That One Time by Aja Foxx

Chapter Six

~ Henry ~

 

I didn't have class today, but I did have a lot of homework, which meant sleeping in was not a luxury I had. I needed to get home to where my laptop and study material were. It wouldn't hurt to take a shower and put on a change of clothes either.

I tried not to wake Frank as I climbed out of bed, grabbed my clothes, and hurried into the bathroom. I took care of my morning stuff, brushed my teeth and hair, and then got dressed.

Once I was all done, I walked out of the bathroom, grabbed my shoes, and then made my way out of the bedroom. I put my shoes on in the living room before looking for a pad of paper and a pen. I wanted to leave Frank a note so he'd know where I went.

I couldn't find one so I thought I'd find the butler guy and ask him to give Frank a message for me. I could also call him later, once I knew he'd gotten up. I just didn't want him to worry when he couldn't find me.

Besides, it was the polite thing to do.

It was still fairly early so I tried to be quiet as I let myself out of Frank's suite and then made my way down the grand staircase to the first floor. I looked around a bit, but couldn't spot anyone. Maybe I was the only one up?

I started walking through the rooms looking for someone, anyone. When I reached a set of large glass doors that opened out into what looked like an inside garden, I paused to take it all in. Greenery and flowers hung from every available spot. The walls of the structure were all made of large glass panels.

"Well, don't stand there, young man, come in."

I froze as my eyes rounded. I didn't see anyone, but I know someone had spoken to me. "Hello," I called out tentatively.

"How do you take your coffee?" the mysterious someone asked. "I like mine like we had it in the old country, strong, with just a hint of sweet cream."

I stepped into the room and started walking through the thick foliage. When I reached the other side of the room, it opened up. I found an older white haired woman sitting at a small patio set in front of French doors that were open, letting in the morning light. The sight of the manicured grounds and then forest beyond was breathtaking.

"Sit down."

"Yes, ma'am." I quickly took my seat.

"Coffee?"

"Please."

She grabbed an extra cup—I didn't think about it until later, but there were only two cups. Mine and hers—and then poured me some. After she handed me the filled cup, she gestured to the two jars on the small tray. "There is sugar and creamer if you take it."

"Thank you." I put a little sugar in my coffee and a lot of creamer. I almost groaned when I took a sip. "This is good coffee."

"My sister ships it to me from the old country. The stuff they have here is weak."

I wouldn't know.

"So, you think you are going to marry my grandson."

Oh god.

I thought about my reply for a moment before admitting, "Well, he did ask me."

The old woman snorted.

I didn't know whether to be impressed or outraged.

"Did you sign that ridiculous piece of paper?"

I quickly frowned. "The pre-nuptial agreement?"

She snorted again.

"Yes, I did, but I understand why Frank had it. He wants to make sure everything his parents worked for isn't lost if we get a divorce."

"Do you plan on getting a divorce?"

"Only if Frank is unfaithful to me, and then I get ten million dollars."

That seemed to gain her interest. She lowered her cup and sat up a little straighter. "I've seen the pre-nup and you received five million if you got divorced, nothing if you were unfaithful. I don't remember there being a clause in there for Frank being unfaithful."

I shrugged. "I made the lawyer change it before I agreed to sign it."

"What other changes did you make?"

"If we get divorced, except if Frank is unfaithful, I leave the marriage with what I came in with. Nothing more, nothing less. If I am unfaithful, I get nothing. If Frank is unfaithful, I get ten million dollars. If we adopt any children or use a surrogate, we share custody fifty-fifty. There will be no child support or alimony for either of us."

The woman stared at me for the longest time before smiling and reaching over to pat my arm. "You'll do, son. You'll do."

I had no idea what that meant.

"Who are you?"

"I am Eva Galeazzi, Bellino's mother. You may call me Nonna." She pointed to the ring on my finger; the one Frank had given me yesterday. "That was my husband Arturo's ring."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Do you want it back?" I started to pull the ring off, which was easy because the thing just spun around my finger. We really needed to see about getting it resized, or maybe I could wear it on a necklace or something. I really didn't want to lose it.

"No, it's where it's supposed to be. My husband wanted our firstborn grandson to have it to give to the one he intended to marry. I'm glad to see it in use and not in that infernal bank vault."

I smiled as brightly as I could considering I was confused as hell and held out my hand. "Henry Warner, ma'am. It's very nice to meet you."

"So, tell me a little bit about yourself, Henry. What is it that you do?"

"I work in a cafe right now, but I'm putting myself through school. It's taking a little longer than I'd like, but I should graduate in the next couple of years."

"And what is it that you are going to school for?"

"I'm getting a business degree."

"Very ambitious. Do you hope to open your own business one day?"

"No, nothing that big. I think I'd lose my mind. I'd rather leave someone else that headache. I just want a good job so I can support myself and my family."

"And will you continue to go to school now that you are engaged to Frank?"

"Of course." I frowned. "Why wouldn't I?"

Eva smiled, but didn't say anything.

"Speaking of school, I really must be going. I have a bunch of studying to do today, but my laptop and everything is back at my place. I was trying to find that Bertram guy so I could leave a message for him to give to Frank. Do you know where he is?"

"I can give Frank a message for you."

"Really? That would be great. I just wanted Frank to know where I was so he didn't worry. I tried to find some paper to leave him a note, but I couldn't so..." I shrugged before holding up my cup. "Thank you again for the coffee. If you tell me where the kitchen is, I can rinse out my cup."

"Maybe you can help an old lady up and then carry that tray into the kitchen for me."

"Of course." I set my cup down on the tray and then stood and stepped over to hold my hands out to the older woman. As soon as she was standing, I picked up the tray. "Just tell me where I'm going."

"Back the way you came."

I cocked my elbow out for her to grab and then we slowly started our way back through the garden to the main corridor. From there, we took a left and headed down the corridor to a swinging door.

Eva pushed it open and then led me inside. The kitchen looked almost how I suspected it would look. Huge, opulent, and expensive. It seemed to be the theme for the entire place.

"Mrs. Rovito," Eva called out. "I'd like to introduce you to Francesco's intended." She smiled up at me. "This is Henry."

I smiled when a rounder older woman glanced at her direction. She had an apron around her waist and a skirt that seemed to go almost to her ankles. Her graying hair was pulled up in a tight bun at the base of her neck.

I nodded respectfully. "Ma'am."

She stared at me for a moment before glancing at Eva. It wasn't until Eva nodded that she smiled at me. I had no idea what had just gone on between them. Apparently, it was a secret language I did not know.

"Where can I put this?" I asked as I raised the tray.

Mrs. Rovito barked out an order and a younger woman dressed in maid's uniform came hurrying over to me to take the tray. "Thank you," I told her.

Her eyebrows rose a bit, but she took the tray without saying a word and hurried away.

I turned and brought Eva's hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to the back of it. "I would very much enjoy having coffee with you again, but I need to get going. I have several hours of studying ahead of me."

Eva patted my cheek. "You go do what you need to do, young man. Never give up on your dreams. Not for anyone or anything."

That was a weird statement to make, but whatever. "Please give my message to Frank."

"I will."

I nodded to Mrs. Rovito. "It was nice meeting you. I'm sure we'll see each other again." If I was going to be living here, I could almost guarantee it.

I could hear the two women start talking in hushed tones as I walked out of the kitchen. It wasn't until I stood outside on the front steps that I realized I had no way to get back into town. I didn't have a car yet—and I wasn't about to wake Frank up to ask him about the car he said he bought me—and I hadn't called a cab.

Well, damn.

"Henry?"

I turned to see Frank's brother stepping out of the house.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I feel like an idiot. I just forgot to call a cab and I don't have a car."

"What do you need a car for?"

"Oh, I was trying to get back to my apartment. I have a ton of studying to do before class tomorrow."

"I can give you a ride," Martino said. "I'm headed into town now."

I smiled brightly. "That would be great."

It had only been the six of us at dinner last night, Frank's parents, Frank, me, and Martino and his husband. Eva had gone to bed early. Gianni had stayed in town at his dorm at the university.

Martino and I hadn't had much time to talk or get to know each other. His husband seemed to monopolize a majority of his time. It would be nice to have a few minutes to talk to him without being interrupted every time I opened my mouth.

Frankly, I'd been a bit appalled at Stewart's behavior, but I didn't know the man well enough to judge. A number of things could have been going on that I knew nothing about. Besides, any judgment I might have made was still clouded by his insistence that he was supposed to get the ring Frank gave me.

Martino clicked the lock fob in his hand and the lights flashed and alarm beeped on the fancy silver car directly in front of the steps. I'm pretty sure it was a BMW, but I could be wrong. I wasn't that knowledgeable about cars. Might have been why I had not been as excited last night when Frank was telling me about the car he got me.

I waited for Martino to climb into the vehicle before I did. I closed the door and then put on my seatbelt. Martino did the same and then we were underway. We were going a little fast, but I think Martino was just trying to show off for me.

"So, where should I let you off?"

I gave him my address, but said, "Anywhere in town is fine. I can catch a bus."

"No, it's not too far out of my way."

"Thank you."

"So, are you excited about marrying my brother?"

How to answer that?

"I'm excited about marrying Frank Gala. I'm still learning about Francesco Galeazzi."

"He seriously didn't tell you who he was for six months?"

"Nope." I was still fuming over that, but just a little. "I had no idea until yesterday morning when he took me to Mr. Blakely's office and handed me the non-disclosure agreement."

Martino winced. "Yikes."

Yeah, well...

"I hope you won't hold that against him," Martino said. "He means well, but family constraints being what they are..." Martino shrugged. "He didn't really have a choice. We have to be careful that someone isn't with us because of the money we have and not because they care about us." Martino's jaw clenched for just a moment. "Believe me, it's happened before."

From the vehemence in Martino's voice, I had to wonder if he was speaking from personal experience.

"No, I get that, and it's the only reason I'm still wearing Frank's ring, but if he lies to me again, we're going to have serious issues."

"My brother doesn't like to lie, even when the truth is hard. I'm sure he found it as distasteful as you do."

"I hope so." I drew in a heavy breath. "I don't want to marry someone who lies on a regular basis." It would be a marriage that couldn't, and wouldn't, last.

"I heard my mother say something about you attending the university?"

I smiled, glad to be turning the conversation in a different direction. "Yes, I'm going for my business degree."

"How do you like the classes so far?"

I began telling Martino about the courses I'd been taking, which led us to a conversation about the state of corporate owned businesses versus private family owned businesses. Before I knew it, we were pulling up in front of my apartment.

"Are you expecting company?" Martino asked.

"Huh?"

Martino pointed.

I smiled when I saw the sandy haired man sitting on my front step. "Oh, that's Ryan. He's in some of the same business classes as me. We usually end up studying together a lot."

"Does my brother know him?"

"I may have mentioned him, but I'm not sure they've ever really met. I try to get my studying done during the day so my evenings are free to spend with Frank after he gets off work."

I paused as soon as I said that. "I guess that's not going to be a problem anymore. I don't even know what Frank does."

"Our father is chairman of the board of our company. Frank is the CEO."

"That's a lot different than a construction worker."

"Oh man." Martino chuckled. "I would have loved seeing my brother work as a construction worker."

I wiggled my eyebrows. "I have video."

I'd gone by Frank's work site a few times to have lunch with him, and I'd taken my cell phone which had a great camera program. There wasn't a person on the planet that would have disagreed with me taking pictures and videos of that sexy man in his construction gear, working, sweating, and flexing all those muscles.

Yum.

Martino pressed his hands together as if he was praying. "Please, please share and I guarantee you it will win you favorite brother-in-law status."

I laughed as I got out of the car. "Thanks for the ride, Martino." I waved as I dug my keys out of my front pocket and headed for the door of my apartment. "Hey, Ryan." I gave him a quick hug before unlocking my door. "Ready to study?"