A Mafia Daughter 2

Part 5

Charlie Harris was exhausted. He'd spent all day in court, filing paperwork and listening to lectures from his father.

Next week was a very important fundraiser and there was going to be a big party at the West Hills Hotel. It was the biggest charity event of every year and his father was going to be honored. His father was a decorated officer who had served the city for 35 years- a hero who had done so much for the people. He was also a grade A pain in his ass. Always pressuring him.

You work too much.

How are you ever going to meet a girl this way?

Don't you think I want to have a grand son one day?

It was all he heard. Charlie knew he was a slave to his profession. He loved the law, he loved serving the law and had wanted to be a lawyer all his life. He avoided romantic scenarios because they were only going to serve as a distraction. Now his father was nagging him once again- You need a date for the fundraiser.

Charlie crossed the public gardens, trying to get back to his office and get some extra work in. He could eat at his desk but the work wasn't going to get done on its own. Charlie made a mental note to call his cousin Sarah- she would have to be his date again.

As he stopped to buy sandwich, he looked around. The park was quiet that day, not many people out. He scanned the benches, considering for a second taking a 15 minute breather, that's when he spotted her, the saddest looking woman he'd ever seen.

He watched her, staring at a fountain, holding a small paper in her hand. She was silent, her mind probably far off, and very still. Without really noticing it, his feet began to carry him in the direction of the woman who seemed not to notice she was being watched.

"Are you okay Miss?" He asked, realizing her face was streaked with tears.

Viviana turned to look at the stranger, a handsome man who was dressed rather severe. She looked at him for a moment, not sure why he was speaking to her.

"I'm sorry, it's rude of me but I saw you crying and I wanted to make sure you were okay." He said after a few minutes. Viviana nodded.

"Yes." She said, turning away but the stranger sat down next to her.

Charlie couldn't believe what he was doing, sitting next to this woman. He stared at her for a second- the next thing he noticed was how beautiful this woman was. He blonde hair set off the deep brown of her eyes, her perfectly winged brows and a set of beautifully curved lips.

"I'm sorry for intruding, but I'd like to be of help If I could be." He said. Viviana shrugged.

"Unless you could turn back time, I'm not sure you can help." She said bitterly.

"Well, no." He said, still not sure why he was speaking to her.

"My husband... My ex... I just signed the divorce papers." She said suddenly handing him the white paper. It was a receipt, she'd turned them in to the court house in person.

"I'm sorry. I know divorce can be quite difficult." He said.

"Are you divorced?" She asked, turning to look at him. He shook his head.

"No, but I'm a lawyer." He said. Viviana laughed- it was a dry, humorless sound.

"You know, in my experience, the toughest part is signing. After that, there's nothing left but to rebuild." he said, trying to look at things from a positive point of view.

Viviana turned to look at the stranger. It was definitely bizarre. He had just come up to her and started talking. Stranger still was how she had just blurted out about her divorce.

"It's so easy to say but you have no idea how particular my case is." She said, shaking her head.

"No. I don't and I'm really sorry to have intruded. I just didn't like to see you sitting her crying, alone." He said, standing.

"You don't have to go. I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression. It's been one of those days." Viviana said, reaching out for him. Even thought they'd hardly spoken, this man and his cool demeanor had a comforting effect on her. "I'm Viviana."

Charlie smiled, sitting back down.

"I'm Charlie Harris. It's nice to meet you Viviana..." He said, his voice trailing off as he shook her hand. She smiled, the first smile he had seen from her and he was bowled over.

"Aliotta." She said. "Nice to meet you."

"Italian?" He asked. Viviana nodded.

"Yes. My parents were." Viviana said.

"and what do they do?" He asked.

"They're both dead." She said. His eyes widened.

"Oh. Sorry." He said. Viviana shook her head.

"No, don't worry." Viviana said. "So, you're a divorce lawyer?"

"No. I do criminal law the partners in my firm do divorces. I honestly prefer to steer clear of those cases." He said, making Viviana chuckle lightly.

"Yes, I don't blame them. So you work criminal cases?" She said.

"No." He said frowning, making her raise her brow.

"But I thought you just said..." she began.

"Yes well, I just passed the bar last year so most of the cases I've worked have been misdemeanors but I do assist on several criminal cases with the partners." he said.

"Oh. Okay. I see. Well, that's good. Lots of practice." Viviana said.

Viviana couldn't believe she was sitting her speaking to his stranger, someone she had never seen before in her life. What's more- she was enjoying their conversation. For Charlie, it was a truly strange event. He hardly spoke to anyone out of court but this woman made it so easy.

"I have to go." He said, looking down at his watch. His lunch hour had somehow passed without him realizing it.

"Oh. Well, it was very nice to meet you." She said, standing up at the same time he did.

"I really enjoyed our talk. Here." He said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his card. "if you're ever in trouble, please give me a call." Viviana laughed.

"Okay. I will..." She said holding the card in her hands. "Would it be okay if maybe we did this again?"

Charlie was quiet for a moment and then smiled.

"Sure. Same time tomorrow?" He said and Viviana nodded.

------

Viviana walked around in the downtown area, her sunglasses on as she watched the people. She knew the stores that Matteo frequented, the places he liked to go and had been coming here everyday trying to get a glimpse of him.

She'd finally given in and signed the divorce papers, the hardest thing she'd ever had to do but she didn't want them to go looking for her. She was happy she'd run into Charlie today- a kind stranger who helped her regain some confidence after she'd been sobbing so pathetically.

It had been two weeks, every day, out looking to see him and she hadn't seen Matteo once. When Charlie came and sat next to her, she was feeling pretty miserable. It was amazing how one kind person had really helped her regain her spirits.

Viviana stared at a dress in a nearby window- Dark green wrap around- it was gorgeous. With the right pair of shoes and matching handbag she would look amazing. She sighed, catching a glimpse of her reflection- Large sunglasses that covered up her face, short blonde hair, faded jeans and a white tee. She was nothing like her old self. Getting dressed in the mornings was the least exciting thing.

Even though they were in the same city, she had never felt farther away from Matteo.

"Oh that's a lovely bag." Viviana heard a woman say as she pointed to a handbag in the window.

Viviana was perfectly still.

Her heart beating wildly. It was Bianca!

Viviana tried not to seem tense. Bianca was standing right behind her, she was sure of it. Every instinct in her body wanted her to turn and speak to her but she forced herself to continue looking at the glass.

"Do you want it?" She heard another voice say. Viviana looked up to the man standing next to her.

He was tall, dark and incredibly handsome- just like she remembered. His hair was still perfectly in place, his suit tailored to perfection. It was a casual elegance only he could exude. Her heart picked up the pace, going too fast, making her feel like she would faint.

It was him, it was Matteo. Viviana tried to repress the tears that were prickling her eyes. Her entire body shivered, aching for him to pull her against him. She looked at him, her reflecting standing close to him- aware of how unlike herself she looked, how much of a mismatch there really was. If she had that dress on, would she be able to turn and face him confidently?

"No. I have several like it- Besides, we still need to pick up the tickets for the Fundraiser on Saturday and it's already getting late." Bianca said, turning to walk away. Viviana waited for them to turn away completely, letting them drift farther.

Slowly, so as to not appear obvious, Viviana turned and walked behind them, trying to catch a glimpse of where they were heading, careful to stop every so often and look into windows.

After a few minutes, she saw them walk into the West Hills Hotel- it was one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. She watched through the window then, as they were greeted by a concierge. This must be where they were picking up tickets for the fundraiser they mentions.

'I have to get a ticket.' Viviana thought as she watched them. A few minutes later she noticed they were walking back towards the door. With a sigh, she turned and began to walk away, hoping they wouldn't notice her or the way she was shaking.

"Matteo." She said to herself softly. She'd give anything to just run up to him but she was sure there were escorts nearby. Viviana walked along slowly, remembering the first couple of months, the way Matteo would sweep her up and hold her tightly, his hands in her hair, on her neck and then hips. The way he kissed her and created a fire inside, a heat that was impossible to extinguish.

She shook her head, trying to be calm but her body ached for him. Carefully, Viviana turned round behind her to catch one last glimpse of Matteo has he helped Bianca into the car outside of West Hills, then she turned back towards her walk home.

Matteo thought he'd felt someone watching him- his instinct was usually right but he tried to ignore it. With all the tension currently building between the Carangis and La Famiglia, he would not be surprised if they were having him followed.

As he helped Bianca into the car, he looked around him, getting a glimpse of his surroundings. Then he noticed that girl- the girl with the short blonde hair who had been standing in front of the window at that shop. Was she just looking at him? He saw her turn back around and keep walking.

She probably was- it wasn't strange for women to stare at him, sometimes even follow him. He watched the girl walk away, she was a slight girl, generous curves, tall but not too tall. She was wearing blue jeans and a white tee and yet the way she walked reminded him of... Stop. He shook his head.

He needed to stop looking for her in every woman who even vaguely resembled her- that girl was nothing like Viviana. Still, as he watched her turn the corner, he wished he'd gotten a better look at her.