Page 18 of DeLuca: The Devil

“Come in,” I yell.

A gorgeous blonde woman walks in, holding some sort of case, “Hi. I’m Bianca. Mr. De Luca asked me to come do your make-up for today.”

“Oh. Wow, you’re early. Can I take a shower real fast?”

She gives me that sad look you give someone when they say they’re dying of a terminal disease, “Sure. Take your time. I’ll set up if that’s okay.”

I grab the lingerie I picked for today, and head to the bathroom. I turn on the shower and get undressed. Never in a million years did I think I’d be marrying Domenic De Luca. My father hates him and never would have agreed to this. But then I suppose that’s the point. If he had, Domenic wouldn’t have wanted to marry me. I want to be normal like Natalia. I want to meet a man, fall in love, and get married the way she will. Is it so terrible to want someone who can’t live without you? I step into the shower and let the hot water fall over my skin. I’m panicked about today. We are having the ceremony on his property outside. Then we are having drinks with his brothers and sister. That’s the part I’m most nervous about. Will they hate me? They’re a mafia family, so one of them could talk him into killing me. Or perhaps they’ll do it themselves. I miss Nat. I need her here today on the worst day of my life. I asked Domenic about seeing her, but he only said, “Soon.” He didn’t clarify when the hell soon would be.

A knock at the bathroom door tells me I’ve probably taken longer than I should have. There’s something about this shower. Every time I stand under that hot stream of water, I never want to get out. It’s become like a sanctuary to me. It’s peaceful.

“One second,” I yell as I turn the water off, towel dry quickly, and throw the robe on that’s hanging on the back of the door. I open the door and am instantly frozen in my tracks.

“Natalia?”

“Surprise!” She cackles with glee as she throws her arms around me.

“What are you doing here?”

She steps back from me and places her hands on her hips, “Like I’d miss my best bitch’s wedding!”

I look over her shoulder at Bianca, who is impatiently waiting, “Well it’s not a real wedding. I assume you must know that. I have to get my make-up done.”

She lets me pass, and I sit in the chair Bianca points to, “Alright, let's get this farce over with.”

Natalia sits on the bed across from us.

Bianca assesses my face, “It’s going to take a little work to cover up these bruises. Did Mr. De Luca…” She trails off as if she remembers her place.

“No, he didn’t. It was someone else.”

Natalia starts rambling her private thoughts as Bianca starts my makeup. “Mob daddy is going to freak. I wish I could be there to see his complete and total meltdown. Enzo too. That guy isn’t a mobster, he's a monster.”

I shrug, “Yeah, it’s going to start an all-out mob war. Who knows who will be left standing at the end of it.”

She finishes the foundation and sets it down, then grabs eyeliner. I ask Nat, “How did you know to come here?”

“Your groom sent for me. He wanted you to have me with you today. I don’t think he’s as bad as they say.”

I snort, “He is. Domenic threatened to take away my clothing.”

She giggles, obviously thinking it's funnier than I do, “And leave you naked?”

“Yes!” I squeal, “And leave me naked.”

“Oh, my sweet baby Jesus! Did you guys have sex?”

I roll my eyes at her while she continues to pretend Bianca is not in the room. But then we are forced to stop talking so she can apply the eyeliner. I can feel Nat’s impatience for me to answer her question but I’m not sure I’m going to. Luckily, my friend is quiet the rest of the time Bianca is doing my make-up. When she finishes, she hands me a mirror, “If you don’t like it, I can make changes.”

“Wow,” I say as I look in the mirror. My eyes are smoky but not so much that I look like a raccoon. Somehow, she made them really stand out. And the bruises are not visible at all.

“I’m on standby if you need a touch up.”

I smile, “Thank you. I really do love it.”

“So did you?” Are the first words out of Nat's mouth after the make-up artist leaves.

I roll my eyes, “I have to get my lingerie on. The dress and hair lady will likely be here soon.”

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