Keeping My Bride by Angela Snyder
Chapter 9
Verona
AFTER DANTE AND I are settled in our separate rooms, Benito offers to take us on a tour of the mansion and property. I try to memorize the rooms, which include a gym, a vast library, two formal living rooms, a den, an enormous dining hall, a billiards room, and a huge state-of-the-art kitchen. Lastly, we pass Luca’s private office, which is off limits. Benito didn’t have to tell me that, but he didn’t so much as even knock or open the door when we passed, so I know it’s not a place I’ll be welcome in anytime soon. In fact, I’d wager money that the door is locked and only Luca is privy to the key.
Benito then takes us outside. The hot summer sun is beating down on us as we walk across the large patio with outdoor furniture. And then we stop at…the swimming pool.
Instantly, I can feel sweat beading on my face, but it’s not because of the heat. It’s because the pool looks so similar to the one I had at my childhood home.
“You’re welcome to swim anytime you want,” Benito suggests, perhaps noticing my discomfort.
I shake my head vehemently. No, I won’t be swimming or getting anywhere near that water.
“What? The pool isn’t big enough for you?” comes a strong, demanding voice from my right.
I can’t tear my eyes away from the water, but I would know Luca Vitale’s voice anywhere. A cold shiver runs down my spine as he approaches.
“Can’t swim?” he asks, but I can’t even answer him. I’m glued to where I’m standing, unable to move or speak. Suddenly, Luca grabs my arms and turns me towards him. “I could always throw you in and find out.”
Terror runs through my very bones as I snap out of my traumatized state and beg him with tears in my eyes, “No, please, no!”
He has a serious look on his face, and I’m so scared that he’ll actually go through with his threat that my fight or flee instinct kicks in. Quickly, I tear out of his grip and run back into the house like my life depends on it.
I don’t stop running until I’m safe and sound in my new bedroom. Panic seizes my lungs, and I go to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face to try to calm down.
Every time I’m near a body of water, I’m instantly brought back to that horrible day in my childhood that scarred me for life.
My mother overdosed on sleeping pills and decided to end her life by drowning in the family’s swimming pool. I’m the one that found her body floating face down in the water. I knew how to swim back then, so I jumped in and desperately tried to save her. I almost drowned in the process, because I was only nine years old and not strong enough to pull her out.
I remember the burning sensation of the water inside of my lungs and how hard I coughed, but it still felt like I was drowning.
And it still feels like I’m drowning to this day every time I think about it.
It was a traumatic experience that I’ll never get over. I haven’t been able to go near a body of water without sheer panic setting in.
After several minutes, I’m able to calm myself down. I know I’ll have to explain my dramatic reaction to Luca, but a part of me isn’t ready to tell him yet. I feel like it’s too personal, like he’ll know an intimate part about me when I know next to nothing about him. I figure over time we’ll get to know each other, but I have a feeling Luca will always be an enigma, keeping his most guarded secrets close to him, never letting them out. And maybe I should do the same.
