Amapola Part 2

It was already ten-thirty at night; all the guests had arrived. Rico and Fabrizio had come to see me early in the evening, their satisfaction at having me back evident on their faces. We were family, after all.
“You look beautiful,” Angela said, admiring me as she entered the room.
“I’m so happy,” I confessed.
“From the first time I saw you in this house, I knew you would be the one chosen by my boy's heart, Amapola. I wasn’t wrong, and I’m sure you will be happy forever.”
“You’re going to make me smudge my makeup.” I tried to hold back tears as she hugged me.
“Don’t do that, dear, or you’ll have to touch it up, and your fiancé downstairs is already getting impatient for your arrival. I came to bring your father to escort you.”
“Oh Naná, I’m afraid I’m living a dream and will wake up to a nightmare far from him again.”
“Don’t be afraid, my daughter. I’ve known Salvatore since he was in diapers, and I know he will do everything to make you happy. Even if he’s a brute in front of others, nothing will hurt you both in your home.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“I thank you, Amapola, for saving him from himself.” We hugged and left the room to find my father, who, upon seeing me dressed in white, even though it wasn’t the wedding itself, was as emotional as I was.
We knew that my mamma, wherever she was, was also watching over us, and I was grateful for everything that had happened to us, even with all the pain and difficulties. After her passing, we survived and were finally doing well.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.” I heard Salvatore’s deep voice as I approached the stairs. “Everyone knows that for some time now, I have been looking for a bride. My obligations to the mafia no longer allowed me to postpone this moment, and knowing this, I called this dinner to officially introduce you to my chosen one.” I heard feminine gasps and swallowed hard, knowing that all the daughters of the families were eager to be chosen by him.
“I won’t make vows of love or a sentimental speech; that doesn’t suit my position. Respect my choice and do not question it in any way.” It was the mafioso speaking, not my Salvatore. In a way, I needed to be aware that he would be two different people when we were alone and in front of others. Respect was often based on indifference; I didn’t understand this, but I had to accept it.
“I present to you Miss Amapola Beviláqua, future Mrs. Dalla Costa.”
The shocked and disdainful eyes hit me hard as I made my presence known at the top of the stairs. Admiration and respect were reflected only in the eyes of Salvatore, Fabrizio, Rico, Amadeu, and Angela; all the others would have protested if they could as soon as my name was spoken.
With each step I descended, the heavy silence enveloped me. I maintained a façade of confidence, but inside, my body was trembling. If Salvatore had decided, it was not anyone’s place to question it, but being in my position was not easy.
“I love you, my daughter.” Papà kissed my forehead. “Take care of her, Salvatore.” My father’s request was met with only a slight nod from Salvatore.
I would finally be his, and he was making that clear to everyone present.
“This is absurd,” one of the capos spoke, drawing everyone’s attention; the tension had not dissipated in the room after my arrival.
“What did you say?” Salvatore asked, his voice cutting and cold, sending chills down my spine. I tightened my grip on his arm, instantly becoming tense.
“I won’t stay silent like all the cowards present. I won’t allow our daughters to be overlooked for some nobody.” Everyone in the room tensed, and I was no different.
Salvatore slowly walked closer to the man, with me still clinging to his arm. I tried to keep a neutral expression, despite the tension in the air.
As we approached, without saying a word, Salvatore pulled a small gun from somewhere I couldn’t see and shot the man in the forehead, causing him to fall at our feet.
I was in shock and barely breathing at the scene that had just unfolded before my eyes.
“Breathe, Amapola,” Salvatore said softly so only I could hear.
“Yes,” I whispered back.
“Does anyone else have something to say?” he asked loudly, turning to the guests. No one dared to speak anymore; their heads bowed in silent response. Only his brothers and my father stared at us, Amadeu was already taking care of the dead man’s removal, and I couldn’t find Angela.
“Great, enjoy the party and have a great dinner,” Salvatore added as if nothing had happened, and I followed him, sitting in the armchair beside his to wait for everyone present to greet us.
“Why did you do that?” I asked quietly, keeping a smile on my face as the last person with a forced smile stepped away from us.
“Because it was necessary, mia bella. I told you I would kill anyone who dared to approach you. I’m sure that from today on, no one will even look at you sideways again. I saw when you entered the room, and I didn’t like it at all, so I just set the limits and made the consequences clear.” He stood up and pulled me to my feet in front of him so no one would hear us.
“But you didn’t have to go that far,” I justified.
“Get used to it, my love. I didn’t say it would be easy being by my side, but I will do everything possible to ensure the least amount of shit hits you.”
I nodded, accepting everything he offered. Being in the mafia would never be like a fairy tale; I knew that. But if that was the price to pay to be with Salvatore, I was willing, and I would do it to the best of my ability.
The rest of the night went as expected; only the tension of being beside the head of the Dalla Costa family didn’t dissipate.

Even against Salvatore’s will, I danced with my father, his brothers, and even Amadeu. It was the traditional wedding waltz, shared with family, and these were the four most important men to me besides him.
In the end, I couldn’t be more satisfied with what fate had in store for me. When I thought that this might be my end, dying at the hands of Salvatore, the head of the Dalla Costa Mafia, God showed me that this would be my new beginning.
And I couldn’t be more grateful to Him for that.