Chapter 10

Morning came far too quickly after a night where I actually slept well. That surprised me because I thought that I'd be tossing and turning worrying about the decision that I'd come to. Maybe deep inside I was pleased with the opportunity to start fresh with a new job, and a new place to live. At least no one knew of my reputation here, so I did feel as though I was starting out fresh. My one regret was Ranger and what he would think about me. Then again maybe he'd be pleased that I was no longer bungling my way around Trenton. He'd made it clear that he was no longer interested in me so I suppose by being here then I wouldn't have to worry about running into him and he wouldn't have to be worried about feeling that he had to be constantly looking out for me. Yeah, a fresh start was beginning to look and feel like a good idea.

I dressed in a sundress after showering and going downstairs caught my father as he was rinsing out some dishes in the sink.

"There are some pastries on the table, Pumpkin, and the kettle is hot"

I wasn't sure where the food had come from but assumed that maybe Maria had been in and left it. Even before I was finished my father was looking ready to leave.

"I'll see you at lunchtime. Gaia has a full morning for me in Milan showing me the sights"

He bent down and kissed my head, and I swore I heard him say "Good luck" before he was walking out of the door. I was starting to feel nervous thinking that maybe Allegro and Lucio would have changed their minds over taking someone like me on. I mean when had anything ever gone right for me, when I hadn't ruined something?

Hearing a horn outside the door I had to give myself a pep talk as I collected my bag and slipped my feet into some flat sandals. If this didn't work out, then what had I lost? I'd just get on the plane and go back home.

I was stood totally stunned at the photos that I was being shown and even considered that they weren't really me. Since when did I look so, so good? Lando had managed to capture my face and hair so that, okay, even I thought that I looked pretty in the different outfits adorned with the various jewelry and accessories.

"Those are beautiful Stefania, so what do think, are you ready to be our next face for Scintillante?"

I honestly couldn't speak I was so surprised so just nodded my head seeing the smiles break out on Allegro and Lucio's faces. It seemed that was what they were waiting for before the photos were collected together and I was led into a smaller room and left on my own. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable when a man that I hadn't seen before was suddenly sat opposite me.

"An NDC"

I said as I read through yet another piece of paper in front of me. I'd seen these before so understood what they were about. Ranger had once shown me the one that he used with his staff, basically you kept quiet and never told anyone anything that could jeopardize the business, in other words secrets that could give a rival business an advantage.

"Yes. Not unusual in this type of business"

To be honest I wasn't too keen on the man who I was sat with, but since he was the company lawyer, I didn't have much choice so moved onto the next one.

"1% of profit from Ania products"

1% seemed such a small figure to me, I mean 1% of what?

"Err, how much could that be?"

Not wanting to sound too stupid but not wanting to feel as though I was being taken for a ride.

"The last promotion, well that paid out €1.2 million. If you look at the next sheet, you'll see that you also get a yearly salary while working with us"

I tried very hard not to look totally shocked at what he'd said. Money like that, well it was way beyond anything that I'd been expecting. Hell, if I flunked out after a couple of years, I could be in a position of never having to worry about money ever. I shook my head to banish all the things that I could afford and turned to the next sheet of paper. Even the figure of €550,000 had me blinking to make sure that I was reading it properly. I could live on that and save the 1% or at least invest it.

"Ania?"

I looked up to realize that the lawyer was looking at me, expecting me to continue with the paperwork. Looking down at the paper that I had to sign I saw the name Stefania Paulumi, so signed with that name on the dotted line. Watching as he stood up, he came toward where I was sat and lifted the papers from in front me. Then he spent the next few minutes copying them before handing me a full copy of the contract.

"It was nice meeting you, I wish you well with your new job"

Then he was gone, leaving me on my own in the small meeting room. I wasn't sure what to do now or where anyone was so with the papers in my hand went to take a look around. Somehow, I ended up back in the room where Allegro and Lucio had first brought me to and found myself looking at their latest showcase with the ideas that Lucio had for using me as their promotional face. I looked again at the photos, not feeling as embarrassed stood here on my own. Lando had an amazing eye, always making sure that my eyes were the focus of attention. I smiled as I remembered the different ways the assistant had used that scarf, the one with the swan designs on it. It had been wrapped around my neck, as a bandana, as a band to pull my hair back from my face, and then around my forehead. I'd suggested they designed some hats, maybe even a baseball hat. That seemed to get an enthusiastic response.

Of course, there were scenes of me holding the perfume bottle and wearing different jewelry, but I had to admit to myself that to me none of the photos looked sophisticated or sexy. Maybe that was their angle, the girl next door type of image.

"Oh sorry. I didn't know there was anyone in here"

I turned to see a woman walk through the door carrying a tray in her hands.

"May I clear the table?"

I nodded my head and then watched as the young girl started to stack the coffee cups that we'd used earlier in the morning when I'd been here. I watched her, realizing just how young she was and obviously nervous. Her dark hair was plaited down her back but the uniform that she was wearing seemed to camouflage her petite figure. In the end I collected the cups close to where I was stood and walked over and placed them on the tray, appreciating the genuine smile that she gave me. I held the door open for her and followed her wanting to find Allegro because to me it was definitely lunch time. I heard her before I saw her as I rounded from behind one of the screens.

"Mamma?"

"Slow down"

"Qué ha pasado?"

"Dónde estás?"

"Si, si. Estoy en camino"

I may not have known what Allegro was saying but the tone of her voice implied that something was wrong. Allegro was looking at me as she pushed her phone into her pocket and without a word, she grabbed my arm and pulled me along behind her.

"Allegro?"

"That was mamma. Your papa, he had to be taken to the hospital"

My breath hitched at hearing that and had me running next to Allegro, panicking with what she'd said. Had he been in an accident or was he ill and if we had to get there quickly did that mean that he was seriously injured or ill? Throughout the drive to the hospital, I couldn't think straight and couldn't help but think the worst.

"He'll be okay, he's in good hands"

Those words didn't bring me any consolation and even as Allegro stopped the car I was flying out of the door. Where I was going, I had no idea so ended up having to stop and wait for Allegro. At least she seemed to know where to go as she navigated corridors and then an elevator. As the doors slid open Gaia was the first person that I saw, sat in a row of chairs as though waiting.

"Stefania, sit down. He's fine. The doctor is with him now and they're running some tests"

I couldn't sit down, not when I knew that my father was somewhere close. Gaia was soon on her feet, and I felt her arm around me and as she guided me down into a chair.

"What happened?"

I whispered through the tears now streaming down my face.

"He complained of a pain in his chest, and he was breathless, so I didn't hesitate in getting him here. The doctors did the usual, blood pressure, weight and they're waiting to do an ECG to check his heart's rhythm and electrical activity and then they've arranged for a coronary angiograph. It's a scan taken after they give him an injection of a dye to help highlight the heart and blood vessels"

I'm sure that I was frowning as I tried to process everything that she'd said. If I was understanding her properly then it sounded as though he may have had a heart attack. Was him complaining of indigestion when we were dancing the same thing? Why had I ignored it? Why hadn't I taken more notice of what I'd seen? Because it seemed to pass, and my father had said that he was okay.

Allegro left soon after which meant that there was only Gaia with me. I couldn't talk or even listen to her and ended up pacing back and forth on the long corridor. I hated the quietness and the smell of the place, how clean everywhere was but knew that I had to wait for any news. Gaia gave up on me and left me to it and even any nurses who passed me soon recognized that doing that was my way of coping.

It seemed like hours, and it probably was, before a doctor approached me. He walked me over to where Gaia was sat and made me sit down before he pulled up a chair opposite us.

"Your father is suffering from angina. His lifestyle, from a conversation with him is the main cause. He'll need to be on medication but I'm sure the hospital that he attends will sort that out, we'll forward all of the test results and diagnosis. On his part he needs to change what he eats, have a balanced diet, reduce any alcohol intake and exercise regularly, those should also reduce the excess weight that he's carrying"

I suppose hearing that shouldn't have surprised me, how many times had Ranger told me that eating all the sugar and fat that I did, with no exercise was a killer. I'd never appreciated the effect it could have, not until now and hearing what the doctor was telling me. I was worried though how my father would cope changing everything that he'd lived with for a lifetime. He didn't have an option though if he wanted to avoid surgery and stay alive. I wasn't sure how my mother would manage, hell a vegetable to her was a tomato and everything contained fat and sugar, especially the cake that she always produced for every meal.

"I've spoken with his travel insurance, and we've arranged for him to leave as scheduled in the morning, but he'll have a nurse accompany him to a St Francis hospital in Trenton. All travel arrangements have been organized so there is no need for you to worry"

I was worried though and was already planning to travel back with him. I couldn't let him travel on his own or leave him to have to face my mother without some support.

"Can I see him?"

I asked, already on my feet needing to see him.

"Of course. Clare is with him now, so he knows what's happening. She's the nurse who'll travel back with him and ensure that everyone knows what is expected. He's lucky because Clare was due to go to New York in a few days to visit her parents so she's more than happy to accompany him. Don't worry. He'll be fine"

I felt relief wash through me on hearing what the doctor had said but it didn't stop the panic completely, that would only happen when I saw him for myself. As I said a thank you, I was already heading to his room, but once there knocked on the door quietly before letting myself in. As I opened the door I could see a woman at the head of the bed, saying something quietly so that only my father could hear her. She turned to me as the door quietly closed and smiled.

"You must be his daughter. I'm Clare and I'll be sorting everything out to make sure that your father is well looked after"

Clare looked to be in her fourties and as she held out her hand to me, I could feel the strength of her grip.

"Frank's told me how you're staying here, he's so proud of you. Don't worry, he also told me about your mother and how she likes to take control. I'll let her know in no uncertain terms how she has to support her husband"

I'm sure that I raised my eyebrows at how forcibly she'd told me that. I sure would like to be there when this woman came across my mother, because I got the impression that Clare was a force to be reckoned with.

"I'll leave you two alone. I'll see you in the morning Frank"

I watched as she left the room and then I went over to the bed. My father was propped up against some pillows and though he looked slightly pale he didn't seem to be in any pain.

"Has she gone?"

I turned to look at the door noting that there was no one with us.

"Yes. We're on our own. How are you feeling, you gave me quite the scare?"

"Fine. I'm sorry Pumpkin"

There was no need for him to be sorry, I understood that he was ill and that the best place for him was to be back home.

"You have to stay"

I knew that I was frowning as he said that, surely he understood that I'd need to make sure that he got home okay.

"I don't want to, Allegro would understand"

I was getting a bit concerned because his breathing seemed to increase slightly.

"No, you have to stay. Clare will make sure that I'm admitted to the hospital and she's going to have words with your mother"

I was pleased with that because maybe then my mother would take what she said seriously.

"You have to stay"

Okay that was the third time that he'd said that, and he was beginning to sound a little desperate.

"Okay, I'll stay as long as you let me know that you're okay once you're back home"

I watched as he nodded his head and as his eyes closed, prepared for him to fall asleep. He must have been so tired with all of the tests and the worry.

"You have to stay. I screwed up"

"No you didn't"

How could he say that? He hadn't got ill on purpose so why would he think that.

"I was supposed to"

Okay he was definitely tired because he wasn't finishing his sentences and his eyes were definitely wanting to close.

"Supposed to take it back"

I had no idea what he was talking about unless he meant the paintings but hadn't he said that he wanted them to stay here? Unless, there was something else that I didn't know about, but I was sure that whatever it was Gaia would make sure that it was packed and on the plane with him.

"Agreed, no option really"

I continued to listen as I gently rubbed my hand down his arm trying to soothe him.

"Didn't want to though"

I leant over and kissed his forehead to reassure him that yes, I was there with him, pleased as his eyes remained closed and his breathing slowed into a rhythmic pattern of sleep. Maybe it was the drugs that he was on that had made him say the strange things that he had.

Not long after that Gaia appeared in the doorway making me feel very guilty that she'd been here all of this time.

"He seems to be asleep, maybe we should just leave him and come back in the morning"

I shook my head at that suggestion because I was going to stay with him until he left, spend time ensuring that he knew I was there for him and always would be. If Gaia could roll her eyes at me, I was sure that she would have, but she seemed to understand that I wasn't about to leave.

"I'll be back in the morning with his bags. When you want to come home call Luciano and he'll pick you up"

I took the small piece of paper from her hand and tucked it into my bag but knew that I'd be here until Clare came back and they departed for the airport. Resting my head on the bed beside my father's arm I watched the machine sat on the other side. It was strange not to be hearing the sound that those things usually made, and I watched as the small green line made its journey across the screen, the way that it rose and fell so steadily gave me some comfort that my father's heart was beating strong and steadily.

Maybe I dozed but I know that I was aware of a nurse coming into the room, checking the machine, taking his blood pressure and recording the numbers. That seemed to happen on a regular basis until eventually even her presence didn't wake me.

It must have been several hours later when I woke with a start and raised my head to see what had woken me. The room was so quiet with the soft lighting from the machine casting eerie shadows around the room. There was no one there so maybe I'd heard the noise of the door closing after the nurse had left. Or maybe I woke because I was desperate to use a bathroom. Untangling my hand from the tight grip that I had on my father's I kissed his cheek before standing up. I felt so tired as I rubbed may hands down my face and even though I didn't want to leave his room knew that I had to.

The corridor was empty as I quietly closed the door behind me, no one in sight, not even a nurse, so I made my way back to the waiting area. The chairs were occupied now, so maybe another family awaiting the outcome of test results, though I was too keen to find a restroom to really take any notice.

Once I had used the toilet I leant against a sink as the water ran from the tap. I felt relieved that my father was going to be okay and that he'd soon be on his way home. I just worried that he'd take notice of the advice that had been given to him. He loved his food as much as I did and hated the idea of exercise. I'd always assumed that the way that I seemed to eat without adding on too much weight was inherited from my Hungarian side but maybe what had happened wasn't just a wakeup call for my father, maybe I needed to be more aware of my own health as well.

After pulling my hair back into a tie I splashed some water over my face, but it did little to relieve the tension that I was feeling and to be honest I felt too hot, almost stifled with being inside the hospital for so long. Maybe some fresh air would revive me before I went back to the ward.

Following the sign, uscita, that I assumed was the exit, I followed the stairs down and I was soon walking through a door and out. It was still dark, and the air felt warm, but I think it was the sounds around me that helped me to center myself. The sound of traffic and the beeping of horns coming from a nearby street, the sight of the quarter moon above me giving me a sense of normality. I sat down next to a wall and closing my eyes soaked in the ambiance of the night. I still wasn't happy at the idea of staying here and not being with my father when he travelled home. Then again, he'd been so concerned that I had to stay here. I supposed that once home there would be little that I could do and he would be in the best place to fully recover, but it didn't make me feel any less guilty though.

That was when another feeling exploded inside me, a feeling that I hadn't had in a long time. The feeling that someone was watching me. All thoughts left me as I raised my head and started to look around. It was difficult to distinguish from the shadows whether or not I was right, but I knew that I needed to get back inside the hospital. Standing up I went back to the door that I'd exited through swearing loudly when the door wouldn't open.