Beverly
GROWING UP WITH Grandparents has its peaks, and they included being spoiled to a stupor. They just had this predisposition to give their grandchildren all that they solicited; which I find bizarre because they didn't share the same sentiments when it came to their children. I don't remember my grandma ever showing my mum as much love as she showed me. Maybe I didn't see it, but I may never understand why this is so until I become a grandmother. But, as we all know, nothing is entirely 'good' without a hue of evil. My grandma is very much old-school, portrayed more in the things she said than in how she acted.
"My child, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach…" used to be her very most frequented quote while I was growing up. She said that's how she found her way to my American granddad's heart and how my mum found hers. In response, I would pout and roll my eyes saying, "Ma! Things are not like that anymore. Men cook too." I would have loved to tell her that the way to a man's heart was through his D, but my grandmother would have thrown a fit if she knew that I knew what a dick was.
Even now that I'm married, I'm sure she still held the same opinions. Courtesy of her consistent nagging and endless preaching, I learned to prepare so many delicacies at a young age. When I found out how good I was at it, I began to love it. Not as a path to any man's heart, but as a path to success doing what I loved.
Now, I own a Three-star restaurant, Paradiso. I guess in the end it did lead to me getting my man because that was how I met Emiliano - On a summer afternoon, preparing dishes on a stage while men chanted the name Queen of Hearts like a mantra. Three generations of women earned men through food. I don't like to think about it.
I looked at the superb breakfast I had made with the impeccable cup of coffee for my ideal husband. Though, he didn't like when I made breakfast. He would say, "Mio Mondo sleep while I serve you." But, he made dinner most nights so I felt the need to relieve him in the mornings. Imagine handling teenagers all day when he should be in Italy drinking champagne on a boat cruise with as many women as he could take. He was toiling because of me. The least I could do was assist in any way - No matter how insignificant it seemed in the grand scheme of things.
I took a seat in the dining, watching my reflection float on the glass table. We had three living rooms and two dining tables. One was the usual twenty-seater glass dining for when we had visitors over, and the other was just for me and Emiliano because he loved to have me close while he ate.
I was scrolling through the internet when a call came in causing me to roll my eyes. An act that came with an involuntary smile; one that I could not fight Liz, my friend, anytime, and business partner called. My thumb grazed through the screen sliding the green control right to receive the call.
"Bitch! Wake up!" Liz's overly high-pitched voice rang in my ear removing the last trace of sleep I had left.
"How do you have so much adrenaline this morning? Jesus! It's so fucking annoying!"
"Come down to work before I gouge your eyes and feed it to your demi-god of a husband."
"Wait a sec, why did you open so early?"
"
Don't I always?"
"Yeah… but it's just 7:00 am. Is there a problem?"
I moved my chair backward and walked over to the kitchen counter across the small dining to get a napkin that I had forgotten to set. It was a two-island kitchen, enormous, open, yet comfy and Provençal. The interior designer paid absolute attention to detail, fulfilling all of my requirements. Emiliano made sure to stock up then, and every weekend we shop for groceries and newly-improved equipment. I opened the cabinet and took out two clean towels.
"Beverly James Antonio!" Liz called, exasperatedly. Always so dramatic. "There's no problem. I was just bored. Tinder is boring these days. I'm so fed up." I rolled my eyes, placing the towels on the table after I had folded them.
"I need to wait for Emiliano to come down."
"He is going to look dashing today as always." She sighed, sounding dreamy. A dream she had better snap out of.
"You praise my husband more than I do." I giggled.
"Because you got the bag girl." The sound of footsteps coming from behind me made me jittery.
"See you soon. I woke up with an idea. Can't wait to share." I squealed, before hanging up. My eyes settled then on all six foot plus of my handsome husband clad in a coal-black suit with a black scarf morphed around his neck. His blue inner shirt matched his pupils perfectly. He returned my glare.
"Good morning love." I smiled, leaning on the table. He tilted his head to the right, then his eyes caught sight of the food.
"Beverly?!" I made my way to him and cupped his chin.
"Baby you are a king - allow me to treat you like one." He sighed, a crease forming on his forehead.
"I already ordered something to eat, and found out I was up late." I frowned, letting my hands fall to my side.
"Why did you do that when you have a wife?"
"Because you, my love; like you said are my wife and I don't need you waking up so early just to cook for me. That's why we need a cook." He argued, dropping his portfolio on the table.
"Or you need someone to fulfill your urges." I blurted out, immediately regretting it when the words were out of my mouth. But, words are like time, we can't take them back. "I'm so sorry." He wrapped his hands around my waist.
"Only you can satisfy me. You know that Apple pie." I smiled, exhaling. "Torta di mele." He laughed. "Of course. I'll cancel the order." He opened the button of his suit, before sitting cross-legged on the chair. With ease in his movements, he placed a napkin on his thighs. "What do you have planned today?" He asked, taking a bite and chewing softly.
Also taking a bite, I replied, "I came up with a new recipe this morning. Call it a sudden epiphany. I'm going to be trying it out - that's if Liz allows me."
He chuckled, "Liz is a handful."
"Tell me about it. Mostly when she is lusting after you."
"Unfortunately, I only have eyes for you." He grinned, making me blush.
"She isn't the only one. Every girl in this metropolis when they see you immediately want you. It's exhausting." I sighed.
"And I have told you many a time to let me announce to everyone that I'm yours."
"Marriage already kind of did that; Even though that doesn't suffice these days," I affirmed. "So what do you have in mind? Announcing it on CNN?"
"Yes." He said, and we both laughed. When he was done eating, he placed his cutlery down on the table in their distinguished order and wiped the side of his lips after downing his coffee. He got up, took the dishes to the kitchen, and was about to take off his suit when I stopped him.
"Leave the dishes I'll do it. It's 7:30 already. you would be late."
"B, I don't go to the assembly, do I?"
"But today is resumption. You have to show a good example."
"Fine. I will cook and wash the dishes tomorrow morning." He grabbed my waist, going down my hips. His desire-filled eyes, enchanted me so bad I lost my senses. I kissed him, softly before pulling away.
"If you keep teasing me like this, I may cease to function. Take pity on this poor man's soul."
"You wish." I grabbed his wrist pulling him out of the kitchen whilst turning a deaf ear to his childish pleas. When we got to the dining, I took his portfolio and handed it over to him.
"Beverly, are you sending your husband out forcefully?" He taunted.
"Yes." I snickered.
"It's not wifely." He added as we laughed to the porch. I was about to lock the door behind him after pushing him out, when he lifted me with one arm, came inside, and pushed me to the wall. Then he proceeded to devour my lips. I was on fire but I loved the smell of my skin burning in flames. That's what he did to me. His soft sweet lips tasted like life. He firmly held my waist as though he created me. The way he settled in between my thighs fulfilled a yearning that was mind-blowing. Emiliano would be the death of me and I would be more than glad to die for his love.
"You are the prescription I need to thrive through my day. And if I don't get this kiss, I may probably die in the car. " He whispered. I grinned wide. It was cheesy, but I believed him.