05. Hot Italians

"You call it chaos I call it family"

~ UNKNOWN

I take the dress from her, "go get a shower, the makeup artist will be here soon." I say, she silently nods her head. I start arranging her things, I sense her staring at me, I look up at her, she has a solemn expression.

"I should go..", she says taking the towel and heading to the bathroom. I sense a different meaning behind her words, is she trying to tell me something?

'Please God, make this day easy for her', I say a small prayer.

I arrange everything for her and leave the room. I decide to get a quick snack then start getting ready myself. I hop my way down the stairs, commotion in our living room grabs my attention. Curious Valentina is on high alert today, or mostly is every day. I make my way towards the living room. 4 unknown men are standing with my brother and dad. 3 of them are in black suits with sunglasses and an ear piece. They seem like bodyguards. They actually are bodyguards. The 4th man is wearing an expensive suit, different from the others, his back is towards me.

"Fidati di me, non tradirò questa volta!" (Trust me, I won't betray this time!) Everett says through clenched teeth.

Did I just hear my brother speaking Italian?

What!??

Everett can speak Italian?? Since when? I must be imagining things right? How does my brother know Italian and I don't??

"Fiducia!?" (trust!?) The man chuckles but it seems sarcastic. " lo zio non si fida più di te. Io e i miei uomini resteremo con te finché il matrimonio non sarà completato " (uncle doesn't trust you anymore. Me and my men are going to stay with you till the wedding isn't completed) he says sternly, his voice is rough. Everett glares at the man, and if looks could kill he would be 6 feet under by now.

"Tina, what are you dong here?'' dad asks confused, he is the first one to notice me. 

"Uhh? Mee? Oh yeah, I was heading to the kitchen for a quick snack. Who are they?'' I ask bluntly, pointing towards the men.

The man who seems like he's in charge turns around to face me as he becomes aware of my presence. He is hot! That is the first thing that comes to my mind as I observe the smoking hot Italian in front of me. Short black hair with dark eyes. He is 6 feet tall, taller than dad and Everett. He is wearing a tux suit with a bow, his shirt is tight on his muscle clad body. Damn! he works out. He has high cheekbones. He's like a model ready to walk on a fashion show runway. I don't realise that I am staring. The handsome man is also observing me quietly, with his pitch black eyes. He has a blank expression. I can't tell what he is thinking. Is he judging me? Of course, he is, I must look like a mere peasant in front of this model from heaven.

Dad doesn't answer but the hottie has other plans, he walks towards me, I quickly compose myself. 'Tina, act normal.', I advise myself.

"Angelo'', he introduces himself in his thick accent, with his right hand extended out in front of me. I place my hand in his, he has a strong grip as he shakes my hand.

"Valentina'' I respond politely, he nods in acknowledgement with a warm smile, he retracts his hand and turns to dad and Everett. The tension is thick in the room so I slip away quietly. How badly I want to know what they are talking about. Guess I'll find it out later. Food calls now.

~~~~~~

After filling my tummy, I take a quick shower and head to my bed to look at my neatly laid out dress. I am the bridesmaid, the only one. I hear engine sounds coming from outside. I peak from my window and see 5 SUVs parked in front of our house. About 15 men standing outside. What is going on? I ask myself. I notice the neighbors are as curious as I am but no one dares to approach our home. Looks like the groom is eager to get his wife.

I look back at my dress, it is a dark green, one shoulder maxi with a side slit. After getting dressed up I turn to my vanity. I opt for light makeup, I like to keep it natural, I take out my favorite blood red lipstick and apply it. I don't know why, but I love dark shade lipsticks. My makeup is always minimal on occasions but I coat my lips with dark colored lipsticks, it makes me feel confident. I stare back at my reflection, Satisfied with my look. It's time for my hair. I let them loose in beach curls, I hum in satisfaction. I look at the time 2 pm, only two hours left. I decide to go downstairs to check on everyone I make my way to the living room, there is no one. I sense someone standing behind, I turn around to face another stranger.

What's up with strangers showing up to our home today?

He doesn't look like a bodyguard but more like the boss. You can tell he is someone of power, he radiates authority He seems in his mid-thirties. Tan skin, dark green eyes. They are nothing compared to Olivia's, her eyes hold softness and purity but this man in front of me, his are the total opposite. Dark, scary, and most of all sinful. Even Angelo's dark eyes are less scary than his. He has black hair that are neatly combed back. He is as tall as Angelo with a sharp jawline. His features are more mature compared to Angelo's boyish one's. He is in a grey suit. He is in great shape, with wide shoulders, all these men hit the gym regularly, I can tell by the big strong muscles that are outlined by their suits. He is a little more muscular than Angelo.     

I hear a little laugh, "done staring piccolo?'' (Little one) he asks in his heavy Italian accent. I didn't know I was staring, yet again. That makes it twice in one day. I immediately know he belongs from the groom's family. I blush hard and look down at my feet as if they are the most interesting thing in the world. "I'm sorry, where are my manners?'' He closes the distance in two long strides "Antonio.'' he holds out his hand.

"Valentina.'' I place mine in his and smile politely. He captures it a firm grip, he pecks my knuckles, I blush profusely. "If you don't mind, may I ask, who are you?'' I ask hesitantly. 

"I'm Alessandro's uncle.'' he smiles warmly, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"Alessandro?'' I ask confused.

Antonio shot up one of his perfect eyebrows questioningly. "The groom..'' he responds looking at me skeptically. 

Oh shit!

Valentina, what the hell! you don't know the grooms name? He must think how stupid you are or you're not a part of the family, maybe someone who broke in the house? I blush hard as I'm unable to hide my embarrassment.

"By your reaction, I suppose you don't know who Alessandro is.'' he rather states then asks. "May I have the honor to know about the beautiful lady?'' I blush again.

What is happening with me. Why am I blushing so much. Put your act together Tina, I scold myself mentally. I look at Antonio and see him looking at me with a frown on his face. Now he surely thinks I'm some psycho who broke into the house and is pretending to be a family member so I can eat free food in the wedding. I am brought back from my train of thoughts by the sound of him clearing his throat. He must be waiting for me to answer him.

"Yes? Yes, I'm Rose's aunt.'' I reply cheekily. He laughs lightly, finally receiving an answer.

"Wow, the aunt and the uncle.'' I also chuckle. Yeah, I didn't notice that. "Well, I must say, Rose has a beautiful aunt'' he stares at me intensely.

I just blush more. Yeah, blush Tina! fucking blush! It's not my fault. No boy or man has really given much attention to me, this is new. I excuse myself saying I need to check on the bride. 

"I hope to see you soon.'' He says, his eyes boring deep inside my soul. I nod my head with a tight smile and practically run my way upstairs.

Sure, he is handsome but I get a bad vibe from him. It's better I maintain a safe distance from him. I head over to Roses room, it's suspiciously quiet in there, did the makeup artist already leave? But, when did she actually come, I didn't hear about her coming from anyone. I knock on the door.

No response.

I knock again and again but still receive no response. I get impatient, my heart starting to beat erratically. Something's not right. I open the door only to find the room empty. Everything is just as I left.

Calm down Tina, Check the bathroom.

Yes, the bathroom. I dash towards the bathroom not caring that I'm wearing heels. I knock on the door, still no response "Rose? you in there?'' I ask tapping my feet on the floor. I don't wait anymore and push open the door.

Guess what?

It's empty.

Just great!

Wow!

I start to walk frantically in the room. I pull out my phone and call the makeup artist, she picks up after 2 rings. I don't even let her breath. "Hey! Hi, I'm calling on behalf of the bride 'Rose', you were appointed as her makeup artist for today, you haven't reached here yet and the wedding is about to start in 2 hours." I say looking around the room as if Rose will magically appear in front of me.

"There must be a mistake, I received a call last night that the wedding has been postponed, my booking was cancelled..." I cut the call not letting her finish.

Cold sweat forms on my forehead. Rose ran away.

She ran away!!

What do I do?

I start pacing around the room, I should've seen this coming, I remember the last look she gave me. I look around the room, I ruffle my hair in frustration, suddenly something on the bed grabs my attention.