CHAPTER SEVEN
I rose and showered, lathering on the creams Mrs. Belfiore had left for me to moisturize my skin. Gone were the ultra-conservative clothes. She had two modest, yet fashionable dresses for me to try on. “This will have to do until you have your personal stylist and fashion consultant. This is a day-wear dress made from Italian silk.”
She checked my nails and pedicure. “These are holding up. I’ll ask his assistant to get you another appointment. I’ll insist he give you one to help you along.”
“Thank you,” I said as I slipped on the pale blue dress.
Mrs. Belfiore circled me, adjusting the fit. “Hmm. Try on the second one.” It was a midi dress with a light knit bodice and cinched waist. The skirt fell below my knees, but it was the best dress I’d ever worn. It also matched the shade of my blue eyes.
Mrs. Belfiore nodded. “Yes. This one. Now please fix her hair.” My hair was styled, in deep waves that were swept back in a clip. To my surprise, it brought a broader smile to her face. The stylist threaded my brows and applied a soft pencil and mascara to my eyes, and gloss to my lips.
“You remind me of myself at your age. Beautiful.”
My heart lifted. It was a compliment I’d never heard from her, and I didn’t know how to react. “Th-thank you, Mrs. Belfiore.”
She adjusted the fabric on my shoulders. “I need to go and speak with your grandfather. It’s best you stay quiet unless asked to speak during our lunch meeting. It will go like the other one, with you having papers to sign. Keep your shoulders back.” She pulled my shoulders back. “Back shows confidence. You’ll need it.”
Ding . The doorbell rang.
Mrs. Belfiore groaned. “Apparently, he’s early. Come out in five minutes.”
She rushed out with the stylist and Patricia on her heels.
Even dressed up, I still felt plain compared to the starlets and heiresses I’d seen Rocco with on social media. I took a few deep breaths, then walked out of the room.
My legs were stiff on the stairs. I could hear the low tones from my grandparents, letting me know that Rocco was with them. I glanced down from the second landing, and there he was.
Give me strength. He had to be over six feet tall, standing a head over my grandfather’s five-eleven height, whom he chatted with easily. With them being distracted, I let my stare linger on him. Rocco wore a one-button tailored suit and a tie. He had an athletic build, much bigger and broader than mine. His hair was stylish in dark waves that were a little long on the sides and touching his collar, making him look younger than his twenty-nine years.
His intense eyes lifted to me and took hold. I couldn’t turn away. He had me instantly transfixed. A soft smile spread across his full lips, and my pulse throbbed in my veins. The more he stared, the warmer I felt.
“Adelina,” Mrs. Belfiore sang out, breaking my haze where I still stood on the steps, gaping down at him. I jerked my head down to hide my hot face and blatant attraction.
“Mr. and Mrs. Belfiore, perhaps we should go sit down?” Rocco suggested.
I was grateful for Rocco’s distraction. He waited for me to reach the bottom of the stairs, where I inhaled sharply as I shook his hand. His scent was a spicy sandalwood that smelled pleasantly fragrant.
“Hello, Adelina. Lovely to see you.”
I flicked my eyes at him and his smile. He had a magnetism around him that drew me closer. Maybe it’s because of his celebrity status? Standing next to him, his strong, masculine presence was imposing. I felt…delicate.
He shook my hand formally, and mine trembled.
“Nervous?” he asked as we walked.
I nodded. “Aren’t you?”
“Not at all.” His voice was a smooth baritone.
I side-eyed him. “Sure. Marrying a stranger is just your normal Friday.”
I winced inwardly. It probably wasn’t a good idea to taunt my potential new husband. But Rocco let out a chuckle.
“It beats my Thursday.”
I suppressed my laughter, instead turning my face to blank as I glanced at my grandmother. She motioned for me to sit next to Rocco once we reached the dining room.
“Coffee?” she asked him, signaling Patricia to step forward.
“Water. Thanks,” Rocco said smoothly.
A team of lawyers entered, and documents were handed around. Brunch was also served, and brought out on platters full of pastries and fruits. I was hungry, but my stomach soured and my mouth felt full of cotton. It was a business meeting with many tabs and initialing between negotiations with the law teams.
On one of the documents, I read a short list of prep schools for a son. There was nothing left to chance. Once the lawyers approved, the papers were passed around to sign. Some voided all the agreements from Mr. Ashford over a week ago. And there was a new marriage license. They all were collected by Brenda, who notarized them to be filed later. It surprised me how easily Rocco had agreed to everything and signed the documents. We were now almost officially married.
“As I mentioned on our call, we have quite a number of events to attend before our wedding in Italy,” Rocco said and took a sip of his water.
My mouth dropped open and a thrill went down my spine. We’re marrying in Italy?
“Yes, we’re aware of the wedding plans and have agreed to your terms,” Grandfather added. “What I would like to discuss is your plans for the week in New York City since you requested Adelina stay there?”
“Yes,” Rocco confirmed. “It’ll be easier for Adelina to stay there instead of here.”
I held my breath, waiting for my grandparents to protest. We rarely ever went to New York City, and never overnight. But to my surprise, Mrs. Belfiore said, “We’ll need time to pack.”
“Unfortunately, we don’t have time,” Rocco told her. “We must go after this meeting. But please don’t worry, I’ll make sure Adelina has all she needs.”
He will? I chewed on my lip, wanting to ask. But it was clear I was to sit here quietly while they made plans for me. Away from them I could talk myself into thinking this was all fine, but here, in my face, I hated it. Was this how my marriage would be, too? Would I be trapped inside miserable without a voice of my own? I thought about my one dream of running away to Paris to paint, but then Jacob might not have what he needed. I would never abandon him.
“We have dinner tonight,” Rocco continued. “Adelina has a wedding dress appointment tomorrow, and then a gathering with good friends. Then we’ll end the week with our engagement party and our flight to Italy.”
“Excuse me, Rocco,” Mr. Belfiore said, smiling. “Have you considered my offer of holding a joint family announcement dinner? As I told you, Adelina’s cousin is also engaged. I would happily host it here at our home.”
A hand clasped my knee, and I hadn’t realized it was shaking. It was Rocco’s. I flicked my gaze his way, and my pulse sped up, though I regained focus and stilled my leg.
Rocco remained calm and moved his hand to lift his glass again without missing a beat. His attention remained on my grandfather. “That was a kind offer, Reginald, but our engagement party is set for the Brass Clarinet.” His tone was light, but his authority was unmistakable.
Mr. Belfiore gave him a tight smile as he nodded. “Of course, Rocco. We may not be able to stay the whole night, but Adelina’s mother Lorelei, and her stepfather, Glenn Talbot, will be there.”
Rocco smiled. “Great. Then you’ll both be able to see us off to Italy.”
“Any other issues or concerns?” Brenda asked.
“Just one,” Mrs. Belfiore said. “Will your grandfather Luca be attending your announcement dinner?” Grandfather placed his arm along the back of her chair.
“Possibly,” Rocco said.
Mrs. Belfiore turned her head toward Mr. Belfiore and his smile vanished. “All right. Thank you, Rocco. That’s all from us, but I’d like to speak with you privately, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. Excuse us.” Rocco stood up, and from his cool expression, he wasn’t exactly happy. Mrs. Belfiore had never mentioned his grandfather, Luca Marini before. What was that about?
Mrs. Belfiore stayed and peered at me. “You seemed too familiar with Rocco. Have you been communicating with him? I want to see your phone.”
I frowned and folded my arms. “What? What do you mean? I only learned about the marriage yesterday. How could I plot anything, and why would I?”
She jutted her chin. “Even if you go into the city alone with him, nothing has changed. No sex with him until your wedding night. Is that clear?”
I raised my brows. “What are you saying?”
She smirked. “You’re your mother’s daughter. I saw how you stared at him all doe-eyed. We’ll not tolerate the same from you. We will have a doctor confirm you’re still a virgin before your wedding.”
I frowned. “Many women’s hymen break without sex. That’s not something you can definitely confirm.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You better hope I can because you’re representing us all, and we expect you to behave appropriately.”
“When have I ever gone against you?” I asked her. But from her gloomy expression, I knew there was more to it than just orders and demands. Something was truly bothering her.
“What’s wrong, Mrs. Belfiore?” I asked in a gentle tone.
She lowered her head. “If…If you ruin yourself, and Rocco leaves you, it will destroy any other good marriage prospects. I won’t be able to argue for something better.”
“How do I tell him no when he’s been told he controls me?” I asked.
Her face paled and she didn’t respond. I swallowed hard as my heart contracted. This willful, iron of a woman had grown on me.
I clasped her hands. “Don’t worry. I’ll do my best.”
She nodded and squeezed my hands. “Yes, you will.”
Her relief tinged the air. I could get annoyed, but I’d learned long ago my grandparents standing in their community mattered more than anything else. I was on my own, and that was how it had been since I was fourteen in boarding school. Whatever happened between us, I would be blamed, not Rocco. What could I do? I had no idea.
My grandfather’s office door opened again, and Rocco came out first. He shook their hands, then extended it to me to take. “Let’s go.”
I walked forward, and he placed his hand on my back. It was oddly warm, though I shivered. Once outside, I asked him, “Where are we going?”
“On our first date.”