"Don't mind her. She's not well." He grimly adds.
"She thought I was..." I blush, and Enzo quickly picks up on that.
"I can imagine what she thought. Don't listen to her. If possible, ignore her. That's what I usually do." He shrugs, going to the counter and pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"She didn't recognize me." I muse more to myself.
"Doesn't surprise me." Enzo adds with a scoff before collecting himself. "She's not well... mentally."
"Oh." I drop the subject, realizing it's one that bothers Enzo. I'll just do my best to avoid Allegra in the future.
"Marcello will come by around noon." He brings his coffee at the table and joins me. "I'll talk to him first, then you two can meet." Enzo lays out the plan and I just nod, the anxiety I'd felt before returning full force.
"Lina," Enzo puts his hand on top of mine. "We'll get through this, I promise you. No one is going to harm you, or Claudia."
I nod. I hope so, too.
IT'S HOURS LATER THAT I keep pacing around my room, waiting for Enzo to be done with his meeting. The cook, Melissa, had offered to take both Claudia and Lucca shopping. Since this is all new to Claudia, I'd agreed, especially when she'd assured me they would be accompanied by several bodyguards.
My palms are sweaty, and when a maid comes to let me know Enzo's called for me, I try to compose myself to the best of my abilities. I go down the stairs and see Enzo with a cigarette in his mouth. He nods his head towards his office.
"How did it go?" I whisper.
"He agreed, but only after he talks to you. He said he wants to get your express consent."
The moment I hear that it's like a weight has been lifted off my chest.
"Really?" My hopeful tone must be too obvious, because Enzo grimaces.
"I don't like this." He reiterates. "But it's the only solution to our problems." He takes a deep drag of his cigarette. "Go on. Settle his mind, and we'll convene to discuss the details."
Leaving Enzo behind, I head towards his office. With a deep breath, I make the courage and knock on the door before opening it.
Marcello is with his back towards the door, sitting leisurely on a chair.
"Hello." I greet him tentatively.
He slowly turns around and his eyes move over my form. I suddenly feel self-conscious. I don't have that many clothes, needing nothing special during my time at Sacre Coeur. For this meeting, I'd put on my best Sunday dress. It's a rather simple blue gown that reaches my ankles. It cinches at the waist, so it gives me a little definition. I spread my hands down my dress, trying to get rid of the moisture off my palms.
Marcello stands up and motions me towards the chair opposite him. I take a step forward and extend my hand in greeting. He gives it a passing glance but doesn't reciprocate, instead his eyes are fixed on my face. I feel a little foolish with my hand extended like that, so I immediately pretend I'm smoothing over my dress before sitting down. Maybe he doesn't like what he's seeing... why is he not saying anything?
"Catalina." He nods at me and takes a seat.
"My brother must have told you the circumstances." I start, trying to seem unaffected by him. He looks just as good as when I'd seen him before... even better from up close. His eyes are a warm whiskey color. I hadn't noticed that last time. Dressed in a gray suit, he looks smart and business-like. Even his hair is groomed, no longer messy. I'm once again wondering what he must see when he's looking at me. Maybe I should have worn some makeup. But since I've never really worn any, I don't know how to apply it.
"He has." He replies, his voice sending shivers down my spine. There's a husky quality to his tone that makes me want to ask more questions just so he'd keep on talking.
He leans back in his seat, still observing me. I try awfully hard not to fidget under his scrutinizing gaze.
"You're agreeable to the match?" He asks me and I immediately nod.
"Yes." But then a pang of guilt assaults me. He probably doesn't know... "But first, I have to tell you something. You can decide if you still want to marry me after." I sneak a glance at him, and he has a bored expression on. He casually nods and I take a deep breath.
"I'm not..." I pause, not knowing how to frame this. "I'm not innocent." I eventually say.
His expression changes briefly, but he just shrugs. "I don't care about that."
"That's not all. I have a daughter..."
"Enzo mentioned that." There's an intensity in his eyes that almost scares me. Before I lose my courage, I continue.
"I won't be separated from her." He nods.
There's a moment of silence in which he just looks at me.
"How old is she? Your daughter?"
"She's nine and a half. She's very well behaved, she won't bother you." I feel compelled to add. Maybe he thought it was a baby or a toddler, and they are more rambunctious, so I see why he'd be interested.
His eye twitches for a second and he turns his head.
"What's her name?"
"Claudia."
"Good. You and Claudia won't have to worry about anything."
"It's not... a problem?"
"No. I have a younger sister at home. They aren't that far off in age and could get along." I breathe a sigh of relief at his words. "However," he continues. "I also have some ground rules. That's why I asked Enzo to let me talk to you beforehand."
I freeze. What does he mean? I wait for him to continue.
"This will be a marriage in name only. I will give you my name, and I will provide for you and Claudia. You will want for nothing. You will be given your own room in the house. How you spend your time is up to you. I will only impose on you if there is an event we are invited to, or if we are hosting one."
A marriage in name only? I wait for the relief to come, but there's none. Why? He must not like me... That's the only plausible explanation.
"That is fine with me." I say, trying to mask my disappointment.
"And one last thing. Don't touch me." I whip my head around and frown at him. What?
"What do you mean?"
"Just that. I don't like to be touched. Even something small, like a brush of a hand. Don't."
I'm too stunned to say anything, so I just numbly nod.
"It's better to lay out our expectations from the beginning. That way, there will be no disappointment." He mentions. I'm still reeling from his former pronouncement.
"That does not mean that you can see other men."
"What about you then?" I burst out.
"Me?" He raises an eyebrow at me.
"It will be a marriage in name only, as you said, but I am not allowed to be with anyone else. Then what about you?" I ask him.
He throws back his head and laughs.
"You don't have to worry about that, Catalina." He leans forward, so he's closer to my face. "My affliction, so to say, extends to everyone. I'll be true to my vows; of that you can rest assured." He takes a moment to breathe deeply, before adding. "If I could..." He shakes his head, a bitter smile forming on his lips.