Lila has asked me to lie for her and for Nino. Our conversation turns in my head as I toss and turn in this stuffy Ischia bedroom, refusing to turn my flesh over to the mosquitos. I swat my skin, think of them feasting on my sweet blood and supple flesh and so my mind drifts to Nino: Nino rising from the ocean, shaking salt water across the dry sand, towelling off his tan, sun-warmed lanky build. His swim shorts dip below his waist, illuminating the crease.
They have asked me to lie. Lila, who is selfish and wants to hurt me. Nino who looks at me but not the way he stares at Lila when she is not looking. I will lie, but only to spite them. I wait for them to be found out. Stefano will fly into a rage of fury and ruin Lila as she has ruined him. Nino will lose all publishing prospects as Professor Galiani turns her back on him. He will no longer be the golden boy, the object of the world's admiration and the center of mine. Seeing their future downfall comforts me and I sleep soundly.