Do You Remember Baby Girl? (2)

Several hours later found Laura and Domenico back at the villa. 

Laura glanced up at the large, yet beautiful home wondering how on earth she wound up back here. But, she felt it was right to help in some way. The beginning was rocky for Laura and Massimo. But, the more they got to know each other, the more she realized the weight that rested on her shoulders. She found it flattering, and at times overwhelming that a man such as him would ever want a woman like her. But, she took it in stride.

Until he left.

But that no longer mattered to her. Because she was done with the romantic part of their relationship. No, she felt terrible for him and was determined to help for the next several months. But that was it. After this, she would be done with everything concerning Massimo.

"Would you like me to show you to your room?" Domenico asked. Laura nodded before hiking up her train once more. She followed him into the large house but when he stopped in front of a familiar door she silently shook her head.

"No. I will be in the room down the hall."

"Laura," he started only to be stopped by the slight raise of her brow. He sighed before agreeing to it.

"Very well. This way."

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Once Domenico left Laura walked around the large suite. She was stunned to see everything was the same. She began redecorating the house during the months she was with Massimo, and she was surprised that nothing had changed. The design, nothing. She quietly toed off her shoes before walking down the steps and near the pool. She always loved the pool at this time of night. She had no desire to get into it, but sitting by the water was calming. She found herself humming a familiar tune when she felt a shadow fall over her. Her heart was racing because she knew who it was before she could smell him. When she turned and faced him she spoke quietly.

"Hello, Massimo."

He took in her red ball gown and blinked as if in shock.

"Laura. I had no idea that-When did you get here?"

She crossed her arms over her chest before looking away.

"Not too long ago. Domenico told me that you needed help. Especially with you being hurt."

He studied her face before speaking.

"I do. And you were the first person I thought of to ask for assistance, but I knew that the way I left things the chances of you agreeing-"

"Would be slim, yes." But, I also heard you were shot, and almost killed. Regardless of how I feel about our past relationship, I never want you to not call me. Especially in emergencies." Laura let her eyes fall on his chest, and she could see his bandaged chest through the thin t-shirt he wore. She wanted to place her hand on his bandaged chest so badly,  but she knew it wasn't her place anymore. He made sure of that.

"Laura-"

"It's fine," she said before forcing a smile. "I will be here for the remainder of the year. We will talk in the morning, or later this afternoon on the details." Laura waited for him to step aside before she walked past him. When she reached the door that separated the front entrance from the back he spoke.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry Laura. I was trying to protect you."

She turned and smiled at him.

"That doesn't make it right. Good night, Massimo."

                                                                                   ........

The next day Laura woke up feeling refreshed. She found some clothes in the drawer and headed for her shower. She was quick about it because she wanted to see the state his finances were in. Fully dressed in jeans, flats, and a black t-shirt, she opted to leave her hair down before heading to the kitchen. She smiled when she saw Domenico speaking with the chef. The woman saw her and screamed before dropping the pot on the counter.

"Laura! I thought I would never see you again! Oh, how wonderful it is to see such a beautiful face again." The matronly woman rounded the corner and pulled her into a hard embrace. Laura laughed from her exuberance.

"Miss Janie it's so good to see you again. You are looking beautiful."

And she was. The older woman's hair was completely gray and her eyes were still sparkling. Her laugh lines and full-figured showed that she enjoyed life and laughter. Her kind words and matronly way helped Laura many a night. They became close when she was charged with running the villa smoothly.

"I see you and Massimo-"

"Oh, no. We are not together. I am only here to help with some business." Janie frowned before nodding.

"Oh. Well, it is still very good to see you. Although you have gotten quite skinny since I've seen you last. And I see you went back to your original hair color," she added. Laura reached up and touched her hair.

"Yeah. I was pretending to be something I wasn't. I'm glad I have it back."

Suddenly they heard a voice from the kitchen entrance.

"You look good that way. Better even," Massimo said as he strolled into the kitchen. Everyone could see he was still in slight pain, but he didn't let it stop him from moving about. Janie turned her attention back to Laura.

"Sit, I will prepare you something to eat. I-"

Laura squeezed her hand before taking a step back.

"Actually I am not hungry. I only wanted to come and say hello." Laura turned to Massimo.

"Where can I work? I want to get started on the paperwork." Massimo bit into an apple that was on the counter before answering her.

"I will tell you as soon as you eat something."

She offered a sad smile.

"Massimo you misunderstand. It's not that I don't want to eat, I can't. The new medication I've been put on makes it difficult to eat during the mornings." Massimo instantly looked concerned before placing a hand on her shoulder.

"There's something you're not telling me, Laura. Something else other than your heart medicine." Laura looked into his eyes wanting to tell him, but it was still too painful for her. Instead, she took a step back.

"Like I said. The medicine is very strong. Now, where can I work?"

Massimo could see she wasn't going to budge so he conceded after a moment. He knew he would have time to figure it out later.

"Domenico can show you where you can work. There was another office that you'll be using. It's on the other side of the pool," he said before settling in his chair. She waved at Janie before being led away by Domenico. When the two left, Massimo felt Janie's eyes on him.

"What?"

She tsked at him before preparing his omelet.

"You know goodness well what the problem is. And you better fix it. Because once she's gone this time, it'll be for good."