Calypso

Nova

Nova

Ethereal.

It was the only word that came to mind when describing the wonder around me. Elio went all out for his son’s impending nuptials. Sheer white tents littered just a section of Elio’s expansive estate, and there was a matching white walkway toward the altar. The chairs lined under the tents were decorated in burgundy and white, creating a uniformed look across the beautiful garden. I gazed at the unblemished sky, enjoying the breeze that cooled my face. I gazed at the picturesque scene in front of me. The weather was hot, but the cool breezes made it tolerable. The Amalfi coast, boasting of clear blue waters could be seen in the distance, along with the rocky plains of the landscape. The De Luca mansion was built near a cliffside, which only added to the allure of the mansion, and the province of Praiano. No matter how many times I’ve seen this it would always take my breath away. The skies were as blue as the water below, where I could see Elio’s yacht, which looked more like a large cruise liner, floating serenely within the calm waves. I fleetingly thought of the time I had attempted to jump from the large cliffside to the water below. Elio had grabbed me before I could take the dive. He was so angry that he could barely speak, telling me harshly how I could have been jumping to my death. I smiled at the memory. I had many memories of this place. 

Chaotic.

Numerous staff raced around the backyard putting down last minute touches. I could hear the noise coming from downstairs numerous people went in and out the home. I turned from my view at the large bay window in one of our many suites at the estate as my friend Gianna waltzed into the room with another friend, Bianca, our bride. 

This was a momentous occasion for her family and mine. Today would mark the end of a longstanding rivalry between the De Luca and the Marino families, just two of five of the powerful families that comprised the Cosa Nostra. Blood had been shed on both sides in the years of turmoil between the two families. The Marino family was responsible for the death of my parents, while the De Luca family retaliated by killing the don, Antonio Marino. I was only a baby when my parents were murdered, but I knew the story. Elio had met my father, Caleb Foster when they were young boys. His father and my grandfather were business associates, so the men grew up working closely together as they both prepared to assume the roles their fathers held. Elio was training and shadowing his father to one day take over as don, while my father would take over as one of his biggest distributors. But that was not to be. Antonio Marino, in an effort to take the title Elio was in line to have decided to put pressure on anyone associated with Elio. He found out about my father’s business and personal relationship with Elio, and tried to exploit it. He threatened my father, tried to strong arm him into eliminating ties with the De Lucas and working exclusively with the Marinos. My father refused, and Marino had him and his wife, my mom Elysia killed. It changed the course of my life. I distractedly rubbed my fingertips over the necklace that Elio gifted me when he adopted me. Inside was a picture of my parents and me when I was an infant. The pure gold chain and pendant, exquisitely carved in the shape of praying hands, had an engraving in the inside that simply wrote, I love you, with Elio’s initials. It was a reminder of not just my parents’ love, but Elio’s love for me. I may not have his blood running through my veins, but in every way it matters Elio is my papa and I am his daughter. 

“Um…Nova?” Gianna’s voice pulled me to the present. I looked over at her as she stood in front of Bianca and helped with makeup. Bianca Marino was probably the only member of the Marino family I didn’t have an urge to put a bullet in. She was everything the rest sharing her last name were not; kind, passionate and trustworthy. Gianna and Bianca were two of the few people I looked at as friends. Gianna looked great in the deep burgundy, one shoulder ruched dresses we were wearing as Bianca’s bridesmaids. Her hair was impeccably styled in a shoulder length bronze colored bob, and the dress fit her slim but curvaceous body like a second skin. I looked down at the floor length satin dress that matched hers. There was a modest slit, showing a peek of golden brown skin. We wore stilettos the same shade as the dress.