Here is Chapter 3.
Thank you to all of my followers and reviewers! This story is becoming more and more fun to compose!
Bear with me if it seems a bit slow.
After Federico grasped my elbows and kept me from embarrassing myself further, I muttered a small thank you and we continued to the main parlor where the rest of the families resided.
My mother and Maria Auditore stood together, discussing a new painter that Maria had discovered. A man named Leonardo DaVinci who was trying to make a name for himself in Firenze. They were examining a new painting that Maria had purchased from the painter himself.
My father and Giovianni Auditore sat adjacent to them next to the window, each with a glass of wine, discussing another banking issue that bored everyone else in the room. Regardless of the rather dull subject, they each had a glint in their eyes and were deeply engrossed in the conversation.
Rosa and Claudia sat together on the sofa, examining their sketches for the next Carnivale season. Even though the event was several months away, the girls wasted no time brainstorming about colors, patterns, and textures of their costumes.
The youngest children sat in a circle on the rug playing their usual game of marbles. Petruccio Auditore, my younger brother Pietro, and the youngest of my siblings, Carmelita, were each determined in their overly-competitive game.
As we entered the parlor, Rosa and Claudia immediately clamored to me.
"Elena! Claudia has the most splendid idea!" Rosa exclaimed, pulling on my sleeve. Her wide blue eyes were shimmering and her adorable dark hair curled perfectly around her shoulders.
"It is quite brilliant. I cannot disagree with my own intelligence," Claudia, smiled revealing her own excitement, as she took my other arm.
"We can dress to match each other for Carnivale! You, me, and Claudia. We can all dress in complementing colors and feathers. Oh, isn't it brilliant?!" Rosa gushed, looking over to a nodding and equally excited Claudia.
It was hard to focus on what they were chattering about. Whether my mind was in shambles after Ezio's wink and my near disaster on the stairs, or their adorable excitement over such a minimal subject, I could not decide.
"Yes, I suppose," I replied with a small smile.
"We were thinking purple and gold. Che ne pensate?" Claudia said, waiting with wide eyes for my reaction. (what do you think?)
"It sounds lovely," I said simply.
Rosa and Claudia both squealed, causing everyone in the room to glance our way.
"What about me?!" Carmelita objected, straying from her marble game.
"You are too young." Rosa replied, in a gentle manner.
"I am eight years old!" She countered, standing with her hands placed firmly on her small hips. Her caramel hair brought out the boldness in her eyes as she continued, "That's a year older than I was last year."
The men, who started to make their way over to the table for a game of Primiera, all chuckled.
"You will be excellent in arithmetic, dolce uno," Ezio said, giving her hair a toss on his way across the room. (Sweet one)
She crinkled her nose immediately after her hair being fussed with, but quickly recovered with a grin that would outshine the sun itself at his compliment.
"Yes, I will," she relied, tossing her nose in the air at him. "Perhaps I will even replace Padre as a banker!"
My father's rich laughter sounded across the room as he set down his wine glass.
"We shall see, il mio piccolo angelo," he said, standing with his arms opening to her. (my little angel)
She quickly jumped into his embrace with a giggle. I found myself smiling at the unwavering affection my father had for his children. I looked over at mother who was shaking her head with a smile that matched my own. My gaze wandered over to the table where the men were beginning their game. Each of them focused on the cards in their hand, except Ezio. My breath caught when I found his gaze focused only on me.
As the evening grew late, and the eyelids of the younger children grew droopy and heavy, my parents announced that we needed to be heading home, much to my relief.
We stood at the front door saying our goodbyes with hugs and kisses on each cheek when Federico grasped my hand and pulled me quickly down the hallway, behind the staircase where we were out of sight for the time being.
I stood in front of him, a little out of breath at the spontaneity of the situation.
He seemed to be thinking very hard about what to say, as he opened his mouth several times but no words came out.
"I enjoyed this evening," I said simply.
His light brown eyes widened and he said quickly, "Yes. Me too. Anzi." (indeed)
I bit my lower lip, looking over my shoulder at the rest of the families still at the door.
"Elena," he started, looking at the ground.
"Yes?"
"Merda. Perche e cosi difficile," he muttered, running his hands through his hair. (Shit. Why is this so hard?)
Not knowing what to say, I widened my eyes, dreading what was to come next.
"My mother has been pestering me for weeks to do this," he muttered to the ground, then raising his eyes to meet mine. "I know that we… agreed to our engagement months ago, but I never presented you with a ring…"
He opened his hand to reveal a beautiful golden band with a simple, but enchanting, emerald crowned in the center.
My breath didn't come very easily, and I simply stood there staring at his hand.
He cleared his throat, and asked softly, "Can I have your hand?"
I blinked several times, and looked up with a shaky smile.
"Yes. Yes. Of course. Mi dispiace. I suppose I just… It's beautiful." (I'm sorry)
I presented my left hand, slightly shaking. I willed it to stop shaking, as well as my cheeks to cool.
The ring fit perfectly. Federico continued to hold my hand after he had already put the ring on.
He looked up into my eyes, still holding my hand in both of his.
"It matches your eyes," he whispered.
I tried to choke out a reply, until Federico suddenly lifted my hand to his lips. Not waiting for a response, he simply led me by the elbow back to the front door.
I looked at the floor trying to imagine a life with him. Perhaps I could be happy.
Mother could be right. I could grow to love him. I could. I could. I'm sure I could.
I looked up and stopped in my tracks. Ezio's dark eyes captured mine as he waited at the door. There was a commotion around us, the adults still chatting, the children whining, but his eyes never wavered from mine.
My knees felt wobbly, and I reached my other hand over on top of Federico's for fear of falling.
"Are you alright?" Federico asked beside me.
"No. I mean yes. Si. Just a little tired. I assure you, I'm quite alright," I replied, softly, never straying from Ezio's eyes.
Despite my objections, I knew then and there, that I was not "quite alright".
I was doomed.
Oh, boy!
More tension between Elena and Ezio!
Sigh… if only we could look into his eyes. I am quite sure that they look like chocolate.
Rich, delectable, dark, chocolate.
Please review! I reply to everyone because I really do appreciate the support.
Next chapter will be up soon.
