by Serena Light
Instantly she stopped her tapping, both of them silently staring at one another before her father suddenly made his way towards her.
"Ah! Finally found you!" Her father placed a hand on her shoulder as Nicole hadn't torn her gaze away from the man before her. He knew a lot, as a matter of fact, he knew too much, her father would need to take care of that. What a shame that such a handsome face goes to waste. "Nicole,"
She had just opened her mouth to apologize for going off like that, but her words drowned in her throat as he resumed talking.
"Meet Mr. Regnante," Her father introduced, grinning and gesturing towards the man before her. Nicole's breath caught in her throat as a coughing fit overcame her at the revelation. Her father patted her back while Mr. Regnante held out a glass of water as she downed it in one go, taking a step away from him and stumbling back into her father in shock.
Later, she had discovered that Mr. Regnante's name was actually Salvatore, and the man she had gestured to was his younger brother Marco and the other woman was his mother with the first one having been his twin sister. It took Nicole a good couple of minutes to come to terms with the fact that the man she had been so avidly talking to was meant to be her husband, but now that his identity was revealed to her, she couldn't bring herself to say anything; just answering the questions they asked her, or speaking up when spoken to.
Salvatore clearly knew who she was the moment he saw her, having known quite a bit of information regarding her, but she knew nothing about the man. Appetizers came and were gone, so was the main course, and by the desert, they started to come around to their 'arrangement': a discussion in which neither Salvatore nor Nicole spoke up, and was cut short by the beeping of his phone.
"I cannot stay for long." Salvatore stood from his seat, excusing himself. "Ms. Lombardi why don't you take a couple of days, think about it, and then let me know what you decide. You can back out of this and say no, and it will not cause any collateral damage."
After his introduction, this was the first time Nicole had met his steel-blue eyes.
"Now if you'll excu-"
"-I don't need a couple of days," She interjected as the entire table fell silent, and it made Nicole feel as if though the entire venue was staring at her, a heavyweight settling on her shoulders when she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I had arrived with a verdict in mine."
"Sweetheart, you don't have to rush-" Her father leaned forward, reaching out to take her hand.
"-I agree." Nicole breathed out as she stood from her seat, standing before Salvatore as his eyes gave away the surprise his poker face had so artfully hidden away. "I agree to marry you."
Everyone remained silent as Salvatore looked at her impassively, fixing his suit jacket, he turned towards the people seated at his table.
"Where is your wife, Mr. Lombardi?" He settled back in his seat, watching the older man tense as did Nicole. "She is aware of this arrangement, is she not?"
He looked to the three in turn, first Mr. Lombardi, Luca, and then Nicole. Waiting for a few silent beats before sighing and standing up, surprising everyone as he grabbed hold of Nicole's hand, pulling her along with him.
"Let's go," He cocked his head towards the door, looking at Luca and her father.
"Where are we going?" Nicole stumbled after him
"To enlighten your mother,"
She found herself seated in the passenger seat of Salvatore's red Ferrari, both of them silent as soft music played between them, her father and best friend in the car following behind them. The drive to her house was filled with an awkward silence between the two before he pulled up to the door, stepping out as the other three followed.
"Hide," Salvatore entered the chateau as if though he owned it. "I can handle her,"
"With all due respect, sir," Luca stepped forward. "No one can handle her."
"I'm not 'no one', Luca, your father is quite aware of that fact." He smirked in response. "Now, all three of you, hide. I've already called to let her know I'm here to meet her."
Instantly, all three of them hid behind various walls, all of them silently listening as Salvatore went and settled down on one of the sofas, waiting for Mrs. Lombardi.
"Mr. Regnante." Her voice greeted in surprise as her footsteps echoed down the stairs.
"Mrs. Lombardi,"
"My husband isn't home at the –"
"-I'm not here to meet your husband," Salvatore interjected. "I met with him three days ago regarding a matter, and it occurred to me I was talking to the wrong person in regards to having things done."
A silence fell over the conversation as Nicole looked at Luca with a raised eyebrow.
"They call him a manipulative devil, I think he's manipulating her," Luca whispered in her ear.
"Isn't that right Mrs. Lombardi? Your husband can't do anything without you having consented first."
"What makes you think that?"
"The fact that every mafia household has one woman behind the scenes who calls the shots,"
"If that's the case, who's the woman calling your shots?"
"Your daughter."
Nicole gasped at his words as Luca held her back, both of them knowing that she would be in trouble no matter what the outcome would be of this conversation. They heard her splutter incoherently before a humorless chuckle escaped her.
"My daughter? Are you certain about that?" She laughed in disbelief
"Quite certain," Salvatore nodded. "As a matter of fact, that is why I'm here."
"Oh, let's listen to that then,"
"I'm here to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage. I had asked your husband, but as I said, I was talking to the wrong person." He took out a velvet box from his inside pocket. "Nicole has asked me to talk to you since we've been dating for 2 years now and met at a charity gala. Since then we've been together and wish to progress our relationship. But you see, I promised to propose with her parent's blessings. I have gotten your husband's consent – not that it matters much – now I am in need of your consent."
Nicole looked at Luca with bulging eyes as his mouth was hanging open, neither one of them being able to comprehend the amount of manipulation this man was capable of, and neither one certain whether this would work, but given by the way he was talking so self-assured, he was going to get his way.
"You've been dating my daughter for 2 years now? And I'm not aware of the fact that she's been courting a Regnante of all men?"
"Well, she wasn't aware I was a Mafia Boss until I came on business to meet her father."
"And why should I give you my consent?" She raised an eyebrow, believing to have trapped him, but being only greeted with a chuckle in response.
"Io sono un Regnante. Ottengo sempre ciò che voglio in un modo o nell'altro." (I'm a Regnante. I always get what I want one way or the other.) He smirked. "E in questo caso si tratta di tua figlia." (And in this case, it's your daughter)
Nicole held her breath as his words, praying to God that she didn't end up dead at the expense of her father's negotiations at the hands of her mother.
The silence that fell over their conversation had Nicole grasp Luca's hand for grounding, afraid of passing out from the way her heart was beating against her chest.
"You have my blessings," Her mother relented as Nicole's eyes widened in surprise, her heart clenching at her next words, "Although, she isn't the most lady-like girls out there,"
"I'm not in need of a rigid lady." Salvatore bounced the velvet box in hand. "I'm in need of a strong woman."
Silence descended once more before they all heard her footsteps receding up the stairs before disappearing with the sound of the door. Nicole gasped for breath as she knew the coast was clear. Everyone slowly came out from their hiding places to see Salvatore standing in the middle of the foyer with the velvet box in hand. Tossing it to Nicole, who nearly dropped it in her shock. Pulling it open, she looked at the platinum and diamond band nestled between the cushions before looking up at him.
"I'l
l sign the contract when I come to pick up Nicole on Monday." He informed the father, making his way towards the door. "We have a wedding to plan."
Chapter IV: Middle Ground
Throughout the weekend, Nicole had been avoiding her mother, afraid of what she would have to say regarding her fiancé. She never left her room, even went so far as to locking herself in with food being brought to her and sleep had become a vice. She couldn't manage to get a wink of sleep, anxiety and a racing heart having her stay up, and when she finally managed to close her eyes she was awoken by knocking, her white Husky standing up on her bed and barking at the door.
"Percy, shut up!" She slurred at the dog, placing a hand on its snout as she snuggled into her comforter. "The door is open!" Nicole resumed calling over her shoulder.
She waited for her best friend's exasperation as she couldn't bring herself to care much for his irritation, groaning into her pillow and she cocooned herself into her blanket.
"It appears you didn't receive my message,"
Nicole's heart jumped in her throat as her eyes snapped open in an instant.
"Oh God, please let me be dreaming," She muttered under her breath, slowly turning around, surprised to find him, standing at the edge of her bed, stroking her white Husky dressed in a dark grey button-up and khaki pants. "Salvatore,"
"We can do this some other time if you're feeling unwell," He told her playing with her dog as it wagged its tail in excitement.
"No, no..." She shook her head, jumping out in an overly large sleeping shirt. "Just give me 10 minutes, I'll meet you downstairs."
Giving her a nod, he scratched the husky behind the ear as it barked at him when he was walking away.
"Down," He instructed firmly, the dog resting it's head on her paws, her ears flat against her head and whimpering; the action causing Nicole to look at them in surprise. "Good girl."
With that he walked out of her room, closing the door behind him. Getting freshened up; Nicole tossed her hair into a messy bun before pulling on an off-shoulder white crop top with a high-waisted maxi blue and white polka-dotted skirt, paired it with her favorite gladiator sandals. Quickly pulling on a long chain necklace and her engagement ring, she grabbed her bag and rushed down the stairs.
The sound of chatter led her into their dining room, the sight of her parents having breakfast with Salvatore standing by their window greeting her.
"Good morning, pumpkin," Her father loving voice called out to her as she smiled at him, walking towards him and placing a kiss on his cheek. "Salvatore was just telling us how you two will be going out for breakfast and having a wedding planning discussion,"
Looking towards Salvatore for confirmation, her eyebrows rose in surprise when he beckoned her towards him. Her initial hesitation disappeared at the sight of her mother's scrutinizing gaze. Swallowing, she made her way over to him, holding back a gasp when she felt him wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her into his side as he intertwined their fingers together, and brought her left hand up to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of her skin.
"Your mother is watching," He murmured into her hair, his actions suddenly making crystal clear sense. "She thinks we've been dating for 2 years, act like it."
"That's the plan," Nicole smiled back at her father, "We'll have breakfast and then we'll start on wedding planning," She placed a kiss on her fiancé’s cheek.
"You two seem to be quite eager to get married," Her mother spoke over her coffee mug, Nicole tensing in Salvatore's hold as he whispered for her to relax.
"Well you know, we've been looking forward to getting married for almost 5 months now." Salvatore released her hand to make her stand before him so that he was hugging her from behind, Nicole's breath catching in her throat as she put on a confirmation smile.
"I see..."
"Now if you'll excuse us," He interlinked their hands, leading her out the dining room as she waved farewell to her parents, her father chuckling behind her as they left.
After they left the vicinity of her mother, Salvatore was very quick to release her hand, a tense and uncomfortable silence falling between the two as it felt suffocating in the confined space of his grey BMW.
"Can I turn on music?" Nicole gestured to the radio as he gave it a moment's glance before nodding in confirmation.
The music did nothing to ease the tension between them and Nicole wanted to jump out of the moving car to spare herself from the torture of the silence. She wasn't one who enjoyed sitting in quiet nor did she enjoy long lapse in conversations, and even the background music did nothing to ease her tension. Salvatore, on the other hand, did not mind the quiet.
"Do you know of any nice places for breakfast?" He rubbed his neck to alleviate the pain since he couldn't remember any at the moment.
"Uh...well..." Nicole's eyes widened as her gaze was redirected from the view, instant panic welling in her chest of having been asked a question out of the blue. "There is this one restaurant, but - oh that opens up around lunchtime. But there is this other – no that has better dinner than breakfast. Uh...breakfast, breakfast, breakfast...we could, well we could...what do you want for breakfast?"
Salvatore tore his gaze away from the road at her rambling, momentarily concerned and wondering if he caught her off guard.
"Uh..." He turned his gaze back to the road, saying the first thing at the top of his head. "Cannoli pancakes?"
"Oh! There is lovely little café which has the best cannoli pancakes I've ever had and their coffee is to die for!"
"Alright, we go there then."
Nicole gave a nod before turning her gaze away from him, her face burning with her embarrassment as she just wanted the ground to eat her whole and save her from any more of these confrontations.
The little café Nicole had suggested had a beautiful outdoor view of the mountains and was very spacious, to begin with. Roundtable with plush seating and friendly staff along with an out of this world amazing fragrance wafting through the air. Once they had given their orders, both of them sat in silence, once more.
"I have been meaning to talk to you over the weekend, tried calling you but you didn't pick up." Salvatore scrolled through his phone, catering to the messages he had received.
"You have my number?"
"Of course,"
"What...why did you want to talk?"
"Well, for a start, because we're getting married, fiancé," He rested his elbows on the table. "And second, because I wanted to ask if you're alright with getting married by 3rd June?"
"June!?" Nicole spluttered incoherently, staring at him with wide eyes. "I-we-that's less than 2 weeks away! I can't do everything within 2 weeks! Dress fitting and décor! The venue, best man, braid's maids, catering, guest, reception, minister! There is so much and this is just from the top of my head."
"Regarding that," Salvatore leaned back as the waitressed put down their breakfast before them. "I was hoping you'd be alright with a small private reception."
"A...private...reception?" Nicole asked in a small voice, staring at him eat his breakfast as if though he hadn't just asked her to throw away the dream she had been developing since she was 6-years-old.
"Yes, just close family preferably."
"Close family..." Nicole squeezed her hands in her lap, hoping for this to be some dream. "That's just...10 people..."
"The smaller the better," He nodded. "That way, we don't have to do a lot and it can be done within 2 weeks,"
"Oh."
Salvatore looked up from his food momentarily, a little taken aback by the look of despair across her face and the fact that she hadn't even touched her breakfast.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Nicole grabbed her coffee, putting her sugar into it before stirring.
"Excuse me," Salvatore stood up, making his way out the café and dialing his sister's number.
"I'm a pregnant woman, getting sleep equivalent for three people; you better have some damn good reason to waking me," Her voice gree
ted on the other line after a couple of rings.
"Is a small reception a bad idea?"
"Did you..." Serafina trailed. "Fuck, Salvatore, please tell me you didn't tell your fiancé that you guys are having a small reception?"
"Well, I told her just family,"
"10 people. Nice." She bit back sarcastically. "God Salvatore, despite being a suave little fucker, you really don't know shit, do you?"
"What's wrong with 10 people?"
"What wrong-? Salvatore! That girl has been dreaming about her wedding since she was 5! She would dress up in white and make her hair as pretty as possible and make her playmate her groom! She probably has a whole box of little trinkets which she has been collecting since she was 8 so that she can use them on her wedding! She's imagined the gown she'll wear as she walks down to the man she loves with all her friends and family and others there to watch the broad smile on her face when she seals her life to the one she chose to accept from 8 billion people!" Serafina yelled in his ear as he distanced the phone a little. "You're the man she said yes to out of 8 billion people, and you want to be that fucking asshole to take her dream away from her? Really? Did mom raise us to be like this?"
"I don't want a big wedding," Salvatore stated plainly.
"Then you compromise!" Serafina groaned. "Both of you reach a middle ground – can you two stop kicking for one second! I'm giving your uncle his ass here – Middle ground, Salvatore, this is just like any other negotiation-"