Matrimonio Rotto

cinquantasei

◇unedited◇

"Do you want some coffee, Father?" I asked him before the situation got awkward. Fio was so lovely that she threw us under the bus like that.

"Sure." He nodded, accepting my offer to make him some coffee. I knew he had maids in this house but I would like to make him something by myself. "Let's go, Princess. Let's wait for your Mama in the living room."

"I princess, Mama." Fio turned to me as my father was walking away. Her little announcement brought us laughing out loud in happiness, she was so cute.

"That daughter of mine is really cute. Can I pocket her?" James was smiling while waving his hand to Fiorelli. He was falling in love and I couldn't stop him. In fact, I loved seeing him that way.

"No, she needs her Mommy," I replied and turned around to start working on the coffees that I promised to those men.

"Her Papa needs her Mommy as well." James smiled wickedly at me. He smirked while leaning in and stole a kiss from me before he walked away to join my father and Fiorelli.

I shook my head in disbelief at his action. Why did his action make me flutter? Did I start to fall in love with him again?

When I walked into the kitchen, there was that woman that I saw the last time I visited. I didn't get a chance to know her name but I was sure I need to now. Because I would be needing her help.

"What can I help you, Signorina?" The woman asked me if I needed some assistance.

"I want to make some coffee for my father and James. Does Father have a preference for his coffee?" I carefully asked her. I crunched my nose up in confusion when I saw her giggling.

"I understand, Signorina. Mr. Blakemore always prefers freshly ground beans. He has a special bean imported from Indonesia. Do you want me to show you the process?" I nodded my head eagerly, wanting to be shown how my father liked his coffee made. Back then, James was fine with coffee made from the coffee maker we bought at the supermarket.

We moved to another corner like a pantry counter. There was a coffee grinder and the espresso machine side by side. I guess, there was where they made the coffee.

"Do you need my assistance with the machine, Signorina?" She asked looking at my confused face.

"Yes, please. I never use an espresso machine like this," I said, still staring at the machine. I only saw this kind of machine at cafes.

"I haven't caught your name. May I know your name?" I looked awkwardly timid as I ask.

"Oh, my name is Melina, Signorina. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier," she said, placing her hand on her chest as an apologetic gesture.

Now, we could work side by side without me getting awkward. Melina showed and guided me on how to use the machines. I followed her instructions and even though there was a failure, she told me to make a new one and not feel guilty.

After a few attempts, the coffees were ready to meet their owner. I brought the coffee in a tray and present it to them.

"Father, I tried to make your coffee. I hope you like it," I said as I put the coffee down in front of them.

"How bad can it be? Thank you," he joked and take the cup to taste it. Somehow, I froze on my spot waiting for him to finish tasting it. I bit my lower lip groggily like I was in a competition and waiting for the judge to comment.

"Relax, Darling. Come sit down with us." My father patted the empty spot next to him with a calming smile.

"Why don't you try the coffee your ex-wife made? Ex-wife's dish tends to taste more delicious than your current one." I saw how James frowned at my father's joke.

"I don't have one though, Father. Jamee makes one for me every day," his reply made my father awkwardly sit still. "It's okay, Father. I can share her dish with you sometimes."

"You---, " my father was ready to fight, he was staring at him intensely like he didn't want to lose.

"Nonno," our daughter's voice broke their little contest. My father immediately turned to Fiorelli and attended to her needs.

"Yes, sweet girl?"

I got up from the couch and moved to James' side, letting my father be in their own world.

"Is that your way to impress Marsello?" I raised an eyebrow at him, questioning his action towards my father earlier. James was so hopeless in this case.

"He was being cocky about you, baby. I had you first than him," he whispered to me and his face was so close to mine, our eyes met each other. A smile appeared on his face, " the coffee is good. I think we should change the coffee machine to an espresso one, don't you think?"

"No," I shook my head and turned away. I liked the coffee machine we had at home and I was not going to compromise otherwise. Making coffee with an espresso machine took longer and I didn't have time for that. My time was spent taking care of our Fiorelli.

"Do you want to live with me, Darling?" Out of nowhere, Marsello asked me the question that some parents ask their divorced children. "You and Fiorelli can live here with me. You know, I can use your company in my last days."

"No," James refused firsthand making the both of us startled. Marsello and I gave him a confused look. "She lives with me and no one else." His tone was uncontested but soft.

"The two of you are not tied in a relationship such as marriage. So, she is not bound to live with you and I'm not going to let my children and grandchildren live without the protection they needed."

"That's why I'm going to marry her, no objection," James responded to the point. He was looking at my father with all seriousness. There was a moment of silence in the room and I couldn't guess what the both of them were thinking.

"That is not the way you ask for my permission, Mr. Nicoli. Try another time." He made a shooing gesture to James and completely ignored him for the rest of the day.

I had to hold in my laugh at his facial expression right after Marsello said that. It was funny.

"Happy?" he asked and I nodded my head without a doubt.