Adriano Di LauroI can hear the staff's movement in the kitchen from my position and even the automated irrigation system of the garden. There is so much silence in this place that I could even hear the laughter of my children at home from here.My mother watches me stunned until little by little she leaves surprise behind to give way to indignation. It is understandable and I already expected something like this, because despite undertaking an endless search and having built a long list of suitors, she already had her favorite."The doctor?”, she speaks for the first time in half an hour. "Why?"“Cassandra Reid is the one, Mom, and I'm not going to get into a debate with you.""This is absurd!", she exclaims at the same time she rises from the armchair to walk the room from one side to the other. "You hardly know her! She doesn't belong to our circle... What about Carina? I understood that you two had something...""What I have with Carina is far from what you imagine, mom", I cut he

Cassandra ReidI finish adjusting gold straps on my shoes while my friend touches up my hairstyle."Ready", she concludes, examining me from top to bottom. "You are terrific. Your Italian has good taste in clothes."I take in the way the dress hugs my discreet curves like a second skin. The green emerald color highlights my eyes of the same tone and golden details make a spectacular and exclusive design."Yes", I agree, "it's beautiful.""The bouncers have been waiting at the door for more than half an hour", my other roommate announces, rushing in. However, looking at me he freezes. "Wow... Cassie, you're..."“Say it”, Leah urges, “spectacular falls short."Hell yeah!", he snorts. "Simply perfect. Are you really going to marry Adriano Di Lauro? Forgive me for asking again for thousandth time, but I still find it incredible.""Believe me, Romeo", I give him a half smile, "I find it hard to believe it too..., but yes, I will be the next Italy's bride""This is all very strange, Cassand

Adriano Di LauroI smile when I hear his call. The fish has taken the bait."Dad?". My fiancée goes stiff as a board next to me. That's why I have to hold her and practically drag her to her parents."What does this mean, Cassandra?"Mr. Reid is clearly not at all pleased with news."I...", she stammers, still lost in thought, alternating her gaze between both parents. "What are you doing here?""That's not important...""Is not it?", the doctor questions quite upset.Although they argue, they do it quietly. However, that does not prevent us from being guests's center of attention."Didn't you want to get our attention?", his father challenges her. 'Well, you've already done it. Now stop this madness.""I don't..."I finally have the pleasure of meeting you". I decide to intervene before situation gets out of control. "Mr. Reid, I'm Adriano DiLauro.""I know perfectly well who you are", he indicates with arrogance.'Apparently he doesn't'"Why don't we go into the house and find a mor

Adriano Di LauroI kiss my little daughter's forehead before leaving the room. Even Federico went to bed early today without question. I suppose that emotion due to the news of the wedding, together with the physical activity, ended up exhausting them."Daddy?". Her sweet voice stops me at the door and I huff. In recent times she usually does this. I don't know if she's pretending to be asleep or just her sleep has become light."Tell me, Ella.""Is it long until the wedding?"Unable to help it, a sigh escapes my lips. Someone is even more anxious than me. I can't wait to have her here, educating my children, being an example to them. She's the perfect woman for the job, my gut tells me to."No, bambina", I reply at last. "Barely nothing.""I want time to pass quickly.""Well, for that you must sleep". I face those blue eyes which torture me so much."Then, I will sleep for a hundred years like Sleeping Beauty. See you tomorrow, daddy.""See you tomorrow, Ella."I go downstairs to go

Cassandra ReidI contemplate my figure in the mirror plunged into a deep silence. It seems that I am going to a funeral and not to my own wedding.My parents haven't come, they haven't called. Apparently they have fulfilled their threat and I no longer exist for them.I don't know why I expected them to show up even after two weeks. By now I should be used to their rudeness, claims, offenses and disappointments..., but it's not like that. Their indifference hurts and the words of that night continue to swarm in my head along with those they've said for years.I have killed myself studying, I have survived alone in a foreign country and yet, they are only capable of seeing a runaway and rebellious daughter.The day I fled from San Francisco, I knew perfectly well possible consequences of my actions and I was willing to accept them... Or so I thought.Now I see that I always kept the hope that my parents would one day reconsider or at least understand my actions; but it seems that I wil

Cassandra ReidSome guests chatter around me, others eat or drink while children run around the garden... except Ella, the girl remains by my side contemplating the stage just like me."Are you comfortable, darling?", I inquire letting see a brotherly smile.I am tense, nervous and I fear that at any moment the bubble will burst in my face. My parents smile along with my now husband's as if they were hosts of the party. It is impossible for me to see them here, satisfied, without recriminations towards me... Then I remember Adriano's words. He accomplished this. Also, Gibson and Juliette Reid find themselves in their natural habitat, surrounded by Italy's elite society.I return my attention to the little girl, who nods in response, moving her little feet dangling from the chair.'Why doesn't she hang out with the rest of the kids?'"Don't you wanna play?", I ask again.She turns her head to look at me with those pretty eyes alight with excitement. "Do I look for the Wii to show you?"

Adriano Di LauroI never thought I would enjoy my wedding so much, but I do. My new wife is an expert dancer and I see myself dancing a couple of pieces with her. She is sensual and at the same time delicate, a seductive cream.She now dances with my children while I dance with my mother. Seeing the three of them together is hypnotic and unleashes long-buried emotions inside me."She's a good girl", mom says following the direction of my gaze."I know". I nod seeing them smile carefree. How have they established that kind of connection? I have no idea, but it is something very strange and surprising."She will be a good wife."I turn to see my mother to examine her face carefully. Something has changed."I thought you disapproved her.""That was before knowing she is Gibson Reid's daughter.""You let yourself be carried away by prejudice", she pointed out with a disapproving tone."Yes I admit it. You know I'm not prejudiced or old-fashioned in that sense”. She jumps defensively. "I d

Cassandra ReidThe heat embraces my skin while a slight tingling settles in a place unknown for me.The rapid beating of my heart echoes in my ears and unconsciously, I open my mouth wider.He takes the opportunity to explore me with a ravenous hunger while I fight against suffocation. I think I've stopped breathing.I have kissed other men before, but I have never experienced anything like this. His hand, cold as an ice floe, moves across my flushed skin and down to my lower back. His kisses move to my collarbone, giving me a chance to catch my breath. Then his fingers slip under the fabric and an indescribable sensation floods my senses.I am not aware of my own body's responses. It has come to life for itself. Suddenly I find myself lying on an armchair with her hands caressing me everywhere.Sleeves of the dress slide off my shoulders, leaving me bare from the waist up.My lips are once again prisoners of his as my nerve endings vibrate under his touch.I don't know where I'm go

Cassandra ReidI lean my head against the car window and stare at it as if I could get past bulletproof glass. Now tension between us is bigger than before. We can't even cross more than three words and every action seems forced.The day after the 'no wedding night', he left me with the kids and just disappeared. I tried to entertain myself with them decorating house for New Year's Eve, I even spent hours trying to understand each other with Xbox, but everything has been in vain, because the Italian does not come out of my head.I almost slept with him. In less than forty-eight hours I have reconsidered my behavior more than a hundred times. What would have happened if I hadn't stopped him? Why did I stop him? Where does this irrepressible desire come from that takes my sanity away?My cell phone vibrates, notifying a message entrance. Screen says 'Private number', but I read it anyway.'Soon you will receive your wedding gift. I hope you like it'I don't even care who this is, so I p

Cassandra ReidThe car stops in front of the facade fountain and I am exasperated by the gorillas's ridiculous security protocol to get out.At the end of litany, I take the steps two at a time and enter the house like a gale."Good afternoon, Mrs. Di Lauro", The house keeper keeps up with me. "How...?""Where is my husband?" I cut her off instantly."Mister Di Lauro has not yet arrived. Do you want to...?""When he arrives, tell him to look for me in the library", I interrupt her again. I am aware that I am being very rude, but I don't care. My blood boils with rage.I walk from one side of the library to the other as I go through the documents again. Adriano has bought thirty-five percent of the hospital and he has put them in my name, which makes me the majority owner of it.'Why has he done it?''Does he intend to control me?''If so, I'm not going to leave him.'It's ridiculous that he stresses over and over again the need to stick to stipulations of our contract when he's the fi