Tentative Engagements

Chapter 7: “Rumbling tummies.”

Penelope

“Thank you for having us over,” Alex tells me as he takes a seat next to me. I guess our Thursday family dinner nights are back on, I think to myself, as I take in tonight’s surprise guests. My mother never mentioned that Alex and his father would be joining us for dinner tonight. Ever since the attack at Ricci’s party, where my boyfriend Alex ditched me to hook up with some girl, he hasn’t shown up for our weekly family dinners. If having Alex was not enough of a surprise, his father, Mr. Amato, decided to join us. I wonder why Mr. Amato is here?

“The thanks should go to my parents. I had no idea you were coming, Alex.” I said in a low voice so only he could hear me. Alex is about to respond, but his father's voice halts him.

“I am so glad that all our families remain unscathed from this most recent attack.”

“We are all fortunate. Any progress on identifying who hired those thugs to attack us?” My father asks the question that has been on everyone’s mind.

“No. We painstakingly review Romano's security footage from Rainer’s birthday party, second by second. We didn’t see any men wearing helmets like in the first attack. I did catch something interesting.” Mr. Amato pauses as our food, Fiorentina steak, is brought in. The food’s delicious aroma makes my tummy grumble.

“Ah, someone is hungry.” Alex teased me. I covered my stomach with embarrassment.

“I had a light lunch.” Broth, to be exact. Whenever my mother thinks that my little sister, Camila, or I need to lose a few pounds, she serves us chicken or beef broth without explanation. It’s her silent way of telling us we are getting too chubby for her taste.

I don't particularly appreciate how my mother’s obsession with weight impacts my younger sister. No matter how many talks I have with Camila regarding our mother’s unhealthy food habits, it doesn’t undo my mother’s work.

“Well, the food is mouth-watering.” Alex gave me a small smile, and I returned it. He knows the struggle with the weight that my mother has imposed on me. I have always been slim, if not a bit underweight, and I know now the harm I have been exposing myself to every time my mom wanted me to drop a few pounds. My mother walks a fine line between being food conscious and having anorexia.

Yet, Alex never made me feel uncomfortable by criticizing or bringing attention to it. The only thing he ever said to me was that, once he married me, he was going to fatten me up with his cooking. When he told me that, it only made me feel the urge to marry him sooner.

“As I was saying, I found something interesting. There was a part on one of the videos where it showed Lana and Penelope entering Rainer’s office. Minutes later, it showed Lana returning to the party alone. I am not suggesting that Penelope did something improper, but you can understand my concern, right, Myles?” Ha! Just because he says, he is not suggesting it doesn’t make it any less accurate.

“We raise Penelope to conduct herself with dignity and grace. She would never do anything to compromise her morals or values, I can assure you. Penelope, please explain why you were left alone with Rainer.” Part of me wants to lie and rebel by saying he was deflowering me, but I still remember the sting of my father’s hand when he slapped me last time I said something crude.

“Penny would never do anything like that, father. It’s unfathomable.” Alex comes to my defense, but it doesn’t sit right with me. His words it’s unfathomable. What is that supposed to mean?

“Quite unfathomable. It is not I who cheats, very unfathomable indeed.” I responded in a clear, monotone voice.

“Penelope, apologize right now. That was very rude.” My mother ordered me. I managed to unsettle everyone except my sister. Camila’s eyes are bouncing back and forth, delighted with tonight’s drama. I remain silent. The old me would be jumping and saying whatever my parents instruct me, but something in me has changed.

“Myles, you stated that Penelope had moved on, but she is still holding on to resentment.”

“My apologies, sometimes I forget Penelope's true age. Penelope, you are excused. Take the next twenty-four hours to reflect on your actions. Leave us.” I can’t believe what my father just said. I gladly take my punishment and stand up.

“Let me walk you.” Alex exits the dining room with me. Alex walks me silently to my bedroom. When I reach my bedroom, I turn around so Alex can say what he needs to say.

“All of these years, and I have never seen your bedroom.” His eyes focused on the closed door behind me. He is correct, but that is the way it is. “It’s not proper for you to be alone with a man who is not your family, behind closed doors. Yet, you did. Tell me what happened at Rainer’s party.” Alex’s voice conveys his controlled anger. This is the first time that Alex has ever been upset with me.

“I have nothing to hide. Lana wanted me to hand Rainer’s gift personally to him. We were both in his office, then Lana remembered she had to get her mother a shawl. After Rainer opened his gift, we went back to the party. He wanted to go through the backyard to take a few pictures with the camera I gave him. It was nothing nefarious. He was very respectful.”

“Hmm, it sounds like it was a setup. I don’t think you had anything to do with it. However, you still need to be careful with Rainer.”

“What? Rainer would never hurt me. I have known him for years.” Alex stares deeply into my eyes, and I know he wants to say something but doesn’t.

“Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your dinner,” I say when he doesn’t reply.

“Our engagement party has been postponed until next month. We have a huge business deal that we have to attend personally in New York. I won’t be able to go with you to Gabriel’s engagement party on Saturday.” As if I would ever attend another party with him.

“Look, Penelope, you need to work through this s**t. We are going to get married no matter what. We both have a lot of time invested in our relationship, and let’s not forget all the money both our families can gain from this arrangement. Letting go of the past will benefit you the most. I want you to be happy, not bitter or resentful.”

“Alex, would you so easily forgive me if it was I that left you at a party so I could hook up with someone else?” Alex’s eyes looked like they wanted to shoot lasers because he was so mad.

“That would never happen. I have given you time, but that is over now. I will be rejoining your family on Thursdays for dinner, taking you out on dates, and you also need to start texting me back or answering my calls, Penelope.” My eyes water with tears. I hold in my frustration because Alex will not compromise with me.

“Goodbye, Alex.” I said and escaped to my room. It all boils down to money. The Amato men and my father only care about their precious profits. They do not care about my happiness. What is my life going to be like once I am married? Am I going to become bitter, as Alex said? Would it be better for me to pretend I was dumb and blind? My unhappy thoughts are put on pause when I hear the text alert ding from my cell.

My Girls Group Chat

Luciana: Who is down to go to Mad Hatter’s Club tonight with me?

Lana: Hell yah! Dad and Rainer are going out of town tonight. I am so excited!

My two friends have no moral dilemmas about sneaking out of their house whenever they get a chance. I have covered for them when needed, but I have always been too afraid. Not today, though.

Me: Count me in.

Lana: Haha, very funny.

Me: No, I mean it. Please have a fat juicy cheeseburger waiting for me.

Luciana: Wow, that is excellent, Penny! I will text you guys later with the details. Welcome to the dark side, Penny!

Lana: One of us! One of us!

I smile and shake my head at my friends. This is exactly what I needed. I will escape from my life for a few hours. My parents are already upset with me no matter what, so why not finally break one rule?