Bella Notte (17 page)

I thought to lie on
the bed, but I knew I would want to lay there and not get ready to go
downstairs. I went and pulled a pair of my jeans out of bag and a
plain black sweater. I also grabbed my black boots and my makeup bag
and headed for the mysterious hidden bathroom.
God,
I love this place. I am so going to have to explore the rest of this
castle and find out its other secrets. I can't believe Dominic had
this room designed.

The bathroom was as
amazing as the bedroom. It was done in a dark granite rock that had
lots of sparkles put into it. The shower was like a small waterfall,
and I swear that the tub was really a heated spring. The counter was
carved into the rock and you had to push a button to show the mirror.
I could easily see that this could make some people claustrophobic,
but I loved it. It was like I had my very own cave!

I tried hard not to
waste too much time exploring the different things of the bathroom,
and I got dressed quickly, washed my face, combed my hair out so it
fell down my back, put my black eyeliner and crimson lip gloss on,
and then I left my new sanctuary and headed back downstairs.

I found my way
through the maze of rooms that made you feel like each room was a
different country. Everyone, who turned out to be only about ten
people, was gathered in an Aztec looking room complete with
sacrificial table. I found that my choice of attire fit the
atmosphere. Everyone was to be wearing something nice but not too
nice. My Grandparents were deep in conversation with people I had
never met, but they looked familiar, so I figured they must be
Dominic's grandparents. My parents were chitchatting with the
DeDominicos'.

There was a small
group of three people who seemed to be having a heated discussion, so
I avoided them.

I found Dominic
sitting on a stone couch- okay; well I thought it was a stone couch.
He got up when he saw me and walked over to where I was.

“
Did you enjoy
the bathroom?” As he asked his eyes glowed with excitement.

“
Yes, it's
awesome. It is so not something I would expect to be in a house- but
then again, I've never been in a
castle
before.” I tried to hide my happiness in a snub about his
family's flaunt of their wealth, but it didn't work.

“
I am glad you
like it. It took a lot of planning to create that safe haven, my
bathroom is similar, but there is no real definition as the entire
floor is the bath and we were able to create a small waterfall in
it.” His was lost in thought about his creation.

I was utterly
stunned. “Wait, how does it not flood the rest of the house? I
mean shouldn't it overflow or something? And isn't that a HUGE waste
of water?” I was curious about the creation and functioning
aspects of it.

“
Well, you
see,
mia
bella
,
the water is just cycled through a filter before it heads back to the
natural springs that have formed in our catacombs under this place.
So, it never wastes the water, and it doesn't flood out because it is
built like a natural spring. Whatever gets put in gets taken out in
equal portions.
Lei
capisce
?
You understand?” His accent picked up just a bit.

“
I sort of get
it. Maybe you can show me the springs and catacombs? I really like
that kind of stuff.” I couldn't believe I was making more plans
to do stuff with him, but he was really the only person I could do
stuff with.

“
Yes, that
would be nice. But we will have to do it in a few days, okay?
Tomorrow will be filled with lots of people and eating, and I thought
I could take you by boat back to the mainland the next day. I know
your parents are attending to business on this trip and your
grandparents are trying to spend some time “vacationing”,
the two of them. So, that leaves me at your disposal. Before you get
upset about it, I know you are Mike's girl, and my intentions are
pure. I only want you to get to know the other parts of our life.”
He smiled gently, as though the words about Mike hurt him.

I didn't like to see
him in pain, which confused me. “Thank you, Dom. I am sure it
will please both of our families if they see us together as well. So,
I guess that makes you my guide.” I winked at him and instantly
was rewarded with a genuine smile.

That was how the
rest of the evening passed, until it was too late to stay up and too
early to start the day. We ate and talked with everyone in the room.
Dominic and I moved around the room together, trying our best to keep
up the appearance that we seemed to silently decide on. My family was
elated about the change in my decisions, even if it didn't change my
feelings for anything. I guess the sheer thought of them getting what
they wanted was good enough. I knew that this was ultimately a
terrible idea and I would end up hurting someone I cared about, and
probably myself as well, but that didn't seem to matter at this time.
I called Mike briefly, but only got his voice-mail and I left him a
message and told him about the pictures I was taking and that I would
call again when I got a chance.

Dominic escorted me
to my room so I wouldn't get lost, which I realized quickly that I
would and I had no idea where anyone else was staying in this huge
place. But I made it to bed safe and sound.

`The bed was as I
had dreamed when I had seen it earlier and when I fell into it, I was
absolutely sure that I would not be moving from it for anyone.

When I awoke the
next day it was to a light tapping at my door. My eyes felt strange
like yesterday was all a weird dream and I really belonged here.

I stumbled out of
the extra cush bed and got to the door. It took me a minute to figure
out how to pull the latch on the door to unlock it, and I suddenly
felt very stupid as I mumbled through the door about being another
second.

When I got it open,
Dominic stood on the other side of the door looking fully amused and
very alert.

I grumbled and
headed back for the bed. “What do you want?”

“
Well, I
thought that you would like something to eat and that you would like
to get up before everyone gets here. It is about one and they should
get here around three.” He walked over to the bed and placed a
small tray with a cinnamon roll and a hot chocolate down.

“
Mmm. That
smells delicious, but I thought people weren't supposed to eat on
days of huge meals here in Europe. What's in that cocoa?” My
mouth was watering as I grabbed hold of the roll and bit off a piece
that I followed to drown with the yummy hot chocolate.

“
Um, the
cinnamon roll has hazelnut in it, and the hot chocolate is a recipe
that my parents picked up in a Mesoamerican study, or something,”
he shrugged.

“
And what are
the rules on eating?” I asked as I stuffed more of the pastry
into my waiting mouth.

“
Eat as much
as you want, when you want. The only other thing that you must learn
will come later. But now, you eat and then you get ready to face an
army of people you won't know. I was wondering, Emma, how you want to
handle the questions that will be asked regarding us?” He
looked down at his shoes as he rose from the corner of the bed he had
occupied.

“
Well, I
hadn't thought about answering questions. I had only thought about
appearances. I am not sure what to say. What do you think? And, are
you sure that you want to do this?” I tried to convey all my
hope that he wouldn't get hurt, but he should have a chance to back
out.

“
Emma Mary
Hutchinson, when we were little kids I knew that you were the one
that I was to be with forever, and I was sure then. When I saw you
again at your birthday, I did not handle things well, but my feelings
did not change- they have not. I know that I will probably end up
hurt in the end, but we will think of something to do about it. And
as for the questions that arise, perhaps we answer them as best we
can … we can help each other. I am not going to leave you to
get eaten by all those people. I will be there- if you want me.”
The passion that filled his words as he spoke of his love for me fled
him completely when he offered his company for the evening.

“
Dominic, I am
speechless about what you said. I wish that my family would have
mentioned something to me. But they didn't. When I was small, Issy
was my best friend and we thought it would be awesome if you and I
got married because then we'd be sisters; but then you guys moved,
and I was left alone and I never fit in. Mike was the first person
that shunned the popular crowd to be with me. I have dreamed of him
since you guys left. I don't know how to explain it … I feel
like him and I are destined to be connected in some way. Does that
make sense? You, of course, are very welcome to be my companion for
the evening. I would be honored to have you with me.” I looked
up into his intense eyes and blushed immensely.

“
Emma, nothing
is decided for you. Please remember that. You control what happens in
your life.
Carpe
Diem
.
Things will become clear for you when it needs to be. I am willing to
wait until things are certain for you. I am very patient as I told
you before. And I do understand what you told me about the dream, I
am sure that I have shared this dream with you both since we came to
live here. I understand that now. We shall talk on this later. Now,
you get ready and

I will come and
fetch you when they begin to arrive.” His words flooded
together and then he quickly got up and left the room.

“
What?”
I stared blankly at the spot where he had been leaning against the
bed.
He
has shared the dream too? What does that mean? He isn't in the dream.
I only know of Mike and me in it. Unless he is the voice that Mike
hears. This is so confusing.

“
Ugh!” I
said out loud as I climbed out of the bed and went to get my outfit
for the day. “Why does everything have to get more complex
before it gets any easier or clearer?”

I dug through my
bags until I found my black cotton shirt dress and my black tights. I
grabbed my boots and headed for the bathroom. I stepped out of my pjs
and got into the shower and slid under the waterfall, the experience
is something I recommend highly to anyone. It was like having water
poured onto your body, but it lacked the brutality of a shower. It
was heaven.

I got out and
dressed, and I put my hair up in a simple bun, and did my makeup.
When I came out of the bathroom, Dominic was sitting in the reading
chair and he was staring blankly out into space. He turned when he
heard the door slide aside for me to come out. He was wearing a light
blue v-neck sweater and khaki pants. His hair was parted and fell
comfortably this way. He rose as I walked into the room.

“
What if I had
come out naked?” I asked him as I put things away.

“
I should only
hope that you would lock the bedroom door if you intend to stroll
around naked. Although I wouldn't suggest doing it through the castle
tonight as we will have guests staying that might mistake you as a
midnight snack.” He looked slightly animalistic.

“
You know you
didn't answer my question.” I walked up to him.

“
Well, let's
get this started.”

We walked out of my
room and down the stairs. The entire downstairs area was filling with
people.

“
Who are all
of these people? Where are we all going to sit?” I asked in a
hushed voice of shock.

“
Well,
everyone from the island is basically family and the others are
family or close friends. It is always like this on holidays. Just
something you should know now.” He shrugged and I wasn't sure
if he meant something by his implied words of me adjusting to this
because it would be happening again.

I gripped his arm
and threw us into the mix.

Dominic and I must
have talked to everyone in the house by the time the dining bell was
sounded. I was exhausted and desperately debating on going back to
bed and skipping food, but my stomach growled unhappily at that
thought. Dominic led me into a huge banquet hall that easily fit all
the people and there was still plenty room for more.
How
does it hold all of these people?
I was shocked at the sight of it as we took our seats with our
families at the head table. They all smiled at us as we approached
together.