Page 35 of His to Have
“I should probably head back to my room,” she said eventually, but made no move to leave.
I set down my knife and turned her in my arms so she was facing me again. Her lips were slightly parted, her eyes soft and unfocused in that way that told me she wasn’t thinking, just feeling.
“I’ll walk you back?” I told her quietly, my thumb tracing along her jawline.
Her breath caught, and I watched as her gaze dropped to my mouth and unconsciously leaned forward. Her body was anticipating what her mind hadn’t yet caught up with. She wanted me to kiss her.
She wouldn’t ask. Not yet anyway.
But, I’ll always give her exactly what she wants, or needs.
Inching closer to her lips, I kissed her. The kiss was slow and deep, years of wanting poured into it. She melted into me immediately, her hands clinging around my neck, pulling me closer. When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
“Come on. I’ll walk you to your room.
ten
Ayanna
This woman was trying every single bit of my patience.
The day was supposed to be about Teo and me—our wants and needs—but somehow, I’d been reduced to a silent observer in my own wedding planning. I sat quietly in the Donatelli compound, listening to the event planner tell me how I would prepare for my day—what decisions would be made, what would best honor traditions, and how little my own wishes necessarily mattered. I was trying to be calm, but the more she made plans that weren’t mine, the more irritated I became.
“For the procession, we’ll have the solo harpist begin with an instrumental rendition of ‘Ave Maria’. It’s a timeless choice. I’ve already confirmed with the musician to ensure it’s flawless,” the woman informed the table, her tone filled with certainty.
The statement instantly pulled me back into the whirlwind of planning the details, because I wasn’t feeling the musical selection. While a harpist was nice, I preferred something a bit more lively.
“A harpist? I was thinking more along the lines of a string quartet, and a live band for the reception,” I told her, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice.
The planner raised her eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with the suggestion. “Oh dear, finding a quartet on such short notice would be quite impossible, don’t you think?” she dismissed. “Trust me, the harpist is a much better choice. It will create an elegance that a band simply cannot match.”
She plastered on a fake smile, expecting me to nod and keep things moving smoothly. When I stared at her blankly, her expression tightened, but she pressed on. “I understand that you might not be familiar with the nuances of planning an event for a high-ranking member of the mafia, but trust me, darling, simplicity is key.” Then she tried to move on to the seating arrangement as if my desires didn’t matter.
I took a deep breath and clenched my hands in my lap, willing myself not to disrespect my elders or my future sister-in-law. Both Teo’s mom and grandmother sat at the table, along with his sister Sophia. My gaze drifted out of the window, taking in the beautiful Donatelli gardens. I’d promised myself to go with the flow, but I had my limits. And she was testing them.
“Now hang on a minute, Lidia,” Teo’s mother, Rita, stopped the event planner from moving on. “A string quartet and a live band both can be arranged. If Ayanna prefers strings and a band, you will make it happen,” she told her firmly. “Will you not?”
Lidia hesitated, clearly taken aback, but knew better than to challenge Rita. She was still the wife of the sitting Don, and her word carried significant weight in the family. Lidia quickly nodded, making a note in her planner. “Of course, Mrs. Donatelli. I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”
Still, Lidia’s hesitation and downright disrespect toward me didn’t sit right with me. I found myself staring blankly at the floral samples spread across the table. I was 1.2 seconds fromlosing my shit, because I thought pre-wedding preparations were supposed to feel magical. Instead, I was drowning and suppressing my frustration trying to appease everyone.
Including this looney-tune of a woman.
For an entire week, all I’d heard from everyone, excluding Teo, was how my role in this family symbolized unity and strength. Extended family harped on how every detail of the wedding had to be perfect, and how no one could detect any flaws, or weaknesses. It was almost exhausting hearing daily reminders of myresponsibilityto both families’ legacies, or trying to uphold everyone’s traditions.
I was alright with tradition, even accepted that this would become my new norm. What I wouldn’t sacrifice though, was my own sense of identity and happiness in the process. This wedding would reflect the joy I was determined to find in me and Teo’s partnership. And this woman would not dictate anything concerning our special day.
Before I could dwell further on my thoughts, Lidia’s annoying ass voice pulled me back to the present. “And now for the seating arrangements.”
She pulled out a detailed chart, spreading it across the large table. Color-coded sections filled the paper, detailing where each guest would be seated. With neat lines and carefully written names, the different families were grouped together, with the most prominent families positioned closest to the head table.
“Now,” she started, “We’ve placed your family on the left side of the aisle and Teo’s family on the right, ensuring both have a perfect view of the ceremony. We’ve also reserved a special section for close friends to keep the atmosphere intimate yet inclusive,” she told me.
“And what about theVitales? They are our closest allies and practically family to us,” Rita responded. “We need to ensurethey are seated with the utmost respect. Their presence is crucial, and their support means the world to theDonatellis.”
Lidia nodded, adjusting a few names on the chart— moving families I’d never heard of across the page, ensuring theVitaleswere prominently placed. “Of course, Mrs. Donatelli. I’ve updated the seating to reflect that. I’ve switched the Ricci family with the Vitales. How does this look?”
We all looked at the chart, and I shrugged, indifferent about this part of the planning. Where people chose to sit didn’t matter to me as long as everyone had a chair. But obviously seating was a huge deal.
