I say bye to Enzo one last time before stepping into the house. While walking inside I remember I said I was going to ask mama about the dreams I have been having and if they mean anything. I will ask her after she finished telling me her news.
“Mama, I am home,” I say as soon as I step into the house.
“I am in the kitchen,” she says.
“Hi, mama, how was your day?” I say while I take a seat in the kitchen.
“It was fine; how was yours?”
“It was good mama. You texted that there was something important you wanted to talk about.”
“Yes, you know how you always wanted to meet my boyfriend?”
“Yes, I have been asking that for the past two weeks.”
“We are going for dinner at his house today,” she says smiling.
“Are you serious? I am finally going to meet the man that has made mama so happy the past month?” I say smiling.
“Yes, you are. Now go and look for something to wear while I fix an afternoon snack.”
“Alright,” I say, walking out of the kitchen.
I am making my way upstairs when the doorbell rings. I walk to the door and open it to see William.
“William! Oh my God! I can’t believe it’s you, come in,” I say, moving away from the door so William can come in.
“I’m so happy you are here. Why didn’t you call before coming? I am sure you are going to say you wanted to surprise me and all.” I say all at once feeling so happy he is here.
“Yes, I wanted to surprise you, and it worked. I even went to your workplace last week since I knew you worked for Enzo, but his secretary said you were not around. So, I decided to swing by the house this week since she said you would be back this week. How have you been since the last time we saw each other?” he says, smiling at me.
“I have been fine and I want to apologise for what happened the last time we saw each other. I am sorry for the way Enzo behaved.” I say.
“It’s fine; you don’t have to apologise. You did not do anything wrong.”
“Even though I still feel like I have to apologise and I am sorry for what happened”
“It’s fine; I am not angry.”
“Alright if you say so. So, tell me how life has been for you. Anything I need to know as your little sister,” I say smiling
“Life has been good, work has been great, and I even met someone.”
“Did I hear you correctly? You met someone. The William that is never serious about any woman, other than the fact that you sleep around with any woman that comes your way. YOU met someone?” I say looking at him in disbelief.
“HEY! You make it sound like I have slept with all the women in the world.” he says laughing.
“How sure are we that you haven’t,” I say laughing too.
“But wait, are you serious?”
“Yes, I met her last week. Her name is Joan,” he says with adoration in his eyes.
“Seriously, you met her last week? And if I am not mistaken you must be talking about Enzo’s secretary.” I say looking at him with more disbelief, while shaking my head.
“Yes, the pretty one,” he says smiling.
“She is my friend, so you better not break her heart. Otherwise, I will break your head,” I say trying my best to sound threatening.
“Haha, I am so scared,” he says, laughing at my attempt to threaten him.
“I’m serious; don’t hurt her!” I say hitting his hand in a playful way.
“Alright, I promise you I won’t. Oh my God, Mrs Luciano, I did not know you were around,” William says standing up to greet mama.
“How are you, dear?” she says waving off the fact he did not know she was in.
“I am fine ma’am.”
“How many times do I have to tell you to stop being so formal with me.”
“I am sorry, Christine,” he says.
“Miss, aren’t you meant to be looking for what you are going to wear to dinner tonight?” Mama says giving me a questioning look.
“Oh my God! I forgot! William, come and help me pick what I am going to wear. I am finally meeting mama’s boyfriend,” I say, dragging William upstairs with me whether he likes it or not, knowing very well he hates it when I need his help with choosing a dress.
William helped me pick what to wear, even though he wasn’t interested. We had an afternoon snack together and caught up on everything we have missed in each other’s lives in the past years. Apparently he is serious about Joan, and I am more than happy for him. Knowing the type of best friend I have, he must be really interested in her for him to talk about her for more than an hour. I have never seen him serious about any woman before.
I am wearing a long black jersey mermaid evening gown, a v- neck off-shoulder with a leg slit. I am wearing golden earrings with my silver heels and a black clutch purse. I do a little nude makeup and spray perfume before we leave for dinner.
We are on our way to mama’s boyfriend’s house for dinner in the jet-black Range rover he sent for us.
Mama is wearing a navy-blue dress with a sweetheart beading bodice with long sleeves.
After about 20 minutes we arrive at his mansion, and just from the outside I can tell the house is beautiful. It is a two-story building with beautiful flowers around the edges of the entrance. It also has beautiful flowers in the middle of the long driveway. From all the windows on the outside I bet there are more than ten rooms in this house.
We step out of the car and walk to the front door. We ring the bell; a girl around my age opens the door and smiles when she sees mama as if she knows her. Maybe she does because it’s possible this is not the first time mama is here.
“Good evening Mrs Luciano,” she says, moving aside so we can walk in.
We walk into a beautiful house; there is a long staircase with brown and white bannister adorning it. A crystal chandelier, beautiful paintings of nature hanging on the walls, a red and grey carpet in front of the staircase and all the walls in the house are painted white.
“How are you, Vanessa?” mama says to the girl.
“I am fine. He is waiting for you in the living room.”
“Alright,” mama says and starts walking towards the living room.
We step into the living room. I thought the entrance was impressively beautiful, but that is nothing compared to how amazing the living room looks. The living room has four chandeliers like the ones in the entrance; there are these amazingly done patterned designs done around the chandeliers. The walls are done in a peach and white pattern. There is a four-seater sofa in a grey and white pattern with golden edges, while the single chairs are peach with golden edges too. There is a vintage brown table in the middle of all the chairs and a grand piano. Mama’s boyfriend is standing by the piano with his back to us while talking on the phone. He says a quick bye to the person on the other end once he notices our presence.
He turns around and faces us, he looks very familiar, but I don’t know where I know him from until he says my name. It’s like a part of me comes alive; memories come back with just one look at him. I can’t believe I did not remember him all these years until I saw him again. I did not know I started crying until another person walks up to me and hugs me with all the love I have missed over the years. I can’t believe they have been alive all this time. I missed them so much, and I can’t be happier that they are alive. But the big question here is ‘how’.
“Papa! Grande Fratello!” I say with tears in my eyes as I hug them with all the love I have.