“Well, it is good to see you too,” Emilia said smiling.
Amanda walked up to the kitchen counter and placed her camera bag and handbag on the counter.
“You know exactly what I mean,” she said.
“And how is that exactly?” Emilia asked.
“You have been home from work since my second day here,” Amanda said as she took a bottle of water in the fridge. “You do know that I don’t need a babysitter, right?”
Emilia looked up from the tomatoes she had been dicing.
“I know that.”
“Really?” Amanda asked and Emilia nodded.
“Yeah, really. But my annual leave was two years overdue so I took it.”
“Conveniently around the same time I am visiting,” Amanda said opening the water bottle. “Is there something you should be telling me?”
Amanda took another sip of her water as she looked at her friend. She could tell when she was giving bullshit and this was one of those times. She took another long sip as Emilia put the knife down and took a long deep breath. And almost immediately, Amanda could tell what she was going to say. She always knew what Emilia had in mind in times like these. When she was down and distressed, when she had a lot going for her. She always knew that something like this, being in a position that made her question everything she knew that it would always bring out the empathetic Emilia.
“I know what you are thinking love, and trust me, I am okay,” Amanda said and Emilia shrugged.
“I know you want to believe that you are okay but honestly I have seen enough to know that you are just trying to make yourself feel better.” Emilia bit her lower lip and shook her head. “I am not saying that you need to go into deep mourning or anything, all I am saying is that this is a sensitive time for you. And I am here for you.”
Amanda smiled.
“I know you are. Maybe this would be a good time for you to advise me on how I am going to get out of that joint ownership of the house.”
“That can wait,” Emilia said. “I mean, I can talk to a few people in the real estate market back in New Jersey. I still have a few contacts back in the States that I can rely on but you shouldn’t be thinking about that right now.”
“Well, I will have to think about it sooner rather than later. I need to have a home to go back to and it cannot be the same place I saw my ex-boyfriend being ridden by a person I used to think was a friend while her husband is out God knows where risking his life on behalf of her sorry ass.” Amanda took a long deep breath. “I honestly don’t...I can’t go back to that house.”
“Don’t worry. We can work out a nice apartment for you to go back to after all this is over,” Emilia said. “Meanwhile, you can still work out something here that will keep you busy.” She looked at her camera bag. “I can see you already got off to a great start.”
“Great start does not even begin to explain it,” Amanda said in a soft voice as she took her camera out of its bag. “I was out trying to get something to eat and imagine to my surprise when I found out that street food is not just in Asia.”
She began scrolling through her gallery before she handed Emilia the camera.
“Wait. This is the Veneria Reale,” Emilia said in an obviously surprised tone. “How did you even get in there?”
“Apparently the name Amanda Pearson is a big deal around here. I mean...all I needed to do was drop my name and just like that everything was done. They let me in to take my photos and they even gave me some stuff from the gift shop,” Amanda said smiling.
“I didn’t even know the Veneria Reale had a gift shop,” Emilia pointed out.
“Well, the t-shirt, mouse pad and snow globe I have in my bag say a totally different story,” Amanda said laughing.
“We should celebrate,” Emilia said as she walked to the fridge. “I have some leftover champagne,” she said waving the bottle.
Amanda gasped silently. She was not sure she was ready to admit the fact that she was pregnant to anyone. At least not until she made her peace with that little fact. She was breathing hard and heavy as she struggled to come up with the right lie.
“Not for me, thanks. I drank a couple of glasses of wine earlier. My head’s a little light,” she lied.
“You had wine at the street vendors,” Emilia said raising an eyebrow over the other.
Amanda did not have anything to say to that. It was the dumbest lie she had ever heard. Even for a bad liar, that was pretty bad. She sighed in relief when she saw a flyer seeping out of her bag that reminded her of the other part of her day.
“Well, not really. I did go to a coffee shop later and bumped into some ladies who invited me to a party this weekend,” she said in an attempt to change the subject.
“You managed to walk into the Veneria Reale and you got invited to a party?” Emilia asked and Amanda smiled.
“It worked,” she thought.
“And you have only been here for what? A week?” Emilia went on.
“Close. Four days.” Amanda was just being honest but for some reason it sounded like she was bragging, which she wasn’t. “It is some popular guy holding it...his name...I don’t know why I cannot recall his name.”
“Wait, a party this weekend being hosted by a popular guy?” Emilia asked as if she already knew what Amanda was talking about.
“Yeah, do you know about it?” Amanda asked and Emilia nodded.
“The guy throwing the party, could it be one Rafael Imperioli?” she asked and Amanda’s eyes brightened.
“Yeah, that’s the name. Apparently he is going to be holding it at his residence in...”
“...at his private villa in the country,” Emilia said, cutting her short.
“I think you know more about this party than I do,” Amanda said smiling.
“That’s because the party you are talking about is being hosted by Italy’s most famous playboy,” Emilia said.
Amanda shrugged and took a long sip of her water.
“That sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun. Could be something potentially different for my website.”
“Sweetie, that is not the kind of party you should be going to if you intend on keeping a low profile,” Emilia said in a warning tone. “That party is going to be crawling with the who’s who in Europe and believe me when I tell you that you want to keep your distance.”
“Millie, I am not looking for my next boyfriend or anything,” Amanda said, shaking her head. “Heck, I am not even looking for a one night stand.”
“Well, if you go to that party, don’t be alarmed when you wake up next to some strange man and probably even a few women.” Emilia sprinkled some olive oil on the tomatoes and then sprinkled some basil. “Rafael has been known to serve some pretty strong drinks at his parties.”
“Well, now I am sure that I will not be a victim of circumstance.”
“Really? Amanda Pearson is going to attend a party and not drink?” Emilia said smiling.
“Well, miracles do happen don’t they? Plus, I have a plus one if you are looking to change your mind.”
Emilia shrugged.
“Well, I’ll decide after I have made my sauce.”
“So, that’s what you are making,” Amanda said. “Count me in before you add the aged balsamic,” she added as she got her camera and bag before she began walking towards the guest room.
“So you read minds too?” Emilia called and Amanda looked at her over her shoulder.
“I know how you make your sauces. I like mine savory and you prefer sour,” she called.
“Smart ass!” Emilia called after her.
“Fundamental basis of our relationship,” Amanda yelled back.
Chapter 4
Even though Emilia had spent the better part of the last two days trying to talk Amanda out of attending Rafael’s party, Amanda could not help but feel intrigued. All she wanted to do was go to that party and see what the big whoop was about. It was almost like the more Emilia tried talking her out of it, the mo
re she wanted to go. It was a literal 180 every single time Emilia talked to her because all the discouragement Emilia was giving her was only building her curiosity but when she finally got to Rafael Imperioli’s villa, she regretted her decision almost immediately.
When she left Emilia’s apartment wearing a green floor length halter necked dress and red bottomed strapped heels, she thought she looked her best and she did. But looking at the women in attendance at the party got her thinking that she was a little under dressed for the event. She took a long deep breath as she stood at the entrance wondering whether she should go in or just stay where she was.
“Maybe I should have listened to Emilia,” she thought as she looked around. To her it felt like she had stepped right into a scene of a Rich Kids of Beverly Hills episode. She could easily see that the women in there were dressed to kill and the men, well, they were all out to impress as well. She subconsciously put a hand on her tummy as she looked around.
“This is a life I will have to forget before I have even began living it,” she thought to herself. The more she thought about it, the more accustomed she became to the thought of being a mother. She had always been strictly pro-life. And it was not like she hated the life that was growing within her. Sure, it may have been a reminder of Brett and everything about him but the truth remained that she was still very much in love with Brett when she conceived. And even though she tried hard to deny it, she knew that she still loved Brett. Perhaps that was why the whole break up hurt so much. The residual feelings she had for him that she could not act on.
She was still standing there, trying to figure out her life and the mess that it was in when she felt someone standing next to her. She turned around to find a full dark haired man looking at her.
“Hi,” was all she managed to say.
The man smiled back at her, showing off those perfect dimples he had.
“Hi,” he said in a soft voice.
*****
Rafael had been looking down at the party, his party from upstairs and he could not help but notice that his party had attracted the same old people he usually did. He had been keen on meeting a few people that he could have a decent conversation with but as he looked down at his guests, all he could see were people high on blow and the girls could have been looking for the next rich husband for all he cared. They were all too giddy and skimpily dressed for his taste. He had resigned to his fate of standing up there, watching everyone make merry when he spotted the one person who looked different from all the rest. It was a black woman standing near the entrance. As he stood there looking at her, he did not know why, but he felt drawn to her for some reason.
It could have been her simplicity.
Or the fact that she looked extremely lonely.
Or maybe it was just that she was the most natural looking person in the room.
Whatever the reason was, he found himself making his way downstairs to where she was and as soon as he stood next to her, he felt his throat dry. He could not bring himself to speak. All he could do was stand there and take in her beauty. Her flawless skin on her uncovered back and the perfect feminine curves. He was surprised when she turned to look at him and uttered a low voiced ‘hi’. She had perfect brown eyes and beautiful luscious lips that looked like they were waiting for a kiss. All he could manage was utter a ‘hi’ back.
*****
Amanda forced out a smile and tightened her grip on her purse. She didn’t know why but for some reason that man made her all numb.
“You know I hear it is rude for a person to attend a party and not have anything to drink,” he said and she shrugged.
“Would the host happen to have some lemonade?” she asked.
“What? Are you a teetotaler or something?” he asked and she shrugged.
“Or something,” she said as she looked around.
“Don’t you worry. I’m sure I can organize something. But only if we make it inside.”
“I’m still trying to decide if I should go in actually.”
Rafael looked at her and raised an eyebrow over the other.
“And why would you want to do that?”
“Well, I don’t really feel like this is my forte,” she said, looking around. “I kind of feel like I am out of my comfort zone, if you know what I mean.”
“I really don’t know what you mean but I would love to hear about it,” he said as he slipped an arm around her waist. She looked at him and felt a shiver go through her body. “Come on, I’ll get you your lemonade and make sure you get away from all this.”
“Why should I trust you?” she asked as he led her out of the foyer.
“Look at this face,” he said smiling. “Do I look like I would do anything to you?”
“The least suspected are usually the biggest culprits,” she countered.
“Well, this culprit is a lot of things,” he started before he whispered something to one of the waiters. “But I would never hurt a lady. Especially one that looks as good as you do.”
“Are you flirting with me?” Amanda asked, smiling and he nodded.
“If I was would I be a yay or a nay?” he asked before she laughed.
At that moment, she realized that Emilia was not kidding when she told her that the men there didn’t waste any time in making their intentions known because she did not even know the man’s name but he was already literally taking her out of the party so that he could have her to himself for whatever reason.
He led her out to what seemed to be a lounge before he opened a huge screen door that led to a lit pool area.
“This is...beautiful,” she said in a low voice as she looked around. “This Rafael guy should be holding this party out here instead of in there.”
He smiled and shrugged.
“Well, as it turns out I’ve had quite the number of parties out here. I just wanted something new and different,” he said in a soft voice. “Plus, drunk guests have a tendency to pee in my pool.”
She raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“This is your place?” she asked and he nodded. “So, you are Rafael.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss....” he said as he stretched his hand out to her.
“Pearson. Amanda Pearson,” she said smiling. “Nice to meet you.”
“American?” he asked and she nodded.
“African American actually.”
“What’s the difference?” he was now leading her towards a couple of lounge chairs.
“Well, I am an American citizen but I still have to insist on the fact that I am a black woman,” she explained as she sat down.
“You know, I can actually see that you are black. I don’t think your race needs a lot of explaining or defining.”
Amanda smiled and nodded, feeling a little silly.
“Well, I was just correcting you. That’s all,” she pointed out as a waiter walked in carrying a tray.
“Thank you,” Rafael said as the waiter put the tray down. “Our lemonade is here.”
Amanda raised an eyebrow over the other.
“Our?” she asked.
“Well it is not polite to let a guest drink alone, now, is it?”
Amanda smiled as she watched him pour lemonade into the two glasses on the tray.
“It’s just lemonade. Not cognac or champagne.”
Rafael handed her a glass.
“A drink is a drink and right now, sharing this one with you is so much more fun than I could be having in there.”
“Somehow, I find that hard to believe,” she said, sitting down.
He took a sip of his lemonade and shook his head.
“Believe me. I love throwing parties as much as the next guy but I can only explain the difference between Stanford and Stamford so many times.” He took a long deep breath. “It is honestly exasperating.”
“I can only imagine,” she said. She took a sip of her lemonade and leaned back taking in the view. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you,” he said. H
e was looking at her, but she didn’t know it yet. “But not as beautiful as you are.”
She turned to look at him, a smile on her face. She was thankful for the cover of the night otherwise he would have seen her reddened cheeks and known that his charms were working.
He was the complete opposite of what Brett was. Sure, he was handsome and quite the looker but he could not compare to what she was looking at. Rafael had a full head of naturally shiny black hair and the warmest eyes she had ever laid eyes on. Even through his linen pants and shirt, she could see the outline of his well formed muscles. He was perfect in more ways than one, a god and he did not let it go to his head like most men would have. She turned away from him and took another sip of her lemonade.
“You did not strike me as a person who would blush,” he went on and she forced out a laugh.
“I am not sure what I have to say to that,” she said in a soft voice.
“You don’t have to say anything. Just sit there and let me appreciate you.”
She shook her head and looked at him.
“You know, a friend of mine told me that the men in Italy can be pretty direct,” she said before she took a sip of her lemonade. “I’m beginning to think she was right.”
“I don’t know about the rest of Italy but I like letting the world know what is on my mind. After all, I didn’t get to where I was by mincing my words.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Forgive me for not mincing my words either but in all honesty you kind of look like a trust fund baby.”
Rafael smiled.
“No offense,” she said quickly and he shook his head.
“Trust me, none taken. It’s not the first time I’ve heard that. But maybe I should just point out that a few years ago my parents thought it would be wise to cut me off...to make me get in line or something of the sort.”
Amanda raised an eyebrow.
“What are you talking about?”
“They have always wanted my brother and I to handle the family business but I had other plans...I mean, I am not saying I wanted to throw my hands up in surrender when it came to the family business but I needed something that would just be my own. That was something I had always wanted to do since I was a kid and so I got my savings and bought into some business in the Texan oil fields.”
Accept My Baby: A Billionaire BWWM Single Parent Pregnancy Romance Page 4
