Page 21 of Velvet Chains

Vincenzo must have sensed my nerves because he patted me on the arm.

“I don't know why you're so nervous.” He whispered to me with a soft smile that didn't reach his eyes. To an outsider, he must have looked loving, like he was whispering sweet nothings in my ear.

My breathing accelerated, my heartbeat now drumming in my ears. My chest was heaving as I tried to steady myself. It was Vincenzo’s firm grip on my arm that calmed me down, grounding me. I looked up at him and his expression was unreadable; a perfect mask of calm and control. I doubted anything could faze him.

I admired the fact that he was so calm, but I also hated it. How could he be that put together? I resented the way he seemed to navigate such deception with ease. I, on the other hand, wasn't cut for any kind of subterfuge. My friends usually teased me by calling me the worst poker player in the world.

Sarah and Mark finally stepped out of the elevator and miraculously, I managed to pull myself together. Sarah spotted me.

She looked stunning, like a glowing goddess. She was wearing a blue sundress and her blonde hair was pulled back into a low braid that hung over her shoulder. Sarah rushed over, her excitement evident from her bright smile, sparkling eyes and her hurried steps. I forced a smile in return, bracing myself for the barrage of inevitable questions.

I hugged her quickly, then I wrapped my arms back around Vincenzo’s. I squeezed his arm, seeking support and he squeezed mine back, making me smile a little. As I rested my hands on Vincenzo’s bicep, Sarah spotted the ring on my finger.

“Oh my God! Izzy, are you engaged?! Why didn’t you tell me?!” Sarah started, her voice both shocked and delighted.

“Let’s head to the restaurant first, then I promise I’ll tell you the everything.”

“I see you want to keep me on my toes, I don’t mind,” she said, still sounding excited. I greeted Mark, and Vincenzo greeted him too before we began to move to the restaurant. Mark looked stunned at the sight of Vincenzo, and Vincenzo's stony glare grew more intense as he no doubt recalled what had happened at the wedding.

The restaurant was as equally exquisite as the rest of the building, and their menu offered a wide variety of fresh sea food, which was something I absolutely loved. I guess I could consider this on the bright side of being stuck in a fake engagement with a Mafia boss in Palermo.

“So now that we’re seated, spill the tea! Are you really engaged or is that ring just for show?”

“Yes,” I said with a stiff smile.

“Which one is it?”

“I am engaged,” I said, with the most genuine smile that I could muster. It felt weird to say it out loud; it was like talking about it gave it more life. Whether it was for show or not, I was now engaged in the eyes of Sarah and Mark, this was serious for them.

“How?”

“It all happened so quickly,” I said, glancing at Mark who had been really quiet. I couldn’t help but notice Mark as he sat next to Sarah, his expression, a complex mix of surprise, lingering regret, and curiosity. He looked at me like I was the one that got away, and that had me frowning. I was confused at first, but I brushed it off. His eyes fixated on the ring, then moved to Vincenzo, assessing him with a frown. What was his problem? Vincenzo must have felt the same way because he shot a dark look at Mark.

We were now seated in a private dining area which was secluded from the restaurant’s main sala, but still had a stunning view of the beautiful sea. Just like the rest of the building, the wall facing the sea was made of glass. If you listened close enough, you could hear the sound of the waves gently accompanying the live piano bar music of the restaurant.

Despite the beautiful setting, I could feel the tension simmering under my skin. Thankfully, although Vincenzo and Mark had been busy glaring at each other mere seconds ago, they were both doing a good job of looking friendly now.

Sarah was the only one that really felt like talking. She began to chatter on and on, telling us all about what a wonderful time she was having at Palermo. However, while she spoke, she shot me occasional glances of curiosity, confusion and thinly veiled suspicion. I knew that she was going to come back to the topic of our engagement. She knew me and knew how much I valued forging deep and strong bonds. I was aware it wouldn't be easy to convince her that this whirlwind affair and engagement was real. I also knew that she would be worried about me getting engaged to a foreigner so far from home.

Despite being able to anticipate and prepare for her questions, I was dreading them. I had to get it together as soon as possible. But, as if sensing my discomfort, she continued to lead the conversation, stirring to easier topics, giving me some reprieve from the tension currently chocking me. I still felt the walls closing in on me.

“So how did you two meet?” Sarah asked, her eyes darting in between Vincenzo and me, as if looking for a crack in the façade, as if waiting for me to burst into tears and tell her that everything is a lie. Before I could bring myself to speak, Vincenzo started.

“It was destiny, that was the only way I could describe it. It was like we were intentionally placed in each other’s paths. The moment I saw her, I knew she was the one.”

“Wow,” Sarah said, enthralled. She leaned in closer, resting her chin in her palms while her elbows were on the table, “tell me more.” She then glanced at me, “I want to know everything.”

"It started with a simple mistake. We were both at the airport and our paths wouldn't have crossed if our bags didn't look so similar. There I was, with the most beautiful woman I had ever met insisting that my bag was hers..."

"That's not true!" I interjected.

"It is. We were there, arguing over the bag and Isabelle here has the bright idea to open it to prove that it's hers." My heart pounded as he got to that part of the story.

"It… it was a good idea." I whine in a shaky voice, wondering if he was actually going to tell them the truth.

"Yes, and it would have worked if the bag didn't immediately pop open. Everything in it popped out, my clothes and documents. It was already awkward enough, but when Belle tried to help pick them up, she stopped short when she picked up one item." I exhaled a sigh of relief at his words.

"Why?" Sarah asked, sounding excited.

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