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.”

believe it like hell itself, but she

gave her a worried look, shooting a glance at her sister, her sister

me Devina,” in that month, she had apologized several times to the redhead, for the punch she hit

that, we’re going

of if I choose to or not,” she didn’t

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

trying not to let her emotions betray her. She hated being so

she

With the wrong man.

man,” she stated without hesitation, “I love him, and I can

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

late,” she ended the conversation and Devina stepped aside for her to enter the limo.

but it was what she wanted. While it was a fake wedding, her dress didn’t have to be. She was getting married and wanted to choose the

her 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 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

the penthouse, Melody touched herself more than twenty times, afraid of

knew that Timothy would marry again, to a woman he loved, to one who

disaster at her parents’ house. At first, she didn’t want to go, but Timothy insisted that it would only last

finally meet you, Melody,” the lady said upon seeing

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

bad thing was that she

She tried not to look shocked, but

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

into the living room. “We’ll have tea, then dinner with your father,” she spoke without thinking about the opinions of her guests. “After dinner you may give her the tour even through China

wish, mother,” he

surprised to see him smile and not contradict

perfect child facet she didn’t understand,

She noticed all the differences, in matters

said Carlota, as

her. Making love had been like going up

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

friend’s dad?” said Carlota, narrowing

“The very same.”

a beautiful young woman doing working in such small coffee

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

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

interjected again and this time, she felt a little uncomfortable, because

came in with a tray and placed it

her, though their bodies didn’t brush, she noticed every movement,

his fiancée have

professional bossy, Melody said to herself, as she

almost waited for her to curtsy or some

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

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

yes,” Melody replied, squirming in her

your parents coming?” repeated

hadn’t even called her father that day. She didn’t know how to initiate a conversation with him, not

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

didn’t mean to

“You did,” she replied.

ready yet?” Timothy got up and put his hands in his pockets. “I think we’d better eat now.

sick?” asked

quizzically, she thought

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

the limo, not knowing if

to

got into the limo and listened to what was torturing her. “Carlota is not as difficult as she

many times have you seen her?” she asked as Clark got into the

her to have two virtual strangers by her side, and not

my wedding and the