Page 21

TWENTY-ONE

giovanni

T onight’s party is more important than they understand, so they don’t realize why I’m so agitated about making sure it’s perfect. The living room is busy with people rushing back and forth setting up decorations throughout the house.

“Can you double check that the caterer is fully prepped and will be on time?” I ask again, demanding Romeo’s attention.

“Dad, I have already. What is going on with you today?” Romeo complains. He’s over this. I’ve never been this pedantic about a party before and it’s annoying him.

“Nothing.” I sigh and shake my head. I should take a breather.

“What is this party about, anyway? Are you trying to strengthen relationships with the alliances?” Romeo asks.

“Yes. And no.”

He looks at me as though I’ve lost my mind. “Well, thanks - that really clears things up.” He say sarcastically, walking out of the living room.

I’m flooded with anxious excitement. I’m over the moon that she said yes, but I’m also prepared to face backlash from my sons when I tell them about my engagement to Zina.

Her and I discussed it last night and while she didn’t fully agree with me - I told her the best way to announce it was to surprise everyone at the same time. In public they won’t be able to react overly emotionally and by the time we talk to them about it they will have calmed down.

That’s my theory, anyway.

For a moment I press my hands against my eyes. What else do I need to do? Check that the security team has hired more men for tonight. Make sure the extra crate of wine of brought up from the cellar - my mind starts listing things and I sigh. At least it will keep my busy.

By late afternoon the house looks amazing. The space is filled with flowers, balloons, special lighting, tempting foods, champagne - the works.

Music is pulsing through the estate when the first guests begin to arrive, and the space slowly fills with people chatting and laughing.

I message Zina.

Me: Where are you?

Zina: I’m ready, but I’m nervous.

Me: Come down, I’ll be at your side the whole night.

With a smile on my face I make my way towards the stairs to find her. But I get caught up in conversations along the way and by the time I get there she’s already coming down.

My heart leaps to my throat when I see her.

The dress she’s wearing is emerald green and gold. Geometric designs shape around her body in sequined patterns, accentuating her waist and her hips. The thin straps show off her long neck and sculpted shoulders and the dress dips low in the front. She is unspeakably beautiful.

Her dark hair is pinned high with a few loose curls falling around her face. Her lips are dark red.

Her gaze find mine as she smiles, a demure glimmer in touches her eyes.

My heart is beating too fast and too slow at the same times. I press my hand over my chest, my mouth dropped open in awe of her beauty.

She is going to be my wife.

“Do I look ok?” She whispers as I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. “Is it too much?” She nervously touches the dress, brushing her hand over the sequins.

“It’s absolutely perfect. You are perfect, Zina.” I whisper with my lips against her ear.

She’s grinning at me and can’t help think to myself that my life is suddenly perfect. All I had to do was let go and allow myself to love her.

How lucky am I that I got a second chance with this beautiful creature?

My fingers thread through hers and I lead her into the bubbling energy of the party.

She sips champagne and elegantly entertains the guests. They are enthralled by her and her presence adds to the glamour of this event.

Finally, it’s time.

“Zina, will you join me up here?” I say, standing on the top step of the patio, looking down at my guests.

She smiles nervously and makes her way through the crowd.

While she’s walking I talk, giving her time to get here.

“Thank you to everyone who has joined us here tonight. We were overdue for good energy, some laughter, some friendship.”

Zina stands close to my side and I wrap my arm around her, looking down at her with warmth in my gaze.

“And we were overdue for some good news.” I smile.

The crowd murmurs but stays quiet enough for me to carry on.

“I have asked this beautiful woman to be my wife. Zina and I are getting married and we would love it if you would all be there.”

The reaction is split. Half of my guests gasp, the other half cheers. My eyes search the crowd until I find my sons. Santino is furious.

I smile at him and tilt my head to the side, pleading with him to accept this.

He sneers and turns away from me.

But this is for the good of the family - and the good of my heart. They will have to learn to accept it, they have no other choice.

I wrap my arm around Zina’s waist and dip her backwards, pressing my lips against hers and this time the crowd cheers. The energy of the party lifts up, and the music turns louder again.

Zina and I spend the rest of the night mingling and accepting congratulations and well wishes. Santino and Romeo are nowhere to be found. Dante and Guido are over the moon.

Guido is standing close to his mother’s side. I overhear their conversation while I’m talking to one of my guests.

“Mom, does this mean our surname will change?” He asks.

“It does.” She says with a smile that speaks a thousand words.

My heart warms and the entire world fades away as I watch her. She is everything I want.

It’s late when the last guest leaves. Zina is walking around pulling doors closed and locking up. “My love, did you have fun tonight?” I ask, stealing her from her task and holding her close to my chest.

She looks up at me with a glitter in her eyes. “It was magical.” She says, standing on her tiptoes to kiss me.

“We need to talk.” Santino’s voice is harsh and cold as he walks into the room. All of his brothers follow behind him.

“Why can’t you just be happy for them?” Dante insists, and I realize that this is a conversation that they are carrying from another room.

“Because nothing about this is right.” Romeo snaps.

“Come on, everyone sit down, and we can have a family conversation - an open discussion.” I say, gesturing for all of them to take a seat in the living room.

“Except it’s not an open conversation, dad. If it were an open conversation, you would have discussed it with us before asking her - or before telling the whole world you’re engaged.” Santino is furious. He won’t sit down, instead he’s pacing up and down the living room with his fists clenched tightly.

“Santino, this is the right decision for the whole family - “ I say, trying to stay calm despite wanting to tell him that the decision is final, and he needs to grow the fuck up and accept it.

He shakes his head. “Other mother just died. In case you forgot. It’s hardly been three months and you’re already moving on - with her . The woman who manipulated her way into your life?—”

I cover the space between my son and I in a few long strides and grab the collar of his shirt, tugging him close to my face.

“I’ve told you before, and I warned you what would happen if you spoke badly of her again.” I growl.

“Giovanni.” Zina says, pulling me away from Santino.

Santino snarls and shoves himself away from me at the same time.

He shakes his head and glares at me. “I don’t know who you are anymore.” He hisses.

When he storms from the room, I don’t follow.

There is nothing more to say. He disagrees and I don’t care.

My eyes turn to Romeo. He shakes his head, his anger is quieter, but it’s there. He disapproves as well.

He leaves the room and Dante and Guido sit tensely watching everything unfold.

“Go on. Go to bed.” I sigh, gesturing for them to leave too.

Alone again, Zina slips her arms around my waist, tracing slow circles over my back.

“Gio, maybe this is a mistake. Your sons are still so angry. They haven’t accepted me yet. They clearly don’t like me - “ She sighs softly.

I hate the sadness in her eyes. I want to brush it away with my kisses.

“It’s not you they don’t like, Zina. In their eyes it wouldn’t matter who I was marrying - it’s the fact that I am re-marrying that has them so angry.”

“Because they’re not ready. They haven’t processed their mother’s death yet.”

I nod. “I know. But it doesn’t matter.”

“How can it not matter, Giovanni?” She says desperately.

“Because what matters the most is for my son to join my family - officially. For Guido to have my surname - that is the only way the world will accept him as my blood. This will secure his future. And yours.” I cup my hand around her cheek, letting my eyes drift over her features. Her beauty, her calmness, the warmth in her eyes.

“I don’t want your sons to drift away from you. It was never my plan to break your family apart - I only wanted your son to have a chance to know his father.” She whispers.

“They won’t, Zina. It will take time. Everything will come right. But this is not something I’m willing to give up. My heart won’t let me give this up.”

I lean down and press my lips against hers and she lets out a delicate sound against my mouth as I kiss her.