The Balotelli-Bale Series Book #3: The Italian Belle

Chapter Three: Run Away

Marianna's POV
Preparations have been on going all week and today is the day. The day has come. There is excitement in the air! Giovanni Balotelli's only child is getting engaged to a wealthy man. I can't express the excitement a bride to be should feel  This excitement that everyone around me is feeling, hasn't rubbed off on me. In it's place, anxiety. I feel plenty of that and my heart is heavy. Court is supposed to come for me tonight. She says she has a plan but when did Court ever have a plan? Often she wings it and it mostly ends badly. She's the kind to plan at that moment when something needs to be done. I can't believe my freedom rests in her hands!

I stayed by the window of my bedroom in the red dress watching out for some sort of a sign. Where is she? Did she change her mind? I hope not!

"Marianna, stop trying to figure out an escape plan. You're not getting away from this."

"Most mother's empathize. There is a loose screw in you or a lack of a beating human heart."

"Most daughters are grateful for opportunities like this."

I faced her just to see if she really means that. She's dressed to kill. She even looks better than I do. Tonight my nonna is joining us all the way from Venice. Nonna doesn't like my mother. She never approved and I see why. Sonia is a scheming selfish woman. I don't understand how she has any friends! I'm looking forward to seeing my nonna. She shelters me from getting disciplined. Gianna Balotelli is my favorite person in this family. It used to be my father until he sold me out. Now he's somewhere at the bottom of my list.

"Please be honest with me. Why are you two hell bent on marrying me off to Fabian Belucci? Am I that bad that you just want to get rid of me? There's the option to kick me out. I'll take that option."

For the first time in a while her expression softened. She got closer to me. "Don't be dramatic Marianna! We don't want to get rid of you. Sometimes life just works out the way it does and you go with it mija."

"That isn't a good reason. You can clearly see the kind of man Fabian is. Why would you subject me to an entire lifetime with him? You married a good man-"

She scoffed dryly.

"Giovanni, a good man? Oh please! I'm nicer than he is. You don't know your father, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's easy for you to see me as the villain because I don't pretend. I say what needs to be said and I do what needs to be done. Gio struggled to be someone he's not. Someday mija, you'll see your father in his true light."

"Enough of the chit chat. It's my turn!" Nonna sang beautifully with a big smile on her face. She pushed my mother out of the way. I saw a measure of hurt in Sonia's eyes but she steps back when nonna is in the picture. "My beautiful girl. I miss you with every breath I take."

When we hugged I made eye contact with my mother. She's not happy. There's so much pain her eyes. Our failed relationship is her fault.  She quietly made her exit. It also hurts me that our relationship is like this.

"Goodness you've grown! Look at you getting finer by the day! What's new?"

"I'm getting engaged tonight."

"I would be ecstatic if not for your mood right now. Aren't you excited? Fill me in."

We sat on the bed. My nonna is the easiest person to talk to. "Fabian is not a good man."

"Piccola, there are no good men."

"He's evil. I feel it. I can't marry him but they have bodyguards all around and I can't get out. Please nonna you have to help me escape this engagement!"