New Encounters (18 page)

‘Why do you look so worried all of a sudden?’

‘Well... it’s a bit embarrassing really. I have only just realised I am going to meet your family and I am... well nervous. In fact.... I am more than nervous, I feel like I am going to pass out. What if they hate me?’

‘Why... oh why... would anyone hate you? You are perfect. Just... perfect. They will love you and you have nothing to worry about at all okay?’ He said firmly and with conviction, which makes me feel a little bit easier.

‘okay.’ The car swings round to a house, actually its not a house... it looks like a palace. Oh good grief, why can’t he just have a normal home. As we get out of the car and walk up the grand stone steps to the front door that was built for a giant, swings open.

‘Ciao Roberto!’ A grey haired large fella grabs him and kisses him.

‘Please... Uncle... English for Bella.’

‘Sorry... sorry Roberto. So you must be the beautiful Bella.’ My cheeks colour, and I nod and manage to squeak out.
‘Urmm... yes. So you are Robert’s Uncle?’ I smile at him and he gives me such a wonderful smile back.
‘Yes, I am his Uncle from his father’s side of the family.’ His accent is wonderfully thick but his English is superb. I again had not thought about the language barrier.

‘Come Bella.... You must meet a few members from Roberts’s family. They are all here and very eager to meet you’ He puts his arm around me and for a second I can see a slight amount of embarrassment on Robert’s face. His Uncle, who I still have no idea what he is called, ushers me through the hall, which is massive. In fact its the size of my house and I am dazzled by the shine from the marble. The staircase is a double staircase, a set on either side of the hall. Maybe if you get bored using the left side you use the right side? Why am I thinking of such trivial things? Nerves... always my nerves. Its all decked out in marble with... Jesus ... its the biggest chandelier in the world I’m sure of it. My head moves down and the banister for the stairs is made from beautiful wrought iron, in a wonderful intricate pattern. My heels click on the cold marble floor as Uncle... whoever he is leads me into the room just before the left hand staircase begins. He opens the door to meet a few members of Roberts family and there is over 50 people in this room. I feel so on the spot, and I have no idea what to say.
‘Hi…. everyone.’ I offer them a smile. They all shout a mixture of.

‘Hello, ciao, hi, buongiorno.’ one person shouted ‘hola’  which confused me even more.

Then came the time to introduce everyone. There is no way I am going to remember everyone. Uncle was doing the honours.

‘This is Roberto’s cousin, Nicky. This is Roberto’s other cousin, Maria. This is her husband Giorgio.....’ My head was spinning with all these introductions. Then a tall guy walked in the room with dark hair and a blank expression, unlike the rest of the people that were crowded around me.
‘Bella, this is Roberto’s brother, he is called Giuseppe.’

I look up at Giuseppe and I feel slightly intimidated, in fact... I feel intimidated by everyone. Its so much to take in.

‘Hello Giuseppe, its nice to meet you.’

‘Bella, I have heard alot about you.’ with that he kisses me to welcome me. With that he clink’s his glass with a silver spoon and announces.

‘Everyone, to welcome Bella to our family, please let us go outside now to celebrate as us Sicilians know best.’

As I manage to have a few moments where everyone is chatting frantically, I look around the lounge. There are several couches, all sumptuous with plenty of cushions. A beautiful large ornate gold mirror on top of the most grand fireplace I have laid eyes on. Flowers are in vases and give off the most beautiful scent, a mixture between Lilly’s and roses. As my eyes scan the room I feel like I am in a show room. The kitchen, is well ... for a foodie it is like a haven. Bowls of fresh fruit lie everywhere. The kitchen is cream units with granite work tops everywhere. There are numerous waitresses and waiters rushing about, replenishing their empty trays with more food and running back out. There are 3 chefs working away in the kitchen and the smell of tomato and fresh garlic hits me, and makes my stomach rumble. All of the staff nod at me and smile politely as they rush around. I ask Robert where the bathroom is, and he takes me upstairs.

Walking up the staircase feels like I have won the lottery. Robert shows me the bathroom, which is massive. It has a wrought iron stand alone bath. A shower that’s big enough for 10 people to get in, over in the corner a toilet and 2 sinks. Maybe, it’s in case you get bored with one sink I muse. The bathroom is decked out in marble that has glitter in. Its like this bathroom was made for me. I could spend hours in here. I mean at home I shower twice a day but I might be doubling that looking at this bathroom. I run to the toilet, and wash my hands in the luxurious hand wash. A smell of lemongrass hits me, delightful. As I come out, Robert is waiting in the corridor. He shows me our bedroom, as I walk in, the carpet is that thick my heels sink into the thick pile. This place is divine. The bed is massive and decked out in fresh white cotton, with some lime green silk pillows scattered. I smile at Robert and squeeze his hand and he playfully pushes me onto the bed. I scream in a playful way and he laughs. Pinning me to the bed with his hands and we start to kiss. I start to get lost in this moment as his mouth moves down my chest. Then I can hear shouting

‘Roberto... Bella? Where are you?’

‘Damn it, that’s one of my Uncles.’ He laughs, as our moment is clearly not going to continue. I don’t want all of Roberts’s family searching for us. That would be an uncomfortable first impression to say the least.

We go downstairs, and his Uncle looked at us amused.

‘I was showing Bella around the house Uncle’. He nodded but was still clearly amused.

We work our way out of the lounge, through the most beautiful patio doors and into the garden. The pool is huge and has a waterfall going into it. There is a small band in the corner playing background music, and caterers running around serving drinks. There is tables all over the garden with beautiful table decorations all laid out awaiting the feast to be devoured on each one.

‘Are you okay?’ Robert has slipped is arms around my waist and his lips are close to ear as he says it, before he nuzzles into my neck.

‘Fine…. just a little overwhelmed. That’s all. They are lovely’

‘Lovely... overpowering, but lovely. Don’t worry, tomorrow we shall go and explore so you can see the beautiful sites of Palermo. But tonight... well tonight is for the family. We often have get togethers but tonight it’s about welcoming you.’

‘That’s really sweet.’ Then I start giggling, and Robert starts poking me in my ribs.

‘What are you giggling at?’

‘Well, my family meal was this morning. Ash, you and me haha... in my dining room. Slight difference wouldn’t you say?’ With that we both start laughing. The family are all talking and laughing loudly with each other. Some of the kids are running about and playing together. So many of them. Then Robert informs me that this is just a few members of the family. Good grief. I am wondering whether or not all of Sicily is related to Robert. I feel dizzy with trying to keep up with everyone.

Wine is flowing, and the food.... well the food is some of the best I have ever tasted in my life. It is delicious and colourful, the taste.... well the tastes are just sublime. Tomatoes, taste so fresh and juicy. Everything is so fresh. We all sit at our tables, the centre pieces are lit as the sun has begun to set and the evening sky crawls along into darkness. After dinner, the music gets a little louder but it doesn’t intrude on our evening. I am surrounded by all the women chatting about fashion. They are telling me what the next big trends will be. I look to see where Robert is, and there is a group of men talking with him. They look serious. Caterina looks at me staring at Robert,

‘You both look very much in love.’

‘We are. They all look very serious.’

‘They are talking business, best not to interrupt them.’ With that she refills my glass and the evening continues, some of the children have passed out in their chairs, the table acting as their pillow. Before long the crowd starts to dwindle and announce their departure. We wave everyone off, apart from his brother. He apparently lives in this house as well.

As we lay in bed later on, I turn to Robert and run my hand over his chest.
‘Robert, can I ask you something?’

‘I think you will find... you just have.’

‘Haha... okay… when all of you men were talking tonight Caterina said you were all talking business and it was best not to interrupt. I just found it a little strange.’

‘Strange how?’

‘Are you all in business together.’

‘Kind of…. it’s a bit complex.’

‘Why is it complex? What kind of work do you do?’

‘We buy things, and we sell it for a better price.’

‘You make it sounds like you are an avid ebayer.’

‘Haha.. not quite Bella. We buy businesses and commodities and basically sell them on. We work as a family, to ensure the good fortune is shared. That’s all. Quite simple really, but the guys... they are very old fashioned and when the men talk business... we are to be left.’

‘Ohhh.... okay.’

CHAPTER 22

I struggle to open my eyes with the daylight pouring through the crack of the curtains. I turn over and I know before I turn over there is a void in the bed, and that Robert is not there. I am proved right. I wander over to the en suite, and after a shower I remember that I should text Ash. I get my mobile out and she has beaten me to it.

*Hope your ok. I can have next week off! YEY xx*

*YEY, I will book your flights and text you the details xx*

This is exciting news, I can’t wait for her to come and see this place. Enjoy the beauty of the scenery and we can explore it all together. I get dressed and tie my hair back and put some makeup on. I decide on only light makeup so it doesn’t slide off my face. It’s too hot for trousers so I settle for some nice shorts and a boob tube. Thankfully I had fake tanned before I came here, so I don’t resemble a milk bottle. Everyone here looks so chic and fabulous, I hope I don’t stick out like a sore thumb. I go downstairs to look for Robert and I can hear male voices. I can make out that one of the voices is Roberts.

‘Giuseppe, you’re over reacting for god sake.’

‘Over reacting, for fuck sake Roberto get a grip. While you have been flying back and forth falling in love with that woman, the shit is hitting the fan.’
‘There is nothing that can not be sorted out. We never lose. We never have and we never will. This is just a minor blip.’

‘Blip... fuck me Roberto... understatement of the year?? A blip is losing some money in an investment. This, well this could mean loss of lives. If the ragheads start to retaliate..... ‘

I walk down the next step and it my heels made a sound on that last step. Robert swings the door open and looks shocked to see me.
‘Bella... are you ok?’ He asks so aggressively... I can feel my cheeks warm.

‘Yes... yes I am.. I am fine. Are you? ‘ what the hell do I say? He spins round and must glare at Giuseppe, for he is equalling that glare.

‘I am fine Bella. Let us go for breakfast. I am sure the maid has put on a lovely spread, and then we will go into Palermo so you can see the sites.’

‘Fine’ It comes out so quietly, even I struggle to hear it.

Robert was right, the maid had put on a beautiful breakfast, and the orange juice was divine. I can become addicted to that. Real freshly squeezed.

‘Robert, Ash said she can get next week off is that okay? Or do you want me to cancel?’

‘Why on earth would I want you to cancel?’

‘Well... with you and your brother arguing... I just didn’t know whether it would be a good time or not. ‘

‘Anytime is fine, I will get David to arrange her flights okay?’

‘Yeah that’s lovely.... thank you’

‘Bella... what did you hear when I was talking with my brother.’

I repeated what I heard and he squeezed his napkin tightly.

‘Robert... what did you mean by loss of lives? What does ragheads mean? Why is the shit hitting the fan?’

‘Bella... my brothers English is somewhat.. rustic. He means loss of livelihoods, that people may lose their jobs. He calls them ragheads as a term of slang. It’s a deal that could have been handled better. That’s all. Nothing for you to be concerned about okay?’

‘Urmmm I suppose so.’

‘Good, go and get your things and lets set off shall we.’

‘Sounds good’

I ran upstairs and gathered my belongings. Was I okay with his explanation? I think I was, I mean they are a lovely family and I am sure his brother was just stressed out. I just hope he isn’t resenting me already for taking up Roberts’s time. I go downstairs and David is outside holding the door open for me.
‘Hello Miss Stone’