Chapter 3 Larni's Discovery

A few weeks after my night with Luciano, Rain left to Moonlight Falls saying she had to tie up a few loose ends for Luciano. Normally seeing Rain go for a couple of weeks would have pained me, but lately she had been around all the time, leaving me no time to do my own stuff and pay the bills. 

Luciano hadn't called after our night, which hurt but in the end didn't surprise me, he probably had nights like these all the time. Rain said he was in Switzerland and would be back when she arrived from Moonlight Falls. It lessened the hurt a little to know he was out of the country but not a lot. I hadn't heard a word from Vincenzo and I wasn't sure whether to be happy or upset about it. I sighed happily as I watered my plants, excited at the thought of the little sprouts appearing. 

Rain had wrinkled her nose up, but in my eyes they were pleasant reminders of home. My parents hadn't called for a while probably because they were enjoying their stay in the south of France, it seemed everyone was on holiday except for me. The next couple of days I worked on my book and did a bit of painting, trying to ignore the queasy feeling in my stomach, I was beginning to think I had a bug.  

The cheery sound of my phone broke my thoughts and I was surprised to hear Vincenzo's voice on the other end, "Hello Larnika, I'm in the lobby will you let me up?" he asked. 

I hesitated, if Rain was in the city I would have said no but I just couldn't, "Sure I'm doing it now," I told him.

 In a few minutes Vincenzo stood before me and I felt myself going a little weak again, "You must forgive me for my lack of communication Larnika, I've been in Italy," he explained to me. 

I almost laughed, everyone was on holiday. "Its alright," I muttered, after all I had rejected him he didn't have to get back to me, "that’s where your from right Italy?" I asked considering his name was Italian. "Yes, it is my home," Vincenzo replied. I was at a loss to what to say, for some strange reason I felt guilty about what happened with Luciano, which just added onto my feelings of disgust at myself. 

"Can I get you something?" I asked trying to shake my head of the feelings, so it would stop feeling so awkward.

 "I'm fine thank you," Vincenzo told me. 

I held my stomach as another fit of nausea hit me, "Are you alright?" Vincenzo questioned concern on his face, he led me to the couch and sat me down. 

"I'm fine, honestly I think it must be a bug," I admitted. 

Vincenzo seemed to consider my words, "Are you sure you're not pregnant?" he finally asked. 

I gasped in shock, how could he think that? 

"What no, no way, it's not possible," I argued, but the thing was it made sense. 

"You did spend the night with Luciano Ferrari a few weeks ago, didn't you?" Vincenzo questioned me, a quiet fury underlying his features. 

"Yes, " I said slowly, "wait how did you know about that?" I asked uncertain of how to react.

 "Larnika the whole of Bridgeport knows about that, where and with whom Luciano spends his nights is important to the press. You've made quite a name for yourself," he answered me.

 I held my face in my hands, "No I've been walking around town and people have been thinking that. God no and if I'm carrying his baby this can't be happening," I cried, a sharp pain radiating through my stomach.

 "Ahhh," I scream. 

"Larnika, calm down until you confirm it you must stop worrying," Vincenzo orders me, his hand brushing across my face. 

I instantly listen to his words and the stomach pains go, "Thanks," I murmured.

 Vincenzo smiles charmingly and I'm glad he doesn't seem to be angry, his phone rings and whatever the person says on the other line has not made him happy. The way his face is set frightens me as well as his cold eyes, all of a sudden I understand how this man could lead a crime gang. 

"Larnika you'll have to excuse me, but I hope you don't mind if I can come and see you soon," he asked me his face charming again. 

"I guess," I muttered in reply. 

Vincenzo kisses my lips, softy and gently and as he pulls away I just want to pull him back to me. "Goodbye Larnika," he said walking out the door.

 "Goodbye," I murmured when he had already left. 

I don't know how but I managed to put off getting a pregnancy test for a couple of days, I convinced myself I wanted to do it with Rain, but I couldn’t wait. My hands shook as I waited for the results, "No," I breathed when it appeared.

 It was positive but that couldn't be right, I wasn't old enough to have a baby, wasn't ready for one, and to be truthful I didn't want one. The pain that come into my stomach at the thought was so intense I fell to the ground, could someone have a miscarriage this early I thought through the pain. 

Tears formed, the truth was I didn't want to lose this baby, as soon as the thought entered my head the pain was gone. I needed to see a doctor desperately, pulling out my phone I did the one thing I could I called Rain.

 "What?" Rain hissed when she answered the phone I had never heard her so angry. "Sorry I'll call back," I muttered confused.

 "Larni, no sorry I thought you were someone else what's up?" she asked cheerfully.

 "Rain I'm pregnant," I blurted out. 

There was a deafening silence on the other end of the line, I could almost hear Rain thinking. 

"Larni that's great," she finally said.

 "It is," I replied firmly, "but I need to go to a doctor I'm getting really bad stomach pains."

 "No you can't," Rain jumped in forcefully, "I mean I'll be back tomorrow and I'll find you a doctor the best."

 I probably should have fought Rain, but I was tired, "Okay see you tomorrow," I said.  

Vincenzo came and visited the next day as well and I was glad to see him. "I'm pregnant," I admitted to him, waiting for him to say he now wanted nothing to do with me. 

"Congratulations, what is that you wish for?" he asked me, the news not surprising him, nor changing his attitude.

 "A boy, I always wanted my first child to be a boy," I told him, gently rubbing my stomach. 

 Vincenzo was about to reply when Rain walked in the tension in the room was unbelievable.

 "What are you doing here?" she snapped at Vincenzo. 

"Rain," I started but Vincenzo shook his head. 

"Rainflower, I was just coming to check on Larnika," he informed her.

 "Get out," she whispered angrily, looking almost deadly.

 I knew I was right these two definitely knew each other, "Larnika I think it is best if I leave, I sincerely hope you attain the boy you hope for, Rainflower always a pleasure," he said turning to her and pausing as he walked past her, what passed between them was something I'd never understand. 

Then with a charming smile and a shrug he walked out. 

"Larni, what is wrong with you, your carried Luciano's baby and flaunting it for another man," she accused me turning her fury onto to me. 

"Its not my fault, besides its obvious I was a one night stand to Luciano why can't I have a relationship?" I shouted frustrated. 

"Because he's a killer," she yelled back at me.

 I frowned, "Just stop okay, can we just stop," I muttered not wanting to fight with my best friend. 

"You're right, I'm sorry," Rain admitted giving me a hug, "I've already set up a doctor's appointment for you and Luciano will be there," she promised. 

I nodded, "Rain can I ask you a question?" 

"Sure," she said smiling.

 "Why are you so loyal to Luciano?" I questioned. 

I hadn't noticed it until today but Rain always defended Luciano no matter what. "He saved my life," she whispered.

 "How?" I asked shocked I hadn't heard the story. 

"It doesn't matter, all you need to know is I owe him a debt that goes above everything else."