RED

Marigold (part 2)

"Yes." He suddenly stated, as he raised his eyes to them, interrupting whatever his mother was saying.

"Y-Yes? You accept to marry her?" Giulia questioned with surprise drawn across her face. She had hoped for this reply, but it came too soon and unexpectedly. She didn't know whether or not to believe her ears.

"Yes." He repeated once more, which caused both mum and aunt to slightly widen their eyes.

"You've always done whatever you felt like and it never mattered to you, whether I fancied it or not, so go ahead and plan the wedding." He stated before getting up to his feet and making his way out of the office.

Giulia blinked several times in an attempt to comprehend what had happened.

"He's... different." She stated, her expression different from usual.

Sofia let out a silent sigh before turning to her.

"And we like it 'cause different... is good." She commented, before displaying a simple smile. Giulia eventually drew up a smile as she made the plan of focusing on the future, instead of the present.

* * *

Kiana sprayed once more on the transparent glass, then began wiping properly to get rid of any stain and only when she was done did she make her way back into the coffee shop.

"Enrico Vos, the American-Italian CEO of Edoardo vineyards..." The mention of the familiar name caused her to come to a halt. She had an idea where the voice hailed from, so she made a turn towards it. As she stared at the screen of the television hung on the wall, her brows slowly furrowed whilst she read the headline.

Enrico Vos and Cecile Sterling, soon to be married.

She felt her heart sink deep upon reading the headline and as the image of him sliding a ring onto Cecile Sterling's finger came up, her eyes grew watery. Eventually she looked away as she gulped down. Her legs felt shaky, so, for that moment, she stood frozen to that very spot.

He truly never loved me after all.

She stated within her mind as she felt the light of betrayal illuminate within her, but then again, she had ended things with him as well. She had moved and stayed away from him as much as possible. It hurt a great deal, but she did it anyway because she thought of his happiness. She didn't want to spoil his name and reputation with her background. She didn't want him to live with the fact of having to tolerate everything about her life. He deserved someone way better than her and perhaps, that person was Cecile Sterling.

She shut her eyes in pain and the tears came trickling down her cheeks. Unable to listen anymore to the news, she turned and quickly walked away.

* * *

"This or this." Giulia questioned as she raised an opened page of a bridal magazine to both Enrico and Cecile. Two ladies dressed in different wedding gowns laid on either of the pages.

After a moment of staring, Enrico let out a sigh as he stood to his feet.

"I have important work to do." He started, as he walked away towards the door out of the room.

"I'll take my leave as well." Cecile blurted out right away, as she stood to her feet as well. Enrico stopped for a moment to take a look at her, their eyes met and he looked away before pulling the door to open and stepping out.

Giulia stared in silence as she watched Cecile walk away as well. Once alone in the room, she let out a tiresome sigh. The expression on her face, quite sad.

Cecile hastened her pace to catch up with Enrico and once by his side, she spoke up.

"Are you happy?" She suddenly asked and he was forced to take a look at her before looking away. He stood while waiting for the driver to get his car from where it was parked and she stood beside him.