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Checking in the mirror as I dried off brought a smile to my face. My skin looked like it belonged on an eighty-year-old's body. By the time I was dry and had applied copious amounts of lotion, it was back to being silky and smooth. I swept my hair into a high ponytail and applied a light coat of makeup. I didn't want to show up for the interview looking like a two-bit hooker.
The dress I chose was pink with a fitted bodice and slightly flared skirt that touched just above the knees. Once the zipper was secure, I slipped a pair of black high heels onto my feet and checked how I looked in the mirror. Satisfied with my appearance, I snatched up my phone and made my way downstairs to the living room where I'd left my handbag.
“Where are you going?” Benvolio was seated on the couch with Gaetano in a chair opposite, both had papers in their hands.
I grabbed my handbag from a small table and shoved the phone inside.
“I’m having lunch with your mother.”
Benvolio turned to Gaetano. “Tell Lorenzo to go with her.”
Gaetano started to stand but I held up a hand and he dropped back into the chair.
“Mario is coming for me, so I don’t need anyone.”
“Gaetano,” Benvolio barked, and the man stood.
"Ben, I'm going straight to your parents, for fuck's sake. I don't need a babysitter. You can see me to the car, and I'll go straight to Casa Del Lupo. I promise to text you when I get there."
"Sir, the car is here for Miss Nikita," Louisa said to Benvolio.
My husband huffed and pushed onto his feet. “Come on, I’ll walk you out, but I’m not happy.”
Benvolio walked me outside to where Mario stood holding the back door of the car open. He nodded at my husband. Before I could slide into the back seat, Benvolio took me by the arm and turned me to face him.
“Promise me, if my mother wants to take you shopping, make sure you stay close and don’t go off alone in the centre.”
“I promise.” I wasn’t lying since I knew we wouldn’t be going shopping.
“Be back here at four.”
I raised an eyebrow at my husband’s command and tone.
“Please?”
I smiled, knowing the addition had been an effort for a man who commanded total obedience from everyone around him.
“I’ll be back at four. If I’m going to be late, I’ll text.”
Benvolio nodded, kissed my forehead, and helped me into the car.
“Straight to the house, Mario. Don’t let her talk you into going anywhere else.”
“I will take her straight there, Sir.”
Mario closed the door and as we drove away, I looked back to see Benvolio raise his hand in a wave.
***
When we arrived at Lucia's, Mario assisted me from the car and secured the vehicle in the garage before walking me into the front garden to wait for Marilyn and her driver. While we waited, I sent a text to Benvolio telling him I'd arrived safely. When Mario received a message from the guard saying Marilyn's car was at the front gate, he gave permission for it to enter.
Moments later a black limousine drew up to where we stood. The driver stepped out and opened the rear passenger door.
The woman who stepped out looked to be in her mid-forties. She was dressed in a black pencil skirt, white blouse, and black jacket. Her dark hair was severely pulled back into a bun and a pair of stylish glasses perched on the end of her nose. She looked every bit the school principal. Being tall, her long legs ate up the distance between us as she approached with one hand outstretched.
“You must be Nikita.”
We shook and I smiled. “I am and you are obviously Marilyn.”
