An Italian Affair (6 page)

The rain
is getting heavier, I can even hear the quiet rumble of thunder in
the air. I pull him closer into my chest, nuzzling my face into his
messy hair which is now damp with sweat. My eyes are on the brink
of closing, when I suddenly notice someone moving through the
condensation on the window. The figure looks familiar, I can tell
by their walk. It’s David.

“
Oh, God,” I say, sitting bolt upright. Matteo jumps,
startled.

“
What? What is it?”

“
It’s David,” I say, frantically fumbling for my clothes and
yanking them back onto my body. “He’s going to kill me.”

“
He won’t. I won’t let him do anything to you, Kelly,” Matteo
says, raising a hand and brushing my cheek. “It’s alright. Look,
he’s not even coming in this direction, he’s talking to someone on
his phone.” He pauses. “There, he’s getting into the car. Look,
Kelly.” I look up. Sure enough, our — well, his — Land Rover pulls
off the driveway, and speeds off down the street. All I can do is
watch as he disappears around the corner.

“
He’s probably gone to look for you,” says Matteo. “Just tell
him you had to go somewhere.”

“
Yeah,” I mumble, still staring at the corner. But he’s not
looking for me at all. I know he’s not. Because he doesn’t care
where I am or what I’m doing, he’s got plenty of other people to
keep him occupied — in fact, he regularly leaves at this time. I
turn to Matteo.

“
I’m leaving with you.” He stares at me but doesn’t say
anything, so I take him by the shoulders. “Answer me, dammit, I
said I’m leaving with you.”

“
I’m going to Italy, Kelly,” he says slowly. “You can’t just
leave and go to Italy?”

“
Why the hell not?” I ask, my voice desperate. “You don’t want
me there?”

“
Of course I want you, Kelly, but I don’t think you
understand. Think of everything you’ll be leaving
behind.”

“
I don’t care,” I say, tears welling up in my eyes. “Don’t you
understand, Matteo? I’ve got nothing to leave behind.”

He
stares at me for a moment longer, biting his lip. The anticipation
is almost too much to bear. “Okay,” he says eventually. “If you’re
sure that’s what you want.”

I nod,
reaching out for his hand and grabbing it tightly between mine.
“Yes.”

“
Okay, then. Let’s go to Italy.”