She will never forgive me

Emilio's POV

Two minutes to twelve.

I slipped my car key into my pocket as I strode across the spacious parlour to my room.

I felt guilty for lying to Anne about the phone call, but I had to. It seemed that each minute spent with her, I actually loosed my sense of focus and just wanted to. . .be with her.

I knew that I should have just picked a random girl, get married, get the title and discard her off with a substantial amount of money to keep her out of my life. But no. I just had to go for the one person to whom I could not be heartless.

I pulled the covers apart and laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

There was no doubt about the fact that Anne was special to me. And that was the problem. If she ever found out about the Mafia… the guns… the drugs… the number of people I've killed… she'll never forgive me.

Somehow, that thought filled me with dread.

I reached to the bedside drawer and took out a small red velvet box, and opened it. The solitary diamond shone spectacularly in the moonlight. There was no doubt that this ring would look perfect on her pale, slender finger. I swirled the ring in my hand and thought of if it would be a good idea to actually propose to her first.

Agh, what's wrong with me!?

With annoyance at myself, I slammed the box shot and dumped it in the drawer.

Then I ran my hand through my head.

This was going to be a long night, if she's somehow managed to infiltrate my waking thoughts already, then how much more my dreams.

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I hate these feelings that were strange to me; they made me vulnerable. And if I was vulnerable, I wouldn't be able to focus entirely on running the Salvatore's business.

To think I almost told her about Emilia!

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#Morning_________

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Portia's POV

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The man on the other side of the speaker said something that gave me a thrill, and I smiled a bit.

"Sì, I know. And of course I miss you too. I just have a lot of things to complete; you know, Leonetti's vineyards and wine companies… his warehouse all over Italy in Vernice, Rome, Tuscan, and Milan…I want Sergio to inherit, and that way, we'll not have any monetary worries."

"Sì. But Sergio seems impatient. The only advantage is that Emilio doesn't seem to be in a hurry to marry this girl. He actually spends time with her. And that's good, because it will give my Sergio the time to gain the trust of the board members and the old men at the table."



I laughed. "Of course the American is his weakness. And I thought my son, the almighty Emilio had no weakness. He's just like his father; living the 'don't take women serious' life, thinking they are invincible. But that's just because the right woman didn't come along."

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I took a sip of wine from the tumbler I held and rolled it over with my tongue. To be honest, Emilio did make good wine. The company had expanded since he took over. But that didn't mean I'd let him stay in power. As it is, he's bent on ruining me and his brother.

I spoke into the phone: "Don't worry mi esposa. I already have everything planned out. You just wait. Bye."

I placed the receiver on the land phone, and strode to the mirror, adjusting my pearl necklace. I wore an indigo satin gown that covered my feet, and had designs of precious stones around.

Leonetti was indeed the loving husband, as evident in the sparkly things around me. But he found out about Sergio, and his love for me returned to zero scale. Although I didn't stop being manipulative. He was a hard man, but I was cunning.

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I smiled as I remembered the look of horror on his handsome face when the bullet pierced his heart. And I had the honor of looking upon him as his last words to me were venomous… "I…hate…you…"

Who cares? Soon I'll take everything from him, as I promised. And no one will have the ability to pin anything on me. There was no evidence. I was too clever.

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I laughed as I fingered the necklace around my neck.



Time for a little cocktail with my 'daughter in law.'

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"So, how are you enjoying Italy?" I asked her and took a piece of cookie into my mouth.

Anne was fidgeting. It was clear that she wasn't the type of girl people of our calibre hung out with. From which hellhole did Emilio dig her out of!?

"Um, it's OK. Except the sun maybe. I'll never get used to it," she replied with a nervous chuckle.

I forced a smile.

"Anne dear, you don't have to be wound up tight around me. I won't bite."

"Well, that's not the impression I got on my first day," she muttered, but I pretended not to hear.

.

"So you're excited about the marriage, right? Where did you meet my son?"

"Signora I—"

"Oh, just make it madre," I said. "It means mother."

She eyed me warily. "Emilio doesn't call you that," she said suspiciously.

I sighed. "We have a minor dispute, nothing much. But still I love him. I'm just waiting for when he'll apologize and we'll become whole again."

"He wronged you?"

"Sì. His father's death and the business. Its taking a toll on him. He won't admit it."

"You mean the vineyards?"

"Sì, and the other—" I stopped myself as I saw the confusion on her face.

So she didn't know about the Mafia. Ha, silly little Emilio. You've just given me the upper hand.

I smiled sweetly to her. "The other ones in other countries. He's busy. He didn't tell you?"

She shook her head.

"You should try talking to him, you know? Share histories and secrets. It helps a marriage," I said and his my smirk behind the wine I drank.

___

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#Two_Days_Later

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Anne's POV

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How time flies. Especially when it was spent doing something fun. At least I think I had fun. Laying on my bed all day. Staying away from the dreadful dinning. I visited Festus and his family the other day, and found out that he had a beautiful wife and two kids; girls actually. One, Sophia, my age; and the other, Serafina, who was five and very troublesome. And his wife, Rosario, was pregnant with their third child, whom everyone except Serafina is hoping is a boy. She said little brothers were devils in disguise, but Sophia seemed to think quite the opposite.

Rosario had worked on the plantation until she could no longer stand without wincing, but Sophia still worked there.

Emilio had rarely been at home, especially now that the harvest season drew closer. And neither had Sergio, who always returned home late at night, drunk and stinking of wine.

The sun was quite bright, and hot. Everyone on the vineyard wore wicker sunhats and looked like standing umbrellas. I wore one too.

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I plucked a ripe grape and threw it into my mouth, chewing and savoring the sweet but sour juice as I watched Sophia snip some ripe buds and put them in a huge wicker basket.

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"They taste nice," I commented and cut some more off with a small shears, and put it in the basket.

"Sì. The sun is actually good for them," she replied. "But for the last time Anne, you need to get out of the sun. You'll turn brown soon," she added.

"It's called a 'tan'," I said and made air quotes. "And I like it. Emilio has one," I added without thinking.

She stood up to face me, and mischief on her face. "Emilio has it, eh?" she asked.

"Hmm? Oh, I meant that most people here are tanned," I put in quickly.

She burst out laughing. "Dios, you guys love story… I could read it a thousand time."

I felt my cheeks heating. "We don't have a love story, Sophia."

It seemed someone was watching me. I turned around and saw Emilio standing a few distance off with another guy…I think Fillipe. The guy was talking, but he wasn't listening. He gave me a slow, lazy smile, and I waved a little. Then he turned back to Felipe.

"I saw that…" Sophia said in a singsong manner.

"Don't be daft, Soph. Now come on, I'll help you carry this basket before I go in for a rest."

"OK," she said, and we took it to the barn.

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Emilio's POV

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Felipe was saying something about a sort of timetable for a meeting at the table, and the invitation from Dante Castillo, the merchant from Venice, who's interested in buying a bulk of the harvest produce, or better still to form a joint investment, since Castillo's Wines were the second most popular after the Salvatore's, which is mine, but somehow, o wasn't listening.

The way the sun rays danced on her brown hair as she gestured and laughed with Sophia was enthralling. The sombrero she wore cast a shadow over her eyes and nose, and she looked like one of those sun goddess Prudence used to tell is about each bedtime.

She was enchanting to watch, her careless movements more of an excitement compared to the calculated demos of women o faced everyday. Then, as if she felt me watching her, she turned around and gave me a wave that was almost shy, as if she was nervous to be the center of my assessment.

"Hey, boss!" Felipe called with a sense of urgency.

"Hmm?"

"I just asked if you were going to consider partnering with Castillo."

"I might consider partnering with Castillo."

He placed his hands on my shoulder and whipped me around to face him.

"Did you hear a word of what I was saying!?"

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"I did, and I said I might consider partnering with Castillo!" I huffed and turned away again. He followed my gaze.

"Ah, the girl," he said with what was admiration in his voice. For a while, we both remained quiet.

"You're getting distracted," he said finally when they were out of sight.

"Scuse?"

"You're supposed to get married, take the donship, and get an heir. The men at the table will be wondering. And if they find out, you'll loose everything and—"

"Shut it," I said, steering to face him. "You have no right to speak to me that way. You're an employee."

"Sì, true. But I'm talking as your friend now." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Think about it."

He nodded once, and went to supervise the workers.

I ran a hand through my hair. Felipe wasn't right, he made no sense.

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Or did he?

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With my hand tucked into my pocket, I stepped into the music room, and paused at the door.

This room held memories.

Three girls, giggling and jumping up and down excitedly as Portia played the piano, while I was up in the study with my father, going over important lessons. On breaks, Emilia would slip into my room, or at night, and tell me how their day went.

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"Mother played for us again," she'd say in her tiny voice; or, "Cosima ruined the flower necklace I was making," or, "Sophia, Cosima and I will have a girls night with madre soon." Then she'd giggle and say, "That means new dresses."

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I'll be happy, smiling with her as we talked and exchanged experiences. I'd tell her about the new gun papà got me, or how I finally hit bullseye at the shooting range, and even show it to her. She'll smile sadly, and say she wished to come along. But then I'll cuddle her, and tell her that on Saturday we'll all have pomegranates and grape pudding for breakfast, and we'll all go to the music room, and listen quietly as mom– no, Portia– played the piano and sang in a caressing sweet voice, while Prudence would be there to make sure nobody dozed or drooled or cried.

Those were the childhood days.

Then, when we got older and madre began to change; separating Sophia away from us because of her status as a servant, and Cosima had to return to Milan with her father, Emilia would sit at the piano and play, and she would teach me to play too, while she sang.

I ran my hands along the keys.

It's been long I came in here. Too much memories.

But that's why I was here: to remember now. To remember why I couldn't give anything up. To remember that Portia had changed, Cosima had changed, Sergio had never been my brother, and Emilia was gone. In the strangest of ways.

I pressed the first key, and a sound came out. Then I sat. With a sigh, I began to play ,hmm "Grasses and Grapes", a song which Emilia had concocted, and taught me.

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Anne's POV.

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Ahh…lemonade. So refreshing.

" Thank you, " I said to Prudence, who was cooking up another of their dreadful dishes.

"Yes, yes."

As I watched her and smiled, remembering the melting smile Emilio gave me outside, I heard the faint sound of music. It seemed to be coming from the left wing.

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I muttered an excuse me to Prudence, and followed the sad sweet melody.

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Anne stood at the doorway and watched silently as Emilio played. His back was slightly hunched, and his handsome face was sad. She wondered what could have made him that way. The tune of the song touched her, and although she didn't know the words, Anne knew surely that it was a sad song.

What made him so sad today?

She was lost in thought that she didn't hear that he'd stopped playing, and was running his hands along the polished wood.

"Don't stand there, come on in," he said, snapping her out of her thought.

She smiled and rubbed her arms nervously.

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"I got carried away. You play so well."

"Would you like to try?" he asked with a smile that was perkier.

Anne nodded and slipped onto the seat beside him.

And soon his hands went over hers, guiding the fingers along each ivory key. The touch was electric; and she wondered if he felt it too. Suddenly his woodspice cologne that had a mixture of fruity outdoor scent filled her nostrils. She breathed in deeply, then turned to find him watching her too.

.

They'd stopped playing. Emilio was now playing instead with her fingers, lifting them and intertwining his in hers. Her hands were delicate, and pale, but it fitted in his perfectly.

He knew he was towing on a tightrope. He knew there was something more to just thinking about her, and wanting to be with her.

He knew this was wrong. Because Anne didn't deserve someone like him.

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He placed the back of her hand against his lips and pressed a small kiss there, watching as her eyes widened, just as they did when he almost kissed her. And that's what he wanted to do.

Instead, he said, "Go get dressed. I want to take you out."

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Hugging the wrap around her shoulder, and dressed in simple nondescript clothes, Portia made her way through the bright streets of Rome towards a clutter of houses. Small but neat. She looked over her shoulder once and twice, making sure nobody saw her. Of course they wouldn't suspect her.

She knocked lightly but urgently on the door, and it opened at once. She entered, and the door shut behind her.

She now removed the baggy out clothes she wore, to reveal a sparkly amber dress and jeweleries. She walked through the old corridor, that was just an entrance into the fabulously huge hall that screamed money.

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Portia smiled to herself.

Sitting at a huge table with a bottle of wine and a half drunk cup was Dante Castillo, in tailored Italian suits and handmade shoes. He puffed on a fat stick of cigar and eyed her as she approached.

She sat in front of him and crossed her legs.

"Did you miss me darling?" she asked with a flirty smile, and giggled as he motioned her into a room.

What to wear…what to wear…

Feet tapping rapidly on the ground, Anne scanned her wardrobe for what to wear. Jeans, t-shirts… a skirt.. no dress. Emilio had told her to dress up, that he was taking her out to dinner. And here she was at loss.

I knew I should have brought that green dress mom bought, she thought to herself and plopped on the bed, with a palm cupping her cheek.

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Then the door rang, and she opened it to find Prudence standing with a package in one hand and a bright smile.

"Hurry, we've gotta get you dressed! This is from Emilio," she added on second thought and unwrapped the crystal blue dress from the pack, and Anne gasped.

"Wow," she said.

"I know. And he thinks it'll fit you. I think so too."

She smiled again and pushed Anne into the dressing room.

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Almost thirty minutes just to wax her skin! And boy did that hurt. But Anne felt beautiful. She'd never felt beautiful, with her foster mother making sure of that. But this…

"What's the occasion?" she asked as Sophia styled her hair. Sophia had come in while she was in the bathroom.

"Stop talking. You'll ruin everything!" Sophia whined like a baby.

"Sì Anne. We don't want to spoil this," Prudence added.

"Spoil what?" Anne asked.

"You're going out with Emilio, right?"

"Yes, but it's nothing special—-"

"What ever. Now hold still. The pin has to keep this chignon in place and… ta da!"

Anne stared at herself in the mirror, not believing that that was her.

And when she wore the dress, she felt like a completely different person.

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The gun in the holster across his shoulder… check. Emilio carried it all times. You could never trust anybody.

And now the velvet box….checked.

He pulled at the tie around his neck.

Dios, this was suffocating.

He never wore ties. Formal s***s.

He unbuttoned the first two buttons and slipped a pale blue scarf around his neck, tucking it firmly in place.

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Much better.

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And now the ring….

Dios, he was sweating like hell!!

___

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#Casa_Del_Salvatore

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Anne's POV

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As I descended the stairs one at a time because of the uncomfortable shoes I wore, I saw Emilio standing in a corner, in deep conversation with Prudence, who was waving her arms about in a frantic gesture, while he replied in low tones. I wondered what they were talking about, because she looked tremendously worried. I hoped it wasn't Portia or Sergio, but I had a weird feeling that it had something to do with me. I knew that there was something Emilio was hiding from me; but I couldn't exactly guess what.

Prudence noticed me first, and then tapped his shoulder and pointed at me.

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Uh oh.

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He kept his eyes on me until I reached the last landing, then held his hand out to me.

"You look beautiful," he said as I took his hand.

"Aww, flatters," I replied because I didn't know what else to say.

"They're not flatters, mia bellezza," he said and led me out to a waiting limo, not before he exchanged a look with Prudence that said, 'Not now, drop it'.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked.

"Something trivial. Don't let it bother you."

"OK."

Prudence's POV

I couldn't help but pace after Emilio and Anne left.

If there was any moment he should tell her about his dealings with the mafia, his involvement, and the other things, it was now. Before he engaged her, as he said he was planning to. Because after that, there'll be no going back.

And if she found it out, it would all be a shatter.

There was no doubt that Emilio felt something for Anne, and she did so too.

I always observed the way they looked at each other, and how Emilio's commitment to the gang had begun to wane because he spent more time with her.

But if he didn't tell her now, then everything would crumble.

"What is it?" Sophia asked from behind me.

"Emilio is keeping too many secrets from her. This could never work."

She nodded. "Maybe he'll tell her. Maybe he's just waiting for the right time."

"Oh, Dio mio, I hope so. Have you seen Signora Portia around?"

"I haven't. And I have to get going. Mother will need my help and Serafina is too much of a baby to know how to care for a pregnant woman."

"Sì, go. I'll come by soon."

#Casa_Del_Amante

Anne's POV

Fergus opened the door, and I stepped out behind Emilio, and offered him a small smile.

Oh, I forgot that he was expressionless.

I stuck my tongue out at him, and he flinched a little. Gotcha.

Then I became aware of my hand in Emilio's as he took me towards the most magnificent restaurant I've ever seen. The name was Casa Des Amante, although I didn't know the meaning. I'll have to check my Italian/English dictionary.

He took me along, past the outside that had tables for two or more all around, and the inside too. I noticed that almost everyone were seated in twos…single, double and triple date.

OMG, I'm on a date!?

Now I'm super shy.

A waitress met us halfway.

"Mr Salvatore, you have a reservation," she said with a flirty smile.

She was nice looking though; and a very bosomy blonde. I felt small in comparison.

She led us to a table on the balcony; the only one there.

"Is there anything more you'd like me to do for you, Mr Salvatore?" she asked, still in that tone. I felt like saying 'Hello, I'm here too!' but I kept quiet.

"Sì. Two things actually. First, meet my date, Anne. And second, get another waiter." He waved her away, and she gave me a hateful glare b4 stomping off.

I swallowed my laughter and released it through my nose.

"Something funny, cara?" Emilio asked with a raised eyebrow and an amused smirk.

"She was flirting," I said plainly.

"Oh, was she now? Too bad I didn't notice," he said with mock regret that had me laughing out.

"You knew!" I accused.

"I didn't. I was too busy admiring you to notice anything else," he said, and I felt the heat in my cheeks.

"You really should stop , else you'll see me turn to a tomato."

He chuckled. "It'll be my pleasure. It's cute though."

"What is?"

"Your cheeks. They get so rosy…. like now."

"Stop it," I said and placed both hands over them.

A waiter came and took our orders for the entrées, main course and desserts.

Dante Castillo took the phone away from his ear and kept it on the mantle.

"News from my man," he began and kissed Portia's shoulder, who snuggled close to him in the bed. "They saw him enter Casa des Amante. Alone, apart from the girl he was with."

Another kiss on her neck.

"Possibly the American. But Emilio never goes anywhere alone," she pointed out.

.

"Well he was alone, as far as they could tell. I'm thinking of…how do I say it…hitting two birds with one stone? "

Portia laughed. "Good idea."

Dante placed a call back to his man. "Eliminate them," he said simply.

Then, "But this seems too easy, don't you think?"

"It doesn't matter. He'll be out of the way, and then Sergio will take over the Mafia, and the vineyards, while you'll be the controlling factor."

"I like that," he said thoughtfully. "And I also like this," he pinched her nipple under the sheets, and she screamed from the sheer pleasure.

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Emilio's POV

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We were halfway into the main course, kebab in cinnamon shavings and vegetable salad.

Anne kept commenting on how good Italian dishes actually were, and how she'd been so prejudiced to have condemned them at just a glance.

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My phone beeped for the third time, and I picked it up in annoyance to look at the text from Felipe.

You really need to step in, boss. We're ready to launch the next attack, and Sergio is here.

Sergio? What was he doing there!?

I replied, Keep things from getting heated. I'm busy. Inform Vittorio to get the b****** outta there!

"Is something wrong?" Anne asked again, and I realized that I was frowning.

"Nothing , just trouble with work. It's fine," I replied and kept the phone on the table.

"Anne, give me your hand," I said, holding out mine.

She looked at me confused at first, but held it out.

I slipped the ring on , and watched as her eyes and mouth widened. The ring was perfect on her; just a thin silver band with a diamond at its center that glittered in the pale blue light over head.

"I hope you like it. I just thought that just because our wedding is an agreement our parents made doesn't mean…. well, I really don't know what else to say," I rubbed the back of my neck while waiting for her reaction.

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Anne's POV

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I was lost for words, and I'm sure that if a fly flew past, it would have perches on my opened mouth.

I looked to Emilio, who seemed rather unsure of this all.

Finally I shut my mouth.

"Emilio, it's perfect," I replied, covering his hand with mine.

But it wasn't perfect. Yet the thought that he cared enough to….. we may both have our secrets, but it didn't seem to matter now as he leaned towards me.

His eyes we're on my lips, then flickered to my eyes, as if seeking permission, the then back to my lips.

I knew he wanted to kiss me, and I wanted to too.

But his eyes looked away once more, this time to a spot behind me.

Then they widened in surprise as he pulled my head down with so much force, and I heard the sound of a gunshot behind me.