Madison's friends just need to decide which story they want to leave with. The pleasant vacation with an old friend, or the kind of story that no one back home would believe anyway.
Their choice.
Though in my world, choices are usually illusions we allow people to maintain.
Chapter 21: Maddie
The next morning, Antonio drives Enzo and me to pick up my friends for the promised trip to Taormina. I spent the night tossing and turning, and barely slept thinking about Sarah's probing questions and skeptical looks.
"If your friends want to see our village today," Enzo says as we navigate the winding mountain roads. "Make them understand it’s not happening."
"They came here specifically to see where I live, Enzo. That’s the whole point."
"They came here to see you,” he says. “Where you live is irrelevant."
"How am I supposed to explain that I can't show them my own house? Buying a house for one euro is a big deal. They’re not leaving until they see it."
"Tell them it’s under construction with unsafe conditions. Use your imagination."
The casual dismissal irritates me. "You mean lie to my best friends who came all this way to see me."
"I mean protect information that could be dangerous in the wrong hands."
"Sarah and Jessica aren't dangerous! For fuck’s sake, Enzo!"
"Your friend Sarah ran searches on me seventeen times last night. She's also been texting someone back in Seattle asking them to check other databases for my name."
I turn to stare at him. "How could you possibly know that?"
"How do you think?"
The implication sits heavy between us. He's monitoring their phones. Of course he is.
"That's invasion of privacy and very rude."
"It’s common security protocol for visitors here."
We pull into the hotel parking lot just as Sarah and Jessica emerge from the lobby. Jessica waves enthusiastically while Sarah studies Enzo's car. Not the same one he drove yesterday, probably deliberate on his part.
"Maddie!" Jessica hurries over for a hug. "The restaurant last night was incredible! The concierge said they're usually booked months in advance."
Sarah’s eyes are sharp despite the early hour. "Good morning, Enzo. Thank you again for dinner."
"My pleasure,” he says. “I trust you slept well?"
"The suite is beautiful." She pauses. "It’s very generous for you to arrange such expensive accommodations."
"Madison's friends deserve the best. It is truly my pleasure to host your stay.”
"Speaking of Madison, we'd love to see her house today,” Sarah says. “And the village she's been posting all those gorgeous photos of."
"Unfortunately, her house is under major renovation construction today," Enzo says smoothly. "Electrical work. It’s not safe for visitors due to code violations."
"All day?"
"Italian contractors work on their own schedule. Usually very slowly."
"How inconvenient." Sarah's tone suggests she doesn't buy it. "What about the village itself? Surely, we can see it? Unless it’s under construction as well?"
