54. Ara
The girls are staring at the shiny ring on my wedding finger as we sit at our local café Monday morning. I haven’t seen them for over a month with the crossover of my father’s entitlements, estates, and companies falling to me.
As organized with Dmitri, two days after I killed Ivan, documents and damming evidence was sent to the police and I was there to pick up the pieces. At the time, I didn’t care if some of his businesses went bust amongst the scandal, but what surprised me was the support I received from certain backers. A reminder I’d made an impression in this world outside of my father’s shadow.
With Luca’s support it was enough encouragement for me to properly fulfill the chair as CEO and so I’d busily done everything in my power to keep the companies afloat and help them to thrive again.
I’d left my stepmother and half-brother the estate in Boston and a charitable amount that would far surpass their lifetime. I’d realized even though they didn’t necessarily feel like my family because of the wedge my father drove between us, they weren’t to blame for my misery.
The barista walks over with my vanilla caramel latte and places it in front of me because Lily is still holding my hand and gawking at the size of the rock.
“Shiiiiiit,” Romi says in disbelief. Her chosen sweatshirt after her hot yoga class says: I match energy. “How the fuck have two of us got engaged within six weeks? Did I miss the memo or something?”
“It’s beautiful, Ara. I knew there was something between you two…but you know people are still talking about Sienna’s engagement party?” she says quietly as if she’s contributing to the gossip.
“Yeah I heard about that, some wild shit.” Romi chimes in. “He just came out of nowhere and swung, huh? Now that I wish I’d seen.”
“I never thought Luca was capable of something like that.” If only they knew. “He must’ve been really mad you took someone else besides him. If only your father hadn’t forced you to-” Lily cuts off. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring him up. Is everything okay with that?”
I shrug. “I’m really disgusted by the things he did. I’m just focusing on me and the companies right now.” I sound so innocent as if it hadn’t been me that was the one who singlehandedly put him behind those bars.
I wanted him to rot for what he did. Death was too easy a way out for him.
The bell chimes and Sienna bursts through the door. “I’m sorry I’m late. Show me! Show me the ring!” She squeals excitedly as she throws her bag onto the empty chair and snatches my hand. “Oh my god! We’re getting married!” She squeals in excitement.
I’m flabbergasted and overwhelmed by her energy. “Well not right away. I told Luca I wanted to wait at least a year.” Despite his insistence we immediately elope, I wanted to settle the storm I’d created and put the fires out first. The wait however did come under one condition.
“So you two are flying out to Italy today?” Romi asks.
“That’s exciting you’re meeting your grandmother for the first time,” Lily adds.
Truth be told, I was filled with an unfamiliar emotion.
I am nervous to meet her.
What if she doesn’t like me?
What if I look nothing like her daughter?
What if she wants nothing to do with me?
It was Luca who had found her whereabouts and speed tracked my passport giving me no other option but to go. I’d confessed my love for him but he was still a controlling asshole. So, I chose my battles. Now I realize it’s more so the bite he likes.
“Yeah it’ll be interesting to meet her and we stay there for five nights,” I admit.
“That’s so exciting!” Sienna enthusiastically chimes as she waves over the barista for her tea. I watch as the girls talk amongst themselves updating one another from their previous week and I find a moment of ease.
They might not know my secrets but at least I can try and give them the best version of myself going forward. Because despite how different we might all be, truth be told I still feel like I come from an entirely different world. They let me sit here and have done so from the moment I moved to this city.
I’ll always be grateful for that.
The doorbell chimes and my jaw drops as Luca strides in casually wearing an immaculate suit. It seems strange to see him in the average little coffee shop.
Lily’s mouth snaps shut as Lorenzo strides in behind him and tension obviously ripples through the few morning patrons because they stick out. Always have and always will.
I shoot out of my chair. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to pick up my fiancé for our flight of course,” Luca says casually as he walks to our table. He presses a kiss to my cheek. “Ladies.” He acknowledges my friends. “I’m sorry to impose on your time but I’m hoping I might be able to steal her away a little earlier.”
They all enthusiastically nod in unison, as if awestruck. “Of course. Yeah, that’s totally fine,” Romi rambles.
Lily briefs another rosy cheeked glance at Lorenzo. His gaze dips to her momentarily but she’s quick to stare back to her coffee.
“I thought you said midday?” I ask him. I intended to still go to the office this morning.
“Plans have changed,” he simply says not the slightest bit fazed as he collects my things.
Lorenzo is already waiting by the door, holding it open as I’m all but dragged out.
“Have fun girl!” Sienna cheers as I reluctantly leave.
I wait until the door closes behind us before I challenge Luca. “I thought you were driving Dario to rehab?”
“I did,” he says matter of fact as he walks us towards the black waiting car. The rift between the Armani brothers may never heal but I was certain by the fact Luca took him personally to rehab showed in his own way, he still did care. That he hadn’t entirely given up on him. Even if he couldn’t confess it out loud.
“Wait, stop. How did you even know I was here?” I demand, and in my peripheral, I can see Lorenzo purposefully avoiding my gaze. The snitch.
“That and I have a tracker on your phone,” Luca casually says.
“You what?”
Luca cocks an arrogant smile. “I’ve already packed your things and Lorenzo will be looking after Tuna for the next five nights. We’re flying to Italy now.”
I choke on a laugh. “We can’t just leave. I still have a company to run. Actually, multiple now. And I told them I’d be in the office until midday.”
“As cute as that is. We’ve both been working overtime the past month, wouldn’t you say?” He hints quietly in case anyone might overhear.
“I can’t just—”
“Arabella. If you thought I was overbearing before you have a lot to learn about how I am as a fiancée.”
Fiancée. It still sounds strange.
“It still doesn’t just mean I’m going to drop to your every whim,” I snide back and cross my arms over my chest.
“Are you going to make me throw you over my shoulder again?”
My jaw opens. I know he’ll do it.
“People will be uncertain with the changeover and what’s happening with my father and—”
He flips me over his shoulder and I hit his back with a hard oomf. “You’ve already dealt with that, sweetheart. Don’t coddle them. If they have a problem, they can take it up with me.”
“I thought you said you’d give me space,” I scold.
“Look at us already bickering like a married couple.” He steps out onto the street. “It looks like as usual I might have to punish you for speaking out of line.”
“I might just dump your sorry ass.”
A dark malicious laugh wraps around me like a vice.
“Until death do us part, my little stalker. You won’t be getting rid of me that easily.”