CHAPTER 10
1035 Words
As beer was splashed through my nose and mouth, I tried to process what was happening at that moment. Was my best friend proposing to me? Okay, I've never been big on tradition, but getting proposed to at the bar during Happy hour was a bit extreme.
"Waiter," Giovanni called out, witnessing my pitiful state. "Bring a cloth, please. Mirela, here's a napkin. I think you're the first girl to spit beer when getting proposed to."
"Sorry, but I wasn't expecting this," I explained, wiping my face. "And besides... where did you get this crazy idea of proposing to me? The plan was just for me to pretend to be your girlfriend at your grandpa's social events, remember?"
"I'm really sorry. I wouldn't have proposed if I didn't need you, Mia," Giovanni said, with those puppy dog eyes. "I really need this favor, Mia."
"A favor? Giovanni, this is not a favor!" I exclaimed, getting nervous. "A favor is taking out the trash because your friend forgot, or paying a bill. Lending money, being a guarantor for a house... even pretending to be a friend's girlfriend. But this... this is asking to share life with someone forever. It's too much."
"You're the only person I can ask for this," Giovanni explained. "I know it's abuse... but I won't ask you for anything else. I'm offering you a unique opportunity to have a comfortable life... and for your parents too. If you become my wife, I can find a way to permanently solve their situation."
"No, Giovanni... this is not something we casually discuss," I said, putting my fingers to my mouth as I glanced around the bar. Who knows, there might be an immigration officer or someone who could get him arrested... "At a bar..."
"Then let's go somewhere else," Giovanni suggested, already asking for the check. "I'll do whatever you want, Mirela. I just ask for your help. If I don't marry someone, the family will fall into Massimo's hands. I know he's my brother, but he will destroy our family. He'll squander the money on women and partying... He'll leave our family exposed to rivals and himself."
"I know, Giovanni," I agreed, holding his hand. "But you're not asking me for something easy. I would be married to you. It's already difficult just being your friend..."
"What are you saying?" Giovanni asked, confused.
"That if I marry you, I'll miss the chance to marry someone I love. I'll have to set aside my life to live in your world. A world that we know is not easy at all. It's a huge sacrifice. You know I've always wanted a real family."
"Mirela, it's only for a while. Come on, in the car, I'll explain it better," Giovanni explained, swiping his card and paying the bill.
***
"We'll get married in a month. Then we'll stay married for a year, or until they see that I'm the ideal family boss: that I'm Don Giovanni... and then we'll get divorced. You can ask for a divorce, I don't mind," Giovanni explained in the car in front of my house.
I stared at Giovanni as I tried to control my thoughts. The theory he had just told me, in his own way, seemed simple... even easy to achieve. However, there were small and crucial details missing, the ones he wasn't telling me or even caring to deal with. But these details were crucial to me.
"I already understood the end. I want to know how we're going to make the wedding happen..." I said, looking at the car's dashboard.
"What do you mean, Mirela?"
"Let's get practical... do you really think no one will find it odd that we're getting married a month after your grandpa's funeral? Right after the will reading?"
"No... after all, everyone thinks there's something between us. Who would suspect the wedding?" Giovanni asked confidently.
"Everyone will, just because of the will. The story needs to be convincing from the engagement to the wedding," I explained, thoughtfully chewing on my index fingernail with my teeth.
"So, you're considering it? Will you marry me?" Giovanni asked, hopeful.
"As I said, that was the practical part. The fact is, I can't marry you, Giovanni," I replied, being honest.
"Why not?" Giovanni asked, serious.
"Giovanni, I can't marry you because my documents are fake. My life is a lie, and as soon as I step into the registry office, I'll be arrested before I can say 'I do.'"
"We can sort this out, Mirela. It'll be a bit of work, but I can manage it," Giovanni said, not caring about the gravity of what I was saying.
"It's not that simple... You know it, and you also know it could raise suspicions," I argued, seriously.
"With my position, I'll have many more connections within the institutions and can get permanent visas for your parents, and give you a good amount of money, so you can do whatever you want with your life."
"That's the point, Giovanni. I like my life!" I exclaimed, getting nervous. "You're giving me money that I can't use, a life I can't enjoy when I like my job..."
"You hate your job," Giovanni threw at me.
"Okay, I hate my job. But I can find another one... I have that possibility. I like how my life is..."
"A life that doesn't allow you to be close to your parents," Giovanni corrected me once again, making me even more irritated.
"But it's my life, Giovanni!" I raised my arms, getting worked up. "You're asking me to sacrifice my life for yours."
"No... Mirela, I'm asking you to consider the opportunity to change your life for the better," Giovanni argued.
"Only if I marry you," I retorted.
"Yes, but that's just a detail, Mirela," Giovanni affirmed.
"Just like it was just for a while to pretend to be your girlfriend, remember?" I reminded Giovanni. "You better find someone else for this. I'm out."
I got out of Giovanni's car, slamming the door with all my strength and without looking at him. This situation had crossed all boundaries. However, I didn't realize that, for Giovanni, boundaries had become just another word in the dictionary.
- Writer
