Page 13 of Amadeo
I shook my head. “Why? Because she’s Deacon’s doctor?”
“No, although that’s a good reason as well.” He didn’t elaborate any further.
I rushed out of the study and looked down the hall. I didn’t see her, then I glanced the other way, toward the paintings.
There she stood in front of one.
I walked over, my rushing gone now as I played it as cool as I could. I stepped up beside her and stared at the painting. Milan. I instantly wondered about this. Why this one?
“My sister loved this city,” Gia spoke softly as her eyes remained on the scene in autumn colors on a canvas. “It isn't true that I never took a real vacation. I did one summer. Well, her and I did. We went to Milan. Your father is right about that too. It is a city known for fashion. That was what my sister was into. More than just your average girl. I mean she was into fashion design. Was constantly sketching a new outfit. She dressed me all the time with her homemade creations. Then women would ask where I got such fabulous clothes. Especially in college. In medical school, no less. Oh yes, I always knew I was the wallflower and she was just a beautiful flower…period. I loved her for it though. Bright and electric like a neon rose.” She paused and looked up at me. “You ever been?”
“To Italy?” I asked. “Of course. We have family there. For my father it is almost a requirement. First to speak Italian then go and visit there each summer.” I shrugged. “At least it used to be. Since we got older, it is all about Descalia Corp.”
She stared at me. “But you have been to Milan, in particular?”
I tilted my head at her. “Yes, we’ve been all over Italy. Though our family is originally from Genoa.”
“Hmm…” She nodded then turned and walked away.
I stood there puzzled, wondering what she had been getting at with her questions about Italy. I then snapped to it and rushed to catch up to her. “Damn, doc you move fast. You sure you didn’t major in track?”
Gia shook her head and didn’t answer that. Instead, she asked, “Why are you following me, Deo?”
I kept walking with her. I didn’t have an immediate answer. Maybe I was a glutton for punishment? Maybe I liked it that she always looked like she’d rather slap me than smile at me? I sure as hell didn’t know the answer to that. But I burst out with, “Can I sit next to you at dinner?”
At this question, she did stop walking. Turning to me, she asked, “Is that like an odd way to ask for a date?”
I smiled at her conclusion. “I guess it is?”
“You guess?” she repeated.
I nodded. “I would like to sit next to you and talk to you during dinner. If that constitutes a date in your book. Then yes.”
Gia stared at me for a full minute then she nodded. “Ok, I’ll save the chair next to me.”
“Or you can sit closer to Zia and I can save you a chair?” She raised me since my mother passed when I was just a toddler. So, by tradition at least for me, I always sat near Zia when I was at home for dinner. I’d done that since I was a baby, I think? Yes, Tito and Rocky were her sons, but they didn’t sit next to her every meal.
“I like Zia,” Gia said. “So that would be great.” Turning, she headed away.
This time, I didn’t follow. I wasn't sure why I asked her this. She liked Zia and that was why she agreed? I snorted a bit. Probably because I knew she did not like me. But why didn’t she like me? I was charming, cute and funny. I shook my head. Sounded like a tacky dating app description.
I suppose my father had it right though. I was interested in her. In fact, this woman interested me to no fucking end. Something in her eyes spoke volumes. It didn’t seem to be a happy volume either. I knew for certain that she didn’t feel all squishy about me either. So you’d think I would avoid her, but no I seemed to suffer from the same affliction she had. Courage beyond stupidity. Something bothered her. Maybe the mafia thing, but no… like I already surmised, why work for them if you hated them?
No, this woman had secrets and I felt determined to find out what they were.
Chapter Six:Stupid, Stupid, Stupid
Gia
Why did I just agree to that? I knew better. As I headed to my room, I wondered if I was slipping or something. I needed to avoid Amadeo. I knew this, yet I kept talking to him. Yes, I needed to see Mr. Descalia today, but I could have asked anyone here to help me. Why did I ask Amadeo in particular?
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I opened my bedroom door and went in.
None of that was a real issue. The real problem was me staying here with my patient far beyond the amount of time I had supposed. Yes, I came with him, but I figured they would resettle him in a special facility later on if he didn’t wake up. This was the normal procedure. I sure as hell knew now that none of this was anything near normal. Mr. Descalia was keeping Deacon Walker as a prisoner in reality. An unconscious one, but one nonetheless.
I had been hired on a medical retainer for Mr. Descalia as a favor to Magnelli. Although, Descalia was paying me an obscene amount of money to be here. The money wasn’t all that important. I had loans to repay but was almost finished with that. My specialty as a medical doctor paid extremely well. Again though, it never mattered except when I needed to pay for Ella’s bills. And there again, I was almost done with that as well.
