Page 28 of The One
One thing I know for sure, though, is that Ella loves him.
Even when she was furious with him after he kidnapped her, it was obvious in the way she looked at him, in the way she cared. Despite everything, she’ll forgive him. It’s only a matter of time, and finding her.
“How did you know Ella is your One?” I ask, veering the conversation about her in a different direction.
We spoke minutes after they met and he just said, “I foundher.”
I immediately knew who he was talking about.
Her,the elusive One our father always lectured us about. He told us to wait forher, to never settle. And neither of us did, which earned me, in particular, a playboy reputation.
A small smile tugs at Tiero’s lips, and for a moment, I see his eyes light up. That’s the effect Ella has on him, even when she’s the source of his deepest pain. No matter what, she’s always been the one to bring him back from the edge, even if it’s only fleeting.
“After saving my life, we both stumbled, and she landed on top of me,” he chuckles, remembering that moment his world changed forever. “The second our eyes connected, it was as if I was struck by lightning, waking me up from deep slumber.
“Seconds before, I was boiling with rage about Molinaro’s attack, and then nothing but calm.
“It’s hard to describe. I got lost in her eyes. They sucked me in and everything inside me righted itself. It sounds ridiculous, but I came back more complete.
“There wasn’t a doubt in my mind. I just knew she was it.”
I met Ella and her friends the next day. They were on vacation in Sicily. I still marvel at the odds of Ella and Tiero meeting.
One look at my brother with her and it was clear to me too that they were meant to be. She lit him up like nothing I’ve ever seen. He smiled more, laughed more, and seemed altogether lighter.
Problem was, Ella didn’t know that Tiero is one of the most powerful Dons in Italy, and when she found out…
Well, let’s just say, she didn’t react well.
Most women would jump at the opportunity to be on Tiero’s arm. But not Ella. She doesn’t seem to care about wealth, power, and influence.
Tiero’s story mirrorspapà’s, who always proudly told us how he met our mother. Their story wasn’t as dramatic as Tiero and Ella’s encounter, but no less impactful.Papàalways said he knew the moment he looked intomamma’seyes.
No wonder he became a completely different man after she died. I can see the same thing happening to Tiero now, but at least for him, there’s still hope. And he’ll never give up on that. He can’t.
“I really thought I would have metherby now,” I admit.
Lately, I’ve been feeling more restless. Beautiful women are always within reach, and I used to revel in the endless variety at my disposal.
I even convinced myself it was a good thing my One hadn’t shown up yet. It gave me plenty of time to sow my wild oats, or however that saying goes. But now, the thrill doesn’t hit like it used to.
It feels like something deep inside me is waking up, like my soul is stirring, having had enough of fleeting encounters and passing pleasure.
I want something real. Something that lasts.
My One.
“You only turned thirty a few months ago. You’ve got time,” Tiero says.
“Papàmet our mother when he was in his mid-twenties.”
“And I had to wait till thirty-two. There’s no set time frame.”
“Clearly.” I let out a frustrated sigh, taking a long sip of my drink.
I think about the one woman who’s supposedly meant for me.
Where is she?
