Fateful Italian Passion

by Olga GOA

  “Yes, love. As you wish,” Lucenzo whispered with a sense of nervousness.

  “Then I’ll call Daniela to help Francesca put on new dress. Still, I was right that we should have a spare wedding dress. That came in handy!” Gloria talked with them in a rigorous tone since she was experienced in all areas of life.

  “By the way, I mustn’t see the dress!” Lucenzo joined their conversation, playfully rolling his eyes.

  “You’re absolutely right, lover boy! So naff off!” Francesca snorted as Lucenzo left the room and sent her many kisses. She was getting better from the excellent mood of her lover, and she was happy to go through all the obstacles of fate.

  At that time, Gloria was already in the cathedral. She passed the information about helping Francesca to wear her wedding dress to Daniela. Confidentially, Gloria reported what happened to Francesca, and Daniela was outraged by the antics of Francesca’s ex-boyfriend.

  Being pleased that Daniela agreed to help Francesca, Gloria took little Luigi from her hands, watching at how Daniela left the hall of the cathedral. Gloria came closer to the elder couple, the Lascatti’s, giving them a message that their daughter is okay and everything can start soon. She didn’t want to give them anxiety, but she guessed Francesca’s parents would find out about that sooner or later. She only advised them not to upset their daughter over anything, no matter what they face at the wedding. Francesca needed understanding and empathy from her parents.

  ***

  In the meantime, Veronica and Milano entered Francesca’s room, seeing a familiar guest of the occasion. The blonde Daniela was sitting next to dressed-up Francesca and having a halcyon conversation with her.

  Noticing their presence, Daniela turned her head in their direction and was slightly dumbfounded meeting with her brother’s lover. So Milano brought his mistress to Lucenzo’s wedding? How could he? She thought.

  “Milano, Veronica!” Francesca called out, ending the conversation with Daniela. “I’m so glad you came to see me,” she smiled, pushing Daniela out of bed to meet Veronica. “Veronica, this is the sister…”

  “My sister, Daniela Veneziani. She came from Paris, France,” Milano kept talking instead of Francesca, strictly looking into Daniela’s blue-green eyes. He was hoping she wouldn’t show any disregard toward Veronica’s companionship, as recently demonstrated by his mother. He expected her to be polite and hearty. However, he wasn’t particular sure about what Daniela would display.

  “I’m delighted to know you, Daniela,” Veronica smiled, extending her hand to Milano’s sister and supposing to establish a kind of friendship. Daniela hesitated a little, but she shook Veronica’s hand.

  “Milano didn’t tell me about you.” Daniela studied Veronica intently while Veronica felt uncomfortable from her penetrating look. The gaze was like that of Daniela’s mother. Is it possible that Milano’s sister will be against our union as well as their mom? Veronica was getting nervous even thinking about that.

  “I am always secretive about serious relationships, Dani, and especially, engagement,” Milano said with a grin, shocking his younger sister. Her triangular-shaped face stretched out in surprise, and Daniela stared at her elder brother in disbelief.

  “I see,” Daniela managed to keep herself from snarling at Milano. She still did not take his antics. She suspected that he was just abusing his bloodline by inviting mistresses on his family’s special day. But Daniela didn’t know that Veronica meant something more than any mistress for Milano.

  “In my opinion, you are not so enthusiastic about the meeting with Veronica,” Milano frankly expressed himself, somehow feeling that Daniela did not like his fiancée. “Although it wasn’t for her to decide whom I choose for myself.” Milano muttered under his breath.

  “Brother, it seems to me that you condemn me in vain,” Daniela cracked a smile, eyeing Veronica, then Francesca. “And it is not tactful to share with Francesca and your fiancée what you have in mind.”

  “Then let’s talk in private,” Milano opened the door and waved his hands as if wanting to shoo Daniela out of the room. By some special instinct, he sensed that Daniela would cause a lot of headaches, as much as his mother. Daniela really took after her mother’s arrogance.

  “Excuse us,” Daniela got up abruptly and went out into the corridor without taking a glance at Milano.

  “Milano, be mild with your sister...” Veronica felt the tension that was flying in the air after Milano and Daniela’s conversation. She didn’t want them to fight―the more she did not want to become the cause of their altercation.

  “Veronica, you don’t know what Daniela is like. Therefore, don’t meddle in our business,” and with these words, Milano abruptly slammed the door behind him. Francesca was even startled from that loud sound.

  “Milano was so harsh on Daniela…” Veronica told Francesca sadly, although, for some reason, Francesca did not follow her enthusiasm with regards to Daniela.

  “Veronica, you’re too sincere and blindly believe in people. Our world has a small number of angels like you, and the Earth will soon turn black owing to the infiltration of demons,” Francesca responded, seeing how likable Veronica was to people. Francesca believed that Daniela didn’t deserve such kindness due to her character, because Daniela didn’t like Veronica who was pleasant in every sense.

  “Francesca, I don’t like quarrels, and my little family never had them. My aunt always said that quarrels are the Devil’s tricks,” Veronica told Francesca about her life in Russia.

  “Exactly, Veronica. Milano is quite right in this case because you didn’t communicate with Daniela the way we did.”

  Veronica didn’t wish to argue with Francesca’s conclusion. She supposed that Francesca probably knew Daniela better than her, and Veronica didn’t plan to get into their business.

  “I won’t ask you why Fra; I barely judge anyone,” Veronica replied, and the corners of her mouth dropped. She was sad that her acquaintance with Milano’s family did not turn out the way she expected. Veronica was eager to please everyone, but she couldn’t. Only Milano’s father accepted her when he met Veronica on the street. Veronica read clearly in his eyes that he was glad to welcome her into his family.

  “Forget about Daniela for a while, Veronica. Tell me, why did you go to the cathedral alone? Have you thought about the baby? What if Milano hadn’t come in time?” Francesca didn’t raise her voice but made it tense; she was extremely displeased with Veronica’s carelessness.

  “The best thing is that we found you, Francesca, so do not bother about anything else. The rest will be a lesson for me.” Veronica agreed with her friend that she shouldn’t be so frivolous in her actions.

  “Sorry for my tone, dear Nike. I just would never have forgiven myself if anything had happened to you. I could consider myself a murderer...” Veronica gasped in response to her words, and at the same time hugged her close friend. They both shed tears, sharing female unanimity.

  “Let’s go back to the cathedral. I suppose, Lucenzo can’t wait for our wedding night,” Francesca laughed, picking up the hem of her new lacy wedding dress and was ready to go. The dress slightly opened her tiny shoulders and covered her bruises and abrasions. Francesca wasn’t worried that someone in the cathedral would whisper behind her back about that. Guests should not have been aware of what had happened hours earlier.

  “Are you really feeling good, Fra? After all, Mateo...” Veronica bit her lip, trying not to say something wrong. She didn’t wish to make Francesca upset.

  “I’m a tough nut to crack, Veronica. I thought you already knew that!” Francesca shot out her lips as if she was offended.

  Veronica burst out laughing, understanding her friend and adjusting the long train of Francesca’s wedding gown. The thick lining of the dress was tight and emphasized Francesca’s beautiful shape in the best way.

  “Milano does not offend you?” Francesca was interested in the behavior of Lucenzo’s brother, while Veronica scanned the lacy dress of her
friend, searching for the ends of threads or holes. The dress was absolutely gorgeous.

  “He flirted with the saleswomen at the lingerie store, but I educate him as much as possible. Maybe I still need a whip!” Veronica tapped her left cheek with the index finger as if she seriously agreed with this punishment. Francesca giggled.

  “How shameless he is!” Francesca criticized Milano with a smile. “I have a leather whip just in case. Do you need it?”

  “I’ll consider that, Signorina Lascatti! Everything will be useful during the pacification of my Demon.” Veronica answered without emotion as if she was strict.

  But then they laughed wildly, hoping that their simple plan will be realized. Finally, Milano won’t run after women and will belong to Veronica by all his thoughts and body.

  ***

  The guests at St. Mark’s Cathedral were whispering continually with each other. They doubt that the wedding would still take place today. Padre Giuseppe has asked all the guests and the friends and relatives of both families to remain calm and be patient. If anyone is hungry, they can go to the nearest cafe and have a snack. The ceremony should begin by five p.m.; in almost an hour.

  Daniela was standing near the entrance of the cathedral and nervously waiting for her brother Milano. Men cast interjectional looks at Daniela, having the opportunity to contemplate her slender figure, like a cypress. They admired her blue-green eyes and the wheat-colored hair which her father and great-grandmother’s genes had given her. Her great-grandmother was a cinema actress, so her career forced her to move from native Russia to warm Italy.

  “I didn’t like the way you treated Veronica. You’re rude!” Milano blurted out at Daniela when he came closer to her. He grabbed her elbow without courtesy and led her outside.

  “And you shamelessly degraded me in front of Francesca! I’m not a little girl to be forced out the room!” Daniela bawled Milano out, getting free from his strong grasp. She frowned, smoothing the skirt of her paled pink sundress that was made from layered feathers.

  “Because you and our mother exasperate me! You’re both playing on my nerves!” Milano’s tone was in anguish; his eyes showed similar darkness. Only for Veronica’s sake, he tried containing his anger and his demons which just waited to break out. His grimaces said that Daniela couldn’t hold them at all.

  “Mommy didn’t like your girlfriend either?” Daniela wore a look of surprise. Her look revealed that she thought her mother was a different person and knew how to hide her true feelings. Everyone saw that Gabriela Veneziani never showed her opinion about any person, if she despises such a one. She retained aristocratic manners in their family during interlocution; she did the same even in the secular society.

  “Actually, Veronica has a name! I demand you to respect her, Daniela!” Milano stood his ground, his hands folded in front of him. It appeared as if he was waiting for Daniela to comply with his requests and stop acting like a real wretch. In his opinion, Veronica deserved respect like no other.

  “Bianca is who fits you, Milano,” Daniela smirked, sharing her thoughts with Milano. “I always imagined her to be your wife, but not Veronica! Veronica looks like a simple demure-nun,” she quipped, depicting the pretended humility on her face.

  “I can dissuade you, Daniela. Nike is the complete opposite of the woman that you’ve just described,” Milano hemmed, watching his parents playing with his little brother. “Veronica and I will have a baby, so you have to shut up!”

  “You’re just a cad!” Daniela scolded him angrily. “Now I realize why Bianca doesn’t visit us anymore. You have no idea of how to treat a decent woman.”

  “A decent woman?! I think you mean another Bianca…” Milano replied with neglect about his relationship with his ex-mistress Bianca. “But if you want both of us to continue being siblings―stop talking shit about Veronica. If you persist, I will halt my financial obligations toward you. Be sure.” Milano bared his teeth, being aware of how his sister was dependent on him. She studied at the Paris University and intended to become a hair stylist; she had to put her best foot forward to finish it. Her parents have stopped assisting her financially, and only Milano was the source of her tuition. Therefore, she had to be voiceless.

  “Have you fallen in love with that angel?” Daniela covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing. She knew Milano was a great womanizer, and she had to take stock of how Veronica made him fall for her.

  “You are only passing through here, and you have no right to tell me whom to love!” Milano snarled, being oblivious to the fact that some guests were watching them, talking on the street. He didn’t care at all; he spat at rumors.

  On the other hand, Daniela thought on how to improve her relationship with Milano. Although, the more she spoke to him, the more she realized that she did not know her elder brother.

  “You are so full of bile, Milano! Why are you pouring it on me?” Daniela was upset by Milano’s state of mind, her face expressed sadness. She already blamed herself for having no desire to see his essence and turning a blind eye to it. She scolded herself that she didn’t notice his problems, and their relationship was friendlier than kindred. Even then, they were loosely friendly.

  “You and our parents see this attitude because you all never cared about me! Ever!” Milano snapped.

  With bitterness in her heart, Daniela listened to her brother’s furious accusations against her. However, she couldn’t help but defend her parents. They did a lot of things for her when she was a teenager.

  “And did you care about us, Milano? When I came home from classes, you were never anywhere to be found,” she said, recalling that when she was in high school, Milano was out of her vision. They rarely have seen each other, as if Milano punished her for their parents’ mistakes.

  Daniela beheld the reason for his hatred towards everyone―Milano faintly has forgiven those people who didn’t pay attention to him. Even with the birth of little Luigi nothing has changed in their family. The gap between him and his parents widened even further; Milano was like an outcast as if he was a stranger. Daniela’s heart ached for her brother, and she felt helpless. He did not take her seriously, and what she heard in response from him was undeniable proof.

  “Should I care about my parents?” Milano grumbled, noting how the guests were still looking in their direction. He supposed that they were curious to ascertain the reason why a sister and a brother were arguing. “My parents never spent their time with me, so I grew up free and independent.” Milano continued in a proud tone of his voice.

  “Our parents didn’t turn their back on you, Milano. Otherwise, they wouldn’t care who you marry and why. Only you don’t want to see this!” Daniela answered him in an irritated tone.

  “I don’t need their approval. Our parents lost the right to interfere in my life when they left me to Gloria and my grandfather,” Milano reminisced, opening the door of his past to Daniela. “But I didn’t lose heart, sister. When our grandparents were old and couldn’t tail after me, as Gloria cooked in the kitchen, I’d run outside. I saw life myself, and no one taught me that. I flew for freedom only then, when I wanted to feel the significance of my force. Therefore, do not blame me for growing up much faster than my parents! It has always been their problem, not mine!”

  “You think you’re the king of your life, don’t you?” Daniela asked her brother.

  “I do,” Milano nodded quickly with an exasperated grin. “I am the only one free to dispose of it. No one else.”

  “You so hate our parents that you’re ready to do everything not to depend on them...” Daniela responded almost in a whisper. She was still confused about how negatively Milano was configured against their family. There was no doubt.

  “Not only to depend on them, but on you too,” Milano acutely hinted to Daniela, and she gasped from his terrible words. She was shocked that Milano couldn’t forgive them all and probably didn’t try.

  Daniela almost burst into tears from her brother’s cruelty, but she did
not wish to come out with a reddened and tear-stained face. She instantly turned away from Milano and hastened to Gloria, not wanting to be a vat where her elder brother outpoured all the venom. She couldn’t believe that her own parents’ insouciance has poisoned her brother, and still, he hadn’t been cured by their love.

  Noticing how Daniela quickly ran to Gloria and her face looked very upset, Gabriela Veneziani comprehended who ruffled her daughter. She headed for the cathedral’s entrance, wanting to talk to her eldest son alone.

  Milano stood closer to the left doors of the cathedral and stared into the long distance. His gaze was somehow blank and vacant; it seemed like he was deep in his dark kingdom.

  “Son, what did you say to your sister?” Gabriela murmured, patting him gently on the back. However, this attitude of his mother did not cool Milano but only further enraged him.

  “Merda!”[33] Milano swore in Italian, hoping to avoid his mother’s lecture about his sister. He didn’t want to talk to anyone but his dear Veronica. He wished to lose himself in her, because his family always reminded him of his escapes from his house and the growing psychological drama. He was worried that this drama would turn into a disaster. He felt strangely uneasy.

  “Why are you pestering me?” he continued indifferently, turning reluctantly to his mother.

  “Do you want a slap on your lips for saying such words, Milano?” Gabriela Veneziani boiled for his disregard of family ties. She didn’t support him in that. “Why do you talk to your mother like that? You became so undisciplined in our absence! Did this girl Veronica corrupt you?” she continued, disapproving of his liaison with Veronica. She was going to tell him that without delay.

  “Damn it and you too!” Milano howled, not understanding why his sister and mother were against his lovely goddess. Did he have to fight with them too? He was so tired of protecting Veronica from his former mistresses, and now he should have to stand up for her contrary to his family. When will he live in peace?