Chapter 3

Arianna POV:

My life felt as boring as my father would describe it after that night and I fought the reasons why, it was only because my mother was gone not anything else. I knew he was charming in that sarcastic ass way, and I knew he was handsome, and I knew countless hearts had fallen victim to that combination before. I wasn’t about to join the ranks, even if his intentions were as pure as the snow I had just lost my mother, and I didn’t trust my heart right now. I was lonely, the loneliest I’d ever been and I didn’t want to give in to the desire for company. My mother had once told me that if you cannot be by yourself you can never fully be with anyone. 

So I stayed on my own and tried to fill my grey icy home up with light again, I put on music, and I danced with no one watching, I missed my mom horribly, in my own space I let it out when it hit, and eventually the sting of her loss wasn’t a constant companion. 

Gulia called me after too long and gave me the itinerary for the wedding venue search, I scolded myself internally because I almost held my breath waiting to hear if those eyes and that voice would taunt me along the way. I shouldn’t blush the way I did when she said it was mandatory for me and the best man to be there as she needed opinions, though knowing what I did about my sister she only wanted an army of yes men when she found the place she loved. I told her I would be there and that I would do whatever she asked of me. 

The day I drove down for the onslaught of stunning views and showboating managers I kept my mind in check that this was all about my desires, I wouldn’t let anything go awry for my sister. I still found the house distorted from my memory like someone had come along and ruined my toy. I parked it and walked into the house immediately met with squealing, jumping, and hyperactivity. 

“Can you believe, we’re looking at wedding venues! Together! This! Weekend!” She jumped up and down like a kid on their birthday and I was overjoyed. 

A part of me whispered to itself that she had just lost the same mom I had but I remembered quickly that it wasn’t the case. She had never known my mom and she was right to be happy with her future husband. I was only jealous that she had so much joy in her world. 

“I am very excited,” I forced a smile onto my face, I needed to let go of the coldness my exile had out on me.

An army of footsteps echoed down and men's voices followed my father at the helm. “I don’t care what he says, he’s a liar and you know it so see to it that it’s handled,” He instructed like a general. No questions are allowed, and no suggestions are wanted. 

That was more of the man I’d remembered long nights spent in his office growling on the phone, not giving an inch, and forgoing his children and his wife. Then the ghost of my past was gone. 

“Sweetheart,” He smiled opening his arms as he saw me. Not even looking over his shoulder as he told the grunts behind him, “That’s enough for today,” 

“You look tired, you shouldn’t work yourself to death you know,” He nagged me like any loving father would. “If you ever need a break or someone around you can always come down you know,” 

“Maybe, but not now,” I sighed but hugged him. I wasn’t fully used to a father's love and his constant assessment of my life was new. 

I’m sure I looked awful, I had circles under my eyes and I hadn’t brushed my hair yet today.   It probably didn’t help but I figured I’d drive down and get ready here while my sister talked to me about her plans for the next two days. 

“Sorry we’re late,” The voice came into the room and I hid a smirk as I turned. He strode into the room like he owned our house and I saw my father’s jaw clench. 

“Ah,” 

“Well you’re here early,” Gulia grinned from ear to ear grabbing her fiancé by the arm and dragging him off towards the kitchen. 

“Gio… Welcome to my home,” My father stepped between us. “Since you’re here we can discuss some business,” my father held his hand out back towards the way he came. 

Gio was clearly unhappy to be barred from any tantalizing conversation we may have had but I wasn’t overly disappointed, it was all too amusing to see his face fall as my father led him off. 

I walked back into the house and down the hallway running my finger along the walls, there was only one room in the house completely unchanged. My mother's kitchen still has the same hickory cabinets and yellow walls and the stained glass window in the breakfast nook. Being in here I could almost smell the fresh basil she grew on the windowsill. She would have us sit at the island while she sang and made us breakfast, Guilia had been so little so she wouldn’t remember but I did. 

I went through the same old fridge and found some cheese to eat I sat down and watched our memories dance about the room, leaking out of my mind. Perhaps I should move home, sitting here made me feel closer to my mom than the house upstate. There was more of here in one tile of this kitchen than there was in the whole of that place, so contradictory to the way I always thought of it. I had always assumed she’d been scrubbed clean out of here but instead, she’s frozen in time.

I wanted to ask my father why he had this place untouched when the rest of the house had expanded and updated, here it was twenty years ago a happy little family that didn’t know what separation meant. They ate in their yellow kitchen and they danced around their rooms and laughed and sang. Their father worked and their mother took care of them, nothing bad ever happened. 

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Gio rattled me out of sentimental daydreaming. 

“It’s weird being back here,” I explained clearing off my plate and setting it in the sink. 

“I suppose it is difficult to see how it’s changed. Your father has made this house his castle, which,” He looked around the room with a quizzical stare. “Makes this place so odd, you would think the kitchen would be the size of a pool for a house this size, and with your father's taste,” He stared at it with almost disdain. 

“This is my mother's kitchen,” I warned glaring at him, he was interesting but not enough to entertain an insult to my mom’s favorite place. 

“That makes sense then, the rest of the house has a certain class to it,” I scoffed out loud and he turned to me with an earnest look. “And this place feels like a home, not a catalog,” 

Any ire was gone again and I smiled softly. “I couldn’t believe it was exactly the same,” I looked around the room. 

“When people leave us the things they leave behind fill up their place, with a room this size it’s as if she’s still with you,” 

It was uneasy for me to be so clearly seen by a man I barely knew and one that may not have the best intentions. 

“I was excited to know we’d been recruited together,” He walked closer to me the island still creating a barrier between us, my body radiated however radiated like he was right behind me. “Even if you’ve been told I’m no good,” 

“I do believe we are past the point in history where women need their father's permission to date in their late twenties,” I reminded him. 

“Some girls trust their fathers,” He shrugged. “Do you not?” 

“Gio!” Gulia burst into the kitchen. “Arianna!,” She whined. “Come on we’re on our way to the first venue we have to get a move on or we’ll be late and my sister needs,” Guilia squinted and cringed at the state of my hair, “A hairbrush or a wig, I don’t, I don’t know,” she huffed dragging me off. 

She took me off to a bathroom to see to my hair before ordering everyone into a car. I was surprised to see we had the money for a driver and held in the curiosity to ask Gulia about it. My father waved us off reminding Gulia to keep it below 50 grand for his sake and I almost choked on air. 

I was beginning to think my father had more money than I had first realized, we drove up to a winery and my jaw almost dropped somehow we had been transported to Italy in a 45-minute drive. 

“I know, but I’m worried that it’s like cliche. Italians, winery, I don‘t want to be basic,” my sister held up her hands as if being basic was a crime against god. 

“What would the papers say,” I feigned scandal and Gulia whacked me lightly on the arm. 

“Be nice,” she hissed and pouted slightly.  She seemed twelve at times but she was my sister. I wanted her happy, beyond happy. I swallowed my sarcastic comments and smiled an apologetic smile at her. 

“Let’s give it a look,” I grinned. 

She interlinked her arm with her fiancés and set off in front of me a deep warmth came to my side. 

“It’s entirely cliche you know,” he whispered to me leaning in his arm and brushing mine. 

“What if it’s the most stunning cliche we’ve ever seen?” I retorted trying again to keep my face blank. 

“I don’t know how any view could compare to mine,” he grinned. 

“Do you always whisper sweet nothing to the women you see,” I cocked an eyebrow at him he was smooth and confident and my mother once told me if a man isn’t at least slightly nervous around you he doesn’t care. 

“I don’t see any women,” 

I wanted to smile a big bright smile but I kept my joy to myself. I wouldn’t let him know that there was a part of me that wanted him all to myself. 

The winery was exceptional but I knew the moment we had finished it wasn’t what my sister wanted. They had done their best to keep it rustic and considering my sister's perfectly curled hair and her pretty laid pearls she wasn’t a rustic bride. 

We stopped at a hotel, and a country club before we went to an estate. It looked like a castle it had sprawling gardens and fountains, a grand foyer, and a bridal suite. Gulia was bouncing the whole tour. 

I grinned as she clapped when we saw the rose garden ceremony spot I’m sure to most brides it was the fairytale they’d always dreamed of. 

“You seem pleased,” he leaned over, both of us looking at my sister and the planner discussing decorations. Apparently, they had cherubs they could put out. 

“She’s found what she wanted,” I stated. “She had a good day, a life without my sister I don’t want to spend much of the time we do have together seeing her upset,” 

“Family brings out the best in us,” he shifted to look at me. “You wouldn’t choose to get married here would you?” He gave me an appraising stare. 

“No,” I shook my head. 

“Where would you get married?” He asked stepping closer to me. 

“I’ve never given it any thought, never had any guy close enough to asking,” I brushed it off and sidestepped his question he said it so intently as if he was asking with far more resolve for a mere stranger. 

“That I find hard to believe,” he looked down at me and I leaned my head to meet his gaze. 

“Believe it,” I felt so brazen around him like I could say the most scandalous thing and never meet any blush from him. 

“You’re a woman who doesn’t back down from the scary things in life every man wants a woman like that by his side,” his voice made me lean closer to him. 

“Excuse me!” My sister came over bubbly and wrapped her arm around me to lead me away. “No worries,” she winked at Gio “I’ll return her soon,” 

“Gulia,” I admonished her in a whisper. 

“Oh stop, you looked like you were going to take him inside,” she giggled. 

I wasn’t the type of girl to giggle about guys it had never been just fun to me not after witnessing what my mother went through. After my father she never dated again, never even wanted to. She’d been so changed after leaving him I knew when I was with someone I’d love that deeply and I would tie myself to them and I never wanted to experience a loss like that. My father had still been alive, still been out there but being near him hurt her too much ever to do it again. 

“Gulia,” I warned and she whined and rolled her eyes. 

“Whatever you like him and you know it don’t care what daddy says he’s just paranoid about Gio taking over our business, he's fine to look at but totally ruthless,” 

I looked over my shoulder at the black-haired devil. He seemed like the type to have no heart in getting what he wanted. I’m sure he wasn’t cruel but he did seem callous, like a lion stalking prey wherever he went. 

“Well this is it for now on the wedding front I mean at least for a little while you know eventually there’ll be cake, caterers, photographers, videographers, organizers, florists, bands, DJ’s,” She started rambling and I felt my head spinning for her. 

“Gules, gules…Hey back down to earth for a moment,” I snapped my fingers reigning in the bridal tidal wave in her head. 

“There’s so much to do,” She huffed and for the first time, she looked worried and overwhelmed like a bride should. 

“I’m here to help you, you’re loyal servant don’t worry,” I reassured her. I hadn’t seen her in so long if she needed me to cut off my leg and give it to her I would. Spending so much of my life knowing my sister was somewhere out there away from me I would do anything for her. 

She took in a deep breath and let out a small sigh of relief and hugged me tightly. I was so happy even though we were strangers I was able to be someone she could rely on. 

“Well I’m ordering you to get any side projects you have going done in the next two months because after that you’re mine, and I’ll be needing a lot of your time,” she raised her brows at me tentatively challenging me to be up for this. 

I meant what I said I had just gotten my sister back I didn’t want to see her unhappy and I would be damned if I was the cause of that so if it meant enduring cake tastings, florist shops, and mountains of bridal magazines I would do it. 

“I’m at your service,” I bowed my head with a sly grin as she squealed and hugged me before bouncing off to the arm of her fiance again. 

It still intrigued me how such a stoic and quiet man was engaged to my shrieking, giggling, prancing sister. His tough and silent demeanor didn’t quite fit her bubbly dance through life. I suppose opposites attract, I looked over a Gio again, and sometimes it’s people who are far too similar to you that draw you in. 

‘So you’ve been conscripted into service again,” He walked over to me looking down at me his lips drawn together in a satisfied grin. 

“Happily volunteered,” I looked up at him matching his sarcastic tone. 

“Well I’ll have to survive a lot more wedding planning to see your smile,” He stepped closer but again out of fear, or survival instinct I stepped away. 

“I don’t think the best man and groom do much in the wedding planning process,” I stepped back, rationality grabbing hold of my body once more. 

“Well I’ll be around the house so I'll still get every chance I need to make my many attempts,” He insisted and I perked up at that. 

“Why would you be around the house?” The way my father had acted I thought he would shoot Gio for stepping an inch onto his property, and Gio sounded as if he was moving in. 

“You haven’t heard? Your father has proposed a business venture between us,” He smiled. “He’s warming up to me, perhaps he just wants both of his daughters happy,” 

I stepped back again. That wasn’t the case and I knew it, not only that I knew Gio knew it too. A chill crept up my spine at how he spoke, as if I wouldn’t catch the lie, the hints he was flying under the radar. 

“That’s interesting, because the last time I spoke to him about you I thought he’d have you deported if he could,” My tone turned icy and any kindness on my face vanished. 

He faltered then clenching his jaw for a second. “A lot can happen in a short amount of time Arianna,” He stopped closer once more and I felt indignant at his presence in my personal space. 

“I don’t know my father to go back on his words,” I replied, crossing my arms and straightening my spine. 

“Oh so you’re an expert on the man who abandoned you for twenty years,” he growled so off put by my ire at the innuendos he was making that I couldn't seem to catch. 

“Like I said he sticks to his convictions,” I shot back if he expected me to be a simpering attention-seeking daddy-issues crybaby he was wrong. I knew my father meant the words he said. I may not have spent all my life with him but there are things you gather right away, like how I knew the man before me was arrogant and untruthful. 

He looked over my annoyed and closed-off body, stepping away and plastering a peaceful, remorseful smile on his face. ‘I didn’t mean to make you so upset, here I was thinking we could get to know one another but you seem to distrust me, what a shame,” 

I didn’t like how he was spinning this on me. I had caught him in an omission and he didn’t like it and I didn’t like secrets. “I think I’ve learned enough, I may not have had my father for my whole life but he insisted that you were looking too closely into his business, and now you state your partners. I’m not a toy to be used against my family and the next time we see each other I expect you to treat me with the same respect you give my father and be upfront with me,” 

I spun and walked off haughtily I felt like a complete moron letting myself get caught up in a pretty face no matter how briefly. He was clearly hiding something and he didn’t like that I was calling him on it I don’t believe in putting up with bullshit from men who are interested in you. If he wanted me he would tell the truth instead he tried to spin the blame on me. 

“Everything alright,” Marco asked me as I stomped up into the estate foyer. 

He is eerily quiet for a man his size and I was shaken by his sudden appearance. “Yes just got worked up thinking about the wedding,” 

“You care about your family a great deal,” He nodded toward me thoughtfully.

“Yes,” I agreed with him, hoping I didn’t still look quite so angry. 

“Ari,” Guila came in at the same time Gio appeared and I saw her evaluate the awkward freeze in the room. “Well everything settled for today let's go home, I’m sure you’re tired and want to get your feet up after all the walking,” She looped her arm through mine and hurried me away. 

I was grateful for the rescue and sat in silence on the car ride back to my father’s house. He didn’t bother me the whole ride and if he had tried I would have gotten out and walked to get away from him. I felt his eyes peering over at me every once in a while but I didn’t let it show. I had nothing left to say to him if he was going to be dishonest. 

I went home that night and poured myself a glass of red wine for my efforts today. I didn’t ruin anything for my sister and I had gotten myself out of a bad situation before it began. I sat down watching the rain hit the window as music blasted on my stereo. Hopefully, god would smile on me and I would get through this without having to speak to him much more. 

But of course that was not what he had in mind at all.