The Vine

by C. A Ellis

  Chapter Twenty-two – Lucas

  As I stand up out of my seat for about the hundredth time, I hear Katy moan at me yet again. “For crying out loud, Lucas, keep still, will you? You’re fidgeting like a five-year-old and it’s making me nervous!”

  I give her one of my signature dirty looks, trying to frighten her and get her to back off a bit. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to bring Katy with me; she hasn’t stopped bitching at me since we arrived at the airport. It makes me realise even more why I miss my Angel so much—she’s so kind and gentle to me, and even if she does get cross with me, one look at that protruding pouty lip of hers and I melt.

  When I smile at Lizzy, she always smiles right back at me; it’s as though she just can’t help herself. Then we’ll embrace—or huggle, as she likes to call it—in our special way, which apparently has a mixture of the strength of a hug and the loving feel of a cuddle. I must be smiling to myself, as I hear Katy sigh, saying, “Oh, God, you’re not thinking about her again, are you? No, in fact, don’t even answer that, because I know you are; it’s the only time you smile.”

  Mellowing, I look down at Katy. “I miss our huggles,” I say, and then I laugh as I see Katy roll her eyes, muttering ‘sap’ under her breath. I plonk myself back in my seat as I think of our plans for when we hit Verona. One of my first stops will be a bespoke Jeweller; I’ve already contacted the owner on our way to the airport. I searched the house briefly for Lizzy’s engagement ring but it was nowhere to be found, and in my haste to get to the airport I gave up the search and decided to order a new one to collect upon our arrival in Verona. I consoled myself with the fact that as beautiful as it was, the old ring was tainted since the accident and Lizzy’s disappearance. Now I’m one step closer to finding my Angel, I have to make sure I’m prepared because if or when I find her, I don’t intend to waste another second of our lives apart.

  I already called the owner of where Lizzy and I were meant to be staying, and he informed me that no one had ever arrived. So I know she isn’t there, which didn’t surprise me too much; I would never have been able to stay there without her either.

  Katy had called and booked us into a hotel for our indefinite stay in Verona. I had given Katy’s salon manager a raise to take complete responsibility of the salon for as long as we need, and as soon as I mentioned this trip, and without me even asking, Smyth and Cole told me they would take care of my side of the business, as they both knew I wasn’t planning on leaving Verona without Lizzy. Katy and I have a plan of action, and it will start immediately. We are planning to call or visit every other hotel in Verona to see if Lizzy is staying there, and hopefully, we will find her.

  “I can’t wait to find her and see her again; I just need her in my arms. I can’t even imagine what that moment will feel like when my Angel is finally with me again—like a piece of my heart’s puzzle fitting back into place, making it whole again,” I say out loud, expecting yet another sigh from Katy, but instead, she takes my hand and squeezes it, and as I look over to her, I realise Katy needs Lizzy back in her life almost as much as I do. We both smile knowingly at each other.

  “What’s our plan, Lucas?” Katy asks.

  “You know what our plan is.” I laugh. “We get to Verona, book in our hotel and then get straight to the task of looking around hotels to find our girl.” I’m still smiling, looking at Katy like she’s lost her mind.

  “I know that, Lucas,” Katy says more seriously, “but then what?”

  Obvious, I think to myself. “We bring her home,” I state aloud.

  “Lucas, I really don’t think you’re getting what I’m saying.”

  “No, I’m not, so spit it out, Katy. What exactly are you saying?” Annoyed now, I roll my eyes at her.

  “For Christ’s sake, Lucas, Lizzy thinks you’re dead! You’re not exactly going to be able to walk up to her and say, ‘Hey babe, Surprise! No, you’re not seeing a ghost; I’m alive and I’ve got our tickets booked to get you home.’ Katy’s tone is sarcastic and incredulous. I look away from her, panicking. I’m such a fool. I’ve been so excited about going to find her, I hadn’t even thought about that. Katy must see my reaction, as her voice softens when she says, “Do you understand what I’m saying now? You could give the girl a heart attack or something.” I nod. “Lucas, she may have even started to make a life for herself there. I know Lizzy—when she’s grieving, she’ll need to keep herself busy.”

  I nod again. I can’t speak. After Katy’s words, my mind is running away with me, and I’m imaging my Angel creating a new life without me. She’s got to be staying somewhere; she’ll probably have a job if she wants to keep herself busy. She’s such a wonderful person—everyone loves her on meeting her—so she’ll have no problem making some friends. Maybe she’ll even have a boyfriend helping her get over me. Oh, God, I feel sick.

  Katy senses my panic and says, “Lucas, calm down. You look like you’re hyperventilating over there. All I’m thinking is, it would probably be better if when we do find her that I go in first. I’ll tell her I have come to Verona to find her, and then I can explain to her about you. And of course, once she knows, she’ll be dying to see you as much as you are her,” she smiles.

  My heart rate starts to regulate at Katy’s smile; her idea is a sensible one. I don’t think sensibly when it comes to Lizzy. I lean back and close my eyes as I calm myself further with thoughts that I’ll soon be in Verona, and in a closer proximity to Lizzy. I will check in at our hotel, and then we’ll start searching.

  I will find her. I have to.

  Saskia

  I lay back on my bed smiling as I think how lucky I have been with my photography today. I have seen Elizabeth Maynard with my own eyes over the last day, and she seems to have moved on. She has a job in a café, which she seems happy with—only God knows why. Who in their right mind would want to work in a café? It just proves to me even more she is not in mine and Lucas’s league. She also has the campiest gay friend I think I have ever seen, and to top it off, he is as common as muck—although he does seem to adore Elizabeth. Then there’s the absolutely stunning Italian gentleman, who is clearly besotted with her.

  This bitch seems to land on her feet every time. She meets a man like Lucas and she becomes his world; then, when things get rough, she swans off to Italy, only to land a job—even if it is just as a waitress, she certainly seems happy enough. She has made instant friends, and has the most unbelievably attractive Italian god just waiting for her to drop her knickers. And to top it all off, she’s got Lucas willing to give up everything in his life just to find her.

  What is so great about this girl? She looks awfully plain to me, and why do people keep calling her Ella? I mean, seriously, who the fuck does she think she is? I can feel my blood pressure rising and I’m getting angry; I need to calm myself down. I can’t lose control, at least, not yet.

  I calm myself as I start to think about the rest of my plan. I will show Lucas the kind of girl she really is, and that she has moved on. And with these wonderful thoughts running through my mind, I upload all the photos I have taken to my laptop. I flick through them again and smile to myself, imagining his face when he sees them. I have pictures of her smiling and laughing with customers at the café. I have pictures of her walking along arm-in-arm with her flamboyant male friend laughing, and it doesn’t matter how obviously gay he looks, Lucas will still be jealous as hell. Then there’s a great one where Elizabeth is having lunch with her friend and the Italian god, and she is laughing like she hasn’t got a care in the world.

  The greatest photograph captured though, is of the god kissing her. Now, the reality of that kiss was a typical, European goodbye kiss on both cheeks. The handsome man hadn’t lingered; he just kissed her confidently and walked away. But in my still shot, his lips are heading to her, and her eyes are closed in anticipation—like she’s sensually awaiting his lips to touch hers. Lucas will blow a gasket when he sees these, I think and chuckle.

  In the subject
line of an email from a newly-created address, I just write: YOU’RE WASTING YOUR TIME. IT LOOKS LIKE SHE’S MOVED ON. MAYBE YOU SHOULD TOO. I attach the photos, and then I click Send. Job done.

  I only wish I was a fly on the wall when he sees them, now for the next part of my plan.

  Chapter Twenty-three – Lizzy

  I have a day off of work today; Isabella insisted on it, as the weekend is expected to be busy, and also, it’s my turn to be in extra early on both days to open up. Isabella always used to open up, but it was my idea we take turns to give her a little bit of a rest. After a relaxing morning, which basically consists of me waking up late and staying in bed with my bed partner—my Kindle, I eventually get up and take a shower to liven myself up a bit.

  By the time I’m dressed and ready, I notice it’s nearly lunchtime. No wonder my stomach is growling at me. I decide today I’ll have a little mooch into the main square. I have days when I really don’t want to be on my own, and this is one of them. I even called Stefano earlier, but he’s manic at the salon today. So that’s why I’ve decided to go and eat in the square. With the hustle and bustle there, you never feel quite alone.

  As the lift is going down to the foyer of the hotel, my stomach rumbles loudly again and I smile to myself. I clearly hadn’t realised how hungry I am. The door of the lift opens and I look up still smiling, but the smile is wiped off of my face as I look into chocolate brown eyes belonging to a very worried face. As Luca realises it’s me, I notice his concerned facial expression twists into the most amazing smile, and it worries me I’m the reason for his total change in demeanour.

  It worries me because it’s the exact same reaction I used to have when Luke entered a room, and the reason it used to happen to me is because I was—and still am—totally in love with him. Surely Luca’s feelings for me aren’t that strong. It’s just a crush for him, isn’t it? After all, he’s only known me a short while, and let’s face it—he doesn’t really know me, or anything about me.

  “Ella, what a lovely surprise. How wonderful to see you.”

  I smile guardedly. “Luca,” I say in greeting as I step out of the lift, and as I do, Luca turns around and walks with me. “I thought you were waiting for the lift?” I ask.

  “Oh, that can wait,” he replies, waving his hand dismissively. He opens the glass door for me and I step out onto the street. “Where are you off to?” Luca asks, falling into step with me.

  “I’m just going to grab a bite to eat,” I answer casually, although there’s no hiding the nervousness behind it.

  “Then have lunch with me,” Luca throws out there, not really as a question, more of a statement.

  “No, it’s fine, Luca; after all, you must be really busy, what with all the interior designing and property owning,” I say, rolling my eyes slightly in annoyance over what I was originally led to believe.

  As if reading my mind, Luca says, “I didn’t lie to you, Ella. I held back some details; there is a difference, and plus, I didn’t think it was relevant then. You were in such a state, and so incredibly sad.”

  I nod and smirk at him, thinking of what an understatement that was.

  “So please, Ella, have lunch with me,” he says persuasively. “As friends?” he pleads.

  He must have spotted the uncertainty in my non-answer, as he then stands in front of me, walks backwards and clasps my hands as he continues.

  “I have spoken to Stefano, and he has told me I am coming on too strong with you, and that you are not interested in anything more than friendship at the moment. I respect that, Ella, I really do. So please, just have lunch with me.”

  I look into his eyes that are pleading and begging me and I weaken; I must admit, I feel happier about having lunch with him after just hearing Stefano has spoken with him. I smile and reply, “Okay, we’ll do lunch.”

  I notice his body physically relax. “Oh, that’s great, Ella. Thank you,” he says while breathing out, or should I say ‘exhaling with relief’, because that’s certainly what it looked like.

  Luca, now having gotten his way, steps back beside me, but only lets go of one of my hands, which means he is still holding the other one. This I am definitely not comfortable with, so I pull my hand away. Luca keeps talking to me like pulling my hand away hasn’t affected him, but not before I notice the brief look of hurt that crosses his handsome features. “I know a great place for lunch,” he says confidently, composing himself immediately and looking at me like he’s waiting for me to refuse. But I feel bad now for pulling my hand away so sharply, as if I had been burnt or something, so I just smile and nod to him, silently giving him the okay.

  Luca lightly touches my arm and guides us confidently through the busy square and out to some quieter narrow roads. Wherever I look, there’s gorgeous Italian architecture surrounding us on all sides, and all of it seeped in history. It’s such a pleasant day; the sun is shining, and the sky is a vivid blue without a cloud in sight.

  We finally stop outside a classy café with the usual outdoor seating. It’s situated under a great big stone arch, which is perfectly situated to cast enough of a shadow for us to sit in the shade, but it’s still warm enough I won’t feel a chill. It’s the perfect place for lunch, just as Luca had said. It’s exactly the place I would have chosen myself. How did this guy always get everything so right for me? First the hotel, and now this.

  The staff obviously knows Luca well, as on greeting him warmly, they also produce a bottle of Prosecco with two glasses and proceed to pour without a sign of needing approval. Not that I’m complaining—I love Prosecco. After looking at my menu and being unable to decide on anything, Luca asks if I would like to share a pizza with him; these are the first words he has spoken to me for some time, but fortunately, silence with him isn’t awkward.

  “Yes, that’d be great,” I enthuse while my stomach growls in appreciation. After all my previous concerns, lunch turns out to be nice—lovely food, delicious drinks and good company are always a winner, and just what I needed today.

  Luca tells me the truth about all the buildings he owns, and how he had acquired them so young after the death of his grandfather. He explains how his grandfather didn’t get along with his son, Luca’s dad, and how they hadn’t spoken for years. Despite this, Luca is very close to his grandfather, and when he passed away, he’d left Luca all his assets. He goes on to talk about his love for interior designing, and how he will never give up on his passion, no matter how much property he owns.

  He also mentions what he knows about me—obviously, where I’m staying because he owns it, where I get my hair cut, as he owns that building too and then he surprises me by knowing where I work, because not only does he own the building, but because Isabella is his auntie. We speak about Isabella a lot; it turns out we are both equally affectionate towards her because of how lovely and kind she is. Luca asks me if I’m happy at the café, and I tell him I am.

  We both laugh when he admits he has a mountain of far better jobs he can offer me, but if he did, Isabella would string him up by his balls for taking me away from her. I laugh long and hard at that because I know how fond of me Isabella is, and regardless, I don’t want another job; I really do like working at the café. I tell Luca about my passion for reading, and how I have decided to write a book too, so the quieter months in the café will suit me.

  A couple of hours pass quickly and easily, and I realise I’m very comfortable in Luca’s presence as a friend. As we make our way back through the quaint, cobbled streets, we are both quiet and clearly lost in thought. Suddenly, I’m surprised when Luca grabs my hand and pulls me into an alleyway. It’s so unexpected, I gasp, and then in one swift movement, I realise I’m pushed up against a cold stone wall and am being held in place by Luca’s warm, firm body. It certainly startles me, but surprisingly, I don’t feel scared. I’m not really sure what Luca is doing, but I know he won’t hurt me.

  “Luca, what the hell are you doing?” I say as I look confusedly into his eyes. He leans
himself further against me, as if he’s scared I’m going to bolt and run from him; he then cups my face in his large, tanned hands.

  I stiffen as Luca’s head moves forward to me, but at the last minute, he leans past my face to my ear as he whispers, “Dear, sweet Ella, I want you so much. I want you so bad it physically hurts my heart. I have never felt for a woman I barely know what I feel for you. I look at you and I’m turned on—I mean, what man wouldn’t be—but, Ella, it is also so much more than that.”

  Luca moves his head back slightly from my ear so we have eye contact again, and now it’s like he’s talking to my soul as he continues in his thick Italian accent, “I see the hurt and pain in your eyes, Ella, and it sears through me. If I can, I want to remove all that terrible hurt and pain burdening you, because you don’t deserve to have to hold on to that much agony and unhappiness.

  “I want to make you happy again, Ella. I want to take care of you and protect you. I know you don’t need me to, because I also see your strength as you battle against your demons, trying to build a life for yourself. I applaud you for your strength, and I need you to know that as well as this intense physical attraction I have for you, I also respect and admire you because, Ella, you might not realise it, but you are one amazing woman—the whole package. You are the perfect girl my mama instilled in me from a young boy I should wait for. I just fear the walls you have built up around yourself—which I understand are to protect yourself—are just going to prevent you from finding the happiness you deserve, whether that’s with me, or someone else.”

  Luca brightly smiles and tries to lighten the mood by saying, “Although, please God, let it be me and not someone else.” As Luca finishes what he obviously needs to get off his chest, he looks even more deeply into my eyes; his pools of dark chocolate are half-questioning and half-pleading waiting for my response. I also notice he is practically wincing, in case I shoot him down.