His Desert Rose (4 page)

Chapter 9

When Renee and Antonio arrived at the family estate, Antonio came around and opened her door. The cool breeze from off of the Mediterranean Sea, wrapped around her like a lovers embrace. Renee lifted her face to sun and enjoyed its sweet warm caress like a sweet lingering kiss. She looked around at the lush green well maintained lawn, the perfectly shaped round hedges, the angel statue in the center of it all, and the massive ivory pearly white brick two story home, with impressive white columns and wrapped porches. The swimming pool looked cool and inviting. Just as Renee took a step towards the house, the door swung open and Maria and Stefano rushed out inviting and welcoming her in. She smiled warmly at the couple who had been her parent’s best friends. She received a kiss on each cheek from them and thanked them for allowing them into their home on short notice.

“Nonsense, you are family and you are always welcome here. Open invitation, but you knew this already.” Maria said encouragingly.

Maria observed Renee, one of her best friend’s daughters. Her shoulder length black hair with natural red highlights was pulled into a tight ponytail, with jumbo Shirley temple curls. Her beautiful expressive coffee brown eyes say that she is still haunted. She wore a light weight floral pretty dress that showed off her rich medium brown skin skin. Renee met her gaze and smiled a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Come lets us get something to drink and some fresh fruit,” Maria said comforting.

“Yes ma’am, thank you. Where are the girls?” Renee inquired.

“All of the children are doing their lessons with Ms. Ragsdale, while Ms. Nancy is taking a siesta,” Maria responded.

As soon as they crossed the threshold, the sweet heavenly scent of cinnamon, sugar, butter and warm bread filled the air. Renee smiled remembering that her mom used to say fresh baked bread made a house a home. She could feel her parent’s presence here strongly. They had always enjoyed their summer vacations here.

The table was set with fine chinaware, elegant linens, and properly placed eating utensils.

Antonio pulled out the chair for her to be seated.  Then he moved to her left and was seated. His father, Stefano blessed the table and then everyone began to serve themselves.

The sweet cinnamon bread was still warm, so the creamy butter spread with ease. There was an assorted fruit tray with orange wedges, grapes, cantaloupe, and cheeses from different regions. There was also, orange juice, coffee with milk and water for beverage choices.

The conversation flowed smoothly, and Renee truly enjoyed spending time with the older couple.

As there meal came to an end, Stefano asked Antonio, “What do you have planned for the rest of day?”

“I am going to town with Marco, we will go over a few reports and I want to visit at least one of the vineyards before returning to take Renee out to dinner if she will allow me,” Antonio finished looking at Renee with playfully raised eyebrows.

“How can I resist?” Renee said teasingly. At this point, she didn’t know what to think about Antonio. It was like they were playing a card game and the deck was stacked against her. Instead of feeling grateful for his attempt at being an honorable man,” she felt trapped.

“How do you plan on spending your afternoon,” Antonio asked hoping that she would say relaxation and rest.

“I am going to drink plenty of fluids while shopping with all the ladies,” Renee said as her phone began to ring.

She apologized and walked out onto the balcony and closed the door behind her.

“Hello,” Renee said.

Jasmine rushed right into her reason for calling, without any of the normal pleasantries.

“Ethan asked me to marry him, and I said YES,” she swilled with girlish delight. “We will have the ceremony in a month and a half. We also have to purchase a new home. I just wouldn’t feel right living in a house were security protocol was able to be manipulated. I think the girls are going to be excited, they like him so much,” Jasmine said into the phone.

“Slow down, slow down,” Renee beckoned into the phone. “So all trouble has been taken care of as well, and the good guys won?”

“Yes, Ethan had been the target all along, but he and his team came up with and plan and defeated the bad guys. Most of the Vipers were killed in a shootout at the jail and the ones that survived wish they were dead,” Jasmine said then continued, “You know what this means, right? Not allowing Renee to answer she continued, “You all can come back home.”

“There is a minor complication with me coming back to Emerald Grove, and I need your help and support,” Renee said calmly.

“What’s wrong,” Jasmine asked into the phone genuinely concerned.

“Antonio asked me to marry him also, we will probably do it soon in a small ceremony here in Italy,” Renee said casually as if she did not just drop a bomb.

“I thought you were just having fun, that it wasn’t anything serious,” Jasmine said into the receiver.

“We had a little too much fun. Unprotected fun and I am about three weeks pregnant,” Renee said.

“I am going to kill him,” Jasmine said into the phone.

“You will do no such thing,” Renee said sternly into the receiver. “It takes two, so this is just as much my fault as it is his,” Renee said feeling a little weepy. Besides his father won’t hand over the family business to him until he is married and settled down. He is a good and honorable man, I could have done worse,” Renee said to her sister.

She could hear Nicole Alexander, Claire Blake-Moore, Alena and Alexis Wellstone, all long term family friends asking what was going on in the background.

After a long pause, Jasmine asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes, I need to reinvent myself,” Renee said. “I need to have something and someone of my own. I am healthy, now I just want to be whole. Antonio is my lover and my friend. I will be taken care of and I will take care of him. I will be a good wife to him, and for him. Besides, would it be okay to rob our child of his birth right because I am waiting to fall head over heels in love?” Renee finished.

“What do you need me to do?” Jasmine asked deciding to be supportive of her sister. I will probably need Claire and Nicole to come out and help me organize everything if they can,” Renee said.

“Nicole is already organizing everything for herself and Claire. As soon as you said “reinvent” she was like that’s my area,” Jasmine said mocking Nicole.

“Look, I will continue to look after the girls, if that is okay with you. His family doesn’t know about the baby yet and to be honest, I don’t know how we will handle that. He doesn’t even know that I am going to say yes, when he ask me again,” Jasmine said with a bit of laughter.

“He asked and you said no,” Jasmine exclaimed.

“Yes and yes, there was no finesse, no romance, and no thought in his initial proposal. I do at least deserve to have a good memory of the occasion you know,” Renee said.

“Anyways, please tell Nicole and Claire to hurry, I will reimburse them. The rest of you can fly in say, the following Wednesday. That will give you some time with your future husband and provide you with the opportunity to take care of some business of your own. I am happy for you and Ethan,” Renee concluded.

“Thank you and I will. If you need me you call me. Don’t dig a hole that you can’t climb up out of, okay?” Jasmine said into the receiver.

“Okay, I have to go now, I love you, sis,” Renee said into the phone.

“I love you too,” Jasmine said as she disconnected the call.

Chapter 10

Jasmine walked back into the dining area. Antonio was coming down the wrapped staircase. He had changed into a white dress shirt and had the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of worn blue jeans that hugged his thick bottom and powerful thighs. He stood in front of her looking down at her. On some level, Antonio adored her; it could be seen in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned in and kissed her lightly across her lips.

“Enjoy your day but please don’t overdo it,” Antonio said softly.

“I will behave, go handle your business. We will be fine,” Renee said.

Chapter 11

Renee, Amber, Alyson, Ms. Ragsdale, Ms. Nancy, Dennis, Elizabeth and Maria all went into town and shopped in some of the most exquisite small shops. Everyone had gotten some clothing and necessities for their trip. They laughed and made good memories.

Later on, back at the villa she had talked over her plans with Ms. Ragsdale and Ms. Nancy in private. Both ladies had agreed to stay on and help her with the kids. She had drunk more water than she remembered ever drinking before in her life. She had relaxed by the pool and watched the children play, until it was time for her to get ready for dinner.

Renee looked at herself in the mirror. Her shoulder length black hair with red natural highlights was curled in nice neat curls. Her rich caramel skin color was flawless. She picked up her black mascara and combed the brush through her lashes, to bring more attention to her eyes; the windows to her soul. She parted her full lips as she rubbed a lavender color gloss over her lips. She slipped into a light weight short sleeved dress. It was navy blue, with large hot pink flowers, trimmed in baby blue. It was not her usual style, but something about this dress had called to her. She smoothed the dress down and turned this way then that way. She was nervous, she realized as she slipped into the hot pink matching heels.  Her life was changing. She didn’t embrace change, because she preferred subtle.

Renee took a deep breath. She began to recite some self-truths she had learned while she was kicking her addiction.

Good Afternoon Renee, You are a blessed and highly favored child of God. Everything that you touch will turn into a success. You are my beloved daughter. You have been made to be the head and never the tail. You are made to lend and not borrow. You are blessed when you go in and blessed when you come out. You are blessed in the city as well as in the country. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. If I your God am for you, who would dare to stand against you? You are loved, you are under my protection and I am your provider. Now go and have a blessed day.

Renee opened her eyes, and walked downstairs.

Chapter 12

Antonio was downstairs with his brothers Marco and Federico. He moved to assist her with the last step. He took her small hand in his larger one. Antonio thought inwardly, she had a rare combination of class, sophistication and raw unadulterated sex appeal going on tonight.

Yet it was Federico, the charismatic, fun loving, easy going brother, who made a fuss over her appearance.

Federico pulled her into a quick hug and kissed both of her cheeks while showering her with compliments. Out of all the Favero men, Federico was the one that marched to the beat of his own drum. He didn’t and would conform to anyone’s opinion on how he should live his life. He was a free spirit.

Renee hit Federico playfully with her purse and returned his hug, while saying thank you.

Marco stepped in and hugged and kissed both of her cheeks. He was just as tall and lean as his big brother Antonio. He was not pressed for position, or status. Being a Favero and living up to all that it detailed had always been his goal. None the less, he worked tirelessly, alongside his brothers to build the business and establish the brand. He was always respectful and polite.

“I apologize for not greeting you earlier this morning, there was just so much going on. No excuse for rudeness. You must let me make it up to you by allowing me to take you to lunch,” Marco said. “I could book your favorite table at The Terrance,” he said with one eyebrow raised.

“Oh you know the way to my heart, Marco. I can’t believe you remember that I love that place,” Renee replied impressed. “You are going to break some young ladies heart.” Renee continued, “I understand about this morning and I would love to have lunch with you,” Renee said merrily.

“Then it’s a date,” Marco said, deciding to tease his brother as he walked off. Any fool could see that he was taken by her.

“We should be leaving, as we do have a reservation at Top Tier,” Antonio said.

“Sure,” Renee said throwing a dazzling smile his way.

Antonio opened the car door for her and she slid into the seat, buckling her seat belt. In a few seconds he had walked around and joined her in the car; a Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, had been washed and cleaned. The car offered style, comfort and speed. He turned the radio to a station that was playing, soothing Italian love songs, with soft instrumentation and sugary sweet lyrics. Renee relaxed into the seat, recognizing that he had stepped up his game. He had gotten a haircut, she mused. The sides and the back had been faded out and the top had been shortened but he still had some short curls. He was dressed in a tailor made charcoal gray suit, with a white dress shirt and matching tie.

Renee turned her head to look out the window, when he became aware of her appraisal. God had taken his time on Antonio. He was the total package. Sinfully sexy, with a devilish smile, Mediterranean Sea green eyes, tall lean athletic build, powerful thighs, and long legs. Not to mention, he was charming, humble, super intelligent, and loving towards his family and friends.

Antonio smiled to himself. Renee always tried to act calm, cool, and collected around him; like he didn’t faze her. Yet it was clear that she had enjoyed what she saw. He couldn’t blame her though. If he had the opportunity to study her unnoticed he would. She was a rare jewel. She had felt life’s pressures, and for a moment she had cracked. What was remarkable to him was that she didn’t stay broken. She summoned the strength to rebuild herself from the inside out. She was stronger and wiser because of the experience. She was a brilliant business woman, who could look at a problem from multiple directions, and come up with a solution that would avoid all problems. She was well educated and even spoke multiple languages. People loved her and she always made time for them.

They arrived at the Top Tier. Antonio gave the keys to valet and told the other gentleman who was about to open the door for Renee that he had it.

Renee smiled, and placed her hand in his as she stepped from the car. She then placed her arm into his outstretched arm.

“You are being a perfect gentleman, Antonio,” Renee said meeting his eyes.

“Nothing less than you deserve, mia cara,” Antonio said affectionately.

“You also look very handsome tonight,” Renee said in an octave lower than normal, also smiling up at him.

“Oh my goodness, woman you are going to be the death of me,” he said teasingly before leaning down and kissing her.

Renee kissed him back, allowing him to take possession of her mouth. She spotted the photographer as soon as she placed her hand in his hand. It kind of hurt that it was all for show. When the kiss was broken, Renee used the pad of her thumb to remove her lipstick from his lips.

When she finished she jokingly said, “It’s not your shade.”

They walked inside and were seated immediately. Antonio held out her chair for her and then took his seat. Someone was at their table immediately, getting there drink selection and providing them with menus as well as fresh baked bread.

Antonio passed on a wine selection because of her delicate condition. When the server left, he began conversing with her.

“Each region of Italy has its own unique wines, cheese, and even vegetables. When eating food grown and cultivated in the surrounding area, and of course paired with the local wine both your travel and dining experience are taken to a whole new level,” Antonio informed her.

Noticing her smirk, he continued, “Seriously, I promise it is the truth,” he declared.

“I know,” Renee said. “I have come here every summer since I was a child. I have travelled through many cities and towns of Italy on business. Moreover, I have heard your father say the same thing each time,” she finished.

“Oh, there is that,” Antonio said chuckling, as he recalled that his father did say that little spill to anyone who would listen.

She nodded her head in agreement sharing in the laughter.

He asked about her trip into town to shop, and she in informed him of her day out among the shops.

A waiter came over and took their orders. She ordered a rib eye steak cooked medium-well, creamy fettuccine pasta with broccoli, and a baby spinach salad with a raspberry-walnut vignette.  He decided to have the same.

The conversation was light, with no awkward pauses. The food was perfectly prepared. He chose a ricotta cheese cake with chocolate and cherries for their dessert as well as ordered cups of coffee with warm milk.

After dessert, they took a few turns around the dance floor. She savored being in his arms. When the band took a break, they went back to their table.

“Has tonight been fun?” Antonio asked her.

“I have had a wonderful time, thank you,” Renee responded.

“I want to revisit a question, that I asked you earlier today,” Antonio said knowing that the tone of the evening could change considerably.

“Go on,” Renee said taking a sip from her water glass.

“Renee, I consider you my friend; an equal partner in all aspects of life. You are soon to be the mother of our child. I would be honored if you would take this ring as a pledge to marry me and be a good wife to me as wives have done for many generations in the past. I know that you don’t love me yet, but in due time for both of our sakes maybe you could grow to,” Antonio asked.

“Antonio, I would love to become your wife on several conditions,” Renee said.

“What are they?” Antonio asked.

“No one is to know that this is a shot gun wedding. As far as the world is concerned, I am the love of your life,” Renee said.

“Done, what else?” Antonio inquired, knowing that request would be easy to honor because she was the love of his life.

“All of your affairs will be done with the upmost care. No ugly tabloids or rumors,” Renee said.

“Done, what else?” Antonio inquired, smiling now because she satisfied him in every way and he intended to honor their marriage vows.

“If you ever decide to end our agreement, this child will still be the heir to your empire,” Renee said.

“Is that all?” Antonio asked. “Our marriage will be forever. I do not plan to run at the sight of troubled waters. We will be married in a week at our family’s church,” Antonio said.

“No, a week and a half, in a lovely backyard ceremony for only close family and friends,” Renee countered.

“A week and a half at my family’s church,” Antonio said compromising.

“Deal,” Antonio said with a smile.

“Deal,” Renee said returning the smile.

Antonio removed the ring from his breast pocket, kneeled down before her and asked her to marry him.

This was for the camera, she knew, so she played up the experience, forging surprise and joyfully saying yes. Antonio slid the vintage ring onto her finger and the restaurant erupted into applause.

She cupped his face and bent to his kiss lips. Antonio slowly rose to his feet. He ordered champagne for everyone to celebrate his good fortune.

Antonio still had his arm looped around her when she leaned in and told him that they would have some beautiful pictures from their evening.

He looked down at her with a shocked expression on his face and asked her, “How long have you known?”

“Since the kiss in the parking lot, dear. I was very much a part of this life not so long ago. Please see to it that I receive copies for my personal photo album. Now I am going to powder my nose,” she finished.

When she returned they made their way to leave the restaurant through a chorus of congratulations.

On the ride to the villa, she advised him that Claire and Nicole would be arriving in the morning to help with wedding plans.

“Oh, that is wonderful,” Antonio responded. “You were able to organize that in the powder room?” he questioned curiously.

“No,” she answered. “Antonio, when the doctor told us that I was pregnant, you weren’t surprised. You didn’t act like you had been caught up or anything,” Renee said accusingly.

“Renee, our reality was that we have been going at it like a bunch of sex crazed rabbits. We were very careless in regards to protection; it was bound to happen. You’ve been nauseated at the smell of certain foods, mainly flavored coffees, and you’ve been sleeping more,” Antonio responded matter of factly.

Antonio took his eyes off the road for a brief moment, and continued, “Besides, being in Emerald Grove those last few weeks opened my eyes. I’ve been able to take care of business and have a fun.  I have goals and dreams that I do want to achieve, and I really sincerely would not want anyone else by my side.”

“Are you happy about the baby, Antonio?” Renee asked.

“Yes, I am,” Antonio said sincerely then asked, “What about you?”

“I’m scared and happy all at the same time,” Renee said. “I don’t want to get to excited you know, because I tend to lose everything that is important to me,” Renee finished becoming more melancholy.

“It doesn’t have to be like that,” Antonio said. “We’ll just take everything one day at a time. We’ll make sure you get plenty of sleep, drink water, and eat right, as well as take your vitamins. The rest we have to leave in God’s hands,” Antonio finished. 

“Agreed,” Renee said.

“You are not alone in this,” Antonio reminded her gently.