“No.” I wasn’t ready to talk about my father’s heartbreaking reaction to Joe. My heart was aching, my stomach in a knot. I was desperate to find Joe and tell him that I didn’t care how my father felt, I would love him anyway. Please, God, help me.
JOE
Pain surged through my body as Ella’s father said the painful words. I had experienced rejection and anger before because of my family, but this was beyond crazy. The tears in Ella’s eyes made me angry. How could her father do such a thing to his daughter? I was not my father. I was my own man. I had never harmed anyone. If it were up to me, the Coli family would be a different organization altogether.
It was no use fighting the system. I was determined to change it from the inside as soon as it was my turn to take over. My immediate plan was to see Ella and reassure her of my love for her. I didn’t dare call the house out of respect for Ella, so I drove around, trying to think of a way to talk to her.
My happy place had always been the beach—now more than ever. I watched as the lights of the fishing trawlers lit up the horizon. The sound of someone knocking on my window made me jump. It was Ella.
“Ella, how did you find me?” I opened my car door and stepped out to hug her tightly.
“Fabio knew where to find you. Oh, Joe. I’m mortified. I’m so sorry. I had no idea my father would do that. I’m sorry, my love. Are you okay?” She called me love—it made my heart skip a beat.
“I’m sorry, Ella. I didn’t want to tell you about my family, specifically because that’s the way parents react when they find out who I am.”
“I love you, Joe. I don’t care who your family is. You are my soulmate.” She buried her face in my chest.
“My love, I’ll never leave you.” I moved her mouth to mine and kissed her deeply. She melted into my embrace.
There was nothing we could do but keep our love affair a secret. Neither one of us was willing to let go. Our love was too strong.
After summer, I started working at my family business and Ella attended university. I was learning the ropes quickly and Ella, the bright little spark that she was, was kicking ass in botany class. Ella had moved out of her parents home and into an apartment with Bria. At night we would see each other, spending our time making love, talking about our hopes and dreams, and laughing at whatever Bria and Fabio got up to. The two of them, against all odds, had become an item. They were a fun, caring harbor in our storm, and we were grateful for their love and support.
But Ella and I couldn’t plod along like that for long. After a year and a half of sneaking around, we decided to make a change. It was time.
***
ELEANORA
Joe was perfect. I loved every part of him. My heart ached when I wasn’t with him—we’d hidden long enough. I called my parents and asked them to come to dinner at Bria’s and my apartment. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon when the buzzer to the apartment rang. Bria was kind enough to let me have the apartment to myself and went out with Fabio. I was nervous as hell but determined nonetheless.
I buzzed them up and welcomed them in. I’d prepared a lovely lunch—the smell from the kitchen was enticing. I’d even made my father’s favorite dessert. Right, Ella. It’s go time!
I poured us a drink while they relaxed in the living room. I even made my own limoncello, a desperate ploy to suck up, I realized.
“How are you, my love? How are your studies coming along?”
“I’m fine, Mama. University’s going well. I love my course.”
“We miss you at home,” my father said. “It’s too quiet without you there.”
“I had to leave the nest eventually, Papa. I miss you too.”
“I feel like there’s something you want to tell us, Ella.” Damn, my mother knew me far too well.
“There is something I’d like to discuss with you and Papa. I want you to promise me that you’ll let me talk first before you interject, please.”
“Okay, darling; we’re listening,” my father said.
I took a deep breath before I started. I’m sure they could see how nervous I was.
“I’ve been seeing someone for a long time now. I love him very much and he adores me. I’m not a child anymore. I want to make my own decisions about who I date and who I want to marry. I love and respect you as my parents, but my happiness is ultimately my prerogative.”
I looked my father in the eye. I’d hoped he could see that I was serious. The look on his face told me he did. His knuckles grew white as he gripped the armrest of the sofa. I carried on talking.
“I am in love with Joe Coli. He loves me very much, and he treats me like I’m a queen. I know that you were angry when you found out that he’s a Coli, Papa, but you never gave him a chance. For as long as I can remember, you and Mama taught me not to make snap judgments about people. I respect that about you. I love that about you.
But when you chased Joe out of the house, out of my life, without giving him the benefit of the doubt, you broke my heart, Papa. Words mean nothing if you don’t live by them, Papa, and you taught me better than that. Joe is a good man. I won’t give him up, and if you force me
