Good Bad Blood

Chapter three:Part two

“In order to prevent them from putting you out, you have options.” Salvatore said, a coldness replacing the usual fondness when he spoke to her.

Camilla remained silent, noticing clearly the shift in his demeanor.

“You have to marry me.” Salvatore said, his eyes never leaving her.

Camilla wasn’t so shocked but that didn’t prevent her stomach from turning inside. She knew what was coming so she had prepared her mind for it. Not to mention the fact that Salvatore had been attracted to her since the first day he laid eyes on her. Salvatore married Gianna his wife when he was just 25 and his wife was just 23. The next year they birthed Matteo, and the year after that, Eduardo followed. It had been a time of celebration for the family, including Vitiello. Three years after that, Vitiello, along with some men were sent to Puerto Rico to deal arms with a wealthy mafia boss there. It was there that Vitiello laid eyes on Camilla. She was just 16 at the time. She was pretty with her red hair and green eyes. He wanted her. Camilla’s father didn’t love her much Anyways. He called her a witch and blamed her for killing her mother, who died after giving birth to her. Camilla was raised by the helps in the house and she hardly saw her father. So, when this opportunity presented itself, Camilla’s father took it. Two months later after Salvatore had given his blessings, Vitiello returned to Puerto Rico to take the wife that had been promised to him. Her father got reduced prices for giving his only family and only daughter to the Italian Mafia. Although the Italian Mafia still dealt arms with the Puerto Ricans, that day when her father gave her away was the last time Camilla saw or heard from her father ever again. When Vitiello returned with Camilla from Puerto Rico that day, Salvatore was almost sad that he had already married Gianna, who was quite beautiful but was nothing compared to the Puerto Rican beauty. The wedding was held in Italy, Salvatore married his wife whom he was older than with a whole 9 yrs. That same year at the young age of 16, Camilla birthed her exact replica Celeste and two years after that, Gianna passed. The reason was unknown to many. At the young age of 32, Salvatore Cassano was widowed, living him with his two sons who were just 6 and 5 respectively.

“Did you hear what I just said?” Salvatore asked, drawing Camilla back from her reverie, it all seemed like yesterday to her.

She nodded, looking at Salvatore with eyes that held no emotion. Not that Salvatore was ugly to look at, in fact he was quite handsome. But that was a dishonor in itself, to marry again, and that with a man who had openly ogled her body when her dead husband was still alive. It was an arranged marriage but they both grew to respect and care for each other. Love although, was impossible.

“The other option.” Camilla said, her eyes narrowing.

“That is the best option.” Salvatore retorted.

"Questo spetta a me deciderlo” That is for me to decide," was her cold reply.

Salvatore sighed in resignation.

“Either of your daughters has to marry Matteo.” Salvatore dead panned.

Camilla’s legs wobbled, but Salvatore’s firm hands held her steady once more. What did they mean either, Giulia was just 10 and Celeste was too naïve to understand anything. Her only options were either to marry her to a man who was her senior with a whooping 14 year or give up Celeste who was the obvious choice to Matteo, the future Capo dei capi of the Italian mafia, someone who was almost as ruthless as his father.

“Queste sono le tue opzioni” Those are your options- Salvatore said almost sarcastically.

Camilla had heard him but she couldn’t care less. She wouldn’t dishonor her husband and she wouldn’t let either of her daughters go through what she had to go through. They would marry for love, not an arranged marriage where they could only hope that the men were as good to them as their father was to her. She scanned the room and her eyes found Giulia; she was disturbing Eduardo who clearly wasn’t in the mood. Her daughter was so little, so innocent, she would never let any harm come to her. She scanned the room for Celeste but she was nowhere to be found. Her gut told her that Celste was with Matteo. She had watched them for the last couple of months and she knew something was going on between them but how was she to explain to her naïve daughter that Matteo wasn’t some bad guy from a romance novel who had fallen in love with her. He was a made man, they didn’t fall in love. They wanted, and what they wanted they had to have.

“You have until tomorrow night to decide, I hope you make the right decision.” Salvatore said, before bowing and walking off, leaving her in the middle of the ball room.

She felt hot tears well in her eyes, she blamed her father for giving her to the Italians, she blamed her husband for dying and leaving her with the Italians but most of all, she hated the decision she knew she had to make for her and her two children to survive.

“Mama, bene agis?” Mum, are you okay- Celeste asked her mum as she descended the staircase that led to the second floor.

Camilla was brought back to the present, where she was meant to be and she smiled at her daughter. Her daughter didn’t speak in Italian anymore, she now spoke in Hispanic, in accordance to where her mother was from. Her two daughters who didn’t know any single Spanish word made it their mission to be able to speak it ever since they left Italy. That and the fact that speaking Italian brought back too many memories from the past. Even Camila spoke Italian still, but her children refused.

“Sto bene, solo stanco” I’m fine, just tired- Camilla replied in Italian. She would continue to speak it for the sake of her husband and so that her children would never forget it.

Celeste only nodded and soon they were out the door,

going to get the final fitting for her wedding gown.