CARMELO
She hadn't uttered a word.
Maybe I went overboard with her today when I swore to take things slowly and carefully. I couldn't foresee it. I knew she was capable of leaving this place on her own, but when she mentioned it, I lost control. An unimaginable fear crept in and instantly crushed my heart. I have waited so long for her to give up now. I was also afraid of losing her because I struggled to express my true feelings. But now I would do almost anything to change her mind. But if it ever came to that, I'd have to let her go.
However, not from my heart or mind. I will continue pursuing her, as I told her. Since the day I saw her, she has made her way deep into my heart. And I couldn't see myself with anyone other than her for the rest of my life. She was my beginning and end, my cure and my undoing, my sanity and lunacy.
I drove past the gates, wishing she could at least turn to face me. I wish I could touch her. Or get inside her mind and find out what she was thinking about in such a torturous silence. My grip on the wheel tightened. Fuck! I've gone overboard today and messed up. I ruined what was supposed to be a beautiful and memorable date with her.
I sped to our driveway and pulled up at our front. I was about to head and open the door for her, but she beat me to it before I even reached around. And that's when I knew I fucked up big time. I told her it was my job.
Storm stepped out and walked inside, leaving me to deal with my mess. Chiara took off her glasses, but before she could leave… I held her wrist, stopping her. If I couldn't talk to her today, I was sure I would lose my mind over it. She looked at our hands first before her eyes met mine. "About today I—" A sound of a sped up car came from behind us, in our driveway. "Fuck!" I cursed and strode with her inside. "What is going on?" she asked, frowning.
"Baby, I need you to go to your room, lock up your door, and never open it until I come for you," I said, hearing the car pull over. "What? Why? Are you in trouble? I can fight!" she blurted, causing my heart to warm up, and not able to hold back the wide smile. "As much as I appreciate your concern, now is not the time, tesoro." I said, rubbing her cheek lightly with my thumb, "I'll explain to you later, hm? Now run." I urshered her to the stairs, feeling the weight on my heart slowly lifting at her deep frown. A hand pounded on our door. She glared at it, and I almost burst with laughter at how adorable she was. But then she gave me a last look before running upstairs.
I waited until I heard her door shut before heading to open the front door. "Where is she? I need to see her." She pushed me out of the way and strutted inside. I pinched the bridge of my nose, taking a deep breath, "Mama, what is all this?" I followed her to the living room.
"Where are you hiding her?" she asked, crossing her hands over her chest and her red painted lips pursed into a thin line. "We've already talked about this. I told you I couldn't just bring her home if she wasn't ready to. You can't just come to our house like this." I explained. "Our house? Oh dear, she's done a number on you. I already love her. Now I just need to meet with the woman who was able to melt your metal heart." She said, plopping down on a couch. As though she didn't hear what I just told her. Chiara hadn't only done a number on me, she's done every number. "Where is Storm?" she asked.
Sighing, "I'm sure she is somewhere in here." I strolled to the mini bar, took a bottle of wine and two glasses before returning and sitting with her. I poured us the wine and handed her one. "Who is she? Your Papa didn't want to give me the details as well." She said, swirling the drink before taking a sip from her glass, and made a sound in satisfaction. "Because Papa isn't a yapper like you," I replied and received a smack on the back of my head, causing me to sputter the wine and cough. "You little moron!" She said, and then her warm hand rubbed my back gently.
I placed the glass on the table. "Mama," I started. "Mhm, mio figlio." (My son)
"You do realize that your precious son has kidnapped somebody's daughter, right?" I asked. "You have." She replied, placing down her glass as well, eyes trained on me. "Then, you of all people should know what it is like to be in her position. And I'm not as precious as you think." I grinned at my last sentence.
She pinched my cheek hard, "How could I control it if you have decided to walk in your father's footsteps?" She let go of me and looked upstairs, then a long sigh left her mouth. "Fine, let her take all the time that she wants, but I can't promise not to come again if she takes longer." She said, getting up from the couch.
I walked her to the door. "Just promise me one thing, son." She said, holding my hands in hers, "What is it?" I asked. "That you are going to treat her right, make sure she eats and sleeps well, and never feels sad or alone." She said, her motherly instincts taking over.
But she didn't have to worry about that. I hugged her, "That goes without saying. Good day, Mama." I said. "Good day." She uttered, walking to her car, "And don't forget church tomorrow." She added. "I won't," I waved at her, watching her drive away.
I cleared the table and placed the things on the island in the kitchen before heading up. I knocked at her door. It took a short while for her to open up. She changed her clothes, and now wore jeans shorts with a black vest. I told myself not to gawk at her like a weird pervert as she stepped out. But this was the first time I'd seen her in something like this. She leaned against the wall, "So, who was it?" she asked.
I buried my hands in my pockets to avoid touching her. What if she didn't want to be touched now? "My mother. She has been dying to meet you." Her eyebrows drew together, and her eyes narrowed at mine. "She doesn't know that it is me, right?" I shook my head. "No wonder. Wait until she does." She said, playing with her hair.
And I wished it were my fingers, diving into it instead. "It won't make any difference. My Mama's only wish was for me to finally find a woman and start a family." I said, watching her blink in shock. I stopped myself from smiling. Maybe I shouldn't have added the 'starting a family' part. My tesoro looked traumatized.
"By the way, I'll be gone for an entire day tomorrow. But you can call me for anything." I said. She stood up straight. "Where will you be going?" she asked. "At the Church. It's a family thing to go to church together every Sunday and spend the rest of the day with the family." I explained, opening my door. I had to get away from her before I gave in to my intrusive thoughts.
She looked lost in her thoughts, "Alright." She finally replied. " I have an urgent meeting. I'll be in my room if you need me, tesoro," I said. "Why are you suddenly calling me that?" She asked. I shrugged, "Because I want to." Because I was dying to.
She had no idea how much I wanted to call her that since the moment my eye landed on her. "Sure," she nodded and shut the door. Taking a deep breath, I entered mine and rushed to the shower, peeling off my clothes halfway. It was getting so dangerously fucking hot.