Although the recovery was slow, I was officially cleared to resume any and all activities. It would still take time for the concussion to entirely heal, and the bruise to disappear, but I could finally go back to my life.
Not only was I overjoyed, but Rome’s entire family was just as thrilled. Bella the most because now she didn’t have to reclean all the dishes I had pathetically tried to clean over the last two weeks. They thought I wasn’t aware of how bad I was at it, but I wasn’t an idiot. I was merely grateful they gave me something,anythingto do.
The last few weeks had given me a glimpse of the many ‘what ifs’ I’d had throughout my life.
What if I hadn’t had the money I did growing up? What if I didn’t live in the public eye? What if I were raised in a functioning, happy family?
They were thoughts I’d always had, but had never entertained deeply. But now I knew the answers to all of them. I was grateful for everything I had, but I was also thankful to learn how to make pasta from scratch with Lucia, and help Mateo and Rome work on the engine of some beat-up Beetle that was leaking oil on the street.
Because of Rome’s family, I had finally gotten a taste of normalcy. I was excited to return to my life, but it would forever be changed due to my experiences here. I wasn’t positive on the how just yet, but I was looking forward to figuring it out, and not just slapping some money on the problem.
Rome’s entire family was home tonight, as they were most nights. I had heard stories from Rome about how close his family was, but experiencing it firsthand was a different reality. They truly preferred one another’s company to anyone else’s. When the restaurant closed, the entire family came home to have a very late dinner. It was their tradition… a tradition I had the privilege of being included in.
I waved the doctor's note in the air as I cheered. Rome laughed at my declaration and lifted me in his arms, spinning us in a circle.
I hadn’t expected our relationship to evolve so seamlessly. Everything between us was so easy. I had been in a handful of relationships in the past, but since being with Rome, I had learned they were allhard.My previous boyfriends couldn’t fathom my dedication to my work and were unwilling to be supportive. Communication, a skill I had struggled with when it came to personal relationships, had always been a challenge. I had never had a proper example of communication in my life, and thus modeled the behavior I witnessed—which was horrendous, and essentially no communication at all.
These simple aspects of any relationship had always been difficult for me. It was one of the reasons I was initially scared to enter into anything meaningful with Rome. I wasn’t willing to risk our friendship for what I was sure would be a failed relationship. But everything with Rome was simple. He supported me in my career goals and seemed to care for me even morebecauseof my ambition. He not only understood that I was a shit communicator, but went the extra mile to ensure we did communicate. It wasn’t always easy, as I would fall into old patterns, and he still managed to get on my last nerve at times, but it was never hard.
“Can you go back to the office?” Bella asked.
Rome set me down softly, and I really contemplated the question. Over the last three weeks, I’d had one goal, which was getting a clean bill of health from the doctor so that I could return to work. It had never crossed my mind on whether Ishouldgo back.
I turned to Rome, “Can I go back?”
The people who had attempted the kidnapping were involved with the company to some capacity, that much we knew. Well, that was all I knew. Rome had been careful to keep me disconnected from it all as I healed, not wanting to add any further stress to my life.
He sighed, “I don’t think you should, but it’s up to you.”
I nodded, digesting his words. I appreciated his opinion, but appreciated him leaving the decision up to me more. I wanted to go back, but I wanted to be smart. I had so much more to my life than work. Was I willing to put it all at risk for my job?
“Can you catch me up on what you do know?” I finally asked. I needed to make a sound and logical decision. The only way to do so was to have all of the information and facts that I could have weighed into the decision.
Rome nodded and pulled me into the dining room. I took a seat, which had become my seat with my time here. I had learned quickly that everyone was oddly particular about their assigned seats, and my heart fluttered knowing I was a part of the equation now. Livia had sat in my chair once and was promptly told to move by her twin, as that was nowmy spot.
I had a spot.
Rome wandered upstairs as his sisters piled into their spots around the table. It seemed this would be a family affair.
Rome quickly returned with a stack of files and a pile of written notes. “Let’s start with the employees,” he began, handing me various personnel files. “I went through eachof them and pulled out the specific employees who had a connection to the driver.”
I nodded and glanced over the names. “What was his name? The driver?”
“Marcus,” Rome growled.
I nodded, feeling guilty it had taken me so long to finally ask. Most of the names on the list of employees who had an association with Marcus, I barely recognized. They were interns, other drivers, or employees who had started at the same time as Marcus. The connections weren’t strong, but important enough to highlight. “This all seems rather surface-level.”
Rome nodded, “There is only one employee who has a more distinct connection to Marcus. Namely, his cousin.” Rome set another file in front of me. It was Melissa’s.
“There’s no way she had anything to do with this,” I protested. Melissa had worked for the company for five years and had worked her way up the ranks. Not only was she an outstanding employee, but I also considered her a friend. “She wouldn’t do this to me.”
“We can’t discount anyone… not yet,” Rome placated. “I’m not inclined to believe she was involved, but we have to point out the connection. Marcus only started working at Bly Enterprises because Melissa referred him.”
I sighed, but didn’t argue, knowing he was right. “Fine, is there anyone else?”
Rome shook his head, “Those are the only connections I could find. We also have the passenger, David. He was the man who physically grabbed you. I’m looking into his family now. He has a sister who lives in the city I’m trying to track down.”
“Have either of them admitted to anything?” I asked. From the little I knew, they were in custody, but weren’t speaking. Rome had been communicating with the police on my behalf.
