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Nico
Had we not reached the restaurant, I would've taken Lili right there in the backseat of the limo. She constantly surprises me, and that's one of the qualities I adore most about her. One moment she's commanding the heads of Chicago's mafia, and the next she's vulnerable, craving, yielding to her desires. Above all, she challenges me to fight for what's just and to never settle for anything less than I deserve. I'll always remember a pivotal moment when a confrontation with Carlo left me battered and bruised, my nose broken, shoulder dislocated, and ribs fractured. Through her tears, Lili urged me to stand up for myself, labeling Carlo a coward who would back down when challenged.
True to her words, the next time Carlo attacked, I fought back—not to win, but to demonstrate that his abuse would no longer be tolerated. Eventually, he realized I wouldn't cower, so he resorted to verbal assaults. Yet his words never held power over me; they merely exposed just how foolish he is. After one of his tirades, I simply walk away, unaffected, carrying on with my day. Throughout it all, Lili has been my unwavering support, and she deserves a man who will assert himself and stand up for himself. It’s the man I strive to be for her every minute of every day.
“Now that we're here, I need you to turn around so I can blindfold you,” I explain, producing a black fabric from my pocket. Lili's eyebrows knit together as she tilts her head inquisitively. Smiling at her evident curiosity, I elaborate further, “Your first surprise of the evening awaits inside, and you're not allowed to peek until we're seated.”
“Nico, you know I hate surprises. Can't you at least give me a hint?” She counters.
“If I spill the beans now, it'll ruin all the effort I've put into keeping it a secret,” I respond, feigning disappointment, though inwardly I’m amused. Lili has always hated surprises. Her cautious nature, inherited from her father, nearly drove a wedge between us. Yet, to be with her, I had to accept that trust doesn't come easily to her, even with me.
Letting out a resigned sigh, she relents, “Fine, I'll wear the blindfold, but you owe me for this.”
“I'll happily owe you, sweetness,” I reply, distracting her with a kiss as I cover her eyes with the silk scarf borrowed from my mother. Stepping out of the car, I assist Lili to the sidewalk and interlace our fingers, letting her know that I have her. Caruso's, our family-owned restaurant, looms in front of us, evoking both bitter and sweet memories. Near the dumpster on the side, is where I came into this world, born to a teenager who, for reasons unknown, found herself homeless and a victim of a brutal assault. Despite the passage of time and the cleansing rains that have washed away any physical traces of that fateful night, the memory remains etched in my mind forever. It's where my life began, amidst tragedy and hardship, yet tonight is about Lili, not dwelling on my past.
Shaking off the memories, I guide her along the sidewalk, excited for the evening to come. Jimmy, a member of our wait staff, greets us as he holds the door open, giving me a reassuring smile that everything is ready. Against Carlo's wishes, I closed the restaurant to ensure our privacy. Inside, Eugenia and her date are already seated, and a few Beneventi Soldiers stand guard, a precaution against tension simmering among the families due to Carlo's ambitions. Balloons in different shades of purple decorate the space accompanied by gifts and birthday confetti scattered across the tables.
Pulling out her chair, I help Lili into her seat, standing behind her as tears shimmer in Eugenia's eyes. It's been too long since they last saw one another, a reunion only made possible through sheer determination. Eugenia's work as a traveling nurse, interning with doctors without borders at such a young age, reflects her character. The work she does is admirable, which bonded her and Lili during their undergrad days.
“Are you ready for your first surprise, sweetness?” I whisper in her ear.
“More than ready!” she exclaims eagerly.
Carefully untying the loose knot, I allow the fabric to slide down her face, and I can tell the moment her eyes focus because Lili lets out a squeal, leaps from her chair and nearly tackles Eugenia to the ground.
“OMG!! When... how... OMG!!!” She's so overwhelmed with excitement that words fail her. Tears of pure joy trickle down their cheeks as they break apart, staring at each other in disbelief. I can hardly believe I managed to pull off this surprise without spilling the beans. Simon, Eugenia's date, smiles as we give the girls a moment to take it all in. Jimmy brings champagne and a selection of appetizers to kick-start the celebration: fresh mozzarella and tomatoes infused with Italian spices, grilled bruschetta, and an assortment of olives. Once the girls are settled, we dig in and begin catching up.
“I've missed you so much, Eugenia,” Lili says between bites.
“I've missed you too, girl. We've got a lot of catching up to do. You have no idea how hard it was to keep my visit a secret. I had to pretend to be out of town every time you called, only to be just a few blocks away. I nearly caved a few times, but Nico insisted on keeping mum,” Eugenia chuckles.
“You both know I'm not particularly fond of surprises, but this was truly epic! Will you be able to come to my party next weekend?” Lili asks eagerly.
“Unfortunately, I'm flying out again next Thursday and won't return until Sunday. It's a short trip within the states this time, so I'll get to come back home,” Eugenia replies, much to Lili's dismay.
“Promise we'll have a girl's day out when you return?” Lili suggests, and Eugenia happily agrees.
For the remainder of the evening, Simon and I sit back, observing as the women engage in animated conversation, making plans for Eugenia's return home. Excusing myself, I head to the kitchen to ensure Lili's birthday cake is prepared for the big reveal. Following Jimmy as he rolls the serving cart through the double doors, we begin singing the birthday song. Lili rises to her feet as the two-tier cake, adorned with twenty-one candles, illuminates the room. Her eyes soften as she blows a kiss to me, and I playfully catch it, holding my closed palm to my chest. Approaching her from behind, I wrap my arms around her as we conclude the birthday song.
“Happy birthday, sweetness,” I whisper as she turns and kisses me.
“Thank you so much for everything, Nico. You've made this the most magical evening I could ever imagine.”
“Why don't you make a wish and blow out your candles?” I encourage, gently turning her. This is the moment I've been anticipating all evening. My heart races with excitement as I retrieve the small velvet box from my pocket, opening it to reveal the ring for Lili to see. As she turns towards me, hands covering her mouth in surprise, I sink to one knee, smiling up at her.
“Lili, I love you more than words can express. Despite the odds stacked against us, we've stood strong, never allowing anyone or anything to come between our happiness. You are the woman I never thought I’d find and you’re the other half that makes me whole. If you'll have me, I promise to cherish you every day for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”
The brief moment of silence feels like an eternity, but finally, with tears running down her beautiful face, she responds, “Yes! Nico, yes! I'll marry you!” She shouts with joy as I slip the ring onto her finger, and she leaps into my arms. This marks the beginning of the future we envision for ourselves. While our fathers may disapprove, their anger holds no sway over us. Lili and I are determined to carve our own path, independent of the constraints of the mafia world. Departing from this life is our decision, and they will simply have to come to terms with it.
7
Liliana
“Thank you for such an amazing evening, Nico” I express as we make our way to our hotel.
“It’s not over yet, sweetness,” he replies, sending a wave of excitement through me. Eugenia's surprise was incredible, but Nico's proposal was the cherry on top. However, thoughts of my father's disapproval cast a shadow over my joy, tightening my core with anxiety. I've defied my father's wishes before, whether it was attending college or spending this weekend with Nico, but telling him about our engagement will be a whole different ordeal. Nico's hand on my knee interrupts my thoughts.
“Hey, are you okay?” He asks, genuine concern evident in his voice.
