Page 24 of Giorgio

“What kind?”

“Who we really are and so forth.”

“What did you tell her?” Alfredo sat across from him in an easy chair his wife had gifted him on their twentieth anniversary.

“That we own department stores.”

“What did she say to that?”

“She mentioned something by the name of Macy’s.”

Alfredo laughed softly. “What a comparison.”

His son shrugged gracefully as he sipped his drink. “She wants to learn our language.”

“Oh?”

Giorgio shrugged again. “I offered to hire a tutor, and she said she wanted me to teach her.”

“And?”

“I told her I would think about it.”

Alfredo stared at him for a few seconds before lifting his glass to his mouth. “What are your plans for her?”

“To make sure she gets well.”

“And then?”

“As soon as she is fully healed, I will make arrangements for her to go back to her country.”

“I see.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“It doesn’t sound like nothing. You think I am taking this guilt thing too far.”

“Aren’t you?”

“What would you have me do?” Tossing back the drink, he lunged to his feet and went to get a refill. He was angry with himself and confused. Ever since the accident, he was not himself. His taste for the opposite sex had waned.

He was getting calls from his love interests, but he was not returning them and when he did, the conversation was brief. Partying was not so entertaining anymore.

He had left her upstairs and had wanted to make certain she was tucked in and not fall over her crutches while navigating the room. His obsession with doing things for her was beyond him. He had almost offered to undress her and only just managed not to voice it.

“We have a house full of staff who would be willing to see to her needs. You brought her here to be taken care of and she will be. Your job is done.”

“It’s not.” He uttered harshly. “I have to see this to the very end.”

“Giorgio…”

“No.” he shook his head. “This is something I have to do.”

“You have a board meeting tomorrow; first thing and we have the charity ball on Saturday. Are you going to blow those off?”

The impatience in his father’s tone did not escape him.