by Rimmy London
“Fermo!” He raised his arms up, the drink still sloshing in one hand. “We are impolite. Our new guest does not know what you ask of me.”
“Then why do you not show her?” Enrica’s soft voice carried surprisingly well over the commotion, and I watched as she threw something through the air. Catching it, Emilio pointed the small silver microphone at me before bringing it to his lips. Zoe giggled, and I looked to the side to see Gaio rolling his eyes. He tilted his head toward Emilio.
“He will regret this in the morning,” he whispered, causing new giggles to erupt at his side. I grinned, tucking my feet under me and feeling like I had successfully wrapped myself in Givanni’s family. Looking at his brother Adriano, Emilio had abandoned his drink and was waiting expectantly. Suddenly the room erupted in sound. Everyone cheered, bouncing almost immediately to the beat.
“Oriana! Turn it up!” Laughing at Emilio, I thought for sure his request had been a joke, but the volume pulsed even louder. He lifted the microphone to his mouth, and although it wouldn’t win any awards, his voice sounded fine to me. At least he hit all of the notes, from what I could tell. Joining in with the clapping and cheering, I laughed at Emilio’s exaggerated bows. His sandy hair flew this way and that as he nodded to each of us.
My clapping stopped as he winked at me and began walking in my direction with the microphone held out in front of him. I swallowed, managing to keep a smile on my face as I shook my head. He didn’t seem at all swayed, and walked forward until the microphone was inches from my face.
“Emilio, leave the poor girl alone. If you value Givanni’s happiness, you won’t frighten this one away.” There was light laughter in response to Gaio’s chiding, and I glanced back at the burly Italian, laughing as much as I could manage.
“Okay, brother, I will leave it up to you to scare her away.” Emilio passed the microphone to Gaio, the instrument miniaturized in his wide hand. I found it very hard to imagine him singing into it. He looked more inclined to be bulldozing through a couple of football teams.
“Oriana, I think I will sing to Zoe tonight.”
Gaio’s sly expression had Zoe crossing her arms in front of her, her eyebrows raised. “What is this?” she asked quietly. Gaio smiled back, his eyes absorbed in her face. As soon as the song began to play, Zoe’s hand came to her lips, her face lighting up. I stared at her beautiful dark complexion and smooth thick hair that was such a deep shade of brown it was close to black. Her expression brought a delicate shade of red into her cheeks. “You finished it?” she whispered excitedly. Gaio grinned back at her before taking a breath. His voice was a stark contrast to his build, the words delicate and tender. He never looked away from Zoe’s face, and she wiped her cheeks as her own emotions overflowed. I looked back and forth at the soon-to-be-married couple, watching as their fingers intertwined during the last few notes. The room stayed silent for a moment, everyone’s eyes on the two as they embraced, Zoe wiping her cheek one last time.
“Bravo, Gaio,” Dario said quietly. Releasing Zoe with one arm, Gaio turned in his seat to nod at Dario. “I hoped for Zoe’s happiness like a father hopes for a daughter, and you will love her well.” At her uncle's words, Zoe snuggled into Gaio’s side, tucking her legs up onto his lap and resting her head on his shoulder. I doubted she would move from that position for a very long time, especially when Gaio wrapped one hand around her knees, binding them together. I cleared my throat.
“Gaio, that was beautiful, your voice is beautiful.” He grinned at me before leaning back and handing the microphone to Oriana.
“I’m sure you’ve been better impressed before. Givanni’s voice makes mine sound like I am in need of a glass of water.”
My face went blank for a moment as I tried to conjure up the right response. “Both - of your voices are beautiful.”
“Loriel,” I swung my head in the direction of Adriano, the more somber brother. His Italian voice had transformed my name into Ladielle, with the last syllable drawn out in an endearingly authentic way. “You need not think that you are not, to us, as much a part of the family as anyone else in this room.” My calm feelings erupted into tense nerves, and I tried to guess his next words in order to plot my answer. “You are a part of Givanni’s life, and so too are a part of ours.” I smiled back while feeling like a fraud. Around the room, everyone nodded and spoke in agreement, and I supposed it would be rude to say nothing.
“Thank you so much,” I cleared my throat weakly. “It really has been a pleasure meeting every one of you, and I’m glad we have this entire week to spend together.”
“Only one week?” Oriana’s voice sounded more surprised than I would have liked. “Are you not staying after the wedding?”
I fidgeted in my seat, knowing that I couldn’t lead her on. “No, we are scheduled to leave next week, Sunday morning.” I tried to speak as gently as possible, but I could tell she had been planning on a longer stay. Suddenly, I wondered why Givanni would be so insensitive as to stay away from his family for so long. He was clearly missed. My information seemed to sober the entire room, dampening any sparks of joy that had been there before. Dario cleared his throat, and a few heads turned toward him.
“We had better retire if we’re planning on getting up sometime tomorrow.” He stretched a little before reaching for Oriana’s hand. She stood up next to him, and the group was gradually on their feet. I wandered down the back hallway, hearing Dario’s voice just as I reached for the door. “Uno momento,” He held the door for me. “We will see you in the morning, or afternoon. There are no plans until dinner at seven o’clock, and Givanni knows the restaurant well.” I nodded, thanking him as graciously as I could. He waved the thanks aside with one hand. “Just tell Givanni not to get too much sleep. We would like to have him with us as well.”
“I will Dario, grazie,” I answered. And that was a promise I intended to keep. Givanni, in my newly formed opinion, had some questions to answer.
Chapter 11
The night sky was just beginning to lift when I heard footsteps padding around me. I jolted up, clutching a tangle of blankets to my chest. “Who’s there?” I whispered frantically.
“It’s me, Loriel.” The shadowy outline of a man became instantly familiar and my breath came out in a gust. “Sorry,” he whispered. His voice sounded exhausted. Slurred and emotionless.
“Is Falen going to be okay?” I asked, trailing the shadow as it crossed the room and sunk into a corner recliner. I hoped he would stay awake long enough to answer.
“It is his own doing,” he sighed. I smiled at how much stronger his Italian accent had become. “He went looking for trouble and found it… ” He stopped to pull in a deep breath. “But yes, he’ll be fine.” The room had lightened enough for me to faintly see the color in his eyes. “And everything went alright here?” he asked. I crossed my legs, dropping my hands and pausing when they fell on bare skin. Pulling the blankets closer, I wrapped them around me. There wasn’t much I could do with my clingy cami top though. I was instantly grateful for the shadows.
“Everything was great. I spent the evening with your family and… I am a little surprised that you never told me of their amazing talent for karaoke.” Givanni’s deep laugh joined mine for a minute before transforming into a yawn.
“If there’s one thing they can do, it’s entertain. I hope they weren’t too overbearing.” I shook my head, hair dancing along my arms.
“Definitely not, I loved it.” I debated on how to bring up my questions from the night before and tried putting the words together in my head. But as I thought, Givanni’s breath became deep and I realized it would have to wait for another time. I reached for the abandoned cotton pants in a heap on the floor and slipped them on before sinking back into bed.
* * *
The second time I greeted the morning it was loud and obtrusive. The light glinted even through my eyelids. My body felt exhausted from every angle, and it took me a moment to remember where I was. Looking around the room
I finally cleared the haze enough to read the clock. I rubbed my knuckles across my eyelids before looking again. Four o’clock… p.m. I tried to remember what time Dario had said to be at dinner. My shoulder, to my amazement, was almost pain-free. Only a slight ache. I lifted my elbow up and down, happy to have movement again. After wandering into the closet I selected a smooth button-up shirt, the sleeves drifting along my skin like a kiss. Not bothering with the buttons, I crossed my arms in front of me and walked back into the bedroom.
My foot skidded on the soft rug at the now-empty chair in the corner of the room. “Givanni?” I asked quietly, my tired voice cracking. He stepped out from the hall at the opposite end of the room while buttoning up a tuxedo coat. Steam billowed out of the bathroom behind him. “That was... fast,” I admired the way his wet hair hung in disarray. Trudging to the bed I sat down and crossed my legs on top of the downy blankets, not sure if I was ready to be awake.
“Aren’t you going to get dressed?” he asked, his voice playful. “Not that you don’t look amazing in that, but the rest of the party will be a bit more formal. There should be something in your closet. Zoe is very thorough.” He winked, and I felt myself blush slightly as he pulled a silk tie from the armchair and returned to the bathroom. For the first time since I had met him, it felt like Givanni was flirting with me. With a glance behind me, I returned to the closet, pushing the hangers aside to see four very different options. Each one of them stunning. My hand hovered over the first three, slowly moving from one to the next, but the moment I had seen the fourth there was no contest. I lifted the glittering blue from its hanger and admired the sparkle that was subtle enough to be a surprise with each turn. Definitely the one.
* * *
Givanni opened my door and held out his hand. Most likely he’d noticed the tall skimpy heels I’d borrowed from Zoe. They were treacherous. But when our hands met, he held mine so gently it was like a conversation. Telling me something beautiful. But the moment I stood my ankle rolled, and I tried to sidestep as gracefully as possible. His hand tightened in reaction and he finally released me with what felt like reluctance when I’d found my footing. I glanced to the side at him, measuring his expression. But the downturn of his gaze and smoothed out features told me nothing. He was focused on our destination, and I turned to look with him. The restaurant we had come to was enough to stop my breath. We stood balanced on the edge of the walk gazing at a stone structure that hovered close enough to the edge that it stole every inch of view. Various sconce lights lined the textured walls and columns, and the full moon cast its glow on the entire scene like a reflection on the water. The thrill of it all had my heart pressing on my chest, and a laugh hiccuped from my lips. Givanni threaded my hand through his arm and instead of the landscape, his eyes were settled on me. “You look incredible,” he said. I blushed for a second time that night, although the darkness was sure to hide it.
“You’re going to help me order, right?” I asked. One hand fell to my middle as my stomach rumbled. Givanni laughed.
“What’s the hurry? You act like you haven’t eaten all day.” He nudged his elbow at my side, and I pushed an elbow back at him.
“I’m just worried that I’ll eat four plates of food and your family will be disgusted with me.”
“They’d probably be even more in love with you if they saw that.” I felt myself fall into the playful calm that had settled over us. It was like the last week hadn’t happened at all, and we really had flown out for a wedding.
A man with silver hair opened the front door with a flourish, bowing to us and showing a sparkling set of very straight teeth. For an older man, he was extremely good-looking, with his full hair and strong, lean build. I tried hard not to enjoy the way his eyes complimented me. Givanni led the way through a maze of potted trees and linen-covered tables and out through a glass door. All the familiar faces were there, along with a couple dozen unfamiliar ones. I tried not to notice Givanni’s hand hovered against my back as we walked forward. The patio was adorned with paper covered lanterns that lit the tables with a soft glow. The thin silk shawl I had chosen felt instantly too warm in the humid night air, but not wanting to reveal the cut underneath I kept it on.
Taking the chair Givanni had pulled out, I looked at the faces surrounding our small table. None of their eyes were on me, all staring rampantly at Givanni. I wondered if he saw the same longing on their faces as I did. After a brief silence, everyone came to life. I let my attention turn to Givanni, knowing that if any of the conversation were directed at me, he would let me know.
Before long, Dario and Oriana were deep in laughter, both catching their breath and Oriana wiping her cheerful eyes. The other three members of the small party were strangers to me, although their features blended with the family in a comfortable way. As I turned again to Givanni the patio door padded closed… and a pristine angel stood watching. Before the rest of the party turned their heads I had time to take in her crushing beauty. Her long, smooth hair piled in disarray on top of her head, stray lengths of gold escaping in just the right places. The intricate white lace that clung to her petite frame I was sure had been made just for her.
With a swallow, I managed to keep the smile on my face. My eyes dropped back to Givanni as he turned his head. A hushed murmur of admiration sounded around us but I kept my eyes in place, not caring about any reaction but his. I waited for his attention to turn back to the previous conversation, the one that had seemed so amusing. But it didn’t. And although Enrica’s eyes focused on a more distant table, Givanni’s gaze followed her. Dropping her eyelids, her full lashes swept down before she locked her wide pale eyes on Givanni. As she passed, my eyes darted to his and I hardly breathed as his lips lifted into the soft hint of a smile. My stomach tightened into a knot, my forced smile finally vanishing. As conversations resumed, my thoughts were not on the present, but instead replaying the last few minutes repeatedly. Why do I care what he thinks? I chided myself. He was practically my boss after all. And that was it.
“…and my dear Loriel, you look lovely.” My eyes flickered up to meet Oriana’s, and I managed to form my lips into an upward curve.
“Grazie,” I said softly. Givanni turned in his chair, leaning away as if to give me more of the spotlight.
“She does undoubtedly look lovely.” He lifted my hand in his.
“You are a breath of fresh air, my dear,” Oriana said. “We are all so very… Italian.” She waved her hand animatedly across the tables and everyone laughed with her. I glanced back at Givanni. He was staring at the tabletop distractedly as he laughed. “You bring brilliant color into this family, vibrant and alive, and I can’t help but think of how Givanni must adore you.” I blushed, not used to such an unguarded way of speaking.
“I have to admit, Oriana, I feel dull when compared to your family. You are all so full of life and love. It has truly been an honor getting to know you.” I noticed Givanni’s stare at the finality that rang in my voice. Oriana looked concerned as well, and I knew I could count on her to say it.
“But you must come and visit more often. Do not believe we will be separated for great spans of time, there is always a home for you here.” She glanced back at Givanni as she spoke, pressing the invitation on him as well. Looks around the table mirrored hers and I let my hair fall over my shoulder as I turned to him. He spoke before lifting his eyes.
“Oriana, you must forgive me my absence.” When his gaze met hers I doubted anyone could resist such a look of sincere regret. “It is something I should not even ask of you, but you should know that had things been easier for a time, I would have come much more often.”
She had tears in her eyes. “Oh Vani, I feel we didn’t give you all that you needed. If your dear parents… “ Givanni held a hand up, stopping her.
“It was wrong of me to stay away under any circumstance for so long, and I have seen the concern it has brought. I am very sorry.” Reaching across the table, he took her hand in both of his, looking into he
r eyes tenderly. Knowing that I could never be so intimate in the midst of a small audience, I found myself again admiring their openness.
“You do not need to ask forgiveness of me to be forgiven, my dear nephew.” Her voice was full of emotion, but her face looked overflowing with happiness.
“I know that, but it is something I should do. Something I should have done the moment I returned. I could feel it in every minute since I’ve arrived and I hope you know that my time away is certainly not a reflection of my feelings.” Both leaned back into their seats as a tall and meticulously dressed waiter approached. Everyone turned their attention to the long menu he held. I glanced around at the faces surrounding the table, not a single member of our small group seemed even the slightest bit uncomfortable at having been submerged in a deeply personal conversation. It had passed like a light breeze, easy and sweet.
I turned my attention to the menu as well, wondering if Givanni remembered my request of him. Seemingly on cue, he looked back at me with a smile and leaned closer. “If I could recommend a selection?” he asked quietly. A smile spread easily across my face and I nodded, feeling somehow closer to him after the short confrontation with his aunt. “The alfredo here is like nothing you have ever tasted.” My stomach seemed to wake at the suggestion and rumbled loudly. “Is that a yes?”
“Si, signore,” I said, trying to put my most Italian-sounding accent into it. He lifted his eyebrows, looking mildly impressed.
“Ovviamente,” he replied. The waiter nodded politely at everyone in turn as they spoke, spinning on his heels when we were finished. I wondered how he could remember all of the requests he had just been presented with, but then the atmosphere of the restaurant seemed to demand perfection. He must have been able to memorize novels. The table spoke in Italian until our plates arrived all at once, and all steaming. Even with my rush to get food into my stomach, I was amazed at the flavor of the white sauce and how the noodles managed to be tender while firm. After finishing I tried to sip the bubbly carbonated water slowly, allowing everyone else to catch up. From my side, Givanni threw me a wink after looking at my empty plate, and I nudged him with one high-heeled foot under the table.