Chapter 11
1169 Words
[Note: There are some Italian words in this chapter, as I am just studying the language I had to rely on Google Translate for help. The English meaning of each word can be found at the end of the chapter. For those who understand the language and can speak it fluently, I apologize in advance if the words are not entirely correct.]
Chapter 11
-----THE VALENTE’S MANSION-----
Ariana pulled up in the garage of her parent's home, she parked her Bugatti centodieci before getting out of the car. The beeping sound of the sleek black beauty as it automatically locked itself filled the silent driveway while Ariana walked towards the front porch. She delivers two quick raps on the door before twisting the doorknob.
‘Anyone in the house?’ she called, and within minutes the living room was filled with the staff.
‘Benvenuta signorina Ariana,’ they all greeted her at once.
‘Buongiorno a tutti, dov'è la mia mamma?’
‘Lei è in sala da pranzo,’ one staff member answered.
‘Grazie.’
She gave her bag to one of the female staff and walked into the dining area.
‘Good morning Mom,’ Ariana kissed her mother on her cheek, before settling down on the seat in front of her.
‘How are you, princess? It has been so long since you slept in this house with us, I have missed you,’ Audrey Valente complained. dropping her spoon to pick up her cup of coffee.
‘I'm so sorry Mom, I missed you too but you know how Mother is, she barely let me out of her sight. Besides, I am her PA, so it is expected of me to be present at all times.’
‘I know… I know and I'm grateful that she loved you like her daughter, I was worried at first,’ Audrey took a sip of the coffee and placed it down as she stared at her daughter.
‘Why?’ Ariana was confused.
‘You know how rich her family is, if she wished to, she could have bought our family and our business, yet she welcomed you with open arms and chose me as her friend,’ Audrey told her.
‘She can be tough and scary at times, but she is a sweet woman once you get to know her more and if she feels she can trust you,’ Ariana smiled. ‘She is the first person aside from you and Dad who believes everyone is equal regardless of status.’
‘I know, but you can't deny the fact that she can be ruthless if she wants to.’
‘That is true though,’ Ariana nods in affirmation.
‘What would you like to eat? I'll have Luisa whip something up for you before you leave for work again.’
‘I will have what you are eating,’ Ariana answered with a smile.
Audrey turns to the cook. ‘Luisa, prepara velocemente Gnocchi e Fiorentina per Ariana.’
‘Si, signora,’ Luisa bowed a little and walked into the kitchen.
While Ariana waits for Luisa to finish preparing her meal, she and her mother continue to discuss themselves.
‘Have you and Giovanni decided when you'd be holding your wedding?’ Audrey suddenly asked. ‘I know you are adamant about waiting for Salvatore to find someone so you can have a double wedding, but it doesn't seem like he is ready to settle down.
‘It will make me very happy to see my baby girl get married and have kids before I leave this world.’
‘First of all, Mom, you are not leaving this world any time soon so don't say that to yourself,’ Ariana reprimanded her mother. ‘Second of all, Mother and I are working on something and very soon, you'll hear of Salvatore's engagement.’
‘But—’
‘I understand how you feel, Mom,’ Ariana cuts her off. ‘You don't have to worry about that, Giovanni and I have been discussing it and we will have our wedding soon, even sooner than you'd expect,’ she assured.
‘Then that's wonderful news,’ Audrey smiled. ‘Be quick to inform me once you have a date, there's a lot I have to prepare for.’
Ariana shook her head with a smile on her face, she now understands why her mother and her mother-in-law were able to click and become best friends. They both have so much in common.
She watched and listened as her mom continued to talk and demonstrate the dream wedding she had in mind for her daughter’s big day. It gladdens her heart to see her mother finds joy in things like this and that's because she didn't let her wealth control how she will live her life.
Luisa finally brought Ariana's meal after a while and served it to her.
‘Buon appetito,’ she said, smiling at Ariana.
‘Thank you, Luisa,’ Ariana smiled in return,she picked up her cutlery and dug into her food.
After some mouthfuls of spoons, she looked down at her watch and stood up.
‘Is there something wrong?’ Her mother asked, staring at her.
‘I need to get going, mother wants us to interview the new candidates for the post of Salvatore’s assistant,’ she answered.
‘What happened to Isabella?’ Audrey frowned.
‘That w***e slept with Salvatore already, and mother didn't want her mixing pleasure with work. We already have enough of that with the assistants before her.’
‘I knew it. I knew she was a b***h, I warned Emilia about her the first time they employ her, but she asks me to give her a chance to prove she is a good woman,’ Audrey scoffed. ‘Now look, I was right in the first place.’ She rolled her eyes.
‘We both know Mother likes to give people a chance to prove they can be trusted, even if she knew by their look that they can't be trusted.’
‘You know how people are, they wouldn’t say they are the problem, they would say Emilia's standard is too high and she is too proud because she is rich,’ Audrey mumbled.
‘Exactly why she let Isabella show her true colour to everyone herself, that way they won't accuse her of being biased,’ Ariana supported.
‘Take care of yourself princess and drive carefully,’ Audrey advised
‘I will, bye mum,’ Ariana kissed her mother on each cheek, waved her hand at her while grabbing her bag from the maid she handed it to and walked out of the house.
She got to her car, entered the driver seat and drove out of her parent's house.
.
.
.
Benvenuta signorina Ariana: Welcome Miss Ariana.
Buongiorno a tutti, dov'è la mia mamma: Good morning everyone, where is my mom?
Lei è in sala da pranzo: She is in the dining room.
Grazie: Thank you.
Luisa, prepara velocemente Gnocchi e Fiorentina per Ariana: Luisa, prepare Gnocchi and Fiorentina for Ariana quickly.
Si, signora: Yes, ma’am
Buon appetito: Enjoy your meal.
- Writer
