CHAPTER 120

Francesca

I arrive at Lorenzo's company I am not barred, since everyone knows me and because Lorenzo releases my passage in any sector of the company.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Rocatelli," the security guard says and I smile.

Here at the company, Lorenzo makes it clear to everyone that I am Mrs. Rocatelli, even though it is not yet official.

Of course, I didn't deny it and I even liked his attitude.

"Good afternoon, Jason," I say as I read his ID badge and he smiles.

I head to the elevator that takes me to the top floor, where my love's office is.

The door opens and then I see Melinda, yuck.

This woman doesn't come down to me and Lorenzo knows it very well.

In fact, I don't know why he insists on keeping her in this position, because she always finds a way to affront me.

- Good afternoon, Melinda, is Lorenzo in his office?

"Yes, but it's a meeting, I'd advise you to wait outside," he says without even looking at me.

Oh, annoying woman!

"And will it take a long time?"

She shrugs.

Soon the door to Lorenzo's office opens, Melinda straightens up, smiles and doesn't even look like the same person anymore.

"Amore mio, you didn't come in, why?" Lorenzo asks and I look at Melinda who swallows.

She still doesn't understand where her place is and who I represent to the CEO of this company.

"I was going to, but I was told you were busy, at an important meeting. I was even thinking about leaving and coming back later to go to the party," I say looking at my nails.

He looks seriously at Melinda, who lowers her head.

"I was in a meeting with my father and it was okay for you to come in.

"What's the reason for the delay in getting back to finish this, Lorenzo?" Ah, my dear daughter-in-law, how long! Marco says and opens his arms to me.

- How was the trip, Marco? And Suzi? "I hug him.

"Everything was fine and Suzi is wonderful. Come and have lunch with us someday, it will be wonderful.

- Leave it, Marco, yes, I will. I'll even call Suzi to help me with the wedding preparations that are coming up. I smile.

"Oh, she'll love it, since she likes you and Gio a lot. I really want to thank you for taking in my wife and not making any difference,

- Oh, Marco, you don't need to thank Suzi, it's a love and my saint matched hers right away.

- I'm really happy, after all, we're a family. Well, since you're here, I'm going. After we finish our subject, Lorenzo, will enjoy the evening with his fiancée. I know you guys have a party in a few hours.

Marco says goodbye to us and I notice that Lorenzo is serious, even too much looking at the secretary and me.

"Is there a problem, amore?" I ask, approaching him.

"Yes, you stay out here, instead of coming in and standing next to me, where you belong.

"You couldn't do anything if your secretary didn't let you go. I shrug.

"It wasn't quite like that..." She tries to defend herself.

"And it was how?" I ask, complicating the woman's situation.

I confess that I don't like it, but this one crossed the line and all because she wants what is mine.

"It was a meeting with Mr. Rocatelli and it should not be interrupted.

"And who do you think you are to not let my fiancée in or decide whether my meeting is important or not?" Lorenzo asks and the woman cringes.

"No one... But it was his father, the owner of everything here.

"Wrong, I own everything here. But I'm going to put a stop to that now. Since it disrespects my wife, and it wasn't the first time, it's not good to work for my group, that is, her group. Go to HR and settle everything there, I'll let you know.

The woman cries and then leaves without looking back.

"I could say you've crossed the line, but don't do that, because she's an abuser.

"Now I need a desk, but tomorrow I'll see about it."

"I can be your secretary," I say mischievously.

"I'd love to, but I certainly wouldn't be able to work."

"I can find you a new secretary."

"I'd love to, since I hate this interview thing. But let's not talk about boring stuff anymore, are you ready to meet the school staff again?

I grimace, but soon pull myself together.

- Honestly no, because I wasn't invited, I'll only go with a companion.

"You weren't invited because your last name has changed.

"Or because I was expelled for ruining the school's reputation." I was a scandal, remember?

"It doesn't matter, we'll go together and that's it."

- I can't help but accompany you, after all I won't let you loose with those who were crazy about you. So, the way is to go.

He cackles.

"You know I only have eyes for you, right?"

"I know...

He hugs me and kisses me.

"You know, you look beautiful and you'll leave everyone drooling over you, which will make me jealous, wanting to kill a half-dozen at least."

We arrive at the school and a lot of memories sweep me away as we walk down the hallway.

I remember when I met Gio, Lorenzo and Giuseppe. The pet peeve of Rafaella and her group of friends. My secret courtship with Fernando without knowing that it was Lorenzo. My first time, Lorenzo's disappearance and, finally, my humiliation and expulsion.

I get a chill remembering it.

I thought I was ready to face this past, but apparently not.

- Marcel takes care of the school together with his wife, Priscilla. He said a lot has changed.

- I hope so, because it was here that Rafaella died because of bullying and I was expelled for the same reason. But I was judged as a villain when I should have been taking care of the victim. All because he was poor and had a scholarship.

"But today you turned it around and came in here with your head held high, with me by your side, as it should always be. I had to be here to not allow that to happen.

"Past, never mind. You're not going to relive those wounds," I tell him, but it's actually a mantra I've been thinking about since I heard about this upcoming party.

As much as I pretend that I don't care about this phase of my life, I feel that everything affects me in the same intensity and the fear of being judged takes over my being.

It shouldn't affect me anymore for that, not at all.

We arrived at the gymnasium, where there are many people and a sign with the following words, "Welcome to the reunion of the graduating class of 2012".

As soon as they notice our presence, everyone is looking in our direction and I notice the murmurs.

Soon I see an elegant man approaching us while we while smiling

Looking at him, I can't recognize who he is.

- Lorenzo, my friend, how are you? Marcel asks, hugging Lorenzo.

- Marcel! I'm okay and you?

I notice that the two of them are hugging as a woman approaches and I remember this one very well, Priscilla, Rafaella's friend.

She looks me up and down and then smiles.

Apparently, this one hasn't changed at all.

"That's my fiancée," Lorenzo says.

"Diana Zucalli," Priscilla interrupts him and I smile.

- Yes, Diana Zucalli. I hold out my hand to her.

As I said, nothing changed, it was just her linking my face to my last name to change the way she looked at me.

A surname still comes before character, unfortunately.

Lorenzo looks at me without understanding, since he doesn't like to be called Diana Zucalli, after all he remembers a time that if he could, he would erase it for good.

"Wow, you're more beautiful in person than in the photos," Priscilla says excitedly. - Welcome and enjoy the party.

We thanked them both and continued around the place.

"I don't like to be called Diana Zucalli.

Smile.

"You know it's my name, right?"

- I can't wait to meet you as Francesca Diana Zucalli Rocatelli, then yes, I'll be happy.

- Soon, amore, our wedding is just around the corner.

"For me, there's still a century to go. We could go to Vegas and get married there, but you didn't want to.

"I want a real wedding, with our friends, relatives, everything we are entitled to, after all I'm going to marry the love of my life.

He kisses me, smiling.

"I love it when you say I'm the love of your life.

"And isn't it?"

"Of course I am.

- Lorenzo, how long! A young man accompanied by a woman approaches.

- Jonah, how are you? I haven't seen him since I left.

"yes, man, it's been a long time. Glad to see you. This is my wife, Evelyn.

The woman nods to Lorenzo who smiles.

"And that's my fiancée..."

"Diana Zucalli," the woman says, interrupting Lorenzo who frowns, not liking it at all. "I'm a fan of your work, you're an inspiration.

- Thank you very much.

Soon they walk away and Lorenzo sniffs my hair, until he whispers:

"I hate it... Diana Zucalli, aff.

"Get used to it, I'm a renowned sommelier and that's my name.

- Alright, I think it's enough, let's just have a drink, have a social and go. I want to be alone with you, away from this bunch of sycophants. Guys are drooling over you.

- Please, Lorenzo, most of you here are married and accompanied.

"That doesn't change the fact that they lust after you.

"Stop being silly. Well, I'll go to the bathroom and I'll be right back.

"Ok, I'll be waiting for you here."

I kiss my fiancé's lips and head to the bathroom, I still dare to look back and see Lorenzo talking to some men while watching me like a hawk.

I smile and look straight ahead again.

I enter the bathroom which is empty and go to the cabin. As I relieve myself, I hear the door open and female voices fill the room.

- Wow, did you see how beautiful Lorenzo is? And his fiancée? Lucky woman," one says and I stand quietly, trying to hear everything.

"She was smart, she managed to hook the two hottest guys in all of Florence, don't forget that she married Pepe," another says. "Although I don't know how she can sleep knowing everything her husband has done. He was a murderer.

- True, Priscilla, she doesn't even seem to remember it and is now with her deceased husband's best friend.

- Priscilla, did you invite that girl who was expelled? What was her name anyway?

"Francesca, I don't know what. You know, I'd like to know what hole that one got into.

I get a shiver running through my column as I hear how they address me.