Chapter 16 Ayanna
sixteen
Ayanna
The room was in full-blown chaos. Teo’s mother was making last-minute adjustments to her dress while speaking to my mother in hushed tones.
Around them, people rushed everywhere - Tasha and Sophia taking turns with their phones, the planner, frantically running in and out with flowers and gifts, and somewhere behind me, the stylist fussing over a bridesmaid’s missing earrings.
“Have you seen a small black tote bag? Bout this big?” I heard her ask another person who was also working on this wedding. I could only assume she gestured with her hands to indicate the size of the bag.
“Oh, yeah. I saw that. Check next to the bookshelf, over there.”
I took a deep breath, letting their mindless chatter fade into the background. The morning had been your typical wedding madness, but I couldn’t even focus on that because I was nervous.
More than I expected to be.
Yes, I’ve known Teo my whole life, but it didn’t make becoming his wife feel any less overwhelming.
“Will you excuse me for a minute?” I stood, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
My makeup was natural, with just enough eyeshadow to highlight my eyes without overpowering them, perfectly glossed lips, and one wavy curl flowing from the bun that sat atop my head.
Shit. This is really happening.
“Sure thing.” My stylist murmured, while my mother’s worried, “Everything alright, dear?” came out simultaneously.
“Everything is fine. I just need to use the restroom.”
Picking up my cell from the table, I clutched it tightly as I headed toward the door.
The cool metal of the phone was oddly comforting.
Strangely, I genuinely needed to hear his voice.
Not wanted, but needed. In the past I’d gone months without talking to him, and suddenly twenty-four hours without him felt like a lifetime.
The minute I was in what my in-laws called a bathroom, my finger tapped on his beautiful face displayed on my screen. There was no hesitation like all the other times. Today it was hurried, but felt normal. And needed.
“Amore.” His voice came through immediately.
“I needed to hear your voice,” I said without preamble. “I miss you.”
The words came out more vulnerable than I intended. Maybe I sounded weak. No, not weak, but needy. And for once, I didn’t care.
“I miss you too, baby. You sound stressed.”
“I am. This is... a lot.”
No more than the words left my mouth was he video calling me. His light caramel face filled my screen, and his dark curls sat behind his tapered line up.
“Let me see your face, Yanna.” He demanded.
Again, there was no hesitation when I answered. “Hey, you.”
He said nothing for a long while, just let his eyes devour me, looking at me like he wanted to consume me through the phone screen. His eyes moved over my face with that intensity that always made my stomach flip. And when he licked his lips... Dear God.
“There’s my beautiful wife.” He finally found his voice, but still seemed like he was trying to find the proper words. “You look... fuckin’ incredible.”
Warmth spread slowly... everywhere. “We’re not supposed to see each other.” I whispered, not quite able to hide the breathlessness in my voice.
He shrugged. “You needed me, so here I am. I don't give a fuck about traditions, only about you.” His gaze softened slightly. “Better?”
I nodded, already feeling the tension in my shoulders ease. “Yeah. Much better.”
After a brief moment of silence, we simply sat there, just existing in each other’s presence across the screen.
Reluctantly, I looked at the closed door behind me. Still hearing Lidia and her crew in the other room, I knew I had to return to the madness. “I have to go. They’ll be looking for me soon.”
“I’ll see you at the altar.” He gave me that insanely gorgeous smile, and said. “Go ahead and get back. I’ll see you in a bit.”
The call ended and I stared at the black screen for a moment, feeling completely centered. Whatever chaos was waiting in that room, I could handle it now.
When I stepped back through the door, the noise hit me again. But this time it felt manageable.
“There she is,” Tasha called out as I made my way back to my chair. “We were about to send a search party.”
“Sorry, just needed a minute.” I settled back into my spot, my hands smoothing down the lone strand lying against my cheek.
Sophia glanced up from her phone, studying my face. “You look better. Less... frazzled.”
“I am.” I looked around the room. “What did I miss?”
“Gifts!” Sophia screeched. “These just came for you.”
Two boxes. One signature blue gift box—leather and rectangle. The other, a flat square, nothing overly fancy but still wrapped neatly.
My eyes immediately went to the iconic Tiffany blue box. I’d recognize that shade anywhere. My heart did a little flutter as I reached for it first.
“Something blue,” I whispered, running my fingers over the smooth surface.
“Of course that man went to Tiffany’s,” Tasha shook her head with a grin. “That man loves you hunny.” Her giggle was contagious.
“You just might be right.”
I carefully untied the white ribbon, then lifted the lid. At the sight of the sapphire necklace, I actually gasped, audibly. It was stunning. Deep blue stones set in brilliant platinum casings.
“Holy shit, Yanna,” Sophia breathed, leaning closer. “That’s gorgeous.”
Beneath the necklace was a small card in Teo’s handwriting. Just seeing his familiar scrawl made my chest warm all over again.
No matter the road, every path was always going to lead to us. See you at the altar to start our new beginnings, Amore mio. — Teo.
“Will you?” I asked, holding up the necklace to Tasha.
“Of course, girl.” She moved behind me, her fingers gentle as she lifted the delicate chain. “Lean forward a little.”
I tilted my head down, allowing her to clasp the necklace around my neck. The cool metal settled against my skin, and I couldn’t help but run my fingers along the stones.
“Perfect,” Tasha murmured, stepping back to admire the look.
Just then, the planner poked her head through the door. “Mrs. Donatelli, Mrs. Reed? The families are arriving. The elders are requesting you both for formal introductions.”
Teo’s mother, who had been quietly watching us from the side of the room, stood running her fingers over her A-line silk gown. “Of course. Where’s Marco?”
“Already downstairs with the other men,” Lidia replied.
My mother, who too had been watching, stood and came over to kiss my cheek. “You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart. That blue is perfect on you.”
Then she turned to Teo’s mother. “Come on. Let’s go play the perfect hosts.”
They left with the planner, taking all of Lidia’s staff with them. Suddenly the room felt quieter, with only the three of us.
“Now,” Sophia said, eyeing the second box, “what’s in that one?”
“Let’s find out.” I opened the other box, and instantly stilled at what was inside. This time, tears, almost fell.
“How did he find this...” I murmured, holding up the rose gold bracelet Teo had given me on my 18th birthday.
That thing had long been gone. Matter of fact the last time I’d actually laid eyes on it was when Teo returned it to me at that restaurant, almost six months ago.
I’d been so careful with it after that, but somehow it still disappeared from my jewelry box not to long after.
I turned it over in my palm, tracing the engraved words I’d never seen before: Nothing lost is ever truly forgotten. My chest tightened as I read it again.
My mind drifted back to that day and how happy I had been to see him, despite what my mouth said..
“Your little boyfriend got you sitting here waiting? And by yourself” My brother startled me sliding into a chair next to me. “Lame ass.” He sucked his teeth, irritated.
It wasn’t the first time Bash had voiced his disdain for my new boyfriend.
I rolled my eyes. “I told him to meet me here, Bash. Why are you tripping?”
“That nigga should’ve picked you up, or beat you here. You shouldn’t be out here by yourself. The fuck?”
“No one has beef with me, Bash. I’m just fine sitting here without supervision.” I told him, picking up the menu. “Everyone isn’t out to get me. Besides, I haven’t been waiting long and Corey should be here in a minute.”
“That’s not really the point.” My brother continued, while I proceeded to tune him out . He went on and on about Corey’s absence, then about me being alone like I’m some damsel in distress.
“I thought you were meeting Teo. Why you all in my business?” I finally asked, cutting him off mid rant. I gave him a pointed stare. Not that he’d ever flinch.
As if I’d spoken Teo and his fine, overbearing self up, he approached the table with all of his dominant energy. He was just as bad as Bash.... if not worse.
The slow crawl of awareness that always settled deep in my bones when he was near settled over me.
“You here by yourself?” Teo eyes squinted, as he looked around the restaurant, and I sighed, straightening my back.
Bash smirked, noticing the way my posture adjusted at his question. Just because my body had a mind of it’s own didn’t stop me from saying, “Oh my God. What is with you two?”
“I’ll be at our table when y’all are done,” Bash nodded toward the back of the restaurant, leaving me to fend for myself under Teo’s intense gaze.
I huffed out a breath, slightly annoyed, but also happy to see him. It had been a couple of months since he’d been in town.
“You here by yourself?” he asked again, his voice smoother this time, but no less firm.
I rolled my eyes. “I told Bash, and now I’m telling you—I’m waiting for Corey. He’s on his way.”
Teo didn’t move right away, only stood there for a second, looking me over. Then, before I could react, he slid into the seat Bash had just vacated, settling in like he would be staying for a while.
My eyes narrowed, and my back straightened. “What are you doing?”
“Getting comfortable,” he said easily, picking up a menu and browsing through it like he was my date.