Aurum Isle

Just comfort no promises

"morning my dear..." Sias eyes fluttered open, she looked around, and he was nowhere to be seen. 'Was that real?' she thought, the sun shone through the window, she just needed to adjust. Her eyes flapped open and shut once more and then she fell into her pillow. "Wakey wakey sleepy head, I took the liberty of getting rid of the evidence before your cousin got home.", "so it wasn't a dream?" She managed to muster out, still lying her face within the pillow. "Well, was I in your dream? I just snuck a five foot hunk of meat out of the house this morning and managed to clean up before Luca came in. You go girl!" She cheered, "Aunt Beryll, I've missed you.." Sia turned over her eyes wide open this time. "I've Missed you too, now get your ass out of bed and come tell me who he is!!!!"

"Hello? Anyone home?" Sia let herself into her parents Manor. She heard chuckling from the outside patio and made her way to it. "Hello daddy!" The pool and patio area she entered her fathers stunning oasis, infused with Italian flair and designed for effortless entertaining. It reflected her parents love for hosting. The sparkling pool is surrounded by sleek, travertine stone decking and adorned with elegant lanterns, it was sunkissed all the time and often served as Sia's Ideal i********: motivation.

A beautifully crafted pergola, draped with lush greenery and vibrant flowers, only her mother's favourites, her father planted it and maintained it for the happiness of her mother, it provided the shade and ambiance the patio needed in the day time. while a nearby outdoor kitchen and bar area beckoned guests to gather and socialize. A wood-fired pizza oven and grill station are perfect for whipping up delicious Italian-inspired cuisine. Her memories, all throwbacks, when she stepped in her parents home. She lived in the city, of course, pollution, cars and atmosphere that wasn't the same as what she grew up in,but managed to adjust to.

"Ciao Bella! We were just talking about you!" Her father sat on one of the plush sofas near a nearby fire pit, it was lit. They chose that spot for the scenery she thought. " And who are 'we' Daddy?" She smiled at the gentleman who sat near her father, "This is your new father in Law. Donatello Valentine."

"she's even more beautiful in person Sal! The photos do not do her justice!" The man shouted, he had a beer in his hand, and was smiling from ear to ear.

The man exuded quiet authority, his rugged features softened by gentle eyes hinting at a kind heart. Sia could tell, his eyes smiled as well as his mouth. His Italian heritage was evident in his chiseled face, strong jawline, and piercing blue eyes luminated the room. Despite his age, he carried himself with dignified elegance, his silver hair slicked back revealing a prominent forehead and sharp cheekbones. Fine lines and wrinkles etched his face, he had crows feet that signified his sense of humour. His wrinkles testified to a life of experience. His eyes sparkle with warmth, suggesting empathy and compassion beneath his tough exterior. He looked multifaceted but intimidating.

"Thank you..." Sia responded awkwardly but politely. "Yes I'm very happy with this! Very happy! But I can tell you, Sal, your daughter got her looks from her mother because you are an ugly bastard!" Don added. You could clearly see they had a few beers already. Her father agreed and laughed as Don said it. Her father knew how to take a joke, he also knew that his daughter looked like his wife.

"Your mother's in the kitchen, with your mother in law..." He laughed, knowing exactly what the next question was going to be from Sia. "Thank you daddy." She stood submissively. Sia had a lot of respect for her father. She had seen him at his worst, and she has had him at his best. She knew not to disrespect him, she was brought up with confidence but humble enough to know that her father could take her out to the next dimension with just one look.

"She's a good child Don..." She heard her father begin his next conversation with her new father in law. She was holding back tears, she knew she was about to break.

She had just come back from a lovely weekend with her friends, she enjoyed every minute of it, reality set in however when she met her new father in law. It was like she wasn't ready. But who is ready in an arranged marriage? And it wasn't like she couldn't get a man... It was all about alliance, building a family, having children, making the bloodline stronger, and money. Her feelings in her life had to be sacrificed.

Her parents had always told her this was going to happen. She hadn't mentally prepared herself enough over the years.

She stood in the passageway leading up to the kitchen and she let it all out. She needed to. She was building it up inside. The tears started to flow.

"Alessia! what is the matter, my pretty flower?" her mom sympathised. carrying a salad out and being followed closely, by another person, who she assumed was her new mother in law.

"It's just a lot Mama" she cried, her mother nodded her head, handed the companion the salad and embraced her only daughter. Her heart was breaking for Alessia, but all she could do was comfort. No promises and no showing her dad. He would become angry.so they embraced each other, then her mother pulled away. "Go get yourself cleaned up and meet us in the kitchen. We have a lot to talk about."