'Caroline! Emily! Hello,' Alina rushed into their brand new home searching for her sister and niece before Tomas could get to her side of the car. Alina was met by an unfriendly face, displeased at this stranger, barging in and screaming in such an impolite manner.

'May I help you?' A woman about Alina's age, in a house keeper's suit demanded.

'Oh ___ hi, I'm Alina. I was calling out to Caroline and Emily.'

'It is good manners to knock and wait to be invited in,' the fancy suited house keeper stated in a rasped tone.

'Are they not here cara?' Tomas found Alina standing hesitantly in the hallway.

'Mr. Casiraghi, welcome back,' the fancy suit gave Tomas an endearing smile.

'Shay, good day,' Tomas greeted courteously.

Alina looked at her husband. How was it they already knew each other and she was relegated to visitor status?

'Ah, you have not yet met, cara,' Tomas smiled, curving his arm around Alina. 'Shay, this is my wife Alina. 'Cara, this is Shay Raymond, the one whose assistance we acquired at very short notice.'

Great even the hired help has a vendetta against me.

Alina looked again at the woman. At least she had the grace to squirm. Her face turned scarlet. She studied her overly trimmed finger nails in embarrassment. Alina did not have a spiteful bone in her body to take the woman to task.

'Aunt Alina! Toe-muz!'

Alina spun around. Emily came running with her arms wide opened.

'Hi puppet.'

It was into Tomas' arms that she went flying.

'Emelia, Buongiorno piccola.'

'Hello Toe-muz,' she hugged him.'

'Buongiorno,' Tomas repeated.

'Yes, yes bonjee you too. Why were you gone for so long?'

'Hi Emily.' Hello, remember me?

'Aunt Alina,' she finally acknowledged her aunt, reluctantly leaving Tomas' arms. 'I missed you.'

Could have fooled me. 'I missed you too, puppet,' Alina kissed her niece.

'I don't want you to go on a honeymoon ever again Aunt Alina.'

We've only been gone for three days! 'Where's mummy?'

'In the kitchen.'

'Cara shall I bring out everything?'

'Yes, let me help you,' she lowered Emily to the floor.

'No, I will do it.'

'Let's find mummy,' Alina walked away leaving the fancy suit standing in the hallway.

'Caroline,' Alina rushed to greet her sister.

'Alina, hi, you're back,' Caroline laughed. Alina bent down and hugged her sister.

'I was worried about you,' Alina whispered. 'How are you?'

'Oh we're fine, loving the new place,' Caroline laughed. 'Alina you look so good. All tanned, you're looking very good,' Caroline repeated.

Alina coloured profusely. 'Let me see your room,' she smiled.

'I thought you'd want to see the master bed room first,' Caroline grinned.

Alina wrinkled her nose. She and Tomas had discussed the decor for their bedroom, so she knew exactly what it held. 'I'd like to see yours and Emily's first,' Alina smiled.

'Let's go then,' Emily hopped about excitedly.

Alina laughed as she wheeled Caroline to her bedroom on the ground floor. It was large and spacious, decorated in tranquil feminine colours. Caroline just like Emily had every state of the art entertainment amenity that one could desire.

'Tomas has really spoilt us,' Caroline smiled appreciatively. 'I don't even know how to use some of these fancy electronic gadgets.'

Alina just smiled.

'Come to my room now,' Emily pulled Alina into her bedroom across from Caroline's.

'I'm coming,' Alina laughed, allowing Emily to tug her arm.

'Look, my very own TV and check all the different channels,' Emily flicked the buttons on the remote. Alina smiled, they had never previously been able to afford digital TV. 'I have my own computer Aunt Alina and pens, and drawing paper,' she opened the drawer and showed off everything that belonged to her.

'I'm so happy for you puppet,' Alina went on her knees and hugged Emily.

'Finally I find you.'

Alina looked up to see Tomas, with his hands full. 'Oh, I was supposed to help you,' she smiled.

'May I give Emelia her surprise?'

'You have something for me Toe-muz? Oh I Iove surprises.'

'Your Aunt Alina tells me you will love this,' Tomas handed her the huge package. His eyes met Alina's. She said a silent prayer that he didn't embarrass her.

'What is it?' Emily ripped the package away. 'Oh I do love it. I love it,' she hugged the furry stuffed toy to her chest.

'Thank you Toe-muz,' she clung to it tightly.

'It's a pleasure piccola.'

'I have a little something for you too,' Alina smiled, handing Emily the little bag that was for her. Inside were costume jewellery for little girls and a fancy hand held mirror.

'Thank you Aunt Alina. 'I am spoilt,' she giggled.

'Yes, you are,' Alina laughed.

'Shall we give Caroline hers?' Tomas asked.

'Yes,' Alina smiled.

'Caroline, how are you?' Tomas greeted, as they returned to the living room.

'Hi Tomas, welcome back. I feel bad that we're already settled in, whilst you have not even see the place.'

'We're going to see it all now.'

Caroline watched Tomas link his hand in Alina's. She was happy for her baby sister.

'We brought you back some goodies,' Alina smiled. She handed Caroline a bag that contained jewellery, perfume, a beautiful brooch and a designer hand bag.

'Thank you,' she laughed. There was no need for so many.'

'And there's a little more,' Tomas handed her a bag. It held an exquisite dusty pink cashmere jersey, a few silk scarves in different colours, and sweaters from a well known designer.

When did he buy that?
Alina suspected he had the fancy boutique deliver it to his private jet. She had noticed, a truck load of goods with labels from the Chianti vineyard, and there had been tons more boxes in the jet.

'Thank you, everything is so fabulous,' Caroline gushed appreciatively.

'Only a pleasure Caroline,' Tomas smiled. 'Will you excuse us?' Tomas took Alina's hand and marched her upstairs to their bedroom. Alina felt the heat covering her face. She did not want Caroline to think Tomas was taking her to their bedroom to make love to her.

'You like our bedroom?' Tomas smiled.

'I haven't been up there yet,' she answered.

'Didn't you want to see our bedroom?' he grinned.

'I was getting there,' she avoided his eyes.

When Alina walked into their bedroom, it looked so much more beautiful, now that everything was in place. Their brand new super huge bed took pride of place. Fancy works of art were mounted on three walls. One wall held a huge floor to ceiling mirror. Alina had chosen dark mahogany wood, for their room. She knew Tomas preferred that colour. This room was like three times the size of her old bedroom. Alina opened her cupboard, it was stacked with designer clothes, still with their labels on; day wear, evening wear, in every conceivable colour and style. She looked at Tomas questioningly.

'When am I ever going to wear all of this?' she laughed.

'True,' Tomas pulled her roughly into his arms. 'I prefer you with no clothes on,' he murmured huskily, his mouth closing over hers demandingly. Alina had no choice but to hold onto him for support, she found herself responding. Tomas pulled her closer, moulding her to him. His hands trailed down her spine, curving over her shapely bottom caressingly. Alina pulled away, extricating herself out of his arms.

'I want to go to the restaurant,' she mumbled.

Tomas stiffened. His anger was palpable. 'Can't wait to see Rocco Cali?' He accused.

'What! I would like to check on my restaurant,' she defended.

Tomas stared at his wife, wondering why she could not take the day off. He would much rather carry her to their brand new bed and christen it.

'The driver and the car is at your disposal,' Tomas informed her. 'I will arrange a second vehicle for Emelia and Caroline's needs.'

'Do you have to organize everybody's lives so annoyingly,' she questioned.

Tomas laughed. 'I am a perfectionist cara mia. If I want everything to flow smoothly, I must organize. You will also notice I delegate many responsibilities. It is something I hope you can emulate. You put too much on your plate,' he hinted. 'How do you survive on four hours sleep, day after day?'

I have no idea.

Come to think of it, in the last three days, she barely got up before ten and then only when Tomas had woken her up. It had been heavenly sleeping till that late, a luxury actually.

'I will see you later,' she murmured, wondering what he was going to do with his time.

Tomas pulled her into the circle of his arms. He kissed her at leisure and only then released her. 'Ciao cara,' he murmured in her ear.

Before she went to the restaurant, Alina stopped to visit Patty. She was delighted to see Alina, hugging her to death. Patty was delighted with the designer bag and shoes that Alina had bought her. Alina stayed long enough for a cup of tea and made her excuses. Patty begged her not to ever forget her. Alina chuckled, saying she would not, before she hurried to check on the restaurant.

Alina was turning heads in her very fancy day dress hugging her slim body as she walked into her restaurant. All her staff burst in smiles at seeing her. She walked to the kitchen to find Rocco. He was busy with an electric knife. He looked up wide-eyed, the electric knife still carving, very close to his thumb.

Alina rushed forward and unplugged it. 'I don't want to pay compensation,' she smiled.

Rocco just stared as if an apparition stood before him.

'Rocco,' she sighed. 'Say something.'

'You look beautiful,' his eyes travelled the length of her body, hesitated at the opened button of her well shaped breasts, then skimmed down to her shapely legs.

'Thank you Rocco. I was looking forward to coming back to work.'

He turned his back to her, 'we managed,' he tossed.

I should have extended my honeymoon.
'This is for you,' she handed him a bag with some fancy electronic utensils, he had been hinting at. Rocco turned around, took the bag reluctantly. He was surprised they were personalized with his full name on it.

'Grazie,' he murmured and switched his electric carving knife on again.

Alina wished Rocco could at least pretend to be happy to see her. She sighed and walked away to hand gifts to the rest of her staff. At least she got welcome hugs from her other employees. She did not stay too long. She was looking forward to having dinner with Tomas, Caroline and Emily. She would start work proper, the following morning, informing Rocco she would arrive at seven. A raised eyebrow was all she got. Clearly he expected her earlier.

When Alina got home, the sounds of Emily's laughter and Tomas' low voice greeted her as she opened the door. She followed the sound to their new living room.

'Hi,' she greeted everybody, but her eyes fell to Tomas on the carpet with Emily. His head shot up, his eyes looked at her hungrily. He smiled, she looked away shyly.

'Hi cara. I am learning a game, but the rules keep changing,' he grinned.

'Hi Alina,' Caroline greeted with a smile. She was watching something on the television.

'Toe-muz,' keeps forgetting,' Emily accused.

'I hope you've come to rescue me?' Tomas stood up. He extended his hand to Alina. She walked to him diffidently, accepted his kiss on the lips and shifted away quickly.

'Alina, I'm sure Tomas is starving by now,' Caroline laughed. 'He's been checking his wristwatch a few times. I've made a roast lamb,' Caroline smiled.

Alina looked across at Tomas, wondering why he had been checking his watch, perhaps furious as to why she had taken so long. She'd only been gone about four hours.

'I can smell the lovely aroma,' Alina smiled at her sister. 'I'll set the table.'

'I'll help you,' Tomas offered, his eyes locking with his wife's.

Alina sighed softly. She preferred him to wait in the living room.

'I'll help too,' Emily offered. Alina smiled happily.

'Emelia, I would like you to first put all your gifts away and wash your hands,' Tomas instructed.

'Okay Toe-muz,' Emily obediently replied.

The smiled disappeared off Alina's face as she walked to the kitchen.

'Don't you think I deserve a proper greeting,' Tomas pulled her into his arms the second he entered the kitchen.

'I did greet you,' she laughed, trying to get out of his arms.

'You were in too much of a hurry to step away and you've been gone too long,' he accused. 'Now kiss me,' he demanded.

'Is that why you're keeping Emily busy,' she questioned, though her arms went around his neck to duly embrace him as instructed.

'You knew?' he laughed arrogantly.

'You are devious,' she managed to whisper just before his mouth claimed hers.

'Oh I beg your pardon!'

Stunned by the interruption, Alina jumped out of Tomas' arms to find the fancy suited house keeper standing there with grocery packages in her arms. The look she gave Alina, did not look apologetic.

I must remember he's my husband.

'Hello Shay,' Tomas greeted, displeased about the interruption. 'Cara, I asked Shay to stock up more groceries. You also need to make a decision about a full time helper.'

I want her gone.

'Shay you are back,' Emily went rushing to the housekeeper. 'Did you buy more strawberries? Are we going to make more muffins? Aunt Alina we made muffins yesterday. Shay made extra for my friends at school. I like Shay, Aunt Alina. She's nice.'

Alina watched the housekeeper turn on a charming smile for Emily. Well so much for wanting her gone. Alina decided to get Caroline's opinion. Surely Caroline would side with her. They could get somebody else to make strawberry muffins for Emily.

'Shay can you set the dinner table please,' Alina instructed.

'Yes, Mrs. Casiraghi,' she smiled but it did not reach her eyes.

'I'm just with Caroline,' Alina murmured to Tomas, as Shay turned towards the oven.

'Dinner ready?' Caroline smiled.

'Shay's setting the table,' Alina sat down nearby her sister.

'She's wonderful isn't she?' Caroline smiled. 'She fills my bath water, decides which outfit I should wear in the morning,' Caroline laughed, 'and she's so good with Emily.'

'So you think she should stay?' Alina asked disappointedly.

'Tomas asked me when you were gone, about her as well,' Caroline laughed.

No doubt you gave Tomas a good report card.

'I guess what I think is not so important,' Caroline smiled. 'Tomas said he will leave the decision to his wife to make.'

'Of course what you think is important, Caroline. You and Emily will deal with Shay more than I will be around to.'

'I don't have a problem keeping her,' Caroline smiled.

I do, but seeing I'm in the minority...
'I'll ask her to stay on then,' Alina patted Caroline's wrist.

When Alina walked into the kitchen, Tomas was opening a bottle of wine. Emily was helping unpack the groceries. Shay looked Alina's way. There was a triumphant glint in her cold beady eyes.

'Shay I'd like you to stay on,' Alina requested. 'I shall review your contract in three months time.'

'Thank you Mrs. Casiraghi,' she grinned victoriously.

Am I the only one seeing this wicked witch in play?

Alina looked at Tomas. He was pouring wine into glasses and sipping from his glass. He paid scant attention to the devious looking Shay. Alina walked to her husband.

Tomas smiled, 'Chianti, just for you,' he grinned.

'Thank you,' she smiled. 'I noticed the crates. Did you buy the vineyard's entire stock?'

Tomas laughed, draping his arm around Alina. 'My wife likes it, so I had to buy all they had,' his' eyes dipped to her visible cleavage. I'm starving,' Tomas groaned.

Alina's face coloured profusely.

'The table is set, Mr. Casiraghi.'

Alina looked away from Tomas. She knew his hunger had nothing to do with dinner.

Alina stretched and smiled, reaching for Tomas, but the bed was empty. Alina got up with a start. She looked at the clock. It was eight o' clock.

Damn! Why the hell did he not wake me up? Where the hell is he? She was disappointed Tomas was not in the bed. She would have loved to just cuddle with him and kiss him good morning. Alina lifted the note on Tomas' pillow.

"Good morning cara mia. I need to go to the office. You look so beautiful sleeping. I did not have the heart to wake you up. See you tonight."

It was unsigned, but she recognized his neat powerful cursive strokes on the note. Alina lifted the paper to her lips. The scent of his cologne was still strong. She slipped the note into the bedside drawer on her side. Yawning, she dragged herself to the shower, her body still humming from Tomas' lovemaking last night. She smiled ecstatically as the spurts of hot water soothed over her body.

When Alina stepped out of her bathroom, she was gobsmacked to find Shay at her wardrobe, inspecting the contents. Alina's fury knew no bounds.

'What are you doing in my bedroom?' Alina demanded, glad she had a towel around herself.

'Good morning,' Shay pronounced in a bored tone. 'I was selecting an outfit for you,' her eyes skimmed over the array of designer labels rather enviously.

'Get out!' Alina instructed. 'It is polite to knock and wait until you're invited,' Alina threw back at her.

'Oh I did knock,' she grinned. 'I guess you did not hear me in the shower.'

'In future do not enter my bedroom, unless I give you permission to,' Alina warned.

'Suit yourself, Mrs. Casiraghi,' she shrugged her shoulders and stormed out.

Furious, Alina slammed her door with a loud bang. Just for good measure she locked it. She blow dried and styled her hair, took her time, putting her work uniform on and marched downstairs. She wanted to give Shay another piece of her mind, but found Shay and Caroline in an animated conversation about some soap opera. Shay had a smirk on her face when her eyes met Alina's. She looked at Alina's white chef's jacket and black trousers distastefully.

'Morning Alina,' Caroline smiled.

'Morning,' Alina answered.

'Some breakfast for you, Mrs. Casiraghi?'

'No thank you. I'm late for work,' Alina refused to meet Shay's eyes.

'Emily gone to school already?' Alina asked Caroline.

'Yes. She insisted Tomas drop her off and he seemed only to happy to oblige.'

'Guess I'll be on my way. See you later Caroline,' Alina kissed her sister's cheek

'Enjoy your day,' Caroline waved to Alina.

-end chapter seventeen-