Back Again with another chapter!!!! I also wanted to make a reminder; please be respectful in the comments! I will delete comments that are flat out disrespectful or quite unnecessary
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The past few days living with Dominic has been a dream I never want to wake up from. We spent the rest of the weekend locked up at the house together. We watched movies, talked for hours, cooked together...It felt as if we never left New York.
I thought going back to work on Monday would be hard, but it turned out to be a great arrangement. Dominic would drop me off at work; he would run off to do his work and pick me up at the end of the day. Besides working from home, Dominic has made it his mission to gain the respect of mama. He would drive to the house every day with flowers, a bottle of wine and listen to my mama complain about the many reasons why she hates him. I knew by the end of the week she was happy to see him on her doorstep. Dominic started to secretly love it too, the way he would gush about my mother at dinner...it made me somewhat worried how taken he was at a woman bashing him so violently. Even though we still had our stepbacks, you would think we were a normal couple.
The week has gone by so fast. In a blink, it's Sunday, and Dominic is scheduled to leave tonight. I wanted to spend the day by myself in the house. Still, mama insisted she come over and cook for us as a 'good riddance' dinner, but I know she wanted to spend the last day with Dominic.
We woke up early Sunday. We wanted to spend as much time together as before mama came and invaded our space. I started on breakfast as Dominic sat at the dining table, drinking coffee and reading the paper.
I served his plate of pancakes and fruits before sitting down beside him with my plate.
"I can't believe you're going back today." I sulked quietly. Dominic set his paper aside and grabbed my hand.
"You acting like it's over."
"I know, but...I'm going to miss you."
"I'm a plane ride and a phone call away. Call me. I'll be there. I meant it to you and your mama; I won't rush you to move in with me."
"I can't bother you too much, and I know you have so much work to do. I can only imagine the trouble awaiting you."
By trouble, I mean his parents. Dominic has been excellent at hiding the excessive phone calls, emails, and messages his parents have sent him since he left with me to New York. I saw just a few of the worried texts from his mother while he was in the shower. She is very concerned about him and wants him home immediately. After Dominic explained to his father that Dante was in charge until his return, his father stopped contacting him. His father seemed much more understanding than his mother.
"I can handle my parents. I don't want you worrying about me; we need to focus on us."
"Speaking of us, I was thinking of ways I can be productive when I move back to Genoa. I can't sit around the house waiting for you to finish work."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Maybe working part-time at--"
"Absolutely not. You will not be working for someone else. If you want a job, it will be your own company."
"I don't know how to run my own company!"
"I'll teach you, and we can hire people to help you, but no wife of mine will be someone's lackey. I forbid it." Dominic grunted.
"I'm not even sure what company I would want to start!"
"You liked the real estate settings; you can start a business around that. Keep brainstorming ideas of what you want to do but working for someone is out the question."
After breakfast, I sat alone in the living room, brainstorming ideas of careers I would want to dabble in. Real estate is definitely on the list, but the idea of buying, flipping and reselling the home seems more interesting than simply selling houses. Party planning has also come to mind, but I'm not sure if Dominic would like the idea of people telling me what to do, even if it's for their own party.
Dominic dragged me away from my brainstorming around late afternoon. He had a final surprise for us. It was a long drive past the city. Soon we were surrounded by open fields, fresh air, and the beauty of nature. The car came to a halt at a pier. A small yacht was waiting at the dock, and a captain was holding a large bouquet of red roses. The dock's sign read "Lago di Garda" (Lake Garda), Italy's biggest lake.
"I thought we would take a boat ride around the lake," Dominic spoke as he parked the car.
Dominic exited the car first and walked over to the passenger side to let me out. Hand in hand, we walked slowly to the dock. The captain nodded at us and handed me the bouquet before boarding the yacht.
Dominic waited for the engine to start before stepping onto the boat. He reached his hand out towards me to help me, board.
We walked toward the front of the yacht, where two patio chairs sat facing the lake. Between the chairs was a table with a bucket of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a platter of cheese, fruits, and crackers.
"This is beautiful, thank you, Dominic," I whispered as I kissed him.
"You are welcome, my love."
We sat on the chairs and waited patiently for the captain to drive the boat.
The ride around the lake was the most beautiful and simple date Dominic could've done for me. It was quiet around the lake; the waves around the boat and the squeal of the birds flying by were the only sounds heard. We indulged ourselves with the champagne and fruits provided while we took in the beautiful scenery. Words were barely spoken between us. It was nice. Sometime during the ride, I found myself in Dominic's lap. As the boat turned around back to the docks, the memories of our first meeting passed through my mind. Dominic has changed so much since we've first met. I've changed so much since we met. I never thought we could be like this. I never thought I could be happy with someone who took me away from life for so long. Any doubt that lingered was completely cleared.
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We got back to the docks after a few hours of driving around the lake. The captain helped us off the boat before driving away again. The sun began to set as we drove back home. Mama called us on the way home to say she was at the house and preparing dinner.
We arrived at the house and was greeted by my brother sitting in the living room watching television and my mother in the kitchen. Dominic was quick to leave my side to kiss mama on the cheek and ask her about her day. Their relationship has been a weird emotional rollercoaster, but I'm glad they're on better terms. I joined my brother on the couch.
"How are you doing today, sis?" Roberto asked.
"I'm okay for now. How have you been?"
"I'm okay; I can't say the same for mama and papa."
I haven't asked about my papa since he refused to come to my engagement party. He's been missing throughout this entire journey because I chose to stay with Dominic. Even if he didn't respect my decision, he should have been there with me as my father. Mama was there, Roberto was there, even my Nonna and Nonno were there for me!
"Where is he this time?"
"He's back home, but he refused to come today. He's distraught you chose to stay."
"He's acting as if I had a choice in the first place! This wasn't a choice I made; this is me finding happiness in a decision out of my control. If he wants to be angry with anyone, it needs to be his ancestors."
"I went into his office when he was sleeping. I think papa hired some people to make you disappear if you chose to run away from Dominic. He had a fake passport, death certificate, a birth certificate...I'm not sure how he got in contact with these people." Roberto whispered.
"Papa isn't as innocent as he claims to be. Dominic told me that Papa had gotten his hands dirty to keep the success he has. Of course, nothing too dangerous or criminal, but I'm sure it wasn't legal either."
"Until last night, I wouldn't believe you, but after seeing those documents...They looked so real!"
"I can't imagine what he had to pay to get his hands on those."
"Maybe that's why he's been gone so much."
"Who knows, but I never asked him to do that for me. I asked him to support me, and he refused. So I refused to support or care about him or the trouble he got himself into."
I need people who support me unconditionally despite their beliefs around me. The world is already against me; I don't need my famiglia against me too.
Soon we were all sitting at the table, bowing our heads as Mama led us in prayer. Mama served a classic three-course meal. We had Mushroom Risotto; our entrees were Fiorentina steak with greek salad and focaccia bread and dessert Tiramisu. She outdid herself with this meal; it was her way of saying goodbye to Dominic.
After dinner, Mama and Roberto agreed to stay and join us at the airport. I needed support when Dominic boards the plane. Mama and Roberto gave us privacy as Dominic finished packing his last-minute clothes. Dominic ordered a car to take us to the airport. I held onto Dominic's hand from the moment we finished dinner to the arrival of the car. I wasn't ready to let him go.
Mama and Roberto sat in the middle seat of the SUV while Dominic and I sat in the very back row. It was a tight fit but being snuggled close to Dominic was peaceful during this time of duress. The ride to the airport was silent. The soft voice from the radio filled the car. My eyes remained closed throughout the whole ride. I was afraid that when I open them, I won't be able to control my tears. Dominic stroked my hands and kissed my hair periodically, but I felt his rapid heartbeat in his chest; he wasn't doing so well with separating.
The car came to a halt. We arrived at the private tarmac. Dominic's plane was already docked, and the staff were standing at the stairs waiting for Dominic to board. Dante, his guard, was a familiar face on the tarmac.
Mama and Roberto got out first, then me and Dominic. I stepped aside for Mama to give Dominic a hug and kiss goodbye. She whispered something in his ear; Dominic smiled and nodded before giving her a final kiss on the cheek. Roberto gave a quick hug and shook his hand before he stepped to the side with Mama. I walked with Dominic up towards the stairs of the plane.
Dominic nodded at Dante before turning to look at me. This is the first time I looked into his eyes since we left the house. Tears began to pour instantly. Dominic smiled as he wiped my tears away.
"Don't tell me not to cry." I whispered.
"I won't, even though your tears make me uncomfortable."
"Too bad."
"You'll join me soon, I hope. This isn't goodbye." He reminded me.
"I know but I don't know how I'll sleep without you. I've gotten so use to you being there. It will hurt to wake up and your not there."
"We will be together when you're ready. Then you'll never wake up alone."
"Soon."
"Soon."
Dominic leaned down to give me a powerful kiss.