Guardian Lover – chapter 24 – Gone with the wind………..
A group of approximately twelve people remained quietly seated in an oval room that over looked a large ornate desk which housed a myriad of legal books and a dour, middle aged solicitor seated at its core. Clearing his throat, straightening his well straightened tie the jury of mourners looked up, engrossed as one listening intensely as he finally addressed them.
"Morning everyone, I'm sure you are all aware why you are here today, namely to listen to the final will and testament of the late spinster Miss Marguerite Anna Delpiero. Miss Delpiero's last wish was for her family, close friends and main beneficiaries to be together for one final goodbye before she was laid to rest. The details will be announced by her elected representative Mr Giovanni Rossi; could you continue please Mr Rossi"
"Yeah, (loosening the black tie that threatened to strangle him relieved to finally undertake his task as he straightened himself, smoothed his hair back off his forehead and looked the audience clear in the eye) Thank you Mr Gibson and thank you everyone for coming today. Well, this is a really sad day for me it's been some time now but I remember when aunt M requested, no not requested…you all know her she demanded I would have to do this. Basically I was to get all the family together, no sorrow just a nice day, a big party to celebrate her life…her long life. She knew there would be lots of tears especially from Antonella but she asked me…no told me I was to make sure none of that happened….Wine, wine and more wine she'd said and when everyone was drunk….more wine, if a little watered down for Ant and only the good stuff…she had she insisted got to take it with her somehow…(attempting to laugh)…a good Italian wake……
I know this is unusual as aunt Marguerite wasn't officially family but she always felt like she was you know. Anyway; she asked me to be the one to open her last will and testament in the sight of her solicitor and all the family so here I am, believe me I have no idea what's in this…. here goes….(looking up to heaven) Love you aunt Mags …I'll miss you, big time…...you were my girl (coughing and sipping from a glass of water at his side as he began to read).
To my dear and trusted friend Theresa, (who looks up almost surprised) yes you are for all our arguments about me interfering I leave an estate of two hundred thousand dollars to enable you to live in comfort for the rest of your days and to renovate that old house of yours…(she laughs Gio said) alongside my jewellery and personal belongings because I know you will look after them…..
To Isabella Rossi I leave my four restaurants to do with as she pleases and an estate of four hundred thousand dollars that I feel sure you will use wisely and the proviso that all transactions are run past your brother Giovanni until she reaches the age of twenty five years……yes twenty five years Issy…deal with it she say's….that a girl Mags…..
To dear, sweet Antonella I leave a scholarship for drama school, a trust of two hundred thousand dollars and the rights to four books purchased by me many years ago ….prime for updating and turning into movies when she's a movie director… and a life time membership of Pugs are us breeders where she could obtain any and all information on her beloved Phoebe and Wally and the many offspring I feel sure the pair will have…Oh and a lace tablecloth to replace the one eaten by mistake by the said puppies, although unproven…..
To Giovanni Rossi my main beneficiary and precious boy I leave ten million dollars (Gio's face a look of total shock and his voice breaking) plus my house which I expect to be filled with children during his lifetime. Should it not be it will be placed in trust to the War Veteran Fund for widows and orphans on his death….may all your dreams come true if you just have faith and courage to forgive anything……., I love you, you've made an old lady very happy the goodness I have seen in the world I saw in your eyes Giovanni you have a heart so big and so much love to share remember that …..always….
The remainder of my estate to include the rights to my book and half share of the Vito di Gusto magazine and business I bequeath to……Miss Betty Suarez, my friend and confidante.
Finally (Gio whispers) she adds, I would like to conclude with the statement that this will and testament was completed with the support of my lawyer and at the time of writing this I was of sound mind and body, dated………..
Please note as arranged my body will be interned in the family grave alongside my good friend Elisa Maria Rossi and my son…….Alfredo Rossi…….
Goodbye everyone…I love you all and we will meet again I'm sure….be Happy..all of you
Signed…..Marguerite Anna Delpiero…dated……
Shocked and completely confused Giovanni Rossi placed the will into Mr Gibson of Gibson and Rodriguez Solicitors hand, unsure of what had just occurred, noting he was richer than ever but mainly the news that Alfredo Rossi, his papi was……Marguerite's son…she was his grandma and he'd never known. No one, not even his momma who was sitting, staring at the ceiling in total trauma knew. Walking to his mother Gio seated himself beside her, placing his arms around her shoulder as she leaned into him, his chin above her head, for once the child the parent the parent the child…..
Antonella was bouncing off the walls, dancing for joy and her sister likewise completely unsuspecting they would be left anything at all. Gio had always been her favourite and no one knew she was that rich….Oh! (She screamed) an acting sponsorship, books, oh what would she do with dusty books, information on her beloved dogs, a new lace tablecloth to get her out of trouble with ma but….all that money!….oh my she exclaimed I can finally buy all of Meryl's DVD's to watch at my leisure no more begging everyone at Christmas….
Isabella glared opened mouth at her sister, surprised and elated, so much money, the restaurant hers she had never expected that, she was sure they would go to Gio certain of it but no aunt Marguerite, frosty aunt M who had never got a nice word to say to her had left her a…future she had only ever dreamed of. Isabella's mind raged, she had so many ideas, plans that Gio had always stifled, delayed, the business wouldn't be able to take the burden but now; oh now she could do her own thing, be her own boss at last, make her own mistakes and success's. That proviso though to go through Gio until she was twenty five, that might prove difficult but she'd get around her brother somehow, she always had in the past…
However not one of the family, save Gio could understand why aunt Marguerite would consider leaving anything to that Suarez woman, especially after the way she'd treated Gio. She must have groomed her while she was there writing that book, convincing her she was really nice so she could swindle her out of her money. However on questioning Mr Gibson it was proved to be all above board, there was nothing anyone could do and anyway both sisters agreed that was Gio's problem he was the one who would have to work with her at Vito di Gusto and who needed a frosty old book anyway…no one brought books any longer. Especially boring war books and what was it about now, oh yeah Queens and grandpa ….
"Oh I don't know Antonella and Isabella whispered, what was all that nonsense about anyway, why was momma getting so upset, it was all in the past…aunt Marguerite could be buried anywhere she liked after leaving all that money to them…anywhere"
Wandering off to find a drink and a sugar hit to calm their shock whilst interspersing and consulting further with the solicitor, namely about when they would get their inheritance Antonella and Isabella did not notice the door of the office quietly open and a certain Betty Suarez walk in. Slowly making her way over to Mrs Rossi and Giovanni to give them her last respects she was bowled over by the look of sheer despair and exhaustion on Gio's face and the look of hate aimed to her by his mother. Her temper inflamed and intent on hitting out at anyone Theresa Rossi stood as if to strike Betty but Giovanni stood between them, holding his momma back and calming her down as he whispered..
"Ma, ma…none of this is Betty's fault….none of it…okay?" however her physical temper quelled her verbal one was far from satisfied as she growled
"What are you doing here Suarez, you vulture, isn't it enough you took my sons heart and broke it you now have to come and gloat. Happy are you now you have half of his business, did the old fool fall for your tricks as well. Lord you should hear the nonsense I've heard today, she must have been totally insane, thinking she was my Alfredo's mom when I know it was Elisa….Elisa… Giovanni what a thing to say …your papi would turn in his grave if he heard such lies about his mama. (facing Betty again, livid and hurt)
Why don't you just go away and leave us in peace…you are not and never will be part of this family….do you hear me….Go away…..Now!" as Gio intervened…
"Ma, ma enough if aunt M left her half the Vito di Gusto magazine and business, I'm sure she had her reasons for that and as for the story about papi well I don't know why she would make that up, really I don't….maybe she was just….confused…I know I am…..someone must know what's going on…..Mr Gibson?"
"I know the truth about it, (Betty intervened) no need to ask Mr Gibson he won't have any information Marguerite took it literally to her grave you see Marguerite and I we were very close at the end…I think it was because we both needed each other, lonely you know. I learnt a lot about her from writing, ghosting her book…a lot and….she wanted to unburden herself but she didn't tell me about your grandpa until after she'd died, the day after actually. An audio tape, her last audio tape arrived courier mail from the solicitor for me to read and type in manuscript form. As you know (looking at Gio) the book is finished and proof read for publishing but there's this one final chapter she wished me to add but not she asked without all of your consent.
I know it's hard to take all this in but please, will you read it and then I'll know what to do, where to go with this to include it or not…it's very very personal to all of you and it explains so much. She also gave me these letters to give to each of you on her death, I have one myself, they were with the tape (handing them out one by one) Gio, Theresa, Isabella and Antonella, please take them…I have no idea what's in there…honestly ….."
Taking his letter in his hand Gio eased Betty into a seat as she looked about to collapse as he gently spoke to her
"Here take your copy of the will; we all have one, all the beneficiaries (seeing her surprise Gio continued). It seems you own half of my business now and all of Marguerite's book so I guess if you wanted to you could print anything you like without our permission but thank you for the thought oh and the letters, I'll, we'll read them…now. Stay please, B you look like you need a drink, the shock I guess and my sisters and ma would like you too be here with us…..wouldn't we momma?"
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry Miss Suarez, my Sicilian temper gets the better of me on occasion, I was mad and I took it out on you I shouldn't have done that (turning to look at Gio as if Betty wasn't there Theresa continued). There must be a reason why Marguerite left so much to a complete stranger (looking at Betty), don't get me wrong none of it's your fault, I see that now; the woman must have been deranged mentally ill (removing herself to open and read her letter and handing similar ones to Antonella and Isabella Theresa sort answers) Betty whispered as she tearfully glanced at Gio engrossed in his letter….….your sisters…?".
"Yeah B Antonella and Isabella my two sisters, why Betty what did you think, who did you think….oh you thought Isabella was my…your imagination will it never end? Why do you always think I've got women every where"
"Well (Betty replied) you always talked about children in the house when she was there and you seemed so close and Marguerite….oh the mischievous old devil…trying to make me jealous of your sister"
"Well did she….make you jealous that is?"...... no answer came….
"No, no she didn't (scratching her neck nervously, she always did that when she was lying as Betty replied) I just misunderstood that's all ha ha (her eyes raised, shaking her head too and fro). Gio, I'm sorry, I have to leave in a moment, please here's a copy of the book with a recording of the missing chapter. Could you read it and then listen, it's so sad and then when you're ready you can tell me what you all want me to do, whether I add it or omit it….I'll leave it entirely up to you, it might take some getting used to ….so many secrets….."
Their hands touching, lingering as the envelope passed from one to the other they looked at each other, Gio's head bowed as it rose to look at her, a little boy again, how could she resist him? He pierced her heart but resist him she must as she automatically droned out the words
"Hmm, I'll…I'll wait for your reply Gio but I….I need to know so I can get the book published…….Matt's really anxious to finish it before….before the wedding next week. He wants me all to himself he says, no interference or interruptions…we're honeymooning in Bermuda the Hartley private Island to….make babies he said (as Gio approached, right next to her face, their lips almost touching as she whispered and resisted…) Yes, I..I need a decision before…..…..Thanksgiving…my wedding day….I need to send it off to….the….printers…well Matt will…he says….Gio, is it hot in here because I feel faint?"
"No, no it's not hot, just right I'd say and making babies you say, hmm, maybe I should have your manuscript to publish do you think you can trust this man, don't you have a say in anything Betty…do you want babies? I thought you wanted a career, you could make babies with m…..but Okay, okay, I'll let you know as soon as I can, where are you staying at you pa's? I'll come over as soon as I've finished and spoken to my family, that's as much as I can promise but I'll…we'll give you an answer soon; I promise" (his mouth almost parallel to hers, just a movement forward and she'd be attached to his lips as she continued)
"Ofcourse…ofcourse I want babies Gio….only not yet, who wouldn't want babies, I love babies but not yet, in time, in time but…."
"That's what I thought …not part of your plan, you being a writer and all but I guess when you're that rich and in a hurry you can be a momma and a writer…can't you B? and I'd almost forgotten (he lied) your getting hitched next week, Thanksgiving, nice…
I'll, I'll be at home with the family as always but I wish you well (brushing her hair to one side to fix it behind her ear as he gently kissed her cheek, moving down to the edge of her mouth and across to her lips as he brushed his mouth across hers and whispered, knowing she was responding to his presence as she always would now. Are you sure your ready to marry Betty….I don't know …I think (holding the side of her head with his left hand), kissing her neck and returning to her mouth, speaking lowly) you will always be …mine…don't you?
"Yes, I am getting married next week Gio, to Matt ..I have to…he loves me and I've said yes"
"I love you B ….say yes to me…are you brave enough?" (she woke up from her daydream)…..
"Gio, Gio let me go….I can't …we're no good for each other, we argue too much (pulling away from his grasp) No, it's no good, stop it Now. Were friends, Gio please, I know your upset and doing things you don't mean after Marguerites death but don't play games with me…unless you mean it……..do you mean it? (No reply). Gio, would you ……..would you like to come to the ceremony? I know Matt would want you there but I'll understand if you say no, family is so important now; especially at your time of loss."
"I don't think I can do that, watch you marry that …man B and I doubt very much if your fiancée wants me there but thanks for asking, maybe another time….husband number two?"
"Oh Gio, that's not funny, when I marry I'll marry for life, it's my way; (looking at the floor). Well I have to go, things to do, places to go and people to see so I'll see you when you can, when you've finished….the book and Gio I'm so sorry for your loss…..I loved your aunt Marguerite; I really did, she was some lady"
"Yeah, some lady Betty, she loved you, she thought you loved me, do you love me (she daydreamed as she answered yes, yes…yes) and (waking to hear his voice she so adored) have you forgotten, she left you half of my business so we'll have to work together soon, very soon ………..if your 'husband' lets you……"
Walking away his letter in his hand he was oblivious to Betty Suarez as she stared at him, wanting to run to him and hold him from behind so he would never leave and longing to ease the pain she knew he felt but only able to turn away and leave; the copy of the will in her hand, reading it's contents she realised in only a few moments her future…….and what she had to do…….
……………………………………….
Walking into the restaurant, the remainder of the family in attendance Marguerite del Piero's wake began. As the food appeared, the wine and strong coffee consumed and people became more animated and accepting of their loss only one man stood out as being completely melancholy.
"That's not like you to be so sad Gio, not the boy I recall…" (Turning to face a voice he hadn't heard in over eight years Giovanni Rossi, almost choking on his words proclaimed) It can't be…..Jenny….Jenny Hernandez …where have you been…..I mean how are you babe….last time I saw you ….was your …wedding day to Philippe Diaz…what happened…where is he, is he still in the army…..I heard he was in Iraq…he's okay isn't he Jenny?…..lotta guys getting hurt out there I know….."
"Gio….he…he was killed two years ago, a road side bomb…nothing left of him to bring home it was such a shock you know……I was so broken for some time but I have my boy, my Ricardo…he's eight now…..he keeps me grounded you know…so like his papa….(looking down) wait till you see him. Hmm, he's a total handful, a proper boy but when ……. world was destroyed when Phil died and I thought I'd lost everything he saved his momma…..I nearly gave in but his little face, so missing his daddy too and he needed me and I needed him….he's quite a boy…...
I've been away a while, we were billeted in the army for six years until….. and then Los Angeles for a while trying to sort myself out. I got into a bit of trouble for a while but I'm fine now….clean…not drugs just a little wild. Oh don't fret Ricky was with my momma in Chicago, I had lots of hospital, tests you know trying to find my problem and they did…last year, well they found out why I was acting so crazy…..but Hey Gio now I'm living in Queens again, near your momma, I've come back to my roots….to see my old friends again one last time……..(looking up into his eyes as she gently spoke).
I'm working now, here part time waitressing like I did all those years ago at your aunt's restaurant when we were kids do you remember Gio, you, me and Phil what a trio, inseparable we were, like family and you always wanting to date Betty Suarez a perfect foursome you said until…...
Well I saw the booking for today and that's when I realised aunt Marguerite had passed…..I just wanted to be here to say my hello's and offer my condolences. I saw your momma and she told me you were a little down, you needed a friend …I'm your friend aren't I Gio…you forgive me for……breaking your heart…it's was so long ago…we're different people now aren't we?….and you should see my boy….my Ricardo….the image of his papi….Theresa said so……."
"Okay Jenny….I'd like to meet your boy and yeah…of course I forgive you we were only kids and I used you as much as you used me, I knew you never wanted me but….so ….friend's..why not..(taking her in, looking up and down she was still the petite, curvaceous woman her remembered, the girl who had filled his heart when Betty Suarez didn't want it so many years ago…the woman he almost married until she ran off with his best friend Philippe that had been such an escape. Taking her in fully Gio wondered what had happened to her; she looked old for a woman of twenty eight life must have been so hard, he'd wished she'd come home, he would have helped her for old times sake.
Recalling the day so long ago now when he thought he'd given up on love, never thinking he'd recover but he did laughing now recollecting that morning when they ran away feeling the loss and betrayal of not only Jenny his best pal, his brother almost and to know he'd died and he hadn't found out chilled Gio to the bone as he whispered)
I should have spoken to Pippi this stupid argument should never have lasted as long as it did, it was so long ago but I never seemed to find the time and now…he's gone (hugging her)..it's okay..it's okay…everything will be fine…" (as she replied)
"Yes, Gio…I think you might be right…I think everything will be fine……I have to get back to work….we'll speak soon Gio…..I know where your momma lives (handing her his business card and writing his personal cell phone number on the back he kissed her gently on the cheek and whispered) Yeah Jenny I'll look forward to that……really I will…….."
……………………………
"He said what! He won't marry you, what the hell Betty! Let me at him I'll show that blown up Nancy boy what a Queens woman can do with a pair of scissors and a temper. Getting my little sister pregnant and then dumping her the night before the wedding…and I've…I've brought a new outfit, I'll have to take it back now and Archie what will I tell him, he's so relying on the Hartley's to back him. Sure they're rich but he reckons it's the contacts he could make, I'm for it for certain, he'll go ape and all because of what? You just happen to be in the family way before the wedding. I mean it's his isn't it, what's his problem? The birth certificate or something, saying the baby came early..who cares now, no one that's for certain, it's normal. You know what that son of a bitch is going to answer to me….Hilda Suarez…" as Betty shouted…
"No…don't you dare Hilda, it's over, he doesn't want to know and he's told me in no uncertain terms he won't marry me now, his family honour…."
"I'll family honour him (Hilda hissed), I'll put his family honours between two rocks and crush the life out of em…..nobody messes with a Suarez woman ..if he doesn't want to marry you girl he can still pay maintenance it ain't as if he's strapped for cash now is it?"
"You don't understand Hilda it's not his……it's not his……it was a one night stand I had, don't know why I did it and I don't know the guy, I'll never see him again so that's it…… it's my problem and I'll find the solution one way or the other…"
"What do you mean Betty, one way of the other…what are you going to do…oh no you don't, if you're thinking of doing what I think you're thinking of doing, don't you dare, if you do I'll never speak to you again. No way are you getting rid of it….you are aren't you, you're thinking of …Oh heaven forgive me I can't even say it…you can't, you won't get rid of the baby, you do that and you're not my sister …I cast you out…Betty it's not the babies fault….please, please think girl, don't don't don't you'll regret it the rest of your life……Just give me some time I'll talk to papi, we'll sort it…"
"No, don't you dare Hilda, don't you dare tell anyone, whatever I choose to do I do on my conscience do you understand? I..I can't look after a child, I have plans and I'm single and sis I've seen your life, look at you, thirty going on forty eight, you've had no life….so no judging me I'll make up my mind, it's my body so please, tell no one…no one do you understand? Promise me, swear on Justin's life you won't tell a soul, only Marguerite knew and she's dead …..Hilda I need your help here so don't make it worse…."
"Okay, okay I won't say a word to papi but…"
"No butts Hilda, I've come into some money lately, a book, a business and I'll decide one way of or the other soon, very soon, I don't have much time the doctor gave me a date…."
"You've booked yourself into a clinic already, Betty Suarez I don't know you anymore…okay, okay I'll shut my mouth but if you do this without a thought I'll never forgive you….I mean it….never…Hey, I'm serious now, give the baby to me I'll have it"
"Hilda, (falling into her arms and crying) as much as I would love that I can't do it, the father well he doesn't want to know….."
"You know who he is, have you told him, asked him?"
"No, he's a guy from Mode, a fly by night, I was drunk, he won't want to know, he's moved on…"
"There's something your not telling me Betty Suarez I can sense it….did that dog Hartley, did he force you? "
"No, no he didn't ….I haven't slept with him since we got back together somehow I never wanted to and….and …"
"What, what did he do, he tried to force you didn't he? Give me that knife I'll chop his manhood off the pr*k"
"Hilda, I told him last night, I told him I was pregnant, I didn't tell who the father was, he didn't want to know. He said I was a slut and the worst kind of slut an ugly one and he didn't want to marry me anyway. It was all his mothers doing, she wants grand children and to get revenge on Claire Meade, she's got it into her head Daniel loves me and she wants to hurt her, his mother is sick in the head, I think it runs in the family.
He told me, all the time we've been together he's been with….with Amanda and others, he couldn't wait for me to give it up any longer he needed sex and he'd get it where ever and when ever he wished. He said I repulsed him and it had all been revenge and when we were married he would have allowed me no life, no freedom I would be a means to an end to allow him to live his life and give his mother what she wanted.
Then when I told him I was having a baby he was quiet at first but then he just exploded, he grabbed me, I was so scared Hilda I thought he was going to kill me. He pushed me on the floor and if I hadn't knee'd him in the groin I don't know what would have happened…..I thought he was going to kill my baby…."
"No, but you will Betty …you will…."
"Hilda I haven't made my mind up, please let me think I have had so much to think of lately……whether I tell the father or not, I really don't know I'm so confused but soon I'll know and then I'll go to the clinic…or not……"
Racing out Hilda almost knocked Giovanni Rossi off his feet as the door bell rang, she opened it, he went to step inside and found himself chasing after Hilda and Betty Suarez, Hilda jumped in her car and Betty stood outside banging on the side window begging her to let her in. Just as she was about to pull away, as she stood in front of the car Hilda opened the door and she dived in. Anxious, knowing Hilda's temper Gio raced into his car following them until twenty minutes later they pulled up at Matt Hartley's Manhattan apartment.
Leaping out the three of them ran towards the foyer entrance, the guard letting them in as he recognised both sisters and Giovanni Rossi as the elder sister raged, shouting about what she was going to do as she banged and screamed for the elevator to reach the ground floor. By the time it had arrived a semblance of normality and calm had returned as all of them got inside. Hilda methodically hit the penthouse button, hissing for it to ….."Hurry up…..I'll kill the bastard." Anxious to know what was going on Gio spoke to Hilda….Betty looked to upset to speak….
"Hilda, what's going on, will someone tell me, man, I thought I was meeting Betty to sort out the manuscript before her wedding and now this?....Kill who, what, why….?"
"The bastard won't marry her Gio, he's been cheating on her with Amanda and some other bitches and …and when she said no …..the fucker tried to rape her….seems when Mr Hartley wants Mr Hartley gets…"
"He won't marry Betty, Why? He's been cheating on her….okay that's not surprising me but he tried to what?"
Standing back to the rear of the elevator Giovanni Rossi became quiet, completely quiet as his mind began to work overtime and his anger grew. Watching Hilda race out of the elevator and out into the hall way of the penthouse he stood there, silent as the grave. Matt Hartley appeared, calm and looking at Hilda and Betty like they were scum, it was apparent whatever Hilda said would have no affect as he listened and ignored her as if whatever she attempted he would counter act.
Reigning down insults on Betty and her sister, so much hate in his eyes Gio said not a word until Matt Hartley's hand rose up to strike Betty and a sort of uncontrollable rage over took him. Lost in him self, livid and seeing no choice Giovanni Rossi stepped forward and with one blow raised his right arm and elevating it to its full height approached and made contact with Matthew Hartley's jaw bone, shattering it and knocking out his two upper, front teeth as he hissed….
"I warned you once before Hartley if you insulted Betty I'd finish off what I started, now apologise to Betty and you tell her your going to marry her as you promised….she loves you man…what is your problem…?"
Spitting out blood from his mouth the six foot billionaires son lying prostrate on the floor blurted out fearing more and more blows as he screamed….
"I'm not marrying that Latino whore……she can go to hell (as he raised his hand once more as if to hit him)…No, no please don't hit me…!" Betty screamed….
"I don't love you Matt Hartley….I've never loved you .....I hate you…!"
Jumping up, grabbing Betty's hair he pulled her backwards as she screamed out ..
"You bitch, you've ….messed up my life once to often I'll show you whose boss, going to thump her in the stomach……I'll teach you to cheat on me and get yourself………"
His throat grasped by a pair of hands as he instantly let go of Betty Suarez, the pain racing through him, fearing for his life as the grip got ever stronger and seemingly never to be freed as the anger in Giovanni's eyes grew in intensity as he lost consciousness……as Hilda and Betty shouted….
"You're killing him Gio….Gio let go of him please….I beg you don't kill him….(thumping him on the back to stop)…..stop it….stop it before ……(as Gio awoke from his passion and looked up at Betty her voice at first silent until it grew, grew in volume and he obediently accepted her demands and let go….) but he was going to……he called you a…..God, what have I done?"
Three pairs of hands grabbed him as he was prostrated on the floor, his hands behind his back and handcuffed before he could move again as the security guards fixed him, a gun to his head to reemphasise what they would do if he resisted and he didn't resist….Looking at Hilda and Betty, never taking his eyes off her wondering if she was okay, if he'd hurt her as the elevator door opened…….Frozen on the spot as Betty ran to Matt Hartley who began to wake up Gio looked on and felt totally devastated ..What had he done and all for nothing……she still loved the man……his life was over he was looking at a jail sentence …….as he was led away and the elevator doors began to close……
"I'll see you behind bars forever for that Rossi, you watch me …you bastard…I'll ….I'll….."
"You'll do nothing of the sort Matthew Hartley, I want none of your sordid mistakes on my doorstep……Betty Suarez…forget any of this ever happened, forget you ever knew my son and don't you dare darken my door again or Modes. If I ever see you again charges will be pressed on your Mr Rossi…do I make myself clear…I think you've done enough damage…..don't you?"
"Yes, yes Mrs Hartley drop the charges and I'll disappear you'll never see me again…..I promise only please…..leave Gio alone…he was protecting me ……."
"I don't give a damn who he was protecting…I care only for my son …now GET OUT before I have you thrown out…..I'll sort out the police, I suggest you go and tell him no charges will be pressed ….this time but if he shows up again……"
"He won't…he won't…we won't….Mrs Hartley…..thank you….."
"Oh don't thank me my girl, I'd throw you all to the dogs, never could see what my son saw in you except to be his Latino who….but that's all over now…..Get out of my sight…."
Racing out, calming down as Hilda wrapped her in her arms….Betty gasped out….
"This baby ….must have the constitution of a lion, I haven't eaten, I've drank alcohol, been attacked and the stress the stress…..I won't need to see a doctor soon the shock will bring on a mis-carriage……"
"Don't you dare say that…..(Betty's head in her hands, kissing the top of her head)…Hilda's here…..shush, shush …"
"I need to go to the precinct and get Gio out….he'll be afraid, can't let him go through that alone, I need to see him, see he's okay …I…"
"He's the father isn't he, he's your one night stand?…why did you lie to me Betty …Gio will want to know he'll want to be a daddy….just tell him….tell him….."
"I'm going to……I am…….if he wants me …Oh Hilda I need him …..(crying uncontrollably) but he doesn't want me…."
"Girl are you mad, did you see what he nearly did, he almost killed Matt Hartley…for you…no man has ever done that for me…I think it's so romantic..wish my Archie would do that for me…. Come on girl lets get down to that precinct and get him out and you can bring him home and tell him and …..oh how romantic….Betty loves Giovanni Rossi….."
Jumping into her car, twenty minutes later, parked up and about to exit the two women looked on in astonishment as Giovanni Rossi stood on the upper steps, holding a small female, Latino, almost Betty's double. She had a young boy with her about eight years old, small in stature and hair as black as coal. They were embracing, Gio had obviously been set free on Victoria Hartley's orders and he was openly celebrating his release, happy to be free.
As the cold air rushed through the streets, taking peoples feet from beneath them, heralding rain and almost in a whirlwind of change as the winds seemed to circle in the vacuum of silence as the two women watched in complete shock the young boy spun around. A face so unmistakable, those brown eyes, the strand across his forehead and that smile that no one could resist, no question of his lineage as a young Giovanni Rossi glanced at the passing cars.
Betty and Hilda looked at each other and then at Gio as he listened attentively to the lady with him, taking her in his arms and then stooping down and taking the young boy in to his, lifting him to look at him, to hug him as his face looked over his shoulder, eyes closed contemplating and realising he held his son, a son he had never known as the tears ran down his face and he pulled the woman further into his grasp as they bonded three as one, a family.
"That's Jenny Hernandez from school Betty proclaimed, she must know Gio…"
"Oh she knows him alright…if that's not his boy I'm not Hilda Suarez…….."
Betty froze as she held her stomach, a knife piercing her heart as she realised what she had just witnessed, Henry would have left Charlie and his boy for her but she knew Gio never would, family was everything to him and all their love, their lust meant nothing in it's wake…it was over she was too late…
"Drive away Hilda…..I've seen enough…I've seen enough….I know what to do now…..take me home……"
"Oh Betty ….Betty don't do it……please…don't do it……we can cope……"
"Take me home Hilda…..it's over…….."
……………………………………….
"Happy Thanksgiving Ignacio said as he greeted his two daughters the next morning, and whose getting married today?…my little girl that's who….well who would have thought it, one day a personal assistant and then married to a billionaire….sometimes I think I'll wake up and this is just a dream…"
Racing off to her room, tears pouring down her face Betty sobbed
"There isn't going to be any wedding papi and it's all a dream…a really bad dream….Oh, I'm going to my room…..don't follow me I want to be left alone…..I need to think……"
"What, no wedding, this is some kind of joke isn't it, a lovers tiff? They'll sort it …Hilda, let me call Matt I'll tell him it's just wedding jitters and Betty forgives him…."
"Well papi, believe me….he won't forgive her, she's well and truly blown it now….about to tell him but holding back honouring her sisters secret Hilda continued…..Mr Hartley well he's called it off, he says he's not ready, there's someone else and that's that. Hey papi, once a playboy always a playboy aye and take it from me he's a total rat and Betty is better of without him. Papi, please do as she says and leave her be, she'll come out when she's ready, you know Betty, drama, mayhem…what's new a normal day in the Suarez household aye?. Put your pinny on and go cook up your famous Thanksgiving dinner papi you know Betty she'll get hungry soon and that'll bring her out…trust me ..who knows Betty better than me…..?"
"Okay, okay …will I ever get used to this…… females, one minute a wedding and now….what?....nothing that's what…..sometimes I wished I'd had boys…..
………………………
Throughout the day Betty's cell phone buzzed and the house line rang and rang, every time Hilda ordered Justin and papi to ignore it! Until by six that evening thankfully it stopped. Seated as miserable as hell watching an old movie, totally subdued no one moved until in almost shock the bell on the door buzzed and Justin instinctively opened it. Standing there an irate Giovanni Rossi raced into the living room, looking around him, searching and not finding her as he tapped his feet and put his hands in and out of his coat pocket. Turning to Hilda he demanded…
"Where is she?
Nodding in the negative and looking up the stairs Hilda said not a word as Gio ran passed them all. Standing in the kitchen doorway unaware of the reason for the drama and Gio's presence as he watched the young Italian race up the stairs Ignacio Suarez just sat down again and waited for what he wasn't sure.
Not knowing which room was Betty's (he'd never been allowed up there) Gio could only rely on the ornate B on the bedroom door to give her location away. Knocking and receiving no reply he opened the door and stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the total darkness within as he saw a shadow lying on the bed. Reaching out he turned Betty over and noticed a plastic pill packet falling to the floor and the presence of a bottle of bourbon. Racing out of the room he called down to Hilda to get the paramedics, emergency, she'd taken an overdose. Turning the lights on and fearful she was dead Gio checked…she had a pulse as he wiped the vomit from around her mouth and searched the contents that she'd strewn on the floor, counting them he could see she'd completely thrown up the contents of her stomach. Relief on his face knowing she would be okay… he grabbed her tightly in his arms, shaking, almost in tears trying to work out how much alcohol she'd consumed, hoping she'd spilt most of it on the floor when she'd collapsed….
Lifting her up he tapped her face firmly until she began to revive, looking at him, his eyes piercing her soul as she whispered…
"Gio ….Gio…..I'm so glad to see you….am I in heaven, do you forgive me?....He wouldn't marry me….the ba….. I didn't know what to do…my plans, my five year plan….I can't have a …….
"Please promise me you'll never do anything this stupid again……promise me baby…please, please (as she began to loose consciousness)…It'll be okay my love….…whatever you want to do I'm here for you as your friend….I'll look after you….."
"My friend, okay….that's not enough Gio ….I …..I don't want you to be my friend….why were you with Jenny …….I lo.…………"
Racing in the paramedics took hold of Betty and checking her vital signs they placed her on the trolley and in no time at all had packed her off too casualty, her family in tow as Giovanni Rossi was eased out of her home again……..
"Jenny Hernandez…how does she know about Jenny I only met her again a few days ago…..is she okay Hilda, is there something you're not telling me….?"
"A few days ago….yeah, Rossi, what am I stupid? Don't answer that and the boy with her….is he your son (silence). Hmm…..complicated isn't it Gio….and don't you worry about my sister…she's a Suarez…we look after our own….she'll be fine….now we've got to go to the hospital" (closing the ambulance door)
"Ricardo, what the hell is she talking about (as if waking up he gasped) Fuck….she must have got Hartley to drop the charges and came to the police station to find me with Jenny and saw us together……Oh Betty…..it's not what you think…..really if you only knew……….."
TBC