ELENA'S POV
It's funny how, when you're focused on something else, your body can temporarily forget about pain.
My left knee aches once more as I exit the hotel. "Great, just what I need," I whisper to myself.
I can still hear the noise inside. Giulia is being fussed over by her family. They're overreacting, wow. She simply fell; she hasn't lost a limb or anything. In the meantime, I feel like my knee is going to give out as I stand here.
To distract myself from the pain, I try to concentrate on my breathing. However, it isn't functioning. I'm too preoccupied. I unconsciously run into someone who is walking in the opposite direction.
"Whoa, I'm so sorry!"
The man grabs my arm to steady me after noticing that I'm unsteady.
"Be careful there. I believe I've seen you before. Oh! I take it you're Elena? Lorenzo's spouse?
Fantastic. Another member of his family who likely believes I'm a mess. Is there anything worse that could happen tonight? "Yeah, that's me."
I look at his face because I want to know who he is. He has had a difficult time. He is undoubtedly older than Lorenzo, but not by much. He has some wrinkles on his face and a somewhat rugged appearance. Along with having a mullet and some stubble, he is also muscular. Unlike the others, he appears to not be very fond of the traditional family style.
He holds out his hand. "My name is Riccardo."
"Riccardo? You're Lorenzo's uncle, correct?
"Oh, please. I'm not that old. Riccardo laughs and remarks, "He's more like a little brother than a nephew."
Although he owns a sizable portion of the family business, Riccardo is rarely present. He hardly appears in any of the family pictures because he is constantly traveling overseas on his own. It figures that Lorenzo would leave out the details about Riccardo being here tonight. However, Lorenzo doesn't really keep me informed.
"Well... Hey, how are you? Riccardo waves his hand in front of me, snapping me out of my daze.
I quickly turn away, bringing myself back to reality. I really don't want him to see me in this state.
I pretend to smile and say, "Yeah, I'm fine." "You ought to visit your family right now."
I try to act normal as I turn to leave, but the strangeness of the situation is getting to me.
I move aside in order to hail a cab. As I wait for the cab, the chilly air stings my skin and makes me shiver.
"Elena, hold on!"
I turn to see Riccardo running after me, but for a moment I think it's Lorenzo.
When he notices that I'm trembling, he removes his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders. "You don't have to flee from me. I promise not to bite you.
Still unsure of what to say, I force a feeble smile.
"Thanks," I mumble. To be honest, I'm too exhausted to talk much.
After observing me for a while, Riccardo interrupts. "Give me a ride home. Being out here in the cold is not necessary for you."
Too exhausted to argue, I say, "Please."
Riccardo knows I'm not in the mood for small talk, so he drives me home quietly. Lorenzo would be berating me for being silent if it were him.
I'm a little relieved when we finally arrive at the house.
One of the maids welcomes Riccardo as he exits the vehicle. "Good to see you, Sir Riccardo."
"Giovanna! You still look fantastic! Grinning at the maid, Riccardo responds.
Could you get some ibuprofen, ice, and a bandage for Elena? Riccardo speculates that she may have sprained her knee.
"A sprain? I believed my knee to be broken. "Surprised," I say. How was Riccardo aware of it?
I get a weird tingle when he lightly touches my shoulder". It isn't damaged. He smiles softly and says, "Trust me, if it was, you wouldn't have been able to walk."
I feel weird, but oddly at ease, when he touches me. It seems like no one, not even Lorenzo, has ever shown me such concern.
Hold on, what am I thinking?
"Oh, all right." That makes sense," I say hastily, dismissing the idea. "I have to go change. My dress has a tea stain on it.
I feel a little more like myself after changing into more comfortable clothes and taking a long bath. I go to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat after Giovanna helps me bandage my knee.
I smell something delicious as soon as I enter. Riccardo is cooking while standing by the stove.
"What are you producing?" Startled to see him in the kitchen, I ask.
"Isn't it clear? I'm starving, so I'm cooking," Riccardo smiles.
I'm grateful, but I also feel bad for denying him his family supper. "What's on the menu?"
"Just some grilled cheese and instant ramen." Not very fancy. He shrugs and says, "If you want, you should come with me."
My stomach rumbles before I can stop myself from saying no. "All right. Feeling ashamed, I say, "I'll join you."
Riccardo appears unconcerned. "Please take a seat. In a moment, I will bring it to you.
I prop my knee up on another chair and settle into a chair. Shortly after, Riccardo brings over a tray containing a plate of grilled cheese sandwiches and two bowls of ramen.
"Looks good," I say, trying to sound appreciative.
"Thank you. He sits down opposite me and says, "It's all I have."
For a while, we eat in silence. When was the last time I had a meal this straightforward and cozy?
I try to break the silence by saying, "You know, this makes me think of college."
"Is that a positive or negative thing?" Riccardo raises an eyebrow in question.
"It's a good thing," I smile in response. "After a demanding week of studying, my go-to comfort foods were grilled cheese and ramen."
"I understand... I guess I'm now a mind reader. With a smile, Riccardo says.
I chuckle softly, then flinch as I straighten my knee.
"How is your knee doing?" With a worried tone, Riccardo asks.
"It feels better now. Do you believe I should see a physician?
It's only a sprain. In a few days, it ought to heal. He looks serious as he says, "But if it doesn't get better, yeah, you should probably see one." "Take some ibuprofen after eating."
"Thank you. Feeling a little lighter, I respond, "I'll do that." Someone is genuinely showing me kindness for the first time in a long time.
I take the ibuprofen as recommended by Riccardo after we have finished our meal. I'm about to get up when he clears the table and Lorenzo enters.
"Uncle Riccardo... When did you return? Lorenzo asks, sounding a little taken aback by his uncle's presence. "I assumed you would be at dinner."
I cut in before Riccardo can answer, "I met him at the hotel. I was having problems walking, so he helped me get home.
For a moment, Lorenzo remains silent. His eyes narrow as if he's trying to tell if I'm telling the truth, but he just looks at me. Then he turns to face Riccardo.
Lorenzo nods quickly and says, "Mom wants to see you."
Riccardo just nods back and leaves without another word.
Lorenzo looks worried as he turns to face me. "What happened to your knee?"
It's strange. I think for a moment that he does care. Perhaps it's because I've been acting strangely tonight. But then I remind myself—this is Lorenzo. I don't matter to him.
I consider how things might have turned out if he had been aware of the baby. Then perhaps he would be interested enough to stay at home.