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.”

it like hell itself, but she wasn’t sure

Devina gave her a worried look, shooting a glance at her sister, her sister took Clark with her, to give

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

want to tell you something. After that,

married. It’s not a matter of if I choose to or not,” she didn’t understand where

tell me you don’t love that stubborn, arrogant blond. Tell me you don’t love him, and I’ll leave

She hated being so transparent and that anyone could notice

could tell she was in

With the wrong man.

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

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

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

an exaggeration, 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 dress she dreamed of as a girl: one with

off-white silk bodice, adorned with lace that went up to 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 kept

Melody touched herself more

to a woman he loved, to one who

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

Melody,” the lady said upon

me to your home,” the largest mansion

thing was that

didn’t make it through. She tried

left the coats with the young housekeeper.

“We’ll have tea, then dinner with your father,” she spoke without thinking about

wish, mother,”

him smile and not contradict

she didn’t understand, it was like a perfect dream,

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

met,” said Carlota, as Melody felt

going up to paradise, touching the clouds, and coming down all at once, realizing how in sync she had

the floor, and looking at her for reassurance. Which she subtly thanked him for with

Doyle, your friend’s dad?”

“The very same.”

a beautiful young woman doing working in such

power as her son, and managed to get the semi-complete information out of her, just by staring at her. “My friend recommended

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

Timothy interjected again and this time, she felt a little uncomfortable, because of his mother’s questions. “Why don’t we have tea?

in an apron came in with a tray and

was sitting next to her, though their bodies didn’t brush, she noticed every movement, every

Tell my husband that his son and his fiancée have arrived. And please

bossy, Melody said to

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

with Timothy was, she would never belong to such

me about 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

yes,” Melody

coming?” repeated Carlota

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

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

don’t? Sorry Melody, I didn’t mean to touch a

“You did,” she replied.

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

sick?”

pregnant,” she replied quizzically,

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

knowing if

response had caused Timothy’s parents to remain in

into the limo and listened to what was

times have you seen her?” she asked as Clark

day. It pained her to have two virtual strangers

my wedding and the other a few