Celeste watched the waves hit the shore and then drift off as a forbidden lovers' dance. The gentle breeze caused her dress to billow around her and her hair which hadn't been secured in a bun went wild as the wind played with it.
Her heart was pounding, she had probably taken the biggest gamble of her life and it was time to take the final step before awaiting results.
She kept her fingers crossed, various questions playing tag in her head.
'What if he ignored the message? What if Lucia accompanied him? What if...' She shook her head to clear doubts, not wanting to lose courage just before she could finally get what she wanted.
Finally, she felt his presence behind her. Goosebumps appeared on her skin and her heart fluttered in her chest, while a million butterflies exploded in her stomach.
She took a deep breath and then whirled around to face him, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Mr Martino thanks for coming, I am deeply sorry for using such crude means to contact you...I...I just didn't want to lose the nerve by approaching you personally" she gushed, blushing furiously.
He had changed into a black shirt which was unbuttoned from the neck to his chest showing delicious sun-warmed skin. His hair was messy as the wind had it ruffling around his forehead and the base of his neck. Did it grow longer? She wondered.
Her eyes fell briefly to his black pants and then back to his face. He was watching her closely, his eyes narrowing slightly and Celeste blushed, feeling uncomfortable and at a loss of what to say.
Lorenzo arched an eyebrow, by the vision before him. He had not been expecting her to be the one here. When he saw her from afar looking at Trryhenian Sea, he had paused to stare, completely enchanted.
Roberto his informant had sent him the list of guests as he was heading for the beach, and the very first on the list had been the lady by the fountain who he discovered to be Marcello's Secretary and that was a surprise to him since he only knew of Natasha Fosters.
He was curious why Marcello's Secretary would want to speak with him alone, Perhaps she had mistaken him for his younger brother. He was on the verge of correcting her, but curiosity got the better of him.
He decided to hear what she had to say.
"Why are you nervous to speak to me? You are my Secretary no?" He asked in a lazy drawl, watching her carefully.
Celeste swallowed on hearing his voice. For some reason, it was deeper and slightly gruffer and he also looked displeased and impatient.
She began regretting her decision, but it was too late so she better say it now. Before she could lose her nerve completely, she hugged him tightly. The breeze messed with her hair and dress as she clung to him while listening to the beat of his heart.
"I just wanted to tell you that I...that I love you, Marcello Martino. I've always loved you and it's been four years now, I can't hold it back anymore and I don't want someone else beside you, so please I beg you Acknowledge my feelings" she blurted burying her face into his chest.
Lorenzo froze, completely astounded by the confession and the feel of her body against his. It was the total opposite of what he had been expecting.
From his peripheral vision, he saw his soldier stepping forward probably thinking he was being attacked. Lorenzo gave him a wave signaling that it was safe and he should head back. With a short salute, the man turned back and headed for the house.
After the man left, Lorenzo's attention was drawn to the lady who held onto him tightly like she never wanted to let go. He had never experienced this before, someone needing to be with him and begging to be with him.
She kept mumbling and going on and on about how he had stolen her heart from the first time she set her eyes on him and how she didn't care about his money since she had enough savings to survive and just wanted to be with him.
Against his will, Lorenzo felt the brick wall he built around his heart slowly crumble as he listened to her. The raw honesty in her voice pierced through Lorenzo's resolve.
It wasn't his name on her lips, but he couldn't stop himself or pause what he was feeling even if he wanted to. Her head lifted, and earnest teary emeralds stared up at him with all the adoration in the world.
He was confused and lost. Such tenderness and overflowing love from one tiny person. Was it possible to love someone earnestly for four years and still wait patiently for him?
"Celeste" he called slowly, tasting her name and loving the sound of it on his lips.
"Yes," she answered in a small voice. He could see the terror creep into her heart as he said nothing just watching her. Her shoulders slumped in defeat, while her heart thumped wildly against him as she awaited his response.
She had called him out to confess her feelings, baring her vulnerability to him and waiting for him to answer like he held a dagger to her heart.
Lorenzo knew what he was about to say before it even left his mouth, he knew the deceit his words would bring, but he doubted anything could change his mind at that moment.
She would probably hate him for it, but as long as she didn't find out that he was the wrong twin then he can try to win that love for himself.
He had always shut himself up and always shied away from any show of affection since everyone always wanted something from him. He knew deep within him that he wanted what his parents had, but never had the courage to try searching for it.
And now he had seen a glimpse of such, but it wasn't for him but his brother Marcello. He knew his brother was besotted with Lucia Caruso and would probably never look this beauty in the face, but he knew what he wanted
"I don't know how to love as you do or understand the depth of your feelings, but if there is one thing I know deep within my soul Caru meu (my beloved) is that you have stolen my heart and I don't plan on taking it back," He said huskily after the brief pause that seemed to take forever, before taking her hand from behind him and placing it on his chest.
Celeste's eyes widened at his response. She couldn't believe her ears. Tears flowed freely down her chin as she gazed at him, those golden eyes which she only dreamed of now belonged to her?
"Does...does that mean you're mine, Marcello?" She asked tentatively, his gaze softened and despite himself, Lorenzo smiled.
"I am yours, darling, yours to own and do as you please and I'm never letting go" he whispered, bringing her hand to his lips and placing a soft kiss on it.
At that proclamation, Celeste hugged him again before stepping back to look at him. She stared at him for some seconds, then giggled as it dawned on her that she won. She finally got him after four years of waiting and bidding her time. Isabella was going to go wild.
Lorenzo watched her amused, he had never seen such a woman like her. He knew he had done a horrible thing denying her the opportunity to be with the one she truly loved, but for his selfish sake, he hoped she would grow to love him too even if he had to pretend to be Marcello for the rest of his life.
"Celeste come closer," he said needing to touch her, afraid that something would go wrong and he would lose her.
She smiled sweetly and launched herself at him. Lorenzo caught her in the air with ease, startled by her energy.
Celeste noticed the small frown and her heart skipped.
"I apologize, Mr Martino, I got carried away," she said hastily, trying to get down.
Lorenzo's frown deepened,
"Why are you apologizing Caru meu? You do not want me holding you anymore?" He asked, and Celeste shook her head frantically.
"No Marcello, I want you to...to...well hold me I just didn't want to go overboard" she mumbled.
"There is nothing overboard about wanting to be in my arms Caru meu I love the feel of you in my arms," he said softly, and before Celeste could understand, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Celeste gasped, completely shocked that Marcello would kiss her, the same kiss she only dreamed of.
However, that granted Lorenzo entrance into her mouth. He had been curious to see her reaction if he kissed her, but what he hadn't been expecting was how soft her lips were and how sweet they tasted.
Needing more than just a fluttering touch of her lips, Lorenzo deepened the kiss, his hand diving into her hair and holding her in place.
Celeste found herself drowning in his kiss, he kissed her with a mastery and desperation she couldn't fathom, but it set a liquid fire burning through her as she gripped his shirt needing more.
Lorenzo groaned as her tongue slid into his mouth, tentative at first like she was unsure if she should proceed, then she got bolder and matched his pace. He felt blood pool down and his pants tightened painfully.
They were locked in their passionate embrace until Celeste broke apart gasping for air. Lorenzo's brows furrowed as he was still lost in the haze of the kiss.
"Are you alright Celeste? I didn't mean to lose control like that" he said, his voice much deeper than when he had first approached her.
"No...no...it's alright, I just forgot to breathe" Celeste laughed, her eyes sparkling like beautiful gems under the moonlight.
Lorenzo sighed as he gazed at her tenderly, he was far gone and he had accepted that.
"You're breathtaking Àncilu( Angel)" he said and Celeste smiled at the endearment, her heart bursting with contentment.
She waited and she won in the end.