“Nothing, it’s just that the security is annoying, having more of them around, I mean. It’s weird, and it takes all our privacy out of our hands…”
A hoarse laugh burst from hir lips and I look at him to see his beautiful face with an amused expression. “You want to be alone with me, don’t you, Chiara?”
My cheeks heat up, and I feel like I must look like a very red tomato; I feel Luca’s gaze on me, and I feel even more embarrassed. “That’s not what I said…”
“But I know that’s what you meant. Don’t worry, I want it too!” As soon as the last word leaves his mouth, I feel the car accelerate, Luca overtakes the cars in front of us and drives at high speed through the city. I look through the rearview mirror and can’t see any of the security cars near us, but Luca doesn’t slow down, he keeps speeding up until he stops in the garden of my house.
I look at him, feeling my heart beat uncontrollably due tothe high level of adrenaline traveling through my body. I open my mouth to speak, but before I have the chance, I feel Luca’s lips crash against mine. My stomach turns, and a small noise of satisfaction travels down my throat. My hands go to his hair, and I feel him on my waist; in one swift movement, Luca pulls me onto his lap, and I feel my heart beating frantically from the closeness.
“I missed you!” My voice comes out hoarse, and my eyes remain closed. My forehead is leaning against his, and I feel his breath on my face. His fingers are caressing my cheek, but he says nothing. I push the disappointment away. I always knew it would be without love. I tell myself.
A soft kiss is placed on my lips. “I missed you too, but we have to get out of the car; they’ll be here any minute.” And as if with a snap of my fingers, the magic is broken for good, I get out of his lap and then out of the car, walking toward the door without looking back, feeling his presence close to me. I hear cars parking in the garden, and I open the door and step into the warm, family atmosphere. I follow the voices into the living room and see my brothers watching a football match with my father and my mother and grandmother playing chess.
No one has noticed me so far, and I smile at the image that resembles the happy moments of my childhood. Still, without saying anything, I slowly approach my brothers and hug them both, still on the other side of the sofa, finally making my presence known. Lorenzo pulls me by the arm, and my body is thrown over the sofa, causing me to fall on top of them both. My dad gets up and walks around the sofa; I sit down and see his hand being squeezed by Luca’s. The girls and all the security guards are there standing in the doorway, staring at the family; Aurora and Leticia approach us and sit on the sofa, greeting Vincenzo.
“New body guards?” Lorenzo’s voice is close to my ear, and Ilook at him, smiling and hugging him.
“Apparently, things are complicated with foreign mafias,” I whisper in his ear before walking away. I feel Luca’s gaze on me and try to ignore it while moving to say hello to my mom and grandma.
“Are you staying for dinner?’ Dad’s voice is projected loudly, being heard through the room.
“Unfortunately, it won’t be possible. I’ve got business to attend to!”
I look in Luca’s direction, and his eyes are on me. I know I have to say goodbye, so I walk toward him. I see Paolo make a gesture, leading all the guards toward the exit. I follow Luca until he stops at the entrance hall. There’s no security around, and he pulls my body toward him. I rest my head on his chest and listen to his slow heartbeat; his perfume drowns my senses, and I feel at peace.
“We won’t be able to see each other for the next few days. Things are complicated, and I’ll have to take some actions to make sure everything is safe for the engagement day.”
“The Camorra people, they…”
“The problem comes from outside, not from the Camorra.” Luca pushes my face slightly away from his chest and pulls my chin so that I’m looking at him. “Don’t worry about the engagement; I’ll make sure everyone behaves and respects you. Nothing will happen.”
His lips meet mine, and our bodies are glued together; as soon as we separate, Luca leaves without another word, just with the promise that I’ll be fine. I stand at the door and watch the cars disappear down the street. I take a deep breath, and it’s strange not to have Luca’s soldiers around; it’s strange how something I vehemently refused at the beginning has become like a routine, and now I miss it; I close the door and take light steps toward the living room. Everyone is talking and smiling;the house seems full of joy, just like my childhood.
I sit between my two brothers and lean my head on Lorenzo’s shoulder, watching him discuss something with the rest of the family. I close my eyes and absorb the conversations and laughter that fill the room. I feel a smile form on my lips, and Irealize how good it is to finally be home.
The days pass quickly, and my anxiety increases by the second; I look at everyone around me, and no one seems really nervous, but why would they be? After all, I’m the only one being assessed by members of a criminal organization. The afternoon at the spa doesn’t relax me at all; it just makes me more restless.
I look in the mirror and examine my perfectly drawn eyeliner; I take my red lipstick and outline my lips, leaving them blood-colored. My hair is loose with wide waves, and a ruby tiara pulls my hair back slightly. I wonder if it’s too much when the ruby earrings that Grandma designed for me are placed in front of me.
“You look so beautiful, my love!” I look at Mom and Grandma through the mirror, still holding the earrings.
“All red… I wonder if it’s not too much. Maybe I should wear a white dress…”
I can’t finish the sentence, Grannie comes over and takes the earrings off my hand, putting them in my ears. “No, red is the perfect color, your color. It makes you look like the strong woman I know you are!”
“Also, let’s make them remember the last color they’ll see if they disrespect you.” I look at my mom, surprised by her words, by the allusion to violence in them. I see the determination on her face, and I know she’s ready to fight if necessary.
I get up from the chair and let the robe slide down my body; my mother hands me the dress and helps me into it. I put on my high heels and look at myself in the mirror. The red dresshugs my upper body, leaving my back bare; it opens slightly at my waist and forms a train that covers part of the floor; the ruby tiara makes my hair look like gold; the whole outfit looks like something out of a princess book.
I walk down the stairs and see my father and brothers at the bottom of the stairs, Aurora and Leticia gradually approaching them, giving me approving smiles.
“You look stunning, Principessa!” The smile on my dad’s face makes my body relax a little, and I smile with gratitude. Lorenzo offers me his hand, which I gladly accept, and I walk with him to the car. I feel my hands shaking a little, and from the look he gives me, I know he has noticed.
“I’m here, always!” His hand squeezes mine.
“I know!” I see him nod in satisfaction, helping me put the tail of my dress into the car.
The drive to the Di Santi villa is short, and as soon as the car passes through the gates, I feel my hands shaking; I clasp them together, trying to contain the tremors. The mansion looks majestic, clearly inspired by the old historical palazzos, taking a big part of the land, seemingly adding four wings, a large marble fountain in front with water coming out of various places, andthe lighting meticulously placed, making it look even more grand. As the car pulls over, the valets ran toward it, opening the car doors for us to get out.
