Chocolate and Italian Wine (Music and Mayhem Book 1)

by Lili Porter

  “That was something our fathers should never have done to two little children. They should never have promised us to each other, Maria Elena. A lot happens to two people as they grow and mature. I accepted it at first as the right decision, because this is what many of us do. But as I’ve gotten older, I realize that I want to make my own marriage choice,” he said.

  She was angry now. “How dare you say these things to me, Paolo. So it’s all about you? Have I not waited for you while you went off to America to make your fortune? A fortune that should by now be ours? Do you think I’m stupid? I’ve seen the pictures of you and that singer! Are you sleeping with her? You don’t want me anymore because you have Miss Rich and Beautiful to replace me?”

  Keeping his own temper in check, and disgusted by the scene she was making, he told her in a cold, commanding voice, “You are making a fool of yourself, Maria Elena. Have I ever led you to believe that I was in love with you?” His stare was unfeeling.

  There was no consoling or voice of reason in Maria Elena at that moment. “What does that really matter? We’re getting married! Regardless of how you feel right now, we are marrying each other!” She placed her hands on her face. “I can’t believe this. Everything’s set! What is wrong with you? Is this because of her? Karisma Montgomery? Are you seeing her?” she demanded.

  She was clearly going to keep repeating herself until she heard the harsh answers, Paolo thought. But it angered him, too, and that’s what he wished her to know. “Who do you think you’re speaking to that way?” His voice was threatening now. She closed her mouth, wounded. “You act as though I proposed to you. That I wanted to be your husband. I’m sorry. That’s just not the way it is.”

  She started to speak, but he held up his hand. “This,” he said pointing from himself to her and back, “is over. There will be no wedding.” His sapphire eyes showed that he was definitive in his decision.

  Desperately, she said, “Eighteen years has to count for something, Paolo. Maybe you didn’t want this, but at least I thought you would follow through with it! I could have been married to another by now, had I not been tied up with you! You’ve ruined my life! You and that…woman. I don’t care what you say, she’s the reason you’re no longer willing to marry me,” she said accusingly.

  “May I be honest? You know like I know that we were forced into this. This was no love connection. It was a business deal,” he said to her without apology. “We had an adult decision made for us as children. At the time, we had no choice. Now we do.”

  “I love you, Paolo. You know I do! Why are you being so cruel?” she whined.

  He sighed and his voice became gentler. “It is not my intention to be cruel, but I have to be honest. Maria Elena. You want to love me for a lot of reasons; reasons that I understand. That doesn’t change the fact that this arrangement, sweetheart, is…archaic.”

  She looked at him and blinked. “Archaic?” she said incredulously. “What do you mean, Paolo? This is what we do. This is who we are. There’s nothing archaic about this. It’s customary. It’s tradition. Archaic! You have spent too much time in America, dancing with the stars!” She pointed her long red nail at him and waved it in the air.

  Paolo looked at her and shook his head. A spoiled, petulant, princess. That is who Maria Elena was.

  “Paolo. We can make our marriage work. It will be a good one. Are you not attracted to me at all?” she asked, hoping for the answer she wanted to hear.

  “You are a lovely woman, Maria Elena. Who wouldn’t be attracted to you?” he said to her with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. After all, he wasn’t a monster. Upon hearing his words, she thought there might be a chance.

  “Then we can go from there,” she said. “Our physical relationship has always been so beautiful, Paolo. I miss you so much and if we reignite our physical connection, the rest will fall into place. But how can we do this if we are in two different countries? Give me the chance to show you how I feel. You must allow me the chance to be close to you, Paolo. We have had so much distance between us, I fear, you have become confused as to what you want.”

  He frowned. “I’m not confused, sweetheart. But you are. You seem to remember things differently than I do. I’ve known for a long time that I didn’t want to marry this way, Maria Elena. We haven’t been together for a long time. You need to accept this—”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying!” she interrupted. “We used to spend time together. And it has been a long time. We can be a good match. You will be happy with me, Paolo. Take me to America. Let me go back with you. Let’s try, Paolo. We have to try,” she begged.

  “Do you really believe that I’ll change my mind?”

  “Please, Paolo,” she pleaded, tears in her eyes.

  Shit. Now she was going to cry. “Maria Elena,” he said gently. It is not my intention to hurt you. But I can’t marry you. We need to inform our parents of our decision not to marry. This. Is. Over,” he said.

  “Stop it!” she said, raising her voice again, tears now spilling. “What, are you in love with her?” she demanded angrily. He sat back and crossed his leg. She continued. “I saw how you looked at her in those pictures. How you held her.”

  “Who are you talking about, Maria Elena?” he asked calmly, sipping his wine, and knowing full well who Maria Elena spoke of.

  “Karisma Montgomery!” she exclaimed, with mounting distress.

  The maitre d’ came over and asked him if everything was alright. He told him that they were fine. She drank down her wine and poured another glass.

  “Are you in love with her, Paolo? Answer me,” she hissed, leaning toward him, wiping her face with the linen napkin.

  He looked at her and nodded. “Yes. I am.” Yes, he was! Damn!

  Paolo watched as she held her chest and closed her eyes. “You are evil, Paolo Montovani. How the hell could you do this to me?” she spat. “All these years you couldn’t love me and now you’re in love with another woman? How could this happen? I hate her, and I hate you, too! You’ll never have her! You know that, right? Your father will never allow that. I can’t believe this! Does she know who you are? Does she?”

  Some of the other customers in the restaurant began to stare openly at them. She began to gather her things. “You are pathetic,” she snapped.

  “`You didn’t think so when you were begging me to marry you, but I understand. You’re very upset. But you would do well to stifle any further insults. I’m starting to become annoyed. And you don’t want that,” he said, rolling his neck. “Now, while I’ve tried to spare your feelings, you’ve made it very difficult. Let’s stop this right now so that you can preserve some semblance of dignity. Let’s go. I’ll take you home now. We will talk to our families. I’m going back to America tomorrow, and we won’t keep up this pretense.”

  “What about our wedding? It’s in a week, Paolo. Important people have made plans to be there! Our families, our friends! What about all of that?” she asked, sounding almost frantic.

  “Nothing that can’t be undone,” he said, motioning the waiter for the check.

  “So that’s it? Just like that? It’s over?” She could barely catch her breath.

  “Yes. It has to be this way,” he said, taking the black bill folder form the server and placing several large bills inside. He stood, buttoning his jacket, and watching Maria Elena as her face played out an array of emotions. She looked up at him, and was quickly on her feet, running away from him, causing people to stare in the direction of the handsome Paolo, who could not help but wear a smile despite it all. He had finally gotten one huge obstacle out of the way. Now it would be time to deal with the fallout. It would not be pretty, but it was certainly unavoidable.

  11

  Maria Elena wouldn’t allow Paolo to accompany her into the home to tell the Bianchi’s there would be no wedding. He had insisted that they do so together, but she would have none of it. She’d hurried from the car, refusing to look back at Paolo. He’d left, to take on
the task of informing his own family of his decision. His father had been livid at first, even going so far as to threaten his position in the ‘Ndrina.

  “Your choices sometimes make me question whether or not you are the best person to lead this family, Paolo,” his father had said. He’d then proceeded to rant about what Raffaelo truly believed was Paolo’s obsession with Karisma, feeling she was the true reason he didn’t want to respect the marriage agreement.

  After he’d stormed out of his father’s office, he’d found Davit standing on the other side of the door, wrapping up a call.

  “Paolo, don’t let what Pop says piss you off too much. We can love who the fuck we want. You and me both.”

  “Were you eavesdropping?”

  “I heard some of it,” Davit grinned. “Hell, if they knew who gets my dick hard, they’d shit bricks.” They moved up the hallway.

  “What are you talking about, man? Are you coming out or something?” Paolo wanted to know.

  “What? Hell no, I’m not gay.” Davit said frowning.

  “Then what are you telling me?”

  Davit patted Paolo roughly on the shoulder. “We’ll talk on the plane tomorrow. I have to go, I need to see her before we leave.”

  “Who?” Paolo asked confused. Davit ignored the question and kept walking. Paolo stood in the hallway, wondering who the hell she was.

  ***

  Karisma and Chris were walking off the set of the Ellen Show. They had just performed with Goldust after the fun and lighthearted interview. The show, taped before a live audience, would air later that day. Karisma’s mother, Liane, met them in the greenroom.

  “Hey you two,” she said. “Take a look at that fool,” as she pointed to the flat screen behind them.

  The two turned their heads, following Liane’s finger. There was an irate Ray Bryant throwing a camera and seemingly attacking a photographer. He looked out of control and his bodyguards had even stepped in to pull him off the man. Karisma frowned at the TV.

  “When did this happen?” she asked.

  “A few days ago, according to the reporter. That boy is a hot mess,” Liane said dismissively.

  “I don’t disagree with that,” Karisma said.

  “I know that’s right!” Chris added as he popped kettle corn into his mouth.

  “Well, God bless him,” Liane said, and they all chuckled in agreement.

  “We better get on the road. We have to get to Jimmy Kimmel’s Show in Hollywood. You ready, Mom?” Karisma asked.

  “You bet I am,” Liane said. She was used to traveling with the band. Since Karisma’s career began as a fifteen year old, at least one of her parents, as well as the parents of the other Goldust members were usually there to accompany their children on appearances as well as road trips.

  Once inside the limousine, Liane said to Karisma, “What’s going on with you and that boy I’ve been seeing on television? And why did I have to see it on TV? You didn’t want me to know about your new boyfriend?”

  “Mom we haven’t decided whether or not we’re even dating yet. We’ve just been enjoying each other’s company. And he’s been out of town for nearly a week,” Karisma answered.

  “What’s his name?” Liane asked.

  “Paolo. He bought FutureShock Records.”

  “Hmm. What is he, Italian?” Liane asked.

  Karisma looked at her mother. “Yes. That’s not a problem, is it?”

  “Not for me. Is it for you?” she asked.

  ”No, not at all. Why would you ask that, Mom?”

  “You just be careful. How old is he?”

  “Twenty-eight,” Karisma answered.

  “And he owns a record company?” her mother asked suspiciously.

  “Yes, and I’m twenty-four and own one.”

  “This is true, Kari, but you’re worth half a billion dollars. You’ve worked very hard for what you have. FutureShock sold for a quarter of a billion. Where does his money come from?”

  “I’ve never asked him anything like that, Mom. That would be rude,” Karisma said, frowning at her mother.

  “If you continue to enjoy his company, as you say, find out more about him, sweet pea,” her mother advised.

  Karisma thought about what her mother said, but didn’t think it was any big deal. A lot of young people were extremely wealthy these days. His father was some rich man back in Italy. That’s probably the source of his money. He had bought several companies and appeared to be successful on his own. Perhaps his father had nothing to do with any of that.

  “I like him, Mom…a lot. He’s real sweet to me. And there’s just something about him…and he’s absolutely gorgeous. You have seen him, right?”

  “Ray was a cutie, too, Kari. Don’t get caught up in that. You want others to see you as more than just a pretty face, don’t you?”

  “I don’t like him for how he looks. Just about every man in Hollywood is good looking. We have a connection that’s hard to explain. I don’t know. We fit,” she said earnestly.

  “Really? You fit, huh? You said you can’t even say that you’re dating him yet, but you know you fit. Like I said, just be careful. You’re very passionate. About everything. You lead with your heart. Try to lead with your head this time, okay, child?”

  “Geez, Mom, thanks for the vote of confidence. Don’t you trust me with guys?” Karisma asked with large doe eyes.

  “Oh, I trust you, sweetness. It’s the men I don’t trust. Not one teeny weeny bit.”

  Karisma looked out the tinted window of the limo at the carload of paparazzi that rode along side her car, snapping away. Her mother was almost always right.

  ***

  Saturday evening could not have come quickly enough for Karisma. Paolo had asked her to meet him at the airstrip. He’d sent his driver to pick her up; along with another carload of bodyguards. They rode behind them in an inconspicuous black SUV. Waiting for him in the backseat of his limo, she felt nervous like never before. They had been in constant contact since he’d been gone on his weeklong trip to his family’s home in Italy.

  She had to admit, she was falling head over heels for Paolo. He was all man, yet he was so loving and gentle with her. She could not wait to see him again in person. She wanted to smell him, kiss him, touch him. She was in deep and she needed to be close to him. The intimate talks they’d had since meeting had allowed her to see beyond his obvious physical beauty. She watched the private jet and waited for him to descend the stairs.

  Too impatient to wait to get into his arms, Kari stated, “I’m going to wait outside.” Since there was no debating it, the driver immediately exited the vehicle to open the door for her. Two other guards who had been riding behind them got out to stand near her. She leaned against the car door wearing a leopard skin double-breasted trench coat with a wide matching belt and a beige button down silk top. Her brown knee length leather boots hugged her legs and her form fitting jeans hugged her curves. Her shiny midnight black hair hung below her shoulders in waves, glimmering underneath the airstrip lights, and the signature red lips, were like a neon light in the night calling out to Paolo.

  Finally, her big, beautiful, sexy Paolo appeared at the exit door. He wore a black trench coat and dark pants. The two locked eyes and she blew him a kiss. Her heart was racing, and the way he smiled at her, it made her think that he loved her the way she knew she loved him. It was happening so quickly, but she had no desire to use caution. The heart wanted what it wanted.

  Paolo walked right up to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Hi beautiful.” He leaned in to kiss her and she wrapped her arms around his neck and eagerly anticipated the half second wait for his full, luscious lips to connect with hers.

  Karisma felt intoxicated from his touch and she instantly wanted him so badly. It had been too many days without the pleasure of his touch and she was addicted to it.

  “Get a room!” Davit yelled from behind Paolo.

  Karisma smiled and leaned around Paolo. “Nice to see you
, Davit.”

  “Where’s my greeting?” Daniel asked.

  “Hey Danny,” she said, laughing and turning her attention back to Paolo. “Welcome back,” she said softly.

  “I missed you, baby,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “You’ve been okay, right?”

  “Everything is fine aside from me missing you like crazy. It’s been tough, I’ll admit.” She stuck out her lip slightly.

  Paolo leaned back over and licked her lip affectionately and then sucked on it gently. It was arousing and he was instantly hard. He was thankful that he could conceal it with his long coat.

  The four sat in the back of the limo. “Paolo missed you, Kari, can you tell?” Davit teased. “He sure seems happier now that you’re here with him. Don’t you think, Danny?”

  Daniel looked at the pair who sat close, Karisma tucked protectively under Paolo’s arm. Daniel shrugged his shoulder. “I can’t tell,” he said.

  “You’re no fun, dude,” Davit said.

  Karisma smiled and looked at Daniel, noticing that Paolo was, too. He looked a bit off.

  Paolo wrinkled his brow and asked, “What’s up, Danny? You alright?”

  Looking at his older brother, a man he was always in competition with, he said, “Nothing’s wrong, Paolo. I was just thinking that Karisma is quite possibly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Bold. Blunt. Obvious.

  Davit knew Daniel best and interrupted. “You’re right about that. She’s a beauty. Paolo is one lucky bastard.”

  Karisma blushed. “Thank you both for the compliments. And I thought that it was just Daniel who was the flirt. Looks like you both are!”

  Paolo didn’t answer and chose to dive in and kiss her neck. Then he looked at his two brothers and mouthed, “Mine.”

  “So, busy week, Kari?” Davit asked, with an amused smirk.

  “Extremely,” she said, turning to look at him. “We did a few talk shows, had rehearsals, made some hospital visits, had more rehearsals, there were plenty of meetings, and even more rehearsals, and oh yeah, did I tell you?, Chris and I met with Oliver the Poet, finally.”