Chapter 3

3

'Are you telling me or asking me?' Kelly demanded.

The rest of her family who were assembled around the palazzo kitchen counter seemed to be sitting in quiet acceptance but Kelly wasn't having any of that. She stared at her dad. Was he serious? Was he telling her that the palazzo was going to be a setting for a reality tv show —well not exactly a tv show but more like a blog or something.

'I'm telling you what's happening and asking if you're prepared to be part of it.' For a large man, her dad was very soft spoken when he wasn't angry and today was no exception. If Kelly's question had irritated him, he showed no signs of annoyance, maybe everyone was just glad to see her.

When she flew in yesterday, her mom had hugged the living daylights out of her. They'd celebrated till Kelly was too tired and decided she had to go to bed. She was more excited when she woke up this morning feeling refreshed and fresh.

And now they decide to tell her that she's going to be involved in a vlog?

'Do I have a choice?' She asked, looking at her sisters. She was now mad at them for dragging her back home. They knew all along and didn't think to give her heads up?

'Of course you do baby,' her mom started. 'But I would like you to consider what this means for the palazzo—money going into bakers bins and tables, good publicity, free publicity.'

'What if something goes wrong? What if there's a disaster and the palazzo gets sued? That won't garner good publicity.'

'It's nothing serious Kelly, you're exaggerating.' Jessica stated. 'Do you have any idea how many people watched the last series of DLK?'

Kelly thought her question was rhetorical but when Jessica paused, obviously waiting for her answer, she shook her head. She had no clue.

'Two million. Every night. And you know how people follow his vlog?'

Kelly had known DLK—De Luca kitchen, the series filmed in London was popular but she hadn't realize how popular.

'And Adrian De Luca is the star.' Andrea shrugged and dipped her coffee.

Kelly stared at her sister in disbelief. So is this all about the money or the star?'

'Don't be quick to criticize, the publicity like I said will be good.' Her mom chirped, smiling. Then got to her feet. 'Excuse me. I have to see that everything is being arranged for our guests.'

'It doesn't look like you're lacking publicity here. This place seems to be running just fine.' She argued turning to her dad.

'Kelly,' her dad sighed. 'This partnership will be good for the hotel and that's it.'

She'd moved back to this quiet safe-haven. She'd moved back home to rebuild her life and she wasn't happy to find that she might be cast into public eyes which was the last thing she needed. She needed space and time. Isn't that why she had left Boston? Not happy at all. 'I'm not interested in being part of it. It seems to me you've just found a perfect chef to partner with you accompanied by his own circus.'

'I have never worked with a circus. People, yes, children, yes, animals, no, and definitely not circuses.'

Kelly jumped as a deep masculine voice spoke up behind her like molten lava down her spine. From the seat beside her she heard Jessica catch her breath and then sigh, and Kelly didn't need to turn her head to know that Chef Adrian De Luca was standing behind her and had obviously heard her every word. She could feel the eyes of everyone else in the room. They were watching her, waiting with interest to see what she was going to do.

She had no idea what Adrian De Luca was thinking and she didn't want to turn around to read the expression on his face, but he had addressed her as she couldn't sit there pretending to be deaf. She turned in her seat to find the devil himself watching her. A rather handsome devil, she had to admit, but that didn't change the fact that she didn't want him here.

Of course, she recognized him immediately. No introduction was necessary, at least from her side. Jessica was right, DLK was a huge ratings winner and, even if Kelly hadn't actually been glued to her television like everyone else for the last season, she certainly caught a few episodes and knew who Adriann De Luca was. But why did he have to turn up here?

Joe Winston's hand extended. 'Joe Winston,' he said. 'And you're Adrian De Luca. It's good to meet you. Welcome to palazzo Valtieri. And you must be Mr Gallo.'

'Shawn, please,' Shawn said, smiling as he shook Joe's warm and firm hand.

'Shawn welcome. My wife Lauren and I have been looking forward to meeting you both. She's just making sure everything is comfortable.' Joe said, waving away the staffs who led them in. 'These are my girls, Andrea, Kelly and Jessica.'

  Both men gave a subtle nod towards the girls. 'It's nice to meet you Mrs Caruso, Jessica and Kelly Winston.’

‘It’s a pleasure.’ Andrea said getting to her feet. Then to her dad she said ‘Dad, I have to run, I’m due court, but I’ll be joining later.’ She kissed him on the cheek and trailed out.

‘Do you have any other objections miss Winston?’ He was looking straight at Kelly now.

She frowned. I’m sure I have a lot more objections, chef De Luca and without more information, a lot more information. I won’t make a decision about my involvement.’

‘Don’t say no just yet.’

Kelly met his gaze and thought of all the ways she could say no to him but then his intense expression give way to his mouth and his seriousness dissolved into something else altogether. Somethings slightly carnal and iniquitous, and Kelly forgot all about the blog, all about cameras invading the Palazzo, all about saying no as his smile raced through her.

‘Your daughter?’ Joe interrupted.

    Adrian looked back at Joe. ‘She’s in the car. One of your staffs took her. ‘The place is beautiful by the way.’

‘Thank you. Come on, let me show you your rooms.’ Joe led them out of the kitchen and around the walkway under cloisters and through a door into a spacious, airy sitting room with French doors opening out onto to a terrace. The sun had dipped below the horizon now, blurring the detail in the valley stretched out below them, but Adrian was fairly sure the view would be amazing

Everything else about the place seemed to be, and he knew it would be crammed with wonderful photo opportunities.

Joe pushed open a couple of doors to reveal two generous bedrooms, both of them opening out onto the same terrace and sharing a well equipped bathroom. There was a small kitchen area off the sitting room, as well, and for their purposes it couldn’t have been better.

‘If there’s anything else you want, please ask, and Lauren hopes your hungry. She’s been cooking up a storm ever since you rang and we’d love to join us once you’ve got the baby.’

‘That would be great, but she didn’t have to go through any trouble. We don’t want to impose.’ Adrian said but Joe wasn’t having any of it.

‘No way. She’s a chef, too, and not offering you food would be an unforgivable sin,’ he said with a laugh. ‘Just as soon as the baby’s settled, give me a call on my mobile and I’ll come get you. My brothers will be arriving with their wives as well tonight and we don’t in anyway dress for dinner, so don’t feel you have to change. We’ll be eating in the kitchen as usual.’

The door closed behind Joe and Adrian turned to Shawn. ‘Sure sounds like the wanna meet us, or me, at least. If you don’t feel up to it—‘

Shawn’s stomach rumbled, answering the question, and Adrian laughed. ‘So that’s a yes. Will it be alright to leave Danielle in the room? She was asleep when the staffs picked her up. Where is she anyway? Joe did say he was gonna send someone to bring her up.’

‘Probably on their way.’ Adrian picked up something up off a side table and wagged it at Shawn. ‘Baby monitor. They really have thought of everything.’

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***