Amapola

Still facing the mirror, I see the bedroom door open and imagine it’s Angela, but when I look for her in the reflection, I see the most handsome man I know, and my heart almost stops.
Dressed in a three-piece black suit and a bow tie, Salvatore slowly enters the room and stops behind me. I hold my breath as we’re framed in the reflection; I wish I could freeze this moment, this image, so I’d never forget it.
“You look stunning, amore mio.”
“Salvatore? You…”
“Yes, mia Amah, I’m coming with you,” he announces, and the smile that had been missing from my face suddenly returns.
“But what will people think? Everything we discussed? You can’t.” He places his fingers on my lips to silence me.
“It doesn’t matter what they think, Amapola. Enough of this nonsense—wanting to touch you and not being able to, sneaking around corners. All day I tortured myself for not being with you, and I decided that being in charge of all this should serve me for something. Anyone who dares question my decision, I’ll make sure to silence them. Whoever dares to belittle you, I will kill. So yes, Amapola, we’ve been together too long for me to deny myself your company any longer. The only thing that would make me reconsider is if you don’t want me to accompany you.”
“That’s all I want, Salvatore. It’s what I asked the angels for all day, for you to be by my side.”
“I am, mia bella, and I always will be. Now we need to go so you won’t be late.” He holds my waist and turns me back to face the mirror, then bends down to pick up a velvet box he had placed on the bed, which I hadn’t even noticed in my mesmerized state.
“But first, this is all you need to be perfect.” He fastens a necklace around my neck, and I stare at him in the reflection, stunned.
“Salvatore, this is too much. I can’t accept it.” I bring my hands to the piece, carefully touching the stones that I’m sure are diamonds.
“You can, mia bella. This is my first gift for my mia fidanzata.”
“Girlfriend?” I ask, astonished.
“From today, we’ll name what we have, amore mio.” He takes a pair of earrings from the box, which I put on before we leave the room and descend the stairs arm in arm, startling Rico, Fabrizio, Amadeo, and Angela, who were waiting for us. The smile that was already broad widens even more; in the end, all the most important people in my life will be with me.
I was so full of joy that I could hardly contain myself. Between photos, speeches, tributes, and hugs throughout the ceremony, I couldn’t take my eyes off him, nearly gasping when I recognized his presence. He, Fabrizio, and Rico were invited to sit at the head table, and a speech was made praising their qualities as successful businessmen. Of course, the mafia wasn’t mentioned, but everyone there knew who they were. It was evident how people practically bowed as the men passed by.
I couldn’t be happier; they would literally be by my side when I received my diploma. Everyone silently wondered what they were doing there and who had brought them to the ceremony. I never let on that I had any connection to them, especially given the discretion my role required. But when my name was called, everyone discovered why they were there.
Salvatore stood up and took the diploma from the man who would hand it to me, and right there in front of everyone, he sealed our fate with a kiss. Whispers and gasps were heard throughout the hall, and when we pulled away, I also noticed the disappointment on some women’s faces, but nothing mattered—just he and I.
I saw Rico and Fabrizio discreetly leave the table and head toward the photographers, who eagerly captured the moment with their cameras. But neither Salvatore nor I cared; we were happy, and no one could dim our shine. I didn’t stop smiling for a second until the end of the ceremony. Salvatore maintained his austere and arrogant demeanor, having done much more than I could have expected.
After receiving congratulations from the head table, who now showered me with exaggerated attention, we went down to celebrate with those who came for me. Angela had a smile so big on her face that it mirrored mine, Amadeo had a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes, just like Rico and Fabrizio. My dad couldn’t be happier, but he whispered in my ear when we hugged, “We’ll have to talk later, young lady.” It’s not as if he could forbid me, but he was my father, after all. I should have told him.
Papà placed a traditional laurel wreath on my head, symbolizing victory.
“Shall we go out for dinner?” I asked Salvatore.
“No, Amah, I asked Angela to prepare a small reception for us at home,” he informed me, and I was even more surprised. “Shall we?” he called.
I informed everyone of our plans, and we got into the car with my dad to go home. The smile never left my lips, even with the tension between my dad and Salvatore. It was as if they were both waiting for the best moment to speak to each other, and that moment came after we had dinner and toasted to my success with champagne, while my dad and Angela had juice.