Page 82 of Ti Amo

A hush fell over them and several reporters stuck their microphones through the gates toward her. “My name is Mira Ellison and I am the founder and creator of Mirabella’s. Two years ago a tragic accident led to the death of my best friend and subsequently the betrayal of another. I trusted Kei Hyogo and was convinced of his support of me during my duress. He led me to believe that this wonderful man Giovanni Battaglia was out to harm me.” She looked over lovingly at Giovanni. She cleared her throat and continued. “Kei convinced me that government agencies had placed me in protective custody after a bomb exploded at my home and killed my assistants Angelique Daniels and Eduardo Glenn. For two years I was on the run, hiding from the world. That was until Giovanni Battaglia discovered the truth and found me.” She paused, to catch her breath and prayed she didn’t look as nervous as she felt. “I am deeply sorry for the deaths of Angelique and Eduardo and I regret any pain I may have caused their families by remaining silent. I want to apologize for the pain and heartache this may have caused my friends and colleagues in America. I also offer an apology to the wonderful fans of my work. I made a personal choice based on the circumstances at that time. You see, I had another to protect. My unborn child.” She glanced to Giovanni again and smiled. “Our unborn child.”

The reporters again roared with questions. They were so loud it was almost deafening, but Mira continued to speak and they settled down to hear her. “Over a month ago I decided to step out into the world and reclaim my life. The first step was claiming the love that I found in this wonderful country, and with this wonderful man. I am also happy to announce that he will soon be my husband. I appreciate your concern and interest in my wellbeing but I’d like you all to know that my life is just as it should be. Please respect my family's privacy. Thank you andBuon Natale,Merry Christmas.”

Mira turned to Giovanni and pulled his face down to hers. She kissed him in front of the flashing camera bulbs. The reporter’s excitement exploded like fireworks on the 4thof July. Excited banter spread, and everyone demanded more answers to their questions. Giovanni put his arm around her shoulders leading her back up to the house.

Carmine stepped up to the gate. “Okay motherfuckers it’s time for you to go! The show is over.”

“That speech you gave, I liked it.” Giovanni said, draping his arm around her shoulders.

“It was from my heart, and it was the truth.” He kissed the top of her head. They continued up the slanted drive to the villa. “What happens now?”

“We do exactly what you said. We get married and have a Merry Christmas.” Giovanni smiled. Mira hugged his waist. She couldn’t wait.

Chapter Fifteen

Christmas Eve didn’t start off pleasant. Mira was woken by Giovanni early and spent four hours with police officials and two representatives from the American embassy. Though she believed Giovanni about Kei’s betrayal, to blame him for her seclusion was hard. He did manipulate her, but he also protected her and Eve from the Calderone’s. After the house was cleared, more of the Battaglia’s arrived. Cousins, aunts, and close friends came over as they traditionally did to have brunch. Mira knew most had arrived to see her. Many stared at her and Eve like they were from another planet. She forced a smile and pretended not to notice. Eve shied away from the parade of strangers and clung to her father.

“You okay?” Zia asked.

Mira realized she had stopped kneading the dough. Her fingers had dug so deep they were nearly buried inside. Two other ladies in the kitchen cut her questioning looks.

“Yes, I’m fine.” She pulled her hands away and wiped them on her apron. “Has anyone seen Catalina? She should be here helping.”

“She’s in her room.” Zia said. “Why don’t you go and check on her?”

The reprieve was welcomed. Mira removed her apron and handed it to Zia before she left the kitchen. She passed the parlor and saw Giovanni seated with twenty or so men in the family and Eve in his lap. She smiled at him. He smiled at her. Mira continued on and finally knocked on Catalina’s door. “Catalina?”

“Come in.”

Inside Catalina stood at the window in her nightdress. She turned with tissue balled up in her hand and tears streaking her cheeks. Mira closed the door. “Why aren’t you dressed? You missed the morning prayer, and your family is here. Your cousin Aurora keeps asking for you.”

“Oh please!” Catalina waved it off. “She only wants to be nosey about Franco. We can’t stand each other.” Mira gave a bitter laugh. “I’m supposed to be in mourning. I can’t face the family. If they see me downstairs smiling what would they think?”

Releasing a deep exhale for patience, Mira nodded. Catalina would have to stop the pity party. Everyone was trying to hold strong. Dominic had to face everyone with bruises on his face and neck. She had to face the questioning looks of others because of who she was and would become now that Giovanni wanted her to be his wife. Catalina was selfish. But Mira cared about her and tried another approach. “True. But I get the feeling there’s more troubling you. Do you want to talk about it?”

“Yes. There’s more.” Catalina dropped her head. “Giovanni doesn’t talk to me. He doesn’t look at me. And Dominic is so busy kissing his ass he barely sees me either. What’s the point?”

“It’s going to take time, Catalina. For all of us.” Mira walked over and stood at her side by the window.

“How are you? Now that everyone knows you’re alive.” Catalina touched her arm. “How bad is it?”

“They took a statement from me. I was told that Kei was picked up in America. They think he had something to do with Angelo Calderone’s murder and a lot of other things. I don’t know what to think.”

Catalina nodded toward the window. “The press is still out there by the gates.”

The truth was Mira’s life would never be the same. Part of her liked the world not knowing about her and Eve. It gave her a sense of security. Now she only found security behind these walls. What had her life become? Who was she becoming?

It was Christmas, and the holiday used to mean so much to her. She had less than a day to find that magic again for her daughter. “I’ll be fine.” She smiled. “It’s Christmas after all. Get dressed and join the family. I want us all together.”

“I can’t. Giovanni expects me to take the test.” Catalina’s gaze turned to the dresser and the brown paper bag sitting on it. She then looked back out of the window. “I’ve taken one test already. No point in taking the other two.”

Mira approached the nightstand and reached inside the bag. She removed the two pregnancy boxes. She was a few days late on her cycle. Her cycle had been unpredictable since she gave birth to Eve. Still she couldn’t deny that she made love to Giovanni nightly with no protection.

“Mira, are you okay?” Catalina frowned.

“Oh, yes. So you’re not pregnant?” Mira asked.

“No. Gio will be furious over the lie. Why do I keep doing these things? I lied, but I had hope. Domi and I slept together, and for the last couple of months Franco hadn’t touched me.”

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