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.”

wanted to believe it like hell itself, but

at her sister, her sister took Clark

month, she had apologized several times to the

want to tell you something. After that, we’re going to your

going to get married. It’s not a matter of if I choose to

and tell me you don’t love that stubborn,

her emotions betray her. She hated being so transparent and that anyone could notice

she was

With the wrong man.

man,” she stated without hesitation, “I love him, and I can never

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

can’t be late,” she ended the conversation and Devina stepped aside for her

she wanted. While it was 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 with a princess cut,

neck and covered part of her 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

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

he loved, to one who would keep his family name, and surely, he

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 people always said, and she took it

you, Melody,” the lady said

mine, thank you for inviting me to your home,” the largest mansion she

thing was that she hadn’t been

it through. She tried not to look shocked,

Timothy as they went inside and left the coats with the young housekeeper. “I wouldn’t mind showing you where

dinner with your father,” she spoke without thinking about the opinions of her guests.

you wish, mother,” he had

was surprised to see him smile and

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

her 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 of the upper

said Carlota, as Melody felt her

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

Timothy interjected, taking the floor, and looking at her for reassurance. Which she

dad?” said Carlota, narrowing her

“The very same.”

beautiful young woman doing working in such

had the same power as her son, and managed to get the semi-complete information out of her, just by staring

and folded her hands

again and this time, she felt a little uncomfortable, because of his

in with a tray and placed it on the little glass-topped table in front

though their bodies didn’t brush, she noticed every movement, every blink. She knew with closed eyes that he was

son and his fiancée have arrived.

bossy,

almost waited for her to curtsy or some kind of sign that

social class. She never would be. No matter how fake her relationship with Timothy was,

took a sip of the tea that was poured into a small clear

Melody replied, squirming in her

parents coming?” repeated Carlota to

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

answered after a few seconds of hesitation. “Excuse me, but I don’t feel comfortable talking about my

I didn’t

“You did,” she replied.

up and put his hands in his pockets. “I think we’d

sick?”

she replied quizzically, she

the choked sound Carlota Giannatto made when he heard her, proved

knowing if Timothy’s mother would

impulsive response had caused Timothy’s parents to

and listened to what was

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

pained her

wedding and the