Still Falling Read online

  Tony had driven straight to his Brothers Bistro after disembarking from the ferry. The short fifteen minute drive had been event free but the traffic was heavier than usual and Tony was relieved to get there in one piece. After a bit of a fuss they had managed to get unconscious Serena into a guest bedroom and Tony had called the doctor’s office for advice.

  Serena woke to find young Micky trying to pull her shoes off and Tony telling Nico adamantly that the water was far too cold to bath her forehead with.

  “Guys please!” All three, including little Marco, stopped and smiled at her.

  “She wakes!” Cried Nico. “See I told you the water was fine”

  “The water is not fine. It is too cold. You shocked her into waking and next you will shock her into a heart attack!”

  Serena watched incredulously as the two brothers continued their argument into the next room, already forgetting that Serena was there. She sat up and lifted little Micky onto the bed next to her.

  “Is this what you have to put up with all the time Micky?” She asked the little guy. “How do you remain so happy?”

  She pondered the little guy’s future. His mother had died when he was a week old just as her own father had.

  “You’ll be alright,” she said pinching his cheek. “Now show me how to find my way out!”

  It was decided by all, that whilst they were at the Bistro they would lunch here. Serena was getting really attached to the trio and had more fun listening to them trying to outwit each other to impress her, than she had in ages. She hadn’t even noticed Marco seated at the far end of the court yard watching broodingly over the top of his coffee.

  He is so young, even if he is a good looking kid. He couldn’t be much older than nineteen. What could Serena be attracted to? He can’t do much to provide for her. The amount of time he is spending with Serena made it obvious that the youngster didn’t work.

  He might be young and virile in the bedroom department but how much experience and protection could he offer? Marco had watched Serena’s face light up as the toddler on her lap did something to make her laugh. His heart squeezed. Marco had imagined that he would watch Serena doing just that with their son one day.

  With his mood souring, he was deeply regretting coming here today. With its closed and private courtyard, it was one of the few places in Napoli that the paparazzi didn’t hang around and he could relax. He wasn’t feeling quite so relaxed now. He left a few minutes after Tony and Serena.

  Serena was truly exhausted by the time Tony bundled her into the car and she slept soundly all the way home.

  Chapter nineteen

  “Just in time for a walk to the beach.” She said when Tony woke her outside the cottage.

  “You sure you’re up to it?”

  “For sunset? Always!” The time spent with the boys had done much to cheer her up and she felt rested after her nap in the car.

  “Let’s get going then or we’ll miss it.”

  They took a slow stroll skirting the gardens, Serena still waking slowly and getting some life back into her body. They remained silent, each in their own little world.

  When they arrived Serena sat heavily on the sand breathing the sea air in deep and feeling content. Tony wondered down to the waters’ edge. She closed her eye to listen to the waves. She felt her world sway just for a second and quickly opened her eyes again. Heat crept over her body and she placed two hands firmly on the sand to steady herself as the ground beneath her seamed to move.

  “Tony!” She managed to call out just before darkness crept in from the edges of her vision and blacked out.

  Tony ran over to her and loosed the top button of her blouse. She was still breathing normally and her pulse was strong. He looked around wondering if he should stay here with her or try to get her back to the cottage. From experience and conversations with Jo, he knew this could last anything from a few minutes to almost an hour. He was not strong enough to carry her up the stairs of the small cliff and in an hour it would be too dark to see the rocky path back to the cottage anyway. Worse still there was no moon tonight.

  Reluctant to leave her here alone to look for help, he took off his shirt and wet it in the sea to wipe her neck and face while contemplating what to do. Idly he wondered why his brother Nico had no interest in her. She was beautiful. Her skin reminded him of crème liquor and her neck was long and graceful.

  Perhaps he would drop a few hints here and there. Play cupid to the two lonely hearts. He was just running his shirt down the length of her breast bone when two massive hands pulled him to his feet and before he could react, a fist from nowhere, turned out the lights.

  Tony hadn’t been out more than a two seconds and his jaw ached like he had been hit by a train. Marco was still standing over him, urging him to stand up and take some more.

  “What the hell was that for?”

  “That is for taking advantage of a vulnerable woman.”

  “I’m not taking advantage of anyone.”

  “No? You’ve half undressed yourself. You’ve half undressed her. And you looked mighty cosy there just now.”

  “You don’t understand. Serena is unconscious.”

  “Yes and how perfect for you. First you make her pregnant. Then you abandon her and now you try sneaking back and have to wait until she’s in a coma to take advantage. You sleazy bastard!”

  “Marco stop. You’re making a fool of yourself.” Said Serena quietly.

  Marco stopped and turned to where Serena was now sitting up dusting the beach sand from her hair. His deep eyes burned.

  “It’s your life.” He grunted and stormed off.

  “What the hell was that all about?” Said Tony, rubbing his jaw.

  “He’s just an idiot”

  “Sounds to me like an idiot who might have something for you. Did you know he thinks you’re pregnant?”

  “Like I said, he’s an idiot.”

  “Well your idiot thinks I’m the father!”

  “Oh Tony I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll clear this up with him in the morning. I didn’t mean to drag you into this.”

  “What? Are you kidding? This is great for my reputation in town. Honestly Serena leave him in idiot heaven as long as you want.” Said Tony grinning and clutching his painful jaw at the same time.

  “In the meantime let’s get you back to the cottage while we can still see.”

  “Um....Tony...?”

  “You okay?”

  “Si, but where is your shirt? On second thoughts, perhaps I shouldn’t ask.”

  Tony just grinned wider.

  Chapter twenty

  Serena’s mother was waiting for them when they returned.

  “Marco called for you earlier. He said he wanted to walk with you to the beach. He didn’t seem too happy when I said you had already gone with a friend.”

  “Marco should just mind his own business.”

  “Serena, Marco is a good boy. He is just looking out for you.” She scolded. The older woman then noticed Tony standing sheepishly outside the door.

  “Santa Maria. What have you done to your face Tony? Come, come let’s get some ice on that.”

  Tony was about to object but he noticed Marco staring at them from a window balcony in the big house. With a smirk he entered the cottage, one arm draped loosely around Serena’s shoulder. While her mother busied herself making an ice pack, Tony & Serena briefly discussed her past with Marco.

  “So let me get this straight. You never actually dated Marco. No dinners, no holding hands, nothing?”

  “That’s about right.”

  “Man, you guys have one weird relationship.”

  “We don’t have a relationship and never had. That’s what I’m trying to tell you!” Serena grumbled.

  “If you say so.” Teased Tony, holding up his hands in surrender.

  Worried about how late it was, Serena’s mother invited Tony to spend the night on the sofa. Tony had no intention of objecting.

  Chapter twe
nty one

  Over the next few days, Serena spent much of her time with Tony, always stopping at the Bistro for a bite with Nico and Micky before taking the ferry back to the island for Serena’s sunset walk. There were no further interruptions from Marco and only a few small incidences with nausea and black outs, but nothing Tony or her mother couldn’t handle.

  Serena was beginning to think that perhaps Tony was trying to set her up with Nico but as much as she enjoyed his company, she didn’t think it was a likely match. Their worlds were miles apart and she couldn’t see Nico as anything more than a big brother. Serena needed a degree of independence and Nico needed a housewife and mother for poor Micky.

  Sitting in the Bistro waiting for Tony to take her to chemo, Serena suddenly realised that somewhere along the line, since starting work with Jo four years ago she had inherited an extended family. Her whole life it had been her and her mother. Now she had Tony and Nico who were like brothers to her, Jo who was like a meddling big sister that she couldn’t say no to and the gorgeous Micky who would make any aunt proud. Best of all they had accepted her as part of the family. Even her mother seemed to be getting in on the action having long telephone discussions with the new extended family about Serena, and what was good for her. She hugged herself unconsciously.

  What better support could she ask for?

  “Hey Serena! How do I smell?” asked Tony bringing his face close to hers.

  “Mmm, nice. I hope that’s not for me?” she asked batting her eyelids and looking coy.

  “I dunno. You gonna put on a cute little nurses outfit at the clinic and play doctors?”

  “Naughty!” laughed Serena.

  “Tony, have you finished my aftershave again? Those nurses are gonna kick you out for contaminating the air!” Yelled Nico from inside.

  “Let’s go before Nico really gets started,” said Tony, guiding Serena out the Bistro court yard to the car.

  Her mood dropped as the car drew ever closer to the clinic. Tony must have picked up on this and left her alone to her thoughts. Inside and set up on the drip, Serena drifted off to sleep on the adjustable medical chair while Tony went on the hunt for available nurses.

  When she was done her mood had gone really low. All she wanted was to crawl into a hole in her bed and ignore the world. Tony quietly drove her over to the island and parked up outside the cottage.

  “I know it’s early but do you want to go over to the beach?”

  She sat there for a moment. “I’ll give it a miss today and tonight, but thanks for asking.”

  “Can I bring anything around later? Flowers, a book, some magazines?”

  “You’re sweet Tony, but I’ll be alright. I’ll ring you when I need something, alright?”

  “Alright.” Tony got out the car and opened the door for her taking some of her weight as she climbed out.

  I’ll be alright now, thanks Tony.” She gave him a hug and let him walk back around her little red car and climb in before driving carefully off.

  “What no walk tonight?”

  Serena thought she was going to have a coronary right there. Sitting on the cottages veranda in the deep shadows of a neatly trimmed Bougainvillea was Marco.

  “Marco.”

  “Don’t worry I’m not here to give you a hard time. I’m waiting for your mother. She wanted some help carrying something and Jose, the Groundkeeper is away for a few days.”

  “Oh. Well if you’ll excuse me I’m really tired.”

  “I’m not surprised. You are far too thin and your boyfriend has you on a very busy schedule. In your condition you should be getting more rest.”

  “Firstly, you said you weren’t here to give me a hard time. Secondly I think I know what I ......” Serena didn’t finish the sentence.

  He watched in slow motion, unable to do anything until it was too late. First her hand opened and her keys started to fall, then her eyes rolled back slightly before closing. Before they had closed completely, she crumpled, her legs caving in beneath her. Her head hit the flagstone floor with a crack and Marco winced at the sound.

  Damn this woman was frustrating! He rescued her keys from where they had fallen, opened the door and carried her slender frame inside. Laying her down on the sofa he felt her head for obvious signs of serious damage. Only a small lump.

  He sourced a bag of crushed ice in the freezer and wrapped it in a tea-towel, wedging it behind her head. He gently moved a lock of hair from her forehead. She was still beautiful. Thin, but beautiful. Her skin was smooth and silky and she wore her smattering of freckles over the bridge of nose with pride. Beautiful and natural. His finger gently traced the soft curve of her jaw from the base of her small left ear to the point of her chin. He paused here to take in the fullness of her naturally dark lips.

  He smiled as he remembered her mother regularly teasing that Serena had stolen lipstick from her purse again when Serena was still a small child. Briefly his thumb brushed over the soft dark skin. He continued his exploration down her neck to pause in the hollow where her pulse visibly drummed out a rhythm of its own. How he would love to feel that flutter against his lips again. He shook himself mentally and rose up to find some cushions to pack under her feet, and then went to check out side for signs of her mother.

  “Damn where is she!” he muttered to himself going back inside. Marco stood in the middle of the cottage and tried to focus on the decor. Nice. Comfortable.

  “I must commend the decorator.” He muttered. Having taken in as much as he felt able with the room’s decor, his attention returned to the body lying on the sofa. He felt his forced composure begin to crumble. These feelings were foreign to him. He needed to get back in control. Just in time his housekeeper’s hard soled shoes ticked up the stone steps to the door.

  “Thank God.” He said drawing a ragged breath. He opened the door further just as she reached it and explained rather guiltily what he was doing inside the cottage.

  “Thank you, Marco. You always were a good boy.”

  “Do you still need help carrying? I can come back later if you wish.”

  “Perhaps later.” She nodded. “I’ll call you.”

  “Right then. I’ll be going.” He said slowing backing out the cottage. “Serena will be alright though?”

  “Si. Serena will be fine.” She replied. “The Doctors treatment must have been a bit rough today, that’s all.”

  Marco clamped his jaw firmly shut. His face turned several shades darker and he turned and left without another word. He had always thought Serena and her mother were Catholic. He wasn’t a practicing Catholic but it didn’t matter whether you attended church every week or followed every rule to the letter, there were some things that were supposed to be unthinkable as a Catholic.

  Just when you think you know someone they spring something like this. Was this the reason the boyfriend was back? Was he back for this abortion? How could her mother be so calm about this! Marco had some thinking to do of his own and headed off the beach.

  Chapter twenty two

  Serena had a long night ahead of her on the bathroom floor again once she had come around. Her mother spent much of it with her, offering her sips of ginger tea and iced water. Marco’s visit earlier had been long forgotten and neither mentioned it. Serena just prayed that it would all pass before the following night.

  Jo had begged her to attend a charity auction come dinner dance in the Napoli old town. It was only held once a year and although it was not directly related to the fashion world, leaders of the fashion industry and more importantly the fashion industries best customers would be in attendance. One of the drawbacks of her chosen career was the regular social events. Networking was vital. Because Revel was such a small fashion house, having Serena there would be a lifesaver Jo had argued.

  “You never know, maybe you will met some nice handsome boy. It is an opportunity to be pampered and dress up for a few hours and maybe have a brilliant night out.” Her mother argued after Serena expressed her reluct
ance. The older woman tucked a stray strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear.

  Serena knew she wasn’t really up to it but she wasn’t up to letting her friend and boss down either.

  “Maybe by tomorrow I’ll feel differently.” she groaned to her mother.

  “Jo said she would have something dropped off in good time for me to wear, a stylist team will come out for my hair and makeup and Tony will chauffer me in a limo hired by the company. I guess I really don’t have to do much.” She chewed on her bottom lip contemplating the situation. “Alright, I’ll go but if I feel anything like I do now..... I’m staying right here!”

  “If you mean right here as in the bathroom floor child, I will have to get a mattress brought in. This floor is hard on my behind.” Clucked her Mother.

  Serena managed a pale smile. “It has been almost an hour since I needed to bark like a dog. Maybe we can move out the bathroom now.”

  Early the following morning, Serena phoned Jo to confirm that she would be going.

  “Great!” Josephine had cried before diving into her note book for telephone numbers. “I’ll have a hair stylist and makeup artist at your mothers for 5pm and Tony will pick you up at 7pm. I’ll be running a bit late because of flights and a few small problems here at the office but I should see you there at about 9pm. Ciao darling!”

  Serena now wished she was able to be more affirmative with her friend. She would be lucky to be awake for the hairstylist, never mind the Charity thing.

  Chapter twenty three

  The old opera house was alive with activity. Huge spot lights showed off the best of her outer facade. Large potted palms filled the spaces between each of the enormous arched Roman Windows. The architect tried to recreate the basic outer form of the coliseum. He had added much of the ornate luxury that may have been found in the finest palaces and cathedrals of Roma.

  The expansive lobby extended through the entire outer circumference of the building, and the full height of the three story building. The functional part of the building lay in the middle. A thick, soundproofed and windowless wall formed the skeleton of the building, lined with private rooms and balconies over three levels. This enclosed the heart. An enormous open circular space, the full height of the building.