Adriano Di LauroI can hear the staff's movement in the kitchen from my position and even the automated irrigation system of the garden. There is so much silence in this place that I could even hear the laughter of my children at home from here.My mother watches me stunned until little by little she leaves surprise behind to give way to indignation. It is understandable and I already expected something like this, because despite undertaking an endless search and having built a long list of suitors, she already had her favorite."The doctor?”, she speaks for the first time in half an hour. "Why?"“Cassandra Reid is the one, Mom, and I'm not going to get into a debate with you.""This is absurd!", she exclaims at the same time she rises from the armchair to walk the room from one side to the other. "You hardly know her! She doesn't belong to our circle... What about Carina? I understood that you two had something...""What I have with Carina is far from what you imagine, mom", I cut he

Adriano Di LauroI smile when I hear his call. The fish has taken the bait."Dad?". My fiancée goes stiff as a board next to me. That's why I have to hold her and practically drag her to her parents."What does this mean, Cassandra?"Mr. Reid is clearly not at all pleased with news."I...", she stammers, still lost in thought, alternating her gaze between both parents. "What are you doing here?""That's not important...""Is not it?", the doctor questions quite upset.Although they argue, they do it quietly. However, that does not prevent us from being guests's center of attention."Didn't you want to get our attention?", his father challenges her. 'Well, you've already done it. Now stop this madness.""I don't..."I finally have the pleasure of meeting you". I decide to intervene before situation gets out of control. "Mr. Reid, I'm Adriano DiLauro.""I know perfectly well who you are", he indicates with arrogance.'Apparently he doesn't'"Why don't we go into the house and find a mor

Cassandra ReidI contemplate my figure in the mirror plunged into a deep silence. It seems that I am going to a funeral and not to my own wedding.My parents haven't come, they haven't called. Apparently they have fulfilled their threat and I no longer exist for them.I don't know why I expected them to show up even after two weeks. By now I should be used to their rudeness, claims, offenses and disappointments..., but it's not like that. Their indifference hurts and the words of that night continue to swarm in my head along with those they've said for years.I have killed myself studying, I have survived alone in a foreign country and yet, they are only capable of seeing a runaway and rebellious daughter.The day I fled from San Francisco, I knew perfectly well possible consequences of my actions and I was willing to accept them... Or so I thought.Now I see that I always kept the hope that my parents would one day reconsider or at least understand my actions; but it seems that I wil

Adriano Di LauroI never thought I would enjoy my wedding so much, but I do. My new wife is an expert dancer and I see myself dancing a couple of pieces with her. She is sensual and at the same time delicate, a seductive cream.She now dances with my children while I dance with my mother. Seeing the three of them together is hypnotic and unleashes long-buried emotions inside me."She's a good girl", mom says following the direction of my gaze."I know". I nod seeing them smile carefree. How have they established that kind of connection? I have no idea, but it is something very strange and surprising."She will be a good wife."I turn to see my mother to examine her face carefully. Something has changed."I thought you disapproved her.""That was before knowing she is Gibson Reid's daughter.""You let yourself be carried away by prejudice", she pointed out with a disapproving tone."Yes I admit it. You know I'm not prejudiced or old-fashioned in that sense”. She jumps defensively. "I d

Cassandra ReidI lean my head against the car window and stare at it as if I could get past bulletproof glass. Now tension between us is bigger than before. We can't even cross more than three words and every action seems forced.The day after the 'no wedding night', he left me with the kids and just disappeared. I tried to entertain myself with them decorating house for New Year's Eve, I even spent hours trying to understand each other with Xbox, but everything has been in vain, because the Italian does not come out of my head.I almost slept with him. In less than forty-eight hours I have reconsidered my behavior more than a hundred times. What would have happened if I hadn't stopped him? Why did I stop him? Where does this irrepressible desire come from that takes my sanity away?My cell phone vibrates, notifying a message entrance. Screen says 'Private number', but I read it anyway.'Soon you will receive your wedding gift. I hope you like it'I don't even care who this is, so I p