Bella Notte (9 page)

I was startled when
a young maid came and told me that she was instructed to help me
dress.
Oh
my God! This is so annoying! Why do they feel that I can't do
anything myself?
I
felt greatly annoyed with my mother and grandmother. However, I
didn't want the girl to get in trouble, so I agreed.

“
Only with the
dress, I don't want you to get in trouble. Otherwise I'd decline.”
The words came out flatly.

“
Understood,
Miss Emma. And may I wish you the best birthday.” She smiled
shyly.
I
guess she is used to knowing her place.

“
Thank you,
but please just call me Emma. I'm not royalty and you're not my
indebted servant. Deal? What's your name by the way?” I smiled
at the girl as friendly as I could, managed with as tense as I was.

“
That's a
deal, Miss- oh, sorry, Emma. My name is Mary.” The girl smiled
a little bolder.

“
Mary, how
wonderful. That's my middle name. Say, were you guys brought over for
this event or something? I keep catching a slight hint of an accent.”
I looked at Mary who must have been maybe fifteen.
She’s quite pretty.

“
Why, yes, we
were brought over from England for this affair.” I could see
her struggle with losing the formalities.

“
Well, you all
have done wonderful. The house is beautiful and all the guests here
are happy.” I knew time was almost up and I shouldn't be late.

Mary grabbed the
beautiful gown, unzipped it and held it for me to step into. The
satin was warm against my skin but soon it seemed to regulate itself
to my temperature. I put on each piece of emerald jewelry that
Grandpa had given me. The effect was magnificent. The rich green
against my light skin that seemed to be covered in gold. The sight
was marvelous.
I
so don't recognize myself.

I slipped on my
strappy gold heels and grew three inches- making myself a 'sexy' five
foot six inches. I checked my reflection one more time and noticed
how young and little Mary looked compared to me right now.

“
You look
lovely, Miss. But it is time for dinner.” She sounded
concerned.

“
Yes, thank
you, Mary. I'll head down now.” I smiled and went out my
bedroom door.

The walk down the
stairs was very lonely and quiet. I was terribly frightened as well
since I'd be walking into the room where everyone would be. I knew
that everyone would look up from their tables- the tables that were
temporarily set up in the middle of the room and would be removed
immediately after dinner, to make room for the dancing.

I took a deep breath
and walked the rest of the way down the stairs with my head held
high. Everyone at all the tables watched me descend the stairs and
walk to my parents' table. The table had the least amount of people
at it- my mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, Dominic, and his
parents. I stood at my seat in between Dominic and Grandpa and the
whole room rose to join me. It is absolutely frightening when you are
the complete center of attention.

“
Happy
Birthday, Emma!” My father said proudly and the room repeated
the words.
Wow,
this feels cult-like!

“
Thank you.
Thank you, everyone. Please sit down.” I smiled at the room and
then took my seat.
God,
I hate having to talk to people.

I exhaled deeply as
conversations began to rise in the room.

The meal was
pleasant- filled with all my favorite dishes. I made small talk with
Dominic and his parents. I remained as calm and collected as
possible. The time seemed to fly by and I was grateful that eating
took up most of the time and I only had to contribute minimal to the
discussions at hand.

At the end of the
meal my father stood up once more- I looked at Grandpa for any idea
of what to expect. But he was looking at Dad and smiling. Then Dad
began to talk.

“
Tonight we
are all gathered here to celebrate my daughter's eighteenth birthday
and the new changes that are to come in the future. We are all
grateful to have all of you here. I would also like to announce the
betrothal of my daughter and Dominic DeDominico. Now, I am sure my
daughter is quite excited to find out this long held tradition and
she is certainly honored to see our two great families joined.”
He beamed as the room filled with applause.
I
am going to murder him.

I desperately tried
to keep my smile from cracking and not jumping across the table and
beating my father to death. My grandfather gently took my hand and
rubbed the back with his thumb. Suddenly, I also felt another hand
reach down and gently squeeze my upper thigh.
Oh
the pig, I'm going to kill him too!

I took my other hand
off the table and pried his slimy paw off my thigh. I made sure to
dig my nails in enough for him to know he'd better not try it again.
I grabbed hold of my champagne glass and downed the entire thing.
Tonight was going to be long.
Hopefully
I won't remember it tomorrow. Why didn't Dad talk to me first? This
is so embarrassing.

Dinner was over and
everyone got up from their tables to allow the staff to remove them.
The musicians were already step up with their equipment along the
back wall.

While the tables
were being moved, it seemed that everyone took the opportunity to
congratulate the two families – especially Dominic and me.
Dominic, of course, glowed and glutted through the endeavor. I merely
tried my best not to pout or throw up.
God,
why is this happening to me? Whatever it is that I did, I'm sorry and
I take it back.
The
room was finally cleared.

The conductor spoke
in a strong voice. “Now, the first dance goes to the new
couple.”

Kill me now.

I quickly finished
the glass of champagne I was holding as Dominic walked up to me and
bowed slightly. I responded with the appropriate curtsy. He took my
hand and we were off in a waltz. The crowd moved as we danced through
it. Everything was surreal.
I
know I must be in some sick version of the twilight zone. This is
like out of the middle ages. What the Hell is going on?
I
smiled as best I could as we spun around the room.

“
I told you
that your family held many traditions,” he whispered into my
ear.

My grip tightened
around him. “Traditions are best discussed amongst people, not
publicly announced.” I said through my smile, but I knew my
eyes had turned fierce.

“
It is too
late now, my Little Emma Bird.” His words seemed to echo in my
ears.

“
I need to sit
down, Dominic. My head is spinning.” I grabbed his arm for
support as the waltz ended and everyone moved on to the floor to
being their dancing.“Come; let us get you some nice night air.
Perhaps one so small should not intake so much alcohol so quickly.
The effect does not seem to be well with you.” The concern was,
apparently, masked in humor- but I let him lead me outside through a
stream of “congratulations” and “perfect couple.”

The night air wasn't
cold enough to cool my warm body, but it was fresh and helped calm
the swimming feeling of my head.
Next
time, no alcohol to try and fix the evening.

I stared out over
the lawn and tried not to think of my father's announcement- it was
hard with Dominic holding my hand. I slipped my hand out of his and
walked over to the stone bench and prayed it would be cold. I sat
down, but felt no relief. Dominic sat as well. I could tell he was
about to start talking, I couldn't imagine anything he could say that
might make this evening any better.

“
How about I
get you another drink, Principessa? It will make you feel better.”
He smiled and rose. I didn't object as the silence of the night was
pleasant.

I took a long deep
breath, but my mind continued to be fuzzy.
I
shouldn't feel this way. I've had champagne before. What's wrong with
me?

I heard the tapping
of footsteps approaching. I opened my eyes to see Dominic return
carrying two goblets. I couldn't see through them so I was nervous of
their contents.

“
Here, drink
this. I promise you'll feel better,” he said as he handed me
the cup.

“
I don't need
any more alcohol, Dominic,” I said as I looked into the cool
metal container. “What is this stuff anyways?”

“
It's an old
remedy for what is happening to you. I can help make everything
better, but you have to take a sip first,
mia
bella
.”
His voice seemed honest enough and I so desperately wanted to feel
better.

I took a sip of the
deep red liquid and my mind felt confused and fuzzier. Something was
not right.

“
Did you drug
meeee?” The words slurred coming out as I tried to focus on his
face.

“
I didn't drug
you. I'm trying to help you change. They've not explained anything to
you- they are foolish.” His temper was rising and I could see
his facial features change with it.

“
What change?
And don't call my family foolish!” My temper was rising to meet
his.

“
Emma Bird,
you're changing into one of us. I could help it happen faster- just
one little bite and your body would know what to do. Do you want me
to help?” His words seemed to float at me through some sort of
fog as he leaned closer to me.

“
What are you
talking about?” My words sounded far away and everything felt
wrong.

“
Let me help.”
His lips were on my neck- they were cold. He pulled back far enough
for me to see his mouth- he had fangs!

He's going to
bite me- oh crap! How do I stop this? Grandpa!

Grandpa will save
me!

“
Grandpa!”
The word was faint- barely over a whisper, and the world seemed to be
turning black, and quiet.

“
He won't hear
you- nor will that dog of a boyfriend you have. You will be mine.”
His words were cruel.

You don't even
know Mike!
I
had to defend him, even if I couldn't defend myself.

“
What on Earth
do you think you are doing, Dominic?” It was Grandpa- I knew I
was saved. The world turned completely black and absolutely silent.

When the darkness
faded back into light, it was the next morning. My head ached and my
mouth tasted like old blood. My mind was completely blank and I
couldn't remember anything from the night before.
Oh
no, what did I do last night
?

I had the sickening
feeling that something happened last night. The feeling was like an
ominous cloud, waiting to break open and pour down on me.

The bad vibes never
left me all day. I couldn't remember the night before and I was
afraid to ask if I had done something. I managed to avoid my family
and most of the guests, but, when I did come across someone's path,
they seemed a bit nervous around me- like I'd suddenly bite them, or
something. I tried to call Mike, but he still had family over and he
couldn't talk long. I so needed someone to tell me everything would
be fine. I knew something had happened last night and everything was
forever changed as a result.

It was nightfall
when Grandpa finally caught up to me. I was terribly nervous and I
didn't want to look him in the eyes.
Man,
I'm such a chicken
.

“
Emma, I
noticed that you've been avoiding everyone today and I have a feeling
that you don't remember last night- an unfortunate after effect of
what Dominic tried to do.” His wise eyes burned fierce.

“
No, Grandpa,
I don't remember. Should I be ashamed of myself? What happened? What
did he do?” I wanted to cry.

“
My darling
little Emma, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You were absolutely
well-behaved. You danced beautifully with Dominic, you didn't murder
your father for the announcement of your betrothal, and you did the
right thing by calling for me when Dominic got out of line outside.”
He looked away as though he was ashamed for not stopping all the
badness of the night before.