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“I know my sweet boy, I know. But you had me. I raised you and Arturo to be respectful, and you always knew no matter what, I loved you, and you have each other's back no matter what. Can you imagine what it would have been like growing up in this house without me? Without Arturo?”
“Pretty bad.”
“Alora didn’t have that. I know what it is like to live with a man that hates you. That doesn't love you. Promise me you will try.” Tears poured from her eyes. “Do it for me.”
“Alright, mom. I will try.”
“Here.” She handed me an envelope and a box. “This envelope is for Alora. I want you to give it to her if you can learn to love her. But only then. If you can't learn to love her, she can never see what's in this envelope.”
I took the envelope in my hand. “What is in here?”
“I hope you will find out. Open the box.” I opened it to see two heart-shaped cufflinks. I looked at her and smiled as she took them out and put them in my hand. “My baby is getting married. I want you to look at these as a reminder that you will try to love Alora.” I nodded. “We better go. I am going to go get my things and fix my make-up.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek.
I walked over, grabbing the small bag I had packed with some things I wanted to keep on me. I ran my hand over the envelope and tucked it into the bottom of the bag.
I looked in the mirror, straightening my tie in the hotel bathroom mirror. “This is ridiculous. I’ve spent a total of one hour with the woman who will be my wife,” I looked down at the watch on my right wrist. ”One hour.”
Arturo walked over, fixing my tie for me. “It will be alright.”
I shook my head. “Mom made me promise to try and love her.”
Arturo looked at me, his eyebrows arched to the top of his head. “She did?”
“Yeah, apparently she knew her mom and I don't know. Something about how she knows what it is like to be forced to marry a man who hates you.”
“Well, she would be the expert on that. Stefano is an asshole.” He patted my shoulder. “There, ready to go get hitched?”
“I guess so. You got the rings?”
He nodded. “Yes, right here,” tapping his breast pocket. Mom had picked them out and said she found out her ring size. Mom and Stefano were waiting in the lobby when we walked down. Mom turned, a big smile on her face. “Oh, my boys,” she laid her hand on both of our chests, “You look so handsome.”
“Thanks, mom.” We both leaned in, kissing her cheek.
“Let's go before we are late.” Stefano sneered behind her.
We loaded into the limo, making the short drive to the Volante complex. “Why did the ceremony get moved?”
“This girl insisted that if she had to marry you, she was doing it at home. And apparently wouldn't budge,” Stefano informed us.
Mom smiled. “Good for her.”
We pulled up to an iron gate, heavily guarded. The gates opened leading up to a huge mansion, probably twice the size of ours. I glanced around. The fence stretched further in both directions than you could see. The front of the house was lined with cars. We pulled up and exited. The man who had been standing outside the conference room with Nick opened the door. He held his hand to mom and helped her out, Arturo and I climbing out the other side.
“Marco, how are you? We didn't get a chance to talk at the meeting.” Mom said, looking at a man standing with Nick.
He smiled down at her and gave her a nod. “I am good Voralie, how are you?”
“Good. My son and your niece.” She shook her head.
He laughed. “Yeah.” He leaned in whispering something to her, then looked at Stefano. “Stefano.”
“Marco.” he walked past him.
Marco looked at me. “All your things have been put in your room. I will lead you to where you can wait. We will start in about twenty minutes.”
“Thank you.” I walked up offering mom my arm. We followed Marco into the house, I leaned in. “What did he say to you?”
She smiled. “That Sofia was watching down on this day.”
