Chapter 5 0

Lia laid on her bed recalling her dinner date with Franco. It gave her euphoric feelings to think of how well their outing had gone. They had learnt so much about each other from just their first outing that she began to feel that she had known him for many years.

She now understood all those feelings Serena had talked about in the past. How her boyfriend, made her feel. She finally felt the same way presently. A feeling that was absent with the other men she had gone out with previously.

She had been right when she said that when she finally finds love she will know. And today she can comfortably say that she had found it.

Franco also seemed to like her very much. If he did not, then he would have been a very good actor. He rarely took his eyes off her and at the end of their dinner he had said. "I'm beginning to like you very much.

I think I'm falling in love with you, Lia." Franco had continued softly looking her directly in the eyes.

"I..." Lia found it difficult responding to him. She was mesmerized by how handsome he was. She had a lot she wanted to say to him but did not know how to say it. I wish Sofia and Serena were here with me. They would have helped out.

Just as if he had read her mind, Franco said. "I see you are not with your friends today. What were their names again?"

"Sofia and Serena." That was quite easy to answer. Lia thought.

"You've known them for long?" Franco Pressed on

"Yes. We've been best friends since childhood." Lia replied.

They were both silent for a while. Each in their various worlds. Happy that the evening was going well.

Just like her brother, Lorenzo, Franco had also gone off to school in America before coming back to join his father in the family business. Very typical of most wealthy Italian families.

She also learnt that Franco was the only son and child of his parents before the evening was over.

Later that evening Lia had wondered if his dad was a friend or business partner of Papa. Here in Algrios there were only a small circle of wealthy families. They knew each other and they were either friends, business partners or ... . Lia did not want to think of the last option. She shivered a little bit.

"Are you cold?" Franco had asked noticing that she had shivered a little.

Probably, the air conditioning in the restaurant was too cold for her. She had dressed in a very simple but beautiful sky blue skirt and a white blouse which fitted her slender figure. She had not left most of her skin bare as most girls these days did. He had seen too much of it while he was away studying and did not really like the fashion the world was tending towards for women.

Lia's beauty was rare. Her brown hair which fell slightly below her shoulders formed a big contrast to her very fair skin but matching her brown eyes. She was about five feet five or was it six? Franco thought to himself. He had not taken his eyes off her for more than a minute since she arrived.

"I'm fine." Lia had responded loving the fact that he was taking note of her every move. To her that was a sign that he actually cared.

She was going to keep their love a secret from her family for a little while. She wanted to be sure that Franco loved her enough.

But at dinner time her father had surprised her by bringing it up. "So how was your dinner date yesterday? And when are you introducing the young man to us?

The dinner table was silent for what seemed like eternity.

It had been quite a while she had gone on a dinner date. She had always told them before the day but this one she had kept a secret.

However that was not what surprised her. Her dad had never asked her about her dinner dates before now. What made him think that this one was special?

"It went well Papa. I just wished you all would let me build my love life without any prying eyes." Lia went on.

"But this is good news dear!" Mama said. "When were you going to tell us?"

"I want to meet him." Her dad finally became serious. "Invite him to the house."

"I.. I'm sorry dad. I don't know if that will be possible. I'll have to find out from Franco first."

"Franco so that is his name." Her brother finally joined in the conversation smiling.

"What is his surname? I need his father's name. I learnt from Baggio who had escorted and driven you to that restaurant that he had two bodyguards." Her father was moving too fast but not so fast that she did not know where this was leading to.

In this part of the world where she happened to come from, marriages where like business proposals. A good marriage solidified both family ties and business dealings. She did not bother to think of what a bad marriage did. She wasn't going to make that mistake she thought to herself. She only needed them to take it easy on her. She wasn't going to introduce Franco to them either until she was sure he loved her too.

"So what is his surname?" Her brother repeated her father's question. Or did you have dinner with a man you don't even know his name?"

Ever since Lorenzo joined the family company and Papa started giving him more responsibility and freedom, he was beginning to act like Papa. He questioned her every move and wanted to know who she was with at all times. He was beginning to get on her nerves lately.

Was there something in the company that made them act this way? Lia had begun to wonder lately.

"I'm sorry dad. I don't know his surname." Lia lied. "I did not think this would be anything so serious. She said referring to her and Franco's relationship. She was not happy that she had to lie about something she had wanted for long.

Each time the possibility of Franco belonging to a rival family crossed her mind she pushed it aside as quickly as it crept up in her mind. She wanted to enjoy every moment of their relationship without having doubts. Doubts of him being rejected by her family or she being rejected by his.

So four months later when Franco finally popped the question she knew her fears were something she had to consider.

They were seated at the same restaurant they had their first dinner together.

They had visited other places together but they both seemed to have fallen in love with the peace and serenity of 'Ristorante di Marco."

They were finally done with dinner. They both had roasted potatoes with spaghetti and chicken wings. It was Ristorante di Marco's special dish. They had hardly said much to each other. They sat and enjoyed the soft music coming from the background while sipping wine from their wine glasses.

"Will you marry me?" Franco had suddenly risen from his chair, gotten on his knees and asked holding out an engagement ring he had pulled from his breast pocket.

Lia had sat there at first, speechless and then when she finally found her voice she said "Yes. Yes Franco I'll marry you." She suddenly felt the tears build up in her eyes. Using her right hand to clasp her mouth to avoid her screaming, she stretched out her left hand towards him to allow him slip it into her finger. It fitted perfectly.

He had kissed her on the lips afterwards. A lingering kiss that had sealed their love for each other.

It was one of the happiest days of her life.

But back home as she lay on her bed unable to go sleep her fears once again began to creep in.

What if? Just what if he's investigated by Papa and found to be from a rival mafia family? She thought to herself.

Lia had heard of families who were torn apart in the past because of such situations. Ladies who had eloped with their lovers. Lovers who had both poisoned themselves promising to meet at the other side. She loved her family very much but her love for Franco was now so strong that she couldn't trust herself not to also take a drastic step if Franco turned out to be from a rival family.

"Yes. I love him that much." She said softly barely hearing herself while looking at the ceiling of her bedroom.