Saving the Billionaire

3. Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a medieval hilltop town in Tuscany, Italy.

I read the same line over and over again. When I thought I was going to Italy, I expected more like Florence or Rome. I had no idea that I was going to be working in a small town with barely fifteen thousand people.

A sigh left my lips as I stared out of the plane window. Maybe it's not that bad. I thought while leaning back and slipping on the headphones.

Nia gave me the necessary information I need to know. It was impossible to book a hotel online because they did not accept card p*****t. Somehow I managed to convince the owner that I was a legit person on business and not some foreigner fooling him. I wondered how many calls he gets on daily for him to have trust issues.

I save the guy's number Nia forwarded. Jace Alexander Pisano. Too wordy so I shortened it as JAP.

As I closed my eyes, I recalled the conversation I had with Sharon.

"What do you mean you are going?" She shrieked

I plastered a smile on my face, "It means I'll be in Italy for a few months while you are stuck with these weirdos."

She gasped, shaking her head. It was clear that she was not happy about it all. After all, I was the only friend she had. The others in the office always give her snide looks just because she's rich and pretentious. It's partly true, though.

"But I want to go with you" She pouted, twisting in her chair. The girls on the other table glared at us, but I rolled my eyes.

Just an hour ago, Nia announced that I was doing an overseas project, so it was natural they were jealous. I felt guilty for hoarding the opportunity, but I wanted to get away for a while. It was the perfect opportunity because I was thinking about planning a little getaway.

Ever since I broke up with Alex, it felt too much. That was a month ago. I couldn't focus on work for a while, and it was affecting me. Food didn't have a taste, and I could barely sleep without having a glass of wine. No one knew about the situation I was going through.

I pressed my lips together, "This is not a vacation Shar. I don't think Nia will allow you to come with me."

As she was about to protest, I held my hand in the air.

"Think about your clients. Besides you have it coming for crashing my car."

She huffed and focused on sipping her green tea which eww. I never understood how she could drink that. But then again she was the fitter than me for that very reason.

"Have fun then. Please don't forget to bring me something nice."

I scoffed, "Sure."

"Oh, and what about your clients? Who is going to take your projects?"

I hid my smirk. it completely slipped my mind to inform her that she would have to take Mrs Smith's project.

"I only have one project"'

Sharon shuddered, placing her cup down, "Oh I almost forgot about that old bag. Good luck to whoever is going to deal with her."

It was so difficult to hold back the laughter. I blinked my eyes innocently at her.

"Yeah about that... I need to tell you something."

She knitted her eyebrows together, "What is it?"

"I told me that you would handle my project."

She yelled at me for a few minutes after that, but it worth it. I finally got rid of Mrs Smith.

Shaking my head at the memory, I pulled an eye mask over my eyes and closed my eyes. Ten more hours to go.

***

The moment flight landed on the ground; I was excited to get out. Sitting still in the same place for too long was not my scene. That's why I avoid going to movie theatres.

After checking out my luggage I trudged out of the gate, dragging my trolley along with me. That's when I spotted the board with my name. Wow. I thought I would have to take a cab. Nia did tell me that someone was going to pick me at the airport, but I was half expecting the person to show up.

The guy holding the board was busy checking out the exit to notice my hand.

"Hey!" I yelled, standing on the other side. After a few more tries, I was able to catch his attention.

"That's me. Isabella"

He hid a smile and immediately rushed towards me, helping me with my luggage.

"Welcome to Italy, Signora" He gruffed, a broad smile on his face. I instantly felt at ease.

"Umm...grazie "

Laughter bubbled out his chest, and he nodded his head at my attempt. I did not know the language, but I looked up some easy words. It's difficult to learn Italian in a week.

"Si si. è perfetto!"

I blushed at his praise and followed him towards the car. My eyes widened at the sleek black car with tinted windows. Mercedes Benz.

Entering inside, I slumped back on the seat, my eyes red from lack of sleep. Even though the seat was comfortable, and I did not have any annoying passenger next to me, I still couldn't fall asleep.

"Sorry I forgot to ask your name."

"Charles Benjamin Moore"

My mouth twitched, "Does everyone here have such a long name?"

"cosa intendi"

I shook my head, "Nothing. Charles, are you taking me to the hotel?"

He stared at me through the rearview mirror, "I don't know the hotel. Signor Pisano said to take you to the mansion."

I pushed my hand on my face, rubbing fingertips over the blotched cheeks, "Can you take me to the hotel instead? I want to rest for a while."

Charles looked conflicted at my question. I tried not to get angry at that Pisano guy. How could he not think that I may be tired from the journey?

"But-"

"I'll talk to him on the phone."

"Si signiro. Which hotel?"

I checked my phone for the hotel name as it was in Italian. I had difficulty in pronouncing the name, but he got it. After that, I decided to be in back and rest for a while.  According to the GPS, it was going to take me three more hours to get into the town.

***

It was not technically a hotel as much as a small building with two floors. I should have known when there were no images on the site. Not that I had any option, so I decided to pay the full fee.

The room was tiny—a small queen size bed in the corner with typical paintings on the cream coloured walls. There was a window that overlooked the sidewalk of the hotel. I held my breath as I noticed a dresser beside the bed and a study table with a water bottle and tea tray in the distant corner.

I felt too tired to be upset about the room.

Without further thought, I just jumped in the bed and closed my eyes. As soon as I shut my eyes, I fell into the pitless darkness.

***

When I woke up, I noticed eight missed calls. Two of them were from my mother. Others from Nia but the one from Jace guy caught my eyes. Why did he call? Maybe the driver snitched on me.

Leaning against the bed rest, I redial his number. As the phone rang, my lips rolled in between my teeth, a heavy feeling in my stomach.

"Hello?"

The voice was so rough yet calm that it took me a while to respond. I thought Jace might be some old dude, but he didn't sound old.

"Hi! This is Isabella, the interior designer from New York. I noticed you called earlier."

"Aha yes, Ms.Clark. My sister was hoping you would have a meal with us before checking out the mansion. The driver said you were too tired and asked him to drop you to the hotel."

I blushed deeply. Here I thought that he might have called because of work.

"Yeah I'm sorry I don't usually do that, but it was a long flight."

There was some shuffling sound from the other side, and I cringed at the beep. Pulling it away, I stared at the screen and noticed that the call was still on.

"Sorry about that..."

"It's alright."

He exhaled, "Don't worry about it. Charles will pick you up tomorrow morning so that you can have breakfast with us."

"I don't want to impose."

"No, don't worry about that."

I thought about it for a while. It was better than having a meal in the very hotel I was staying.

"Sure, I would love to be there."

"Thank you for accepting the invitation. I'll see you tomorrow Ms Clark."

I cringed at the use of my name. It made me feel like he was talking to my mother. But I bit my tongue.

"Sure. See you tomorrow Mr Pisano."

***