Elio I balled my fists as I watched Lethu wince from taking off her coat. I rushedly shortened the distance between us, my jacket thrown on the counter. If it were up to me, she would stay in bed all day. But moving around and watching me keep busy healed her. My mental health had never been tested. At one end I was boiling. I was burning with anger and the need to extinguish those that hurt my Principessa. Every second I was plotting and planning ways I would inflict the most pain and damage. Nothing was good enough, no method I thought of was good enough. I needed them seething with so much pain it would drive them to insanity. My heart pumped harder even thinking about it. On the other hand, it had been the greatest two days of my life. I had imagined living with my angelo more times than I could say but it was nothing compared to the dream I was living. I had thought I had reached my limits to loving her but how bright my world had gotten and how dark it had turned at the same
Lethu I woke up to breakfast in bed, a diamond necklace and a large bouquet of dahlias. When everyone was obsessed with roses, I liked being the odd man out which was why dahlias were my favorite flowers and Elio knew. Never had I wept while screaming and eating at the same time. “Thank you so much my love. I will wear these all the time. I will even sleep with them. I love the necklace so much. Are you sure? Elio you don’t have to buy such expensive things for me. I don’t want you to spend too much money on me…” I was rumbling away, not even sure what I was saying myself as I wiped away my tears and snort. “You don’t have to Principessa. You will get a new one every week and money, what would it be for if not to spoil you rotten Piccola?” He replied and how do you respond to such words. Ofcourse I was not going to fight him on it. I loved being spoiled. I loved being his principessa, especially seeing how it made him groan out when he lay his eyes on me wearing his necklace. I wan
I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t talk. I was in shock. My eyes blinked a million times and everything was all still blurry. Elio cleaned me and got me into new sweatpants while I was still dizzy. He knew what he was doing with me. I opened my mouth and closed it so many times with my words vanishing which left him pouring out the deepest laugh I had heard from him. My heart jolted, my face heating up. I threw my tiny fists at him. We had two hours left and we couldn’t go back to bed because Elio’s suit would wrinkle so we cuddled on the seat and just talked until we landed. My hand clenched Elio’s. I was too happy to be nervous. We walked to the jet door, staring out into the dark sky then to the fleet of cars waiting for us. A breath escaped me as I saw only men waiting and chatting by the cars. They all wore suits. Most were guards from how rigid they were but two of them were relaxed. They walked closer as we descended. My eyes closed, breathing in air from home, my second home. I h
Elio woke me up and I nearly did a throw down. I needed more sleep. He spent five minutes coaxing me out of sleep until I gave in and sat up in bed. It then hit me that we were in his home. It then hit me that I was in his parent’s home where I would meet his family for the first time. My eyes took in the room and my heart just jolted as I stared back at the cross left on the table along with mother Mary’s statue. I was not sure if that had been there or just left for me. It definitely unsettled me. Elio left to get ready and I rushed to take a shower myself. I brushed my teeth then peeled off my bandage with shaking hands. The cut seemed ready to be left open but I was afraid to. I covered it up with a fresh bandage then washed my hands. It took me a step back, caught in my head as I oiled my skin. I did not know what to wear and I guessed a white long-sleeved and knee-length dress would be my best bet. I brushed my hair back and wore sandals. I pulled earrings on, feeling down. St
“Ma,” Elio called out, pulling my chair with one hand while he took his seat. I sat down and watched in wonder as his mother took a plate and began plating for him while bashing him for not sleeping and overworking himself. I found myself watching in awe and I knew I had to make my relationship with his mother work. She daunted on him in a way I had never seen another mother do. “Eat.” She said to him and he got right into it. You could see how good the food was from his face lighting up. I would never cook him such good food and I did not daunt on him like she did. I felt a bit jealous, making me feel like I did not do enough for him. I swallowed, smiling. To my utter surprise, Mamma took my plate next and began plating my food. She filled it up to the brink with my chest nearly caving in. I had nearly shot up from my seat and begged her to sit, that I would plate because I felt so bad that she was daunting on me when it had to be the other way round yet I held position. My heart s
By the time I blinked, she was gone. My stomach was in coils. My gut wrecked. My heart in shreds. Her words echoed with such force yet still I couldn’t understand most of them. I did not dare stand up because I would fall and when Elio came, I don’t know what I said but I was glad when I couldn’t see him before me. I sat thinking I would vomit. My world span and stopped as I processed her words thoroughly. I analyzed everything she said and it was like a movie playing in my head. It was so clear, seeing my life unfold in my head the way she said it would. Every word she spoke was true. She had probably went through it and even thinking of what she went through shuttered me. To live that life, to go through that pain, it must have broke her apart. In my head I could see myself in bed, feet on sheets, waiting in the dark, waiting for Elio while he screwed someone else. Even the thought brought such an animalistic groan from me. I had never had such intense hunger for violence. I would
I did not even know what my closet had and if I would have anything fancy enough. I felt out of place, never having been to something so fancy. I rushed to my room thinking I would find Elio there to help me. I took the last step, my side hurting just a little. A few women stood by my door, a case standing right beside them. I approached with much caution. “Hello.” I softly greeted as their eyes creepily ate me up. A shiver ran down my body as I slowly approached because it was clear they had been waiting for me. “Sorry miss Ferarro. We are here to do your makeup and hair.” One of the ladies said, my eyes nearly popping right out. Ofcourse Elio would take care of me even after our fight. “Thank you. Sorry if you have been waiting for so long.” I mentioned, walking in the room straight to the closet to put away the tiny bag in my hand with my flowers. The paper bags of what I bought earlier were lined in my closet. I smiled, walking further to stop as I saw a dress hanging where it
Ninety-five percent of my best days on earth were because of Elio. As we danced around as if the world was ours, I had never been so happy. I was so happy I could not stop crying and sniffling. My favorite artist was singing whom he had flown in. Who knows how much he paid. The guests watched with gleaming eyes as I giggled and hid my head in Elio’s chest because all the emotions were making me look as if I had lost my sanity. I felt like I was flying. It was hard to believe this was all real but indeed, he had made me the happiest girl on earth. “A month is all I can wait.” Elio said as I grinned even harder. “I will barely get there. We can do it tomorrow.” I chirped in with my largest grin. Even if he said right on that second I would have been game. “My fiancé will have the big wedding she has always dreamt of.” He answered, as if he hadn’t swooned me enough. The song came to an end and I was sure my face was a mess from all the crying that had been happening. I dabbed my fin
I felt the lights then saw them. I felt as we walked through the house. I ran my hands into Elio’s hair, pulling him to me as if I wanted to infuse myself into him. His hands ran up to my waist and when he pulled back I kissed his jaw and lower to his neck. Soft music suddenly filled the house and water soon sprayed on our naked bodies. A deep shiver ran down yet not even it would tear me from my heaven. We were no longer just kissing because it felt like we were devouring each other. I felt as if he was kissing me deep into my heart. His hands tightened on my waist and I did not protest as he lifted me off. I found my footing while buried deep in his essence. He turned me around, kissing my jaw down to my neck as I leaned my head back on his shoulder. A moan pulled from the deepest hole in my core. I arched my back to him as his hand grabbed and mold my breast with such hunger. His other slid down my belly. I spread my legs for him, his dick pressed hard on my back. His hand ran dow
“Husband.” I coaxed, the car flying off the road. Wind blew through the thrown-back roof. I felt free, felt unbound, and cosmic. Elio’s groan and warning look had me giggling. I pushed off the seat, my hands moving up my thighs. I felt Elio’s eyes which made me turn my head to stare at him. His eyes couldn’t even budge as I pulled the underwear I wore down. He turned to the road for a second then back. My white lace underwear was unhooked from my feet, bringing it to my face to sniff. “Lethu bella tentatrice, per favore, ferma il mio amore.” Lethu beautiful temptress, please stop my love. He begged, pressing on the gas. The white lace flew to his lap and I watched as he pulled it up to his face, sniffing it. His eyes closed and when they opened I knew I was in for it. The car took a swerve fifteen minutes later and we were down and near the beach. I could hear the water crush. I could smell them and I could feel them already kissing my skin. We drove up a narrow tropical driveway th
I changed to my reception dress and I danced what seemed like hours with Elio. He spun me around the dance square with my smile so bright my jaw nearly dislocated. After him I danced with Salvatore. It was three full songs of him just waltzing me in his arms. “What do I call you? Sal? Big Bro? Volturi? Oohh, I like that one.” I chirped up as he spun me away only for my body to spin back into his arms. His face fell into a frown. “Do I even want to know what that is?” He questioned as I giggled. “You should watch the twilight movie and the breaking dawn movies. I promise you will like them.” I grinned, him corking a brow but then relaxed. I knew he would watch them and I wished I could see his reaction. I would pay money for it. My insides melted for the hundredth time. He picked me up, my palms on his with my whole weight on him as we turned around. As sad as it had been back then, the wedding being postponed was a blessing because there I was, dancing like a princess with the men
I knew there were over a thousand guests scattered on both sides but I could only see blurs. I heard the buzz, so many drones capturing the whole moment. I heard the weeps, the guests even more emotional. My eyes fixed further down the alter where I was going and I could not help but gasp as my vision cleared. I had last seen Elio the morning before when Salvatore and all the men took him away for a day and night to remember. He stood in his black tux looking so good. His eyes were on me, never faltering. His leg shook and I knew he was holding everything back from just weeping as I was. I was full-on crying and it was so embarrassing. By the time we reached the end I was not even sure I could stand on my own. “Who gives her away?” The officiate asked. “I do.” Mom spoke, pulling her arm from me. Elio descended down and held out his hand. Mom put my hand in his before he kissed my cheek then Elio’s. “I love you both.” She whispered and it nearly left me scattered on the floor lik
Two Months Later “Champagne?” My fifteen-year-old sister gestured, the glass filled with the sparkling liquid held out for me. I narrowed my eyes at her. “Hold it for me sis.” She turned around and I watched as she scoured the room for mother’s eyes before she quickly took a sip. It was why she took the champagne glass in the first place. I chuckled, shaking my head. About seven people ran around me, picking a certain part of the dress, pinning, or dusting something off. They were all in panic which hid my own panic. Eyes from the girls were on me as they dived in the delicates offered in the room. I folded my moist hands, eyes moving around the large room again with red the only thing I saw. Elio took it upon himself to make sure I woke up with every part of our room filled with dahlia flowers. There were boxes on boxes of red, pink and white dahlias. I blushed and nearly giggled while recalling the smell that had hit my nostrils as I came alive from dream land. My head had tu
Giving Elio his sponge bath was the highlight of my days as the week progressed along with spending some time with my mother. It was the only time where no one else occupied the room, leaving me with Elio to take care of him. It brought some light back in me. If anyone walked in they would label me crazy because the whole process was spent with me just talking his ear off or singing to him, hoping my terrible singing would wake him up. I realized just then that he was my best friend and not being able to hear his voice over the days tore me apart. I refrained from telling him about my mother and siblings because I wanted to do it when I could stare in his eyes and see him excited for me. In a span of three days I had learned so much about my mother’s life and culture. She taught me so many things and I could not wait to have cooking dates with her which we put a pin on because she and my siblings were leaving in a day. It saddened me but surely Elio and I would visit whenever we coul
Death. You can dream about it. You can talk about it. You can prepare for it but when it hits, it breaks everything in you and shows you that you can never be ready for it. Silence. A great abyss of silence. I saw them talk. I saw them walk. I saw them stand before me, eyes staring and lips moving but all I heard was silence. I curled myself in the chair, feet on the suede. A fleece blanket covered me, not sure when it was draped over but it brought me warmth. Head on my knees with my left hand holding on, afraid to let go because I was afraid that if I did then they would snatch Elio away. Internal bleeding, fractured ribs, torn muscles, ruptured spline. The list went on and on. The doctor’s words came and went as they had in the three days of my grief. A hand fell on my shoulder, my body jerking in fright, my eyes turning—red and burning. Brown eyes stared at me, never leaving. I could see the sadness, the heartache, reflecting pain I could not describe. For long minutes I jus
Mamma led us to the dining table where food lay in abundance. It seemed they had prepared a feast for Elio’s return. Mamma pulled Elio’s chair and he pulled mine back. We sat down, smiling and thanking as Mamma fussed over him, asking how he was, touching his face, kissing his cheeks, and plating his food. I took my own plate, just filing it because I was dead hungry. The few house staff stood by the door, watching and listening. Other family members, far many than those I left, took their seats. Dario stared at Elio intensely and as my eyes drifted around, Salvatore was nowhere to be seen. Irya sat on her chair, no one next to her. Three new people walked through the doors and I nearly splattered apart right there and then. My eyes went wide. Brown eyes stared back at me as if they had been waiting a lifetime to connect to mine. My world shook and crumbled all around me. I did not know if to cry, shout, jump, or just run. I felt like running, running from the truth staring right at
I don’t know when I fell asleep but I do recall hearing screams somewhere. I heard the crash of glass and I shrunk into myself before darkness engulfed me. In my dreams more trauma waited. In my dream I had been late and when I got to Eduardo he told me it was too late, that Elio had passed. The grief rocked me so hard I could feel myself shiver hard even in sleep. I tried shifting around the sheets to find warmth but none was provided. At a point I cried, weeping for my lost love and the feeling haunted me even as my eyes peeled open. My chest was so sore I couldn’t stop rubbing it. My body ached as if I had been thrown into a hurricane. The sheets were all twisted around me, some hanging to the floor. A trickle of sweat ran down my spine and instead of feeling rested, I felt as if someone murdered then brought me back to life. Movement caught my eye and that was when I saw Elio, his back turned to me. He was buttoning up his clean navy shirt, his hair combed back to perfection. Th