Page 138

I have no words in my head—none that will make sense, anyway.

This doesn’t look like a house. It looks like a national museum.

“It’s… big.”

He smiles and continues to lead me through the foyer. It has a gorgeous fawn-colored marble floor, and a huge staircase that splits in two on the first floor, dividing into two wings of the house.

“Say something.”

“This is… I… you… I mean…” I sigh.

A door opens to the left and a man and woman come out in a rush. They’re in their early fifties, at a guess.

“Rico.” The man smiles happily.

Enrico’s face lights up. He grabs the man in an embrace. It’s obvious he is close to him.

“Ciao, Manuel.” He presents me to the two of them. “Olivia, please meet Manuel and his lovely wife Antonia. They look after this house while I’m not here. They have a home on the property.”

“Hi.” I smile nervously.

“Questa è Olivia, viene a vivere qui, d’ora in poi riferirai a lei,” Translation: Meet Olivia, she lives here now and you report to her. Rico says as he gestures to me.

Their faces fall.

“Please meet my Olivia,” Rico translates for me.

The woman claps her hands together before she takes me into her arms. “Hello, hello,” she cries.

The man kisses both of my cheeks. “Hello, bella Olivia.”

“Hello.” I smile. My eyes dart to Rico nervously. I don’t know what he just said to them, but they seem awfully happy about it. Manuel holds me at arm’s length as he looks me up and down.

“You look like a beautiful…” He hesitates as he searches for the right word. “Asshole.”

“Angel,” Rico corrects him.

I laugh and put my hands over my mouth.

Rico laughs out loud as if that’s the funniest thing he has ever heard. Well, it kind of is. I can be a real asshole.

“Hai appena detto che era una stronzo,” Translation: You just said she was an asshole. Rico says to them.

Their faces fall as they realize what Manuel has just said to me.

“Oh, no, no, no. Sorry, so sorry.” Manuel slaps himself across the face, and his wife and I laugh.

“Andremo subito a letto. Ci vediamo domani,” Translation: We are off to bed, see you tomorrow. Rico says.

“Si, si, buona notte, piacere di conoscerti, Miss Olivia.” Translation: Yes, yes, goodnight, nice to meet you Miss Olivia, Antonia smiles before they disappear.

“They said good night,” Rico tells me.

“Buona notte,” I say, feeling proud of the two words I do know.

Rico’s eyes glow with affection, and he leans in to kiss me softly.

“Are you hungry, my love? Do you want a drink or anything?”