Cara mia,
I’m sorry to not be here this morning, but I have business to attend to elsewhere. Julius was found dead. His funeral is tomorrow afternoon. The car will pick you up at three. Afterwards we will talk, I promise.
See you then.
All my love,
M.
Julius is dead? When did that happen and why didn’t Maximo say anything about it last night? Is that what he’s been dealing with at work? My stomach sinks with dread. If they got to Julius, who’s next? How are they getting the information since Mrs. Rizzo certainly isn’t passing it along to anybody?
There must be a rat within the families.
Disappointed that I won’t see him until tomorrow, I let the note fall to the marble countertop. Regret thrums through my veins. He really meant it when he said he had a long day and just wanted to sleep. While I kept pushing him to talk about that woman, and making accusations. I should have asked him about his day, to see if he wanted to talk about Julius’s death, instead of… I blow out a heavy sigh. Instead of interrogating him.
Losing a consigliere is a big deal. A major loss both personally and professionally. How is Maximo taking it? I don’t quite know how close he was with Julius, but I’m sure it’s taking a toll on him.
I pour myself a cup of coffee and sit at the kitchen island.
We do need to have a discussion about the mystery woman, but I realize that now is not the time. Yesterday, home all alone, I realized I worked myself up into quite a state. Do I really not trust Maximo at all?
On the surface I’m suspicious of who that woman is and why she showed up at our door. But deep down, my intuition insists I can, and should, trust Maximo. He wouldn’t cheat on me. My fears are wrapped up in my own insecurity. And last night… I was not a good version of myself.
He told me he loved me—and I didn’t say it back. I feel terrible.
I haven’t spoken those words yet. Though I think about them a lot. I’m not sure when it happened exactly, but one day I looked across at him and my stomach fluttered and I realized I’d been in love with him for a while.
Of course, every time I try to tell him, the words stick in my throat. Maybe I’m not one hundred percent sure? No. I’m sure. One day I’ll be able to say it out loud.
As I make myself a simple bagel with butter for breakfast, my thoughts drift back to Maximo. I’m assuming someone murdered his consigliere. Maximo must feel like the world iscrumbling around him. I should be there for him. In whatever way I can.
I barely get any work done today as my thoughts are consumed with this turn of events. Then I consider the other options. Did our enemy kill him or was his death completely unrelated? It could have been an accident, or Julius could have enemies of his own. I wonder what Maximo thinks.
The hours drag on. He’s gone all afternoon and into the evening. Which fuels my insecurities. As well as my worry.
Disappointment curls around me as I don’t hear from him. He could send a simple text letting me know he’s okay.
Is he okay?
What if something’s happened to him? I shouldn’t bother him. He doesn’t need the distraction, I’m sure. But another minute without hearing from him is going to drive me insane.
Finally, I break down and text him.
Elena:
Are you still alive?
Maximo:
Are you worried about your husband, cara mia? How sweet.
I huff out a relieved sigh, then roll my eyes. Obviously, he’s fine.
Maximo:
I won’t be home tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon at the funeral.
Elena:
