Sunshine streams through my windows, I can hear the birds chirping and I smile as I sit up and stretch. Another beautiful day. I check my messages and see that Sofia needs some help at the floral shop. I don’t mind helping, I love smelling all the pretty flowers. And then after that, I will walk Raku and some of the other dogs at the shelter.
I haven’t grown up in a good family. Okay, I mean my father loves me, I’m his princess and I want for nothing, but what he does isn’t always on the right side of the law. And growing up in this house, I’ve seen the horrors of his position. Maybe not the exacts of it, but the aftermath when servants are cleaning blood off the floor or walls. When I was younger I used to cry about it all the time, and my father would hug me tight and tell me he would keep me safe. And he has. I had the best childhood, the best education, the latest fashion, nice handbags. I don’t have to work, but I do because I love to be out amongst the people, my father’s people. He keeps the streets safe, people love him, and I love to help them when I can, whether it’s helping my friend at the floral shop or walking dogs, or playing with the cats, or joining a game with the local children. I love the world. Just wish others thought the same thing.
I shower and dress in a floral maxi dress and gladiator sandals, braiding my long, black hair. Today I kind of want to just chill out, have an easy day. Though every day is easy if people would just smile and breathe.
We all take things for granted. I try to find the beauty in all things, even the snakes of the world, people, and the slimy ones in my garden. That’s the one thing I love most in this world, my garden. My mother put it in and maintained it until she passed away, and I took over once I was old enough. My father made sure I had enough land to grow corn, tomatoes, strawberries, and whatever my heart desired.
“Morning, Principessa,” Katherine, our cook greets me as I stroll in to the kitchen, snatching a cinnamon roll off the counter.
“I saw that,” she chuckles.
“Good morning. These are really good,” I take a big bite and chew as I pour a glass of milk from the fridge.
“Thank you. I see that we have some tomatoes coming in, I’ll pick them for tomato sauce later,” she says, nodding towards the window. I move to it and smile when I see how well it’s coming in.
“I’ll be home to help later,” I tell her, “my father and brother will be back. I think today is the big announcement.”
“That you’re going to marry Stefano?”
“Yeah,” I shrug.
“You don’t look happy?”
“I just wish I could marry for love. I get the whole tradition thing and I will do my duty as a wife, but I can dream can’t I?”
“You can. And maybe he will become the man of your dreams,” she winks as she pulls out another batch of rolls.
“Maybe. Can I take some of these with me?”
“Certainly. Be safe,” she says, as I put a few rolls in a bag to take with me.
“Always. Matteo follows me,” I snort, waving as I grab a light sweater to take with me. It’s not quite summer, and with a slight breeze, the weather feels nice. And I like to walk to the square where Sofia works, it’s a nice walk. Matteo hates it, but he can only suggest riding in a car, but I don’t have to take it.
I yank open the door to the florist, the bell above the door ringing, and Sofia sticks her head out of the office door.
“What did you bring me?” She asks.
“Cinnamon rolls,” I hand her the bag as I go for her coffee maker. She lives on coffee, so there is always coffee to be had. I feel like I need it today.
The bell rings and I turn to see my grandmother walk in.
“Sofia,” she greets, before kissing my cheeks, “Adelina.”
“Grandmother, what are you doing here?” I ask her.
“I came for flowers and I needed to see you,” she says.
“See me?”
“Yes. Roses, lilies, tulips, arranged, however,” she says to Sofia before turning to me, “something is coming.”
“What?”
“I don’t know what else to say. Something is coming, I can feel it,” she says. My grandmother has a gift, though my father won’t acknowledge it. She sees things, not all the time, but sometimes she sees things. And every time her visions get clearer, they come true. I believe her.
“Okay, grandmother. I’ll keep an eye out,” I tell her.
“Be safe, my little one,” she says, her guard helping her out the door.
