Aurora’s POV
I was staring at the rock that was seated on my engagement finger with Maya at the crook of my arm and a smile crept up to my lips. I didn’t really expect Matteo to engage me so fast, but it was still surprising that I’d become a wife soon and not just any wife, the Capo’s wife.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I asked Maya whose eyes shone brightly at me then she flashed a toothless smile like she understood what I asked.
The sound of footsteps disrupted my thoughts so I looked up and found Aunt Giselle walking toward me. Today was my first fitting for my wedding dress and Matteo and I wanted it to be perfect.
“You know, if you keep staring at that ring like that, I’ll have to ask Angelo for mine.” She joked, propping her arms against her waist, then she bent over and carried Maya from me.
My cheeks felt hot at her words and I didn’t need to look at the mirror to know that I was blushing. “I can’t help but stare, auntie. Matteo is just a sweet man, isn’t he?” I replied, my tone soft and sweet so that she would have nothing more to say.
She tilted her face away then pursed her lips. “Let’s go already or we’ll be late for your fitting.”
I rose up from the armchair and straightened my blouse then slung my shoulder back onto my shoulder. We were already on our way out and since Matteo wasn’t around I decided to text him.
My eyes stayed glued to the phone until I bumped into Aunt Giselle causing my attention to sway. “What’s the matter….” My words were cut short when I found Sofia standing by the door with her face pale and her countenance sad.
Her neck looked longer as if it had been stretched by suffering and there was a deep hollow on her neck bone, showing that she had emaciated.
“Sofia, are you alright?” I asked intently but she kept mute while staring at her mother.
The long stare was already making my patience dwindle so I took Maya who was already scrunching her face, but as soon as Sofia jumped on her mother for a hug I became relieved. They stayed like that for a while, holding onto each other and while Sofia whispered apologies to her mother.
I was genuinely happy for them, especially aunt Giselle who has lost all hope of ever reuniting with her daughter again. They broke off from the embrace then Sofia fixed her gaze on me.
“I’m so sorry, Aurora. You’ve been good to my mom and you always helped her but I was too blind to see it because I saw you as a murderer.”
I took a step towards her since she was close enough and held her arm with one hand since Maya was held by the other and noticed that her arm was more lean than the last time. I held my remark and hoped that Danilo wasn’t maltreating her.
“I understood your confusion, Sofia, that’s why I didn’t bother you even though I badly wanted to reach out and clear the air. It was obvious that you needed time and space to accept the truth, which I’m happy that you did.” I said with a smile and she hugged me too.
She sniffed behind me so I patted her back and made her look at me. “Are you alright, Sofia? You look pale and thinner. Is Danilo doing anything to you?”
She shook her head and inclined her head, fiddling with her fingers. “I’m fine,” She replied, her words bearing no conviction while she avoided our gazes.
“Look if you are scared of him then there’s no need to because you have a battalion that is ready to teach him a good lesson.” I said and glanced at her mother whose eyes were already glassy, filled with concern.
Then Sofia raised her head. “There’s a good reason for it.”
Aunt Giselle and I exchanged glances. “What could that be?”
She palmed her face, her cheeks heating up in blush. “I’m pregnant.” She said quietly and Aunt Giselle leaped for joy, clapping her hands excitedly.
“You’re saying that I’m going to be a grandmother?” Her eyes widened while Sofia nodded in agreement.
My heart swelled with joy as I reckoned that everything was going well for everyone. The more I thought of it, I realised that we had to celebrate it. “Why don’t we hang out for a picnic later in the evening? Matteo and Angelo should be back from work by then?” I suggested.
“That’s a good idea, but for now let’s go for your fitting or you’ll be back benched.” Aunt Giselle said enthusiastically, her face exuding a happy glow.
***********
We had all arrived at the picnic ground. It was situated in one of Matteo’s resorts at Tribecca. We would have stayed at the building close to his house but I pestered him till he agreed to take us to his latest resort.
Maya was with her father, enjoying a father-daughter bond that I never got to have. I walked around aimlessly since Aunt Giselle and Sofia kept updating themselves on the episodes of their lives. If they weren’t going to tell anyone about her pregnancy then I would, after all, it was a thing of joy.
I sighted Angelo from afar, his back was hunched as if he had his eyes fixated on something below him. I crept slowly towards him then made a barking sound which caused him to turn around. He flashed a what’s-your-problem look at me while I reacted with my fake smile.
“You are supposed to be with your fiance?” He grimaced but I shrugged, lowering my eyes to his hands.
In his hand was a small red velvet box that was slightly opened. I snatched it from him and opened it only to find a gold ring which had a diamond rock in the middle.
“You weren’t supposed to see that…” He whined, ruffling his hair while I gave him a cheeky smile.
“This is really beautiful, Angelo. I bet Giselle will swoon when she sets her eyes on it.” I giggled.
“Really?” He asked, his eyes glaring with uncertainty.
I nodded, fiddling with the box then something occurred to me. “Wait a minute, you thought that she would reject you?” I asked and returned the ring to him.
He collected it from me, dipping both hands into his pocket. “She has been through a lot with her late husband and even when I was supposed to stand beside her I kept hurting her consistently. I want to make her my wife even though she’s older, are you very sure that she’ll agree?”
I could see how skeptical he was. Men were always that way, considering the rocky path that his relationship with her had faced. I couldn’t say that I knew her wishes, but if she loved Angelo the way I thought then she’d agree.
“Rejection is better than uncertainties, Angelo. It’s better you go ahead to try than not trying at all then watch her get snatched by someone else just because you were too slow.” I advised rather harshly.
At the mention of aunt Giselle getting snatched, his nose flared and I could see the ticking of his jaw. Mafia men were naturally possessive but the Morettis’ took it to another level.
“No one will take her from me.” He thundered, his eyes darkening as he said the words. At one point, I thought that he was about to fight an imaginary rival.
“Then go and claim your woman.” I spurred him on then glanced at Matteo who had a disapproving gaze. “Uh, I gotta go.”
I cat walked towards him then sat on the blanket that was spread on the well mown grass. “What have you both being talking about?” He asked as I reached out to carry Maya who began to throw a fit as soon as I came near her.
I held back a smile and turned around so that he would unzip my dress. “It’s a secret for now.”
He looked puzzled, then he furrowed his brows and frowned. “I thought we agreed that we wouldn’t keep secrets from each other?”
“Well this is an important one and even though it’s at the tip of my tongue I won’t say anything.” I replied nonchalantly.
He pulled closer towards me, his smirk mischievous. “Are you sure that I can’t get the truth from you?” He asked, tickling my waist.
I giggled softly, totally forgetting that I was breastfeeding Maya. “Stop… Please..” My words were uncoordinated and I nearly choked with laughter.
A clinking sound disrupted our little fun time with Angelo trotting towards us, a glass cup and a golden spoon in his hands. “Attention everyone, I have an important announcement to make.”
Matteo pinched my shoulder causing me to jerk then hissed, snapping my fingers at him.
“Ride on, man. You’ve got our attention.” I cheered.
Aunt Giselle and Sofia sat on their blankets while Angelo advanced towards Aunt Giselle then knelt down, producing the red box from his pocket. He opened it and immediately aunt Giselle gasped in surprise, covering her parted lips.
“What.. What are you doing?” She stuttered and rose up to her feet.
“I know this is fast and trust me, I’m not doing it because of Matteo. This ring here signifies how much I want you to be mine and no one else’s. I’m not ashamed of you and every morning I want to wake up beside you and love you like no one has ever done. We’ll have several fun moments, banter but in all I’ll never leave you because we belong to each other.” He paused and I heard sniffs which weren’t just mine but Sofia’s and her mother’s.
“This is overwhelming, sweetheart.” She whispered, her voice almost inaudible.
“I know, right. So Giselle Mancini, will you marry me?” He asked, his gaze unwavering while he remained on one knee.
Giselle walked away from the blanket, palming her face. When she took off her hands, tears glistened in her eyes and stained her face.
“We’ve gone through a lot in a short while and I don’t regret meeting you. I know that my last marriage scarred me deeply, but I’m ready to give it a trial.” She sighed then swallowed. “I will marry you, Angelo Moretti.”
I clapped in excitement then signaled Matteo to come closer. Then I whispered in his ears. “That is the secret.”