American Dynasty

T W E N T Y - E I G H T

Stella's mood was as dark as a storm. She tried to preoccupy herself with helping Giada plan her wedding to Matteo, but picking out flower arrangements and making guest lists did nothing to soothe her flaring temper or the ache in her chest. 

"What about this one?" Giada asked, showing Stella a picture of a delicate lace wedding gown. 

"It's beautiful." 

"You've said that about the last five dresses." 

"Well the last five dresses were beautiful." 

Giada put the picture down and frowned at Stella. "What's wrong? You haven't stopped frowning since I arrived. Do you not want to help me with the wedding?" 

"No, no, I want to help you, Giada, I just-I'm in a rut, I suppose," Stella said defeatedly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It has been a difficult few days." 

Giada gently placed a hand on Stella's shoulder, gazing at her sympathetically. "Boy troubles?" 

"What makes you say that?" Stella asked, suddenly on alert. 

"I know the look of heartache." 

Stella narrowed her eyes and studied Giada for a moment. "Matteo told you, didn't he?" 

Giada smiled apologetically. "More like I had to force the truth out of him, but he came to me looking awfully troubled after you told him about Flynn Dempsey. And rightfully so." 

"What's that supposed to mean?" Stella asked, surprised by the defensiveness in her voice. Flynn had abandoned her, let her down. Why had she been so quick to stand up for him? 

"In case you haven't figure it out by now, Flynn Dempsey is one of the most merciless criminals in New York with hands stained with more blood than anyone else. What is interesting is that you of all people fell for him." 

The last bit caught Stella off guard. "How so?" 

Giada raised her eyebrow. "You're not stupid, Stella. Other girls would be dumb enough to disregard the danger for the sake of money and a handsome man. You, well...you've always been a tough nut to crack. You're clever and don't let yourself get influenced by anyone's good looks. So, you must have seen something else in him." 

It truly astounded Stella how perceptive Giada was at times. "I-I..." 

"I also hear you still have not responded to Dante Costanzo's marriage proposal," Giada said cautiously with a coy smile. "With two handsome men after you I'm shocked you're not beaming." 

"One I have no passion for and the other will not fight for me. That's why I'm not beaming," Stella said sullenly. 

"What kind of palooka wouldn't fight for a gal like you?" 

"An Irish one with an impossible attitude and blue eyes you could get lost in," Stella sighed, picking at her fingernails. "Some days I just wish I had never met him." 

Giada was quiet for a moment. "Have I ever told you about Avery Rockefeller?" 

Stella knew the name, his wedding a few years ago had been all anyone could talk about. "What of him?" 

"Well, back before he married his wife, him and I were...very briefly involved. Stole a few kisses, went out to dinner, that sort of thing." 

Stella's eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets. "You were with a Rockefeller?!" 

"You look exactly as my parents did when I told them," Giada laughed, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "Yes, he was nice. But Matteo was always the only one for me. My parents like Matteo, but they believed that Avery would have been able to take much better care of me. You can imagine their shock when I broke it off with him and allowed Matteo to court me." 

"That's sweet, Giada, but what does this have to do with me?" Stella asked, tilting her head to the side. 

Giada smiled knowingly. "I could have been an extraordinarily rich woman had I stayed with Avery, but I chose your brother simply because I love him. Not matter how much Avery could have given me, it would not have been enough. And no matter how much Dante can give you, it will not be enough." 

Stella raised her eyebrows. "I'm certain that Matteo will not be pleased that you said that to me." 

"Matteo can be as displeased as he wants, it's not his life. At the end of the day, you're the one who truly has to live with your decisions." 

"So you're saying I should decline Dante's proposal?" Stella asked as she fidgeted with the picture of wedding gowns in front of them. 

"I'm saying that instead of sulking, which is getting you nowhere by the way, you should be considering your options and keeping your head up. You should not be hanging your head because of a man." 

A small smile crept onto Stella's face. "Never."

---

By the time Giada left, it was late into the day. They had merely giggled and kept silent when Matteo asked them what they had gotten up to all day. "The usual shenanigans," Giada had replied, pressing a kiss to Matteo's lips. "I seem to remember something about you taking me out for a nice dinner." 

"Indeed, my fair lady, shall we depart?" Matteo said in a false British accent, making Giada snort. 

"See you soon Stella, and remember what I told you." She shot Stella a meaningful look before dragging Matteo out the door. 

"Those two are quite the pair." Stella jumped at the sound of her mother's voice. Marcella had walked up behind her soundlessly, her lithe arms crossed over her chest. 

"Indeed they are," Stella replied, shooting her mother a tight smile. 

"Are you hungry, cara mia? Dinner is almost ready," Marcella said as she carefully adjusted a wayward hair in Stella's updo. 

"Famished, actually," Stella said, rubbing her stomach. "Giada and I were so busy planning I barely ate anything." 

"Indeed, but at least you'll have practice for when you plan your own wedding," Marcella said. It did not escape Stella that her mother was hinting at the still pending proposal from Dante Costanzo. 

"Yes, can't imagine when that will be, though," Stella said, her tone sharp as she titled her head up. "Dinner?"

 Marcella pursed her lips and fixed her calculating gaze on her daughter. "Dinner. Come, your father is already waiting for you. And we have very important guests tonight, so be on your best behaviour." 

"Who's here?" Stella asked, curiosity creeping into her voice. 

"Giuseppe Masseria and Giovanni Constanzo. Apparently, they have a business venture with your father. And they've brought Flynn Dempsey with them too, for whatever godforsaken reason."