“I’ll walk you up to your room.”
“No.” I hold my hands up to him. “Please, stay and be with your parents. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. “It was nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs Russi.”
I probably could have done better, but I’m angry. I feel the anger coursing through my veins so much that I could cry. I’m a terrible crier when I’m angry. It’s a trait I picked up from my mum. I think I did well to remain true to myself. I got my point across and remained polite.
“Harleigh!” I hear behind me.
I look over my shoulder and see Lucca jogging after me. “Wait up. What happened back there?”
I shake my head. I didn’t want to get Lucca involved in what just went down, because he has a big enough issue with his parents. It’s clear to me that Margo isn’t the issue. She’s kind and accommodating. The perfect mother figure.
“Nothing. I’m just going to my room. I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
“Yeah, and I’m Santa Claus. Pull the other one, Harls. What happened when you met my parents?” he grinds out and carries on walking behind me into the lift.
“Nothing. They’re…” I pause for the right word. “Charming. Are we still on for lunch tomorrow?”
“I’ll let this go for tonight. I’ll call you in the morning to arrange a time.”
“Okay. Goodnight, Lucca.” I reach over and squeeze his arm before leaving the lift on my floor.
I don’t hang around any longer than I need to, because there is only so long that I can lie to Lucca. I hate lies, but I’d rather distort the truth as opposed to make him hate his family more. I won’t have that on my conscience.
I pull out my key card and swipe it down my door. The moment it clicks open, I feel the stress lift from my shoulders. I’m in my own little cocoon. I’m away from questions, interrogations, and prying eyes. I hate being put on the spot, but I didn’t expect Gio’s dad to be so forward. If he’s like that all the time, I can see why Lucca has a problem.
I throw down my bag, kick off my shoes, and throw myself down on my bed. I hate how I feel right now, because just two hours ago I was happy, enjoying my time with Gio, and dancing the night away. Now, it’s like that dark cloud is hanging over me, just waiting to burst into a terrible storm.
I reach over for my bag, grab my phone, and set out to reinstall my Facebook and Instagram. I’ve been away from all social media for such a long time. Martin didn’t like me having contact with the outside world. Even when I got away, it felt wrong to have social media when I didn’t feel very social. Tonight, right now, I want to show the world that I was happy and enjoying life just a few hours ago. I’m not this hermit that people have come to expect from me.
The moment my accounts are reactivated, I upload the picture that was taken of Giovani and me just a short while ago. I caption it,‘Having the time of my life.’I hit send before I can change my mind. I know I can delete it later, but I feel ten feet tall doing something that I haven’t done in such a long time. It’s crazy how such a mundane task can make me feel like a queen.
A moment later, my phone vibrates. I snatch it up off my stomach and open the notification. I smile when I see my brothers’ comments. ‘Welcome back to the wonderful world of Facebook, doll. Looking fabulous!’wrote Gav.
‘Bulgaria obviously agrees with you, sis. Looking good,’wrote Sebastian.
I smile, roll my eyes, and roll onto my stomach, holding up my weight on my elbows.
‘Sun, sea and… shopping will do that to someone.’ I write back quickly and giggle at the thought of their jaws dropping to the ground when they imagine what I was going to write back. I know this will be a novelty to them, because I haven’t been much of a sister lately. I’ve been a shell of myself. I’ve worried my family, sent them to hell and back, and now I’m at the opposite side of the world. But knowing they’re happy because I’m enjoying myself is rewarding, as crazy as that sounds.
I sigh, place my phone on the bedside table, and roll out of the bed. A shower, clean pyjamas, and a good sleep should help me forget the last half an hour tonight. Because whatever happens, none of it was Giovani’s fault.
I won’t let one thing ruin what we have going on between us. I’ve let enough people take from me over the last few years. There has to come a point when you say enough is enough.
Chapter 17
Giovani
After Harleigh left me standing in my own fucking bar, I left my parents to find their own way back to my house and took myself off to walk along the harbour. Everything is alive in the distance, over in Sunny Beach. It’s party central in parts. It’s at moments like this that I love being here in Old Nessebar. It gives me time to clear my head, think about the evening I had with Harleigh, then the atmosphere my father caused. I growl into the night sky. I’ve given my parents the benefit of the doubt when Lucca goes off on one, but maybe I’ve just never seen the vindictive side to my father. Maybe I didn’t want to believe that man who raised us could be horrible to one of his own. Maybe my father has been good at having a go at Lucca without me noticing he was in the wrong.
I don’t know what to think anymore. I just feel stupid. What on Earth will Harleigh think of me now? I’ve spent so much time getting her to relax around me, and now it could have all been for nothing. I wouldn’t blame her if she never wanted to see me again.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I take it out to see a message from my brother.
Lucca – Just heading home. Where are you?
Me – I’ll be five minutes. I’m just taking a walk.
Lucca’s fingers must be on the ball, because I’m just getting my message sent when his messages are coming back to me.
