Chapter 13 Proposal (Part 1)

Gianna

“Oh, I missed this so much,” Teresa sighed, holding up her face against the sun, her red hair sparkling in the sunlight.

We had selected a sea-view restaurant for our lunch with outdoor seating since it was such a gorgeous day. The sun felt so good on my skin, and for once since the wedding, I felt relaxed and more like myself. With Nico, there’s always this underlying tension prickling under my skin. He is so intense and downright intimidating. But sitting here with my best friend, enjoying the sun and a crisp wine was really what I needed to unwind a bit. Especially after an eventful morning today.

"Or I'll forget I'm supposed to be a gentleman… and show you exactly what happens when my wife begs for ruin."

I gulped and quickly took a large sip of my wine to satiate my parched throat. My wife, Nico has acknowledged me as his wife for the first time since the wedding and not out of obligation. And that threat…I bit my lip, wondering how long it would take for me to break him and show me exactly what he meant by that.

“Earth to Gianna?” I blinked, turning my focus back to my best friend.

“Sorry, you were saying?” I murmured. Teresa smirked and then sat back, appraising me with curiosity.

“What?” I demanded. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You seem…different,” she said, cocking her head to the side. “I don’t know…just different.” I blushed, reflexively biting my lip as I gave her a nonchalant shrug. Or tried to.

“I am different…I am married now,” I said, glancing at my over-the-top expensive ring.

“Yeah, it suits you…I guess,” she smiled. “So tell me about him. How is he? I was quite intrigued by him, to be honest. He doesn’t give much away, does he?”

“No,” I shook my head. “Nico is very… reserved. He prefers to keep to himself and doesn’t let people in easily.”

Including me. It was such a struggle for him to have me in his space, let alone allow me to care for him. But I knew it had to do with whatever shitty past he had and I was determined to mend all his pain with my love one step at a time.

“I figured, and I must admit, it makes him sexier,” Teresa nodded. “What else?” I glanced at the sparkling blue water of the Mediterranean and smiled.

“He is intense…very intense and driven, an alpha male. But regardless of his tough exterior, he is fragile on the inside, like a small child. And he is…beautiful. Both inside and out, even if he doesn’t quite believe it.”

“You do really love him,” I blinked, turning my focus back to my best friend. She could see right through me, always.

“I do,” I smiled softly, suddenly hit by a wave of longing. I wanted to see him again and somehow the time didn’t want to move today. It was still hours before it was eight.

“I am happy for you, Gi,” Teresa smiled. “But…does he treat you well? Because that’s what matters the most. He was so…cold with you last night. He doesn’t hurt you, right? I hope he loves you just as much you love him because marriage can’t work if you are the only one with feelings. You know that, right?”

“I will never be able to love you.”

“I’m in love with someone else, Gianna.”

I took a deep breath and I wished I could tell her everything and the truth about us. But Teresa wouldn’t understand. She was fiercely protective of me and would first kill me for agreeing to this marriage and then go after Nico. The last thing I needed was a rift between my best friend and my husband. Plus, this was between Nico and me and we should solve it behind closed doors, right?

“Yes,” I lied, and I hoped my voice or my face didn’t give it away. I was a horrible liar. “He does. It’s just…he isn’t a man of many words. But he finds other ways to show me.”

“I am sure he does,” Teresa smirked, leaning back in her chair. “He is built like a machine. Does he make you scream out his name every night? How is he?”

I wish I knew…

“Th…that’s not what I meant,” I muttered, taking a sip of my wine again. It was really hot outside.

“Oh come…don’t be coy, Gi. I am your best friend,” she pressed. “Give me some details. I told you about my escapades, didn’t I?”

“Okay enough about me!” I protested, eager to steer the conversation away from sex. “What about you? What are your plans now that you are here?” Teresa shrugged disinterestedly.

“Just relax, have fun with you, fuck without a care…five years with one man, give me a break now,” she grinned. “And then I guess I will figure out what to do with my career.”

“Well, I have a proposal for you,” I said.

“Oh, I am intrigued,” Teresa smiled. “My best friend has a proposal for me. What is it?”

“You know I want to start my fashion line, right?” I said, feeling a tingle of excitement just at the thought.

This has been something I have always dreamed of. That’s why I went to London to study fashion and then worked my ass off interning at one of the biggest fashion brands in the industry. I had learned all I could and now I was ready.

“Yep, we have discussed it in elaborate lengths for years,” she nodded. “What about it?”

“Well, I feel now is the time to start working on it,” I said. “But it's a bit daunting and I was hoping if…if I can get someone to help me out —a partner…”

“Wait!” Teresa exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement. “You are not asking me to be your partner, are you?” I smiled and nodded my head.

“That’s precisely what I was trying to say,” I laughed. “You have the necessary expertise, especially with the finance side. I can handle the creative side and you can handle the business…we will make a great team. There’s no one in the world I trust more than you!”

“Oh yes!” Teresa jumped, almost scattering everything on the table as she reached out to hug me. “A hundred times yes! Yes! Yes…I would love to! Two women on their own—we will make headlines!”

“Relax, we don’t even have funds yet.” Teresa halted, her smile disappearing as she gave me a frown.

“What?” she demanded. “What do you mean by ‘we don’t have funds yet’?”

“We need money to start a business, don’t we?” I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah but since when is that a problem for you?” Teresa grinned. “Just call the bank and tell them you would like to make a withdrawal. Out of the gazillion bank accounts you probably have, we need to empty a teeny portion from one of them. Simple.”

“No…it’s not that simple,” I muttered. “I am not going to take money from my brothers. Or my husband for that matter. And I don’t have enough saved up of my own that we can use.” Her wine glass halted inches from her lips as she turned around and gave me a look.

“What?” she demanded, giving me a have-you-gone-crazy look.

“You heard me,”

“Are you crazy? Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“No,” I sighed, shaking my head.

Why was it so hard to accept that I wanted to do something on my own—without help from my brothers or anyone else? Sure, there’s a lot of money in my name, but it’s not really mine. I didn’t earn any of it. I didn’t contribute. And honestly, I don’t even want to think about how some of that money was made.

“I am not kidding,” I continued. “I am not going to take money from anyone. I will probably apply for a loan.”

“Why?” Teresa exclaimed. “Oh, why do you want to make this so complicated?”

“Because I want to do this on my own, Teresa. I want to do this from scratch without anyone’s help, especially not financial help. This is my dream and I want to build it with my hard work. Ever since I was a kid, everything was served to me on a silver platter. I have never needed to earn anything on my own. I worked really hard to get that internship at Bellavanti but I won’t be surprised if Leo pulled some strings anyway. While I am truly grateful for all that I have for once I want something on my own. I can do it.”

“How very philanthropic of you,” Teresa grimaced. “Okay, how about…”

“No, I’m not taking money from you either,” I shot back. “I will find another way. But now that we got this cleared, are you still up for my proposal?” Teresa gave me a look and then sighed, throwing her hands in the air.

“You know I won’t ever say no to you, bitch,” she scowled. “Of course I am. Let’s hustle together!” I smiled and reaching out, squeezed her hand affectionately.

“Thank you!” I said. “I love you and believe me, we will rock.”

“Of course we will,” she winked. “We’re a team!”

“We are,” I nodded, feeling excited. Having my best friend with me to work on my dream project just made it all the better.