Black Bella : The Beginning Book 1

by Blue Saffire

Maria just laughed. “Oh, Honey, there is no replacing him. Your father has made that clear. Besides, it’s not as bad as you are making it.”

  I frowned at her comment. “Not as bad, that would mean it’s bad. Oh great, please tell me he is at least taller than me. That would be the worst, a date that can look up my nose all night.” Not that I am that tall to begin with.

  Everyone in the car but me laughed. Maria pulled in front of the house. I was more than ready to get out of the car.

  Angie and I headed straight for my room as we entered the house. We entered my closet to find outfits we could change into. Everything was brand new so Angie didn’t have to worry about my curves stretching out anything she put on. I can never return anything I borrow from her because it never fits the same, even though we wear the same size.

  I grabbed my phone while Angie took advantage of the shower. I wanted to call Lorenzo, but I wasn’t sure if he was busy. I decided to text him instead.

  I knew he would know how to make me feel better. He did such a great job of that last night. I wanted to thank him for listening. I know I was a basket case.

  Me: Hey, I’m home can you talk?

  Only a few seconds later, my phone started to ring. I was excited he called so fast. I wasn’t sure if Angie could hear, so I answered on the first ring.

  “Hey,” I chimed.

  “Hey, Beautiful, how was your day?” he asked in that deep and ridiculously sexy voice.

  “Much better now,” I blurted out.

  “What was wrong with it before now? Were your finals hard?” I could hear the grin in his voice.

  “Oh, please, no. I wish I had normal problems like that. On the way home, Maria told Angie that my father told her who my escort is, but she’s not allowed to tell me,” I whined. I didn’t want it to come out like that, but I couldn’t help pouting.

  “Oh,” he paused. “Well, did she say if he has acne?”

  “Ha, ha, very funny, no. She actually said that she thinks I’ll like him. She also said that my father said I’m not allowed to replace him if I don’t like him,” I complained.

  “That’s a good thing. You don’t want to go around hurting people’s feelings,” he teased.

  “Are you serious? This from the guy that stands girls up,” I teased back.

  He laughed into the phone. “That’s totally different. I didn’t stand anyone up. Besides, it’s only one night, Victoria. Maybe you will like him,” he said lightly.

  “Wow, I thought you’d be on my side. What if I do like him? I may want to offer him to be his girlfriend. Then what?” I grinned as I spoke the words.

  “Good question. That would certainly let me know how you feel about me,” he said nonchalantly.

  “Are you willing to take that risk?” I questioned, not able to keep the anxiety out of my voice.

  “Maybe, but I think the odds are in my favor.” He sounded so collected, as if he was super sure of himself.

  I couldn’t believe him, but he wasn’t even shaken. Was he really that sure I liked him or was he that into himself? I paused to think about our little conservation.

  Maybe I just didn’t matter to him that much. That made me a little sad. I had to remind myself we were just friends. Although, I wanted to know how he felt. I wanted to know if me choosing someone else would bother him.

  “Lorenzo,” I called.

  “Yes, Beautiful?” he crooned through the line.

  “Would it bother you if I did pick someone else,” I asked curiously.

  He laughed. “Yes, actually Victoria, it would, but you won’t,” he demanded.

  “Is that right, what makes you so sure?” I said seductively, shocking myself with the sound of my words.

  “Because… I figured out a way around your dating law.” He was still cool and collected.

  “Is that right? So, whatcha got?” I asked eagerly.

  “You’re worried about getting in trouble, right?” He made it seem like a silly notion.

  “I guess, sort of,” I said feeling embarrassed.

  “Well, I’ll take care of that. You don’t have to offer to be my girlfriend and I won’t ask,” he said confidently, as if this answered all.

  “I don’t think I like those options,” I grumbled, a little annoyed.

  He laughed again. “Good, because I am telling you that you’re my girlfriend. If your father gets mad, he’ll be mad at me. You didn’t have a choice.” He sounded pretty pleased with himself. Like someone that just won a trophy.

  I was speechless. What had just happened? How was that going to help anything? Was Lorenzo crazy?

  I guess it wasn’t his face that would be slapped, so he had a right to be so cool about it. I guess he did answer my question though. He did like me enough to demand I be his girlfriend.

  He laughed again. “Hello, Victoria, are you there?” I was there, with my mouth hanging open.

  “Yes, I’m here. I don’t see how that’s going to work around the rule,” I replied shyly.

  “It will. Trust me. So now, no matter who your date is, you already have a boyfriend. I’m the only one who matters.” He made it sound so reassuring.

  “You sure do work fast. I thought I had more time to make an offer.”

  “Why wait? I know what I want and I’m pretty sure I know what you want. Unless I misunderstood…”

  He broke off mid-sentence. He didn’t misunderstand at all. He was exactly what I wanted. If only someone would go and tell my father that.

  That was an idea. Maria was friends with his mom and my father knew his dad, why not? This would make everything okay.

  “No, you didn’t misunderstand, but maybe your dad could talk to mine and tell him you’re what I want.”

  As soon as the words fell out of my mouth, I wished they hadn’t. They sounded so desperate. I was embarrassed by them.

  He just laughed. “Victoria, you seem like you always get what you want. It will work out. You’re what I want too, so it has to.”

  The way he said that was pure magic. I felt my heart race. I could hear the shower cut off in the bathroom. Angie would be dressed and in the room in seconds.

  “I gotta go. I’ll call you later,” I rushed into the phone.

  “Promise,” he said. I don’t miss the command in his voice.

  “Promise,” I said quickly. I hung up the phone squealed. I had my first boyfriend, a secret boyfriend. A secret older boyfriend.

  I was so excited. I wasn’t sure how Angie would react so I decided to keep it to myself. I would want for the right time to tell her.

  I showered and dressed, debating on how much I would tell Angie. I was bursting at the seams to let some of it out. I chewed on my lip as I flopped on my bed where she had been scrolling through her phone.

  “What’s up,” Angie said lifting a brow. “I know that look. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. This all has been a lot to take in,” I shrugged.

  “Oookkkay,” Angie replied and tilted her head to the side. “But Uncle Ven is spoiling you like crazy. Come on, that has to count for something.”

  “It’s not my dad spoiling me and that’s not the point. None of that means anything really,” I huffed.

  “Seriously, I mean you did say that Maria was talking him into let you get your license and a car,” Angie said, sitting up and crossing her arms over her chest.

  My shoulders sagged. She just don’t get it. My dad was forever throwing material things at me. This all was so much deeper than that. My family was hating and I felt like somehow it was all my fault.

  I decided to change the subject to something she could relate to. I didn’t feel like being down. I still had so much to process and Angie just wasn’t the person that was going to help me do that.

  With a sigh, I decided to tell her a little about Lorenzo. “Remember that guy from the mall?” I said with a little smirk.

  “Yeah, that guy that totally weirded out on you?” Angie burst into giggles.

  “Whate
ver,” I rolled my eyes. “Saw him again at mass yesterday.”

  Angie lifts a brow. “Okay, and? Did he run off again?”

  “No, he didn’t run off again,” I pouted. “We’re actually friends now.”

  “Bull, he looked like he wanted to be more than just your friend on Friday,” Angie tossed back. She paused and her whole face lit up. I didn’t trust the look in her eyes. “You know he’s good friends with Chris?”

  I wrinkled my brows for a moment before it hit me. Christopher Mc Clearen, how could I forget that Angie has the biggest crush on Chris. No wonder she was in such a rush to get away from Lorenzo that day in the mall.

  A smirk came over my lips. I opened my mouth to tease her, but Angie shot me a glare. I pressed my lips and suppressed a laugh.

  “Shut up,” Angie hissed before I could spit out a word. “If Lorenzo’s your friend it shouldn’t be a bad deal to get him and Chris to come to Matt’s pool party this weekend.”

  “You know his name,” I gasped.

  Angie gives me a look as if I’ve grown two heads. “I knew who he was in the mall. I also knew he was in college. So, I wasn’t going to get your hopes up over him,” Angie shrugged.

  I thought about her words and nodded my head. I also considered what she suggested. I wondered if Lorenzo would be able to come to Matt’s pool party if I asked. I had no idea how long his dad was keeping him grounded.

  “Just text him. See if he’ll come and bring Chris. Please,” Angie sang sweetly.

  I rolled my eyes, but picked up my phone and spun it in my hands as I thought about it. I know she has had the biggest crush on Chris for forever. He’s older, so she’s never acted on it. I wondered what was going on in her head now.

  “Come on, Vicky. For me,” she whined.

  I rolled my eyes again. I know if I don’t at least text Lorenzo she is going to drive me crazy. With a huff, I shoot him a quick text mentioning the pool party.

  I was disappointed when he didn’t reply as quickly as he usually did. Time ticked by and Angie started to get impatient. After about a half hour Angie was all frowns.

  “Is he really your friend? He was acting pretty strange in the mall.” Angie pouted, her face looking like she ate a sour grape.

  I wasn’t sure what to think of his lack of response. Maybe he was just busy. I hoped his father didn’t decide that he couldn’t use his cell.

  I playfully punched Angie in the arm. “Whatever. Maybe he doesn’t like Matt. I think we’re the only ones who do.” We both laughed hard at that.

  Both of our stomachs started to rumble at the same time, so we headed down to the kitchen. Angie knew her way around the house much better than I did. She had been here plenty of times before.

  “Hey Sandra, is there anything we can have for a snack,” I asked once we found Sandra in the kitchen.

  “Sure, I can whip up something quick,” she said with a smile.

  “Cool, let’s go down to the theater and game room,” Angie chirped.

  “Go on,” Sandra waved us off. “I’ll bring everything down.”

  “Are you sure? We could help,” I offered.

  Sandra gave a short laugh. “Go on Victoria. I will be fine. I’ll be there in a fine,” she winked.

  Angie grabbed my hand tugging me from the kitchen. I was more than willing since she would know the way back upstairs. I hadn’t dared to venture much around this place on my own.

  Just as we reached the game room my phone went off. Angie almost snatched it out of my hand. I turned away from her fast enough to open the text myself. She was practically on my back. I decided to read the text out loud for her.

  Lorenzo: For you, anything. I will ask a couple of friends. Don’t worry about it. I’ll get out of the house.

  Angie squealed behind me. “Tell him to make sure to ask Chris, pleeease.”

  I wasn’t going to embarrass myself with that request. “I’ll ask him later,” I promised. “Promise.”

  “Okay, fine,” Angie huffed.

  I know she’d leave it at that. We never break promises to each other. Sandra arrived shortly after with a tray of food. While Sandra set up a spot of us to eat, Angie started the popcorn machine.

  It made me a little sad that she knew her way around my father’s house so well. I was just learning my way around and starting to feel comfortable. I’ll admit, I was a little jealous.

  We hung out for a few hours before Maria made us come up to eat dinner. Aunt Joann was on her way to pick up Angie. Maria grumbled about not sending Angie home without feeding her dinner.

  “One less thing for Joann to say about me,” she muttered under her breath.

  Angie and I sneaked. It’s too funny. The two of them are so alike.

  After Angie left, I headed for my room to put out my uniform for the next day. Before I could call Lorenzo, my father knocked on my door. Maria told me he wanted to talk about my permit.

  I was excited about my car. Having one meant I could drive places on my own. I was definitely going to want to do that now that I had a secret boyfriend.

  My father was all smiles as he entered my room. I think he likes having me here. The thought brought a warm feeling.

  “The chandelier looks great in here. A room for a princess. How are you, Baby?” I missed talking to my father like this. He walked over and sat down on the bed beside me.

  “I am great. Angie was here today. She helped me find my way around to more than just here and kitchen,” I said with a giggle.

  He laughed. “That is great. I was thinking of drawing you a map.” We both laughed at that. I’d really be lost then. It was nice that he was in such a teasing mood.

  “What’s up, daddy?”

  He smiled wider. “You’re growing up so fast. I think Maria’s right about you driving. You’ll be a senior next year and you’re responsible enough. Maria will take you to get your permit tomorrow.”

  My smile was out of control, as I leaned over to hug him. I could believe this was really happening. My father keeps me under such a lock and key. ‘

  “Victoria, I do want to talk to you about something else.” I wasn’t sure about the tone in his voice. I could tell he was trying to sound friendly, but there was something else there too.

  “Ok, daddy, let it off your chest.”

  He chuckled at me watching my face as he spoke. “Victoria, Uncle Sal told me that you and Lorenzo Botticelli had a chance to talk yesterday. I have known his father, Alfonzo, for a long time. We grew up together.”

  He continued to watch my face, but I couldn’t respond. He shook his head as if he were thinking about something he wouldn’t say. “Uncle Sal said you looked as if you were pretty interested in him. My sources tell me that he likes you too.”

  Okay, where was this going? Did Lorenzo talk to his dad for me? He was so my favorite person in the world at this point.

  Or maybe this was where my dad was going to tell me Lorenzo’s too old for me. That in order to get my car, I had to talk to boys my age. Or this could be where the no boys rule was going to be enforced. I decided to take it slow and see where my father was going.

  “He’s very polite. He just wanted to see if I was okay. We’re sort of friends.” Well, we are a sort of friends.

  My dad nodded. “I like Lorenzo and Maria has always been fond of him. Like I said, you’re growing up fast. I am sure the boys at school can’t keep their eyes off you.”

  I shrugged at that one. Knowing my father, if I said yes, Uncle Sal, my new found snitch, would be sitting in the back of all my classes. That wasn’t happening.

  My father laughed. “Lorenzo’s older than you. He’s going to grad school next year. Smart kid, graduating early and at the top of his class.”

  This was it. The no car unless I dated boys my age. Why?

  “His parents are giving him a graduation dinner on Thursday. They’ve invited us all to come. Alfonzo would like to meet you.”

  What? My father had to be pulling my leg? Did Lorenzo
really talk to his dad? I wanted to call him right now and ask him. I just looked at my father, puzzled.

  He smiled. “I guess what I am trying to say is. I need you on your best behavior. There’re things about the family you still don’t know. You and Lorenzo being friends is a good thing.

  “I know that he’s safe and he understands to protect you. So, make sure that you’re nice to him on Thursday. I’ve seen the way you treat Theodore. None of that with Lorenzo.”

  Was this man for real? He’s asking me to be nice to my boyfriend. This was too funny, but still that missing something feeling started to rise.

  Why was being nice to Lorenzo so important? What didn’t I know about the family? I just grinned at my father.

  “No problem, dad. I will be on my best behavior. Lorenzo is safe with me.”

  My father pressed his lips, as if he had more to say, but didn’t know how. So, I took the golden opportunity. “Daddy, can I please know who my escort is now?”

  His eyebrows crushed into the center of his forehead. Then, with a strange look on his face, he kissed my forehead. He ran a hand over my hair.

  “You’ll know soon enough, Victoria. Let me keep you a little longer.”

  I had no idea what that meant, but it didn’t sound like Lorenzo. The reassurance I was looking for wasn’t there. My father got up and stood silently watching me for a few seconds, then turned to leave.

  “Get some sleep. Vicky. You have exams in the morning,” he said before exiting the room.

  chapter Ten

  Secret Calls

  Lorenzo

  I was still in shock at how everything was working out for me. The other night in the kitchen, I thought my father was going to chew me a new one. Instead, he told me that Mr. La Marcello had called about Victoria and me.

  He didn’t like the fact that we were going to spring the arrangement on her without notice. He felt she had been through enough in the last couple of days. Maria had told him she’d seen me when he was in the confessional. It seems she also told him about the way I looked at Victoria.

  She suggested he pick me as her escort. He told my father that he agreed with her to keep her out of things. On top of that, Big Sal had told him about seeing us talk outside the cathedral. Apparently, Victoria not being able to focus on anything but me swayed things in my favor.