CHAPTER 14
Ms. Grace and another maid, entered Luciana's room with a tray laden with an assortment of Italy's finest dishes: steaming risotto alla Milanese, tender osso buco, freshly baked focaccia, and a simple yet elegant caprese salad.
As Ms. Grace approached the bed, her eyes widened in disbelief, and her legs seemed to freeze in a spot.
She stood there, her gaze fixed on Luciana, who lay handcuffed to the bed. The tray in Ms. Grace's hands trembled slightly, threatening to overthrow the delicate balance of the dishes.
Her expression transformed from calm to concern, she couldn't understand what was going on.
She looked at Luciana's face and back to the handcuff. Her mouth seemed like it was searching for the right word to utter, but none came.
She slowly walked to the bedside and carefully set the tray on the bedside table.
"clean that up and replace it with a new vase." Ms. Vase instructed the maid. As soon as the maid left the room, she ran to Luciana's side.
" oh dear, what's...what's going on here?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
She reached out a hand, and gave a warm smile, before gently brushing a strand of hair behind Luciana's ear.
Luciana's eyes welled up with tears, and she looked away, unable to meet Ms. Grace's gaze.
The older woman's kindness only made her feel more trapped and helpless.
"Ms. Grace, I...I don't know what's going on," Luciana stammered, her voice cracking from her crying. "Antonio...he just..."
She placed a reassuring hand on Luciana's shoulder. "Don't worry, child. I'll take care of this." She said and left the room.
* * * * * * * * *
Antonio lounged in a comfortable chair, situated near the crystal-clear waters of the pool. He puffed on his cigar, releasing a stream of smoke into the warm Italian air.
The sun cast a golden glow on his chest, but his relaxed demeanor was short-lived as he saw Ms. Grace storming towards him, her heels clicking on the travertine pavement.
Her usually composed face was filled with concern and a hint of anger. Antonio watched as she muttered some words to herself, sensing a confrontation brewing.
He took another drag on his cigar and heaved a sigh. Why are all women dramatic? He asked himself.
"Figlio!" Ms. Grace exclaimed, as she reached Antonio's side. "What's going on in Luciana's room?"
Antonio tapped the ashes from his cigar into the ashtray and blew out a stream of smoke. "What are you talking about, ma?" he asked, feigning innocence.
Ms. Grace frowned. "Don't play dumb with me, Antonio. If you blow that smoke in my face again, I'll spank you."
Antonio dropped the cigar into the ashtray and gave Ms. Grace his full attention. "What's got you so worked up?"
"Don't pretend you don't know!" Ms. Grace's voice rose. "Why did you chain that child?"
Antonio let out a laugh, but it quickly turned into a coughing fit. He pounded his chest, his face reddening.
He pulled out a face towel and coughed into it, his eyes widening as he examined the substance he'd coughed up.
What's happening to me? He thought
Ms. Grace's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "are you fine?"
he quickly dropped the towel and smiled at her. "yes. just had too much to drink."
"well then, don't keep me standing here like I'm idle! Answer me!" she yelled.
Antonio composed himself. "You saw how she ran away at the boutique. This is the best way to teach her I'm not playing games."
Ms. Grace's voice escalated. "You've chained both her hands! How do you expect her to eat? Or do you expect me to feed her?"
Antonio stared at her before looking away. She was right. Why hadn't he thought of that? She needed to eat. How would she do so with both hands chained? He shook his head feeling a pang of embarrassment. How could he have been so thoughtless?
He got up and nodded at her. " I'll take care of it."
"Take care of it now." She insisted.
Antonio sighed, retrieving the keys from his pocket. He dangled them in front of Ms. Grace's face, and smacked his tongue.
"I'm only doing this because of you, ma. Nothing else." He said and walked to Luciana's room, Ms. Grace following closely behind him.
As they entered Luciana's room, Antonio caught a glimpse of her trying to free herself from the cuffs. Her eyes involuntarily drifted to his bare chest, taking in the shape contours of his torso, the tanned skin glistening in the soft light.
For a fleeting moment, she found herself comparing his features to Alessandro's, noting the differences in their physiques. Antonio's body seemed more rugged, more honed, as if chiseled from years of discipline and control.
But as her eyes met his, she was jolted back to reality. She hastily looked away, trying to compose herself. "this isn't the time for that Luciana, focus." she said to herself
"you see what I'm talking about?" Antonio turned to Ms. Grace. "she is looking for any means to escape."
Ms. Grace shot back, "You'd do the same thing if you were in her position."
Luciana's face was a mess of scattered hair, sweat, and heavy breathing, despite the air-conditioned room.
Antonio approached her and released her right hand. As he examined her face, his eyes saw the red mark.
He clenched his fist, a surge of anger rising within him. What did Alessandro do to her?
"Release the second one," Ms. Grace instructed.
Antonio hesitated, but Ms. Grace's firm tone left no room for argument. "Release it now!" she yelled.
He uncuffed Luciana's other hand, and she rubbed her wrists, signs of relief showing on her face. "Now you can eat," Antonio said, pointing to the food.
Ms. Grace sat beside Luciana, placing the tray between them. As Luciana took a spoonful of caprese salad, she paused, food still in her mouth, and locked eyes with Antonio.
"Do you have anything to say?" he asked, leaning in. "I accept apologies and appreciation," he said but to his surprise, she spat the food onto Antonio's face and said. "Eat it yourself."
Antonio's anger boiled over. He raised his hand to slap Luciana, but Ms. Grace, trying to stop him, came in between them and the slap however, still found its mark, landing on Ms. Grace's cheek with a resounding crack.
The tray of food crashed to the floor as she stumbled backward, her hand flying to her face.
Realizing his mistake, Antonio stormed out of the room. As he stepped outside, he coughed into his palm and was horrified to see blood dripping to the ground.
He stared at the blood on his hand, his mind racing. As he climbed the stairs going to his room, he began questioning his sanity.
" What's happening to me?" " Was the nurse right about my medical condition?" " Do I truly have only six months left?"