Fateful Italian Passion

by Olga GOA

  “Admit it, you and Daniela have conspired to convince me that I must leave Veronica. You want me to live alone. My sufferings bring joy to you!” Milano exploded, waving his hands and moving away from his mother.

  “How can you think of us like that?” Gabriela Veneziani shook her head, landing her palm to her chest. It was as if she was making a gesture that she didn’t believe her ears. Had she not seen the large abyss in her son’s soul? Was she really an egomaniac?

  “What am I supposed to think?” Milano asked, smiling maliciously at his mother. “You were always absent as you desired―all-time traveling, receptions, parties, guests. Oh yeah!” Milano lifted his index finger, pausing his speech. “How could I forget? The birth of your younger son!”

  “Why are you saying this, Milano? I love you and Luigi; all my children...” Gabriela Veneziani uttered with tears in her eyes. She listened to her son and didn’t recognize him. He was a cold man, vice and thick-skinned; he was completely ill-mannered. Was he just sharing with her what he had accumulated over the years? She had to let him speak and get his pain out of his heart.

  “I had not seen your big love in my childhood and adolescence years,” Milano retorted with a sidelong glimpse at his mother. “Just don’t lie about it that it was all my fault!”

  “Honey...” Milano’s mother told him softly, attempting to caress his shoulder, even though he didn’t allow her to reach him. “You don’t have to magnify your self-importance, or it will destroy you, darling,” she continued, hoping to soften his temper.

  “Did I magnify it?!” Milano expressed a surprise look from his mother’s words. “What if it is you and your apathy to my life that made me such a moral freak, Mother?” Milano was about to explode, but seeing his father standing nearby, he settled down.

  Alessandro Veneziani didn’t like the way Milano talked to his mother, and he constantly drilled his son with an unfavorable look.

  But Gabriela took no notice of anyone around her. She saw only an angry son who blamed the whole world for his misery and was so far away from her, both in thoughts and feelings. Milano denied any help from his mother, mentally and physically.

  “You tear my soul apart with your attitude, Milano! We miss you, Lucenzo and Daniela do too! Don’t you believe how much we love you?” Gabriela Veneziani asked him sulkily.

  “Let’s drop these pointless conversations, Signora Veneziani. Neither you nor anyone will interfere in my affairs. Agreed?” Milano extended his hand as if he offered her a deal. All the feelings that he had for his mother died a long time ago.

  “Why do you trust Veronica and not me? What if she’s with you for the money and playing with your feelings?” His mother sowed the seeds of doubt in Milano’s head, to lure him to her side. She wasn’t conscious of her son’s transformation from a good guy into an unfeeling man. She didn’t guess that her youthful mistakes and her irresponsibility to little Milano made him what he is now.

  “Veronica comes to me on short notice. She accepts my dark and light sides unlike you,” Milano sincerely admitted. He recollected that his mother started caring for him only when he became a grown man and could take care of himself. But why did she not do so earlier on when I searched for her sincere love? Milano queried himself sadly. He thought that his mother lost her chance to be closer to him.

  But Milano was mistaken only about one thing―that the love from parents is always precious. Such love is rare, and only relatives can give it, no matter how much they are right or wrong. Milano had to understand that.

  This intransigence of her elder son made Gabriela Veneziani stop talking and not torture him anymore. She wanted to make up for lost time and give her son as much love as he wanted. She didn’t care whether such an act would push her away. She believed she could change his attitude toward her, his father and Daniela.

  Suddenly Signora Veneziani’s thoughts were distracted by Veronica when she approached them. Milano’s mother viewed his girlfriend with wonder, studying Veronica in a scanning glance.

  Veronica looked stylish―a long dress turned her into a fairy forest, and next to her even the sun faded. But Gabriela Veneziani somehow feared that Veronica’s beauty would dazzle Milano so that it will set him against his mother. Perhaps Gabriela Veneziani had hoggish love for her son and did not want to avow this fact.

  Milano’s mood instantly changed as soon as he saw his goddess. His face lit up with a broad smile because Veronica was the only one who pleased him.

  Such a change in Milano was still unknown for Gabriela Veneziani, and she thought it had to be a rational cause.

  “Nike...” Milano affectionately addressed his call to Veronica, looking down at his outstanding fairy. “Is everything ready?”

  “Yes... Francesca’s parents went to check on her, that and her father has to lead her to the altar,” Veronica remarked, gently eyeing her Italian man. Her soul already knew that none of the men could conquer her. Only Milano had the gift to kindle an unquenchable flame in her soul.

  Milano smiled at Veronica, taking her hand and kissing her alternately on both cheeks.

  “Excuse me, Signora, for interrupting your son, but he must go,” Veronica apologized shyly before Milano’s mother. “The priest announced that the wedding will begin in a few minutes, and as the best man, Milano should stand at the altar near the groom,” she told Gabriela Veneziani in a polite tone. Veronica honored her elders and respected Milano’s parents with all her heart. She knew that she had to win their love as well as the love of their son.

  However, Gabriela Veneziani supposed that Veronica was pretending and doing everything to worm into her interior. But seeing honesty in the girl’s eyes, without a hint of lies, Gabriela Veneziani felt ashamed. She politely nodded and smiled at Veronica, allowing her to take Milano away from her motherly wing.

  “Well then, let’s go, my sweet...” Milano agreed, smiling. He took Veronica by the arm, rejoicing that he and she are the best man and the bridesmaid at his brother’s wedding. Milano would stand beside the groom, and Veronica would stand beside the bride; they could be alone for a little while. Also, they will feel what it was like to be near the holy altar. After all, they might have to be married pretty soon.

  ***

  A few minutes later, the heavenly music ‘Ave Maria’ written by Franz Schubert began to play in St. Mark’s Cathedral. Beautiful Francesca appeared in the doorway of the Catholic cathedral and eclipsed all the audience with her radiance. She moved royally while the same black-haired boy that visited her room earlier carried the train of her lace dress. Walking down the path toward the altar, she was just seeing Lucenzo. Only he existed for her in the whole world, and she seemed to be floating above the floor―such were the feelings her favorite man gave her.

  Francesca’s father met her halfway down the aisle, smiling at her and took her by the arm. He was pleased to see how Francesca shined. Even though he knew the reason for the delay of the wedding, he tried not to give in to emotions. No bastard, not even Mateo, will be able to spoil Francesca’s wedding. It was not only her day but Lucenzo’s as well.

  While Francesca was walking towards Lucenzo, he admired her and looked at her as if her beauty hypnotized him. He was afraid that Francesca would feel bad and lose consciousness, but the confidence in his future wife’s eyes convinced him not to worry. And Lucenzo didn’t, especially, when Francesca approached him and grinned. Lucenzo half-embraced Francesca defensively as her father handed her to him. Francesca’s father slowly stepped aside and joined his wife to sit on the wooden bench.

  Veronica enthusiastically watched how Francesca and Lucenzo’s faces reflected their emotions in response to the padre’s words while he prayed. Francesca’s eyes sparkled with tears, and Lucenzo clasped her hand tightly and kissed her fingers. They were both absorbed in the great feeling of love and the mystery of the ceremony.

  Wanting to recognize what Milano was feeling at that moment, Veronica turned her head in his direction and froze. She saw him smi
ling; it meant that he confirmed his approval of the ceremony. Veronica was ready to jump into Milano’s arms and share his happiness over his brother’s wedding with him.

  Interestingly, on some strange impulse, Milano looked up at Veronica, meeting her gaze. He noticed that her eyes were as wet as his own. What is she thinking? Is it about our future wedding? Milano asked himself. He realized that it is necessary to make guesses to find out the thoughts of his Amazon.

  Handing a box with gold rings to Francesca and Lucenzo, Veronica and Milano again fell into their places, so as not to interfere with relatives and guests rejoicing about the newlyweds’ delight.

  Francesca and Lucenzo exchanged wedding rings and made a union of two hearts. Then they met each other’s glances and sighed, satisfied. They heard how the padre announced to everyone that now Francesca and Lucenzo Veneziani are married, and that the groom may kiss the bride. Francesca thought her wings had grown when Lucenzo gave her a kiss with extraordinary tenderness. She was sure that Lucenzo would always adore her immensely, no matter what happened.

  When Lucenzo and Francesca walked down the aisle to the opened iron gates of the cathedral, the guests did not get up from their seats to avoid disturbing the romance of the ceremony.

  Milano and Veronica, as well as the newly married couple’s parents, were ahead on the street. They were waiting for the appearance of Francesca and Lucenzo. Milano and Veronica checked at the same time if the scarlet silk ribbon they had tied in front of the entrance was cut. After making sure that everything was going fine, Milano and Veronica, and joined by Gloria waited for the newlyweds outside the cathedral.

  When Lucenzo and Francesca were on the street, their parents, as well as Gloria, Veronica and Milano began to sprinkle rice on the married couple. Francesca’s younger brothers, friends, Veneziani’s and Lascatti’s relatives showered the newlyweds with petals of red and white roses. They made the threshold of the cathedral turn into a living carpet of nature, so everyone felt a pity to step on it and trample it with their shoes.

  Sensing that his wife should get more positive emotions after the stress she got, Lucenzo picked up Francesca in his arms. When Lucenzo came down from the stairs carefully, holding Francesca in his strong arms, everyone started to applaud him. He easily reached the end of the stairs with his wife, and the guests as well as relatives waved at him and Francesca.

  Francesca’s bodyguard Mario quickly opened the door of the wedding car, and Lucenzo, without releasing Francesca, sat her on the back seat of the vehicle. Lucenzo decided to wait for the wedding photographer to arrive. And soon the photographer came, landing on the front car seat next to Mario.

  Since everyone was ready, Lucenzo told Mario that they could go. Lucenzo was looking forward to seeing all the romantic places of Rome in one day and taking pictures with his beloved Francesca.

  Veronica sighed sadly when the newlyweds left. She noticed as everyone began to disperse and was headed to the Veneziani’s cottage. However, the fantastic bliss of something overwhelmed her―the wedding banquet will soon take place.

  “Again, my Angel flies far from the ground. I want her to fly with me...” Milano spoke ironically, seeing how focused his Amazon’s face was. To distract Veronica, he slid his hand around her waist and kissed her on the shoulder, coming closer to her.

  “Your mom and dad have not gone yet; they are still looking at us. Chill out, man!” Veronica was struggling with Milano’s strong hands, being mindful how his parents watched them.

  “Let them look on! I’m not trying to hide the fact that you’re mine...” Milano told her the truth, while his mother was glaring at the back of his neck. He was tired of hiding from everyone what woman he adored. He was too worn-out to be afraid of people’s condemnation. Milano just wanted to tell the whole Earth that Veronica belonged to him and no one else.

  “Milano, I wish you’d swallow your pride and reconcile with your parents. Please…” Veronica advised him, seeing how sad Milano’s mother’s face looked.

  “Nike, you don’t care what my mother and sister think of us? You do not mind that they wished to separate us even without knowing how unique you are among other women?!” Milano’s pupils narrowed, his eyebrows rising like waves on the sea. He was peeved again, and he didn’t want to start another conversation about his family.

  “If we stick to our bond, no one can ruin our happiness! Everything is in God’s hands, Milano,” Veronica pronounced, raising her head high and looking up at the sky.

  “Will you surrender to fate without any fight?” Milano began to panic. He suspected that his Amazon had decided to go through life all by herself without him.

  “Darling, I won’t leave you, not even when I tried doing it many times. You know why? Because when you love, you must be able to forgive your soulmates mistakes.” Veronica lowered her head, eyeing Milano with kindness.

  “You won’t ever abandon me?” Milano’s eyes gleamed, his emotions turned into a barrage, which had become more and more powerful. Milano did not understand why Veronica loved him so. He saw himself as selfish and a crazy sex maniac whom she cannot love. His demons pulled him back all the time, but the wings of his Angel Veronica, in the opposite, lifted him higher. He suspected why she was changing him; he did not resist the light, but fell for it.

  Can I love again? Milano thought, while Veronica watched him and the expressions on her face changed from worried to touching.

  “How can I abandon such a sex fanatic?” Veronica laughed, surprising Milano with her intuition and insight about how he imagined himself.

  “Well, then you won’t mind if we retire and have fun.” Little wrinkles appeared in the corners of Milano’s eyes; his smirk stretched over his face. He abruptly hugged Veronica with one hand as the finger of the other held across her lips.

  “What makes you so sure I’ll let you make that move?” Veronica looked at Milano, embracing his muscular neck.

  “Because you’re as insatiable as I am,” Milano frankly expressed his point of view, remembering their frantic intercourse in the dressing room of the lingerie store. The timbre of Milano’s voice changed to a lower one as his made straight for Veronica’s rounded butt.

  Veronica blushed the moment she saw through the corner of her eye that Francesca’s parents were about to approach them.

  “Omigosh! Your sister-in-law’s parents are coming here... Milano, stop it!” Veronica pulled him back, but his hands were still on her back and, sometimes accidentally, they probed the edge of her sexy panties.

  “You’re such a shy little one! But it kindles me in double...” Milano laughed while his kisses softly and scorchingly caressed her neck and his hands teased her with intimate touches.

  Veronica felt she could no longer contain it―she should either reject or obey him. Although she understood that if she refuses her Demon, he could consider it as her coldness and dislike. She began to develop a new effective plan of her actions, at last, to defeat Milano’s demons and show him a genuine love.

  “Too bad you’re so obstinate; otherwise, we could have sex in the nearest cafe... For example, in the toilet,” Milano started to press Veronica’s breast lightly to his hard chest, continuing to free her from stiffness and shyness.

  “You want to corrupt even my mind, Milano!” Veronica chuckled, realizing only one thing. She will definitely tow the path of his desires because she wanted it herself. As a real woman, she was learning to explore the core of her sexuality, her feminine sensuality.

  “And if it is so... you won’t refuse me, right? I deciphered you a long time ago, baby. Your skin and goosebumps never lied to me...” Milano’s grin reflected not only on his lips but also in his eyes when Veronica moaned languidly. He knew everything about his goddess’ body.

  But then Milano stopped squeezing Veronica in his arms when Bruno and Andrea Lascatti approached them. Milano rolled his eyes when the details of the banquet were being discussed―which dish to put first on the wedding table, whether there was th
e need to serve only wine or other alcoholic drinks as well, whether live music in the form of a local music band or a CD boombox will be played in the garden. He hoped that this conversation would soon be over and he would be able to go home with Veronica. And at home, he will do with her whatever his soul wants.

  Having finished the conversation, the Lascatti’s wished Milano and Veronica all the best. They also said they would talk to Milano’s parents about how they are going.

  But Milano was not interested in what Francesca’s parents will be talking about with his parents. He only wished that they won’t make Veronica a subject in their conversation. Milano was no fool not to understand the approach of their families toward intermarriage―his life will be in the open for the Lascatti’s. This meant that Milano had to behave presentably.

  “What are you thinking, my bright little sun?” Milano asked Veronica with a smile. He watched as she opened her mouth and how she studied the unknown couple that pawed each other on the street. He noticed how her eyes were wide, and her breathing was accelerated.

  “I assume that I’m not the only one who wants to fulfill her fantasies...” Veronica bit her lip, waving a hand at that couple’s side and as if confessing something sinful and perverse to Milano.

  Milano’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Like what?”

  “When I noticed you were courting those saleswomen in the lingerie store, I wanted to push you on the floor and have sex with you right there! So that each of those saleswomen would have known that you are only mine!” Veronica responded emotionally. She imposed her claims on Milano, and having no regret about what she told him.

  “I’m beginning to like your new way of thinking,” Milano smiled broadly, like a passionate man, catching Veronica in his embraces. “You should have told me about that right away, and we wouldn’t have quarreled. After all, you scolded me just because of your jealousy!”

  “You wouldn’t have been ashamed to have sex in the toilet for sure,” Veronica replied, playfully slapping Milano’s shoulder. “You don’t have complexes, Milano! You are ready to show your lust even on the street, just like that couple!”