CHAPTER SIX

RIO

  The drive to the estate was a quiet one except for the constant tapping of Mel’s feet on the floor of the car.

“If you’ve got something to say, spit it out.” I scold her.

 Mel turned towards me, opened her mouth as if to say something, but then shut it again and turned to face the front of the car, obviously frustrated.

“Is this what they call, ‘Wife tantrum’?” I turn to face her. “You see, I told you we would be a good fit, you are already behaving like a wife.”

“Do I have to move in with you?”

I lean towards her, staring only at her lips. “Scared you won’t be able resist me, huh?”

I blow lightly on her lips and she lets out a little gasp in response.

God, I love the way she responds to me. Guess this little challenge won’t last long.

Mel pulls back and shifts away from me. “You sure have a lot of confidence in yourself.”

I laugh in response and turn away from her. I still have a lot of time to enjoy my darling Mel.

The car makes a turn from the highway and journeys down a familiar bumpy path. Even though I tend to spend most of my time away from the Rafe estate, either travelling or living in my condo in Tuscany, I always loved coming home. The trees that line the road leading to the estate always had birds chirping as if welcoming me back. The Estate was situated at the far end of the woods and always made me feel like I was leaving my crazy world behind.

“Is that a chapel?” Mel voice jolted me from my day dreaming.

 I smiled. That was my mother’s idea of making our ways right with God. “Yes, they are the only neighbors we have for a lot of miles. My mother had donated the land and helped build the chapel for the locals in the area.”

Mel smirked.

I turn to her. “What?”

“The mafia building a chapel, you don’t think that’s ironic?”

“No, we are not the devil.”

“You are the next worst things.” She whispers.

Ignoring her, I continued. “My mother was a local from the area and very religious. When we were younger, she always made sure we attended the services. My father claims he did it to please her, but he sure goes there a lot” I say smiling. “I don’t mind them though. I like to think of their really loud hymns as alarm sounds, especially the morning ones.”

I turn to see her smiling at me. She really is beautiful.

“You are really close with your family?” Mel asked

 “Who isn’t?” I could sense the sudden sadness from her and wanted to find out why but my phone ringtone interrupted me.

“Excuse me a moment” I put the phone on speaker. Mel nods in response.

“Hello”

“I thought you were supposed to come back today”

“Ciao Padre. Miss me already?” I greeted my father fondly in Italian.  

“Bloody hell, you little brat. I come to greet you only to be informed you had left on a business meeting. Which I know is a lousy front for your escapades”.  He scolds me but his voice sound loving.

“You know me too well, Father”. I said. “I have something to tell you once I get back though”

“In the name of the Virgin Mary, what have you done again?”

“Oh, ye of little faith” I responded.

“Well, your image precedes you” He complained.

 “I love you too, Papa”.

“You rascal” He laughed. “I have already left for the business gala in Paris. If it’s not life threating, we would talk later”.

“Of course, Papa. Have a safe trip”. I end the call.

The car comes to a stop as we approach a large heavily wired fence with a single gate. I unbuckle my seat belt and open the door to get down when Mel pulls on my shirt.

“Oh, I’m sorry. We are here” I tell her.

“Where?” She sounded confused.

I get down from the car, turn to her side, open the door and unbuckle her seat belt. “We are home”. I take her hand to lead her out of the car towards the gate. I open it to a beautiful view that always takes my breath away. “Welcome to casa della famiglia Rafe “

THE huge mansion stood majestically. It was surrounded by large trees at the back that stood like guards protecting the mansion. There was a fountain in the front with the statue of an angel in it. Little flowers lined the walkway leading up to the house

“Oh my” Mel looked in amazement. “Doesn’t look like where they murder people”

“Oh, we never bring business home”. I winked at her while she stared at me in shock. “Don’t believe everything you hear about us, darling. Let’s go in”.

“Welcome, Master Rio.” A maid greeted us.

“Hello, Bella. What about the preparations?”

“The rooms have been prepared as requested, Sir”

“Rooms?” Mel asked

I lift her face to me with my fingers. “Thought you would be more comfortable in your own room” I bent and whispered softly in her ear. “But if you wish to stay together, I have no objections, darling”. Mel blushed in response. I’m really looking forward to the next six months.

Bella clears her throat as if to remind us of her presence.  I let go of Mel.

“It’s about time you show your face around here”.

“Ciao, Mama Agnes. I have missed you”. I turn towards the voice and walk to the elderly woman to hug her and place a kiss on her cheek.

Mama Agnes was my nanny from my childhood days but she had slowly become part of the family. She basically controlled the estate. Even my parents had to answer to her on estate matters.

“You say you miss me but you leave me for so long” She whined.

“Oh, Nonna.” As I always called her.  Duty calls and I answer”.

“Of course, you do,” She pats me on the back and turns towards Mel, who had been watching us with hawk eyes.

“And who is this beautiful Lady?” Mama Agnes asked. “Is she the reason you called the house earlier?”

“I forget myself. Yes Nonna, I would like you to meet Mellisia, my fiancée”

As if on cue, a loud voice sounded from the top of the stairs.

“Your what?”