“Smiling inside?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“Smiling for the great deal.” He sighed. “Not the deception.”
“Oh TJ.” I rubbed my forehead. “This is so much to understand and take on. I just don’t know how to feel.”
“Can you forgive me?” He asked, his eyes worried. “Do you still love me?”
“I can forgive you, TJ. Promise me, there are no more secrets.” I looked deeply into his eyes. “Moving forward we have to be honest with each other.”
“There are no more secrets.” He said, his eyes earnest. “I, I love you more than life itself. You know that. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Nothing I wouldn’t do to be with you. Everything I do is to protect you. Please always know and remember that.”
“I love you, TJ. As long as we are honest with each other, nothing can break us apart.”
“So we’ll sign the paperwork?” He asked me stiffly and I nodded.
“If that’s what Nonno wanted, then we’ll do it.” I sighed. “My parents will kill me, but I trust Nonno with everything. I’m going to kill him when I see him next thought. I can’t believe he would keep this a secret from me.”
“I think part of it was him hoping we’d get together.” TJ said softly. “I think he wants me to take over his role. He wants me to love and protect and guide you. He must have seen how much I loved you from the start.”
“I don’t need anyone to guide me.” I rolled my eyes at him and he laughed.
“Shall we go back to the office?”
“Only if you promise me I can bitch slap that ho, Barbie.”
“You have my blessings.” He laughed and we just grinned at each other happily. I felt as if my heart were going to burst with happiness and excitement, but for some reason I still felt a sense of unease and worry. Was everything going too perfectly? Had it all turned around too easily?
Chapter Fourteen
I went home when TJ went to sign the paperwork in the office. We’d both decided that it would be smarter to let Barbie and his dad still think I was in the dark. If they thought I knew they might get concerned at the price they were paying and neither of us wanted them to investigate that before the deal went through. I was just about to head to the bathroom when the phone started ringing and my heart started pounding and my head went cold. My clammy hands gripped the phone as I went to answer it and I dropped it before quickly picking it up and answering.
I knew before I knew it. I’m not sure how. I don’t think I’m psychic or anything. But when I got the call, I just knew. I didn’t say anything. I just got in my car and drove over to Nonno’s. He was pissed of course, he’d told me to wait for him to come and pick me up. I wasn’t going to wait for that. I couldn’t sit around in the house, just waiting. I didn’t even cry on the drive over. I’m proud of myself for that. I had to be strong now. It was just me. Or maybe I’d just cried too much over, TJ. Maybe that had depleted my tears.
“Mila,” Cody opened the door, his eyes loving, red and he opened his arms as he stepped forward.
“What’s going on?” I said, feeling like I was playing a part. “Where’s Nonno?”
“Mila.” He said and I watched as he chewed on his lower lip. His face looked distressed and I as I stared at him, it suddenly hit me as to why Sally thought he was cute. He was handsome. And I could say that in a completely unbiased way. I didn’t even know why I was thinking about that now. Not after the call.
“Where’s Nonno, I need to speak to him.”
“He’s at the hospital. With mom and dad.” He said slowly looking at me carefully.
“Then let’s go. He most probably wants to see me.”
“He’s gone, Mila. I told you.” His voice trailed off. “Mom and dad thought it would be better for you to come here. To be with the photos and his spirit and stuff.”
“This isn’t funny.” I pushed past Cody. “Nonno, where are you? Nonno.” I ran through the house. “This isn’t a funny joke. Nonno.” I screamed as I ran into the kitchen. “Nonno, come out now.” I opened the fridge and the oven and all the cupboards and slammed them. “Nonno, come out now. This isn’t funny.” I screamed again and ran into his bedroom. I ran over to the closests and opened them. “Nonno, come out.” I shouted. “This isn’t funny.” Tears started to stream down my face. “Nonno, it’s me. It’s Mila. Please stop it.” I ran into the bathroom and saw the bath in the bathtub, where he must have fallen and I started screaming and screaming. “Nonno, you can’t leave me. Oh Nonno, you can’t leave me. Nonno.” I collapsed onto the floor of the bathroom and Cody rushed in next to me and sat next to me.
“Come, Mila. Let’s go in the living room.”
“His blood’s still on the bathtub.” I just stared at him wailing. “I didn’t even know he was sick.”