The Beginning (The Life 1)

“You don’t know why they like to be late?” He gave me a look like I was stupid over his shoulder. Of course, he knows; he knows them as well as I do.

“How else are we going to show off this?” Anna did a flourishing wave of her hand up and down her body clad in a black and gold evening gown that came to her knees. Of course, Rosa was dressed the same, the two of them a perfect accompaniment, to the more grownup style of Gianna’s gown.

Jewelry, I forgot to get her some. She wore a pair of diamond and sapphire studs that I was sure belonged to one of my sisters and a choker to match that went well with her eyes. I would’ve gone with D-Grade ice diamonds; flower petal-shaped maybe. Her eyes are the only colored gems she needs as far as I’m concerned.

Besides, are we at the jewelry buying stage? The ass walking ahead of me would have a lot to say about that, I’m sure. Still, she should have her own jewelry and lots of it.

It’s getting harder to remember why I started this whole thing in the first place, especially with today’s events. While I was out shopping, I told myself that it was all just part of my plot, so it didn’t matter how overboard I went. Even when I got lost in choosing the right colors, the right fit, the right everything to my exacting specifications, I told myself it was just in anticipation of seeing the enemy’s reaction to the changes I was about to make in her.

But how was I to know that she’d be transformed in just one damn day? As if she wasn’t already fucking with my head, she had to go and pull this shit. The sweet, demure Gianna, with the curly hair and innocent eyes, I could maybe see myself resisting. I could’ve easily slotted her in with my sisters and left it at that.

The little interruptions she’d brought thus far weren’t much, and I’m sure I could’ve fought any unwanted attachment. I’m not fickle enough to be swayed by a woman’s looks. But this; if I turn her into what I’d planned to, I’d be setting myself up for some shit that I don’t need. A self-assured Gianna who looks like she does right now might be more trouble than I bargained for. But I can’t deny what’s real.

My skin burned where she touched me through the fine wool of the tux, and I was very aware of her every breath; that’s how I was able to detect the fact that she wasn’t breathing. “Breathe, Gianna, and hold your head up.” Her smile looked strain, and I felt her nerves through the fingers that clasped my forearm.

She straightened her shoulders and lifted her head as we made our way downstairs, where the others were waiting. Ma had somehow talked Sheila into going to the opera, which should be fun; she hates it almost as much as I do. Her antics should hopefully keep the spotlight off me while I get myself together. I’d told her to breathe, but the truth is, I wasn’t doing too well in that department myself.

“Why are you shaking?” I asked her softly so no one else could hear.

“I wasn’t aware that I was, sorry.”

“You look beautiful, and this opera is one of the best, you’ll enjoy it, I’m sure. You seem the type.” My words of encouragement only seemed to heighten her nervousness, but since there was nothing to be done about it at this point, I left it alone and led her outside to the waiting car.

When she clutched her hands together as she sat beside me and I had to whisper the word breathe in her ear again, I realized this was a bigger deal to her than I’d anticipated. Her discomfort seemed to stem more from being included in the grandeur of the evening than anything else. Like the fact that my family had been treating her as one of their own, the whole day was somehow unsettling. Maybe all of this inclusion and acceptance was too much too soon.

She could have no idea that her reaction was putting more nails in her family’s coffins. The fact that she was this affected by a dress, some shoes, and a few kind words from people she’d only just met, told me more than words, just what kind of life she’s led.

Anna and Rosa, on the other hand, were in contrast, their usual carefree, relaxed selves as they hounded Pop about something they just had to have before we go back tomorrow, while Gianna seemed to be trying to disappear into the seatback. How could I overlook her unease? While I was enjoying the new her, she was in torment.