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CHAPTER4
Annabella
I rolled over and grabbed my cell phone. It was eleven at night and the caller ID read DAD. My heart skipped a beat in fear that something was seriously wrong.
“Dad, what’s the matter?” I rattled quickly into the phone.
“I’m sick. Been throwing up for hours. Went to the urgent care and they said I have food poisoning. I knew I shouldn’t have eaten anything from that wedding when they brought me a plate.”
“Do you need anything?” I asked, now sitting up in bed.
“Yes. I never got to bring Mr. Marzoni his bag. Do you think you can bring it to him first thing in the morning? And while you’re there, you can offer my apologies, maybe comp him a dinner before his flight out or something,” he suggested.
“Dad, you should’ve called me earlier. The man probably had to go out and purchase new things,” I said.
“Then offer to reimburse him for those items, too.” He sighed and added, “I wasn’t thinking clearly. I’ve never been so sick so quickly in my life. And I’m not the only one. I heard a few other people from the wedding fell ill, too. Hope this isn’t a sign that the wedding shouldn’t have taken place,” he said.
Unlike me, Dad believed in fate. I figured things just happened for no reason at all. Or sometimes, things were just a coincidence. Not everything was about the universe guiding our paths.
“Dad, bad food happens all the time. I’m sure the couple will have a long and happy life together. Now, as far as Mr. Marzoni, did you let him know that you weren’t coming yesterday?”Please say yes.
“No. I told you, I was too sick. Maybe you should try calling him now,” he suggested.
It was possible he had put his phone on silent for the night and would get my text in the morning. Or maybe he was still up. After all, he looked pretty thrilled when I dropped him off.But how happy will he be with my interrupting their date?
“I’m sure he’s figured out he’s not getting his bag back tonight and won’t be surprised to hear from me in the morning,” I said.
“Maybe not surprised, but disappointed. I need you to fix this. After all, it wasyourmistake,” he reminded me.
You mean answering my cell phone when I should’ve been on my way to the beach? Yes, that is all on me.
“Fine, I’ll send him a text. But I’m not calling at this hour.”
“That’s acceptable,” he said. “Thank you. I’m going back to bed before I hurl again.”
“I’m sorry you’re sick, Dad.”
“Me too. Let me know how it goes after you see him tomorrow,” he instructed.
“I will. And I’m sure it will be fine.”Might not book another service with us ever again, but that’s okay with me.
I ended the call and thought about what I wanted to say to Mr. Marzoni. Sorry wouldn’t cut it, but it definitely fit. Dad was right, I needed to make amends for my lack of focus. Mr. Marzoni might have left his bag in my limo, but I should’ve noticed it. It’s my job to check these things. But I had been trying too hard not to look at him and his lady friend, and the beaming smile she gave him as he handed her the flowers.
Stupid mistake. Stupid libido.
One can’t help who one is attracted to. At least that’s what the self-help book had said. After several failed relationship attempts, I figured a little self-help couldn’t hurt. All it did was put me to sleep, even before nine. I didn’t need help. What I needed was to find a guy who didn’t think he was God’s gift to women. Someone who could look at me as an equal and not a conquest. As a curvaceous natural blonde with bright blue eyes, I was used to being wrongly stereotyped, and almost never taken seriously. I couldn’t even count the number of times I’d heard dumb blonde jokes from customers. I never wasted my time telling them I made the Dean’s list in college or informing them of how ignorant they sounded. But I couldn’t blame Mr. Marzoni if he gave me a difficult time. I screwed up, and I was going to own it.
MR. MARZONI. THIS IS ANNABELLA MONTGOMERY, YOUR LIMO DRIVER FROM THIS MORNING. FIRST LET ME APOLOGIZE FOR MY ERROR IN LEAVING WITHOUT ENSURING YOU HAD ALL YOUR BELONGINGS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO DELIVER YOUR BAG AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO COMP YOU A DINNER FOR TWO TOMORROW NIGHT BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT FOR YOUR TROUBLE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS AT ANY TIME.
It wasn’t short, but hopefully he’d realize I was sincere. I was embarrassed, not just for myself but for my dad as well.
I put the phone back on my nightstand and went to get a drink of water. When I returned to my room, I noticed a new text waiting for me.
I AM AWAKE NOW IF YOU WANT TO DROP IT OFF.
That’s not what I was hoping for, but he very well could have medication inside that bag that couldn’t wait.
I’LL BE THERE IN THIRTY MINUTES.
