morte di un fiore; book one

↳ one

POV: ALEXANDRA GUILIANI

'you don't have to be scared, marcella,' mom said quietly so dante's mother and grandmother wouldn't hear. i stand behind marcella, busy tugging at the pins keeping her hair in place on top of her head, grimacing. 

'i'm not,' marcella said quickly, which was a lie. 

'i just... don't want to embarrass myself. i don't like to be bad at things, and i would be bad given i have no experience.' marcella gives me a knowing look, 'its okay to be nervous. i know i've never even touched a guy but dante seems like a decent man.' i tried to sound casual but failed miserably. i was going to suggest to marcella that she talk to sal, our older brother, about advice but that would be a conversation he would never want to have with either of us. 

i stop fighting with marcella's hair and play around with mine. mom noticed me fighting with my hairdo in the mirror and quickly moved over to me. 'stop it, alexandra. you've already untangled a few strands.'

i dropped my hands with a resigned look, my brown eyes meeting marcellas green ones; we both give each other a small smile. 

'i, on the other hand, cannot wait to have a wedding.' i change the subject and avoid mom's tugging hands.

'first, you learn to behave like a lady and stop messing with your hair!' 

'done,' the hairdresser announced and stepped back from marcella.

'thank you,' marcella muttered quietly and is quickly scolded my our mother to have better manners. 

marcella's dress was absolutely stunning, and i couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked. the pearls and silver embroidered thread work caught the light beautifully, and the skirt was a dream consisting of several layers of the finest tulle. mom shook her head, tears blurring her eyes.

"don't cry, mom," i warned her. "you'll ruin your makeup. and if you start crying, i will cry too and then my makeup will be ruined as well."

mom nodded, blinking away her tears. suddenly, a knock sounded and dad poked his head in the doorway. he froze and slowly stepped inside. he took marcella in without saying a word, i could see the emotion swimming in his eyes, but he would never show it so openly. 

'coniglia,' his nickname for marcella, 'you look so beautiful, it will be strange without you.' 

while my father, mother, and the bridal party fawn over my sister, i check my reflection in the mirror. i thanked god that marcella approved the dress i picked. it was a pretty blush pink color for the bridesmaids, or bridesmaid because i'm the only one. pink was one of my staple colors, i think marcella picked it because she knew i wouldn't complain.

'alexandra, honey.' my gaze is torn from the mirror and i look up to my mom. 'get ready to pack your things and get into the mercedes, remember you need to be at the church before marcella gets there so you can walk down the isle before her.'

'fine... i'll grab my purse and get going.' i say in an annoyed tone for no reason at all. my mom always says that being annoyed is my default emotion, which is definitely true. 

'good girl, anthony will be driving you there.' i puff out in defiance, anthony has been my bodyguard ever since i was little. every time i'm in public he is always ten feet away, i cannot get a break. 

'do not cause a scene on your sisters wedding day and get in the car!' my mom scolds me, and points at the door signaling for my exit. 

'i'm leaving! right now!' i stomp through the hotel door and make my way to the lobby. i busy myself with my phone before i make it to the black mercedes, opening the door, and sitting down on the tan plush interior.