Prologue Athena
The night is warm, and the sky is dark navy with sparkling stars. It looks like navy velvet with diamonds.
Roberto is leaning against his black Audi, looking at me. The man is gorgeous. He is tall, has dark hair, and has a toned athletic build.
I love the red dress that I decided to wear. It clings to my curves and flows around my thighs, making it very sexy and feminine. I know that he likes it because his eyes roam up and down my body.
He makes me feel beautiful.
I walk up to Roberto, smiling, gazing into his honey-colored eyes with long black lashes.
“Ciao, bella,” He says, moving his arms, wrapping them around my waist.
He kisses me softly and slides his tongue into my mouth, tangling with mine. He pulls away, moving his hand and wrapping it around my neck. A possessive move, very dominant, kisses me again. I pull away, smiling up at him.
“Roberto, I’m ready.”
“Bene, let’s go because I have reservations at Ristorante di Lago.
“Oh yeah, that is a nice restaurant.”
“It is, bella.”
He helps me into his car and closes the door. I pull the seat belt and buckle up. I look at him and enter the car, turning it on. He turns on the stereo, and Andrea Bocelli flows out of the speakers.
“Let’s go,” Robert hums, taking my hand.
He pulls out of my driveway and onto the road. I look out the window at the beautiful view of Sacramento from Folsom. It takes a few minutes to get to the restaurant.
A few minutes later, we’re sitting at a table with an amazing view. The waiter takes our order. He smiles at me, takes my hand, and gazes into my eyes.
He’s so intense and attentive. I love it. He makes me feel special. I smile at him, holding his hand.
The waiter brings our food, and we start eating.
“Bella, are you happy with your job?”
“Yes, I love being a nurse. It’s challenging since it’s always busy in the ER, but it’s very rewarding to help people get well.”
“Athena, have you ever been to Italy?”
“No. I’ve been going to school, and now I’m working at the hospital.”
“Bella, you would love Italy. Maybe someday I could take you.”
“Ah, that sounds wonderful,” I say, moving my hair from my face.
“Athena, did you enjoy your Lasagne alla Bolognese,” Roberto asks, lifting his red wine.
“Yes, I did; it was delicious,” I say, smiling, staring at him.
“Bene.”
The man is handsome, rich, and so charming. I wonder why he’s out with me? I mean, I’m pretty, but I’m not rich. Yes, Dad’s the mayor of Folsom, and we live a comfortable lifestyle, but I’m a simple nurse, for heaven's sake.
Why is he even interested in me?
The man can have any wealthy and beautiful woman he wants. We’ve been dating since I met him, and it’s a little overwhelming. I grab my water glass and take a drink. I hold the glass, watching him do his routine before drinking the wine.
Roberto swirls the wine in the glass, closes his eyes, and inhales the wine. He smiles and takes a sip, nodding.
I take a drink of my wine and close my eyes, enjoying the exquisite flavor. He takes my hand, and I open my eyes, smiling.
“Athena, I enjoy spending time with you, and I pray that you do too.”
“Roberto, I do too. I love every moment.”
Roberto smiles, moves my hand, and kisses my wrist. My gut twists, and my heart pounds.
“Athena, will you marry me?”
“Oh my, yes.”
Roberto slides his hand into his suit pocket and pulls out a ring. The diamond is huge, and the lights make it sparkle. He slides it on my finger and kisses me. He pulls back, smiling, and wipes the tears from my face.
Oh my, this is quick. I need time to think.
I blink, looking at the huge princess-cut diamond; my heart is pounding so fast. I don’t know if I’m thrilled or fucking scared. I know that I have feelings but are they feelings for a lifetime? I don’t want to say no, I know that, but there’s something, an unease at the back of my mind.
I’m so damn stupid.
I need to think and decide if what I feel is love.
“Thank you for saying yes.”
“Welcome.”
“I would like to get married in a few weeks.”
“So soon? Would we have time to plan the wedding?”
“Bella mia, yes, we have time. Don’t worry. Tell me what you want, and I'll take care of it.”
“Oh, okay. Could you give me a few weeks to think about it?”
“Bella, I’ll give you two weeks to think about the wedding. Then you give me the list, and I’ll take care of it. You only worry about the wedding dress.”
“Oh my, you’re wonderful.”
I walk into the house a little giddy, totally feeling like a princess. I look at the ring, and my heart flutters. A gush of excitement makes it difficult to breathe. I inhale and exhale to calm down.
I can’t believe that Roberto asked me to marry him.
I’m excited but a little scared; it’s too soon. We just started dating a couple of months ago.
I chew my lower lip, looking down the hall at my Dad’s office door. I hope that he’s not there. I don’t want to talk about this, I want time to think, to enjoy this moment.
I start walking down the hallway, and the office door opens. Dad stands at the door, looking at me.
“Athena, I need to talk to you.”
“Dad, could it wait until morning?”
“No. We need to talk.”
“Okay,” I mutter, nodding.
Dad walks into the office, and I walk inside, standing by the door. Dad walks over to get a glass of brandy from the bar. He takes a drink and holds the glass in his hand turning to look at me.
“Roberto talked to me this morning, and he stated that he was going to ask you to marry him. Did he ask you?”
Fuck!
I hate that they’re friends.
Dad walks to his desk and places the glass on it. He grabs a cigar, smells it, closes his eyes, and nods. He then grabs the cutter, removes the cap, and takes a cold draw.
“Hmmm.”
He lights up the cigar and takes a few puffs, then turns to look at me.
“Yes, he did.”
“Did you say yes?”
“Yes, I did, but I asked him to give me time.”
“Athena, this is very important to me; therefore, I demand that you accept Roberto’s proposal without any delays. He’s going to finance my campaign to run for Governor,” Dad hums, holding the cigar in his hand as he stares at me.
I hate that he’s using me for his political ambition. I don’t want Robert to want me like that.
No, Roberto loves me.
He treats me like a princess.
I don’t know when Dad became such a jerk. After Mom died in the car accident, he became cold and distant. I don’t understand; he acts as if I’m not his daughter.
“Dad, but I need time. I did say yes, so what’s the problem?”
“Are you dense? I need you to accept and marry the man. I can’t risk losing his support. So don’t fucking cause issues, do you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“Excellent, now go and call him. Tell him that you will marry next month.”
“Is that all?”
I can’t help being sarcastic, but I’m so mad.
“Oh my, I love this place. I love their filet mignon. It’s always so good,” I hum, taking a drink of my wine.
“Yeah, this place is my favorite,” Beth hums, grabbing her glass of water.
“Hell, come on, tell us,” Vanessa says, leaning close.
“Well, Roberto proposed, and I said yes,” I say, showing them the engagement ring and looking at my girls.
“Hell, that’s a gorgeous ring,” Beth says, wide-eyed.
“Oh fuck! You’re crazy, but the ring is amazing,” Stacy says, moving her head from side to side.
“Yeah, it’s a little fast, but I do have feelings for him. He treats me like a princess, and why wait?” I hum, taking another drink.
“It sounds exciting as if he can’t wait to marry you,” Vanessa hums, smiling.
“Wow, when’s the wedding,” Beth asks, holding her fork and waving it as she talks.
“I’m not sure, we haven’t set a date, but it’s within the next couple of months,” I say, smiling.
“Oh my, we need to start planning your bachelorette party,” Stacy says, waving her arms.
“Hell, yes! Let’s go to Vegas ASAP,” Beth says, nodding.
“Yes, that would be awesome,” I hum.