Page 74 of Ruin

I smiled, pleased to be finally doing the one thing I set out to do in Italy. “Antonio! It is such a pleasure to finally meet you!”

“Here, join me!” He smiled, his voice booming as he led me to a row of large boulders that separated the cliffside from…well…death.

I sat down next to him, my body turned toward him as I sat up straight, trying to present myself as professionally as possible.

“Take a drink. Let us talk!” he stated, a serious tone cutting through his words.

I looked down at the green glass bottle in his hands that he was pushing in my direction. “What is this?” I asked as I took the bottle and held it under my nose.

“Grappa! Jennifer loved grappa…” His voice lowered, though his smile remained as I took a sip of the earthy liquor.

“It was nice of you all to gather in Jennifer’s memory,” I said warmly as my eyes scanned the crowd.

This seems like an excuse to get drunk, not a vigil for a dead woman.

“Well…we all grew to love her in the few days we knew her. She had a way of making an impression on people,” Antonio said as his dark eyes scanned the crowd, the moonlight reflecting on his shaven head.

“Yes, I heard that you spent a considerable amount of time with her on Thursday,” I replied.

Antonio’s eyes shot to me. “Who said that?” he pressed before taking another swig of the bottle that was being passed between the two of us.

“Jennifer did. She said that on Thursday you gave her a tour and spent quite a bit of time with her…” I replied. “I was quite jealous to hear that.”

Antonio smile warmed his bulbous face as a look of satisfaction fell over him. “She was lovely. This whole thing…it’s…it is heartbreaking.” His bushy eyebrows raised as his chin fell, his authenticity cracking.

“I just can’t believe that she was with the staff when all this happened,” I stated, curiosity began to cut through my tone. “It’s just so strange…”

Antonio cut in with haste, leaning back as a glimmer of aggravation sept through his words. “I spoke to her early that evening. She was terribly upset. Makes sense that she probably drank a bit too much.”

“You spoke to her?” I asked.

“Yes. After your little encounter in the lobby, she called me.” His voice began to slur as the green glass left his lips.

“I don't understand, why would she call you?” I questioned, unable to contain the expression of concern that was painted across my face.

“Your…strategy. Bold!” He laughed. “I mean, you galivanting around town with Arik doesn’t help things.”

“What in the world does that have to do with anything?” I asked, my brow dropping as my mind tried to piece together his clues.

“You don’t think it looks unethical to be pursuing a deal with the winery while fucking the owner?” Antonio’s eyes searched mine, drilling deep into me as I struggled to process his words.

This whole fucking time.

Arik lied to me this whole fucking time.

I sat silently; my jaw dropping as my eyes followed suit. “I mean…I’m not…” I stammered as a single tear fell from the corner of my eye. I quickly rubbed it away and turned my face to the fire before Antonio could see.

“When Arik said to not show up to the dinner with you and just let him handle it…” He slapped his thigh with force. “I knew something was up! Scandalous!” he screamed as he took a big sip of the green elixir.

“Where’s your boyfriend tonight?” he asked, his eyes leering in my direction.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I replied, coldly.

“Could have fooled me,” Antonio mumbled as he pressed the bottle to his lips again.

He leaned in toward me, his voice barely audible. “Where is he, though?”

“At home, I think,” I said with a shrug, the mixture of anger and shock bubbling in my throat.