The lunch would have been really awkward if it hadn't been for Ria who was talking non-stop so I enjoyed my lunch and ate heartily thankfully after his lunch, Marc left abruptly towards his study without looking at me.Ria suggested we spend some time together so I agreed or I would have ended up having only my company. I enjoyed their company very much and wanted to make the most of it as I was the only child of my parents and had never enjoyed the company of siblings interacting with Mathias and Ria was a new experience for me ad for the first time felt jealous of Marc as he had such loving siblings who dote on him, no matter how arrogant he is.We were just relaxing over coffee in the lounge when the outer door creaked loudly and we could hear the sounds of steps footsteps walking across the Hall. I felt my pulse racing alarmingly, as I knew that hot color had flooded my cheeks only to fade again leaving me paler than before.I trembled to know that if I were to have such a violent reaction every time Marc was around me it would be impossible to get through the next few days, as after dinner Marc was very tired and his nurse had instructed him to go off to bed as early as possible, although he was reluctant to go the nurse was very strict and finally he followed her giving me a wicked smile.As the door to the parlor opened, I give a gasp for release. It was Mathias who had entered the room banging the door behind him not aware of the people sitting in the lounge. “Mathias, you sacred us?” Ria put her hands in mock horror over her ears. “We have been enjoying a very peaceful evening! ““Not like the other night, I suppose?” Mathias said with a sidelong glance at my flushed features.“Mathias !” Ria exclaimed.” “Sorry Ria,” he shrugged and said. “But it did happen and we can hardly pretend that it did not happen.” After a moment's pause, he looked at me and then added, “I understand that Carl has threatened to sue Marc for trying to kill him.”“What!” I exclaimed, as I was horrified and I looked at Mathias for some time. I have put Marc in big trouble.“Is that true? I asked. “ God, what have I done!” To the dismay of Mathias and Ria, my shattered self-control finally snapped and I broke down into tears burying my face in my hands, and trembled alarmingly. I was with him in the afternoon but he did not even utter a word about it.“ Carmen I am so sorry!” Mathias said and came down to his knees in front of me attempting to take my hands into his own.“Is it true to Mathias?” I insisted as I had to be sure about this.“It's the truth! But you don't have to worry Carmen, Marc will take care of this matter.” He looked for a while at Ria and then continued, “forgive me but I wish that Carl was here at this moment and I could also hit him.” He gritted his teeth angrily, his handsome features were fierce with emotion.“But what does he say that Marc has done?” I persisted clutching urgently at Mathias's arm.“He has broken many of Mathias's bones and damaged his nose. But it's not that bad as I met him today at the office,” Mathias said with a dismissive shrug. “Also he has black eyes and he will not be in a position to force his attention upon any women shortly.”“Is that what Marc told you? ““It is the truth, Carmen, right?” Mathias looked at me with a confused expression.“Yes, it’s the truth.” I agreed, wiping away the tears which were still falling on my cheeks with the back of my hand. I shrugged. “You must admit that I was partially to blame. I did not exactly discourage his attention.”“It is true that you were not altogether wise in your treatment of Mathias,” Ria interposed. “But here in Italy, no gentleman would try to force himself, on others' wives. And Marc did the right thing by punishing him. Carl is very lucky that he escaped with only a broken nose,” she added with a lack of sympathy in her voice.“Oh God, you and Drake! I never thought that this could create some problems in your relationship how did he take it? After all, Carl is his cousin.”“Yes it’s true and Drake is very angry but with Carland no one else. His parents are a little distressed. Carlos's father is my mother-in-law's brother.” Ria explained carefully.“But their anger will go away and it will not affect our marriage and our relationship in any way, so you don't have to worry about it Carmen, and don't blame yourself. He got what he deserved.” “I can't help being worried,” I said chewing my lower lip and rising to my feet, I began to pace around the room in obvious distress.I knew what was happening at the Costa''s house. They must be cursing me.“Carmen just calm down!” Mathias said carefully, he came into my path and holding me firmly made me sit comfortably on the chair and sat down beside me.“Yes I understand but what can Marc do? If he has damaged Carl’s face, surely the man has a case against him?” I inquired.“I do not think he would be able to make a case against Marc,” Said Mathias in a calm tone. “Marc’s face also has some bruises and there are many others who saw it happening, so in the circumstances what can he do? Do not worry Carmen there wouldn’t be any difficulties and nobody would dare go against Marc as it was a fair share of the fight between them, as he was fighting for his wife.”Distractedly I rubbed my hand across my forehead which was creating a big headache.” I hope you are right in your conclusion Mathias. please don't think that I am being rude but I'm having a very bad headache right now so I am going to bed.”“Carmen it's okay I know it has affected you badly, please don't take too much pressure on your head and please go and rest.” Mathias rose from his seat and said. “Come I'll walk with you to your door and see that you have reached it safely.” “Ohh no-no, Mathias I am fine. All I need is rest.” I said with a smile."I was hoping that you would accompany Ria and me to Naviglio tomorrow to do some sightseeing, but if you are not well we can go some other day.” Mathias uncertainly. “Like I said it's only a headache truly,” I said with a faint smile.” And I would love to come along with you as I have a shopping list from my son and I need to buy something from him before I leave for London.” I doubted whether Marc will allow me to travel to London that easily but I still had my fingers crossed. After the goodnight, I walked slowly up the stairs to my room thinking that tomorrow would be another day and I could spend it away from Marc’s disturbing presence after all, I did want to buy something for Tio and Naviglio was a very beautiful tourist place and I could shop for Tio. Perhaps as a result of my rest earlier that day, I found sleep very difficult to come. In addition to my problems with Marc, the separation from Tio was beginning to play on my nerves. The phone conversation was no substitute for his actual presence. He had sounded disappointed at lunchtime when I had told him that I was to stay in Milan for the rest of the week. Perhaps I had made the wrong decision once again I thought tossing and turning on the bed and if Marc decided to continue the actions that he did today, I would be unable to remain in control?The throbbing pain in my head had increased rapidly and I reached for the light and switched it on causing me to scramble out of the bed and head for the bathroom cabinet frantically. I searched the shelves and there were numerous bottles of disinfects and sunscreen lotions but there was no painkiller in the drawers. Then I remembered putting a few tablets in my purse before the journey and I had never used them. I close the cabinet door and returned to my bedroom opening the nearest wardrobe. After a few moments of searching, I realized that my bag was not where it should be. I was beginning to feel very dizzy now, as the pain of my head was throbbing with pain. I stood up with a groan of dismay and went and sighed before going back into the bed. I remembered now that I had left the bag in the lounge and because of Marc's disturbing news I had forgotten to bring it. “OMG !” I had briefly taken the bag down because I had carried my book with me as I wanted to sit and read it.Without any hope that someone will come and give me the medicine and knowing that, it was a matter of time before I will scream with pain, I decided to go and get it from the lounge.The tension in my head increased and I had to accept the inevitable. Wrapping a cotton drape around my body. I took a deep breath and opened my bedroom door.With unsteady feet, I began to descend the stairs but when I reached down, I saw with dismay that the corridor leading to the lounge and Marc's study was in deep shadow and I had a distinct feeling that someone or something was watching me. “Argh………!” I give a barely suppressed scream as a hand gripped my shoulder and Marc's voice demanded.” Why are you here at this time of the night ?”