Honoured with love

Chapter 05

Sixteen years of age...

Seven months pregnant...

"Gio, she knows," My Celeste said weeping over the phone.

A sudden wave of panic crashes into me. My heart starts to race and my breathing falters.

"Merda." I silently scream.

"She's pissed Gio, I'm sorry." She apologises to me.

My beautiful Celeste apologized to me, it should be me apologizing to her. I put her in this situation.

Me!

"Mio Caro, You have nothing to be sorry for." I sigh.

"I forgot to lock my bedroom door and she walked in on me getting changed. I shouldn't have been so

reckless." Her voice drops into a hushed tone.

"What is done, is done. We knew this day would come and now it is time to stand up and fight." I say

encouragingly.

"Easy for you to say Gio. Your parents are awesome. Mine. Mine want to throw you in jail and throw

away the key." A light sob escapes from her mouth.

I can't pretend to act surprised, nor can I build up the courage to tell her what my parents had said

about New Zealand not being our home.

~ It is better to live on your feet than die on your knees'~ I once read.

And it is true, I can't build a stable life for myself and my family if I am on my knees in prison. No matter

how much it pains me to think about leaving them behind. Mama and Papa were right.

"She said I can't keep our baby. Once she is born she will go directly into the system and we will never

see her again." She sniffs trying to hold back her tears.

My body shudders with rage. "That will never happen," I say darkly. "The Venturi's will NEVER let that

happen," I promise her.

"I don't know what to do Gio." I can hear the fight in her fleeing.

"You will continue to be a strong, loving vessel for our child." I try to keep the tremble out of my voice.

"And you will let me handle everything."

I declare right here, right now that if any man or woman should touch my child with the intention to hurt

her I will rain hellfire upon thee. I will make their life a living hell no matter what the aftermath entails for

me.

"You promise Gio?" She asks breaking my train of thought.

"I swear on my life, Celeste." My grip on the phone tightens turning my knuckles a pale shade of pink.

"You are my life, my heart and my soul. You are my everything and only you can bring me to my knees

Amore mio." I sigh with a heavy heart.

"I'll always love you Gio. Always and forever no matter what." I can hear a faint smile in her words.

"Now go and rest. You need to be strong for our baby girl." I remind her.

"Our baby girl." A little giggle leaves her lips.

"Si, our baby girl. The gods have blessed me with two beauties. Two more than I deserve." I confess.

"You deserve so much more Gio and I hope I can give it to you one day." She says just before she

hangs up.

I place the phone back down onto the receiver and walk into the living room where my papa sits

watching his favourite television show.

"Papa." Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He looks up and takes his reading glasses off.

"Si, Gio." He gestures towards a vacant seat on the sofa and I sit down.

"The Maddisons' know and they are threatening me with rape charges." I lean forward in my seat,

folding my arms on top of my knees and place my head inside, shutting my eyes warding the nausea to

leave my shaking body.

I hear papa sigh. "It is time Gio." He says as he rises from his chair.

I snap my head up and scowl at him with worried eyes.

"It's too soon papa. Can't we wait for another two and a half months? We can all leave New Zealand." I

plead.

"I'm sorry son. But in order to keep you out of jail, we need to leave as soon as we can." His face was

full of remorse.

"She will put my baby into the system and send Celeste away. We will never find each other if that

happens." I say with fear coating my words.

"If there's a will there's a way Gio. YOU ARE A STRONG-WILLED young man. I fear for the future

where you will wreak havoc upon those who do you wrong." He proudly states.

"But you must be smart and not let your fear cloud your judgment. This is the right move for now." His

eyes bore into mine.

I trust my papa wholeheartedly and I will follow him where ever he takes me. Even if it is to the other

side of the world. I am a Venturi.

~Don't deny, Delay.~

"I understand Papa." I rise from my chair and walk towards him. "Thank you." A light sob leaves my

mouth.

My father reaches forward and crushes me to him. "It is not a goodbye Gio. You will see your beloved

Celeste and daughter again. I promise you." He claps his hand on my back for consolation.

What do I tell my Celeste?

I promised her I would make everything right and now I'm preparing to flee the country to outrun the

charges her mother will soon lay against me.

I walk to my room and close the door behind me. I pick up my phone and make the call to tell my

precious Celeste there is nothing I can do and I failed her without even putting up a fight. I failed my

daughter even before I get to meet her. Dread eats me up from the inside out, turning my heart a light

shade of grey, as my walls slowly go up, hardening my pure heart infecting it with venom.

Determination sets in and I make a vow when the time is right I will return and make the Maddisons'

pay. I will turn their world upside down and make them wish they never crossed the line where

Giovanni Venturi was concerned.