by Blue Saffire
I noticed a fresh stack of grad school envelopes. I wondered who my father offered a new library now. I sigh at the thought. I have it good, but I’ve ruined someone else’s life.
Another quick glance around the room. I know I need to clean this place up over the weekend since I have nowhere to go. Even my king-sized bed behind me is a mess.
The light blue bedspread is tossed into a bunch at the foot. I have some towels from the morning lying across the middle and one on the oak post at the top. The two oak end tables on each side were filled with car, sports, and gaming magazines. You could barely see the base of the silver lamps that sit on them. Definitely need to clean up.
I brought my attention back to the laptop in my lap and opened it up. Before I sent her any friend requests I would need to take some pictures of old girlfriends off my profiles and update my profile pic. It wasn’t the best photo of me. I looked like I hadn’t showered in days. It was taken after a game a few years back.
I uploaded a decent picture to all my profiles. Then deleted the others I knew I wouldn’t want her to see. After, I searched for her on each site.
I love technology, I found her on each one. I noticed she wasn’t as active on a couple, but I still sent a request not wanting to leave anything to chance. When I was done, I felt a little better, because now all I had to do was wait for her to respond.
Then panic set in again. What if she didn’t? What if she didn’t want to be friends? Did I weird her out yesterday at the mall?
Suddenly, I felt like a stalker. An old pervert stalker. She’s sixteen, I look like the bigger douche in the world. At that point, my idea didn’t seem good at all. Man, I need to start thinking things through a lot more.
I slammed the laptop shut and went to the kitchen to get something to eat. Venny had made sure we ate, but I was starving from the stress. That’s when my cell phone went off.
I groaned as I remembered I actually had a date. I promised a girl in my class, Sabrina, that I’d take her to a party at my best friend, Chris’s house. Nice, how was I going to get out of this?
chapter Five
New Home, New Life
Victoria
I hate feeling like I am missing something. Boy, I was missing something. I still hadn’t figured out what made my father go nuts.
It couldn’t have just been my outfit, but I wasn’t about to find out if it meant speaking to him. Maria and I spent our whole Saturday shopping for new clothes and things for my room, as well as planning for my birthday party. It was like she was trying to fit the seventeen years she missed out on into one day.
Under normal circumstances, I would’ve been over the moon with joy. However, all I wanted to do was see my little brother. So, after Maria dragged me to the last stop on her agenda, we sent the last of our things back to the house for the staff to set up in my room.
We then headed to the restaurant for me to see Toni and pick up my school bag I had left behind yesterday. Maria refused to go inside the restaurant and told me she didn’t want me going in either. We made a deal, we would go see Toni if I stayed outside with her.
I was so excited when Toni came running out of the restaurant, after Uncle Sal went to get him. Toni’s only twelve. I know everything must be upsetting for him. I’d been so busy hugging and reassuring him that I was okay, I didn’t notice my father or the men he walked out of the restaurant with.
I heard my father telling someone so long. Then I heard that name from the day before in the mall, Lorenzo. My head popped up at its mention, but I was too late.
I couldn’t see the faces of the men that left the restaurant. They had gotten into a large Hummer and the windows were tinted too dark for me to see inside. I was a little annoyed by the fact that I’d missed who it was that left. Only to think to myself, there must be a hundred Lorenzos. It was stupid to think it might be him.
I was so tired by the time we reached my new home, my brain was hurting. We had started out so early in the morning. I just wanted to sleep.
Maria had more plans for Sunday. She said she needed every day she could get to plan a birthday gala at the last minute. We’d already met with a team of party planners this morning. Tomorrow she was having her personal designer come and fit me for a few dresses for the party.
I have to admit, I was a little excited about the party. My mother wanted to throw me a party, but my father was still giving her grief about it the last time she asked. Maria wasn’t having any of those problems.
I was in awe as I made it to my new room. The staff had done everything for me already. They’d been painting first thing before we left in the morning. The plan was for it to dry in time for the new furniture. I’d asked for a warm shade of lilac. It looked glamorous on the walls.
The new linens were on the bed, a white and purple set I had picked out that morning. The curtains were changed to the white sheer fabric I had picked out. The desk I had chosen was set up by the entry of the room, just like I had imagined it would be.
I had picked out an espresso colored desk and a cool, clear desk chair with a purple cushion. The espresso canopy bed, I fell in love with, sat centered against the largest wall between the entry and the bathroom.
Maria really pulled strings to make it all happen in one day. The bed was scheduled to ship to someone else on Monday. Maria made sure it was delivered to us instead.
Maria had the bed draped with sheer purple fabric that she and her interior designer picked out. The curtains were made of the same fabric only in white. I was surprised to see them hanging already.
Maria meant business. There was a new TV mounted to the wall across from the foot of my bed. Under it was a clear entertainment unit with a DVD player and a sleek new stereo.
Anchoring the foot of the bed was a medium size white couch, placed on a purple and white plush rug. The pillows on the couch had purple and white designs. There was a purple throw across the back of the couch.
The end tables at the sides of my bed looked better than I thought they would. They were wide in width and made of the same espresso wood as the bed with clear knobs. The lamps I picked out looked cool.
They were clear glass and the insides were purple. Maria had picked out sconces and a chandelier that she was going to have her electrician put in during the week. I loved the room already, I couldn’t wait to see it finished.
I walked over to the bathroom on the right side of the bed and went straight through to the huge closet inside. They’d already organized my new shoes, accessories, and clothes. I walked through the closet spinning around in joy. This was a whole new start in a whole new world. I was being pampered even more than usual.
I walked through the closet running my hands over the clothes. My face brightened as I noticed the large white chaise lounge in the middle of the closet across from a huge mirror.
I ran over and threw myself across the chaise. That’s when I noticed Maria had entered the closet, leaning against the wall with a big grin on her face. After yesterday, it was nice to see a smile there.
“So, do you like it?” She could bet her sweet candy. I loved the closet and the room.
“Oh, of course, thanks, Maria you really didn’t have to go so overboard. I could’ve waited for some of this stuff. The staff must be exhausted.”
She truly did go above and beyond. It was nice, she was making the effort. I could tell it was genuine.
“That’s what we pay them for. I thought I told you to call me mom.”
“Oh, right, working on that,” I said with a smile. Mom was a big change from Mad Maria.
Maria smiled even wider. “Are you hungry? I could have the kitchen bring you something?”
“No, I’m good, that sandwich Uncle Sal gave me was more than enough.” I was stuffed. Uncle Sal had given me a meatball sub, before we left the restaurant.
“Okay, well, I want to go online and see if I can find any more ideas for the party. Your new laptop is downstairs in the study and the new desktop computer will
be set up on your desk tomorrow.”
“Okay, I did want to check my email, but I’m tired. I’ll do it tomorrow. Thanks again, Mar... I mean Mom.” It sounds so insane to call her that and it felt the same.
Maria’s face lit up, as she walked out of the closet. “Good night, Victoria, get some rest.”
I sure would. This woman was intent on getting what she wanted, and that meant she was going to run me ragged doing it. I found the location of my pajamas and headed for the shower. The warm water would be just what I needed to think.
I felt a little guilty that I was sort of enjoying this change. I mean, I did miss my mom, but I was in my father’s house. I felt like I belonged, even if I wasn’t speaking to him.
Maria thought of everything, my birthday, new school uniforms, —even though the school year is almost over, a new cell phone, we even talked about a car. She said that she would take me to get a permit later in the week. I never thought Maria capable of being so nice to me. She was even nice to Toni earlier, even though he wasn’t sure how to take it.
Toni said my mom was pretty upset about the whole thing. She had gone out with Aunt Joann to get away for a bit. I felt bad, a part of me wanted to see her.
Toni said she slept in my room last night. He could hear her crying. That really crushed me. I wasn’t sure if I should be so happy to be here with my mom in so much pain.
I tried to find something else to think about, to push the pained thoughts out. As a result, my mind found my questions from yesterday. What was with the mystery guy in the mall, Lorenzo?
It surprised me how excited I got to hear his name earlier. Even if it wasn’t him, hearing the name made me think of him. I want to know what happened.
I wondered his age, did he go to high school? I know I recognized some of his friends, Christopher Mc Clearen and Theodore Reigns. I know Theodore from the neighborhood around the restaurant. Theodore’s dad does business with my father sometimes.
I know he’s in college. He used to sit in the backroom with Toni and me, telling stories about his school and his friends. I never paid him much mind.
He used to act as if he was superior or something, like we had to listen to his stories. I think he thought I was impressed by him or something, because he was older. He once gave me his number and told me I should call him sometime. I chuckled to myself, to bad I didn’t keep it. I could have called him and asked for his friend’s number.
I got out of the shower and put my pajamas on, heading into my new room. Maria brought my new laptop up and placed it on my bed. She really is thoughtful.
I opened it and started to turn it on, but before it could load, I was done. I could hear myself snoring in my sleep. I wanted me to shut up.
chapter Six
It’s Him
Victoria
Maria couldn’t have been serious. She showed up in my room at 7:00 am, calling me out of my sleep. I groaned and covered my head with my pillow.
“Victoria, good morning,” She cooed, standing at the foot of my bed, with my laptop in her hand. “I’m glad you aren’t a wild sleeper. You would’ve crushed this thing. You must have been tired last night.”
In my head, I replied, you think. Although, I kept my mouth shut, knowing it would be rude. I just smiled, as I wiped the sleep out of my eyes.
“Breakfast is ready downstairs. The designer for your dresses will be here in an hour. Your father is planning on going to Mass with us after,” she paused a minute there and frowned.
“I know you’re upset with him. I still haven’t gotten him to tell me what all that was about. Him and his damn secrets. Anyway, I was hoping that you might start talking to him today.”
I just frowned at her. Was she so ready to mess up our new friendship already? The look on her face said she read my thoughts.
Maria pressed her lips and shrugged her shoulders. “Try, okay… he does feel bad.”
She of all people should care less about how he felt. I just gave her a weak smile and rolled off the bed, heading for the bathroom. The nerve. Was she speaking to him?
I took my time getting dressed at my shower. I picked out a nice suit that Maria had bought me at a boutique the day before. It was light blue with a white leather belt that wrapped around the waist of the double-breasted jacket.
The bottom was a knee length largely pleated skirt. I put on a white cami underneath the jacket. I grabbed a pair of white leather pumps that had a bow on the front of them.
I pulled my hair back into a ponytail, letting the curls flow wild on the back of my neck. I was tempted to straighten it, but I didn’t want to push my luck with my father. Maria had brought me some makeup, despite me telling her I wasn’t allowed to wear it. I just stared at it on the bathroom counter and decided that, that might be pushing it as well.
I returned to my room once I was dressed. I looked over at my laptop and thought about checking my email, but I know me. I’ll end up missing breakfast.
So, I made my way downstairs. I had to follow the scent of pancakes and syrup to find my way to the kitchen. The place was huge.
I still didn’t know my way around. Finally, I found the huge kitchen. The maid, Sandra, who I met on my first night in the house, pointed out the nook where my father and Maria sat.
I walked over to the table and Maria’s face lit up at the sight of my new outfit. My father looked at me with a pained, weak smile. “Good morning,” he said.
Out of habit I leaned over and kissed his cheek, as I replied, “Good morning.”
His face beamed at my response. It made the charcoal grey suit, with navy blue shirt, and matching silk tie look like they belonged. My father is a very handsome man. The pain in his face truly didn’t belong.
Maria sat next to him in a chocolate brown tailored pantsuit. She had on a gold cami underneath and her shoes were a matching gold. If nothing else Maria could dress.
I sat next to my father, as he watched me. Looking as if he had so much he wanted to say, but wasn’t sure if he should. Sandra brought over a bowl and a box of cereal for me.
She left, returning quickly, with milk and pineapples. I knew instantly, my dad had told her my favorite things for breakfast. We ate in silence, until the doorbell rang.
Ugh. I thought to myself, it was time to be Maria’s test dummy. I finished my pineapples and got up to follow her out of the room. As I turned I felt a hand touch my arm, I turned to see my father motion for me to sit again. I did as he suggested.
“Victoria, I’m very sorry for what happened the other day and I’m very sorry about what is happening with our family. Maria will calm down in a few days, and I’ll get you back to your mother, but while you’re here, please know anything you want you can have. This is your home for now, so enjoy it as much as you can.
“I have agreed to let Maria take you to learn to drive and we’ll discuss perhaps you getting a car. I don’t like what’s happening and I don’t want you to be unhappy because of it.
“We’re not changing your school that will be too much and the year is almost over. I want you to know you can talk to me about anything. If Maria ever goes too far, you let me know. Is that understood?” His instructions came out very stern.
“Yes, Mr. La Marcello,” I responded. Taking my last chance to sting him one more time, since he still gave no reason for what he had done.
He frowned and shook his head. “Victoria, really, there’s no reason for that. You know to call me daddy.”
The last part he spoke in Italian. I figured it was because the maid was there now, picking up my dishes. I just nodded my head and rose from the table to find my new mom.
I had no idea where I was going. Thank goodness, Maria is so loud when she’s excited. I followed her voice to the study at the front of the house. Across from the room Maria pointed out as my father’s office, on my tour the first night.
I entered the room to find her and a little feminine looking man, standing around some rolls of fabric, a bunch of swatch cards, and
sketches. The man looked at me and squealed as he threw his hands over his mouth.
Maria turned to look at me. “I told you she’s beautiful, didn’t I?” Maria said with a sparkle in her eyes.
“That was an understatement. Oh, my, what a wonderful gift Maria. She’s an amazing canvas to work with.” This guy is absolutely over the top.
Maria laughed. “I know you will make something amazing. Her father informed me this morning that we will be having some special guests, so she needs to be stunning.” I looked at Maria, curious about her comment.
“Oh, Honey, I could drape a piece of fabric around her waist and she would still be stunning. Honey, won’t you come over here. Let me start with your measurements.”
I walked all the way into the room, sliding my shoes off to climb on the fabric covered ottoman, the man motioned me toward. Maria reached up to unfasten my blazer, and helping me out of it. While the excited designer dug in his bag for his measuring tape and a note pad.
“Oh, by the way, Honey, I’m Carlos,” he turned toward me and said. I smiled a polite smile and tried to stay very still.
Carlos was very eccentric. His bright fuchsia button down was super tight, paired with too tight black pants, and a pair of black and fuchsia pointed toe shoes. His hair was dyed blonde and gelled into spikes all over his head.
“There are so many colors that would work on her,” Carlos sang. “We have to do three look at least.”
Maria gasped. “I was thinking the same thing.”
Carlos and Maria chattered like schoolgirls over the possibilities of what he could do. I was just about to tune out when Maria’s words caught my attention. “She has a date right? A girl as gorgeous as she is has to have a date,” Carlos purred.
“Yes, she will have an escort,” Maria said happily.
“Wonderful, I’ll make sure his suits and accessories match perfectly,” Carla said with a glow in his eyes.
Hearing this part of the conversation made me nervous. What escort? When my father said, let him know if Maria goes too far, would this count? Did I get to pick this escort?