CHIARA
We returned in the evening. The men were all already dressed in suits, so we headed to refresh and came downstairs all decked as well. There was a light classic music playing in the background as we were directed to the dining room. Treated like literal Queens.
The table was filled with different kinds of dishes. Lasagna, Charcuterie, Neapolitan pizza and other pizzas, Panzanella, Spaghetti and pasta of different kinds, I didn't miss the seafood amongst other dishes. The smell was appealing but I couldn't say the same about the taste, yet. Especially when I'd never seen Carmelo in the kitchen before. Apart from the horrendous cookie night.
Marcelo sat on the head seat with Francesca on his right, followed by Celia. On his left sat Carmelo, followed by me, Chelsea and Junior. And then we began to eat after holding hands and praying together. I turned to look at Melo after a bite of the Tuscan salad, "Not bad," I uttered. "Junior made it. But don't say it out loud, or he'll brag." He whispered, beaming. "Heard that, bro." Junior said, causing me to snort. Everyone else was talking but it felt like we were in a bubble of our own world on the table. Talking in hushed voices and whispers.
"What have you made?" I asked.
"The soup you are having, tesoro."
"No wonder it tastes like shit."
"You!" He squeezed my thigh below the table. I gripped the spoon hard and pursed my lips. "It's delicious." I said, honestly.
"You're lying." He shook his head.
"Okay, shit it is then." This time he trailed his fingers higher on my thigh and gently rubbed there, making me let out a breathless gasp. All pairs of eyes fell on us. I quickly lowered my face on the bowl of soup. Leaving him to deal with it. "I made cookies! Has anybody tried the cookies yet?" He blurted. I was dying with a silent laughter that my eyes started to tear up.
After dinner we were situated in the living room. Each man handed each of us the mimosa flowers while we were having a 'digestive tea' like their father said. Then we were given a moment to share our achievements, regardless big or small. Then we danced to the local classical songs. Then the gift moment came. Was this day ever going to end? Too much was happening, and I was trying to take in everything and coping with it. The immense affection and respect these people had for the women of their family was too much to swallow. We ended up with four boxes of wrapped gifts each.
We then called it a night. Carmelo and I stood up to leave. Then he got down on his knee while I kept chatting with Chelsea about her flower shop but then whistles and gasps followed. And my head snapped down at him. I palmed my mouth, eyes widening with a rising heart rate. "Oh my God." I gasped.
On his knee was Carmelo, looking up at me with a nervous smile and opening a blue velvet box. Inside it, a beautiful diamond ring sparkled. Another short gasp left my mouth. "Will you marry me, tesoro?"
No. No, I can't. My eyes were filled with tears instantly and my heart squeezed tight inside my chest. His smile faltered as he stared at me. As if realizing what was going on in my head.
I forced my eyes away from him and looked around the hopeful faces, blinking tears with my trembling lips. What was I going to do? Sweat trickled down my spine. I couldn't do this to him. Or to them. I couldn't do this anymore. Why didn't I think of this happening when the man was straight with what he wanted from me right from the beginning?
I wished the ground could open up and swallow me. "Let's go back." I uttered and stormed out of the mansion.