Black Bella : The Beginning Book 1

by Blue Saffire

  Carlos and Maria were wrapping their plans up as my father entered the room. I shoot him a, save me, look. He just chuckled at me.

  It was sort of nice to see him laugh. I couldn’t help, but laugh myself. Maria seriously meant to make up for all she’d ever missed out on.

  My father grabbed my blazer from the chair it rested on and came to help me down from my podium. I reached for his hand and stepped down. He held up my jacket for me to slide my arms in. As I fastened the blazer shut, my father grabbed my shoulders, giving me a hug as he whispered in my ear.

  “Having fun?” he chuckled again.

  I wanted to talk to him. Who were these special guests? Did he know about the plans for an escort?

  I know Maria was getting to bend a lot of rules, but this one wasn’t like my father to give in on. Maybe Maria and my father had a way different relationship than he and my mother. Maybe I would learn to love it here.

  I was getting to breathe. I wanted to call Angie and tell her all about everything that was going on. However, before I could head to my room to get my cell, my father started to rush us to get our things so we would make the afternoon mass.

  I grabbed my shoes and ran up to my room to get my bag and phone Maria bought me. I could text Angie in the car and check my emails while at it. I ran back downstairs, heading out of the door behind my father and Maria.

  We all climbed into the car. My father letting me sit in the back with Maria. I pulled out my cell phone to begin to text Angie, but once again I was distracted. This time by Maria and my father’s conversation.

  “Venn, are you going to get Victoria’s escort’s measurements by Tuesday. Carlos will need them and a fitting will be necessary.”

  “Yes, I’ll take care of it. We can talk about it later,” My father said, sounding as if he wanted to have this conversation in private. This made me even more curious.

  “I hope he is handsome, I don’t want Victoria’s night ruined by an ugly date.” I agreed with Maria on that. I wasn’t looking forward to an ugly date.

  “Maria, we’ll talk about this later.”

  “Hmmm, kid must be ugly.”

  “Maria!”

  So not only was my father in on this, he was picking the boy. What in the world was going on? Why was he being so evasive about it? Was the boy ugly?

  I hoped my father wouldn’t do that to me, just to prove a point about him not wanting me dating. Oh boy, this party was starting to become a pain. I would have to spend my night with a stranger that might make my stomach turn just to look at him. He probably has acne and smelly breath. I was quickly changing my mind about liking it here with these two.

  “Fine, what about the menu. Are your venders going to be able to pull this off on such short notice? This is a larger event and a lot of what I asked for will need to be imported,” Maria badgered.

  “Everything will be just as you’ve asked. I have it covered. I placed the order myself this morning. You can relax, Maria,” my father reassured her as we pulled up to the front of the large cathedral.

  The church was large with a large circular stained glass window above the clear glass doorway. People were filing into the entryway. Cars were still pulling up to and away from the front of the church.

  As Uncle Sal opened my door, I noticed a blue Hummer just like the one from yesterday, pulling away from the curb. I quickly did a scan to see if I could tell who had just come from it, but I only noticed a short dark haired woman with a young girl.

  In front of them stood a few men, but I couldn’t see them all. The men standing closest to me were too tall. They were blocking my view.

  The little girl laughed and called out, “Hey Uncle Mike, sorry you got stuck babysitting.”

  I watched a hand reach out from the group of men and playfully mush the girl in the head. She tried to duck out of the way, but only ended up laughing more and the hands tugged at her hair. Another hand reached out to tickle her.

  “Hey Lo, I’m gonna tell,” She giggled as the hands disappeared and the woman reached into the group looking as if she were fixing one of their ties or something.

  My father was at my side before I could move to get a better look. We were headed in the opposite direction, up the split stairs to the cathedral. My father held my hand on one side and Maria’s on his other. We entered the church and headed for seats in the middle aisle.

  This all felt a little strange. Usually my father would be at my house, with my mom on Sunday. Living his sins to the fullest, now here we were. Me, the product of his sins and his faithful wife, all looking like one big happy family. I started to feel like I needed confession, though I knew it was my father that should’ve been heading for that booth.

  To my surprise, that’s exactly where he headed after the service. Maria and I stood by our seats, waiting for him as people they knew came to greet her. I noticed the dark-haired woman and the girl from earlier, making their way from the front of the church.

  There were two men behind them and someone else trailing behind. The little girl fell back to linger with the person bringing up the rear. I watched as the dark-haired lady made her way to Maria.

  “Oh, hi, Sharon,” Maria chimed. “I want you to meet someone. This is my step daughter, Victoria.”

  Sharon met me with a warm grin, reaching out to hug Maria before reaching over to hug me. “I see Venncesso is here with you today. Wow, it has been a while since I’ve seen him at mass without it being a holiday.” The two of them laughed, but Maria’s laugh had a little pain to it.

  “Well, I see I’m not the only one with a surprise guest today. Is that Lorenzo?” Maria questioned with a huge smile.

  I couldn’t believe my ears, my heart raced at the mention. Was I being stupid? It didn’t have to be him.

  Anyone could have that name. I looked up to find the young girl and the lingerer. The one face I hadn’t seen. There he was frozen in his tracks, looking just as surprised as I was.

  I quickly smiled at him trying to erase my surprise. However, when he didn’t return the smile, I just dropped my head and looked at my shoes. It was beyond embarrassing.

  “Yes, that’s Lorenzo. His father wants him to stay out of trouble, so he sent him with me to mass.” Sharon turned toward him with a warm smile, motioning for him and the girl to come forward.

  Maria reached out and hugged Lorenzo, kissing him on each cheek. “Long time no see, Lo. You’re so grown up and handsome.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Maria,” he said, as he gave her a wide grin.

  Sharon motioned me forward. “Victoria, I would like you to meet my daughter, Lucie and my son, Lorenzo.”

  I looked up through my lashes at Lucie. “It is nice to meet you.”

  I turned to Lorenzo, who to my surprise, suddenly, wore a smile. He had his hand out to reach for mine. I returned the gesture, half shocked at the change in his demeanor.

  “Nice to meet you,” I repeated.

  His smile brightened even more as our hands met. “No, it is very nice to meet you,” he replied and winked.

  What was with this guy? One minute he is running from me, the next minute he’s all smiles and flirting. He held my hand a lot longer than necessary, but I didn’t mind. I was too caught up in his eyes.

  “Oh… maybe introducing them wasn’t such a good idea, she’s beautiful. Unfortunately, Lorenzo is promised,” Sharon said, seeming a little uneasy with the way Lorenzo was looking at me. I heard the two tall men chuckle behind her.

  Lorenzo spit out angrily, “Mama,” as he dropped my hand, turning to shake his head at her.

  Sharon went to speak again, but one of the tall men behind her placed a hand on her shoulder. Sharon paused. Lorenzo looked as if he were blushing under the angry sweat he’d broken into.

  He turned to look at me. He looking as if he wanted to say something more, but just dropped his head, training his eyes on the floor. I’d noticed the other tall man step closer to him before his head dropped, but I didn’t understand any of
it.

  “Maria, we have to do lunch. Are you free this week?” Sharon moved right on, as if nothing happened.

  “Oh, Sharon, that would be great, but I’m planning a last minute birthday party for Victoria. I’m hoping to get to meet her escort this week. Her father’s being secretive about that detail. I’m hoping he doesn’t look like a dog,” Maria said lost in her party plans again.

  Three chuckles greeted my ears this time. I narrow my eyes as I noticed one came from Lorenzo. His head was still down, but he was smiling, while looking up at me. Oh great! Everyone thought my having to have a pizza faced, secret escort was funny, but me.

  I frowned and asked to be excused. I could feel my blood boiling and my ears getting hot. I needed to get some fresh air.

  Maria granted my wish as she and Sharon just started to get into their conversation. Before leaving, I looked over at Lorenzo, who looked in pain for some reason, but I was too mad to try and figure him out. Let the mystery guy figure out his own life.

  Weirdo.

  I made it out to the curb where Uncle Sal was waiting, but I wasn’t ready to get in the car and he was still napping. I paced back and forth a few times mumbling to myself. When I turned to pace in the opposite direction again, there he was, the weirdo.

  “Sorry, did I scare you?” he asked as I jumped at his sudden appearance.

  “No,” I lied.

  He laughed, giving me a sexy smile. “Sure…umm, you seem upset about something. Can I help?”

  I tilted my head to the side, taking in the offer. “Not unless you can talk my father out of finding the ugliest boy on the planet to be my escort.”

  He laughed super loud this time. “What makes you think your father is going to find the ugliest boy on the planet to be your escort?” he asked, grinning.

  “Because he doesn’t want me dating, he’ll do it to prove a point. I know he will,” I mumbled.

  “Oh, come on, it can’t be that bad,” he taunted.

  “Oh please, I can see it now. Acne, glasses, and bad breath,” I said.

  Lorenzo laughed harder, which only annoyed me more.

  “You know what? No, you can’t help me,” I growled.

  He stopped laughing right away. “Sorry Victoria, I meant nothing by it. You just painted a vivid picture for me,” he said, as he smiled. “You know you could be wrong. Maybe your date will be handsome, with great skin and pretty nice eyes.”

  He said it so confidently, I wanted to believe him. I looked up into his grey eyes and wished he could be my escort. He looked great in the blue suit he was draped in. His white shirt and grey satin tie made his eyes sing.

  Where was my dad? I wanted to show him this guy. I want to tell him he was the one that he should pick to be my escort.

  I smiled at his politeness. “Thanks for the hope. Your family seems to know Maria well. Maybe I’ll see you at the party. That is if you want to come to a seventeen-year old’s party. You never did say how old you are.”

  Lorenzo smiled back, as if I said something amusing, before answering. “I’m Twenty. I would love to come if you want me to?”

  The last part of his statement sound like a question. Was he serious? Of course, I wanted him to. Before I could answer, two car doors open simultaneously catching my attention. One of the tall men that with Lorenzo and his family showed up behind Lorenzo.

  “Hey Lo, she don’t look like a priest and this ain’t no confession booth.”

  Lorenzo winked at me, turning to the man. “Sorry, Uncle Mike, guess I got lost.”

  Uncle Mike just looked at Lorenzo, as he narrowed his eyes. Lorenzo shrugged and walked off toward a black C350, climbing into the passenger side. Uncle Mike followed and got into the driver’s side.

  They pulled off behind the blue Hummer from yesterday, which reminded me that my father must have been talking to my Lorenzo yesterday.

  My mind started to work overtime. What was Lorenzo doing with my dad yesterday? My dad knows him?

  Uncle Sal had been at my side since the moment Lorenzo’s Uncle Mike appeared, waiting for me to get into the car. I was paying him any mind, though. He grabbed my elbow after a few more seconds and helped me in the car.

  I was lost in my thoughts. Sharon said Lorenzo was promised. What did that mean? It made him pretty mad that Sharon had mentioned it.

  He’s twenty, not that much older than me. I mean, I’d be seventeen, that not that big a difference.

  So what was all that at the mall? Does he have a problem with younger girls? I think I am mature for my age. Was he with his dad yesterday because he had to stay out of trouble? Why else would he be with my father?

  Why did I feel like I was missing something?

  chapter Seven

  Getting My Way

  Lorenzo

  I am on cloud nine. I was so pissed off when my dad made me get up to go to mass with my mother. I was set to not speak to anyone for a year, with Lucie as the exception.

  Who knew the one place I didn’t want to go would be the one place I would see her. I thought I was dreaming when I heard Aunt Maria introduce her to my mother. I was frozen in my tracks.

  It took me longer than I wanted to regroup. I hope she didn’t notice the pause, though I think she did. She looked just as excited to see me as I was to see her.

  My mom can be such as airhead sometimes. Why would she say that I was promised? She was so busy talking too much, she had no clue that the girl I’m promised to, was the girl she was talking about. The beautiful girl she was afraid she shouldn’t have introduced me to.

  That in itself was hilarious, but none of that mattered. I spoke to her. I touched her. Her hand was so soft. She looked great in that light blue and white suit. Her eyes are amazing.

  To think she was all upset, thinking that her escort to her party would be the ugliest guy she ever met. I’m not conceded, but I know I am nowhere near her description. She was so cute upset over nothing.

  If only she knew the truth, then she would have reason to be upset. Her escort wasn’t being picked to keep her from dating in the way she thought. I was picked so that she never had to date.

  Uncle Mike was pretty pissed at me. He had told me not to follow her, but I lied and said I was going to confession. I needed to go and see if she was okay.

  She looked so upset. I didn’t know why at first and that bothered me. Oh, Uncle Mike would get over it.

  To think I was all grumpy when I woke because she hadn’t accepted any of my request yet. To top that off, Sabrina spent the whole night texting me to let me know she wasn’t accepting my excuses.

  Sabrina couldn’t believe that at twenty I was grounded, which hadn’t helped my mood. None that moment, though, my mood had improved a hundred percent. Nothing could bring me down.

  Victoria asked me to come to her party. Well, sort of. Maybe she just wasn’t in the mood to be online. Or maybe she didn’t have internet access at her dad’s, which I doubt.

  Whatever it was, I didn’t think it had anything to do with her not wanting to accept my requests. I just needed to be patient. I could do that.

  Uncle Mike pulled into the estate just as my phone went off. I thought it was Sabrina picking up where she left off, but it was Chris. He was pissed I missed the party last night.

  Chris knew I could’ve made it if I wanted to, but I wasn’t in the mood. We each had picked a weekend to host a graduation parties. I was supposed to be a part of his team last night, even though my party would be next month. I text him back.

  Me: Sorry man, you can miss my turn if you want.

  I knew that would piss him off some more. Chris would never miss a party, not even if he was mad or grounded. I laughed to myself as I pressed send.

  Uncle Mike looked over at me. “Hey kid, I want to see you laughing when your father finds out you were talking to Venny’s girl.”

  “And who’s going to tell him?” I fired back.

  Uncle Mike glared at me. “Oh kid, you’re asking for it. Just do me a fa
vor, don’t mess this up.” We unfastened our seatbelts.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Uncle Mike. I was talking to a friend that’s all,” I crooned out.

  Uncle Mike raised an eyebrow at that. Shaking his head, he got out of the car. I decided to walk around the house and go in the back door.

  I wasn’t sure if someone had called my father already and told him that I spoke to Victoria. I wasn’t ready to let go of my good mood. I walked through the French doors that lead out to the pool.

  Entering the family room, I headed for the back stairs straight up to my room. I loosened my tie, flopping across my bed once in my room. I couldn’t help the sigh of relief.

  I was too glad to have missed my father on the way up. All I could think of was the way Victoria looked today. She didn’t seem so short this time with those heels on, but it still would have taken a noticeable bend to kiss her. I wondered if her lips are as soft as her hand.

  I started to wonder if my age bothered her, our conversation kind of got cut short. Maria said something about a fitting for the party and meeting me during the week. I wondered if Victoria would be there. Not likely, since as our fathers wanted us to meet the day of the party.

  Damn, is Chris going to be a pain like Sabrina?

  I took my phone out of my pocket and noticed it wasn’t a text, it was a notification. I sat up immediately. I had a new direct message. It was her.

  Victoria: Hey Lorenzo, thanks for the help. Maybe you’re right and it won’t be so bad.

  :) Victoria

  I decided to take my time and think this out. I wanted to play my cards right. Manage to talk to Victoria without, as Uncle Mike said, ‘messing this up.’ We could be friends, couldn’t we? I read her message over and over again, about a hundred times. I decided to direct message her back.

  Me: Hey, no problem. I know you aren’t allowed to date, but are friends okay?

  I stared at my message for about ten minutes before I sent it. I decided to stop being a coward. I pushed the send button and fell back across the bed. A few minutes later, my phone was sending another notification. I opened it right away.