Chapter 29

He fondly responded to her, 'I pray wish that to happen!'. 'But I think for a week!' she told him which made him a bit sad as he would not only lose a companion in the short span but also the sight of his beloved. He thought for a brief moment on their way back inside and then suggested, 'So, why not let's have a good tour of the Turin, a most memorable and cherished one! We would visit places togethers everyday till the end of the week!'. She confirmed from him the practicality of the words he uttered, 'is it possible?'. He didn't waste a second to think about it and replied in affirmation. 'Alright, then we will visit places each day till my departure!' she spoke, and the last words pierced his heart like thorn. He just desired to accompany her till the end of his life.

Both of them resonated each other's feelings passionately if not equally. So, she accompanied her to the streets of Turin city where he introduced her to Gianduja, milk chocolate with hazelnut in Guido Gobino. It was her passion for sweets that sparked bright as he knew she loved that. He bought for her different delicacies in chocolate to satisfy that passion. She was quite interested in the matter and asked lots of question to continue to experiment with it when she returns back to Keswick. The evening of the lovers ended with a Bicerin, a chocolate coffee drink which they enjoyed while see fondly absorbed the architecture of the city. They were the happiest people when they walked together, and they took photographs to make the event memorable for them.

Richard was working on a project which he joined in a construction company and had a meeting that afternoon in the hotel where his clients came. He waited for them to arrive as he was supposed to brief them and convince them to seal a deal with his company. He met them with a pleasant energy and the clients were quite impressed. One of the was Lucy's father who was the head of operation and inquired about lots of concerns which he successful removed and ensured them of efficiency and success. He then called the waiter to serve them lunch after the meeting. Eliot joined him as it was now a casual lunch which the client, they talked eagerly and friendly. Richard could not just avoid when he caught a glance of Lucy and Oliver who now shared the same premises.

He was fumed as Rosalie's concern appeared reasonable to him now. And previously, he considered them to be some suspicion that women always bear against men. He was quite guilty to have a little fight with Nora when they suspected Oliver. Eliot and Richard both changed their table to get a good record of what business had brought these two shameless people together. He talked to her as if she was his wife and Eliot overheard him telling her, 'They will get together this weekend!'. He thought to himself, 'How frivolous and callous!'. Richard was still hesitant, but he needs to talk to her father, 'Sir, who is that man with your child over there?' 'Oh, you mean Oliver! He is my sweetheart's fiancé and a future son in law!'. He was extremely diffident as the words he was about to utter could spoil their work association.

'Sir, I would request you to join me in a separate table as there is a need of private talk! And it is urgent!' While they shifted their table, Oliver noticed Richard and he tried to take Lucy off with him, but Eliot placed an arm over his shoulder and forced him to sit on the same table they sat. Lucy's father was infuriated but after listening to what Richard told him and went straight to their table. 'Were you aware that this man here is already married?' he asked her. She nodded with nervousness as she knew her father. He threatened Oliver, 'I don't want to see you near my daughter! Is that clear?'. Oliver stood before him and had the audacity to say, 'Wait sir, there is a misunderstanding!'. He continued, 'Yes, there was but now it is removed!'. He slanted his head in gratitude in response to Richard and Eliot's attempt. And left the buildings.

Oliver was fumed as he was once again caught red handed and was bold enough to practice such shamelessness publicly. Now the sole issue was that of informing Catherine who was fortunately visiting Anne-Marie's boutique that day. Nora met her in the site, and they had a pleasant exchange. Richard approached Nora to pick up her up and requested Catherine to join her as well at their home. Catherine accepted the invitation and accompanied them. Eliot waited for her there and told her about Oliver's engagement that day in the hotel. He told her, 'If you do not believe me just wait till the weekend! And decide for yourself!'. Catherine was not ready to listen to anything off about Oliver, but she experienced it recently, so she was in doubt now. She waited patiently at her home that week and pretended to leave to the town to visit her mother.

As Oliver found the house completely empty to himself. He made his move and invited his mistress over to the place and this time it was not Lucy but someone else, a new face. He admired her with captivating words that he had never spoken to even her own wife. The mistress giggled and laughed with eager at his lascivious gaze and his fingers playing's with her curls. He touched her face with his finger and then poked her nose gently. They were standing now quite intimately which was unendurable for her. She charged towards him from the hall's corner where she sat silently unnoticed by the careless and reprehensible beings. He became aware of someone's presence and dodged her. She struck a blow on the beautiful mistress's face, and she moaned in pain as her nose started running in blood.

Catherine gave Oliver an earful and told him to leave. She took pity on the disgraceful woman and aided her to stop the blood and bandage her nose. She immediately then left her home. Catherine sat in the corner where she felt miserable and devastated. She spoke to herself in fury, 'Why did I not believe my friends? Why was I so blind then? I deserve that as I didn't address their concerns! They were right! Right about this cheat!'. Catherine didn't visit the town and neither her mother for a week. It concerned Nora and she requested Eliot to visit with her at Cathie's home. They took some pastries from scarlet café which now was running well under Anne-Marie's supervision. She hired her trusted Laurie to keep a good watch over the employees and she managed them well. Nora and Eliot when reached Cathie's front porch, they had to wait a good minute before she approached the door and received them. 'What? Cathie?' she uttered with shock, 'What have you done to yourself?'. She was quite slender and appeared as if she cried profoundly.

Nora insisted on a visit to the clinic, but she told her, 'I will be fine!'. Catherine was stubborn and nobody could make her do what she didn't desire to. 'You know we cannot see you like this, so I am telling Richard to send in a doctor right now!' Nora remarked. She phoned Richard and did what she said. Catherine was stubborn but she couldn't mutter up the strength to have an argument with her. The doctor visited her and diagnosed that Catherine has excessive anxiety and stress. Some medicines to calm her head down were prescribed but the doctor also suggested a caretaker for effective comeback. Nora hired a trusted caretaker for Catherine without Mrs. Holdcroft getting the slightest knowledge on the matter. Nora had prejudice about Catherine earlier but as she became acquainted, she opened up to her and it vanished.

Johnathan and Rosalie along with Mr. and Mrs. George Earl visited many places but their frequent visit was to the food places. This time along the week he took her to Egyptian museum. She enjoyed learning about the Egyptian artefacts from pre-historic times. He treated her to worlds best cone, the gelato in the Caffé Mulassano. She also visited the Nation Museum of Cinema over there. She was amazed to have witnessed such richness and exposure to such new knowledge. It was over-whelming, but Johnathan's simplified manner and company made her feel excited and at ease at the same time. He took her to French and Italian Alps for hiking which he visited with half-brother and sister. Her love for the city grew even deeper. She desired to spend more time there, but she had her bakery to attend to at Keswick. They visited the Palazzo Reale, which is also known as the Residence of the Royal House of Savoy. She learnt its history a little and its contribution to the rich history of the country.