Accept My Baby

“Well, it is good to see you too,” Emilia said smiling.

Amanda walked up to the kitchen counter and placed her camera bag and handbag on the counter.

“You know exactly what I mean,” she said.

“And how is that exactly?” Emilia asked.

“You have been home from work since my second day here,” Amanda said as she took a bottle of water in the fridge. “You do know that I don’t need a babysitter, right?”

Emilia looked up from the tomatoes she had been dicing.

“I know that.”

“Really?” Amanda asked and Emilia nodded.

“Yeah, really. But my annual leave was two years overdue so I took it.”

“Conveniently around the same time I am visiting,” Amanda said opening the water bottle. “Is there something you should be telling me?”

Amanda took another sip of her water as she looked at her friend. She could tell when she was giving bullsh*t and this was one of those times. She took another long sip as Emilia put the knife down and took a long deep breath. And almost immediately, Amanda could tell what she was going to say. She always knew what Emilia had in mind in times like these. When she was down and distressed, when she had a lot going for her. She always knew that something like this, being in a position that made her question everything she knew that it would always bring out the empathetic Emilia.

“I know what you are thinking love, and trust me, I am okay,” Amanda said and Emilia shrugged.

“I know you want to believe that you are okay but honestly I have seen enough to know that you are just trying to make yourself feel better.” Emilia bit her lower lip and shook her head. “I am not saying that you need to go into deep mourning or anything, all I am saying is that this is a sensitive time for you. And I am here for you.”

Amanda smiled.

“I know you are. Maybe this would be a good time for you to advise me on how I am going to get out of that joint ownership of the house.”

“That can wait,” Emilia said. “I mean, I can talk to a few people in the real estate market back in New Jersey. I still have a few contacts back in the States that I can rely on but you shouldn’t be thinking about that right now.”

“Well, I will have to think about it sooner rather than later. I need to have a home to go back to and it cannot be the same place I saw my ex-boyfriend being ridden by a person I used to think was a friend while her husband is out God knows where risking his life on behalf of her sorry ass.” Amanda took a long deep breath. “I honestly don’t…I can’t go back to that house.”

“Don’t worry. We can work out a nice apartment for you to go back to after all this is over,” Emilia said. “Meanwhile, you can still work out something here that will keep you busy.” She looked at her camera bag. “I can see you already got off to a great start.”

“Great start does not even begin to explain it,” Amanda said in a soft voice as she took her camera out of its bag. “I was out trying to get something to eat and imagine to my surprise when I found out that street food is not just in Asia.”

She began scrolling through her gallery before she handed Emilia the camera.

“Wait. This is the Veneria Reale,” Emilia said in an obviously surprised tone. “How did you even get in there?”

“Apparently the name Amanda Pearson is a big deal around here. I mean…all I needed to do was drop my name and just like that everything was done. They let me in to take my photos and they even gave me some stuff from the gift shop,” Amanda said smiling.

“I didn’t even know the Veneria Reale had a gift shop,” Emilia pointed out.

“Well, the t-shirt, mouse pad and snow globe I have in my bag say a totally different story,” Amanda said laughing.

“We should celebrate,” Emilia said as she walked to the fridge. “I have some leftover champagne,” she said waving the bottle.

Amanda gasped silently. She was not sure she was ready to admit the fact that she was pregnant to anyone. At least not until she made her peace with that little fact. She was breathing hard and heavy as she struggled to come up with the right lie.

“Not for me, thanks. I drank a couple of glasses of wine earlier. My head’s a little light,” she lied.

“You had wine at the street vendors,” Emilia said raising an eyebrow over the other.

Amanda did not have anything to say to that. It was the dumbest lie she had ever heard. Even for a bad liar, that was pretty bad. She sighed in relief when she saw a flyer seeping out of her bag that reminded her of the other part of her day.

“Well, not really. I did go to a coffee shop later and bumped into some ladies who invited me to a party this weekend,” she said in an attempt to change the subject.

“You managed to walk into the Veneria Reale and you got invited to a party?” Emilia asked and Amanda smiled.

“It worked,” she thought.

“And you have only been here for what? A week?” Emilia went on.

“Close. Four days.” Amanda was just being honest but for some reason it sounded like she was bragging, which she wasn’t. “It is some popular guy holding it…his name…I don’t know why I cannot recall his name.”

“Wait, a party this weekend being hosted by a popular guy?” Emilia asked as if she already knew what Amanda was talking about.

“Yeah, do you know about it?” Amanda asked and Emilia nodded.

“The guy throwing the party, could it be one Rafael Imperioli?” she asked and Amanda’s eyes brightened.

“Yeah, that’s the name. Apparently he is going to be holding it at his residence in…”

“…at his private villa in the country,” Emilia said, cutting her short.

“I think you know more about this party than I do,” Amanda said smiling.

“That’s because the party you are talking about is being hosted by Italy’s most famous playboy,” Emilia said.

Amanda shrugged and took a long sip of her water.

“That sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun. Could be something potentially different for my website.”

“Sweetie, that is not the kind of party you should be going to if you intend on keeping a low profile,” Emilia said in a warning tone. “That party is going to be crawling with the who’s who in Europe and believe me when I tell you that you want to keep your distance.”

“Millie, I am not looking for my next boyfriend or anything,” Amanda said, shaking her head. “Heck, I am not even looking for a one night stand.”

“Well, if you go to that party, don’t be alarmed when you wake up next to some strange man and probably even a few women.” Emilia sprinkled some olive oil on the tomatoes and then sprinkled some basil. “Rafael has been known to serve some pretty strong drinks at his parties.”

“Well, now I am sure that I will not be a victim of circumstance.”

“Really? Amanda Pearson is going to attend a party and not drink?” Emilia said smiling.

“Well, miracles do happen don’t they? Plus, I have a plus one if you are looking to change your mind.”

Emilia shrugged.

“Well, I’ll decide after I have made my sauce.”

“So, that’s what you are making,” Amanda said. “Count me in before you add the aged balsamic,” she added as she got her camera and bag before she began walking towards the guest room.

“So you read minds too?” Emilia called and Amanda looked at her over her shoulder.

“I know how you make your sauces. I like mine savory and you prefer sour,” she called.

“Smart ass!” Emilia called after her.

“Fundamental basis of our relationship,” Amanda yelled back.