365 Days by Blanka Lipinska

Author:Blanka Lipinska
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Published: 2021-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Laura, can you hear me?”

I opened my eyes groggily and saw Domenico sitting next to me. There were some vials with medicine on the table, and an elderly man standing next to the bed, talking over the phone.

“What happened? Where’s Massimo?” I asked, terrified, trying to get up.

Domenico stopped me and explained, “This is a doctor. He took care of you when I couldn’t find your pills.”

The older man said something in Italian, smiled, and left us.

“Where’s Massimo? What’s the time?”

“It’s nearly noon. Massimo left,” Domenico replied.

My head was spinning, and I felt nauseous. Everything hurt.

“Take me to him right now! I need some clothes!” I cried, wrapping myself in the sheets.

Domenico sent me a curious look, got up, and went to the closet.

“I ordered some of your things sent here before we arrived. The boat is waiting downstairs. We can go as soon as you’re ready.”

I jumped up and sprinted toward the closet. I didn’t care what I wore. I grabbed a white Victoria’s Secret tracksuit Domenico was holding, and a while later I was in the bathroom, frantically trying to put it on. I glanced at the mirror and yesterday’s makeup on my face. I said I didn’t care how I looked, but that would be too much. I wiped the makeup off and went back to the bedroom, where Domenico was still waiting.

The motorboat was too slow, despite ripping through the waves at maximum speed.

Nearly an hour later, I saw the hull of the Titan in the distance.

“Finally,” I breathed, jumping to my feet.

I didn’t wait until we were moored—I skipped to the deck of the yacht immediately. I ran, looking everywhere, opening all doors, but Massimo was nowhere to be seen.

Resigned and crying, I collapsed onto the sofa in the lounge. I was drowning in tears, and my throat felt so tight I couldn’t breathe.

“An hour ago the helicopter took him to the airport,” Domenico said, sitting next to me. “He’s got a lot of work now.”

“Does he know I’m here?” I asked.

“I don’t think so. He left his cell phone in the room. I couldn’t call him. Besides, there are some places where he can’t take his phone.”

Crying, I threw myself into Domenico’s arms.

“What am I to do now, Domenico?”

The young Italian hugged me and stroked my hair.

“I don’t know, Laura. I have never been in such a situation. We just have to wait for him to call.”

“I need to go back,” I said, getting up.

“To Poland?”

“No. Sicily. I’ll wait for him to return. May I?”

I sent Domenico a wide-eyed stare, waiting for his permission.

“Of course. As far as I know, nothing has changed.”

“So let’s pack our things and go to the island.”

I slept through most of the journey, with the help of sedatives. When finally I stepped into the SUV at the airport in Catania, it felt like I was returning home. The highway led along the slopes of Mount Etna, and the only thing I could think of was Massimo, smiling and telling me stories from his childhood.

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