AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. I thought I’d drop your bags first,” he says, bringing me back to reality.
“Why can’t we do it later? I’d hate to be late for the appointment.” Punctuality is a trait taught exhaustively to me at boarding school. Nowadays, it’s become a big part of my life.
He lowers his sunglasses and shoots me a sideways glance. “Listen, if there’s anything I should know about in those bags, tell me now.”
“What do you mean?” I frown.
“Cut the bullshit, Sienna. You were gone in that room and came back with bags to donate when you could have asked anyone to do it. What’s inside them?”
I chuckle. “Guns? Drugs?”
He shakes his head. “Not funny.”
“Fine. Let’s go to Goodwill. If you want to search the bags before I drop them off, feel free.” I fish out my phone and pretend to use the selfie camera function to look at my makeup.
He’s wrong. There’s nothing in those donation bags.
However, he’s also right… I came up with a little plan as I rummaged through my old things. My mother’s jewels. She’d always give me a special necklace, pair of earrings, or bracelets for my birthdays. They cost a small fortune, but I didn’t worry about labels or prices as a kid. Now I can’t find them anywhere.
I used to have them in my jewelry box, which is now empty.
Did they get stolen? Did my father sell them or give them away? The rest of my room looks exactly the way it was years ago. Maybe if I find them—or another valuable keepsake I can sell for money…
If I can sell them to a pawn shop, I can start over somewhere—even if it’s after my dreadful wedding day. I just need enough cash and more knowledge. If I get the money, where do I get a fake passport and ID?
These and other details need to be ironed out.
He stops by Goodwill and drops the bags. I don’t wince. I just scroll my phone while he does it. When he returns, he flashes me a curious glance, and I’m aware of his gaze on me, but I keep pretending to text on my phone and avoid him. Is he wondering if he’s missing something?
I know what I’m up against.
I need to think and act faster.
In silence, we drive to meet the wedding planner. We go in, and a tall, willowy woman in her forties welcomes us and shows her into her office.
“So nice to see you, and congrats on your engagement. Clara called me and asked me to set you up with some appointments. I understand it’s a smaller, intimate affair, and time is not on our side.”
“Truer words,” I say. Time is certainly not on my side.
“And is this your groom? Francesco?” she asks since Matteo sat next to me.
“No. Matteo is a good friend.” I clear my throat. “He’ll be coming with me to appointments. I’m not sure how much Clara has told you, but the groom-to-be will be unavailable until a few days before the wedding date.”
She glances at Matteo again, then at me. “Oh, of course.”
I plaster on a fake smile.
“Well, get ready. This week, you’ll be going to a luxury bridal shop, where you can try on some dresses and pick one, then get it altered if needed. I also set you up with a cake chef so you can do the cake tasting. And let’s not forget the catering service.”
“I’m so excited… I’m sure Matteo here can’t wait to get his toes wet in wedding territory,” I say, and Matteo makes a face.
She tilts her head to the side. “Interesting. Are you going down the aisle soon?”
“No,” he says curtly.
“Well, don’t worry. You’re a handsome fellow; I’m sure sooner than later, you’ll be the one making the decisions at appointments like these.”
I tap his hand. “Exactly. I keep telling him if he works on his trust issues, women will be lining up at his door.”
