đź’śNicole
I watched them go. Grace, with that irritatingly happy expression, floating out in Leonardo's arm.
The silence they left behind was dense, heavy, and boring. Unbearably, agonizingly boring.
Papa and the rest went on with their conversations, I was the only one that felt like something happened. I kept my gaze fixed on the tablecloth, trying to decide if the flower pattern was supposed to be a daisy or a miniature hand grenade.
I noticed Luca, Leonardo's step-brother, whispering something to Marco, who simply ignored him and focused on carving his chicken. He really is the other brother, I thought, feeling a dull pang of sympathy for Luca, which quickly vanished as I realized I was still stuck in this stuffy, velvet-lined prison and Grace and Leonard are probably somewhere laughing to each other.
I couldn't take it. The air felt thick with stale power and my mother's silent judgment. Every muscle in my body was screaming at me to move.
I leaned close to Papa. "Papa," I whispered in Russian, "I need some fresh air. It's too hot."
He frowned, his eyes narrowing. He knew me too well. Every time I was out of his sight, I was up to something, and that something was always trouble. He was about to snap "No," but the thought of drawing the Italian Don's attention back to me must have won out.
"Fine," he murmured back, barely moving his lips. "Be quick."
I moved gracefully, excusing myself with a polite nod to the Grecos, a gesture Mama would have been proud of. But the moment I was out the door and into the empty hallway, I took a massive gulp of air and let loose a string of silent, creative Russian curses.
I looked around and found them immediately. They were standing near an arched window overlooking the city, bathed in the soft, private lighting of the corridor. Grace's head was tilted up toward Leonardo, and her eyes, I swear, glittered with pure, unadulterated love. He, in typical fashion, was looking straight ahead, giving her about 2% of his attention. They weren't laughing like I thought they would be but still they looked like they were enjoying the moment and that was definitely a problem.
I couldn't help myself. Curiosity and that dark, nagging irritation drove me forward. I coughed slightly, just enough to break the spell.
They both turned. I gave them my most innocent, falsely sweet smile.
"Sorry to interrupt," I chirped. "The air inside was so hot, I decided to come outside for some fresh air."
Leonardo scoffed. It was barely audible, but I heard it. He was absolutely calling me out on the lie. Then, he looked away, staring straight ahead again. Seriously?
Grace, ever the diplomat, didn't miss a beat. "Oh, Nicole, we were just discussing the living arrangements. Leonardo was asking if I'd be comfortable living in his family mansion, since that's where we'll be living after the wedding, and I was just telling him how much I always loved having a lot of family around."
I almost choked.
"Grace, that's a complete lie," I said, turning to Leonardo. "She hates people. Being around a lot of families puts her into full robotic mode. Honestly, Leonardo, is there no way another accommodation could be arranged? Where it would just be, you know, you and Grace? Even I, don't like your family, let alone her."
Grace pinched my arm hard. Don't do that, Nicole, her eyes pleaded. Grace, always graceful, always wanting to be nice, even if it meant sacrificing her own comfort.
Leonardo finally turned and looked at me, and that single, heavy look made my lungs seize up but then, he suddenly behaved like a two-year-old whose candy had been stolen.
He turned his back entirely on me, focusing only on Grace. "It is actually compulsory, Grace. We cannot live alone. We would have to live with my family." It was as if I were a piece of wallpaper and he didn't just hear me talk.
Wow. Now he was behaving like I was utterly nonexistent.
"It's fine," Grace insisted quickly, but then she paused, staring into space with a newfound boldness. "Leonardo… out of curiosity, would we share the same room?"
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep me from giving the dramatic cough I desperately wanted to give. Thank God she asked anyways! Even though the thought of them sharing a room made my stomach flip, I definitely wanted to know the answer.
Leonardo looked at Grace, his expression utterly neutral. "Could you ask the third person to leave so we can talk properly?"
I was genuinely stunned. "What?!"
Grace started to protest, "It's okay, Leonardo, Nicole isn't a third—"
"She should leave," he cut her off, his eyes still on Grace. "Go."
My blood boiled. Fine. He was not only ignoring me, he was making it pointedly obvious. He wants a war? Fine.
I spun on my heel and stormed back into the restaurant.
I got back to the table and everyone was still talking business. Perfect. I went straight to Papa.
"Papa," I whispered urgently in Russian, leaning into his ear. "It's urgent. I need to leave now. Can I wait in the car?"
Dimitri sighed, his eyes on Italian Don. "Wait a minute, malyshka."
(malyshka: baby girl)
"Srochno!" I whispered again, emphasizing the word.
(Srochno: Urgent)
He relented. "Go. Wait in the car. Mama and I will be out soon. I don't want you alone."
I nodded quickly, but then pushed my luck. "Should I get Grace?"
Papa, wanting to clear the area so he could focus on the Don, nodded distractedly. "Yes. You and Grace wait in the car after she finishes talking to Leonardo."
That was all I needed. He had given me permission to fetch her. The fact that he'd said after she finished talking was irrelevant.
I rushed back out to the hallway. I got there, and they were still talking, locked in their little bubble. I hesitated for a heartbeat, thinking about Grace and how she might be enjoying the moment. But I changed my mind again and went all in, executing my plan instantly.
"Grace!" I announced loudly, grabbing her arm. "Papa said we have to go now. He and Mama are coming right behind us. It's urgent."
Grace frowned. "But we were still discussing—"
Leonardo looked at Grace, his composure impenetrable. "It's fine. Go with your sister."
Her sister. He called me sister. Not Nicole. Just sister. The bastard.
I didn't wait. I gave Leonardo a glare that promised future murder, and then I dragged Grace away before she could say good bye.
We got to the car, and I slid into the back seat while Grace looked around, realizing the deception.
"Nicole!" Grace pointed a finger at me, opening her mouth dramatically, exactly like I do when I'm being theatrical. "You lied! You want me to die single and unhappy because you hate the Grecos!"
I burst out laughing, the tension finally easing. "Oh, Gracie, you are dreaming! I don't want you single, I just hate that stupid Greco and his whole, stiff family."
"I think they're alright," Grace said, smoothing her dress.
"Impossible."
Grace smiled, a genuine, starry look. "I actually enjoyed talking to him."
I stayed quiet, fighting the temptation to ask what his reply was to her question about the room. I knew I couldn't ask that without betraying my own ridiculous interest.
Grace continued, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. "You know, the wedding is in a few days. Will you come with me tomorrow to pick out my wedding dress design? And maybe help me with some gifts for the Grecos?"
A few days..
The phrase hammered into my chest. A few days until she would officially be Mrs. Greco.
The discomfort must have shown on my face. Grace noticed my suddenly sore expression. "What is it?" she asked, tilting her head.
Just then, Papa and Mama emerged from the restaurant,their forms large and dark against the light. Thank God.....The awkward, awful conversation was saved.