Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Adulthood, however, had changed all of that. The two of them had become thick as thieves, and no one knew better than Massimo how incredible it was for Cesare to end up falling in love with his arranged bride.
It was after over an hour of dancing that one of the family-owned choppers came to pick up the newlyweds, and since the bride and groom were no longer with them, Massimo was also ready to call it a night.
But just as he was about to get to his feet, La Strega came over to the table he shared with his brothers, and the look on her still-lovely face had Massimo knowing right away something was up.
"May we speak in private, Massimo?"
A request from his grandmother was never truly a request, and Massimo obligingly walked the older woman to one of the private balconies circling the ballroom.
"Why do I have a feeling this isn't going to be good?" he asked her teasingly.
"Because you take after me," she answered archly.
"Conscienceless?"
"Intuitive."
A crooked smile touched Massimo's lips as he stepped back from his grandmother. "Since it is not your style to waste time on flattering any of your grandsons—-what you're about to command me to do must be something incredibly important."
Since Potenziana saw no point beating around the bush, she simply met her grandson's gaze and said her piece.
"I have found a bride for you."
A muscle started ticking in Massimo's jaw. He had known this day would come sooner or later, but wasn't this a little too soon?
"Her parents and I expect both of you to be married in a fortnight."
"Am I allowed to know who she is before our wedding?"
"You already know her," La Strega answered with a shrug. "Ynez—-"
Massimo blinked. Seriously?
"She has an older sister, sì? Ysabel—-"
Massimo stared at his grandmother in disbelief. "Are you fucking—-"
"Language, per favore!"
"You can't be serious!"
"I am, very."
"Isn't this is a little too much, even for you, Nonna?"
"Are you saying you will not obey me on this?"
A moment passed...and then Massimo was inclining his head in mocking assent. "Certo che no, Nonna." Of course not. "It will be as you wish, as always."
"If it means anything—-Ynez will get over losing you." But Potenziana could not say the same for Ysabel...if this marriage did not work out.
Massimo politely excused himself soon after, but the older woman stayed in the balcony, needing to be alone with her thoughts.
The two sisters were as different as day and night, and truth be told...
Buon Dio, I have indeed turned into a meddling old woman.
She would never have chosen the older girl for Massimo...if she had not accidentally found out about Ysabel's feelings for him.
Now it is your turn, bambina.
Potenziana could only hope Ysabel would succeed in stealing her grandson's heart...or it was the girl's own heart that Massimo would end up breaking instead.
Two
Ysabel
Door chimes jingle as I push the glass doors open, and my boss-slash-step-aunt beams at me from her usual place behind the counter.
"Buongiorno, bella!"
"Buongiorno!"
"Buongiorno!"
Everyone joyfully greets me like I'm hard of hearing, but all of them also cringe when I sing out 'good morning' in response in my usual off-key tone. Hmph. Can't they just respect my dedicated effort to being Boston's very own Lana del Rey?
Carlita catches my eyes when a group of schoolgirls enters the diner, and I bite back a sigh. Mamma mia, here we go again...literally.
The girls giggle as soon as I come around to their table, and as soon as I flash them my friendliest smile, it's as if the floodgates have opened, and a torrent of questions comes rushing out.
Are you Ynez Ossani's older sister?
Is your sister really dating THE Massimo Marchetti?
How is he in real life?
It's been like this ever since Ynez and Massimo made their relationship public, and I've gotten used to becoming famous by connection. "It's a yes to all of your questions," I say cheerfully, "but you need to give me your orders first before I can answer anything else."
They groan even as they good-naturedly give in, and as I turn away to pass their orders to the kitchen, I overhear one of them saying they'll need to leave in half an hour to avoid being late for their first class.
Carlita shakes her head in amusement as I hand her the order slip. "Signore Massimo is really something, sì? Those girls are—-what? Quindici? Sedici?"
"They're still in high school, for sure."
Carlita laughs. "Che incredible. I cannot say he is any more or less handsome than his brothers, but there is really something too irresistible about your sister's boyfriend, don't you think?"
"I don't think I'm supposed to say yes to that." My quip makes Carlita laugh, and I manage to grin like it's no big deal even when my heart is still breaking over her words. It's another thing I've gotten used to, thanks to repeatedly hearing people refer to Massimo as my sister's boyfriend.