Family Drift

BIG BIG BIG NEWS COMING YOUR WAY! Well not too big of news but much-needed news. After re-reading this book I know I have to make some big edits and change a few details. Which is why I am re-editing the story completely. I won't take down the chapters but I might unpublish and republish chapters. With every one NEW chapter posted, at least 2 chapters will be republished. I suggest re-reading the story again!

Anyways back to the new chapter

BTW this is a super long chapter so you're welcome.

-------------------------------------------------

Getting ready for the day was an adventure with Dominic by my side. He insisted on using the bathroom at the same time as I did. There was more than enough space for both of us to use the bathroom without crashing but that's something I need to warm up too. So like a gentleman, he waited until I was showered and dressed before using the bathroom. I waited for Dominic to close the bathroom door behind him before leaving the bedroom. I wanted to wait for Dominic to at least finish showering but I had an important call to make.

I walked over to my old room and used the house phone that Dominic had installed for me.  I had this phone installed for a while now but I never made an attempt to call my parents. Deep down I was avoiding them especially my father. Now, I have to face my fear.

I dialed my parent's number. Surprisingly, my mother answered as soon as I dialed.

"Ciao? Who's this?" My mother wondered curiously.

"Ciao mama, it's Alessandra."

"Bambina! How are you? We've been trying to call you on the cellphone but you never answer! What's happening?"

"I'm ok, mama but I can't use that cellphone anymore. Dominic found it and let's just say things didn't go well. I was calling to let you know that Dominic has a plane set up to fly you down tomorrow."

"Fly us? For what?" From the confusion in her voice, something told me that my father failed to mention my intentions to go through with the marriage.

"Well mama, I've planned an engagement party with Dominic for this weekend. I want you guys to come in early and help me plan while meeting Dominic's family as well. Have you received my invitation in the mail?"

"Invitation...marriage?! Why am I just hearing about this now! We haven't received any mail and Samuel has been MIA since you've left. You're marrying into the Vincenzo family after everything they put you through?"

"I told papa on the phone a few weeks back. I sent out the invitations but something tells me papa discarded it before you had the chance to see it. I know this doesn't make any sense mama but there is a reason why I'm doing this. I'm not as trapped as you think I am. A lot of things happened while I've been here and I want to share everything with you...in person. I really need you here mama."

"Your papa knew about this marriage and didn't tell me! Cazzo, this is why he's been acting so strange lately. He always works late nights when he has secrets that he doesn't want to share with me. Is that the reason you stopped contacting us?"

"Somewhat. I learned some things being here and It's been a process trying to understand and adjust here. Which is why I need you to be here so I can show you and actually spend quality time with you, please mama. I know you're not happy about the wedding or my decision but I need you here more than anything."

"Oh, Bella... I hope you know what you're doing. What time is the plane going to be here?"

"It should be there 1 pm. I'll get a driver to drive you to the airport. Please bring Roberto and Papa if he's willing."

"Okay Bella, please call me tonight. Ti Amo."

"Okay mama, thank you. Ti Amo."

Hanging up the phone was bittersweet. I'm glad to know my mother is coming and knowing her she will drag half of the family with her. She's always been supportive of my brother and I even if she's not accepting of the decision made. My mama has been the family's cheerleader for years. Always ready to cheer us on without judgment.

I had to make more unexpected calls to my friends and other family members to make sure everyone is ready and prepared to attend the party this weekend. Hearing my best friends Babina and Julianna voices must have been the highlight of my day. I haven't spoken to them in 4 years but once they answered the phone, it felt like nothing has changed. They were quite shocked to find an official invitation from the Vincenzo Clan for a wedding but there were one of the few to know why I disappeared for so long.

Once all the phone calls were made, I made my way towards the dining room in search of Dominic. He was sitting in the dining room dressed in a black cashmere V neck sweater and black faded dressed pants awaiting for his breakfast. His attention was directed to today's newspaper.

"Out the shower, I see," I commented as I sat beside Dominic. He didn't look up from the paper in his tightly gripped hands. He simply nodded in my direction. It seems that no one can disturb Dominic's reading time.

Shortly, Liliana, the head maid entered the room pushing a serving cart towards us. On the cart were two plates of french toast served with pancakes and fruits along with a tea and coffee pot and small condiments like butter and jams. She placed the plates in front of us before dismissing herself back to the kitchen. I started to eat when Liliana disappeared. Dominic continued to read the paper.

"Where did you go this morning?" Dominic wondered, his eyes never left the paper.

"I was in my old room making phone calls to everyone. My mother and friends should be flying down tomorrow as planned."

"Just your mother?"

"And my brother. I don't expect my father to come no matter how much my mother begs him." The thought of my father missing my engagement party because of his stupid pride or whatever secret he's hiding from me saddens me. He's my papa. He should put any issues aside to support me as my mother does.

"Does that hurt you?"

"No, I understand he's a busy man."

"A lie so early in the morning? What unladylike behavior you display."

"I'm not lying. I understand why he wouldn't show up."

"I never asked if you understood. I asked if it makes you sad that he might not come."

"It would make any girl sad not to have her father there for their engagement."

"Does it make you sad?" He repeats firmly. He placed the newspaper aside and looked directly into my eyes.

"Yes, it makes me sad. Happy?"

"No, your sadness does not make me happy but knowing how you feel does."

"Can we just finish eating? I have some work to do before the wedding like memorize where everything is in the house. Where will my guests be staying anyways?"

"You're family and friends can share the guest wing of the house. Liliana can show you where it is after breakfast."

------------------------

Dominic and I went our separate ways after breakfast. He had an important meeting in the city to go to and I had to organize everything for my guest's arrival. Liliana agreed to show me around the estate one more time to familiarize me on everything I needed to know before my guest appears. If I had no clue where anything was, it would raise suspicion. As of right now, I want everyone to know that it has been smooth sailing since I've been here. The least amount of questions asked the less I have to lie to my loved ones.

Liliana and I spent the day getting the guest sector ready. The guest wing was on the other end of the house away from Dominic's private chambers, office or any other crucial rooms to the Vincenzo family. There were 9 bedrooms available in the guest wing with a gorgeous ensuite attached to the rooms. As of now, I only needed 5 rooms. One for my mother, brother, Juliana, Babina, and my mother's parents because wherever my mother goes my grandparents are trailing behind.

"Madame, did you end up deciding what dress you'll wear for your engagement ?" Liliana wondered as we were setting up the last bedroom.

I sighed loudly. Last night, Sophia dropped of 5 dress options for the engagement party. I totally forgot that I had to buy a dress so I was more than thankful that she jump-started the task for me. Considering she had no base to start with, she made some amazing decisions. It all came down to two beautiful gowns.

My first option is a burgundy mermaid strapless dress with a deep V neckline and a high leg slit on the right side. It was simple but complements my body perfectly.

The second option is a sexy black mermaid strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and a long sweep train and an added diamond studded belt around the waist. Both options made my body look amazing but I needed something that will make me feel like part of the Vincenzo familia. The only dress that makes me feel like that was the burgundy dress. I felt so...sexy! Once Sophia zipped up the back and I saw myself in the mirror I couldn't help the feelings I felt. That dress spoke to me. I never felt so sexy in my life! I knew this is the type of dresses I need to wear as a member of the Vincenzo familia. It made me feel beautiful and desired.

"I think I just decided on the burgundy dress and please call me Alessandra. I am no madame."

"The burgundy dress was beautiful on you ma--Alessandra."

"Thank you, I'm hoping Dominic's family will like it."

"The dress is flashy, sexy, and tasteful. There is nothing they won't like."

"Let's just hope my mom likes it. She's quite picky when it comes to outfits."

"Is your entire family coming down?"

"No... just my mom, brother and hopefully my grandparents."

"Your mother coming is what is important. The rest will follow, that is what my mother always said."

"I pray they will."

The guest wing was done by midday. Liliana disappeared to her quarters, leaving me alone in the house. There was nothing left for me to do until my famiglia gets here. I called Sophia after I was done the guest wing that I was picking the Burgundy dress. That was my only task for the day. Dominic isn't due back for another 3 hours so I couldn't leave the premises until he returns. I ended up taking a stroll around the estate, it was big enough to explore and make it back to the house by the time Dominic comes home.

The estate was beautiful and bigger than I anticipated. From the back of the house, I could see the entire estate. Far down in the estate near the fence is Dominic's parent's house. To the far left of the house was the rose garden maze, in the middle and estate was a gigantic Olympic size pool with a built-in cave and waterfall. I ended up in the rose garden again. The garden was peaceful. When I entered, I walked over to the bench and sat down. I closed my eyes and took in the beautiful scent of roses.

"Enjoying the garden, Alessandra?" An unfamiliar voice called out from behind me. I opened my eyes and saw the man who causes more fear in me then Dominic; his father.

"Hello, Mr. Vincenzo."

"Oh please call me Leandro. You are my daughter to be." Mr. Vincenzo was casually leaning against the garden wall looking at me intently. His attire was quite casual. He wore khaki tailored Capri pants with a navy blue satin button down long sleeve that was tucked neatly in his waist. Retirement was treating him very well. He had a surprisingly bright and wide smile spread across his face.

"How is the wedding planning going, Alessandra?" He wondered politely.

"Well we've only planned the engagement so far and we've managed to get everything done."

"I can't wait to attend. Your family will be in attendance?"

"Um...not all of them. My father has to work."

"Ah...I've been guilty of putting work first. You seem sad about it, if it means something to you, you should express that to your father."

"My father works very hard to provide the life I had. His decision for not coming does hurt but I know it's not a selfish decision. He does it because he has too not because he wants too." The hardest lie I have ever said and I managed to say it without a hitch.

"Important or not, a father needs to be there for his daughter's journey to marriage. That is a moment he will never get back."

My father has never skipped an important event to work. No matter how small the milestone was; ballet recital, talent shows, school dances... he was there to see me off. I always could count that my parents will be there supporting me to the very end. Dominic has been the enemy in my family for so long that I know my father won't let his pride go so easily. Even if it means breaking his daughter's heart.

===========================================================

GUYS, PLEASE READ THE AUTHORS NOTE AT THE VERY TOP. IT WILL EXPLAIN WHY THE STORY IS DIFFERENT!!!