A Mafia Daughter 2

Part 9

Viviana stared at Matteo, who had just walked in a with a young and rather pretty woman but she could hardly see her, she could hardly see anything.

She watched as everyone else seemed to fade away into meaningless blurs, her heart speeding up as the floor seemed to fall beneath her. It was like floating... she and Matteo were alone in the crowd.

Matteo's first instinct was to walk towards her, forgetting he was with Amy and moving away from her. It had been too long and there she was. She looked different, her hair was different and that dress. She was amazing. All he could do was close the space between them, completely unaware of anyone or anything else.

"Viviana, do you know him?" Charlie's voice finally broke through the spell, making her turn towards him.

Matteo's stride slowed as he watched another man put his hand at her waist and turn her away.

"What? Oh. Yes, I do. " She said quietly, trying to calm down.

"Is he your ex?" Charlie asked, quickly judging by her reaction that there was no one else he could be. Viviana nodded.

"Why don't we get you something to drink?" He said, grabbing her arm and leading her away.

Matteo had stopped himself and slowly retreated back towards Amy. He couldn't believe it. That was Viviana, he was sure of it, he would never mistake her and she was just as glorious as ever. Matteo tried to appear calm as he returned to Amy.

"Is everything okay?" Amy asked, unaware of where he had gone to in the crowd.

"Yes. I was just trying to avoid someone. I'm sorry for not pulling you with me." He said, taking her arm and guiding her in the direction he'd seen Viviana go.

"That's fine." She said, following him.

"Thirsty?" He asked, taking a couple of flutes of champagne as they passed closer, his eyes focusing on the unmistakable dress. he looked it over, definitely not something he'd ever imagine her in. She was wearing a floor length dress, white and gold, with long sleeves and an almost completely bare back. The dress highlighted her curves but it did not cling to her figure as she usually preferred... and her hair. She'd changed. She'd changed so much that he might not recognize her walking down the street.

Then it hit him- she was the girl in the shop that day. She had to be.

"Wow, look at that dress." Amy exclaimed, noticing the woman everyone was admiring.

"Are you okay? Would you like to leave?" Charlie asked, concerned. It had only been a week since she had signed the divorce and seeing him might be too much.

"No. Not at all. I'm fine. It was just a surprise. If I'm honest, I haven't seen him in over a year." She said, suddenly confiding in him.

"Really?" Charlie said.

"Yes. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I'm just glad the moment has passed and we can go back to having a nice time." She said, smiling and clinking her glass against his.

Charlie smiled. Something else he didn't know about Viviana- she'd been separated from her husband for over a year, maybe it wouldn't be too soon to...

"Did you two see who walked in?" David's voice made them both turn.

"Who?" Charlie asked as David discreetly signaled to Matteo.

"Matteo Peroni- son of the Peroni Famiglia." David said, making Viviana look at him. Did he just say famiglia?

"Where is he?" Charlie said, looking around.

"Right there, with the woman in blue." David said. Charlie was still. Viviana had been married to Matteo Peroni?

"Yes, I do see him now. I'm surprised his father isn't here." Charlie said, getting very tense. Viviana did not make a sound.

"They say he's ill, maybe he is ready to pass the torch on." David said and suddenly turned to Viviana. "That family is one of the wealthiest in the country- everyone of their businesses flourishes with ease. They say Matteo, like his father has a golden thumb for business."

Viviana was quiet, trying not to look at Charlie or Matteo.

"They call themselves la famiglia, or so I've heard. It's a term they use for business associates. It's always been a bit shady... if you ask me." David said, making Viviana's heart stop.

"I don't believe they are involved in anything like that." She said, trying to sound casually amused by it.

"Oh? Have you ever met them?" David asked. Viviana nodded.

"My father was an old associate of theirs and I know Matteo well." Viviana said.

"oh." David said, suddenly quiet. Charlie turned to look at Viviana who was looking at her glass.

Matteo watched Viviana speaking with the two men, one of whom was a police officer. He'd tried not to look in her direction but it was too much, having her this close, unable to take her hand and that man... the one that kept his hand on her back.

He wanted to rip his throat out. Matteo remained as cool as possible, trying to pay attention as Amy chatted.

"I feel like I know her from somewhere." Amy said suddenly, wrinkling her nose and chewing on her lip as she tried to place her. Matteo was quiet.

"I'm going to the lady's room." Amy said, turning to look for one.

"I'll take you." Matteo said politely but Amy shook her head.

"No. Not necessary, just point the way." she said as Matteo directed her back towards the lobby.

Viviana watched as Amy walked away, unaware that new people had joined their circle. She stared after her, thinking she was a pretty girl and wondered who she was. Could it be that Matteo and her...

Viviana shook her head. She wasn't going to make that mistake again. She had already wasted enough time being jealous, she should trust Matteo, give him a chance to explain who she was. Viviana looked at Matteo- he looked more handsome than she remembered in his suit, his hair perfectly in place, an unaffected elegance about him.

Matteo noticed that Viviana's company was now deep in conversation and without really thinking, he finished closing the gap, walking towards her, needing to speak to her.

Viviana noticed Matteo was moving towards her and turned to look at Charlie.

"Excuse me. I'll be right back." She said, Charlie nodding. Charlie watched as Viviana cautiously approached Matteo, not sure how to react.

Suddenly they were right in front of each other- silence. They were almost too still, again the world freezing around them and without a word, he extended his hand and she placed hers in his.

Matteo and Viviana moved into the next room, where there were people dancing and slowly he pulled her towards him, savoring every second. It was something he had been longing to do for a very long time.

Viviana felt the electricity the moment his hand went on her waist, pulling her close to him. His hand were warm and she felt an old familiar heat spread.

"You're trembling." He said after some momentary silence.

"I'm nervous." She said simply, not sure what to say.

"How have you been? I thought you were in New York." He asked, trying to keep himself from pulling her against him tightly.

"I was. The apartment was very nice. Thank you." She said, trying to control herself.

"I'm so happy to hear that. I wanted you to be comfortable." He said. Viviana looked at him, not sure what to make of the situation. Here he was with another woman, breaking a taboo- dancing with the wife he cast out.

"Very considerate of you." She said dryly.

"Can we talk outside?" He asked, not waiting for her to reply and leading her towards some doors in the back. For anyone watching them, they were the perfect couple- she beautiful and elegant and him, handsome as the devil himself.

Viviana followed quietly, wondering what could happen. She'd waited a year to see him, to speak to him, to understand why he did what he did.

It was a nice evening out, there was no one else out on the patio and Matteo led her towards a small bench in the back.

"Vivi..." He said, sitting her down next to him. Viviana felt her entire body quiver as he said her name. Matteo held her hand in his, looking down at the thin fingers and then slowly bringing them up to his lips.

It seemed like a dream that here he was, holding her, kissing her skin after so long.

"Matteo." She said, pulling her hand away. "I need to know what happened. Why?"

Matteo was still, still unbelieving that she was so close and at the same time so far.

"I woke up alone and confused, with nothing but a piece of paper Alfonsino handed me and a speech about how I could never see you or my sisters again. Why? Why did you do it?" She said, suddenly feeling all the hurt and pain rise up to her throat.

"Vivi, I..." Matteo began but she stood.

"Is it because of my father?" She asked.

"No, of course not. I told you his crime was not yours." He said, taking a step towards her.

"Then why? Why did you banish me? Why am I here with you... as your ex wife?" Viviana asked, so many feelings sweeping over her. "Could it be you really don't love me anymore?" Her face softened.

Matteo was still, unmoving, wanting nothing more than to pull her close to him and kiss her, beg her to forgive him for sending her away and take her home with him where she belonged.

"Well? Don't you have anything to say?" Viviana pleaded, growing nervous when he stayed quiet.

"Is it her? That girl you're with?" She asked. Matteo balled his hands into fists and held them tightly at his side, looking down.

He couldn't do it, he'd promised to keep her safe. He couldn't break his silence. It was best this way.

"Say something." She said suddenly, a tear running down her cheek as she gave him a shove. Matteo did nothing to stop her. Viviana was still, unbelieving of the entire scenario. Why wasn't he reacting, why didn't he explain?

"What do you want him to say?" Amy said, suddenly appearing from within, having heard the whole thing. Matteo turned to look at her, perfectly still. "I think he's made his feelings clear enough."

Amy slipped her arm into Matteo's and placed a kiss on his cheek. "You should have some self respect."

Viviana stared at Matteo, for the first time thinking he had left her for another.

"So. Then I was wrong. You really are done with me." Viviana said, putting a hand on her chest and the other over her stomach. Matteo felt his fingers twitching, instinctively wanting to reach for her but he stopped himself.

"I'm sorry, Viviana. It's best this way." he said. Viviana looked up at him, eyes teary but a big smile on her face.

"It's okay. Don't apologize. I am over it, really, it's been a year. I just needed some closure. But I'm happy for you." She said, holding her head high. Amy stared at Viviana, watching her with some admiration. "Goodbye, Matteo."

Viviana walked off the patio and disappeared behind the doors.