Page 26 of La Dolce Vita

“How do you feel?” he asked when they entered a hall that separated them from the guests.

“I’m fine. I am.”

“You sure? You know you can talk to me, Bella. We can see the doctors. They say..."

“No more doctors. The headaches and vomiting are over. I barely feel the muscle spasms anymore. They said that I’m healthy. I am. Or didn’t you notice last night?” she answered quickly over her beating heart.

He paused. She crossed her arms over her breasts and stared up at him. She could only see the rich outlines of his muscular physique in the dark hall. His black suit blended in with the shadows. The diamond tie-pin gleamed as did the diamond watch on his wrist. His ruggedly handsome face was vaguely clear.

Giovanni spoke in an odd yet gentle tone. “What I notice is every time you wake screaming and in pain, you’d rather have sex than tell me what frightens you.”

Shocked her mouth gaped. “I do not.”

“You do, Bella. You’re trying too hard to convince me that you’re perfect. I know you’re perfect,” he reached and touched her face. “The perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect Donna. But you’re human, too.”

His voice was calm and his gaze steady. She could not hide from him.

“The haircut. The dress. The party. You want to give us everything, but you need something. And I don’t know what it is.”

"Okay! I give up! You caught me. I'm a mess. And I'm a fraud. I need to get back to my guests." She turned to leave, but he caught her arm and stopped her.

“Why are you mad at me?”

“Because it’s a beautiful night. The first night in a long time where we can just have fun and relax. And you’re a hypocrite!”

“I’m what?” he let her arm go.

“You heard me. Those people out there. Those guests all know what he did to me. That I was kidnapped and drugged. It's the first time I'm out in public, and I need to make a good impression for you, not for me. I have to show them I'm still the confident woman you married.”

“How does that make me a hypocrite?”

"You want me to be vulnerable, and you expect me to be strong. You want me to open up about the deepest pain I carry right now, and you can barely tell me where you disappear to in the middle of the night. Yes, I get it, there are rules in this life and our marriage, but you can’t have secrets and expect me not to!”

“Bella? I want to help you. I love you.”

“So making love is a problem? I thought last night was fun," she wiped her tears.

He shook his head.

“You misunderstood me. I only want to make sure I’m the kind of husband that you deserve.” He took her hand and pulled her over. “Making love is never a problem. I just want you to know that I’m here for you. And I can feel when something is wrong.”

She put on a brave smile. “I’m fine. I swear it.”

“Va bene,” he kissed her hand. “Let’s go back to your party.”

“Are you going to stay? All night? See the last guest leave?” she asked.

He nodded.

Mirabella sighed with relief. She eased her arm around his waist. “Then let’s go find the children and show them that Mama and Daddy are fine.”

ChapterSix

Danny Boy – Two Days Later

Sorrento, Italy –

It had been forty-eight hours since he returned home. The last time he saw his wife and kids was the birthday celebration for his sister. Mirabella was so beautiful to him that night it hurt to look at her. Several times he noticed the things only a husband can see. She wasn't well. No matter what she said. And then he had to leave her side, disappointing her once again.

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