“Thank you.” I offered the polite woman a soft smile. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, just running a little late to my next client.” She waved goodbye and closed the door behind her, and as she did, a bump resounded in the room.
A dark object lay on the rug, the very item responsible for the muffled thud. A cell phone, half concealed by a shoe box. My heart quickened in my chest. Rosetta’s phone! Adrenaline washed over me and I raced toward the device, picking it up. Here in my hand sat an opportunity I’d been waiting for. A chance to contact the outside world. A chance to hear Papa’s voice. I swiped the phone, releasing a breath when it unlocked without asking for a code. My bedroom remained shut, but just in case, I backed away toward the locked balcony doors, distancing myself from any sudden intruders wanting to enter.
Punching in Papa’s number, I waited as the phone rang, but no answer. I hung up, peered again at the solid shut door, my heart hammering in my chest as if I’d committed a crime rather than a basic human right to contact my loved ones. I tried again, this time calling the florist he owned in town.
“Negozio di fiori.”
“Anita?” I cupped the phone to my mouth. “It’s Gemma. Where’s Papa?”
“Gemma?” The way she echoed my name, her voice tinged with dread. “Haven’t you heard? Your father’s in the hospital.”
I gripped the edge of the dressing table, almost dropping the phone. “What? Why?”
“He suffered chest pains yesterday.” A customer in the background thanked and bid her a good day. “He admitted he’d neglected his meds.”
Forget quiet. “Is he all right?” I all but shouted down the line.
“I hope so.” A slight pause greeted the other end of the line. “I’ll contact the hospital later this afternoon once my shift is over.”
“Okay, Anita.” I rubbed at the imminent headache assailing my temples. “Thank you.” About to hang up… the door flew open.
Rosetta stood there, eyes wide, hand pressed to her mouth as though she’d seen a ghost.
A wave of nausea washed over me.
“What… what are you doing?” Her voice trembled as she stepped inside the room.
Think. Fast.“You left it behind.” I held out the device, praying she took it without an interrogation, but also not wanting to let the phone go since this was my sole connection to the outside world. No doubt Enzo laid out the rules for Rosetta when assisting me, just as he had with every other staff member. “Here, take it. You don’t want to be late for your next appointment.”
She rushed forward, her quick steps bouncing the bag off her hip. “I realized I didn’t have it once I got into my car. Thank you.” Snatching the phone, she shoved it in her purse and darted out of the room.
No phone meant I had no way of contacting the hospital to check on Papa. But I couldn’t loiter around here, driving myself mad with worry. Consequences aside, I raced from the room, my heart hammering in my chest as I dashed for the dinette where I knew to find the staff.
Soft murmurs sounded outside the kitchen door, and I stormed inside. Enzo’s mother stood mid-chat with the cook and maid. Good, someone with authority in this place. Just the person I needed. “Carina, help me.” I circled the island counter and interrupted her orders to the staff. Her gaze roamed me from head to toe as though a cockroach approached. “My father is sick, and I need to see him.”
Carina swiped her tongue over teeth. “Get out of my face, girl. I have no patience for you today.”
“Listen to me!” I slammed my hands on the cool marble top. “My father is in the hospital.”
She rolled her eyes heavenward. “I heard you. Now get out.”
The other staff members bowed their heads, avoiding eye contact. I perceived their muteness. “You’re all horrible,” I whispered in sheer anguish. Defeat suffocated me as if trapped behind a closing-in wall, screaming for help, but no one cared to even listen. Hot tremors coursed through my veins, the intense displeasure consumed me in an unprecedented way.
I scowled over the kitchen with a sole desire to bring this entire place crashing down. A stack of porcelain plates on the marble island sat there, too inviting to ignore. I grabbed one empty dish, gripped its cold edges, a coldness mirroring those who stood around me doing nothing. The blood in my veins no longer fizzled with anger, but a desperate attempt to break free from this helpless feeling. I lifted the ceramic high and used all the strength in my body to throw the plate to the mosaic tiles. The loud smash fluttered my insides with twisted satisfaction, the first sense of peace and freedom I felt since stepping foot into this mansion.
This was what Carina wanted, right? For me to break? I’d break… I’d break every last thing in sight. Grabbing another plate, I did it again. Several pieces shattered to the floor, flooding me with a euphoric glow, with a sense of controlled chaos. Goodbye to the little prisoner they expected; hello to the new, unhinged Gemma Cammarata.
Chapter 12
Enzo
Chaos welcomed me the minute I stepped inside the house. I’d raced home after Guilia had called in a panic. Shouting echoed in the distance, from the direction of the kitchen. Riccardo, the butler, stood frozen, silver tray in hand, not daring to enter near the frantic noise.
The cook and her staff burst through the double doors. “Enzo, control her.Per favore!”
“What’s going on?” I dumped my briefcase by the door.
