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“Listen, Isotta,” he began, his voice low and full of sentiment. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what happened yesterday.” Massimo reasoned.
When she still remained unresponsive, unmoved, Massimo shifted gears.
“Look. I brought you some flowers to show just how sorry I am. Please, Isotta, look at them.”
She knew that if she didn’t indulge him, he wouldn’t stop. Isotta inclined herself to him, opening her eyes. Massimo smiled as he extended the flowers in her direction.
“Thank you,” she uttered, grabbing the flowers and lifting up enough to place the bouquet on the nightstand before returning to her original position with her back to him.
Massimo’s brows knocked together. That wasn’t how things were supposed to go. He was to utter a heartfelt apology, she was to accept, and things were supposed to return to normal. He peered at Isotta to see if her appropriate reaction was delayed. But when she stayed covered with her back to him, he understood that she wasn’t ready.
In the five minutes Massimo instructed his secretary to have Ricardo wait, Massimo made a phone call to the family jeweler. He had been excited to present the gift to her as a sign of his apology. But given her disposition, his gift would have to wait. The way he felt, Massimo couldn’t just lie down next to her and abide the silent treatment. He took the velvet box that held her gift and climbed out of bed. He crossed the room feeling dejected with a tinge of frustration. When he stepped out of the room and closed the door, Isotta relaxed.
Isotta dared to open her eyes the next morning for fear she would find him lying next to her. She still wasn’t ready to face him. She considered his halfhearted apology from the night before and dismissed it as soon as she thought back on it. Isotta knew it was risky to turn her back on Massimo. She wondered whether he’d respond angrily and punish her by forcing himself on her again to teach her a lesson. So, she had been nervous when she did it, holding her breath to see just how he would respond. But when he didn’t grab her, force her to look at him, force himself on her to teach her a lesson, Isotta was relieved. She was finally able to fall asleep, even if it was just for a little while. She didn’t fully feel refreshed, but she knew she couldn’t remain in bed forever.
Still, Isotta didn’t want to cross paths with Massimo. She still didn’t want to face him. She peered up and looked at the clock that sat on her bedside table. According to the clock, Massimo should be gone. Still, she waited, hiding under the covers, just in case.
When Isotta heard the bedroom door open, her brow pitched. She thought for a moment that it was Rosa, but Rosa would have knocked. Then, the question as to who it was was removed.
“Good morning, Isotta,” Massimo uttered as he closed the door behind him. he picked up the tray he carried in and brought it to her bedside. Massimo waited to see if she was going to respond. When she didn’t, he sat the tray down and sat down on her side of the bed.
“Isotta, good morning.”
He leaned in and gently kissed Isotta on the forehead, hoping to encourage her to open her eyes. She had to overlook her escalating heartbeat as she cracked her eyes open, not focusing on him but looking straight ahead.
“Morning,” she uttered.
“Listen. I know you didn’t accept my apology yesterday,” Massimo began, “but I hope you accept it today. I’m sorry for what happened. I hope you can forgive me.”
His words ignited her frustration and anger all over again.
Isotta inclined herself to him, staring into his face until she connected with his eyes.
“You treated me like trash.”
“You misunderstood,” Massimo reasoned.
“No, I didn’t misunderstand, Massimo,” Isotta countered, pushing herself up to sit. “There was nothing romantic or endearing about the way you treated me. It was humiliating. You didn’t treat me like a wife, your wife. You treated me like a harlot, someone you met on the street.”
“I didn’t mean to,” he acknowledged.
“Why? Why did you treat me so disrespectfully?”
Massimo dropped his eyes from hers. He didn’t expect to have to explain. She was simply supposed to accept his apology. But she was hurt.
“I was frustrated, okay?” he began. “I was frustrated because of some things that happened at work.”
Massimo returned his eyes to meet Isotta’s unrelenting gaze. “I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I really didn’t. For that, I am truly sorry.”
He reached for her with an upturned hand as his eyes softened. Isotta was still reluctant, but she eased hers into his. Massimo lifted their conjoined hands and kissed the back of hers.
“I promise I won’t take my frustrations out on you again. Can you ever forgive me?” He asked.
He sounded like he was sincere. Massimo sounded like he really meant it. But Isotta wasn’t quite ready to let him off the hook.
“I forgive you,” she uttered. “But I won’t forget.”
“That’s understandable,” Massimo acquiesced. “I do have something for you as a token of my apology to you.”
