by Berri Fox
It’s more than just material things, though. A few days ago, Rafaela picked Emma and I up and took us to the park to feed the ducks. She remembered that I said that was something I used to do with my mom as a kid.
I couldn’t believe it, at first. No one has ever done anything like that for me before, given me the chance to relive one of the few happy times I’ve had in my life. It felt like my mom was there with us, looking out for us, and it filled my heart that I could share that with Emma, as well.
Rafaela really seems to listens to me when I talk. She understands me as a person, my hopes, my dreams, my frustrations. It’s weird to have someone like that in my life, but in a good way.
I know that she doesn’t expect anything from me in return, but it feels like I should find some way to repay her for all the kindness she’s been showing Emma and I. I was finally able to do something for her yesterday, a small gesture to me, but apparently it was so much more to her.
During one of our first conversations, Rafaela mentioned a book that she read as a teenager. It’s a simple story, but one that spoke to her on a level that had a lasting impact. She said that she’d been looking for a copy of it ever since, but hadn’t been able to find one.
Since I have the in with the best bookstore in town, I ask Rachel about it. Between the two of us, and a few of the other girls in the shop, we were able to procure an original copy. I gave it to Rafaela yesterday.
She was stunned at first, and I worried that I’d done the wrong thing. But when her darks eyes filled with tears, and she threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly, I knew the gesture had meant everything to her.
Rafaela gives so freely, her time, her money, her heart. It makes me think that she’s never really had anyone to return that to her in kind, but I’m more than willing to do whatever I can. It feels like there’s something real between us. Something more than I’ve ever been fortunate to have, and I’m not going to be willing to just walk away, not easily anyway.
Today is the day that I meet her family for Sunday dinner. I’m nervous as hell, although I already have her father’s approval, which I’m guessing is the only one that really counts.
I head into the bookstore before Rafaela picks me up. Rachel is at my position behind the counter. Her face lights up when she sees me.
“Heather! What a nice surprise. I’m so glad you came in,” she says with real delight in her voice.
“Hi Rachel. How’s everything going?” I ask.
“Crazy as usual. I would never expect anything different,” she sighs. I can hear the exhaustion in her voice. “I wanted to apologize, again, for being so abrupt before. There’s been a lot going on, and I might have taken a little bit of my own frustrations out on you.”
“It’s okay,” I say, giving her a quick hug, and I truly mean it. We all have so much going on. It’s easy to let that out on the people closest to us.
Cody walks over and wraps one arm around my shoulder, offering me a tight squeeze and a warm smile. “We’ve missed you around this place,” she says, sincerely.
“Well, I’ve been pretty busy, actually. You’ll never guess what I’ve been up to.” I’m so excited. I haven’t really told any of them about Rafaela, yet, and I’m dying to tell someone.
“Sounds intriguing,” Rachel says, slyly.
“Yeah, spill it already. You know I don’t do suspense,” Cody chimes in.
“I think I’m falling in love!” I exclaim.
Rachel and Cody share a startled glance. I don’t like the way their eyes trail from me back to each other several times before Rachel finally opens her mouth. I know that they think I’m naïve, and maybe a little ditzy at times, but it still hurts to see it painted across their features.
“Oh, come on! I’m serious. Remember the woman, Rafaela, who came in here the last night I worked? She’s amazing, and caring, and so kind. She really seems to love not just me, but Emma as well. That’s huge!” I hate that I feel like I have to justify my relationship to them.
“Just be careful,” Rachel warns.
“We don’t want to see you get hurt. Or Emma, for that matter,” Cody says.
“It’s only been a couple weeks, right? That seems a bit sudden to already be professing love,” Rachel says.
“You don’t have to worry,” I say. These are my friends, and I love them dearly, but I don’t want to listen to this right now. I’m nervous enough about dinner, already. I don’t need their help to add to that. “I have to go. Rafaela is picking me up for dinner with her family.”
Rachel and Cody share another look, which only makes me even more ready to end this conversation. “I’ll see you later.”
I flutter my hand in a small wave before turning and running for the door. Rafaela is already waiting in the parking lot as I step out into the sun. It’s a beautiful day, and I let that be the sign I need that everything is going to be fine.
Rafaela wraps me up in a warm embrace and I let the steady beat of her heart pressing against my own send reassuring waves of comfort through me. “You ready for this?” She asks, stepping back from me.
I nod and she ushers me around the side of the car. Opening the door, she tucks me into the passenger seat, before jogging back to the other side and taking her place behind the wheel. “Here goes nothing,” she says, as she steers the car in the direction of her father’s mansion.
Fourteen
Rafaela
I’m worried about how well my family will take to Heather, but I don’t give her any indication of that as we traverse the winding road to my father’s mansion. We decided it would be best to leave Emma with her grandfather tonight, so at least that’s one less thing to be concerned with. Although, I have no doubts that little girl is capable of winning over a room full of rabid beasts if she had her mind set to.
Heather is so normal, and my family is…well, not. She’s sweet and innocent, and a civilian on top of that. She has no idea about the kind of dark and twisted world I live in. I feel like I’m getting ready to throw her to the wolves.
I know my dad gave his approval when he met us at breakfast two weeks ago, but there’s a part of me that worries he might change his mind. If he does that, and tries to force Heather and I apart, I don’t know what I’ll do.
I’ve never felt this way about someone before. The thought of not being with her is crushing. What if Heather is more than just the bet that started this whole thing?
Pushing that thought aside, I concentrate on the road. Of course, this is just about the bet. Heather is sweet and all, but she really can’t be worth risking my position in the family. The unspoken words sound hollow in my own head.
Could I really be falling for her? I let my eyes wonder from the road for a brief second. Heather is sitting quietly in the seat next to me. She twists her hands together nervously.
I reach over and place one hand over hers. “It’s going to be fine. They’re going to love you.”
“I hope so,” she whispers. How did I let this get so out of control? The thought that I could hurt her sends pangs of guilt crashing through me.
When we arrive at the mansion, I pull Heather protectively against me. These aren’t wolves. These are hyenas, I realize, as I introduce her to my family.
Stefano gives me a knowing look filled with more animosity and vindictiveness than I ever would have believed he was capable. I knew he was an ass, but this is a whole new level. “So, this is your little…friend.” His eyes move a slow trail from the tip of Heather’s knock off heels, to the top of her wavy curls. His lips pull into a sneer as if he’s caught a whiff of something rotten.
Apollo and Daniella sidle up to me and Heather looks every bit the deer trapped in headlights as she takes in their intimidating forms. They both look as if they’re about to cause trouble until I shoot them my nastiest, don’t mess with me, look.
Daniella’s eyes go wide as if a lightbulb has suddenly gone off inside her head. “It’s nice to see you again, Heather.” She says demur
ely.
Apollo gives her a quizzical look and she just shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly. He follows her lead. “Hey, Heather, how’s it going?”
“Fine,” Heather swallows hard. “It’s nice to see you both.”
Various other family members come over to say hi and shake Heather’s hand. They all wear the same skeptical look, but I’m only concerned with my brother and cousins at the moment.
“Heather, I’m so pleased you could join us tonight.” My father’s voice booms from the dining room. He walks over and reaches for her hand, shaking it fervently. “I’m glad to see you again. Come, let us enjoy this delicious meal.”
We filter into the formal dining room, everyone taking a seat around the table. I pull Heather down so that she’s seated between my father and me. Daniella chooses the seat next to me with Apollo to her other side.
My brother chooses the seat directly across from Heather, his eyes never wavering from her face. I don’t notice where everyone else lands.
My heart feels as if it’s going to burst right through my chest. The tension is so thick in the air that it’s making it hard to breath. I’m unable to relax, waiting for the bomb to drop.
My father and Heather don’t seem to notice. He’s talking to her eagerly. He almost seems…happy. Who is this man?
“You need to eat more. You are too skinny,” he says to Heather, motioning to the food around the table.
A crimson blush streaks across Heathers cheeks, as she looks down at her plate which is already piled with food. I nudge her playfully with my elbow.
“I am sorry your adorable little girl could not join us tonight. I would very much like to see her again. Next time, of course, she will come,” my father says.
“She has a daughter,” Stefano scoffs.
“Yes, very lovely child. She made me laugh,” my father states.
“You laughed!” My brother says, shocked. He looks back at Heather almost angrily.
I was worried about subjecting Emma to my family. Worried that something would happen that would scar her for life. Things seem to be going pretty smoothly, though. Perhaps my fears were unwarranted.
As dinner comes to an end, I feel myself starting to relax. My father suggests that we move into the smoking room for after dinner drinks. Of course, we all oblige.
My father forgoes his usual chair, instead choosing to sit next to Heather on the sofa. He continues his bombardment of her with more questions about Emma. This is a side of him that I’ve never seen before, it’s both delightful and unnerving all at the same time.
Even my brother seems to be on his best behavior with my father present. He wouldn’t dare outright sabotage me in front of our father. He knows better. Maybe everything will be alright after all.
I settle in next to Heather, enjoying the feel of her body pressed next to mine. Holding her hand in mine, I trace circles along the lines on her palm, as a feeling of contentment settles over me.
Is this really how it could be? With my father so obviously accepting of her, would it actually be possible to let this turn into something more, something real?
Fifteen
Heather
Smoke billows all around us and I cough lightly. Rafaela pulls me close and rubs my back for good measure, whispering to me that she hopes the cigars are the only thing making me uncomfortable. Dinner with the family went better than I could have imagined, but the night isn’t over yet.
Though Salvatore was kind and asked innocent questions about Emma, the rest of Rafaela’s family seems serious. Is it me they don’t like, or the fact that their relative is dating another woman? Nonetheless, I try my hardest to fit in and stay positive.
I clasp my full wine glass and look to Rafaela for reassurance that I’m doing alright. She nods, a sexy smirk gracing her face. “I’m so glad I got to meet all of you, and dinner was wonderful.”
Salvatore smiles warmly and brings my free hand to his lips. “The pleasure is all ours my dear.” A phone rings in the distance, and Salvatore seems to perk up at the unusual ringtone.
“You should get that father, it might be one of our associates.” Stefano’s lips are curled into a frown as he enters the room, and a feeling of uneasiness washes over me. Of all Rafaela’s relatives, he makes me the most uneasy.
Salvatore nods, raising one last toast to a successful night before bowing out gracefully. The remaining few look awkwardly around, not knowing what else to say in the patriarch’s absence. Finally, Apollo and Daniella arrive and stand protectively beside Stefano.
“Sit down, why don’t you? We’re all family.” Rafaela tries to remain calm but I catch her fist clenching against her seat.
“Don’t mind if we do.” Daniella sits right beside me, making it a point to brush against my thigh as she settles into the couch cushions.
As Apollo addresses me he flanks Stefano, who decides to sit on the other side of Rafaela. She doesn’t seem too pleased. “So Heather, tell us more about yourself.”
With a smile and a good attitude, I gratify them with a kind response. “Of course! What would you like to know?”
“Too easy.” I hear Apollo chuckle under his breath, and Rafaela narrows her eyes.
“Calm down dear cousin we’re just trying to get to know your lovely girlfriend better.” Daniella picks up a bottle of red wine and pours more in my glass, though it’s already full.
Though she’s on edge, Rafaela nods. “Fine.”
After getting approval, the cousins descend like sharks, wasting no time revealing their true motives. “Let’s start with Emma. How ashamed were you to be a single mother?”
Rafaela’s eyes bulge and her nostrils flare. “Back off!”
I rest my hand on her shoulder, used to the criticism. “There’s no shame in it. Having Emma has made me a stronger woman, and now when I face a challenge I rarely back down.”
“Feisty, this one!” Apollo hollers, slapping his knees as he laughs. “So I assume as a strong and independent woman, you have no money troubles?”
“That’s none of your business!” Rafaela jabs her finger in her cousin’s direction.
Stefano shakes his head. “Heather can answer her own questions.”
“Those aren’t questions, they’re harassment.” Her eyes are dark, and she grabs my hand. “Come on, let’s go.”
Daniella pouts, pushing her cousin back down lightly. “No, don’t leave. We were just starting to have a good time together.”
“I’d like to stay.” I blurt, causing everyone in the room to quiet instantly. The pressure is on, and I want to do everything possible to pass this test of meeting the family with flying colors.
Stefano grins, but there’s something dark in his eyes. “See? Your guest wants to stay, so who are you to deny her that right?
Rafaela looks at me, her brown eyes wild. “Are you sure?” She whispers, squeezing my hand.
“I’m sure.” I squeeze back.
“So about your financial situation, I was just asking to make sure you weren’t using my dear cousin for money.” Something tells me Apollo is hiding something, but I answer anyways.
“To be completely honest, I am struggling right now. But I am not using Rafaela at all.” Sure, I asked her for money, but we made an agreement together.
Stefano leans back, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “That’s funny. I didn’t expect you to be so indifferent to the fact that Rafaela is using you.”
Rafaela goes pale, and I feel my heart skip a beat. “Excuse me?”
“Stop it now, Stefano.” Rafaela nearly growls the words and her cousins go rigid.
Her brother waves her off, continuing despite her warning. “The bet. I assume you knew this whole time, and went along with it because of our family’s wealthy status.”
“Shut up!” Rafaela yells, but Stefano doesn’t pay attention.
“No wait, what bet? What is he talking about?” I glance from person to person, the room beginning to spin from my sudden panic.
Rafaela stands to glower down at her brother and the tension is high. “Don’t you say another word.”
He stands, challenging her with his eyes. “I can’t stop now, it would be the right thing to do. Let this poor girl see what you’ve really been doing Rafaela.”
“I don’t understand.” It’s all I can manage, but I try my best to remain serene.
“We all made a bet, Heather. Play girl Rafaela had to stay with a girl of Daniella’s choosing for a month in order to get Apollo’s motocycle.”
I can’t believe the words that are coming out of his mouth. I turn to Rafaela, who now looks defeated instead of angry. I don’t have to ask her if it’s true or not.
“I thought you knew this whole time. Why else would you go along with the plan?” Stefano turns away from his sister and looks to me for answers.
Apollo looks uncharacteristically worried. “I think you’re taking it too far Stefano.”
“Leave him alone. Let Rafaela deal with her own mess.” Daniella shakes her head, but glances up at Rafaela with concern out of the corner of her eye.
“I wasn’t aware.” I speak up, keeping my head high. “Thanks for letting me know, I deeply appreciate it.”
I’m screaming inside, not knowing why I didn’t see through this plan in the first place. We made our own deal, but I had no idea there was a second deal going on behind my back at my expense.
Rafaela tries to speak, but no words come out. Her forehead is lined with anguish, and her mouth keeps opening and closing as if the right words just won’t come. “I’m sorry,” she eventually whispers.
At that moment, Salvatore waltzes back into the room. He stops short once he sees the scene before him, and senses the high tension in the air. “What happened here?”
“I was just leaving.” I cut in, standing and giving him a smile though I want to yell at the entire family. “Thank you for the amazing dinner, and again, it was a pleasure meeting you all.”