I take them in and my heart drops. They are a beautiful couple which only makes me think they made even more beautiful sons. This confirms my inner dread that I will be a massive disappointment to them. I take my time, letting my family lead the way in the hopes that no one would see me until my father joins them to introduce everyone.
I look down, watching every move I make to avoid embarrassing myself as well as everyone else by tripping, and I silently beg any God who will hear me that I disappear into the background and become invisible.
The huge older gentleman extends a hand out to my father, shaking it hard. I'm assuming this is him, Mr. Russo. "Welcome, welcome friends." His bright smile beams at my father, his grey eyes crinkling at the corner. "I'm so happy that this day has finally arrived. Please, please come on in. Let's grab ourselves a drink before dinner, shall we? " He turns, placing a hand on my father's shoulder to guide him inside.
With her hand extended towards the house, the lovely woman speaks softly. "Ladies, proceed this way." As she glides behind the males with my mother and Rebekah leaving me four steps down to watch as I get my wish.No one noticed me.
Mrs. Russo is shorter than my mother and has blonde hair that has streaks of almost pure silver that make it shimmer in the sun. There isn't a blemish on her face, and although the corner of her lovely blue eyes crinkles when she smiled, it only adds to her beauty. She is gorgeous.
I watch these magnificent people approach the open door and walk through, chatting away with each other, so comfortable in their own skin.
Finally, I move up the steps, reaching the top without falling. I look back down at the big guy and he is watching me. His mouth quirks up at the corner in an attempt at a smile. He gives his head a slight nod like he’s saying: "You got this." I smile back and nod my silent thanks. I turn and head to the door.
Everyone is heading off to an open door to the left, and I take a few minutes to examine Mr. Russo, and I can't help but think he is beautiful for a man. I don't know if older men are even called beautiful, but Amato Russo is striking.
His salt and pepper hair is styled short on the sides and longer on top, giving it a velvety appearance. His beard is dark with some grey streaks running through it, and he has intense grey eyes that crease at the corner when he smiles. His strong thighs, enormous chest, and broad shoulders give me the impression that he works out, and unlike my father, he does not have a pouch on his tummy. If it's any indication of what Alexander might look like,oh my God!
Did someone switch my Diazepam for a female version of Viagra or what the hell?
Hormone’s much!
As I puff out a breath, I cast one more glance over myself. I regretwearing red. It's not like I can blend in, disappear into a corner, and fade into the background.
I'm a big red beacon of "Here I am!"
Taking my eyes off my future father-in-law, I can’t help but stop dead in my tracks.
A twelve-foot-tall stained glass window depicting an Italian village scene is featured in the centre of the top of a double staircase which winds around the upper balcony on the top floor of the house. A big, cream-and-gold-upholstered couch sits in the centre, under the window. The sun shining through the window casts a rainbow of colours across the marble foyer, catching my eye.
My attention is drawn back to the floor at my feet, cast in a multitude of colours, noting the large ten-foot round Tuscan medallion set into the Calacatta Gold marble flooring, each curve cut to perfection, making the Emperador dark marble stand out. An ornate mahogany table sits in the centre of the intricate design, with a flower arrangement in the middle. Again, I'm awe-struck by the elegance of my surroundings, forgetting to move along with the others.
Seeing movement out of the corner of my eye, I see that everyone seems to be walking over to the left side of the foyer, where a set of gilded double doors are open to what I assume will be a sitting room. Taking one last glance at the magnificent stained glass window, I turned to catch up with the group. I can hear my high heels clicking across the floor, and try as I might, I can't step any lighter to stop the sound from echoing off the walls. The closer to the doors I get, the more my stomach churns, which brings on the need to pee.
Damn it!
I know I can't hold this off and asking to use the washroom before I even get to be introduced to my soon-to-be in-laws is far from proper etiquette. Taking a chance, I hunt to see if I canobserve any doors that might lead to a washroom. I check to make sure no one is looking back at me. I side-step down a hall, making sure to use my tiptoes to stop the echo of my shoes. I figure privacy is better in a situation like this.
Turning down another long hallway, I spot an older woman standing by a buffet table. I'm thinking she's a maid because she's got on a black uniform and is fussing with the ample trays of coffee and cakes set about on the table. "Excuse me?" I whisper.
She whips around and jumps, eyes wide. "Oh, my dear... you scared the daylights out of me." Her hand goes to her chest and she shakes her head.
“I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I need your help," I whisper again.
Her smile grows soft. "My name is Maria." She reaches out with her hand to grasp mine. With a gentle shake, she holds on to it, softly patting the top with her other hand. "What can I help you with, sweetheart?”
∞∞∞
Chapter 5 ~ Alexander
I'm late!
I fucking hate being late.
Pushing harder on the brake than I need to, the car skids to a halt at the bottom of the stairs with a screech. In my hurry to save time, I swing open the car door not waiting for Carlos to open it and rush around the front of the car, heading straight for the stairs. Taking the steps two at a time, I look up quickly, spotting Carlos standing at the top of the landing, his arms clasped in front of his waist, his black sunglasses reflecting my every step.
As I reach the top, he slightly lifts one questioning eyebrow above his sunglasses. Great! Not only am I going to be in shit with my father, but it looks like Carlos is in the mood to join him. Jesus, I’m late one bloody time and it's like high school. They want to drag my ass to the principal's office.
Reaching his side I look at him, palms out, snapping at him. "What?"
