Angelo
Looking after someone shouldn’t be this hard. The real problem comes when you’ve already made a promise. I sigh, running my hands over my face. In less than six hours, I’ll be responsible for keeping an eye on a young girl. But I couldn’t say no. Her father has always been a close family friend, and when he asked me to take care of, watch over, and give a job to the youngest of the Wolf family, I couldn’t refuse. I’ve known that girl since she was born. I grew up with her siblings until I moved to this country with my father, leaving Italy behind. Even so, I never lost touch with them. We always called each other, stayed connected. They’re good friends. But now George wants his daughter to build her life here in this city. He wants her to continue her studies and for me to give her a job at the company I just bought. He wants his 21-year-old daughter to live off her own hard work. I don’t judge him—maybe he doesn’t want Gina to end up like her sister, someone who’s always lived off the family’s money and likely always will.
“Hey, man,” Alejandro walks into my office, a good friend and my business partner. “I love this job,” he laughs. “The models are smoking hot.” I roll my eyes at his words.
“Alejandro, get to work and stop harassing the models.”
“You’ve gotta see them, Angelo. Investing in a fashion company was the best decision we ever made.” I shake my head, hiding a smirk.
“I’ll see them at the party,” I say. He grins.
“A party, huh? At least now I know I’m not working with an old man. You need to have some fun, Angelo. You’re only 33.”
“That’s enough.”
“Exactly, you’ve gotta live a little now.” He flashes a wide smile as I glance at my watch. “What’s up?”
“Gina Wolf,” I mention her name with a sigh. “I promised her father I’d look after her while she’s in this city.”
“Well,” he grins, “you shouldn’t complain. You’ll be living with a girl now.”
“She’s a kid, Alejandro. Stay away from her,” I point at him, noticing his smirk. “It’s my duty to protect her, and her father was crystal clear—no guys are to come near her.”
“Twenty-one years old,” he sighs, “and her dad wants her to stay a virgin until marriage.” I nod, and he laughs. “You’re giving her a job? I heard she hasn’t even finished her studies.”
“She’s been in France all this time, studying. Her family’s only kept in touch with her over the phone these past few years.”
“How long has she been there?”
“Three years, studying like a good girl.” I smile. “I remember her. It’s been years since I’ve seen her, but I can still picture the little girl running around everywhere.” I laugh. “Her dad used to send me and her sister to watch over her.”
“And I bet you didn’t watch her at all,” he says. I let out a loud chuckle.
“Nope, we were too busy with better things,” I murmur, thinking of Susan. She’s so different—free-spirited, charismatic, not shy at all. “We still meet up when I travel to Italy.” He gives me a sly grin.
“You’re shameless, Angelo. But ever since Hana—”
“I don’t want to talk about that,” I cut him off, wiping the smile from my face and checking my watch again. “Get back to work.”
“Sorry, man.” I just nod as he walks away. I’ve got too much on my plate and dive back into my tasks. I’m not about to put my life on hold waiting for her to arrive. Hours pass, and I’m still not done. Starting a business almost from scratch isn’t easy, especially in the fashion world. I never thought I’d end up in this industry, but here I am.
“Mr. Diamanti,” I look toward the door. “There’s a young woman waiting to see you in the reception area.”
“Damn it, Gina.” I jump to my feet. I completely forgot about her. I was supposed to pick her up at the airport. I rush out of my office and take the elevator, waiting impatiently for it to descend. When the doors open, I step out quickly and stop short at the sight of a woman sitting in a chair, facing away from me, looking out the window. All I can see is her loose black hair. I smile and take a few steps toward her.
“Gina?” I say her name. She stands and turns to face me. Her green eyes, lighter than mine, lock onto me. She’s no longer the little girl I pictured in my mind. But that’s not what makes me swallow hard—it’s the noticeable bulge of her belly, even under her loose clothing.
“Angelo,” she smiles as if nothing’s wrong. “You left me at the airport.” I blink at her like an idiot.
“Tell me you’ve just put on weight,” I point at her. “Tell me you’ve just eaten too much and gotten chubby.” She laughs, but I’m breaking out in a cold sweat.
“I guess my dad told you to look after me, give me a job, and, of course, keep the guys away because I’ve been engaged to someone else since I was a kid and I’m supposed to stay pure until marriage.” I nod. “Angelo, a lot has happened, and I—” she smiles, “I’m pregnant.”
“No.”
“Yes,” she says seriously, and I think I might have a heart attack. How the hell do I tell her father this? How do I tell them their little girl is pregnant? “And my dad can’t know, Angelo. He’d kill me. I need your help.”
I set the cup of tea in front of her. She takes it in her hands but doesn’t drink. I sit across from her, staring, still unable to believe what I’m seeing. I was supposed to look after an innocent, pure young woman, but I’m sitting across from someone who’s pregnant—and clearly far along, because her belly is huge. She looks at me, and I glance away, shifting uncomfortably in my chair.
“How far along?” I gesture toward her stomach.
“Six months.” I curse out loud, and she lowers her gaze. “Angelo—”
“Your parents don’t know.”
“That’s not the only thing they don’t know,” she says, meeting my eyes. “I’ve been away from them for three years, supposedly studying, but that’s not true. I never studied fashion design. I spent all the money on other things.” I run my hands over my face.
“You’ve been lying to your family for years?” I stand, slamming a hand on the table, startling her. “Years, Gina. You’re irresponsible. Your family has spent a fortune on your education, and you—” I point at her but stop myself as I see her tears. “For God’s sake!”
“I’m not proud of it, okay? I’m young, and—”
“You’re reckless, that’s what you are.” More tears stream down her face. “How am I supposed to tell your parents this?”
“No, Angelo, no,” she stands quickly, grabbing my shirt. “Don’t tell them anything. My dad will kill me. You have to help me.”
“Gina—”
“Please, we’ve known each other for years.”
“I’ve known you since you were a baby,” I mutter angrily, looking into her green eyes, shimmering with tears.
“Please, Angelo, help me. Don’t tell them. Give me a job, let me stay at your place. I don’t have any money, and Dad won’t give me more. He wants me to fend for myself.”
“Damn it,” I take her hands and push them away from me. “This has to be a joke.” I look at her. “Who’s the father of the baby?” I point at her belly. She takes a deep breath. “Tell me, Gina. That man needs to take responsibility, and please don’t tell me you don’t know who the father is,” I almost plead, staring into her eyes. She sinks back into the chair.
“Ernesto Lopez.” My eyes widen, and everything around me seems to freeze.
“Erne… Ernesto?” I clear my throat. “The dangerous, bloodthirsty drug lord?” She laughs, shaking her head.
“Of course not, Angelo.” Air rushes back into my lungs, and I wipe the sweat from my forehead, taking a seat across from her.
“Thank God, Gina. I thought—”
“I’d never be with that old man,” she laughs, and I nod, picking up my tea and taking a sip. “But I was with his son.” I spit the tea back into the cup and start coughing. “He’s also a dealer, but he’s not that bad. And yes, his name is Ernesto too.” She smiles as I stare at her, and I honestly feel like I could strangle her. This is going to be way harder than I thought.