4.The Stars

Aria's POV

When we return home, I leave Johnny to deal with the business Uncle Marcello left him. He will be busy all day, so I decide to spend the day in the library. I enjoy the company of my books. They have seen me through the darkest times. Uncle Marcello keeps buying me electronic books, but I love the musty smell of the old pages and the feel of the leather binding in my hands. After hours of reading, I am startled by a knock on the door. When I look up, an envelope is being slipped through the small space underneath the door. Intrigued, I get up to retrieve it. I immediately notice the de Luca crest embossed on the envelope. I trace the crest with my fingers before opening it.

Dear Aria

You are invited to dinner on the garden terrace at 8pm.

Wear something pretty.

PS: Give me a chance to make things up to you.

Yours sincerely

Johnny

It is just before eight when I take a final turn in front of the mirror. I am wearing a silky emerald coloured mini dress with an open back that is showing off my long legs and curves perfectly. The colour accentuates my green eyes and almost makes my auburn hair look flaming red as it cascades in curls down my back. I pull a strand of hair over the scar running down the side of my face. With time it has faded slightly, but it still remains an ugly reminder of my past. After applying a final layer of cherry flavoured lip-gloss, I smack my lips together, satisfied with my look.

When I come down the stairs Johnny is already waiting for me. He looks dapper in a dark silk suit, his blonde hair done in a sleek comb over, he looks so handsome.

The moment he spots me his eyes lock onto mine, burning with a strong intensity, before they take in the rest of my body. He comes up the remaining stairs and holds out his arm for me to take.

“My lady” he says in a posh British accent and mockingly points his nose into the air.

“Why, thank you good sir.” I reply equally posh. I hook my arm into his, allowing him to escort me to the terrace.

Once we are outside, I spot the small wrought iron table with a white tablecloth flapping in the summer breeze. The wonderful fragrance of the roses, combined with the soft candlelight from the table, light up my senses. It looks magical. I turn around when Johnny clears his throat, holding out my chair for me.

“This looks amazing” I say, taking my seat.

“I am glad the lady approves” he says winking at me.

“It is good to have you home, Johnny. Things have not been the same around here. Uncle Marcello works himself to the bone. He is never home anymore” I say.

“Well, you do not have to worry. I am back for good” he says tenderly.

“What happened before you left? Where did you disappear to?” I ask the questions that have been tormenting me.

“I am sorry Aria. Dad was pressuring me into learning the family business. He is not getting any younger, he wants to retire soon. When that happens, I need to take over the running of the business. I was in Italy completing my initiation and training so that I can be accepted as the next Don. It was never anything you did or said. I was just angry at the time.” He says putting his hand on mine.

“Why did you not tell me? It has been three years. You could have called, messaged, sent a pigeon, anything!” I say pulling my hand out from under his.

 “I am sorry, at first, I just wanted to get away from here, from my father. I did not even think about anything else. Then, when I arrived in Italy, I did not want to risk anyone knowing that you are important to me. You know these people Aria, you have seen what they did to your family” he says.

The butler comes out to serve us wine and a starter of classic Minestrone soup, accompanied by home-made bread rolls.

“I still think you could have said goodbye” I say with a pout.

“I will make it up to you” he says, knowing I cannot stay mad at him for long.

We eat our soup in silence, enjoying the symphony performed by the crickets hiding in the nearby bushes. It is a perfect evening.

“Do you still remember you star constellations?” he asks.

“Of course!” I say smiling. My father used to teach them to us when we were kids.

“Prove it.” He says grinning.

I come around the table to where he is sitting. The sky is so clear, the entire milky way is on display tonight, the stars looking like little diamonds littered across the sky. They are so beautiful that I cannot decide where to start. I point to my favourite constellation first.

“There is Orion” I say, pointing toward the heavens. He pulls me closer so that I sit with my back right against him.

“MmHmm” he hums and buries his head in my hair.

“Ursa Minor” I say pointing again. “And look there is Polaris, the north star, at its tail” I continue, resting my head against his shoulder, still looking up at the sky. We are so close; I can feel the heat radiating from his body, his familiar scent swirling around me.

“Do you remember what your father said about the North star?” He asks me.

“That is where heaven is.” I say smiling, thinking of my father.

“There is Nor, Norma.” I clear my throat. His closeness is getting to me, hundreds of memories from our summer together rush through my mind.

The butler arrives with our main course. Grateful for the distraction I quickly jump up and return to my seat, my face feeling hot.

We are served Chicken Parmesan, resting on a bed of spaghetti. It smells so good I do not spare a minute before digging my fork into the spaghetti and smothering it with the rich tomato-based sauce. I stuff my mouth full, using it to distract me from the handsome man in front of me.

Looking over at Johnny, I see him doing the same. We eat in silence, neither of us able to bring up the past. So many things were left unsaid, so many things have changed, yet it also feels like nothing has changed. Could we carry on where we left off?

After dinner I find the courage to ask the one question I have been wanting to ask since Johnny came back home.

“Uhm Johnny, you remember that thing that happened before you left?” I ask, a bit embarrassed.

“You mean the kiss?” Johnny asks, sitting up a bit straighter in his chair.

“Well, yes that” I say. I have been thinking about it for three whole years.

“You left right after” I say when he remains silent.

Johnny swallows hard, before clearing his throat.

“Aria, amazing as that was, it should never have happened” he says crushing my heart with those words.

I feel like crying, but I push the tears down. I have loved Johnny for as long as I can remember. He has always been my childhood crush. After the last summer we spent together before he left, I thought he felt the same. But now, it looks like marrying Stefano Moretti will not be as bad as I thought. I excuse myself and go to my room, feeling stupid that I ever thought Johnny and I could be more than just friends.