Seduced by the Italian Billionaire Page 7

  She glared at me. "I see. You think you're above money. You think you're better than everyone else."

  I stood up from the couch, trying to control my anger, a slight tremor coursing through my hands. "I wouldn't say having the morals to refuse a bribe is exactly the same thing as thinking I'm better than everyone else. And actually, just based on the way you seemed to enjoy treating me like absolute dirt earlier today, it's you who thinks she's better than everyone else. Even the way you wrinkled your nose up at my tiny little living room today, you acted as if you're miles above me. But do you even know me? I don't think you do, so let me tell you a few things."

  Rain pelted the floor-to-ceiling windows behind me, the violence of the storm seemingly reflected in Elza's glittering eyes. But refusing to break eye contact with her, I took a deep breath.

  "I was born in a public housing project in Detroit. And I do mean literally born in the project. My mother didn't have health insurance, and she was terrified to go to the hospital without it. She only had an eighth-grade education and couldn't afford a three dollar hospital bill, let alone a three thousand dollar one for a birth. I never knew my father. He was shot dead by a gang banger the night I was born. I fought my way through elementary school, junior high, and high school. Fought to get good grades, fought to get clean clothes to wear every day, fought to get enough to eat in order to have enough energy to do my homework. I won an academic scholarship to Monroe College in the Bronx. I worked full-time at a sandwich shop while earning my degree, so I could send money back home to my mom and baby sister in Detroit. I became a teacher. And it's not glamorous, and most days it's not very exciting. But it's who I am. And all that I just said, that's who I am, too. All the struggles and adversity I've faced have made me into the strong, independent woman I am today. They've made me into the type of woman who cannot be paid off. And they've made me into the woman that your son loves and wants to spend his life with." I paused, looking directly into Elza's narrowed dark eyes. "Whether you like it or not."

  She scoffed. "Well, a round of applause for you. You were born in the gutter and worked your way out to live in another gutter in the Bronx. Good for you. But I am not impressed. The only thing you've proven to me with your little speech is that you're a girl far too common for my son. Far too common, and not Italian. You're not even in the same league as the type of woman I'd like my son to settle down with."

  "You're right, Mother. She's miles above the league of any girl you'd want me to settle down with. Miles."

  Benito, who had been standing silently, somewhat in the shadows of the hallway, stepped out and faced Elza. "Most of the women you'd like to see me settle down with wouldn't even be fit to speak to Felicia. They wouldn't be worthy of her grace and courage."

  Elza looked at him, eyes wide and face paling, as if she'd completely forgotten he was even in the apartment. "My son -- you must understand. With the check, I was only trying to protect you."

  "From what? True love? The most beautiful woman, inside and out, I've ever met? I tried to share my happiness and joy with you, but with the disrespect and cruelty you showed Felicia today, you threw that happiness and joy right back in my face."

  "But I did it because I only want what's best for you! Don't you understand? I did it for you, for your future. I know you'd be much, much happier in the long-term with a different woman. An Italian woman."

  Benito clenched and unclenched his jaw a few times. "This fantasy you've been trying to force on me for years is starting to strike me as some sort of unhealthy obsession."

  "Well, if it is, it's only because I want you to be happy!"

  "If you truly wanted me to be happy, you would've never pulled this stunt on Felicia. She is my happiness. And it seems to me that any half-decent mother would be able to realize and respect that. And hey, maybe even share in our joy a little. Maybe even be happy for us. But no. Not you. You couldn't find it in your heart."

  "My son, just listen to me. I --"

  "No. My days of listening to you where it concerns my love life are over. I'm a grown man, and I know my own mind. You won't be meddling in my love life ever again."

  "Well -- well, just know that I will never speak to you again if you ever decide to marry her! And I swear that on our family name!"

  Benito folded his arms across his broad chest, his brown eyes glinting. "That's your decision."

  "You will be dead to me! I will never speak you name out loud ever again!"

  "Again, your choice."

  Elza, seemingly out of ammo, took a few deep breaths. "I know you will not choose her over me. I know this because real Italian men always choose their mother."

  "Well, you're not a real mother if you expect me to choose between the love of my life and you."

  Anger twisted Elza's features into a sneer.

  "You will regret this! You will regret the day you spoke to me like this!"

  "Get out, Mother. You're not welcome in my home anymore. And you're not invited to the upcoming wedding, either."

  I looked at Benito. "What wedding?"

  To my complete astonishment, he got down on one knee and took my hands.

  "Felicia, will you be my bride? Will you marry me?"

  I nodded, my eyes instantly filling with tears. "Yes. Yes. Oh my gosh...yes!"

  Benito stood, picked me up, and spun me around while kissing me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Elza leave the apartment and close the door, huffing and puffing. I buried my face in Benito's shoulder, laughing, waves of joy crashing over me.

  The End

  Note from author:

  Hi, really hope you enjoyed this story. I initially wrote the “Italian Billionaire” to be a one-off stand alone story but I would love to write a follow up to it also and see if they manage to make it to the wedding or not!

  So, if you would like me to write a follow up to this then please mention this when giving your review of the story.

  Write Your Review HERE!

  By the way, those who give 5 star reviews will be thanked by name in the follow up!!