Chapter 8
The day of the wedding was taken over by lots of things being organized. Decorations, flowers, banners, balloons with so many people coming and going. I felt like a spare part and just wanted to stay out of the way. I didn't see any of the people that I'd met or Gaia or Allegro but then I supposed that they were busy getting ready. Having spent the morning pampering myself I changed into the blue dress that Lula had found, thanking her internally for seeing it as one that would suit me. My hair, well I piled it onto the top of my head into a semi messy bun then teased out individual curls to frame my face. I went for makeup that made my eyes pop and outlined them with kohl and a couple of layers of mascara.
The dress looked stylish and sophisticated and with the slight sun kissed look that I'd already managed to catch from being in the sun it set off the color well against my skin, though what jewelry to wear became a problem. In the end I went for a plain gold chain and matching earrings.
I felt pleased with my appearance as I went downstairs to find my father, helping him to fasten the tie at his neck.
"You look handsome dad"
And he did, in a grey linen suit and white shirt. He leant forward and kissed me on my forehead before standing in front of me with his hands resting on my shoulders.
"You really are a beautiful woman Steph. You definitely deserve better than that Morelli boy. You'll feel it in your heart when the right man comes along"
I smiled and had to stop my eyes from watering up with what he'd said. I knew that he was right about Morelli, but as for that feeling in my heart? I was sure that I'd already had that feeling in my heart so I really hoped that there was someone out there who could make me forget all about Ranger.
"Are you ready?"
I nodded my head shaking away the melancholy that had come over me. I picked up the small clutch bag that matched the navy shoes, though to be honest there wasn't much in it. I hadn't even bothered with using my phone yet because I didn't want to use it to send a message to anyone and there was no one here that I needed to call. That made me wonder what was happening back home, how Lula was getting on with her new man, if my mother was feeling calmer and more in control. I shrugged those thoughts off as we stepped out into the sunshine and with my arm linked through my father's we started to mingle with the assembled guests.
I was actually surprised at how many people my father spoke with and that on occasion he would use Italian. I suppose that was a language that we had never used at home and the words and phrases that I knew wouldn't be appropriate here. The courtyard had been sectioned off into two areas and being aware of the movement of people I led my father toward where chairs had been set out in rows. We were facing an arbor covered with flowers with a small table set out in front of it.
Dario appeared with Enzo at his side, both of the men looking so handsome in their dark suits as they stood beside the arbor. Lucio was stood talking to Lando, who had an array of cameras on his shoulder, and Gaia and another woman took their seats at the front. I assumed the woman must have been the bride's mother. A silence fell over the courtyard as soft music started to play and we were all suddenly standing as Chiara and her father began to walk down the aisle. Her dress was simple and elegant with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was tight to her ribs and adorned in small pearls that matched the head dress.
I almost sighed knowing how much I loved her dress and also knowing how my mother would never have approved of it. To her a wedding dress should be puffy and made from layers of material.
Behind her walked Allegro and Louisa in dresses that matched in color and material but were very different styles to suit their heights and body shape. Louisa was taller and heavier built so had gone for a wraparound style whereas Allegro looked amazing in the cowl necked dress that then clung to her body. As they passed us, I caught the wink from Allegro and as she smiled to the people stood around us. Yeah, I liked her and was glad to have had the opportunity to have met her, maybe hoping that we might be able to keep in touch.
The service was simple and in Italian so was soon over, with Dario holding Chiara in a tight embrace as he kissed her with cheering and clapping echoing all around them. Petals and leaves were dancing around them as they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife, both of them looking so happy and in love. I could never imagine having that feeling for Joe, that internal glow as they kept looking at each other and watching the couple only emphasized to me that I'd made the right decision.
As with most weddings that I'd attended there was a lull in what was happening next. People were drifting away to admire the grounds surrounding the properties and Lando was calling people for photos to be taken. I was at a bit of a loss as to what to do next so followed my father as we moved away from the chairs and back into the courtyard.
"Have you seen the gardens behind the villa?"
I turned surprised to see that it was Lucio that had asked that and looked around me looking to see who he was talking to. Looking back at him he held out his arm as an invitation for me to link mine through his before he started to walk us out of the courtyard toward the villa. I hadn't said anything yet but being out of earshot of anyone I felt I needed to reiterate my apology for the incident on the road. I did feel really bad about what had happened and how bad it could have been.
"I really am sorry about nearly causing you to crash. I just totally forgot which side of the road I was supposed to be on, which is silly because it's the same here as it is at home"
"I was probably driving faster than I should have been because there's rarely other traffic on the road"
Okay I felt a little easier now as though we'd cleared the air about that incident and could put it behind us.
"Allegro hasn't really told me much about you, other than her grandfather and your grandfather were brothers"
I wasn't sure how to continue that line of conversation, I mean would he really be interested?
"Err, yeah. My grandfather emigrated to the States and stayed. I didn't really know my grandparents that well, so I've enjoyed meeting Gaia and Allegro and getting to know who they are"
Which to be honest was as much as I knew anyway.
"So is this your first trip to Italy?"
If he was surprised by that he didn't let on, but I was sure that he was curious why Allegro had probably never mentioned me.
"Yes. My father has never really talked much about his father, other than after he settled in America"
Which was true but I wasn't going to get into the reasons for that, it wasn't my place to. By now we'd walked around the side of the villa which was when I stopped to look at the view of the rolling green hills and mountain tops ahead of me.
"What do you do, as a job I mean?"
I took a quick look at him before looking back at the view. I was dreading someone asking me that.
"It can't be that bad, can it?"
Oh, he had no idea. Then I stopped and thought about how I actually felt about my job. Okay it was different, even unusual, especially for someone like me. Was I ashamed of what I did? No, maybe just embarrassed at some of the things that had happened in the past.
"I'm an apprehension agent"
I watched his face to see what he thought about that and was confused when I saw him frown. Did they even have people like me here in Italy?
"The other name used is a bounty hunter"
Now he did look surprised, and he was worrying me when he didn't say anything. I started to turn away, to continue walking when he took hold of my arm.
"Wow. I would never have guessed that in a million years. You mean you actually chase down bad guys?"
Why was that so difficult to imagine? Was it because I was a woman and didn't look as though I'd be any good at it?
"Hey, I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that. You're far too beautiful for me to even picture you doing that. Is it dangerous?"
Another man who was stereotyping me and the type of work that I looked as though I should be doing.
"It can be. But I suppose I enjoy doing it, you know, the feeling of getting the bad guys off the streets. But usually the type that I bring in are harmless"
"I'm impressed"
This time we did turn to continue walking along the path and past the end of the villa. I wasn't sure how comfortable I was when I felt Lucio walking so closely behind me with his hand at my back, but couldn't for the life of me work out how to move away from him without being rude. As we continued to walk I kinda got used to it and was starting to feel that it was just maybe how he treated all women. The thing was that my hormones weren't waking up singing an halleluiah chorus that a man was in close proximity. Obviously, I had absolutely no attraction toward him. I felt his arm slip from my back as we rounded the corner and I said "Oh wow"
What I was faced with was not what I was expecting. I'd expected manicured lawns and flowers stood to attention with paths winding between sculptures and fountains. In front of me, okay there was grass, but there were also fences that separated the area into sections and in each section, there was something quite different.
"I just never expected this. Does Gaia look after everything here?"
"Maria and Luciano help out, but Gaia is very much into self-sufficiency. She loves it, though fortunately she doesn't have to rely on it for an income. It's an added attraction for clients that rent out the courtyard"
I was watching two goats as they tried to climb on top of an old wheelbarrow and listening to the clucking of hens next to them. A section had rows of plants growing which I assumed were vegetables. I started to walk over the grass totally attracted to a brown and white goat that was busy trying to reach the leaves of a tree that hung over their section. I laughed as her head moved toward me and she allowed me to scratch her head between her ears.
"Gaia sells a lot of produce to the locals. Goat's milk, eggs, fresh veg and fruit from the trees in the orchard"
It seemed like an idyllic way of life to me and so far away from what I knew.
"Allegro said that you and her work together at a fashion house, what does that entail?"
Because to me it could mean anything from a shop, to managing a warehouse or even producing things to sell.
"We own a company called Scintillante, we design and manufacture products to sell"
That really didn't help my imagination, so I pushed for more information.
"What kind of products?"
"Perfumes, beauty products, jewelry and accessories"
I know that my eyebrows shot up because I hadn't imagined anything like that. I assumed that Scintillante was their brand name, though I'd never heard of it.
"How about tomorrow you come into the office with Allegro, she can show you what we do"
I wasn't too sure about that. I mean I couldn't just abandon my father and there might be something that he wanted us to do, besides I had no idea when he was planning for us to return home. I didn't answer and had the good luck for someone to be shouting at us. Turning I saw the figure of an older woman waving and shouting something in Italian to us.
"That's Maria telling us that the meal is ready and that we need to take our seats"
We walked back over the grass and continued until we came to the path that led down to the pool. I knew where we were now so led the way back toward the courtyard. I felt a bit embarrassed as we seemed to be among the last people to be arriving. Embarrassed because being seen returning with Lucio wasn't what it looked like and embarrassed that we were holding up the proceedings. I found my seat next to my father and sat waiting for what was going to happen next. Speeches, oh joy of joys, because I had no idea what was being said or understood any of the jokes being told. I was certainly ready to eat and watched as a team of wait staff began to bring out plates.
"You missed the appetizers, not like you"
I turned to my father wondering how I'd done that and then remembered that I'd been playing with a goat instead.
"I bet they were good weren't they"
And I bet they'd all gone. Instead of answering me I was passed a crisp white card that had the menu written on it. Zucchini with Marinara sauce, Cannelloni bites, Crostini with roasted artichokes and ricotta cheese and cheese dill puffs. All of those I could have eaten as a main course and loved them. Reading further down the menu it did give me our choices for the remaining courses, so I made a mental note for what I would be asking for. To me a salad was a salad and to be honest it took up space in my stomach for better things, so I decided to pass on that course. Penne Alfredo was my choice of pasta followed by skewered Sicilian steak with Italian breadcrumbs in a lemon and garlic sauce.
You might think that I would have been too full to eat anything else but having a small break after the main course ensured that I was capable of enjoying the small portion of tiramisu. It was like nothing that I had ever experienced before, so rich and yet so light, full of a bitterness that complemented the sweetness. I closed my eyes as I fully appreciated the last mouthful, I'm sure a small moan of delight passing from my lips. It was as I opened my eyes that I was suddenly aware of a clicking sound and found the lens of a camera pointed straight at me. Okay I stuck my tongue out at Lando to cover up the embarrassment that he was taking a photo of me, what else was I going to do? I hated when people would take a photograph of me when I wasn't aware of it happening.
The wait staff were once again clearing away the dirty plates and pouring some sort of fizzy white wine into clean glasses for a final toast, something that I wasn't used to because I was sure the speeches were over. It was Lucio who was stood up raising his glass, which surprised me a little.
"Signore e signori. Agli sposi e una serata di festa"
I turned to my father hoping that he would be able to translate that and was pleased when he obliged.
"Ladies and gentlemen, to an evening of celebration"
Which meant that the formality of the wedding was about to finish. As we stood and raised our glasses, I was surprised to see Allegro and Louisa walking through the guests carrying small baskets. As they passed the tables, they were placing small boxes in front of people. I eagerly and carefully opened mine to find wrapped in white tissue paper the most beautiful necklace. It was made from blue glass and depicted two swans whose necks were intertwined giving the appearance of a heart.
"Venetian glass. Gaia told me that Allegro and Lucio had organized a keepsake for each of the guests"
Hearing that made the necklace seem a little more important than the usual single wrapped chocolate that were passed out as wedding favors that I'd been used to. I watched as dad opened his box and as he took out a pair of cufflinks, a single swan for each one, again in a blue glass that seemed to change color with the light. My father took my necklace from my hand and opened the clasp, so I turned with my back to him to allow him to fasten it around my neck. I immediately removed the gold chain and dropped it into my bag and reciprocated his help by pushing the cufflinks through the cuffs of his shirt.
That seemed to conclude the formalities and when a live group set up in the kitchen area started to play it seemed that it was time for celebrations. I made a quick visit to the house to freshen up surprised when I returned that a wooden dance floor had materialized, and the tables and chairs had been pushed out to surround it. Dad was sat talking to someone, so I stood in the doorway and watched what was happening in front of me. I was totally unaware of Allegro until she grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor.
That was how the evening went, dancing and laughing. I never gave it a second thought when random men would interrupt us and dance with us because at the end of the dance it was just me and Allegro, sometimes Louisa or Chiara but always a group of young women enjoying the evening. I had a ball, hell it even surpassed a night out at a nightclub with the girls back home.
The night finished as usual with a set of slow dances. I tried to disappear into the background but was pleased when my father came over to me and led me onto the dancefloor. I wasn't sure what the song was but together we moved in synch in a slow waltz with my hands on his shoulders.
"One hell of a wedding Pumpkin"
"Yeah, it was"
Because it had been and to be honest although there seemed to be a lot of people here it had felt intimate.
"Gaia told me that Allegro is taking you to see where she works tomorrow"
That had me stopping still as I looked at him because I had never agreed to that happening.
"What about you and I doing something?"
"No. This old man needs a breather. Gaia is going to take me into the village to show me around and to have lunch at a little café there"
I wasn't sure whether to be disappointed that he had other arrangements that didn't include me or not. Then again, he could see lots of me when we got back home so time with Gaia was important.
"When do we fly back?"
Because I knew this trip would have to end soon and to be honest that did make me feel a little sad.
"Monday. We have two days left"
Two days and then it was back to the smog and the job. Maybe I could save up and come back here again, that was if I was welcome. I'd started to move again thinking that through and deciding to just make the most of the two days that we had when my father stopped suddenly, his hand on his chest, and as though he was bending over. That had me panicking a bit.
"Dad are you okay?"
Because I was so worried that maybe he was ill.
"Indigestion. Too much food that was very rich. I shouldn't have eaten so much"
As he straightened up, he smiled down at me and continued to sway to the music, relief washed through me because he did look a lot better. Yeah, the food had been rich, and to be honest far better than I'd ever tasted back home, sorry mum. As the music petered out, dad removed his hands from my hips and we started to walk back toward where the tables were, that was when our paths were blocked by Enzo who held his hand out to me.
"May I have the last dance?"
I ignored the way my father raised his eyebrows at me and was suddenly walking away from me. I took Enzo's hand and found myself back on the dance floor with one of my hands on his shoulder and the other holding his to the side. I had to admit that he was a good dancer, and I became so lost in the movement and the music that I was unaware of how close we were. He felt solid and safe, a weird feeling to get really and as he continued to pull me closer, I could also feel the attraction between us. That was when I gave myself a little mental pep talk.
Nope, don't even go down that path. Two days, then you're home. No short term relationships for you or heaven forbid a one nighter. I was not going to allow myself to be used like that ever again. Which only had me thinking of Ranger and how I shamelessly slept with him. That really had a dampener on my hormones, so I stepped back slightly to put distance between us so glad when the music eventually stopped.
"Thank you, Enzo"
I muttered not daring to look him in the face before I turned and made my way to the door of the house.
I lay in bed after showering and changing, just staring up at the ceiling. I was trying really hard to chastise myself for being so stupid. Two men, okay they'd been incredibly hot men, had taken time from the people they knew to spend a little bit of time with me. They were trying to be nice to me, maybe seeing me as some lonely foreign relative of Gaia's who needed a bit of attention. They weren't interested in me, so why did I have to go and spoil my evening by thinking that. That was what had happened with Ranger, I'd misunderstood the signals and stupidly ignored everything that he'd said to me. Men could have woman as friends and maybe that was how I needed to see any men who cropped up in my life. If they expected me to jump into bed with them, well that was not going to be happening because I always became emotionally attached.
Was that how it had started with Joe, some sexual tension that got me all confused emotionally? That was definitely the case with Ranger, and I was pretty sure that it could be the same with Enzo. Yeah, I'd felt that attraction with him. Lucio, that had been different, and I couldn't quite work out how.
