Bella #1 (Sagatori Family Saga #1) (15 page)

“
Mrs. Moretti
.
” A grim voice commented.

“
Hello
.
” I said as I took the last step
.“
Where is Mr. Moretti
?
” I asked

“
H
e’
s been gone since six this morning M
a’
am
.
”

“
My name is Bella, please
.
” He nodded.

“
Well, wha
t’
s on the agenda for toda
y…?
” I gestured for his name I could
n’
t remember who was who.

“
Dominic
.
”

“
Thanks
.
” I offered a smile
.“
Anything exciting
?
”

“
Yes m
a’
am. You will be having lunch with Mr. Moretti at Timber
.
”

“
Okay and when is that
?
”

“
Noon
.
”

I nodded as I walked through the apartment to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. The smell of bacon quickly grabbed my attention.

“
Hello
?
” I asked a tiny woman moving about in the kitchen.

She quickly turned from the stove and wiped her hands on her apron
.“
Isabella, oh i
t’
s such a pleasure to meet you
!
” She said in her thick Italian accent. Her smile reminded me of home and I melted into her hug
.“
Are you hungry?
I’
m making you breakfast, but was
n’
t sure what yo
u’
d like so I made a bit of everything
.
” She leaned back.

“
Oh wow! That is so thoughtful of you
.
”

“
Oh,
I’
m so sorry.
I’
m Alessandra.
I’
m Mr. Morett
i’
s housekeeper. Well now
I’
m also your housekeeper. I do like the sound of that. Come sit
.
” She patted the tall bar stool at the kitchen island
.“
What would you like
?
”

“
The bacon smells amazing
.
” I smiled.

“
Eggs? Would you like coffee? Mr. Moretti prefers tea, so I was
n’
t sure
.
” She eyed me questionably.

“
Yes, that would be lovely
.
” This woman was so kind. I imagined her being like my mother would've been. I smiled at the thought.

She quickly retrieved a cup of coffee bringing it to me
.“
How do you like it dear
?
” She was so quick to please me. But I honestly thought it brought her more pleasure to do it. My heart swelled.

“
Cream and sugar
.
” The aroma was amazing rich and dark. She handed me the liquid creamer and bowl of sugar. I watched from under my lashes as she paid close attention, she was trying to learn how I preferred my coffee. When I was finished she clapped her hands together once and turned to the stove.

“
Tell me about yourself Bella. Or do you do prefer Isabella
?
” She turned to me as she waited for my response.

“
Bella, please
.
” I smiled.

“
Okay
.
” She also smiled raising her index finger
.“
Got it
.
”

Alessandra set several plates in front of me with several breakfast foods, watching me carefully. She was learning about me. I smiled at the thought that she wanted to be so helpful. She was my favorite part of Chicago so far.

When I finished, she quickly cleaned up the mess. We conversed as I had eaten my breakfast. I learned she was from Sicily and had known the Moretti family for a very long time. I spoke freely about myself feeling safe with her. She did
n’
t have children as her only son had died. She did
n’
t speak about how he had passed and I did
n’
t ask, but I could see how proud of him she was. She smiled and watched me as I talked about my family and college. She was so interested in what I had to say. I sat there watching her as she continued cleaning up. When I finally excused myself she was already on her way to clean the rest of the house at mad speeds. She had more energy than I did. When she saw Domini
c’
s feet on the coffee table she smacked him, yelling a few words in Italian. I giggled to myself as I followed the stairs to my room to call Papa. I was feeling a bit of guilt for enjoying my morning here.

The phone rang three times when he finally answered
.“
Isabella
?
”

“
Papa, how are you
?
” I cried quietly to myself. Yes, I was twenty four years old, but I was a dadd
y’
s girl and I was proud of it. He was all I had.

“I’
m fine, just fine. How are you settling in
?
” I could hear his voice relax.

“
I
t’
s okay.
I’
m going to visit often. I want to make sure yo
u’
re alright
.
”

“
Yes, that would be good, but not right now. Wait a little while. I have lots of time.
I’
d like for you to get settled then you will visit
.
” He breathed.

I wanted desperately to know what he was keeping from me. We talked for another twenty minutes about nothing much. I told him how nice Alessandra had been. I wished he had more time to meet her. He hung up and a ping of loneliness creeped through me.

I spent the next few hours unpacking my bags. The closet could hold a lot more than I had brought with me. There was a knock on the door. I stepped over the shoes I was attempting to organize. I opened the door to several dozen red roses. Dominic stood behind the massive arrangement.

“
Mr. Moretti sent this for his bride
.
” He said. I stepped aside so that Dominic could set them on the table closest to the window
.“
There is a card
.
” He said then left the room closing the door behind him.

I took a long whiff of their strong fragrance and untucked the small white card.

Mrs. Moretti.

I look forward to our lunch date.

Mr. Moretti.

I smiled at the gesture.

The rest of the morning went smoothly. As I stepped into the restaurant I was greeted by the hostess. Dominic stood close to me, matching each step I took. He was serious about the job that h
e’
d been given and unlike the Cugine that had protected me, he did
n’
t seem annoyed with the job h
e’
d been given. So far everyone was very kind.

We approached the table that Jax was sitting at and he stood when he saw me, a smile lifted to his lips for a brief moment
.“
Hello
.
” He said tucking his napkin into his lap after
I’
d sat.

“
Hello
,
” I smiled as I took in the beautiful restaurant.

“
Do you approve
?
”

“
I suppose
.
” I smiled on the inside leaving no evidence of approval on the outside.

“
Yo
u’
re a difficult woman to please
.
” He said as he waved the waiter over to the table. The tall very cute waiter approached, smiling to me then to Jax. I of course smiled back, catching Ja
x’
s attention.

“
Mr. Moretti, what can I get you this afternoon
?
”

Jax ordered for me and was very clearly marking his territory when he named me as his wife. His tone was sharp enough to slice through a steak. The waiter nodded, never looking back to me as he walked away.

“
Staking a claim I see
.
” I twisted my hands together on the table. Jax reached for my hands as he watched me closely.

“
I am. I have something for you
.
” His eyes met mine. He released me and reached for a small bag that sat on the seat next to him
.“
This is for you
.
” He opened a tiny black box. My eyes widened when the large shiny ring sparkled in the sunlight
.“
You needed a wedding ring
.
”

“
Yes, we must keep up appearances
.
” I answered sardonically.

“
Why must everything I do not be good enough for you
?
” My eyes narrowed, but I did
n’
t look up. I realized I had been less than kind to him, but honestly what did he expect?

“
Where is
your
ring
?
” I said when I realized there was
n’
t one in the bag for him. Could
n’
t I claim him?

The look of shock filled his face
.“
I was
n’
t shopping for myself, I was shopping for you
.
” I nodded as he placed the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly. How had he known my size? I could
n’
t help but stare at the beautiful sparkle the ring threw as the light caught it
.“
Do you approve
?
”

I shrugged back against my seat
.“
Do I get to claim you as well
?
” I asked ignoring his question.

His eyes grew wide and then picked up the wine glass and finished it off quickly
.“
You did
n’
t answer my question Bella
.
” He removed the napkin from his lap and waved the waiter over asking for the check.

He handed over payment for lunch and stood hovering over me as I watched him. He was cocky, sure of himself to say the least. I honestly wondered if this pissed me off or turned me on. The fact that I had to ask myself that question in itself pissed me off.

***

I stood from my seat once we'd finished our lunch. I wrapped my scarf around my neck and slid into my black wool coat as Jax held it close for me to enter.
I’
d never been good with giving up control.
I’
d begun slipping into the idea that I could give it someday, but I did
n’
t like being told what to do and every time h
e’
d attempted at dominating me I wanted to slap him.
I’
d seen the way woman were treated by controlling husbands.
I’
d also witnessed how they were treated as equals and tha
t’
s what I wanted. I told myself if I had that, I could give up control, but the fact is I would
n’
t need to.

“
Bella? Please do
n’
t force me to ask again
.
”

The suns reflection caught on the ginormous ring that held on my finger. A smile broke on my lips and an unsatisfied twist of my stomach broke the smile as quickly as it came.  The ring didn't mean anything. It was just a piece of jewelry and nothing more.

Mickie opened the door to the limo and Dominic stood close by as he watched the area. I stepped inside the limo with Jax followed behind me. After Mickey closed the door behind him, he sat still against the door making no attempt to move closer to me. He adjusted his tie and ran his hands through his hair. My eyes were fixed on him. Thick dark hair, large oval eyes, and a strong jaw. What was he feeling? Was he stressed? Had I upset him again? Why did I always have to be so difficult?