Bella Vita Read Free Page A

and not know where I'm going.” I pouted as I
hadn't figured that out yet.
    “ Well that is easy enough.
You're going to visit a friend of the family that is a bit of a
recluse. It was difficult enough to have her accept your arrival-
to have someone outside our direct family would ruin the entire
thing. See, problem solved.” Part of me began to believe his words
as soon as they were said. Strange
reaction.
    “ But how...” I never got to
finish as Dom suddenly came out of the house.
    “ Emma, dear, one of our
oldest family friends was terribly upset by the fact that she
wasn't able to attend your ball. She has invited you for a stay
with her.” I caught on quickly and set the box was I holding down
on the pile we had created.
    “ Ok. Dom and I'll go and
visit her, it'll be good to take a trip before school starts.” I
tried my best to fake my smile.
    “ Um, unfortunately, she
does not receive people, and she asked for you only. She won't take
any other visitors.” Grandpa's voice sounded perfect for what he
was saying- a little uneasy.
    “ But Dominic's like
practically family. Surely he can go!” I was pouting now. I felt
Dom's hands come to my shoulders.
    “ Mia bella, go see this family friend. I'll take care of some
Bella Notte business I've been neglecting.” He smiled at
me.
    “ But, it's not fair! Why do
I have to go see some weird family friend without you?” I knew how
I would've reacted normally and this part was key to getting
Dominic to believe this.
    “ Emma. Enough. Stop acting
as though you'll never see the poor boy again.” Grandpa actually
huffed at me.
    My mouth dropped open. “Yes... Grandpa. I'm
sorry.” I was really shocked.
    Dom took my hand. Close your mouth, Em. “Do you mind if I ask when she's to leave?” His voice took on
a formal tone as though he had been offended by my grandfather's
tone with me.
    “ Tonight. Everything is
arranged. It is a late flight, a car will be waiting to take you to
the airport at nine. Now your grandmother is calling me. Please
bring these boxes in the house.” And with that Grandpa walked
away.
    He had done an absolutely perfect job and
left me in stunned silence.
    I picked up the nearest box and headed
inside. Dom followed.
     
     
    Dom and I had been quiet since we left
Grandpa. The atmosphere there never changed from our conversation.
I briefly wondered what exactly my grandparents gifts were, but it
wasn't the best time to ask.
    Just as Grandpa had said,
at nine o'clock a shiny black town car appeared in front of Castello di DeDominico .
    What should I say? My mind kept circling around this question, like
the great white does in Jaws .
    “Don't worry, Emma. I'm
sure that you'll have a great time. Perhaps the woman isn't as
crazy as she sounds. Hey, I forgot to ask, where are you going?”
Dom broke the silence.
    “Ugh. I didn't even ask. I
bet Grandpa did it on purpose not to tell me so I wouldn't tell
you.” I sighed in my fake frustration.
    “See, it's not so bad. It's
like a secret getaway. Or you're being taken as a prisoner. Or
you're sneaking into an enemy spy camp. Perhaps you'll travel to a
land that time forgot.” Dom's face was lit with excitement, like a
kid opening presents at Christmas.
    “Woah! Clearly someone has
seen too many movies.” I teased.
    “Clearly, someone else
isn't looking at the possibilities here, poca nube di pioggia nera .” He
teased back.
    “Did you just call me a
'little black rain cloud'?” I was curious if I was actually keeping
the Italian I was hearing.
    “ Sì , soon you'll be a perfect Italian
native.” He beamed.
    “Just because I can
translate, doesn't mean I can speak it or that I fit here.” My mind
started to shift to the last place I didn't fit and how things
changed. Stop. Don't go down that
road. My thoughts froze.
    “But we fit, so when we're
together we fit anywhere!” It was the sweetest thing I had ever
heard.
    “Aww.” I kissed him and the
driver tapped the horn ever so