CHAPTER 29 #2
My eyes landed on Amelia and she smiled, waving at me dramatically. I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement. The man with his arm around her waist—Ivan—showed me a timid smile before lowering his wife’s arm.
“She looks beautiful,” I whispered over to Antonio, but when I looked at him, he was staring at me with wondrous eyes.
It was as though he held every single star in his eyes tonight. The chandelier lights bounced gently off his skin, making it glow.
“You’re going to make me fall in love with you if you keep looking at me like that,” I whispered up at him and the corner of his mouth lifted into a smile.
“That’s all a man ever truly needs,” he whispered back and I felt a huge blush coat my cheeks. “Stop blushing. You’re turning me on,” he lowered his voice and I snapped my head away from him, looking out at everyone while trying not to smile like an idiot. Here we go.
“Nirah dear.”
My heart raced as their mother—I’m guessing because the resemblance between her and Amelia was uncanny—approached us.
She had black hair that was pushed back into a sleek ponytail. Her eyes were an olive green, and her cheeks were coated in a light shade of pink. She was dressed beautifully in a black dress that was floor-length as well.
She was stunning and didn’t look a day older than fifty.
She graciously smiled at her daughter before lifting her eyes to meet mine. Before I could even get a word out I was pulled into her arms. “Hello, little one,” she squeezed me in her arms and I was taken by complete surprise.
She pulled away and started going off in Italian. She was smiling and looked excited as she practically sped through her words. I simply looked over at Antonio to see him trying not to smile too much and Amelia who nodded in agreement with her mother.
When their mother finally stopped talking she pulled me into a hug once again. As she pulled back, Antonio spoke in Italian and she looked over at him in surprise.
Her face slightly changed for a second and my heart nearly leaped out of my chest. She dropped her shoulders, shaking her head. “It’s okay,” she brushed it off. “My English is not the best either,” she spoke in a soft Italian accent and I smiled.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you,” I admitted, feeling my nerves disintegrate.
“I just can’t believe you’re real,” she said and Antonio looked taken back. “I mean, I know my son, and even though I love him, I know he’s not the easiest and most fun person to be around,” she almost whispered and I snickered. “I have always been afraid he’d end up alone,” she teased.
“I can be fun,” he defensively said and Amelia scoffed.
“Yeah right. Your definition of fun is staying up an hour later than your usual bedtime, I mean come on—what are you, an old man?” she practically laughed in his face and their mother sighed.
“Who called mamma, crying, because little Ivan forgot to buy her, her favorite fucking candy?” he asked and she frowned.
“It was about more than just candy and you know it!” she snapped back and their mother stepped in.
“Behave. Both of you,” she demanded and Amelia rolled her eyes at Antonio. “Now, leave Nirah and I,” she shooed them away and Antonio looked over at me. He kissed my temple before walking away with Amelia.
“Do they always bicker like that?” I asked as Amelia hit Antonio’s arm repeatedly.
“When don’t they?” is all she rhetorically asked, walking towards a waiter to grab a flute of champagne and I followed behind.
“Bruno,” their mother said and an older man turned around—wearing an expensive grey suit with a shiny diamond watch on his wrist that held a champagne glass.
She took his arm and introduced him as her husband—and their father—and me as Antonio’s fiancée.
“Ah…” he acknowledged. “Nirah Joy, right?” he slightly tilted his head to the right and I felt a chill run down my spine. His voice…
“Yes,” I smiled and he extended his hand towards me.
“Bruno De Luca.”
His palm was rough when we shook hands. The three of us started conversing about Antonio and me, including our upcoming wedding.
Mr. De Luca held a defensive and taunting tone throughout the entire conversation.
He’d insinuate things—indirectly—and I’d simply smile, answering him as politely as I could. Just do it for Antonio.
I felt uncomfortable speaking to him without Antonio but suppressed it, realizing that it was probably just the nerves kicking in. As he spoke, I grabbed onto the material on my dress, subtly fiddling with it while maintaining respectful eye contact.
“Yes, that’s right,” his mother softly said.
“Although, your wedding is only days away,” he said and I nodded. “I personally find it atrocious that you’re rushing into the wedding so soon,” he casually said and his eyes dropped to my neck. To my necklace. “Was this your idea or my son’s?”
“It was a mutual decision,” I answered and he slowly nodded, clearly not believing me.
Mrs De Luca left for the bathroom and Mr. De Luca took a step towards me. “Tell me, Nirah, did my son buy you that?” he asked, keeping his eyes on my necklace.
“Yes. My fiancé did.” My answer came out braver than expected, which made his eyes snap up to me.
“And what do you do for a living?”
“Does it matter?” I smiled. “Respectfully, I don’t think that my career—whether I have one or not—has anything to do with you.”
He gave me a single nod and spat out another question. “Where did you meet my son?” he almost interrogated me, and I swallowed hard.
“Antonio didn’t tell you?” I asked as he stepped closer.
“It seems that little detail might have slipped his mind,” he calmly shrugged his shoulders and I felt heat coursing through my veins. “Unless it’s something he’s ashamed of admitting.”
“Maybe that’s something you don’t know because your son doesn’t need to report to you,” I said and the corners of his eyes crinkled. “First you insinuate that I’m here for his money, then you accuse him of being ashamed of me?” I asked and he licked his lips, taking a sip of his champagne.
“I did no such thing,” he grinned, hovering the glass over his lips with his head slightly tilted back.
“Let’s just get one thing clear,” I softly said and I could tell that I had his full attention now.
“You don’t know anything about me and clearly your son doesn’t want you to know anything about him either.
So, don’t try and intimidate me because it won’t work.
If you want to know something, you can go directly to your son, because trust me, you’re not getting anything out of me. ”
“You’re a cheeky little thing,” his right eyebrow lifted.
“No. I just don’t take crap from disrespectful old men.”
His jaw tightened and I felt the air shift beside me as an arm wrapped around my waist. “Mamma needs your help in the guest bedroom.” Antonio’s voice was stern.
“No, ‘ hello ’?” his father grinned and Antonio’s hand tightened on my waist. Bruno finished his champagne and handed me the glass. “You know where the kitchen is, don’t you love?” he taunted and his eyes shot up to meet Antonio’s.
“I wasn’t put on this earth to do a man’s bidding,” I said, putting the glass out against his chest.
When he didn’t take it, I dropped it, and the glass shattered into a million pieces on the floor. Something dark and disapproving flashed across his face, and I showed him a polite smile. His body jerked as if he wanted to step closer to me but he knew Antonio wouldn’t let him get that far.
“You’re making my mother wait for you and I don’t like it,” Antonio broke the silence and his father’s deadly gaze snapped up to him.
“You’re speaking down on your father now?” he stepped closer to Antonio.
“I’m not going to disrespect my fiancée by arguing with you right now.”
His father scoffed, looking down at me. “You’re turning him soft, I see.” Mr. De Luca looked me up and down before stepping around Antonio.
Antonio stopped him by grabbing his upper arm. “Don’t come into my house, disrespecting my fiancée. Or we’ll have that talk you so desperately want in a boxing ring.”
His father met his eyes and Antonio grinned. He muttered something in Italian and his fathers jaw ticked before he pulled away and disappeared.
The staff immediately rushed towards us and Antonio gently took my arm, stepping back.
Picking up my dress, I left the room and headed out to the pool area—I needed to breathe.
Soon, Antonio joined me and I immediately apologized.
“I’m so sorry, I really am—he just kept insinuating these awful things and I tried being nice—” he cut me off by grabbing my waist and kissing me.
My body stilled, until he slowly broke the kiss.
“Don’t be sorry.”
“What? I thought you’d be mad at me…”
“I don’t fucking like the man either,” he shrugged his shoulders.
“Why do you not like him?” I asked and his expression changed. I automatically shook my head, brushing it off. “Never mind. Forget I asked.”
“If anyone else gives you crap in this house I don’t want you to hold your tongue, do you hear me?” he asked and I nodded.
“When have I ever held my tongue, De Luca?” I whispered and he smiled.
Leaning up onto my toes, my lips met his in a passion-filled kiss. He wrapped both arms around my waist, pulling my body towards his.
“Antonio!” his mother hissed, hitting his arm and we broke the kiss.
“Stop it!” she demanded and he lifted his arms, trying to shield himself from her.
“Lord, please forgive my son,” she said, signing a cross across her chest. “He does not know how to stop sinning!” She hit his arm again and I hid my smile as I tried not to laugh.
“Ah, Mamma,” he groaned. “She’s my fiancée—”
“She’s not your wife yet! Stop corrupting her!” his mother reprimanded and I heard Amelia snicker. “May the Lord be with your sinful soul,” she prayed and walked over to me. “Come child,” she carefully took my arm, and I looked back to see him throwing his head back.
I smiled, watching him drop his head before our eyes meet. Shrugging my shoulders I laughed, walking inside with his mother.
She introduced me to Antonio’s cousin’s wife, Aurora. I tried putting my hand out but she pulled me in for a hug. I guess they’re huggers.
Her name perfectly defined her. She was soft, delicate and full of light. Aurora had a five-year-old son—Emmanuel, and her baby was also due in a few weeks and everyone was over the moon. “You look amazing, mi amore ,” Aurora smiled.
“Thank you,” I said, taking a step back to admire her dress. “You look incredible, Aurora. Baby bumps suit you,” I nodded.
“Oh,” she gasped. “The baby kicked!” she shrieked. “Do you want to feel?” She took my hand, placing it on her stomach. Her baby kicked again and I couldn’t hide my excitement.
“That’s adorable,” I jutted out my bottom lip.
“It is, but it sure as hell keeps you up at night,” she laughed letting go of my hand.
“I wouldn’t mind,” I admitted.
“Is that a hint or…”
“No no no,” I quickly said, waving my hands in front of me. “I’m too young and I doubt Antonio would want any little beings running around just yet,” I said, and she nodded.
“I’m sure he’d want a million if it meant you’d give them to him,” she said. “But as for now, this pregnant woman needs a seat, my feet are killing me,” she groaned.
I walked her to a chair before I was introduced to more of Antonio’s family members.
I finally saw him sitting at one of the tables, so I decided to join him. I sat across from him and he took a sip of his drink.
“Now, why would you sit on a chair when my lap is empty?” he asked, slightly lifting his hips.
I smiled, but immediately shook all the dirty thoughts away.
Before I could speak, little Emmanuel ran up to me. He had a piece of cake in one hand and the other was covered in frosting. He tugged on the hem of my dress and I smiled, looking down.
“Yes?” I said, and he raised both his arms in the air. I lifted him onto my lap and we faced Antonio.
“Wanna dance with me, Nirah?” he asked in the most adorable Italian accent with his cheeks covered in frosting.
“Did you just ask my fiancée to dance?” Antonio playfully asked.
“ Si ,” Emmanuel smiled. “Antonio, you’re no fun just sitting here. I will have fun with her. Right? You want to dance and have fun don’t you?” he asked.
“Yes, of course,” I chuckled and he brightly smiled, hopping off of my lap.
He put his little hand out and I took it, instantly feeling the frosting between my fingers, but I didn’t mind one bit. “Antonio, she’s my fiancée now,” he stuck his tongue out, dragging me to the dance floor.
I turned back to Antonio and playfully mouthed, “Your competition.”