Page 5 of Diablo
“Bene.”
The man is handsome, rich, and so charming. I wonder why he’s out with me? I mean, I’m pretty, but I’m not rich. Yes, Dad’s the mayor of Folsom, and we live a comfortable lifestyle, but I’m a simple nurse, for heaven's sake.
Why is he even interested in me?
The man can have any wealthy and beautiful woman he wants. We’ve been dating since I met him, and it’s a little overwhelming. I grab my water glass and take a drink. I hold the glass, watching him do his routine before drinking the wine.
Roberto swirls the wine in the glass, closes his eyes, and inhales the wine. He smiles and takes a sip, nodding.
I take a drink of my wine and close my eyes, enjoying the exquisite flavor. He takes my hand, and I open my eyes, smiling.
“Athena, I enjoy spending time with you, and I pray that you do too.”
“Roberto, I do too. I love every moment.”
Roberto smiles, moves my hand, and kisses my wrist. My gut twists, and my heart pounds.
“Athena, will you marry me?”
“Oh my, yes.”
Roberto slides his hand into his suit pocket and pulls out a ring. The diamond is huge, and the lights make it sparkle. He slidesit on my finger and kisses me. He pulls back, smiling, and wipes the tears from my face.
Oh my, this is quick. I need time to think.
I blink, looking at the huge princess-cut diamond; my heart is pounding so fast. I don’t know if I’m thrilled or fucking scared. I know that I have feelings but are they feelings for a lifetime? I don’t want to say no, I know that, but there’s something, an unease at the back of my mind.
I’m so damn stupid.
I need to think and decide if what I feel is love.
“Thank you for saying yes.”
“Welcome.”
“I would like to get married in a few weeks.”
“So soon? Would we have time to plan the wedding?”
“Bella mia, yes, we have time. Don’t worry. Tell me what you want, and I'll take care of it.”
“Oh, okay. Could you give me a few weeks to think about it?”
“Bella, I’ll give you two weeks to think about the wedding. Then you give me the list, and I’ll take care of it. You only worry about the wedding dress.”
“Oh my, you’re wonderful.”
I walk into the house a little giddy, totally feeling like a princess. I look at the ring, and my heart flutters. A gush of excitement makes it difficult to breathe. I inhale and exhale to calm down.
I can’t believe that Roberto asked me to marry him.
I’m excited but a little scared; it’s too soon. We just started dating a couple of months ago.
I chew my lower lip, looking down the hall at my Dad’s office door. I hope that he’s not there. I don’t want to talk about this, I want time to think, to enjoy this moment.
I start walking down the hallway, and the office door opens. Dad stands at the door, looking at me.
“Athena, I need to talk to you.”
