The Italian's proposal

Chapter 14

Melody

Melody arrived at the restaurant as she agreed with Timothy an hour before.

The change of plan was good for her because it gave her time to control the nerves that were driving her crazy.

A million unanswered questions were beginning to formulate in her brain.

Was she really considering marrying a complete stranger?

She couldn’t deny the attraction she immediately felt, she couldn’t lie, that Italian must have a magnet for women, and she was no exception. She fell round at his feet, proof of that were the two kisses they enjoyed and savored, which left her aroused all night and part of the early morning. She had wet dreams, fantasies where Timothy walked naked towards her, his erect virile member eager to enter her and possess her, touch her as no one had ever done, she had licked his whole body from head to toe and just as she was about to ride him as if she were possessed, she woke up.

Need has a heretic’s face and it was tempting, so much that it drove her to commit actions that in some moment of sanity no one would ever accept.

Melody looked around the restaurant. It was surrounded by glass, instead of having walls blocking the view of the avenue, everything was clear. The glass door was the only object that was anything but see-through, the small silver stainless steel handle. For only that reason she knew it was the door and she didn’t crash into the glass, which would have been embarrassing.

It was already two o’clock in the afternoon, the sun was warming up a little, but that didn’t stop them from feeling cold to the bone. She closed the coat Tara lent her a little tighter, along with her dress and shoes. She was lucky to find more than an employer at Tara’s house, even though she cleaned her

house from time to time, Tara was always approachable to her. This was the sixth time she had been to the Colemans’ house.

For such a petite, slender woman with lush breasts and a freshly operated butt, Tara worked as a model for swimsuit magazines; Melody didn’t understand how a woman like her, from what she saw intelligent, simple, and charismatic, was with a man as grumpy as her husband was, but each candle with his saint.

Melody went over herself completely again before entering the restaurant, where she would sign an agreement that would mark her and her son’s life forever.

Tara lent her a wine-red dress, a little tighter in the breasts than she would prefer. Considering one of Melody’s biggest insecurities was her small breasts, she didn’t feel comfortable at all. The dress came down to her knees, Melody wondered what the hell that dress was doing in Tara’s closet, because not even asking the angels themselves, nor lighting a candle the devil that woman could have fit into this tiny dress.

Tara told her that she looked beautiful, she certainly felt different, she wasn’t used to wearing designer clothes, she was given it as a gift to model it in the magazine and she kept it in her closet as a souvenir.

Melody wasn’t used to wear high heels, but since Timothy didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of people of his social status, she preferred to accept Tara’s offer, and of course this woman has more experience in that environment than she does. She pulled her hair up in a bun with a jet gold bobby pins and left her bangs short on her forehead a little lipstick on her lips and she felt that she couldn’t be any smarter. She may not have been a famous model or a millionaire, but she could pass for a middle- class woman, which she really was while under her parents’ wing.

“Buon pomeriggio signorina, hai un tavolo riservato o lo stai aspettando?” a young woman dressed in a suit approached Melody as soon as she set foot inside. Seeing Melody’s face of not understanding a peep, she asked again in English if she had a table reserved or was someone waiting for her. “Let me help you with your coat,” she added, placing her hands on her neck, ready to remove Melody’s coat.

Although she felt overwhelmed by her unreal situation, she tried to remain calm.

“I have a table in the name of Timothy Giannatto,” she replied, smiling shyly. She didn’t have a clue what to answer other than the obvious.

There’s a man with a ring on the table, he’s proposed to me and I still don’t know why, turns out I’ve only known him since yesterday.

Yes, possibly the lady in the suit wouldn’t believe anything.

“Lei è con me...” she turned at the sound of that seductive voice, and almost collided with Timothy’s chest.

She smiled at him, but he didn’t give a peep of attention.

“Signor Giannato, non sapevo che ci avresti fatto visita questo pomeriggio,” the girl replied nervously Melody raised her eyes to the sky, now she was standing there listening to two idiots speaking Italian.

She began to imagine what they might be saying:

“You look so beautiful,” Timothy must have said.

“You look better. How about we meet in a little while to fuck?” she would have said to him in her seductive voice and perfect teeth.

“Yes, of course,” he encouraged her, “I’ll see you after I’m done with the innocent girl I want to make my wife.”

Melody let out a snort of annoyance.

“Melody? Everything okay?” asked Timothy looking at her in confusion.

“Everything perfect,” she muttered. “Can we sit down now? People are starting to look at us funny.”

“It’s normal for them to stare. You’re with me.”

“Wow. You missed saying sorry for the inconvenience.”

“I don’t have to apologize for the obvious,” he said sounding almost angry. Melody wondered if he’d had a bad day, maybe that’ s why he was treating her with such indifference. “Do you have our table ready, Annett?” he asked the young woman at the door in English.

At least they stopped speaking Italian.

“Join me, please,” she said as she nodded and began to walk, heading deeper into the restaurant.

It was the most luxurious place Melody ever entered.

She watched nervously as she felt Timothy’s presence behind her, tried not to fall in her heels and walk straight. She also felt the stares of the other customers there. Although Timothy told her that it was normal to be watched standing next to him, she was sure there was more to it than that.

The tables all had white tablecloths and a small vase in the center.

“This is your table,” the young woman said as Timothy all gentlemanly pulled back the chair for Melody to sit down. For a moment she felt the brush of his hands as she sat down, and her belly immediately

contracted. She wanted him too badly and couldn’t hide it. “Enjoy your lunch,” the young woman said and instantly pulled back.

“Are you all right?” Melody couldn’t keep brooding about it. She hadn’t known Timothy for long time, but twenty-four hours the day before, he seemed more personable and approachable to her.

“All in order,” he replied tersely.

His green eyes were darker, his hair combed delicately back, no hint of a beard, he was clean-shaven. His suit was brand name, even if it didn’t have a tag on it yelling it. He exuded grandeur and money. No wonder everyone was watching her as if she were a fly on top of a chocolate-fringed sponge cake.

“You don’t sound like you,” she commented slowly. She didn’t want to offend him, but he was there, across the table, staring at the menu and paying no attention to her. She went there on business, but she didn’t think it was possible to be the focus for such coldness.

“You don’t know me Melody Redford. You don’t know what I’m capable of or how I can behave,” he dropped the menu and watched her, half-smiling.

“Why would you say such a thing?” she seriously didn’t understand where such acrimony was coming from.

“Because I figured you out,” was his reply.

Melody felt her world open under her feet.

She wasn’t smart like a genius, but she knew he was referring to her relation to Equilay. She saw it in his eyes. He hated her for not telling him she was his sister-in-law.

“Let me explain,” she tried to grab his hand, but he was quicker and grabbed hers, squeezing so hard that she stirred uncomfortably. “You’re hurting me...”

“You think so? You don’t know what hurt is yet.”

“Timothy...”

“No,” he said and released her. His green eyes were pure steel, looking at her, cold and hateful. She almost burst into tears, she understood that he despised her, but she didn’t deserve that. “Ready to order?”

She stared at him not crediting his cold, calculating calmness. How could he treat her like that and think she would still be there having lunch with him?

It was stupid to think she would put up with that!

She stood up from her chair and felt as if tears were almost going to betray her.

“Sit down Melody,” he said, his tone steely.

“No. I’m not going to stand for your attacks, or your senseless anger. I’m not going to endure you treating me...”

“Sit down!” he said to her, this time with more vigor, but without raising his voice enough for everyone in the restaurant to hear. His eyes were on fire and his eyebrows were crossed. “Sit down...”

They were at a private table, there was a considerable distance between the one he reserved and the one the others were at. She looked around again, thought about how she could leave without making a fuss, but saw no way.

“I don’t understand why you want to continue to be with someone you obviously despise.”

“You’re going to be my wife. That doesn’t change.”

“I’m not going to marry you!” she exclaimed nervously. He still wanted to marry her. That was crazy! No one marries someone they hate. “You hate me.”

“I do,” he agreed.

His confession hurt her more than she could imagine. Her mouth went dry, and she blinked to keep the tears from falling down her cheeks and leaving her even more diminished in front of him.

“Then why do you keep on with it? Why do you want to marry someone you hate? I... I know I kept it from you that he...”

“Don’t talk about it. I know all about that. I know you’re a scumbag who lured me in with her angelic face and look of innocence. You manipulated me into thinking you needed me.”

She couldn’t believe her ears - manipulative? She had lured him!!!? He must have been going crazy. She hadn’t done anything. The only thing she felt guilty for was for not telling him right away that Equilay was her brother-in-law.

“You’re confused Timothy. I didn’t...”

“Don’t tell me any more lies. There’s no need. I figured you out, I know who you really are.” He looked over Melody’s shoulder and a waiter immediately approached. “The usual wine.”

The waiter walked away with the order without complaint.

Melody wondered then how many times a month Timothy went there.

“I don’t know what the hell you think you’ve figured out, but you’re fooling yourself.” she leaned into him a little. Even though she was quite sure no one could hear what they said, she didn’t want anyone to find out. “I’m not a manipulative person. I never meant to hurt you or harm you.”

“But you did. You hurt me. And watch your language. I don’t want them thinking I’m going to marry some floozy, Melody Redford.”

“Stop calling me by my full name!” she shrieked, losing her composure. She forced herself to calm down and glared at him. “I’m not a bad person. I omitted for a while not telling you that he was my brother-in-law, but I did it all for my sister and nephew.”

“Precisely why we’ll go through with the marriage,” he informed as he turned to the sommelier who arrived at the table at that moment. He saw the label and nodded in agreement. The young man with the mustache and hair almost scraped, proceeded to uncork the wine, and pour it. Timothy tasted it after smelling it and gave it a thumbs up.

Melody looked at him in confusion. She didn’t understand how he was able to change his attitude and hide the anger directed at her. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Then she understood.

He was punishing her. He would hate her for life. But why? Why did he hate her so much?

The waiter left, leaving the two glasses poured with the wine.

“I can’t drink alcohol. Did you forget that detail, Mr. Know-It-All?” she pushed the glass away from her and leaned back a little in the chair. There was no point in being near him. She could already tell his hatred was almost palpable.

“You can have a drink. It doesn’t affect your son. I already asked Troy before I came to the restaurant.”

“You care about my son, but you think his mother is a harpy and heartless who caused you harm? You hate the mother, but not the son?”

“Your son has no fault that you are his mother.” He put the glass in front of her again. “Now stop the drama and let’s toast to our future marriage.”