The Italian's proposal

Chapter Twenty-three

Melody

A month later, Melody was walking straight to the limousine, driven by Clark, who, seeing her in the wedding dress, smiled happily.

“May I tell you something?” he said as he opened the door.

Devina and her sister, Chloe, followed behind picking up the tulle of the dress and veil. She felt like she was in a fairy tale, even though the reality of her heart was another, totally different.

She was madly in love with Timothy.

And the worst part was that he didn’t realize it, and if he did realize it, well, he was a magnificent actor.

“Of course, Clark,” she smiled openly at him. The man had been so kind to her all this time, she felt them as close as family.

“I don’t want to sound rude,” he said and had the delicacy to blush, which caused Melody an interesting thrill.

“Don’t make me cry. It’s no big deal.”

“You look beautiful. I think you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. I know Mr. Giannato must have told you this quite a few times, but I’m glad I went to Doyle’s coffee shop that day and met you.”

Melody felt her eyes water and listened as Devina approached.

“Don’t you dare start crying!” she shrieked swinging her hands around.

“I’m not going to cry,” she whined pouting.

“You’ve got a sea in those eyes, Melody! The make-up artist will kill you if we have to come back because you ruined your make-up!”

“I’m not going to cry.”

“You will. And you know it. You’ll cry because you’re going to marry the man you love.”

Melody watched her for a few seconds. She was right. She was going to marry Timothy, their marriage was a sham, an arrangement, something only a handful of people knew about.

He told her a few weeks ago, her life would change drastically, her way of looking at situations would be different. She was going to be his wife on paper, in front of the world and the press, his family and his friends. But he promised not to touch her again, respecting her heart and her fear of feeling anything else for him.

But what he didn’t realize was that she was already in love with him. With his gestures, his sweet way of treating her and taking care of her, how he forced her to eat, hiring a chef to make everything she asked for and even more.

He spent a fortune on bridal gowns, make-up, clothes, and shoes. Devina was her advisor on everything, as Melody was clueless on how to dress properly, how a Giannatto should be.

A perfect wife for him, at least for the time of their engagement.

She did not want him in her life by the time her child was born.

They came to an agreement that was simple for him and flattering for her. A house away from the city, a plot of land where she could grow vegetables and where she could have enough space for her veterinary clinic.

He promised to deliver on that.

Then she would have peace of mind, making sure she has a roof over her son’s head and a way of life.

She returned to college, virtually, a week after moving back in with Timothy. It was his idea, and she would be eternally grateful for the push and support, because in a year she would be able to graduate and get her degree to practice.

“I want to make you happy. I told you that before,” he said, hugging her when he shows her the houses he looked for her. “I don’t care if this is a sham, you are and always will be to me, a very beautiful casualty.”

“Don’t talk like I’m leaving tomorrow,” she has told him as she slipped out of his arms, somewhat annoyed at how her breasts reacted to his proximity.

“But you will leave. And I won’t get tired of telling you that you can count on me for whatever you need,” the response had come back to her with no doubt in his gaze.

Now she was on her way to her wedding, the only one she would ever have in her life, she was sure of that. With no one else would she feel as she did with the Italian.

Being with him, inside the apartment, seeing him every day, arriving with flowers, inviting her out to dinner, courting and letting herself be photographed with. She knew it was all part of the story, but all the same, she couldn’t help but make her heart beat with excitement.

She couldn’t help but think that maybe, maybe, he might have feelings for her, too. Though she couldn’t sit around waiting for him to start inquiring about his feelings.

“Honey, we’re going to be late. A bride is not late for her own wedding,” Devina’s sister Chloe, who was also pregnant but already full term, smiled at her and held her hand. “Don’t let your nerves betray you, sweetheart.”

like hell itself, but she wasn’t

glance at her sister, her sister took Clark with her, to

several times to the redhead, for the punch

tell you something. After that, we’re

of if I choose

me,” she asked without touching her, “look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t love that stubborn, arrogant blond.

to let her emotions betray her. She hated being so transparent and that anyone

she was in

With the wrong man.

know I will never love another man,” she stated without hesitation, “I

get anything you set your mind to,” she said hugging her. “But always think of that baby you carry there, he will always come first, and I know you have already come to an agreement that will benefit you, but, still, think carefully about what you

“I can’t be late,” she ended the conversation and Devina stepped aside for her to enter the limo. “I’m

a fake wedding, her dress didn’t have to be. She was getting married and wanted to choose the dress she dreamed of as a girl: one

long sleeves. It had beautiful floral embroidery on the sleeves and on the back. It fitted her not-so-narrow waist perfectly, as in the last month, she started to gain a couple of extra pounds, and she was already four months pregnant. Although it wasn’t noticeable unless you stared at her or she sat down, her hips had started to widen anyway. The skirt of the dress came down to her feet, skimming the ground wherever she walked. Timothy had given her a pearl necklace that belonged to his grandmother and that his mother had kept for many years after his grandmother passed

they had spent walking down from the penthouse, Melody touched herself more than twenty times, afraid

woman he

her eyes, sweet but upright. Timothy was a lot like her. She invited them to a dinner party the day after the argument and the disaster at her parents’ house. At first, she didn’t want to go, but Timothy insisted that it would only last a few hours and she just wanted to meet the woman her son was going to marry. Melody hated lying, it was a trait she couldn’t and wouldn’t change in her personality. More clarity, more friendship. That’s what

meet you, Melody,” the lady said upon

for inviting me to your home,” the

that

She tried

house?” offered Timothy as they went inside and left the coats with the young housekeeper. “I

your father,” she spoke without thinking about

you wish, mother,” he had

surprised to see him smile and not contradict

was new to her. The perfect child facet she didn’t understand, it was like a perfect dream, in a perfect

eyes were the same color as her son’s, and she dressed impeccably and sophisticated. She noticed all the differences, in matters of home, luxurious properties, and elegance, the Giannato’s were the very crème de la crème

you met,” said Carlota, as Melody felt

her. Making love had been like going up to paradise, touching the clouds, and coming down all at once, realizing how in sync

coffee shop,” Timothy interjected, taking the floor, and looking at her for reassurance. Which she subtly thanked him for with

Doyle, your friend’s dad?” said Carlota,

“The very same.”

woman doing working in such small

into details, the woman had the same power as her son, and managed to get the semi-complete information out of her, just by staring at her. “My friend recommended me for the position, and Doyle was kind enough to let me work with

for only a week?” surprised, Carlota leaned forward and folded her hands on her knees. “What happened

little uncomfortable, because of his mother’s questions. “Why don’t we have tea? Look,

woman in an apron came in with a tray and placed it on the little glass-topped table in

though their bodies didn’t brush, she noticed every movement, every blink. She knew with

and his fiancée have arrived. And please go set the table, we’ll have dinner as soon as we’re

bossy, Melody said to herself, as

her to curtsy or some kind of sign that she was in a palace or something like

not of that social class. She never would be. No matter how fake her relationship with Timothy was, she would never belong to such a lifestyle. That’s something you were born with,

your family Melody, are they coming to the wedding? Timothy has told me you want a small wedding, nothing so extravagant,” she took a sip of the tea that was poured into a small clear cup. “I like weddings that are simple but classy. We’re

yes,” Melody replied, squirming in her

coming?” repeated Carlota to

didn’t know how to initiate a conversation with him, not after everything that happened the day

will come,” succinct but simple, she answered after a few seconds of hesitation. “Excuse me, but I don’t feel comfortable talking about

Sorry Melody, I didn’t mean to touch a

“You did,” she replied.

hands in his pockets. “I think we’d better eat now. Melody

sick?”

pregnant,” she replied quizzically, she thought Timothy already told

sound Carlota Giannatto made when he heard her, proved that he didn’t tell

she was riding in the limo, not knowing if Timothy’s mother would be at the

had caused Timothy’s parents to remain in silence all night.

and listened

you seen her?” she asked as Clark got into the limo, once Chloe had

not to be alone, though, on such an important day. It pained her to

and