Chapter 146

Chapter 146
Lucky

Alexandria is a petite woman, around five four at a guess with the reddest hair I ever did see and eyes of emerald green. She told me that both are inherited from her grand parents who were Irish. Quite a stunning young woman.

My mother told me that Alexandria comes highly recommended from women within our vast family who have used her for many events, not just weddings. Of course, I had to send for her from New York to be here with me in Atlanta and put her up in a luxurious hotel. A small price to pay for perfection, however and one that Nico was more than happy to accommodate.

“You want me to add anyone else to the guest list, Lucky?” she asks me in her strong Boston accent from where she hails. Today she is wearing a black pencil skirt and a white blouse with a bow around the neck. The sleeves are long and the cuffs are black to match her skirt. She looks both elegant and smart. Very professional.

“I think we have it covered, Alex. We have already expanded it, considering it was just going to be our parents and the brothers and a couple of Nico’s closest friends. Now it seems most of my aunts and uncles are coming and their families. We were trying to keep it low key.”

She smiles and pats my hand. Her touch is cool. The polish on her nails a warm blush, much like mine. We were trying out polishes earlier and I have settled on this color.

“I know, Lucky but your mother said it wouldn’t be a proper wedding for a princess and Nico said he wanted you to have the wedding of your dreams.”

“He did, did he? That’s news to my ears,” I say as I take another look at the guest list on her iPad. There are now over one-hundred and fifty guests. Tsk, I wanted only the eight of us. How it’s grown like a never-ending caterpillar.

“He did, yes. He told me not to spare any expense and that you need to have the wedding of your dreams fit for a princess. It must be amazing to have someone love you like he does you, Lucky. You’re a very lucky woman.” She places a strand of her hair behind her ears that has come down from her top knot.

It is heartwarming that I have a man like Nico in my life, even though I have to admit that he is morally grey and would be frowned upon by many women out there. The way he dotes on me is not something I have ever encountered before. I’m young how would I? But I do know that the love and connection that Nico and I share is special. Everyone tells us so, especially my mother.

“I know,” I say as I pick up my cup from the saucer and drink some coffee from it.

“Right, what’s next then? We have organized the flowers for the chairs and the pagoda. The wedding bouquet is chosen and the lapel flowers for the men. My mother mentioned something about holding a flower arrangement too, is that correct?” Seriously, I am losing track of all the things my mother has requested.

Like I said, the original small wedding is turning out to be a huge event. It’s making me nervous that I will be saying my vows with so many people to witness it. Especially those from the Santangelo side who still do not see eye-to-eye with Nico marrying into the Gianluca fold.

Alex scrolls through her Notebook on the iPad and stops. “Ah, yes here it is. She is being very specific. She wants white carnations, eight of them, short stemmed with plenty of green foliage. I will speak with the florist this afternoon and ensure they are in hand. Then we need to finish off your going away attire.”

I raise my eyebrows. The what now? Alex laughs and takes in some of the water from the crystal glass on the table outside. Even though it is a crisp day the sun is out, we thus chose to sit out here to be uninterrupted.

“For when you get swept away for your passionate honeymoon, Lucky.”

“Don’t I go in my wedding gown? The thing cost a fortune; I want to wear it for as long as possible.”

She chuckles. “And I am sure Nico will want to undress you from your gown. However, every bride has a going away outfit. I was thinking we could get someone from Chanel to come in or Dior if you prefer and show you some items. What do you think?”

Alex is forward with me. Since she has been assigned my coordinator and planner, we have become close and even though I know that Mia deliberately gave me up to Yelena, for reasons still unknown to myself – I do miss having a girlfriend. Alex it would appear is filling the spot with her down-to-earth nature and fun, bubbly personality.

“I want to go away in the gown.” Do I sound like a petulant child? Yes of course I do. Nico has spent over two-hundred thousand dollars on the gown alone and that is without the Jimmy Choo wedding shoes to go with it or the actual veil. It nearly gave me a heart attack, but when I saw the gown, I knew it was the one.

She curls her lips inwards. “You’ll be uncomfortable, Lucky and if you are going on his jet, you have to think about the practicalities of it.”

Alex has a point, dammit.

“Oh,” I say crestfallen.

“But take the gown with you and you can put it on again during the honeymoon.”

That causes me to brighten up again. I mean it seems absolutely absurd to pay so much for a dress for not even a whole day. Although now the wedding keeps growing and growing, at least I will be wearing it from the ceremony at eleven in the morning, until the after the ball at midnight. When apparently, Nico is whisking me away to a secret location.

It fills me with excitement knowing that for a time I will have my man entirely to myself without any interruptions. I will even make him leave his mobile on the jet. Wish me luck with that one!

“Chanel, then, I prefer the line. It is more classic than Dior which honestly, I find gawdy.”

Alex makes a note on her iPad. She places it down on the white iron table. “Okay, we’re done for a few hours. How about we break for lunch, I have some emails to address and send off, then I have to get some quotes back to another lady and organize your mother’s flowers and make that call to Chanel.”

“Aren’t you going to take a break, Alex?” Wow this woman is a little spitfire. I could do with her on my team for the Arizona hotel.

“No breaks for me, Lucky. It’s full on all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love it. I was born to organize,” she tells me with a big smile on her face and that glint of excitement and happiness in her eyes.

“I have an idea, Alex. How would you like to work for me? I’ll be able to keep you plenty busy with a project in Arizona and the money will definitely be worth your while. What do you say?”

Her eyes almost pop out of her head, big, bright and emerald green. “Seriously, you want me to come work for you? Lucky are you sure?”

“Never been surer. I’ll have Tony get our people to draw you up a contract. What notice do you need to give to your boss?”

“Er just a couple of weeks. I can’t believe this, I will work for you for the Santangelo name? It’s a dream come true,” she squeezes my hand. I squeeze hers back.

“We will do amazing things, Alex trust me. Arizona is just the start.”

She takes me by surprise when she throws her arms around me and gives me a hug, making me laugh.

“Thank you, Lucky. I promise I won’t ever let you down.”

I know she won’t she’s a good woman and honestly, I will need someone with her capabilities to help me get Arizona off the ground. We are going to be the perfect team.

Dario comes out and glances over at us. “Oh, sorry I didn’t realize you were out here,” he says and looks down at the ground.

“No problem, come meet Alex. You haven’t been introduced properly yet,” I tell him wanting to keep cracking at the block of ice that he is.

He shuffles closer like we might bite him. It makes me smile. I know deep down he wants to let go of the anger and resentment towards me, however, internally he is too conflicted.

Alex looks up at him and I can see the way her eyelashes begin to flutter. His cheeks take on a reddish tinge. Okay, I admit I might be trying to push these two to get to know each other.

Something tells me that Alex and Dario would be a cute couple and Dario needs a woman in his life to keep him grounded and give him purpose.