Chapter 27.
— Once upon a time, the past of the princess of this story…
By Verônica Vachianno
| fifteen years ago. |
A cold, gentle wind welcomed me as I left the mansion through the back door. It was just over 30 minutes to midnight, so all the internal staff had already retired to their quarters and only the security guards were doing their rounds around the property. My parents had left for a charity dinner, which they wanted to take me to against my will, but I managed to stay in my room when they saw me getting sick again. Fortunately for me, Lorenzo accompanied them.
It was only a short time before I could escape an arranged marriage to that disgusting old man and live my life with the man who loved me.
With this positive thought and a wide smile of happiness on my face, I quickened my pace and packed my suitcase, which I was carrying with some difficulty be
Chapter 28.— once upon a time, a reckoning…A lazy, sleepy yawn escaped my lips, as I longed to go back to a deep sleep hugging Veronica. At the thought of her, a happy smile spread across my face, which made me reach out and grope for the place beside me. Unfortunately, I found it cold and empty. Sighing once more, I opened my eyes, turned to lie on my stomach, and stuck my nose into her pillow, inhaling the smell of her expensive shampoo.— What is this? — I whispered, noticing something stuck to my face. I lay back down on my stomach and opened the small piece of paper. — Ah… — I soon recognized Veronica's elegant handwriting.“I went to town at Grandma's request, so I shouldn't be long, and I also want to take you somewhere on the farm later.Love, Vero.”My smile grew wider and happier, and I felt my cheeks begin to ache. A passionate si
Chapter 29.— Once upon a time breakfast with crazy grandma…| Currently |I went down every two steps, hoping not to make a false step and roll down the stairs, which would be a big disaster. Luckily, I reached the second floor and turned in the same direction from where a super wonderful smell of food was coming, making my stomach rumble loudly in response. I laughed softly and, quickly and without getting lost in the huge house, found the kitchen.Unlike the rest of the house, which had a more rustic appearance, the kitchen seemed to be straight out of the future. A not-too-long countertop made of shiny black stone cut through the room, while ten stools in a matte shade of brown faced each other on either side. On the right side was a huge white refrigerator with double doors, as well as the stove beside it. However, what caught my attention the most was the huge glass wall that gave a beautiful v
Chapter 30.— Once upon a time the mad bride…Part 1.Having a good and relaxed conversation with the crazy grandma made me lose the fear that surrounded me and made me very uncomfortable at the Vacchiano Farm. My biggest fear was that Mrs. Paola would kick me out of the farm if we had a moment alone, as happened at breakfast. Fortunately, it was just my anxiety taking away my peace, causing me to almost have a fit and think that the worst could happen. Everything went very well. Amen, brothers! Nonna played the role of mother-in-law, which was supposed to be Mrs. Eva's, and showed me some photo albums. In them I found several pictures of Veronica, from her birth until a few months ago.Needless to say I took some of them and hid them in my suitcase, isn't it my dear readers?I laughed out loud when I came across a picture of my future girlfriend, where she was 16 yea
Chapter 31.— Once upon a time the mad bride…Part 2.Dear reader, in case you said Lorenzo, know that you were wrong, although…— Answering your previous question, Grace. — I mumbled her name dismissively, while a smile broke out. Yes, the bride had taken me to the same room as Lorenzo. — I would also like to know, after all, it was you who brought me here. Besides, this farm belongs to my girlfriend's grandmother. — My lips twitched even more when I noticed how red she was turning. — However, I will be kind and refresh your memory, in case you have forgotten. — I looked down at my short, colorful fingernails, for I knew how she hated to be in the background of an argument. — It was you who invited me to the wedding of the year. — I lifted my head and looked into her eyes.If possible, Sofia Grace had become more flushed with ang
Chapter 32.— Once upon a time the perfect tuning…| Currently. | The events of the previous day still lingered in my being, and the bitter memories wanted to come back to spoil the start of a beautiful morning. I could let myself get down and think about what Sofia Grace had said to me and the way she had kissed me without my permission. I still felt disgusted just remembering it. On the other hand, I decided to let it all go into oblivion and focus on having an amazing trip alongside Veronica. I would not allow myself to be shaken and have part of our trip to Italy spoiled by the meanness and in consequence of other people.I would live in the now, and the now was ….— This is going to go to shit. — I warned, in a mixture of fear and anxiety, for the third time. — Veronica! — I protested, half laughing and half annoyed, when she slapped me hard on the
Chapter 33.— once upon a time a part of Dreams...It was a little past noon, so the sun was high in a sky of a beautiful sky blue, while hardly a cloud interrupted the vastness above our heads. Despite the almost unbearable heat and lack of shade along our route, a welcome breeze eased the heat.— Oh. — I said, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation run through my body as I began to see something yellow on the horizon. — We are almost there, aren't we, Vero? — I asked rhetorically, because it was clear that we were approaching the field of sunflowers.Although they had made history in the United States and acquired several positive zeros in their bank accounts, the grandparents of my beloved blonde bought a farm when they returned to Italy and started a small sunflower and grape farm, just as they had always wanted in their youth. Soon the business grew and the Vacchiano's became one of the
Chapter 34.— Once upon a time, there was a beautiful love story between two women….We still remained sheltered in the shadows of the trees, although it was possible to have a wide and clear view of the waterfall, which was surrounded by huge rocks and touched by the sun's rays. The water should have been perfect for a swim alongside Veronica. On the other hand, it was the space open to the sky that attracted me the most.A small field opened up between the trees and the waterfall.The grass was a little tall and there were some bushes in the middle of the vegetation that stretched like a carpet all the way to the waterfall. In fact, it was as if the small space in the forest was the queen and the trees her subjects, for they seemed to bow and gaze at the unique beauty of the place. Shy flowers gave color to the immensity that was touched by the sun's rays.— Wait a minute, please, Carina! — asked
Chapter 35.— Once upon a time, the marriage of the century…Part 1.| currently. |The big wedding day had arrived with many surprises and confusions, although I still didn't know what would happen a little later.— Mercy! — My eyes widened. — By the Goddess of Women who like Women, Veronica! — I exclaimed, laughing.The smile on my girlfriend's face was wide and very satisfied.| The day before. |The smile had not left my lips. In fact, I couldn't stop admiring the simple but perfect ring that Veronica had given me the day before, after hearing her confess that she loved me too. Like me, the Italian goddess also wore on her right ring finger a ring that I had bought weeks ago, when I assumed the extent of my feelings for myself. The memory had been in my mind for the last few hours. Everything had been magi
Chapter 50.Bonus 8.By Lora Miller.| When she said yes to me. |— Love, since the kids are asleep, shall we watch a horror movie? — asked my girlfriend in a low, very low tone, lying next to me. — Please, Lo? Yes, let's, shall we? — Alicia even had the courage to give us a cute pout.Although the room was dimly lit, I could see how Alicia had an expectant expression as she waited for my answer. I hated this genre, and she knew it.— Ok… — I rolled my eyes, giggling. She let out an excited shout and stole a kiss. — But we need more popcorn, Ali. — I held out the empty container.She took it and stood up, before murmuring:— My love, with this miracle of you agreeing to watch horror movies with me, I can plant a cornfield to make as many pots of popcorn as you want. — She winked and walked away
Chapter 49.Bonus 7.By Lora Miller.| When the past came back for the last time. |— See you tomorrow, Miss Miller! — The security guard at the entrance of the P. & G. Vacchiano Construction Company building said goodbye to me as soon as I passed him. — Have a good evening! — He continued in the same kind tone.I smiled slightly in the direction of the man who looked more like a human closet, for he was very tall and muscular, and stopped walking so that I could answer him better.— Likewise, Jonnas! — I wished, flashing a huge smile. — And it's Lora, not Miss Miller. It doesn't even seem like we're friends. — I rolled my eyes, in good humor.Although he could have an intimidating appearance, Jonnas was a good-hearted man and a great joker outside his security posture. His wife, Ingrid, had babysat for Ashley as a
Chapter 48.Bonus 6.By Lora Miller.| When Love Touched Me Once Again. |Throughout my almost 37 years, I have deeply loved three people. The first was Ian, my ex-husband and the father of my two children. Our marriage came to an end, although our companionship, friendship, and respect only increased with the passage of time. Currently, he, his current wife, and I have become great friends. On the other hand, my second love experience was not very good, and I was still left with a broken heart and some traumas as consequences of Arabella's selfish and irresponsible attitudes. I could never force her to reciprocate my feelings, nor to continue her relationship with me while desiring and loving someone else. On the other hand, much suffering and tears shed could have been avoided if she had been sincere from the beginning. About three years after the near-event of the wedding of the centu
Chapter 47.Bonus 5.By Lora Miller.| When the past returned for a brief moment. | Part 2.I wanted to laugh at Sofia Grace's irritated and furious expression. Arabella's face was still livid, and I could almost see her begging me not to tell her wife that she was still looking for me.— Well, didn't you tell her, Arabella? — I asked, looking directly at her. Arabella remained silent. I let out a falsely disappointed sigh and turned to Sofia Grace. — Your wife kept calling and texting me, until I had to change my number three times. Nowadays, can you believe that she still has the nerve to keep creating fake profiles and harassing me on my social networks? — I nodded my head in denial, although I wanted to laugh. The scammer looked like she was going to have a stroke at any moment, which I was loving. Finally, I continued in a deba
Chapter 46.Bonus 4.By Lora Miller.| When the past returned for a brief moment. |Part 1.It had been almost two weeks since I had met Alicia again at the restaurant and found out that she was the youngest daughter of the couple who owned the restaurant. Almost every day I faithfully went there for lunch, even if it took a few minutes because I was swamped with construction work, to see her and exchange a word or two with her. When I felt more comfortable, I apologized for leaving her sleeping alone in the motel and left with a single goodbye note. She just smiled and affirmed that everything was fine, which encouraged me to ask for her phone number.I couldn't hide the huge smile on my face, which was due to the fact that Alicia Reese had just agreed to go out with me. We would meet on Friday night of the same week in a quieter and more private bar, diff
Chapter 45.Bonus 3.By Lora Miller.| When she became unforgettable. | Is it possible to fall in love with a person in a single night of living together without the slightest emotional attachment?Since the night I met that girl, Alicia, at the bar, and we went to the nearest motel, it has been a little more than a year. I had a hot, wonderful, amazing night with the stranger, whose name I only knew, just as she knew mine. Although there was a strange desire to really get to know her, a whole new desire burning in my chest, I just left a goodbye note and went home, leaving her sleeping like a beautiful angel on the luxurious red sheets. It was a night without promises or unnecessary questions between us. Never again would our destinies intertwine. Miami was too big, and the United States, even bigger.On the other hand, just over 365 days after a night of casual sex, I ha
Chapter 44.Bonus 2.By Lora Miller.| When she gave signs of life and the pain returned to my chest. |In the blink of an eye, days turned into weeks and soon more than six months had passed. During this period, soon after being comforted by my daughter, I had a frank conversation with Carina, who advised me to seek help with weekly therapies. At first, I was a little hesitant, as it never crossed my mind to seek help from a psychologist because of a pair of horns and a kick in the butt. Fortunately, I listened to the new Mrs. Vacchiano and am now going to Dr. Catrine Smiths.All in all, it was a great choice.I was doing well. Always attending the weekly therapy sessions, opening up more, focusing on the big project that had become the construction of the French heir's outdoor mall, smiling, feeling my heart keeping a rhythm of its own, happy with myself, my children and
'' She had her heart broken and hurt by Arabella Kwon, her ex-girlfriend, in the past. On the other hand, Lora Miller found in Alicia, a girl 15 years younger, the true meaning of what love was: respect, fidelity, companionship, and the expectation of a happy ending.’’Chapter 43.Bonus 1.By Lora Miller.| When it hurts me the most, your attitudes… |My bedroom was plunged into a deep, agonizing darkness. The silence, which had surrounded me and kept me company like a best friend for decades, was becoming almost claustrophobic. It was interrupted only by my low cry and a few sobs that escaped from deep inside my chest without any permission. I pressed my lips together and closed my eyes more tightly, shrinking further into a fetal position under the thin sheet I was using to cover me completely. I struggled to hold back the hot, constant tears, as well
Chapter 42.Epilogue.— Once upon a time, happily ever after.| two years later. |The little blue eyes of the over-three-year-old girl almost sparkled, just like in her beloved cartoons, when she came out of her bedroom and stopped in front of her two mommies' room. Soon, a wide smile drew on her childish lips, and she squeezed the one-eyed bunny tighter in her short arms. Tiptoeing, like the good little pest she was, she grabbed the doorknob with her free hand, turned it, and the door opened with a slight creak.— Mom? — whispered the blue-eyed brunette, in Portuguese, because that was her favorite language for communicating, with her small body partially inside the dimly lit room. — Are my mommies still sleeping? — she asked, curious.Although she was less than four years old, little Paola was a very intelligent girl and could speak and express herse