by Olga GOA
“Nike...” he mumbled with tenderness, taking the hand of his goddess and intending to put a ring on her finger. “So you agree to marry me?”
She answered with a nod, accepting his sincere proposal, and Milano put a ring on her finger.
The familiar waiter returned in a few minutes to their secluded room. Looking at the mess on the floor; he raised his eyebrows, but then realized what was going on.
“I’ll pay for the dishes. Move, man,” Milano firmly responded, slightly grinning at the waiter.
Veronica incredulously looked at them. What else is Milano hiding from me?
“Bene, Signor. Posso portare di nuovo tutto?”[13] The same waiter said, and Milano nodded quickly. A variety of foods soon appeared on the table, and the young couple crammed them down. The kitchen was exotic, with a little spark.
“What else do you suggest for me, Romeo?” Veronica teased him a little.
“The night under the stars, my Juliet!” Milano got excited because of her cheerful mood. “Did you like our dinner?”
“Without a doubt.” Veronica screwed up her eyes in pleasure, eating her portion on the plate. “As I remember, you wanted to surprise me. Do it now, or we’ll not leave this room! I know very well about your endless lust, Milano Veneziani!” Veronica answered, tight-lipped.
“As always satirical, Veronica Ledyanova!” Milano laughed, finishing his wine and looking at his goddess as she looked at him.
“By the way, who owns this restaurant? I didn’t understand your conspiratory smile with the waiter.” Veronica’s eyes squinted suspiciously.
“It is mine, cara...” Milano pompously replied with his hands in his pockets. He acted so self-righteously as if he won their mind battle. The battle at stake was not only the subordination of his daring Amazon but also taking her as a prisoner.
“So that’s why you’re acting like a master here!” Veronica squeaked, dumbfounded. “And you were dummy up, sly! Now, I will think twice before agreeing to a date with you once more.”
Milano burst out laughing. He rose from his seat, helping Veronica stand up, until she examined the room, remembering what had happened there earlier.
“Next time we’ll ride each other in the great hall. But no one will understand what we do because we will be sitting in a special place!” He said, showing his perfect teeth in a smile. “You will get adrenaline like you’ve never experienced!”
“Gosh! And I agreed to be your wife!” Veronica giggled, thinking about how she reached that conclusion. Will her life become more depraved or not? Or sex with Milano will make Veronica quite a different woman?
Taking his jacket, Milano led Veronica out of the room, noting that she had no warm clothes in her hands. “Veronica, do you ever think about the baby?! You have neither a shawl nor a coat! Nights are chilly now! Are you daffy?” Milano gnashed his teeth, looking at her bare shoulders.
When will Veronica take care of herself and the baby? He frowned, thinking.
“And you are not daffy by constantly offering me sex?!” Veronica passed him the question, bearing his tone and explosive character which should be considered.
A smile touched the corner of his mouth when Milano patted Veronica on the shoulder. “Go. Enough of the ranting.”
When they reached the Alfa Romeo after some time, Veronica sat in the saloon, slightly cool with the air conditioning. Remembering tonight’s dinner, she was ready to swear that Milano tried his best in organizing the evening outing.
“Everything was so perfect. The dishes were truly delicious. Grazie.”
“Always a pleasure to oblige, Veronica,” Milano replied, looking kindly at his Angel.
“Pietro won’t drive us home? You’ve been drinking, Mino, and the police could stop us!” Veronica was surprised at his flippancy. If there is no personal driver and bodyguard, such a trip may turn into a race with death. Was Milano so confident about himself?
“A glass of wine hasn’t hurt anyone yet. Don’t worry, baby...” Milano pressed the tip of her nose and kissed his goddess. Veronica melted from his tenderness.
“How far should we go, Milano?”
“Rome’s downtown, sweetheart. Soon you will see it yourself.” Milano subsided, starting the engine of the Alfa Romeo Spider and hoping that his Queen will appreciate their date that continued.
~ CHAPTER 8 ~
I Will Love Even Your Darkness
The dark gray Alfa Romeo Spider flew like a meteor along the highway. Veronica clung to Milano’s big shoulder and felt so peaceful beside him. The heater made the saloon warmer, and Veronica completely forgot about the discomfort from the coldness. Besides, Milano helped her with his powerful aura to revive her lost energy.
The gentle song ‘More Than a Woman’ by Angie Stone and featuring Calvin Richardson sounded in the car radio. This melody added more and more charm to Milano and Veronica’s continued date.
“You have good taste, Milano. It became clear to me on our first trip from Pisa to Rome…” Veronica voiced her opinion.
“Do you mean the brand of the car?” Milano queried.
“No, slow-witted! The music.” She responded amidst smiles.
Milano smiled broadly, being glad to know how beautiful Veronica’s soul was at that point in time. She liked almost everything that Milano did. Could he dream of such a heavenly gift as her, when he is utterly disillusioned with people? Having Veronica in his life, Milano got a chance of changing his existence for the better. After all, the result of his choice depended only on the correctness of his decision.
“You won’t regret agreeing to be my wife. And not only because of sex...” Milano sincerely continued their conversation, promising his Amazon the best feature. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed every one of her fingers as if thanking Veronica for being an angel.
“Milano, drive carefully. Be mindful of the baby,” Veronica warned him while looking at the road. It was full of oncoming vehicles that were moving fast and she was afraid they would collide with them. She also thought about Milano’s gentle words which touched her to the core. She believed that she could contribute in the shaping of his character. But why did she attempt to leave him when he proposed to her? Probably, the intense emotions overwhelmed her since she desired to be loved. Who in the world of women does not want this? Only the hardened loners.
“Here!” Milano announced, interrupting her mental digging. He got out of the car, walking slowly to its trunk and opened it. Taking out a sizeable snow-white shawl, he returned for Veronica and opened the door for her. He quickly gave her his hand, and Veronica willingly accepted his courtship. She enjoyed the refined manners of her polite Demon.
“I had a feeling you might need this accessory today; Gloria was very thoughtful about it. Put it on your shoulders, darling...” he said to Veronica, wrapping her with a shawl of fine wool.
“You’re as cute as a teddy bear...” like a cat, Veronica meowed, hiding her cold nose in the warm material.
“I’m not always so nice, cara, and you know it!” Milano apprised her, taking Veronica by the arm and leading her toward a particular building.
When they reached their destination, Veronica noticed the numerous stone stairs, leading to an unfamiliar edifice. This white colored building was unrivaled, both in grandeur and monumentality. It immediately stood out among all the buildings in this central district of Rome.
Veronica and Milano began to walk up the stairs carefully, while the bright sun was hiding behind the horizon. It was dusk in Rome, and the orange glow started disappearing into the dark sky. Mother Nature was gradually falling asleep unlike some people who wanted to see the city from the top of the roof.
Milano and Veronica were not far from the ancient magnificent Colosseum and the outstanding Roman Forum. Namely, these famous places were the first attractions that Veronica saw as soon as she arrived in Italy. Although that was a long time ago. Since then, there’ve been so many events that Veronica could write an autobiography about h
er experiences. However, she didn’t regret it and liked living here.
When they reached the end of the stairs, Veronica and Milano turned out to be in a long hall. The white columns that supported the roof made this hall so high that it felt like people could touch the sky. The breath of Veronica became accelerated, she was over the moon. She couldn’t believe that people created this beauty. It was beyond impossibility.
“I worship you, sweetheart... you are the source of the light in my life. See it for yourself.” Milano confessed, starting to show his goddess the panorama of the city.
From a magnetic bird’s-eye view, the capital of Italy appeared in all its traditional pomposity. Admiring townsfolk with bright illumination of the main buildings, Rome shared its evening romance and mystery. Niveous Altare della Patria with modern columns and Quadrigas of the goddess of victory hovered in the air like a heavenly castle. It seemed as if it came down to Earth with an army of Archangels, deciding to protect all humanity. It looked just solemn!
“Milano! It’s fabulous!” Veronica admired, looking at the Eternal City of Italy from her place. “We’re on Capitoline Hill, right?”
“I’ll itemize it, mia carissima.[14] We’re on the roof of a building called the Altar of the Fatherland.”
“How did you get me in here at such a late time? How did you manage to reconcile everything with the authorities?” Veronica was bowled over at Milano’s commendable feat.
Milano said proudly. “I’m a wizard, dear…”
“Although still learning,” Veronica continued for him, and Milano snorted, appreciating her sense of humor.
Veronica was a special girl, and Milano knew he was lucky! Such a person like her was difficult to find not only in Italy but in the whole wide world! Milano didn’t deny it.
“This view has taken my breath away! I feel so good Milano, I want to scream!” Veronica wanted to embrace the whole sky and the Earth―her heart trembled with delight!
“Don’t draw attention to yourself, sunshine. We can be seen...” Milano smiled, holding Veronica’s waist. “Although I understand your emotions. I have the feeling that we’re on Olympus and watching everyone on the planet!”
“Exactly, Milano. I won’t dare to describe in words this perfect sight!”
“Then let’s go up to the observation point, and I’ll show you something…”
Veronica was extremely intrigued by the words of Milano and went after him to the roof of the building. She didn’t feel too tired to walk, she was very excited to see the sightseeing platform. When Milano and Veronica were there, Milano carefully led Veronica to a solid curb, backing her up with his arms.
Veronica looked up at the evening sky and gasped. It was like an abyss filled with shimmering silver stars which covered the sky like a huge tent. Milano’s finger pointed at the unusual constellation above them, and Veronica instantly moved her to look at it.
“This constellation is called Coma Berenices, or Veronica’s Hair. It contains sixty-four stars that can be seen with the naked eye. There are three main stars which determine the constellation’s location. I can assume―these stars are you, our baby and me.”
Veronica turned to Milano, beaming at his eloquence. She could not get enough of his kind heart! Those people who did not see the soul of Milano, she believed, were blind. Their selfishness did not allow them to see the real, sincere Milano.
“You have no idea how pleased I am by your words, my sweet. You’re my Romeo…” Veronica said, turning her head to Milano and touching the corner of his lips with hers.
Remembering her favorite song ‘Stars Come Out’ by ATB, Veronica began to hum it. Milano listened to her, soaking up the soft skin of his goddess’s neck with his mouth.
“Mia stellina,[15] you’re a great singer! And your voice is like a rill. I would like to help you become famous, but knowing how cruel show business is, I’m telling you not to work on stage. Those who work there will destroy your soul!”
“You are scared of too many things, Milano. There is risk everywhere.” She winked.
“It’s not fear, Veronica; it’s just knowledge of life. I want to protect you from every evil.” Milano assured her by caressing her shoulder.
When Milano invited her to a slow dance, Veronica spread her hands in confusion.
“But there’s no music, my Demon.” Veronica informed him.
“There will be, my Angel…”
Giving a sign to the man standing near the set of musical equipment, Milano led Veronica in a slow dance. Veronica was surprised how her Demon prepared very well for this evening but didn’t say anything, not wishing to break the idyll. She blossomed like Cinderella at the Prince’s ball, where she and Milano were the main characters. The singer Kelly Clarkson with the song ‘Be Still’ quietly and efficiently filled their date with magic and weightlessness.
Veronica began to sway to the tempo of the music while Milano kissed her forehead, whispering something into her hair. Veronica did not hear what it was but only became absorbed in her thoughts. Being in her valley of different emotions, she never wanted to leave it!
Milano felt Veronica shivering when he pressed her body closer to his. Veronica still wasn’t paying attention to herself, and Milano was very annoyed by that.
“You wear only a dress very easily, Veronica, and nothing else. I’ll get you in the car right now, and we’ll go home!” Milano was worried about her and the health of his unborn child.
“Milano, give me a second to watch the city! Don’t deprive me of this moment! I rarely walk outside…”
“Not a second, not half a second, Veronica! Your lips are turning blue! Let’s go!” Milano stopped the dance, taking Veronica by the arm and forcibly leading her to the exit.
“I fulfill any of your perversions, Milano, and you can’t even fulfill my only desire! I’ll soon warm up in this shawl... please...” Veronica attempted to convince him, trying to slow down the intensity. But she couldn’t do that.
“What a stubborn girl you are, Veronica!!!” Milano was ferocious. “You... You…”
“Me what?! Tell me that word!” Veronica was also angry with him.
“You’re just driving me crazy, damn it!”
Milano was scorching but kissed Veronica passionately, not letting her think straight. He demanded her submission and she subdued.
Veronica was so stunned and surprised by Milano that she could only accept his passion with no denying. She wasn’t skilled at kissing to defeat her Italian in a battle, and she lost instantly, letting him occupy her body. Milano had the power to do so because his law stipulated such. It further confirmed that Veronica was only his. She didn’t argue with him, she was plunging into the warmth of Milano and the aroma of his expensive perfume.
They kissed for a long time, standing on the roof until the chilly wind began to pull their thick hair. The night was coming; the moon appeared as a yellow disc in the sky, telling Milano and Veronica to hurry home.
Veronica reluctantly pulled away from Milano’s lips and looked into his blue-green eyes. She expected to see joy in them, but she saw only sadness. Veronica could not recognize such a frequent change of mood in Milano.
What was wrong with him?
“Milano, why are you so unstable? When you’re violent, I understand you, but when you’re calm, you’re completely unpredictable. What is your problem?”
Milano got upset without answering Veronica. The private doctors hired by his father told him the same things. None of the psychologists understood him, but only imposed their point of views. Milano thought to open up to them, but was unable to. He was afraid that they would invade on his innermost feelings, as someone did a long time ago that almost destroyed his personality. But would Veronica be frightened if he told her the truth about his illness? Could she be his assistant or his executioner?
Being already at the foot of the Altar of the Fatherland, Milano held her hand for a short while. He let her go, and walked forward a little.
&nb
sp; “Why do you always reject me when I want to understand you? Why?” Veronica frowned at Milano’s strange behavior.
“Because the demon world is difficult to explore until you can take his place, my Angel...” Milano said to her, lamenting. “And I will never let that happen! Do you get it?”
“Then nothing meaningful will ever come out of our marriage. The fact that you are mysterious will destroy our ties, sooner or later.” Veronica replied to him in a broken voice. She understood that her response pressed on Milano’s ego too much, and perhaps she overdid it. But how else could Veronica have acted if he were silent? Milano appeared like an ocean full of secrets.
“Damn it, cara!” Milano was furious, his facial expressions saying it was not too wise to mess up with him at this moment. He tried listening to her and not wanting to ruin what they had. “If you have a look into my darkest world, you wouldn’t want to have anything to do with me. I mean, if it weren’t like that, I wouldn’t be telling you this!”
“You decided that I am the Princess that cannot sleep on the pea, Milano. But I’m a woman of flesh and bone like everyone else. The truth won’t kill me; it’ll just connect me to you. I will love even your darkness.” She tried to convince her Demon to open up at last.
“Veronica, just imagine... you don’t know what you’re talking about. I can’t hurt you in your condition and I consider the health of our baby... Not now!!!”
Veronica remained silent; she could not get a word out of him. It was in vain to talk to Milano due to his sureness of how right he was. She looked around in confusion, wondering what to do next. Where was their car?
“Nikky...” Milano called her. He noted that she could not see where the Alfa Romeo was. “We’ll surely get home by other means…”
Veronica glanced in his direction, seeing a carriage of an unusual Indigo color. The wagon was drawn by three white horses, whose nostrils were steaming with air. The horses tapped lightly with their hooves as if they were waiting impatiently for their new passengers.