OLIVIA

Some hours later, Tio pulled the car up outside the exclusive looking club. He got out first, checking up and down the street

before he opened the door and reached for my hand. He remained hyper-vigilant as he escorted me through the club and to the room where the ladies of the club were meeting.

'I'll have to come inside, but I'll give you some privacy, ma'am.

And wait near the exit,' he said quietly close to my ear.

'It will be like I'm not even here.' I nodded and took a deep breath as I walked into the room, with Tio close behind me but keeping his distance. Everyone in the room looked up as I walked in, and I smiled slightly.

'Olivia, dear,' a dark-haired woman, who I guessed was in her mid-twenties, shouted, and then she walked over to me and gave me a kiss on my cheek.

'Ladies,' she said as she took grip of my arm by the elbow and turned to address the room. ' This is Olivia Montanelli, and she has come to join us in our assignment for great causes. I know

you'll give her a warm welcome. The dozen women in the room all smiled as they looked me up and down, some of them barely able to hide their farce. I noted the bottles of expensive champagne on the table. Perhaps this was an extravaganza?

'I hope I'm not infringing,' I said quietly, suddenly feeling very self-conscious as I stood there in my simple wrap dress. There were enough designer brands in this room to feed a small community for a year or two.

No dear, we meet here every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, the dark-haired woman replied as she directed me towards the table. 'My name is Sabrina, by the way. My husband is a business associate with Davie.

''A pleasure to meet you,' I replied as I took a seat. Sabrina sat on my right, but I didn't have a chance to speak to her any further because the woman on my left grabbed my hand, started assessing my ring finger.

I'd have expected something better but, just as expected, you don't matter to him, she snorted.

I pulled my hand away. 'It was my mother's ring,' I replied defensively.

'Your Mother's?' one of the other women squealed.'How dull,' she said, and a few of them broke into laughter.

'Take no heed of them, dear,' Sabrina said as she patted my thigh. 'They've had far too much to drink already.

'I smiled at her and then listened as she gave me a

rundown of everyone at the table. It seemed that I was fortunate enough to be in the company of Italy elite.

These women were the wives and socialites of the wealthiest men and families in Venezia.

I also discovered the woman on my left, Kathie, was Davie's ex-girlfriend. No doubt the reason she tried to make a mockery of my ring.

If you wanted into a party, onto a list, or to be someone of any note at all, then this was the crowd you needed to win-over. At least that was the way Sabrina sold them to me.

I wasn't so sure she was right about them, though. I listened to their conversation and didn't think I had anything in common with any of them. When there was a gap in the discussion, I

decided to ask about their charity work. At least that would be something I felt like we could talk about.

'Oh, we've already chosen our charity for this month. We'll be hosting a fundraising event in autumn, so we'll start planning in the upcoming weeks. There's no rush,' Sabrina replied.'

What's the charity?' I asked.

'The local hospital needs a new reconstruction. There's a lot of work to do in the local hospital, and its infrastructure isn't fit

for purpose now that they have so many new patients and staff.

''Oh, okay.

Which hospital is that?' I asked.

Saint Peter hospital, Sabrina replied with enthusiasm, although my questions were starting to more, she replied to me tenderly.

'Oh,' I said as I smiled and leaned back in my chair.

Saint Peter was the public hospital nearby. I bet that most of

their families didn't even go to the hospital. They probably had an

astronomical private class hospital. That was the charity project they'd chosen. I looked around the room and realized that they weren't really all that concerned about it, they just had the money to spend. They'd rather come together and drink and show off than actually making sure this charity was going well. I realized that I didn't belong here at all. Suddenly, I felt that sense of a

Chilly loneliness again. Was there any place in Venezia where I could fit in?

I checked my watch and stood up. 'I'm sorry, ladies, but I have another appointment to get to. It was lovely to meet you all,' I said, forcing a smile.

'Oh, no. Really?' Kathie said sarcastically.

'You'll come back, next week, though, won't you? Sabrina asked.

It's quite the crème de la coup having the new Mrs. Montanelli in our midst.

The association will love it,' she smiled.

'Yeah, the association will love to see the new Mrs. that was wedded for media purpose,' Kathie giggled

I didn't pay any heed to Kathie and replied Sabrina rather.

I'd love to, if my schedule allows, I lied. 'Bye ladies.' I walked towards the door, and Tio stepped out of the shadows and was at my side before I reached it. He held the club door open for me.

everything okay? He asked.

I waited until we were outside before I answered. 'Yes.

That just wasn't what I was expecting, that's all. I was hoping to do something meaningful, but I don't think I'm going to find it in here.

Especially with that woman there, I frowned.

'Tio nodded absent-mindedly as he checked up and down the street before leading me to the car and opening the door.

I climbed inside, leaning my head against the headrest with a sigh. I didn't realize Tio was already in the car when he spoke. 'Where to now?' he asked. I opened my eyes and suddenly remembered the ad.

I'd saw about the flower shop downtown that sold the freshest flowers in this part of town.

That seemed like a place where I would love to be right now, and somewhere my bad mood would be elevated.

'Do you know the flower shop downtown on the corner of maple Street ?' I asked.

'Yes, but I'm not sure Mr. Montanelli would want you going there.

''But you work for me now, yes? And that's where I'd l like to go. And what Mr. Montanelli doesn't know, won't hurt him.

''You want me to lie to the boss?' he asked with a flash of his eyebrows.'No. If he asks you, tell him the truth. But he probably won't ask. That's all I'm saying.''Hmm,' Tio said with a laugh as he pulled the caraway from the sidewalk.

'We'll see.' It was almost seven pm by the time I got home. The flower shop was so relaxing to my soul and I unexpectedly met my ex-boyfriend Mayas. It was really unexpected, but I found out he had a tech company in this town and after much catch up, he coerced me to come work with him.

It was precisely what I was looking for, and they were in desperate crisis right now, because of a competing company and needed a new strategic marketing under aiding coordinator.

I'd spent most of the afternoon with Mayas, and we had a lot of talk about life, and he was surprised I got married. He said it was unexpected for him and laughed bitterly.

I could slightly understand his feelings and thoughts presently because of our past relationship. I ended it between us to focus on my father's campaign, and I wasn't really in love with him, so it didn't hurt much for me, but I know it hurt so much for him. We discussed his tech company and journey afterward, and it was so intriguing to me and the urge to start immediately was so overwhelming. When I'd offered to help make sure his company won the project. With my marketing idea, he had accepted gratefully, and said he couldn't wait for me to kick ass like I did with my father's campaigning party and how the candidates completing with my father always surrendered. I wouldn't lie, it felt so good to reminisce, and it made me miss home more. It gave me a sense of pride l couldn't describe. For a moment, I felt like me again. I'd promised I'd do everything I could to help, and he had given me the warmest hug I'd had in months.