The week flies by, filled with passionate reunions with Ezio. Still living at Andy's place, our separation makes us more imaginative in our sexual encounters. When I'm not in Ezio's arms, I'm working in the studio, putting the final touches on my album. This frenetic pace helps me push aside my apprehension about Saturday night and chase away any intrusive, negative thoughts.

Saturday morning. I wake up with a knot in my stomach, anxious. Feeling nauseous, I rush to the bathroom and vomit into the toilet. I hear footsteps hurrying behind me and feel Andy's hand holding my hair.

"Damn it, May, this is the third time this week you've started your day with your head in the toilet. Don't you think you should see a doctor ?"

"It's nothing, just my anxiety taking over."

"Hm, I'm not convinced, and since I knew you'd try to wriggle out of this, I got you this."

"A pregnancy test? Seriously ?" I exclaim, looking at the stick Andy is holding out to me.

"You two aren't exactly careful with protection, and given how often you two go at it, it's a valid concern."

I sigh and stand up.

"Yeah, we'll see about that later."

"No, you don't understand. You're not leaving this bathroom until you've peed on this stick. If necessary, I'll handcuff you to the toilet and watch you do it."

"No need for that. I can handle it myself," I resign, pushing Andy out of the bathroom.

"I'll be right outside the door, and I want to see the used stick as proof before I let you out," Andy shouts through the closed door.

I sigh at the words of my tormentor and examine the stick, my heart beating in rhythm with my anxiety.

"I hope you're wrong, Andy," I mutter, staring at the test in my hands.

I sit on the toilet and pee on the strip. I get dressed, open the door, and hand the test to Andy, saying, "There you go, ma'am. Can I come out now ?"

Andy looks satisfied and sits on the bed, leaving the way clear for me.

"Just a few minutes to wait, and we'll know."

I collapse onto the bed with a sigh. The minutes feel like hours, and suddenly I hear Andy scream.

"Don't tell me..."

"Yes, May, I'm going to be a godmother!" she exclaims joyfully, waving the holy grail in her hand.

I snatch it from her and examine it, convinced she's playing a prank. But unfortunately, the result is undeniable—the test is positive.

"This can't be happening! I can't be pregnant, not now !"

I start pacing and panicking, but Andy takes my arms and faces me.

"Hey, calm down. It's going to be okay."

"How can it be okay ? My career is taking off, my boyfriend is a freaking mafioso, and his family hates me. Our daily life is dangerous and absolutely not suitable for a baby. I'm not even ready for this idea, so imagine Ezio's reaction !"

"You should have thought about that before having unprotected sex like rutting teenagers."

I glare at Andy and turn away.

"Okay, May, breathe. Inhale, exhale."

I follow her instructions and calm down faster than I expected.

"Let's be pragmatic. You love Ezio, and he loves you. You have a roof over your head, jobs—controversial ones, but jobs nonetheless—and you have the financial means to support this baby. So why not consider this a happy event ?"

"Because I'm not ready. Yes, we took risks, but we didn't think it would actually happen."

"Give yourself time to digest the news, and in the meantime, I'll go with you to get some tests to find out how long this little one has been residing under your belly button," she declares, smiling broadly.

I smile at her tenderness and hug her.

"Thank you for being there for me and accompanying me on this journey."

"Of course, I'd do anything for you. By the way, I was serious earlier. I'm the godmother, and no one else. Otherwise, you'll be living on the street with a cardboard box for a blanket."

I laugh and lightly punch her shoulder.

"Anyway, tomorrow I'm moving back in with Ezio. This whole thing will be behind us, and we can move forward."

Andy nods, and we head to the lab. After the blood draw, I find Andy waiting for me.

"They said I'll get the results by email today."

"Good, let's grab a bite and clear our minds. It'll do us good."

We settle on the terrace of a restaurant and place our orders. The food arrives quickly, which is great because I'm starving.

"Have you decided about the baby ?"

"I can't consider abortion. There's a reason this baby came into our lives, and it's a product of my love with Ezio. You were right earlier, we have everything to welcome this child, so why not ?"

"True, but I didn't consider your feelings. You needed time to process, and maybe I was a bit too blunt."

"Don't worry, it's what I needed to hear. You are who you are, and I wouldn't change that. You always know how to comfort me."

"How do you feel now ?"

"Completely overwhelmed. I'm still confused about how I feel about this news, and even more anxious about telling Ezio. I'm really scared of his reaction."

"You two have never discussed this ?"

"No, never. I think neither of us saw it as a short-term plan."

"Do you know when or how you'll tell him ?"

"Not at all. I think I need to process this myself and have a clear mind before talking to him. Maybe it'll help him accept it better."

"Take the time you need. You'll know when it's the right moment. Or maybe there's never a perfect moment for this kind of news."

We laugh together and continue talking until a shadow falls over my face.

"May, what a surprise ! I come here often too," he says, sitting down uninvited.

"Oh, Gioele. Hello."

"I just wanted to tell you how much your latest song moved me. It's like you wrote it for me," he says, his intense gaze fixed on me.

"Th-Thank you, that's kind of you," I stammer, my forehead creased despite my smile.

"May, we have to go," Andy cuts in, standing up.

I nod and start to follow her example, but Gioele's hand on my wrist stops me.

"We'll meet again soon, Mayina," he says, a crazed smile as he releases me.

I stand there for a few seconds, stunned, until Andy's hand pulls me away from my turmoil.

"You need to tell Ezio about this guy. He's getting really creepy. Did you see his eyes?!"

"I'll be careful, but there's no need to worry Ezio right now."

"You're delaying the inevitable, May. This guy is a psycho !"

"Stop exaggerating. He'll calm down," I conclude.

Back at the apartment, I decide to start packing for my move tomorrow. Suddenly, my phone vibrates. I see the notification for the email with my test results. Heart racing, I find Andy to open it together. I skim through it and read out loud:

"Damn, it's been two months already !"

"What's been two months ?"

I freeze at the sound of Ezio's voice and turn pale upon seeing him. Sensing my panic, Andy quickly jumps in to cover for me.

"It's been two months that we've been working on the album, and we're still far from done," she says convincingly.

Ezio furrows his brow, looking skeptical but doesn't press further.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the opera ?" I ask, trying to mask my anxiety.

"Yes, but I couldn't go without seeing you first," he replies, stepping forward to embrace me.

We share a tender kiss, and Andy discreetly leaves us alone.

"Did you have a good day ?" he asks.

"A day like any other, and you?" I lie smoothly.

"It went alright. I'm eager to get tonight over with and move on," he says, his hand gently caressing the back of my neck as he pulls me closer for another kiss. Then he glances at his watch.

"Damn, I'm going to be late. I have to go, but I'll be thinking of you. I love you, May," he says before kissing me again.

"I love you too. See you tomorrow, Ezio."

He smiles and disappears down the stairs.

The evening passes smoothly. Surrounded by Andy and Salva, we have a pleasant time together. I head to bed, and about thirty minutes later, a series of knocks at my bedroom door wakes me up.

Still groggy, I struggle to discern the voices I hear, then I see Salva storming into my room.

"May ! Hurry, we need to get to Ezio's apartment, there's been a shooting at the opera !"