Danielle

Why was there a two-hour layover in London of all places? I would rather stay than travel on to my next destination. The wedding. I breathed deep and headed to the airport lounge. He didn't bother to spring for a meal on the plane. The fucking asshole booked my seat in the economy seating. I tried to upgrade at the airport but was told they were fully booked, so I was stuck in a cramped space with nothing but a snack for eight hours, and now I had a long layover. I was extremely exhausted and just wanted to go to sleep. By the time I’d get there, maybe I’d get two hours of sleep before having to get ready for the wedding.

On the flight to Sicily, I managed to sleep for about an hour. I wanted more, but the guy across from me couldn’t take his eyes off me and it was getting extremely annoying. He was a handsome man, but he gave off that predator type of vibe. There was no way I was interested in him, but still, he kept staring.

I was getting off the flight when he said, “You should let me take you around Sicily.”

“I should do nothing. I don’t know you and I find your arrogance a complete turn off. Have a good day.” I walked right past him and to the man with my name on the sign.

“Hello, I’m Danielle Downey.”

“Hello, I am Antonio and I will take you to your cousin. She’s quite anxious for your arrival.”

“I don’t doubt it,” I piped in, giving the man a smile. He cracked a bit of a smile and I knew not everyone had a stick up their ass. I felt bad that Nicole was going to have to deal with such a snobby brother-in-law.

What was fucked to me was, I felt the same way he did about most of my family. They were out of control when they drank, becoming rude and obnoxious and even violent. They had no goals or ambitions except for when it came to getting fucked up then they were aiming for the gold. This weekend wasn’t going to be easy for me either.

“Come, let’s get your luggage and be on our way.”

“Actually, this is all I brought.” I was able to check two carry-ons, so I filled them and left it at that. I was in Europe, I didn’t want to lose my luggage because that jackass booked me a terrible flight. That would piss me off big time and I’d have some not so nice words for him. My dress for the wedding was short and folded neatly in the luggage. I would just need to press it before slipping it on.

He helped me into the limo then put my luggage in the trunk. As we headed off from the airport, we started talking about everything and nothing. My man Tony was a family man with three kids almost my age and a wife who he gushed about. I liked that. It was better than that creeper on the plane. So maybe the Italian playboy was like anything else, just a stereotype with many filling the mold and a few outliers.

We pulled up to this grand estate and I was in awe. I wondered if it was her new home or her soon to be in-laws. Maybe they rented it out for the wedding. Either way, the place was massive and didn’t look like the rest of the homes here. It reminded me of the country estates in England that I’d seen in movies. If this was her home, she was a lucky woman; this was more than any one of us had ever dreamed of having. I hoped this Vincenzo was good to her. I didn’t know what to make of him from her brief mention of him the other day.

“Ms. Downey, your cousin is waiting for you upstairs on the first door to your left.” I nodded and watched as he began to make his way up the stairs with my luggage. This was truly awkward. I followed behind the gentleman, climbing up the grand staircase on the left. This place was beautiful and classically wonderful. There were paintings on the walls along with ceramic busts. Wow, damn, a part of me wished I hadn’t come here. I felt out of place and at the same time like I was in paradise. I straightened my ponytail, embarrassed that I wasn’t dressed formally.

As soon as we hit the top of the stairs, I saw a large surly looking man staring at me. He was tall, his hair a dark brown with matching colored eyes that were piercing right through me. He stood there with his broad shoulders evident in his plain white dress shirt that had the first two buttons undone. Whoever he was he had the most handsome face I’d even encountered. I was drawn to him, and I hoped to all hell he just worked here and wasn’t Vincenzo or his brother, whatever his name was. Hell, I’d be okay if he was just a casual relative of theirs.

“Ms. Downey,” Antonio said, leaving my luggage by the door and making his way back down the stairs. It seemed like forever for me to reach the door because I was staring at him. My eyes were locked onto his and I felt the heat rush up my face, pinking on the spot and making me look like a silly girl. His stare was intense like he wanted to say or do something to me. His jaw was clenched tight, and I could see his Adam’s apple bob. Something about the way it moved slowly sent my panties ablaze.

Averting my eyes, I was able to turn the doorknob and break the bond. I walked into the room with my suitcases in hand as Nicole ran up to me and smiled brightly.

“I’m so glad you made it,” she squealed. I hugged her, but my thoughts were all focused on who that guy out in the hall was.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, looking at the sad expression on her face.

“Nervous. I mean…I really want to marry him, but he doesn’t love me. I’m marrying a man that I fell in love with from the first moment, but he’s just doing it to keep his baby,” she replied in a whisper, wiping away a single tear that fell from her watery eyes.

I looked around the room where her sister was getting her hair and makeup done. I whispered back, “Ah, Nicole, I’m sorry. Please don’t cry. It’ll take some time, but you’re so lovable. Has he said that he doesn’t love you and this is only for the baby?”

“No, but he hasn’t said he loves me.” I felt her pain. Unrequited love was hard to deal with. I had eighteen years of that. I don’t think my parents ever loved anything more than partying and it took a long time for me to cope and get over it. I hoped Vincenzo could love her one day.

“Maybe he does then. Don’t give up hope, but if you want to leave I’ll stick by you.”

“Thank you, but I’ll take him any way I can.” This time there was a resolve in her voice that I knew she was going to go through with the wedding. We used to be best friends and I would still be there for her.

“Then, I’m here for you.” I hugged her again.