica won't leave him because she loves him more than anything. We all know about it except him apparently and I hope with all my might Jessica manages to convince him once and for all, because truly, they deserve to be happy.