Authors note: Hello everyone. Happy Holidays! Thank you once again to Paul who continues to be my second set of eyes. I will see you all again after my vacation for more of this story. Whatever you plan to do over the holidays, make sure you enjoy it! ~ellie.
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"Todays the big day, huh?" Matteo asked, taking the cup she offered him.
"Yeah," Cat sighed. "I had no idea it would take so long to add the few pieces I had at home together with the rest of the sketches and portrait. Roz seemed to change her mind all the time," She sat on the edge of the bed and smiled crookedly at Matteo.
"You have nothing to do there today, right?" he asked. "You promised me your full attention today, all day, by my side. I think I've been pretty good about sharing you this week." he had been at the gallery with her until late last night doing the final lighting checks and run through for the opening of the small exhibition, which would include the unveiling of the Donati portrait.
"Sharing? I think I've been pretty good about your demands this week," she laughed.
"Hardly," he rolled his eyes but picked up his vibrating phone and answered it before she could argue with him. "Papa," he said, acknowledging Roberto on the other end of the call before Cat said anything she may not want him to overhear.
"Yes, I will be flying back on Monday," he confirmed. "Yes, she will be coming back next week, but she wants to accept another commission from Peri before returning to Melbourne." He sounded grumpy about being questioned about their movements again. "Maybe you should ask her yourself," he grumbled.
Cat knew Roberto was asking about Matteo's return to Melbourne and knew that Matteo didn't want to leave her here alone yet. Not that she would be alone, but although Matteo had said he was grateful to Pete for his tutelage in the ways of tables he wasn't as keen on their close friendship and the amount of time they spent alone together. She had other friends now, but she had to admit she enjoyed spending time with Pete as much as he seemed to enjoy her company. She easily admitted she missed the evenings they had spent together talking during the Gathering.
She stood up and took her mug back to the kitchen. She may as well shower and get ready for whatever Matteo had planned for today. She'd half expected him to come in and interrupt her shower, but when she emerged from the bathroom he was still on his phone, and she shook her head, laughing lightly as he held up a halter neck dress for her to wear.
"Is that still Roberto?" she whispered, taking the dress from his hands.
Matteo shook his head and mouthed the name, "Ricco."
Cat pulled on the dress and lifted her arms to do up the halter on the back of her neck. She felt Mateo's hand run lightly over the bare skin of her back and curl around her ribs to stroke the side of her breast before she danced away from him with a grin. While she wasn't what anyone would call big busted, she was still big enough to feel awkward and slightly uncomfortable going without a bra. Matteo, on the other hand, seemed to favour backless dresses that lent themselves to going braless.
She grabbed a brush and began to put her hair up in a ponytail but found him beside her again, taking the band from her hand before she had a chance to put her hair up. While she understood and usually catered to his particular preferences, she found him to be more than a little overbearing this morning monitoring everything she did while still being on the phone with his brother. She went back into the bathroom to put on a light coat of make-up.
"I'll be ready in fifteen," Matteo murmured in her ear, his hands moving around her to stroke over the soft material covering her breasts as he kissed her neck. "Quick shower and then we'll go for breakfast."
Cat tidied up the bed and the debris of their clothes from the night before while Matteo got ready to go out for breakfast. He looked casual in jeans and a polo shirt that was just tight enough for her to admire the gorgeous body she knew so well beneath it.
"Let's go," he smiled and took her hand. The sun was shining brightly, and Cat grimaced knowing it was going to be another hot day. She didn't think she would ever get used to the heat and humidity of living in Brisbane. It wasn't that they didn't have hot summer days in Melbourne, but the humidity here was something else, and she wished she had argued about putting her hair up before they left the apartment. They walked the block to the small café they both enjoyed and sat at a table on the sidewalk under a vast yellow umbrella.
She knew that Melbourne was famous for its café society, but she had never been part of that social scene, and she had come to love the small cafés and restaurants that were dotted around the Southbank here as well as in the parklands themselves. She once again considered the questions Matteo wanted answers to as her eyes flicked lazily over the menu.
"Roberto is coming to the showing tonight, Josh invited him," Matteo said casually.
"Oh, I forgot that Aria had mentioned that," Cat looked at him in surprise. "Why would Josh invite him? I thought this was more of a family night for the Donati Table?"
"I believe he also invited Marcus Battaglia and Tomaso Farnese. I don't believe there was any ulterior motive behind the invitation," Mateo shrugged.
"Will Stefano come with him?" Cat asked.
"I don't think so, but Theresa will be here," he smiled. "Plus a few others," he looked past her into the distance, and she turned to see what he was looking at.
"David?" Cat gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"My boss's boss has this strange idea that he can tell me what to do on weekends as well as work days," David shrugged. "Martin's not very happy about the arrangement, yet again, but coming up here in a private jet was totally worth it."
"You flew my brother up here to look at paintings he's already seen half a dozen times?" she asked Matteo with a shake of her head.
"No, I asked him to help Frank. It just so happens that Frank was on his way here today," Matteo shrugged innocently as Frankie and Anna joined their table for brunch.
"Don't be silly, this is your first art show. Where else would we be? Besides, I want full credit for discovering your talent," Frankie said, sweeping her up in an affectionate embrace and kissing both her cheeks.
"Don't be such a big head," Anna gently pushed her husband out of the way and embraced Cat, kissing her cheeks. "This is a very exciting day, you should be proud of what you have created. We are proud of you."
"Thank you," Cat said, wondering why these people were here. Only a few of the works that had survived Ned's attacks and a couple she had painted between her pieces for Vanessa had been able to be shipped up to add to the sketches and portrait she had done for the Donati family. Most of her work since the attack now hung on the walls of the new corporate building in Melbourne, and one big piece hung on the wall of this couple's house. It wasn't going to be much of an art show.
"Oh, good, we're in time. Can you organise a bigger table to include us, please, Matteo?" a woman's voice asked from behind where Cat still stood with Anna. Cat turned and saw Theresa and Ricco standing and smiling at them.
"Of course, Mama," Matteo said, throwing Cat an apologetic look that she didn't quite buy.
