The Matrimony

14// Nonna Delmanti

Alejandro

I was blissfully enjoying my well needed rest when I heard loud shouting. I covered my head with a pillow trying to drown out the sound but nooooooo. I propped up on my elbows and looked around. Judging by navy blue colour of the sky, it couldn't possibly be more than 6 am. Who in the hell would be screaming bloody murder at such an ungodly hour?. I was a very busy person, often working up to the wee hours of the morning. So any chance I had of getting some shut eye, I took with honor. I covered my head with a pillow hoping to drown out the banshee-like yelling promising my inner self to deal with this 'person' later but obviously he/she wasn't having any of it. I got up, much to my own chagrin, and walked to the door. I stopped and turned to look at Diana. I smiled. Still sleeps like a corpse. I left the room and navigated the long hallways that led to the foyer. The screaming only seemed to get louder. Don't these people understand the concept of the word sleep?

I was at the top of the staircase when I caught sight of something that made my heart skip a beat.

Oh shit.

Only one person has hair that red. But it's impossible. She can't be here. She just can't.

Calm down Alejandro,. She's safely tucked away in Italy. She can't even leave the villa without you knowing. It's your mind playing tricks on you. This isn't real.

I was trying so hard to assure myself that she can't be the one. I was almost convinced. But then she came into full view. Red hair, big sunglasses, gold dress, heels and all. I think I just had a heart attack. She didn't even notice me. She was too busy arguing with Lenny, my bodyguard.

"I told you to let me go, you big oaf. Oh you just wait till I tell Alejandro about this", she said while trying to get her hand out of his firm grasp.

" Ma'am I really can't let you in here without confirmation from Mr Delmanti ", Lenny countered.

" Didn't you here anything I said?, I'm his grandmother and I don't think he's gonna take kindly to you treating his Nonna like this ", her voice was still heavy with the Italian accent. No matter how long she had been in America, she couldn't get rid of it. She said it gave testament to her true heritage.

Maybe if I sneak back into my room, she won't disturb me. I was about to turn and run for dear life when it happened.

" Nipote, oh how I've missed you. You've grown so much", she started climbing the stairs to me, "Now why don't you tell this ogre here that I'm your Nonna"

Lenny looked to me for confirmation, I nodded and he let her go. She gave him a good once over and huffed. "Can't get any decent help around here", she mumbled. Lenny looked at me apologetically and I nodded, silently telling him it was fine. "So Nipote, tell me, what's been happening, anyone new in your life?, you know you're not getting any younger dear. Don't you want to give me great grandchildren?..."

I tuned her out completely. I hadn't told my Nonna about my marriage to Diana. When Diana and I were together, she had adored her, often calling her the 'grand daughter I never had '. When we had broken off, she had been heartbroken, she thought for so long the break up was my fault, I bet she still does.

If only you knew Nonna.

She began pulling me along the stairs but stopped when we Diana.

Silence. All Nonna did nothing but stare at her. As if waiting to see if she'll disappear. I was starting to think she had had a stroke but a shrill scream broke my train of thought.

"Tesoro!", she screamed, "Oh Diana how long has it been?, I missed you so much. Oh God, how have you been?", she then turned to me, "Alejandro, why didn't you tell me you and Diana got back together?, this is such great news. Oh I have call Fernando, he's an amazing wedding planner", she said while rummaging through her purse.