CHAPTER EIGHT: THE REUNION

KIM

“Giovanni Ferraro?”

He smiled at me when he heard me call his name. His dark brown eyes shone.

“Ciao, Tesoro! I see you remember me, huh?” A deep baritone voice with a thick Italian accent replied with a smirk.

“Of course, I remember you, Giovanni”, I replied, smiling from ear to ear.

“You guys know each other?” Phoebe asked me. Her eyes probed for an answer and something else.

“Yes, erm, Giovanni and I met six years ago when I visited Italy. Do you remember that time during college when I went to Italy? I met Giovanni there, and he kind of saved my life”

“Oh my, he's that guy you told me about?” Phoebe gasped as she covered her mouth, fanning surprise.

I didn't tell her anything more than a guy saving me while I was drowning in the hotel pool.

“Oh, now I'm curious about what she told you about me,” Giovanni said, smiling while raising one of his eyebrows at me.

“Don't mind her, Giovanni, she's just been dramatic”, I said, and we all laughed.

Please have your seat, ladies. Gio said as he pulled out a chair for me to sit down, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the look Phoebe was giving me.

“He's just being a gentleman” I whisper to her as Gio goes to sit opposite us.

“He called you Tesoro,” she whispered back, nudging at my side.

I decided to ignore her and focus on Giovanni instead.

“What brings you to New York?” I asked him as I gently unfolded the napkin and placed it on my lap.

“Can we do the interrogation during dinner, please? I'm starving.” Giovanni replied, looking at me pleadingly like a child whose lollipop was snatched away

“Sure, we can. You don't have to look at me like a child” I replied, smiling.

Giovanni rang the bell to call for the waitress as I glanced towards Phoebe, and I caught a glimpse of a playful smirk tugging at her lips. I know what she's thinking, but I won't play along with her.

A waitress dressed in a crisp white shirt and a midnight black skirt offered us the menu.

Phoebe and Giovanni ordered the ribeye steak with garlic mashed potatoes for their main dish and French Onion Soup for their appetizer. And before I could order Mine, Giovanni ordered for me.

“Sirloin with Sauteed Mushrooms for her please,” he told the waitress while holding my gaze as I nodded in agreement.

“What about appetizers? Or would you like Mr Giovanni to order that for you, huh?” Phoebe asked teasingly.

I ignored her and Giovanni's brown doe-eye and turned to the waitress.

“I will have Calamari as my appetizer and chocolate lava cake for dessert, please. And for salad, is wedge salad OK for everyone?” I asked, shifting my eyes from Giovanni to Phoebe.

“Yes,” they both said in unison.

“Excuse me, I'd like to order a bottle of ‘Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1999’ please. The lady who confirmed my reservation said it was available. Giovanni added

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1999 is an exceptional Pinot Noir, from one of the most prestigious vineyards in Burgundy.

I have learned a lot from Nathan's collection of wine in our penthouse, and I know this wine costs about 28 thousand dollars.

The price is too high for a regular meal with a client.

“Yes sir. It is” The waitress collected our order with a smile and left.

“Giovanni, isn't that a bit too much? We can just have a regular simple wine, you know. It doesn't have to be very expensive” I said, looking concerned about the way he was spending.

I don't know a lot about Giovanni or how rich he has become over the years for him to be able to afford 28 thousand dollars worth of wine for a regular dinner.

We only spent about 2-3 weeks together in Italy when I was in Italy six years ago

“A regular wine, for an Italian like me? Moreover, I can't allow you to drink a regular cheap wine, Tesoro mio,” he responded with a thick Italian accent, giving me his signature big and goofy boyish smile.

I didn't miss the smirk on Phoebe's face as Giovanni addressed me as ‘tesoro mio’ but I chose to ignore it. I know the ride home tonight is going to be filled with questions and teasing from Phoebe.

A few minutes later, the waitress returned with the bottle of ‘Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’ and our appetizers.

She asked Giovanni for his approval before opening the bottle and to my surprise, he gave Me the cock and asked her to pour me a taste first.

I pick up my wine glass and twirl it a little, stirring the aroma as I bring it to my nose. It smells of red rose and blackcurrant or raspberry and tastes like cherry, ripe plum and cinnamon With a vibrant lingering finish. It Tastes rich, worthy of its money and name.

I nodded in confirmation to the waitress before She refilled my glass and filled Phoebe and Giovanni's glasses too.

“Seems like you drink wine a lot?” Gio asked.

“It's common knowledge Gio, and besides, my husband is a wine collector”, I responded unconsciously, oblivious to the shocked expression he had on.

“You're married?” His expression morphed from curiosity to disbelief.

He glanced at The diamond ring on my ring finger and his expression darkened

“Yes, I did. Two years ago.” I replied nervously.

Why the hell am I nervous? It's not like I needed his approval before getting married.

He looked pained by my response, but he was quick to regain his composure.

“You didn't invite me,” he said as he was cutting into his steak that was served a while ago.

“It was a private wedding with family and friends,” I said, unsure of the reason why I was feeling guilty.

“I guess I'm not considered a friend,” he replied with a rueful smile.

For a moment, I couldn't move; I locked eyes with him as his dark brown eyes seemed to bore into mine. Stunned silence envelops us like a thick fog. My throat felt dry and I struggled to breathe.

What the hell is wrong with me, can a small sip of the wine affect me like this?

I averted my gaze quickly and cleared My throat.

“We…erhm, it's…..we are not keeping in touch, that's why I couldn't invite you”, I trailed off. Struggling To make a complete sentence.

Giovanni gave a small laugh knowing the effect he had on me. I looked at Phoebe, embarrassed, and she gave me a weak smile as she silently mouthed, ‘It's okay’.

“So about the contract Mr Giovanni, you wanted to speak to our lead designer even though I had assured you Kim will be leading the design,” Phoebe asked. Changing the topic to ease the tense atmosphere or should I say me?

“I wanted to treat Kim to dinner but I don't know how to go about it other than asking if she will meet me before I sign the contract. I have no issues with the deal, I can sign the contract immediately if you have it here.” Giovanni responded, glancing at me once in a while, which I found odd.

“Oh yes, I have it. We can sign it after dinner.” Phoebe carried on professionally.

I'm so happy she's with me tonight. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known how to continue this conversation.

“How long will you be staying in New York?” I asked him.

“I'm relocating here” he replied with a smirk

“What? Why?” I was alarmed.

“I lost you once, Kim; I'm not going to do that again”, he calmly said with a serious tone.