chapter Twenty
Not Now
Victoria
Things were going great with Lorenzo. We had relaxed a whole lot with the physical stuff, since the night in the movie theater. Lorenzo managed to be close to me and help me focus on just showing we were happy to be together. Not so much turning things into needing to melt into each other. I was content with his just holding me while we watched TV.
We spend all our time together. I’m always either at his house or he’s at mine. His mom always looks so nervous when he takes me to his room.
So, he always leaves the door open to help her relax. We play video games and talk for hours. Most times, I would crawl into his lap and fall asleep, while he talks to me and plays in my hair.
When we’re at my house, we would hang out on the couch in my room and watch movies. That’s when Angie and Chris aren’t there. When they came over, we spend more time in the game room. They’ve become close since the party for Matt. We all had a great time at his party.
Lorenzo and Matt were like twin pit bulls the whole day. Whenever other guys would even step in my direction one of them would appear to either block the way or grab me to show I was taken. It was funny to watch.
Angie, Martina, and I laughed hysterically at them the entire time. Martina would even call the guys over to see Matt and Lorenzo react. It was just that amazing.
On Fridays and Saturdays, Lorenzo would go get Toni to hang out with Lucie and us. Toni was a little annoyed at first. He didn’t like the way Lorenzo would hang all over me.
However, when he realized how happy I was and that Lorenzo meant no harm they became best friends. Toni would follow Lorenzo and Chris around and Lucie would be at Angie’s and my side.
I was glad my dad let Toni come to see me. It made me feel a lot better. Lucie and Toni were getting along so well. I think Lucie has a crush on Toni. Toni likes that she laughs at his jokes. Lucie also knows a lot about Lorenzo’s cars, which impressed Toni. I stay away from those conversations.
Things are great. Lorenzo has picked a school in New York and will travel back and forth to classes, which means we’ll still get to stay together. Things between us are going so well that our fathers weren’t pressuring us about the promise.
Sometimes we talk about our wedding. “Our dads are going to stand beside us at our wedding, holding us at gunpoint,” I snickered, one day. I put my fingers to Lorenzo’s head, in a pretend gun. “Say I do, Kid.”
Lorenzo snorted. “You joke. I can see it,” he shook his head, his words coming out dryly.
Lorenzo never found that as funny as I do. He believes they would if they had to. I’ve learned to shrug the whole thing off.
Everyone was excited about my birthday party. “It will be a day full of special surprises, my father promises.
“Everything has come together perfectly,” Maria sung excitedly last night. All her plans had worked out the way she wanted. We’d been hearing about it all day.
I woke the morning of my birthday and the party, expecting one of the greatest days of my life. Not knowing it would start just as that, only to end as something else.
Maria had me up by seven in the morning. Everything was starting at twelve. I had showered and eaten breakfast and was back in my room by eight. The hair stylist and makeup artist went straight to work.
It was nine when Lorenzo text me to tell me he was downstairs being tortured by Maria and her team. Maria left no stone unturned. Lorenzo had his own grooming team, plus Carlos to dress him.
Me: So happy you’re here. Love you.
I replied to his text. I tried to stay as still as possible while the hair stylist brushed and pulled at my curls, straightening them so that my hair could be re-curled into the large barrel curls, Maria wanted for my first look.
“Let’s go. I need yous all need to pick up the pace,” Maria entered the room, rushing everyone.
“This is her first dress,” Maria said to the assistant she brought in for the day, as she hung up the dress.
Maria was already dressed in a lilac colored sundress that showed off her long legs, with a pair of white pumps to match the piping on her dress. As Maria fussed, Lorenzo sent me another text.
Lorenzo: Love you too. Happy Birthday. How are you?
His question made me think for a second. I was excited, but I was also disappointed. I wanted my mother to be here for this. This was something my mother had wanted to do for me.
I’d hoped all week that Maria would have a change of heart and let my mother come. I wasn’t sure how to ask Maria, so I never did. I decided to text Lorenzo the truth.
Me: Thank you. A little sad.
He texted me back faster than I thought possible. I hadn’t looked away from the phone before the next text came in. I sighed as I read it.
Lorenzo: What’s wrong?
Me: Wish my mom was here.
Lorenzo: Sorry.
That was so Lorenzo, apologizing for something he didn’t do. I wanted to see him. All of this poking and pulling at me was getting on my nerves.
After about two more hours Maria was back. “It’s time to get her dressed,” she shrieked.
Her assistant pulled my first dress from its bag, while Maria pulled me from my seat. After I stepped into the dress and they zipped me in, Maria dragged me into the closet. I stood before the mirror to get my first look.
The dress was beautiful. It had a V shaped neckline, with thin straps and a tight bodice that zipped at the back. The top was white, but the shirt, flared out to just below the knee with a deep teal at the base that faded up into the top of the dress, disappearing into white.
My hair was in huge curls with the front pulled off my face, into a diamond crusted barrette Maria had gotten made for me. I felt like a princess.
Maria’s face beamed as she looked at me through the mirror. Carlos entered the closet holding a shoebox, followed by a young woman holding jewelry boxes. He gasped and purred as he saw me.
Carlos gave the shoes to Maria’s assistant. She dropped to the floor to put the jewel covered high-heeled sandals on my feet, fastening them around my ankles.
“Maria, I don’t know which one is more gorgeous. Victoria or her edible date. He looks amazing in his suit. Happy Birthday, Victoria,” Carlos sang.
Carlos snapped his fingers at his assistant. She gave him the first jewelry box and he removed a diamond-covered bangle from it, placing it on my arm. Grabbing the second box, he revealed a large diamond pendant on a necklace. Maria reached for it and placed it on my neck.
“Lovely,” Maria chimed. “These are the first of your father’s gifts.”
Carlos handed the final box to Maria, which she gave to me to open. I opened the box to find a pair of huge diamond earrings no rubies in sight. However, these had to be the largest earrings I had yet.
“These are gifts I give to women. You’re no longer my little girl, Victoria.” I heard my father’s voice.
I turned to see him in the doorway with tears in his eyes. I was close to tears, but I didn’t want to ruin my makeup. I walked over to my dad, hugged him and gave him the box to put the earrings on me.
“Thank you, Daddy, they’re beautiful.”
“Nothing compared to you. You look like an angel. Happy Birthday, Princess,” he choked out.
I couldn’t fight the one tear that rolled down my cheek. Maria was quick to grab a tissue from her assistant’s pouch and started dabbing it away. I’d never seen my father show so much emotion.
His hands were shaking as he placed the earrings in my ears. We embraced again, when he was done and he turned to move quickly out of the closet. Maria was at my side once again.
Maria grabbed my elbow to lead me downstairs. Time had seemed to speed up. I was anxious to see Lorenzo.
I was annoyed when we reached the bottom of the stairs and Maria turned to take me to the study I had my first fitting in. I knew Lorenzo had been in one of the downstairs guestrooms. I was with Maria last night, when she was setting it up.
To my surprise, when we reached the study, Maria slid the doors opened and there he was. Lorenzo turned around to face me, and the worried look he had faded from his face when he saw me.
I swear I could see the moment he stopped breathing. I entered the room to go to him. He looked phenomenal in the white lightweight suit with a white collarless shirt that was unbuttoned at the top. His suit jacket was dressed with a teal and white handkerchief that matched my dress.
When I reached him, without saying a word, he reached for my face and kissed me. His kiss took my breath away. It was as if he was trying to tell me something in this one kiss. So much heat passed between us in such a short span of time. I melted into him, giving myself over to him completely.
“Yous two cut that out. You’ll ruin her makeup,” Maria hissed at us.
Lorenzo let his hand drop and pulled away. I reached to wipe the lip gloss from his lips. Maria was at my side in the next instant wiping my hand so it didn’t get on either of our clothes.
A photographer appeared in the room and began to take pictures. Lorenzo was holding me so tight, I couldn’t be happier. His embrace alone made me smile more for the pictures. Maria coached us through the first round of photos.
“Okay, now yous two are going to stay in this room until we have the guests seated. Then you will be announced and Lorenzo will walk you out,” Maria instructed.
Maria turned to leave the room with her assistant and the photographer. Lorenzo grabbed my hand, pulling me over to the antique sofa. He sat and pulled me to sit next to him.
As I sat he studied my face. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for. He just sat playing with my hand and thinking.
I wanted to help. I wanted to know what he was thinking, but something was keeping me from asking. We sat in silence for almost thirty minutes, before Maria reentered the room.
The makeup artist refreshed my lip gloss, and the hair stylist repositioned my hair to have the effect she wanted. We stood and Maria started to tug at our clothes. Brushing my dress out and fixing Lorenzo’s suit.
When Maria was satisfied, she led us out into the hall. Lorenzo locked my hand in his palm. We could hear my father over the PA system, giving a speech in half English, half Italian.
“Welcome, my friends and family, I want to thank yous all for coming today. My wife and I are happy we can share this special day with so many people we love. Today we not only celebrate a birthday, but a special surprise, as well,” he announced.
I looked up at Lorenzo, when my father said special surprise. The concern that was on Lorenzo’s face earlier turned to nervousness, as he squeezed my hand. Maria led us to the back doors, just out of sight. I wanted to ask Lorenzo what was wrong, but Maria was right on top of us.
“So now without further ado, I want to introduce a young woman that’s very dear to my heart. My beautiful daughter, Victoria Antoinella La Marcello, and her escort Lorenzo Giovanni Botticelli.”
Lorenzo held up his elbow and I wrapped my hand around it. We walked out of the house onto the stone walkway. The walkway led to steps that were bordered by two decks. One of which, my father was standing on, in front of where the DJ was set up with a microphone in his hand.
Everyone stood, clapping upon our entrance to the yard. My father walked over to us still holding the microphone in his hand. Lorenzo dug into his pocket, pulling out a small box.
I was in shock, as Lorenzo dropped down to his knee beside me. I looked around at the crowd that was watching, to see their reaction. There were whispers and gasps coming from some.
That’s when I saw her, my mom stood with tears streaming down her face. Toni was at her side, smiling. I only pulled my eyes away, when I heard Lorenzo’s voice come through the speakers, calling my attention. He sounded so confident with his satin-laced strong voice.
“Victoria Antoinella La Marcello, will you complete my life and my heart by promising you will marry me and become Mrs. Lorenzo Giovanni Botticelli?” Lorenzo said while staring up into my eyes.
I was lost for words. It took the sun hitting the enormous ring he was holding up at me to breakthrough my shock. The ring had shined so brightly it cut across my vision, making me squint.
When I refocused, my mouth fell open. The ring was a huge squared cushion cut diamond, held in place by a white gold four prong band that was incrusted with a ton more diamonds. My eyes flickered to Lorenzo, who now looked very anxious. My father came to my side and placed the microphone by my face.
“Yes,” I finally uttered, still stunned.
Lorenzo quickly placed the ring on my finger, as everyone clapped. He rose from his knee, wrapping his arms around my thighs. As he lifted me in the air to kiss me, I cupped his face, allowing my lips to meet his.
Lorenzo deepened the kiss moaning into my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck and the crowd began to cheer louder. After a few minutes, he placed me back on my feet and Maria was there grabbing my hand to lead us down the steps.
She was heading straight for my mom. I was so excited, but just as we were a few feet away from her Maria cut to the left. We turned toward a table that was raised above the others, with two elegant gold chairs in the center of four others, two of which were already occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Botticelli.
My heart dropped into my stomach, my eyes filled with tears. I turned to look over my shoulder back at my mother. She stood there, looking as if someone had ripped something from her arms.
Lorenzo looked down at me with that pained concerned in his eyes, he had when I entered the study. I just shut my eyes. I let him and Maria lead me to the table.
Lorenzo pulled out my chair, so that I could sit and my father appeared to pull Maria’s chair. Once we sat I leaned past my father to shoot Maria a dirty look. I was getting along great with Maria, but not if she was going to play dirty like that. Lorenzo reached for my hand to get my attention.
“Are you okay?” he whispered in my ear.
“That was my mom, she’s here. I wanted to see her. Maria did that on purpose,” I murmured.
“I know. Don’t worry, we’ll get to her,” he said and winked at me.
“Will you tell me what’s wrong with you? Can I fix it?”
“No, you can’t, but I’ll tell you later.”
The Priest from Maria’s church stood and blessed the food. They started to serve lunch and we all began to eat. I couldn’t help but peek in my mother’s direction the whole time.
When I finished my food, my father said we needed to go and greet the guests. He took me to the side of the yard furthest from my mother’s seat. There were so many people and tons of tables.
The table my father was headed for was full. I noticed Uncle Frankie sitting there and a man that looked like he could be my father’s twin expect for the fine wrinkles and the salt and pepper hair, mostly salt. My father leaned over to whisper in my ear.
“Victoria, you’re about to meet your grandfather.” The way he said it, let me know this had some importance I was supposed to understand.
As we approached the table. Lorenzo stepped forward immediately and kissed the ring on the hand of the man that must’ve been my grandfather. I stood in shock. This must’ve meant more than I understood. I looked over to my father, not sure what to do.
“Papa, this is your granddaughter, Victoria,” my father said in Italian.
My grandfather stood from his seat. “Molto bella. La bellezza nera.”
I understood right away my grandfather didn’t speak English. The tongue he used I knew, but only heard Matt’s Grandma, Nona, use it. It was very old and all the rest of my family used a rougher dialect. However, I had talked to Nana Nona enough to use it myself.
“Nice to meet you, Grandpa La Marcello,” I replied in his dialect.
“Very beautiful, Venncesso, even with her dark skin you can see our blood runs through her. She will make this young man strong children, it’s in her eyes. I gave them my blessing when he accepts, but he must accept soon. If not, another will be chosen,” he spoke again in his dialect, this time to my father.
Something he said made Lorenzo tense. I felt his hold on my waist become so tight, it almost hurt. I understood the words, but not there meaning. He said something about another being chosen. What did that mean? My father nodded and answered.
“He will accept, he loves her. That will make his decision.” My father was confident in his own words. I looked at Lorenzo, trying to understand what they were talking about.
My grandfather nodded at my father’s words, then turned to me and beckoned me to come closer. I went to where he stood and he reached out and kissed my forehead. Then handed me a card, the woman next to him handed to him.
I looked at her and saw my eyes looking back at me. They were my exact same color. The one thing I thought was unique to me. Her hair was brushed back into a French braid that was massed with curls, just like my natural curls.
My grandfather caught me staring at her and waved her forward. I stepped close involuntarily. “Your grandmamma,” he informed me.
“Ciao,” I said to my grandmother.
She nodded in response, giving me a huge grin. She watched me, while I greeted the rest of the table. Everyone hugged me, as they pushed envelopes in my hand.
Maria appeared and freed my hands of the gifts. When I got to Aunt Joann and Angie they squealed, grabbing for the hand that wore the massive ring, Lorenzo had placed on it.
“Oh, Kid, you have great taste,” Aunt Joann teased, with a playful tone and mock jealousy on her face.
“I had to find something that would be able to exist next to her beauty,” Lorenzo looked down at me with a grin on his face. “I still don’t think I got it right.”
“Wow, Victoria, handsome and enchanting. Good job, niece,” Aunt Joann winked.
“So, Chris and I get to be the best man and maid of honor, right?” Angie insisted.
“We haven’t talked about that yet, Angie. But I guess so. I mean…I can speak for me.”
“Who else, Ang?” Lorenzo chuckled.
We worked the crowd, going from table to table. Maria reached for the envelopes, as they filled my hands. As soon as someone distracted her, I grabbed Lorenzo’s hand and headed straight for my mother.
I hugged her tight, as soon as I got to her. Lorenzo had his hand on my back, rubbing it as my mother and I embraced. It was the only thing that kept me from falling apart.
“You look so beautiful, Honey. Engaged? I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” my mother whispered.
“Oh, this is Lorenzo, Lorenzo, this is my mom, Lakeisha James.”
“Very nice to meet you, Ms. James. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“You’re the young man that comes for Toni on the weekends. Toni, did you know your sister had a boyfriend?” she turned to Toni and asked.
“Yeah, Ma, but you don’t like to hear about me coming here. So, I didn’t say anything. Lorenzo is cool and his sister Lucie is cool too,” Toni told her, with a shrug.
“Are you happy, Victoria?”
“Sometimes, I mean. I miss you, but when I’m with Lorenzo, he makes me feel better,” I admitted.
“As long as you’re happy.”
Maria stepped in the middle of the conversation, giving my mother a smug look, as she threw an arm around my waist. I looked at her and rolled my eyes. My mother looked as if she was going to turn and leave, but I grabbed her arm to make her stay.
This is my mom, and today is the greatest day of my life. I had met my grandparents and Lorenzo proposed to me. Maria wasn’t going to ruin it by torturing my mom.
“Maria, I love you, but you’re not going to ruin my day by hurting my mom. Stop it, before I tell my father why you really have her here,” I demanded.
Maria’s face changed. “Victoria, I love you too. I’m sorry. Lakeisha, I’ll behave myself today, for Victoria. It’s time for her to change, would you like to come?” she said sincerely.
My mother hesitated, so I answered for her. “Sure, you’ll come.”
I held her hand on one side and Lorenzo’s on the other, as we all walked back to the house for our wardrobe change. Maria shoved Lorenzo toward his dressing room, dragging my mom and me upstairs. When we got to my room, her assistant started to unzip me and pull off my dress.
It was already three o’clock and I still had people to greet. The music played loudly and you could hear the people outside enjoying themselves. The party was in full swing.
Maria rushed me into the closet, her assistant following us with a stunning dress draped across her arms. My mother and Maria helped to put it on, and Maria zipped it shut. The dress was peach and chocolate brown, complementing my skin and hair.
It was shorter than the first dress, stopping a few inches above the knee. It was a one shouldered roman style. The dress tightly molded to my body, following my curves to a tee.
The bodice of the dress was a peach silk organza. The waist was wrapped by a heavier large piece of chocolate brown silk that made a puddle of fabric behind me, creating a gorgeous chocolate train. The dress sparkled as there were stones embedded into the organza.
Maria and my mother were crying, as they looked at me in the dress. The assistant kept working as she changed my jeweled sandals for a pair of silk lightly jeweled chocolate pumps.
They took me back out of the closet into the room, where the hair stylist waited with pins in her mouth and her hands. Maria had a salon chair set up in my room for the day. I sat in it as best as I could.
The stylist began to pin my curls up letting only a few strands hang here and there. The makeup artist came in to refresh my makeup. My mom frowned at my animal cracker birthmark that was exposed by my hair being pulled up. I didn’t let the makeup artist cover it. I frowned back at her.
“Lorenzo likes it, so there, it stays,” I told her.
“Oh, fine,” she huffed. “You never had a problem with that thing anyway.” She wrinkled her nose, as she playfully pushed at the birthmark like she could knock it off my neck or something. We both laughed.
When they were done fussing over me, Maria pulled me out of the chair to head downstairs. This time Lorenzo was at the bottom of the stairs pacing. When we appeared, he stopped and watched with wide eyes as I descended the stairs.
He looked amazing again. This time dressed in a chocolate brown suit and peach shirt with a silk peach tie. The suit was tailored to perfection, detailing Lorenzo height and muscle physique beneath. Carlos really knows his job.
Lorenzo looked as if he was in a trance. He moved toward me, meeting me at the bottom step. It felt like I couldn’t get to him fast enough. When I finally reached the last step, he placed his hands on my waist and stared into my eyes.
Without speaking, I could hear him saying he loved me. That amazing energy between us was at its peak. He looked at Maria, as if to ask permission. Maria let out a laugh and a long sigh.
“Go ahead, Lorenzo, Jamie can just put some more lip gloss on when you’re done,” Maria answered his unspoken question.
Before she was done, his lips were pressed tightly to mine. He released the kind of energy we tried to stay away from, but I was so happy to be engaged to him, I didn’t care. He smelled extra good today.
I had noticed earlier, the first time he kissed me. I reached up and locked my arms around his neck. Lorenzo wrapped his arms around my back, as he tightened his hold on me.
It was like everyone had left the room. I never wanted to stop, but Maria cleared her throat after a minute. He unlocked our lips to look over my shoulder and smile at Maria.
He chuckled at Maria. “I love you,” he whispered in my ear.
“I love you too,” I said as I looked up at him.
Jamie came to refresh my lip gloss and the photographer showed up for more pictures. This time Maria and my mom got into a few. Maria sent for my father, Toni, and my in-laws to be.
We took tons of pictures, as the guests started to come inside to take pictures of me and get in a few. An hour must have gone by when the doorbell rang and a horn was being blown from outside.
My father had a huge grin on his face, as he came to get Lorenzo and me. He ushered us toward the door. I could see through the glass, as we approached. A brand new Maserati, with a bow on it was being lowered from a flatbed.
I almost jumped out of my skin. All the guests started to follow us outside. Lorenzo watched, smiling from ear to ear. My father pulled the key from his pocket and handed it to me.
It was just like Lorenzo’s, except it was a shiny black. I picked up the train of my dress and ran over to my car. When I opened the door, I saw the red seats inside. My father had Lorenzo’s car revised.
It was perfect. I slid inside and started the car. The sound was amazing. I revved the engine and cooed at the sound. I hadn’t even noticed my father and Lorenzo watching me. Both chuckling at my reaction.
I held my hand out of the car, needing help to get out in this dress. Lorenzo took my hand, helping me. I ran over to my dad and gave him a big hug. He hugged me back tightly.
“Enjoy it, Honey,” he whispered in my ear. I was too emotional to answer him. This day was perfect.
Everyone returned to the party, as Maria announced hors d’oeuvres were being served. Angie, Chris, Matt, Martina, Lorenzo, Lucie, Toni, and I all hung behind to admire the car a little more. My mother stood by the door, watching us.
It made me a little angry that she didn’t feel comfortable coming closer. Lorenzo picked up on the tension and began hovering over me, trying to make it better.
“What’s wrong, Baby?” he finally asked, when I didn’t relax.
“Why is my mom acting like she shouldn’t come near me? It’s frustrating me. Lo, everything is so perfect. Why can’t that part be?”
He didn’t answer me. I could feel that he was tense now too. Something had been going on with Lorenzo all day. I couldn’t figure it out.
I combed my brain, trying to register what the look I kept seeing on his face could mean. I didn’t want to talk in front of the group with us. Just in case it was about the families’ secret, I let it go for now.
“Hey, guys, maybe we should go back,” I suggested.
Everyone headed back inside, but my mother was off before I could reach her. When we got back to the party, I worked the yard, trying to get to the guests I’d missed. Maria was back on collection duty.
“Happy birthday, Victoria,” I heard for the millionth time. “Congratulations to you both on your engagement.”
I looked out the side of my eye and spotted Lorenzo’s dad at my grandfather’s side, with my dad on his other side. I thought about what my grandfather said earlier. However, I quickly shook the thought off so it didn’t ruin the night for me. After another hour, I was sure I had gotten to everyone.
“I do believe that was everyone,” Maria sighed.
“Thank you, God,” I huffed and sagged into Lorenzo.
“Yous two go have fun,” Maria smiled.
Lorenzo dragged me to the dance floor, grabbing my train to throw it over his arm. It was the first time we’d gotten to dance and just relax. I breathed a deep sigh of relief.
“Are you having fun?” Lorenzo asked as he pulled me close.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I wrinkled my nose.
Lorenzo looked down at me skeptically. I got ready to ask him what was going on with him, but Matt, Martina, Angie, and Chris came to join us on the dance floor. I pushed it aside once again.
My dress was a little too restricting to truly enjoy myself. I was more than happy when Maria came to tell us we had twenty minutes, before she was coming to get us to change.
“Lo,” Lucie sang as she run over. “Dance with me, please.”
Lorenzo winked at her. “Sure, Squirt. I’ll show you how it’s done,” he chuckled.
“Yeah, right,” Lucie side eyed him.
He threw his head back and laughed.
While they danced together, I danced with Toni. I laughed as Lucie told Lorenzo he had poor form. She tried to correct him, but he would twirl her in circles each time until she gave up.
Exactly twenty minutes after her first appearance, Maria was back. “Let’s go, final change,” Maria chirped.
She had one hand on Lorenzo’s arm and one on mine, pushing us into the house. I was upstairs in my room in no time, being released from the constricting dress. I wasn’t going to complain.
This time the hair stylist had first dibs. She pulled the pins from my hair in record time and began to blow my hair straight again. This time she pulled my hair into a ponytail on the center top of my head. She curled it under into a long fall.
When she was done, we were back in the closet. This time Maria placed the dress at my feet for me to step in. She pulled the dress up on to my shoulders and Carlos rushed in to do the final adjustments. This dress was long and flowing in a blue. The neckline plunged into a very low V. I understood why we were fitting this on the spot.
Maria’s assistant placed a pair of clear stiletto wedge heeled sandals on my feet, fastening their jeweled straps around my ankles. The neckline of the dress stopped at my belly button, by the time Carlos was done with his adjustments.
The back of the dress cowled to my mid back. The front of the skirt had a high split and the back fanned out a little behind me. The fabric was pleated all over.
I wasn’t sure how Lorenzo would feel about this one. I didn’t really think him or my father would like it. Maria of course was pleased. She removed the bangle from my wrist and handed me another jewelry box. Inside was a tennis bracelet, with diamonds that looked the size of tennis balls.
“Wow, my father went a little overboard, you think,” I snorted.
“Oh, Victoria, that isn’t from your dad. That one is all Lorenzo,” she said with a huge grin.
I was speechless. I shut the box and headed downstairs. Maria raced to catch me this time. I could see Lorenzo watching the stairs this time, standing with his tux jacket open and his hands in his pockets.
I all but ran down the stairs. When he had a good look at my dress, as I got to the bottom of the stairs, he pulled a hand down his face. I handed him the box, raising my brows in question. The shoes I had on put me closer to being eye to eye with him.
“You don’t like it?” he asked looking disappointed.
“Lo, that’s a ridiculous gift after this ring,” I argued, pointing to my engagement ring.
“So, your dad is the only one that can give you ridiculous one after the other?” he asked sarcastically.
“Lo, that’s not fair. I’m used to that, that’s how he raised me.”
“Well, I only want to give you what you’re used to.”
“Lo.”
He had my chin in his hand, his lips, cutting off my words. I placed my hand on his stomach to brace myself. He placed his lips on my neck and kissed it softly.
“You’re welcome, Beautiful, happy birthday,” he whispered in my ear, “You look amazing. You take my breath away.”
“Thank you, Lorenzo. I wouldn’t have made it through the day without you.”
He opened the box and reached for my wrist. I complied with his wishes. Handing Maria the box, he placed the mammoth bracelet on my wrist. Lorenzo’s jeweler was having a great week. I’m sure he’ll be marking my birthday on his calendar.
For the first time, I fully took in what Lorenzo was wearing. He was in a black tux with a white shirt and a blue vest underneath the jacket. He’s so handsome.
The photographer was back and ready to start snapping. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my mother and my father talking in the shadows. My mother looked pissed. I’ve never seen her that way with my father, no matter what. Not even the day he hit me. I tried to focus on them, but my attention was interrupted for the pictures.
Their conversation began to get more heated by the second. Lorenzo noticed the distraction. He tried to work around it, by becoming more affectionate than necessary to grab my attention.
He was annoying me and it was beginning to show on my face. Lorenzo looked bothered by my reaction. Finally leaving me alone. I released myself from his arms, moving to go find out what was going on.
“Venny, no, that’s not fair. I’m still her mother. You should’ve told me.” I heard my mother protesting.
“He’s a great kid, Keisha. I grow up with his father. He loves Victoria, isn’t that all that matters?” my father answered.
“No, that’s not all that matters. That’s my baby you’re allowing to be married off. Venny, I don’t say much about what you do, but this is too much. First your wife snatches her from me, and you tell me to deal with it for a little while. Now, Victoria is engaged to a boy that is in love with her…after only three weeks,” my mother hissed.
“Keisha, I’m making sure Vicky is safe. Lorenzo loves her more than you think. Didn’t I fall in love with you the first time I saw you?” my father said sincerely.
“Oh, please Venn, if that were the case, why am I standing in your wife’s house, when I knew you three years before you married her?” she fired back.
“You know what Lakeisha … you know very damn well the sacrifice I had to make. This would be your home if I could have changed that,” he hissed at her.
“Wait a minute. Venny, please tell me you’re not making that sacrifice again, with your daughter? I know she will do anything you tell her. Does she really love that boy or are you forcing this to happen?” my mother accused.
“I do love him, mom. Would you two please stop fighting? Daddy’s right, Lorenzo loves me and I love him. Why can’t everyone just let me make my own decisions and be happy for me?” I cried.
“Victoria, honey, we’re just talking some things out, don’t be upset,” my mother said.
“Don’t do that. I’m not stupid, I heard you. You two make me so angry. Why ruin today? Why can’t the two of you just let me have one day,” I sobbed.
I turned and ran to Lorenzo, who stood by the back door. I grabbed his hand heading out the door to my guests. I painted on a smile and did my best to mingle.
Maria announced dinner, giving us a chance to sit and be away from the crowd. When we went to our seats at the table; that was now lit by tiny spotlights, there was a box in my seat.
Lorenzo’s mom grinned from ear to ear, giving away the fact that she’d placed it there. Lorenzo lifted the box, so I could sit, then placed it in my palm. I pulled off the wrapping paper and opened the little box.
Inside was a set of keys. I was puzzled. They didn’t look like car keys, so I knew Lorenzo’s mother wasn’t as over the top as he was. Mrs. Botticelli came over to sit where my father’s seat had been.
“They’re the keys to our home. I want you to always feel welcome to come over. I know it’s not much, but it was the gift that means the most to me. I hope it means as much to you.
“You’ve made Lo very happy and relieved my husband of much stress. For that you always have a place in my family,” she explained.
I was speechless, once again. Why can’t my parents behave like this? I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. She rubbed my back with her warm hands and rocked me from side to side. I love Lorenzo’s mom, she was always so thoughtful.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Botticelli. This is one of the best gifts I’ve gotten all day. I think it’s the best,” I said.
“Oh, no, Victoria, call me, Sharon. Even Mama will do, Chris and all the others are used to that,” she replied.
“Okay, that’s nice, I’ll try it,” I said as my father came to claim his seat.
Sharon kissed my cheek and returned to her seat. I turned away from my father. The food was on the way out and Maria had come to take her seat as well. I was glad playing dress up was over.
As we ate our dinner, I could feel my temper flaring. I had yet to see my mother return to her seat. I had a feeling she had left and that made me stark mad.
Lorenzo had given up trying to calm me down. He was lost somewhere of his own. I was going to need him to snap out of it. I needed him.
When dinner was over, we cut the cake and guests began to leave. I had given a thank you speech, during the cake reveal. Maria gave me permission to cut out not too long after.
She could see something was going on with my dad and me. I grabbed Lorenzo’s hand and headed straight for my car parked in the front of the house. I just wanted to get out of there.
We jumped in my car and I took off. I wasn’t sure where I was going. I just knew it was out of that house and away from my father.
I couldn’t believe how my mother never fought back, not the way she was tonight. When she finally decided to, it was about the one thing she shouldn’t be concerned about. I was in love with Lorenzo. So what we were being forced to marry, we were in love first. I was so angry with them and then to top it off they had the nerve to lie to my face.
I needed to pull over. I pulled into a parking lot and jumped out of the car. I paced back and forth mumbling to myself.
“I can’t believe them. They’re so selfish. All they had to do was let me have this one day. Why is that so hard,” I grumbled.
I heard the other car door open, Lorenzo slowly walked toward me. I was still pacing, as he stopped a about a foot away from me.
“Victoria, what’s wrong?” he asked sounding disconnected.
I couldn’t help but wonder what his problem was today. I paced a little more, before I headed back to the car without answering him. I went to open the door to get back in, but he was right behind me, placing his hand on my back. I turned to face him, knowing my temper was in full steam.
“Victoria, please talk to me,” he begged.
“Lorenzo, I’m sick of people treating me like a baby and lying to me. It makes me so angry. I don’t think I can take it anymore. I just want to know the truth,” I answered.
He paused in thought for a moment, as he stared at my face. He looked so conflicted. I didn’t understand what was going on with him.
I needed him right now and he was lost in something I couldn’t figure out. I decided to fix his problem first, but when I went to ask him what was wrong, he started to talk.
“I was angry that I had met you, and you were so much more than I expected. When I realized who you were, I just wanted to make the truth go away. So, I called my dad and told him that I met you and you were less than a lady when I did.
“I just wanted him to change his mind, but he involved your dad and things got out of control. I didn’t know he would hit you. I wish I could take that back.
“I’m so sorry I ruined your life and caused you so much pain. You’re so angry right now because of me. I wish I could erase that day and start over. I wish I hadn’t figured out who you were. I wish I could fix what I did to your family.
“I love you so much. I had to tell you the truth. I never want to lie to you.”
I stood in shock. I just stood there looking at him. What was he saying?
I could feel the tears warming my face. I tried to breathe, but it was becoming overwhelming. He reached down to grab my hand, but I pulled away. He dropped his hand to his side and stepped back, still watching my reaction.
Part of me wanted to slap him as hard as my father had slapped me. The other part of me wanted to scream, no. He was taking away my safe place, the one person I did trust and love.
Why now, when I was truly happy and in love with him? Why now? I folded in half, grabbing my knees. I sobbed so loud my ears were ringing. I tried my best to speak in coherent sentences.
“Why? Why Lorenzo? Why tell me now? I need you. You’re all I have left. Why? I…I don’t know…why?
“What does this help? Did you think about how this would make me see you? You’ve known all along how I’ve been hurting because I didn’t understand. Why, Lorenzo? Why?
“Is this your plan to get out of what they want? To take everything from me? I don’t understand. You said you love me, so why would you hurt me like this? Why?” I sobbed.
He said nothing. I only heard my crying. I looked up to see his face. He almost looked green. Tears were streaming from his eyes as he shook his head. I unfolded myself and stepped in front of him to ask again.
“Why?”
He reached for my face and held it in between his hands. “Victoria, I don’t want to hurt you. I thought … I thought telling you before you found out on your own was the best thing to do.
“Hearing you say you’ve been lied to, that made me want to tell you. Please, Victoria try to see. I didn’t know what would happen. I didn’t know things would get so out of control.”
I was so angry. So confused and angry. “Stop it, Lorenzo. That’s not the part that is making me so upset. What’s making me so …so pissed, is that you knew, you knew everything, but you told me nothing. What do you want me to do with this?” I yelled in his face.
He just looked at me. Tears running from both of our eyes. He shrugged.
“Let me start over. Let me do this right. Let me fix this. Please, Victoria, I can’t lose you. You promised you wouldn’t leave me, please let me fix this.”
“That’s not fair. I made that promise to someone else. I don’t know you,” I said as I shook my head.
I saw his face twist with pain as my word sunk in. “I deserve that,” he half choked out, as his eyes filled with a look I couldn’t understand. “I would die for you, Victoria.
“My father threatened to kill me if I told you this, and he meant it. I told you for us, because others are controlling everything else around us. I won’t lose you, I will fight for you.
“If you need time, then I’ll give you that. I’ll let you put the pieces together. I know you’ll see I did what I thought was best the whole time, but I won’t lose you.”
Before I could react, he had his mouth pressed to mine. In all the confusion, for a moment, I forgot about everything. I kissed him back with everything I had.
It was easy to let him kiss me, to let him make me feel better. To forget he was the one who caused the pain. I forgot because I wanted to.
I placed my hands at his waist, as he pulled me closer. I thought only of the good feeling passing through his lips to mine. It was so easy, until his phone rang and brought me back to reality.
I stiffened to his touch and drew back from his lips. I could see the pain on his face, when he realized I was retreating. His hands fell to my waist, trying to retrieve me, but I was gone. Not physically, but emotionally.
I had disappeared. Lorenzo would have to do what he said. Fight for me, but give me space in the process.