Page 70 of Do It For Me

He laughs.

“You will, don’t worry.”

And he makes love to me again, until my eyes close on their own.

Notes:

14. Nonna: Grandmother.

15. Dove sei?: Where are you?

16. Ti amerò anche quando il mio cuore smetterà di battere: I will love you even when my heart stops beating.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE

Iwake up alone in the bedroom. I stretch, feeling the ache in my limbs from everything we did yesterday.

A sharp pain tugs at my chest when I see a single note beside me. I know Dante left because I need some privacy, but I can’t help feeling clingy.

“See you at the wedding, ragnetta. Remember, your father will send people to get you. Don’t be scared and take your time.

—Your future husband.”

I smile. Today’s the big day. Tomorrow, I’ll be his wife, and I’ll never have to worry about the past again.

I take a quick shower and slip into the dress Dante left on the armchair, since he ripped the one I wore yesterday. When I godownstairs, my father’s men are waiting by the door. I tense up but follow them anyway.

A few minutes later, I’m back in the place I hate. I’m only doing this for Mum. We’ve been out three times since I left, just for a few minutes while arranging the wedding and finding my dress.

My father greets me with a wide smile, but I don’t pay him any attention, nor do I say hello. I head straight to my room and find my mum, her eyes red and swollen.

“Are you okay, Mum?”

My voice makes her face drops, as though she might crumble at any moment. She opens her mouth to speak but shakes her head instead.

“Yes, pet, I’m okay. Come here.”

She hugs me so tightly I want to cry.

I’ll be away for three months, with no possibility of calling her, but I’ll get her out of here as soon as we’re back. Dante promised me.

“I love you, Mum.”

She smiles and kisses the top of my head.

“I love you too,mo chroí.Never forget that.”

When I get out of the bathroom, Mum is biting her nails, staring out the window.

“I think they got the wrong dress.”

Mine had sleeves; it covered most of my body. This one has an open back, a deep neckline that pushes up my breasts, and a slit along one leg. It even shows the hickeys and bruises Dante left yesterday. The stylist had to cover every one of them.

Mum looks at me, her eyes full of tears. “I know. I tried to fix it, but they—I couldn’t. I’m sorry.”

I sigh. It doesn’t matter. The dress is beautiful, just too revealing for me.

It turns out, it’s not just the dress I didn’t choose. The bouquet is pink and doesn’t have the lilies I asked for. I won’t say a word to Mum because she tried her best, and, well, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that I’m marrying Dante.