His Discarded Bride: Lied to from birth. Manipulated into marriage. Does love stand a chance? (10 page)

Leilani paused, “Not just yet,” she hedged.

Renato was quick in assessing the situation, “I take it that they don’t know you are here?”

“They know that I’m with you and I’ve briefly mentioned our pending marriage,” she evaded.

“That’s not what I meant and you know what I’m asking you. You say you don’t want to live a lie anymore yet here you are doing just that,” his remark was pointed, and the colour grew on her cheeks. It wasn’t fun being called on your actions and for some reason what he thought mattered.

She just wasn’t ready to share her feeling with him and unless their relationship deepened she doubted she would be able to confide in Renato. “I need some time. A lot has happened suddenly, and I simply need space to adjust to what is going on. I’ll call and talk to my parents about Vittorio when I’m ready,” she pulled her hand from his grip.

Not deterred he put his arm around her shoulder drawing her closer to him, “you are right. It’s been a big day for all of us. Why don’t we invite Vittorio for dinner and let him hear the news he’s waiting on and in the meantime you might want to relax in the garden or by the pool. A little quiet time and a glass or two of wine will do you good.”

Leilani had to agree and took him up on his offer. A bit of space from Renato would also do her good; the man was playing with her electrical wiring in the most disconcerting way. She had so much to ponder, and her parents didn’t even know that she was looking for Vittorio. Then there was the wedding. Her mother would want more of an explanation on her pending nuptials. Rosa had made that abundantly clear in their last conversation, and she had been side-stepping a continuation of that discussion ever since.

Renato headed for his office and placed a call straight through to Vittorio. “What game are you now playing? I just fired one of Savino’s security team based on your bribes,” Renato fumed.

“I wanted time on my own with my daughter that is all,” Vittorio’s projected innocence was not remotely believable.

“Then why not just call me and say so and how did you find out about the surveillance in the first place?”

“Just because I’m old doesn’t mean that I’m blunt. I’m still as sharp as a tack and somewhat bored these days. You are not the only one who can employ a security team, and I would suggest that you remember who taught you most of the skills that you currently have. You and I are the same.”

“So what was the point of taking the investigator off my books and onto yours? Was that solely for your amusement?” he seethed. He knew the old man liked to play games with his opponents but in this instance he had thought of him more as a begrudged ally. Vittorio was forcing the issue of marriage so what was the point of all of this.

“You were looking for a way out of this marriage when all Leilani was doing was looking for me. I realised this before you and took pleasure in disengaging your pawn from the playing field. Now enough of this conversation I’m getting bored. Has my daughter made up her mind yet and if not what are you doing to make it up for her?” He was his usual cold self, the Vittorio that Renato knew all too well. “I’ll also want a paternity test done,” he gave Renato the details of a well-known laboratory.

CHAPTER TEN

Leilani slept like a log and woke up feeling more refreshed than she had in a long while. Dinner the previous night with Vittorio and Renato went better than expected with both men proving they could be lively conversationalists when they chose. She had detected a slight chill between the men when they greeted, but it was either her imagination or short lived as they appeared quite harmonious for the remainder of the meal.

Still she felt emotionally confused, on one hand she was about to have more family than she expected upon leaving Australia, yet on the other she wasn’t sure how to connect on a more meaningful level. She would obviously need to give both relationships more time. First things first she was due to meet up with Camilla again who would apparently be organising a showing of wedding dresses at the apartment. Leilani couldn’t stand the woman who had distinct designs on her fiancé. She barely knew her intended and had little confidence in his ability to remain monogamous. Neither did she have enough to confront him with her doubts. It would only increase his perception that she was insecure, and she was desperate to shake that image.

Self-reflecting she knew that from the moment Renato met her he’d not seen her at her best. They’d met not long after she’d learnt of her parents’ deception, and even now felt misplaced. To know that she was barely tolerated by the man who raised her was now conceivable with the knowledge of her true parentage. However, to know that Vittorio had been happy to leave her as an infant that hurt. Discarded by those that should have cared for and loved her dented her self-esteem and confidence in a way that was unimaginable.

She couldn’t think about this right now, she was still too raw and indulging in self-pity would get her nowhere. It simply was what it was, and she would just have to deal with it and get on with her life. The last thing she needed was to be feeling vulnerable with Camilla about to arrive at any moment. She could easily imagine what conclusions the woman would come to if she saw Leilani in a weak moment.

Grabbing a hold of her makeup case she pulled out what was necessary and started applying the technique advised by the makeup artist. She took five deep breaths, decided it was time to face the day and headed down to breakfast where she could relish the next half hour or so of peace.

Renato was firing off instructions to Camilla that she busily entered into her tablet, so she didn’t realise when Leilani walked in. However, he missed nothing. He noticed the sway of her blonde hair and lithe body and her mouth with those lips that knew his, how he’d love to savour them again. It was her eyes though that truly drew his attention. She looked relaxed until she spotted Camilla and him; Renato spotted the immediate change in her demeanour. Wariness crept in as she took them both in and then the subtle straightening of her shoulders and squaring her jaw preparing for whatever imaginative battle she was concocting.

Camilla realised that he’d stopped dictating and glanced up to see what was distracting him. Noticing Leilani, she ignored his intended and continued with their task effectively snubbing her. Renato rose to his feet, and he opted for a show of unity and greeted her more enthusiastically than he’d intended. “Buongiorno tesorino,” he greeted her with the loving endearment and leant in for a kiss. Touching his lips to hers he momentarily forgot that they were not alone. Firmly he took a hold of his woman and branded her with a kiss that would remind her of him all day long.

It was Leilani that wiggled out of the embrace first, becoming conscious of their onlooker. A sexy blush stained her cheeks; she mumbled her barely comprehendible greeting and took her seat at the table. Camilla uttered a greeting that was no doubt compelled to not appear rude. He would have to keep an eye on her, she was a brilliant assistant, but he knew how a woman could be, and any unwanted interference in his personal life would not be tolerated.

Throwing back the contents of his espresso he opened the conversation up at the table, “so what are the plans for today?” though he knew perfectly well having overseen the itinerary personally.

“Leilani has several designer houses arriving today to show off their exclusive wedding dresses. The wedding planner is coming this afternoon to go over final touches to the wedding. Everything is on schedule, and you should be happy with the outcome on the day,” so efficient, he knew that she would have it all executed with precision. It was Leilani he wanted to hear from and throughout the conversation she quietly ate her food and only offered monosyllabic yes and no answers.

If she had no interest in her wedding day, then that would be her problem. He’d done everything he could for her to put together the day in a way that suited her, the best planner, designers, you name it she had it at her fingertips. Warranted he had forced the wedding onto her but she was aware that he meant this to be a lifelong commitment so he would have thought that she’d start showing a bit more interest. There was no doubt that the chemistry spark existed, he felt the desire growing for her with each kiss and touch. There was no reason they couldn’t have a relatively amicable marriage with all the perks.

The doorbell rang indicating the arrival of the first wedding dresses. His queue to leave as sighting the bride in her wedding dress before the event was one tradition he didn’t want to break. They would have enough of a challenge without tempting fate further. He stole another chaste kiss on the lips before departing for The Favalli offices.

Leilani couldn’t get the taste of his lips from her mind. They had turned a point, and the light touches and kisses were driving her crazy. She couldn’t believe how quickly she could forget her surroundings, forget everything including how domineering Renato could be and just lose herself in his touch and taste. She was afraid to admit that she wanted more. She just wished that their relationship had a loving foundation. As it stood, she was so unsure of everything. Maybe she could spend some time with Vittorio over the next few days. If he divulged a bit more of Renato’s character to her, she might gain a better understanding and possibly grow closer to both men in the process.

“Are you coming into the living room or are you going to sit there mooning over Renato all morning?” The catty comment lifted Leilani out of her reverie and propelled her into the other room. She spent the next few hours viewing models showcasing wedding gowns while coping with the stream of subtle snide comments from Camilla. By lunchtime, she was quite over the entire experience and quickly shortlisted four dresses to try on.

Parading each gown in front of the designers and Camilla was painstaking, and the first three choices were terrible. “I think you should let one of us make the choice. You obviously need assistance working out what suits your body shape,” Camilla lapped up the opportunity to make another cutting remark.

“I’d prefer to be the decision maker on this occasion,” she gritted back while the design house representatives murmured agreement. She noticed their furtive looks between Camilla and her, as they tried to figure out who called the shots. As a Favalli, they would see her as empowered yet regardless of station Camilla had the distinct ability to intimidate.

Leilani picked up her final choice and with the help of two fitters stepped into the dress. The heavy satin was cool against her skin, and she took a slight breath in as the attendants laced her up tightly. The champagne material was liberally adorned at the breast with pearls and beads. They feathered down her left side, skimmed her waist and curved to cover her lower abdomen before trailing to the top of her right thigh. The skirt of the gown was simple with only a couple of tucks on the left and one on the right. They created elegant drapes and wide soft pleats before trailing off into a modest train.  

She looked at herself in the mirror and knew that she looked beautiful even without hair, makeup and accessories. The dress was made for her. Her skin tone looked luminescent, the colour wasn’t as traditional as white or ivory yet she was a bridal vision. If only she were marrying for love, instead the gown would be wasted on what was no more than a business deal. Still she would have to look back possibly for years to come and when she did she knew that she would be happy that she chose this dress.

“Unlace me please,” she did not want to parade in front of the others. She did not seek or want anyone else’s approval least of all Camilla’s. Happy with her choice the only other person she wanted to admire her was Renato.

The attendants weren’t sure what to do but taking a look at her resolute face they assisted her in undressing. “Thank you,” she murmured gratefully. Leilani stepped out from behind the curtain and announced that she would be taking the last dress.

“What you aren’t going to show us? I insist that you try on the dress and let us determine if it is the right dress for your wedding. I’m in charge of ensuring that the day is to Renato’s standards,” demanded Camilla.

“You may have some say over the events of my day, but I think you will find that the ultimate choice is mine. Now if you don’t mind, I have a few things I’d like to do before the wedding planner arrives,” proud of her surge of confidence she did her best to dismiss the other woman.

Camilla dismissed the staff and sensing an issue they scurried out quickly laden with their gowns. Leilani not relishing the thought of a confrontation turned down the hallway and headed for her room and heard Camilla’s angry breath before she felt the tug on her arm. “I think you and I need to have a little talk,” she pushed Leilani into the bedroom.

“I don’t particularly want to talk to you, and I certainly don’t give you permission to be in here,” she asserted.

“Is that so, maybe it’s time I had a chat with Renato after all. Regardless of your protestations the other night that I could sleep with Renato, I don’t think you meant what you said. In fact watching you this morning it seems that you’ve gone and fallen for more than his wealth,” she sneered.

The woman was awful and on full attack, “Go ahead and talk to him. In fact why don’t I get him on the phone for you right now and you can let him know what you’ve discovered,” Leilani pulled out her phone.

“You think I won’t call your bluff? Be very careful Leilani. I know Renato, and the one thing he won’t abide is you cheating on him, he is a real Italian in that sense. As of now you will step to the side, deny him in bed and let me cater to his needs with the skill that he deserves or I will expose your secret,” she threatened.

Maybe things weren’t as dire as she had first thought. Camilla wanted her to deny her husband of their bedroom privileges yet little did she know that they had not progressed beyond kissing. Maybe Renato was no longer frequenting Camilla’s bed, it would explain the threat but it gave her no clue as to what Renato was doing. Possibly he’d taken another lover that would explain why he wasn’t sleeping with Camilla or attempting to bed his fiancée.  Bolstered with confidence Leilani took a step closer to Camilla, “you can threaten all you like,” Leilani smiled as sweetly as she could. “He already knows.”

Camilla gaped unsure of whether Leilani was telling the truth. She could call Renato but if he already knew, then she would look like she was only stirring trouble. However, if he didn’t know, then it was a way for her to get this woman out of his life and guide him to a better option, herself. Luckily a woman engaged in battle always kept her biggest weapon hidden until needed. “Fine, if he knows then he knows. More fool him for marrying an adulterous woman,” she stated as though it no longer mattered. “I could have sworn you looked at each other this morning with feeling for one another. The reality though is that it’s a loveless match,” she stated dramatically.

“Stay out of my marriage, you know nothing of it,” Leilani snapped getting impatient to be rid of her.

“I have no intention of getting involved. It appears the two of you have it all worked out. You with your lovers in tow and Renato, well Renato he’s only in this to lay claim to the business when his father croaks it,” she fired off her remaining bullet.

“What are you talking about?” cold crept into her heart. She knew it was nothing more than a business arrangement but how she could even be relevant in his inheritance, of that she was unclear.

Camilla looked gleeful, the woman was utter poison. “Are you so obtuse,” she further tried to demoralize. “Put two and two together and figure it out. He collected you from Australia. Do you think he met you and just fell in love,” she derided.

“I never indicated that it started as a love match. After the news article in Rome, we decided it would be in both our interest to legitimise the story, and we both believe that love will grow,” her stupid mouth. They hadn’t discussed any such thing, but pride could be an incredible motivator. She should have just told Camilla to go to hell, she had no need to justify herself to this woman. Morbidly she wanted to understand the situation and Camilla seemed to have the answers, and the seed was there whether she liked it or not. This spiteful woman may, in fact, have some truth in her story.

“You are a fool. Renato has the power and ability to get rid of any news article he wants. If he wants it to die down in a day then, believe me, he will subdue the story. “All I know is that he was sent to Australia by Vittorio to go and collect you and that he did. Do you think Renato flies economy by choice?” the mirthless laugh bit further into the fine strands of remaining trust she had for her fiancé.