Still Falling

by Costa, Bella

  Watching him now she found herself wondering when last he had smiled. Not the polite smiles to the cameras when out in public. The ones she regularly saw in print. No, she wondered when last he had smiled properly. Like the carefree, spirited Marco she had known before his parents died. She wished she could understand how she had thought back then that there might ever be something between them.

  Had she been so blindly in love that she couldn’t see and kindness, sharing or assumed closeness was just Marco being polite? Was it really because she was the daughter of the hired help, or was she really just a conquest that didn’t live up to standard. His whole family had always been very generous and friendly to her and her mother. To all the staff actually. She never thought of them to be the type that would think of the staff as just ‘hired help’.

  Marco finally turned to walk back to the house, his head low and his stride slow but purposeful. Serena quietly closed her window and went in search of her mother.

  Chapter twenty nine

  Three weeks had passed since the charity auction and Serena was due to have her last Chemo session this morning. She had gained a little weight but more thanks to the additional medication the doctor had her on than anything she had been eating.

  Tony was due to pick her up in an hour and Serena’s mother was making a huge fuss over Serena’s lack of appetite for breakfast. Standing now at the kitchen window, Serena’s eyes were drawn across the lawns to the main house. Marco had not been there since that fateful early morning when they had returned from the Auction. Her mother told her he had gone to Milan and then London to attend to business and would be gone several months.

  Why then was there a car in the drive? She had begun to enjoy knowing she could come and go without him watching and questioning her every move. Serena turned from the window and froze. Slowing turning back she stared in horror at the scene playing out before her. On the balcony of one of the upstairs bedrooms, stood Michelle. Grasping the handrail, face turned up in obvious bliss and not a trace of clothing. Slightly obscured behind her with one arm around her waist and his dark head bent over her shoulder to nuzzle her neck was Marco!

  She was definitely not hungry now. Tony chose that moment to arrive and Serena pushed all thoughts of the lovers aside and rushed out to the car with barely a word to her mother. She yanked open the car door and climbed inside before Tony had a chance to climb out and open the door for her.

  “A bit moody this morning? I’m not late am I?” he asked worried.

  Serena sat stock still, staring straight ahead.

  “I’m fine. It’s fine. Just drive.”

  “Si. It is as I thought.” Said Tony, turning his attention to the road and giving her room with her thoughts.

  They arrived at the clinic at the same time as Josephine.

  “Good morning. Are we a little grumpy today?” asked Jo, making a big deal of studying Serena’s face.

  “No just tired.” That was becoming the standard excuse for everything. Whilst most of the time it was true, Serena knew tired had nothing to do with the emotions she was experiencing now.

  Jo didn’t look convinced.

  “Why are you at the clinic?”

  “What, you don’t want company?”

  “Tony is here.”

  Jo laughed. “This little brat will spend most of his time chasing short skirts. Come on. It’s going to be a while before I can come down to Napoli again. New York next week, then London, Paris, Geneva.....”

  They entered the clinic chatting like two school girls, leaving poor Tony on the stairs forgotten.

  The treatment appeared to go faster than normal with Jo keeping her company and occasionally they stopped their conversation to listen to amusement at Tony’s attempts at chatting up nurses in the corridor outside the treatment room.

  Curiosity finally got the best of Serena. “So what are the current rumours about Marco? Anything new?”

  Jo looked curiously at Serena. “Normally you feign disinterest. What’s happened?”

  “Ummm nothing. It’s just that there has been some strange comings and goings at his lordships palace and Mama....well, as much as she won’t discuss private matters with the royals, she won’t discuss the royals with me either.”

  “Ah huh. Strange comings and goings hey?” Said Jo nodding knowingly.

  “Come on spit it out!” nudged Serena.

  “Well nothing new really.” Josephine was smiling now as she took a long sip of her Latte. She knew by drawing out the gossip she would slowly drive Serena nuts.

  “There is rumour that the actress...um...what’s her name again? Oh yes Michelle something or other has dumped him like hot cakes for one of the Spinozzi Male models....”

  Jo stopped talking when she saw the sour look on Serena’s face.

  “Oh dear. What’s that look for?”

  “If you had seen what I had seen before breakfast this morning, you wouldn’t believe a word of that story!”

  “Oh my! Really? Well what do you know!” Murmured Jo quietly to herself. Before they could get much further into the conversation the nurse arrived to disconnect Serena and discharge her.

  Knowing the nastiness that would follow in a few hours as the chemicals poisoned her body, Serena made every effort to stretch out the next couple of hours and spend as much quality time with Jo as possible.

  It was just getting dark when Tony eventually dropped Serena off at the house keepers cottage and made sure that her mother had everything under control. The nausea had taken a little longer to hit her but despite some additional medication the clinic had given her, it was still as intense as usual. She would not walk to the beach tonight.

  Chapter thirty

  A week later Serena packed her few things into a bag and prepared to return to Milan. She was scheduled for tests at the hospital there to determine the effectiveness of the chemotherapy and decide the next course of treatment. Her mother had cooked up a storm again overnight and had made Serena promise to phone from the doctor’s office to report and if she needed more rest or chemo then she had to come back home to get it. Serena gave her mother a hug and promised that everything would be alright and Tony bundled her into the car to take her to the airport.

  “Thank you Tony. I couldn’t have managed without you. Look after my car for me please?”

  “Like it’s my own.” He promised.

  Jo met her at the airport in Milan dropped her off directly at the hospital.

  “Thanks Jo. I could be here a long time, so I’ll just catch a taxi home when I’m done.” And she kissed her friends cheek lightly.

  “Okay, but only if you are sure. Phone me if you need anything. I mean it.” Said Jo looking worried. They squeezed hands and Serena went inside.

  She sat tense and nervous, as the specialist studied her file, turning pages back and forward, occasionally grunting at something he read or nodding his bald head as if in agreement. Serena waited expecting the worst. Finally the Doctor looked up and cracked and enormous smile as he closed her file and rested it on his desk.

  “Well my dear, very lucky indeed. As I suspected when we made your initial diagnosis, it looks as though we may have caught this nasty little thing early enough and beaten it.”

  “Okay.” She said blankly, not really registering what he was saying at first. “Oh you mean..?”

  He nodded slowly, still smiling and maintaining eye contact. “For now you look absolutely clear. You will still take a couple more weeks to regain your strength and for the lining of your stomach to recover to its full and of course for the effects of the last round of Chemo to fully wear off, but you should be good as new before too long. However, there is no guarantee that it won’t come back and if it does it will be more aggressive. So I want you to rest a week or two before getting back into your old routine and I’ll schedule a review in six months to see if it’s behaving.” He leaned forward across the desk and took her hands into his.

  “Serena, this is very good news.”
He then passed her a box of tissues.

  Serena wiped a smudge of moisture from beneath one of her eyes.

  “I know. Thank you. I’m sorry if I’m emotional, I guess I’m just tired.”

  “Serena, I would be worried if you weren’t emotional. Now go home and get some rest and call my office if you have any questions or if you think something is amiss.”

  “Okay. Thank you”

  Serena left the hospital feeling deeply relieved but something she couldn’t quite fathom also left her slightly depressed. She blamed fatigue but couldn’t shake the feeling. She took a taxi home and with a cup of herbal tea phoned her Mother, Jo and the boys to let them know the good news, before unpacking. It wasn’t until then that she realised what was missing. Her walk to the beach!

  Her small apartment had been aired regularly by her neighbour and the heating had been turned on low. Serena even discovered fresh groceries in the fridge. She would have to pop over and thank her neighbour when she was finished but first she desperately needed a nap.

  Chapter thirty one

  The flats were situated in one of several modern buildings that had sprung up in the northwest edge of Milan. Josephine’s ex husband had given her the top five of the eleven stories as part of their divorce settlement and Jo in turn had dedicated ten of the well appointed and spacious flats on those floors into accommodation for her chief designers and other key staff, renting the rest out. Serena’s neighbour Marie, was the only full time model employed by Jo and together with Marie’s cat and two canaries, they shared the top floor of the building.

  Serena heard gentle tapping on her bedroom door, and lifted an eyelid tentatively. Marie stood cautiously in the open doorway with a steaming cup in one hand.

  “Hey hon. Glad to see you’re back in civilisation. I made your favourite tea.”

  “Hi Marie. Thanks. What’s the time?”

  “Um seven pm.”

  “Oh wow! I’ve been out for nearly four hours.”

  “Jo said to check in on you. Have you eaten? I know I’m not much of a cook but I can manage scrambled egg and toast.”

  “Actually....Marie that sounds like a great idea.” Smiled Serena.

  “Good. I’ll be in the kitchen, and I have a favour to ask.”

  Marie left the steaming cup on the drawer unit by the door and did an abrupt about turn, disappearing down the hall way.

  Serena, changed into a simple long sleeved wrap around that swept all the way down to the floor, brushed her teeth and tied her hair up in a loose pony tail before collecting the still hot tea and pattering bare foot to her kitchen. She was curious about the favour required of her and frankly starving. She had no idea Scrambled egg and toast could smell so good. Favour forgotten she sat down at the breakfast bar and tucked in.

  She was nearly half way through her second slice of toast before Marie mentioned the favour.

  “Um, I was wondering how you felt about going out for a few hours tonight? I mean nothing loud or anything!” she clarified quickly after seeing Serena’s expression.

  “It’s just that I’ve been sort of forced into this blind date thing and well I don’t want to be alone in case he turns out to be a Cuban drug lord or something.”

  Serena smiled gently. Marie had to be the only fashion model on the planet, who hated going out and was shy in social situations. She was still at heart the innocent Swiss farmer’s daughter. The proverbial Heidi.

  “So who is he?”

  “Some guy from London that apparently needs a date for some big thing happening tonight somewhere. Jo begged me and you know I can’t say no to her but I did manage get her to agree to allow a chaperone. It’s supposed to be a quiet sedate black tie thing.

  “So you want me to be your chaperone.”

  Marie nodded quickly, biting her lip nervously. “Yes please!”

  Serena knew Jo wouldn’t set Marie up with someone she wouldn’t get along with. Serena also knew Jo wouldn’t have agreed to the chaperone if she had known it would be her. She was supposed to be resting.

  “Well, I have had too much sleep so I’ll probably have trouble getting off to sleep tonight.” Marie was already bouncing up and down with a relieved grin pasted on her beautiful face.

  “Provided we won’t be out too late!”

  “Great!” Squealed Marie, clapping her hands together. “We have an hour, so I’ll help you with your hair.”

  The two were finished in record time and were just putting the finishing touches to their outfits when the doorman rang up to tell them their Limo and Date arrived.

  They arrived in the foyer to a beautiful man with the most amazing green eyes Serena had ever seen. He stood tall and at ease in a well fitted tux. After a few formal introductions it was clear to Serena that green eyes and Marie were going to get along more than fine. They couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. Suddenly she had gone from Chaperone to third wheel and they hadn’t even left the building yet.

  It’s going to be an interesting night.

  They arrived at the Park Hyatt located in the middle of Milan’s famous fashion district. Apart from delivering a parcel to the editor of Vogue here when she was still an apprentice, Serena had never had the opportunity to visit the opulent hotel. It was impressive, and this was just the Reception. The lack of red carpet and photographers as they had pulled up was a promising start. The first one of the evening. They were quickly ushered toward the function room where the supposed, sedate, black tie event was taking place. They entered the spacious room decked out with ten circular diner tables which seated six people each. A private bar had been opened in the corner.

  It appeared that they were early, as apart from the staff, there were only a handful of well preened guests milling around the bar. She still had no idea who’s little event this was or why it was being held. Marie and Green Eyes had found a sofa in a small lounge area just outside the function room and were deep in conversation about their shared love of something or other.

  Serena, wondered over to the bar, feeling rather uncomfortable standing alone in the middle of the room like art work. She spotted the familiar faces of Arnold and Mavis Richie. The two elderly Americans were entertaining the barman with a story about a small town bar they had worked at together in their youth and some of the crazy stuff they had seen. Mavis spotted her long before Serena reached them. Mavis closed the distance between them with her arms open wide and drew Serena into a huge welcoming hug.

  “Good grief dear. Look at you!”

  She called to her husband over her shoulder. “Arnie look. It’s Serena. Isn’t she looking much better!”

  Letting the blushing Serena go, Mavis stepped back to get a proper look at her.

  “Hello Mrs. Richie.”

  “Mavis. Please. I’m not going to ask again. Well dear, I must say you are looking much better and you have put on a little bit of weight as well. How are you doing?”

  “Truthfully? I’m still tired. The last round of Chemo is still floating around in here. Good news though is it looks like it’s worked and I should be alright. How are you keeping? I would have thought you would be back in the States by now.”

  “Nah, we’ll go back when we get bored. There are certain advantages of having a little spare cash lying around.” She winked. “I am so glad to hear you are going to be fine. You’ll have to come and spend a bit of time on the Ranch. You’ll love it.”

  “You know....maybe I will. That sounds great Mavis. Thank you for the offer.” Giggling from across the room drew their attention. Marie and Green Eyes had finally decided to enter the room.

  “Well those two have it bad!” smiled Mavis.

  “Don’t go there.” Groaned Serena.

  “Oh?”

  “The one in the dress is my neighbour who is on a blind date.”

  “Well it looks like a blind date that’s turning out quite well. You don’t look very happy about it.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I’m very happy for Marie. But as Cha
perone I am now obsolete!”

  “Ah well. You’re more than welcome to spend the evening with us.” Smiled Mavis patting Serena’s hand gently. “Let’s get you a drink. What’s your poison?”

  “Well usually Chemo, but my tastes are changing so I think I’ll try a Ginger Ale for a change.” Serena smiled cheekily.

  Before too long the rest of the guests had arrived including a lot of staff from Revel. The evening was being hosted by Green Eyes apparently. It turned out he was the editor in Chief of a new London based Fashion Magazine that focused on both small Fashion houses and up and coming designers worldwide. It also turned out Mavis had just poured a little investment money into the magazine.

  “I always support the little people Dear and what better than a little magazine supporting little designers. Makes life for the big boys a little more challenging.” Mavis explained.

  Dinner finally arrived, Serena managed to eat most of the over garnished Salad starter, picking out any bits that would likely cause heartburn. She asked for a bowl of simple soup for the main course and the waiter was happy to accommodate. It was delicious. Serena wasn’t even sure what kind of soup it was. Mavis took one sniff of the wonderful aroma and instantly asked the waiter if she could have the same.

  “Serena, can I get you another drink?” Asked Arnold across the table.

  Serena thought about it for a moment. The evening was going well and her food was staying down.