Inceptive

by M. D. Melai

  “Sorry I’m late. I was overloaded at work,” I confessed—it was only partially a lie.

  “Not a problem. I just got here myself,” he replied.

  I gave him a tight smile as I picked up the menu. I had only eaten at this restaurant a few times. It was one of the places my father owned.

  “What can I get you to drink?” the waitress asked.

  “Water is fine,” I replied.

  “Same,” Benito said as he gave her a small smile. “So, do you have anything fun planned for the weekend?” he asked me.

  So this was how he is going to start off the conversation. Great.

  “Violet’s mom is flying in this weekend to go dress shopping with us. I think she’s going to stay here for a few days to help out with the planning,” I replied without looking up from the menu.

  “Sounds fun,” he said slightly sarcastic.

  The waitress came by with our drinks and took our orders. We both sat in silence for a few moments before Benito spoke.

  “Well, I’m sure you know why I wanted to speak with you today,” he began lightly. I could tell he was just as nervous as I was.

  I lifted my eyes to meet his and gave him a nod. I knew exactly why he wanted to meet me. He wanted to plead his case. What else could there be? I thought he had already said everything that needed to be said.

  “I just wanted to explain everything a little better than I had before,” he continued.

  I held his gaze as he took a deep breath before starting. This conversation wasn’t going to be easy for him. I had a feeling that he was going to be revealing a few secrets that he thought he never would.

  “So you already know the part about my leaving after Adela died and my return, so I wanted to explain to you what happened when I was gone. No one, other than you, will ever know about this,” he said.

  That caught my attention and piqued my curiosity. Why was I the only one privileged enough to know about this? I leaned in, giving Benito my full attention, so he could tell how invested I was to hear what he had to say.

  “When I left, I made my way to the west coast. I thought a change of scenery might do me some good—you know, help me clear my head. I ended up meeting a few people and became friends with them. We had been friends for a while before I found out more about them.” He took in a deep breath and then sighed as he continued. “Come to find out that I was hanging with drug dealers. One night, we had been partying too much and they started telling me about their ‘business,’ and before I knew it, they asked me if I wanted in on the action—telling me the money was too good to pass up.”

  Benito paused as he watched the waitress enter with our food. I could tell he was relieved that he had an interruption. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear what he had to say next. My mind and heart were telling me that it wasn’t going to be good.

  “Let’s just say that I was really messed up back then,” he continued once the waitress had left. “It still kills me to admit it, but I did end up joining, and let’s just say that I’m not proud of it. I was so full of hate and anger that I didn’t care anymore. I was numb to anything and everything that was going on around me. I lost me in the process.

  “There was this one particular ‘meet up’ that three of us were involved in. To make a long story short, the other two guys were caught and I wasn’t. That was around the time that I was starting to realize how screwed up my life was—I had hit rock bottom. After that, I wanted to finally come home.”

  I couldn’t believe everything I was hearing. This was insane. I couldn’t even fathom Benito ever getting mixed up in something like that. It was hard to even try and wrap my mind around it.

  “You were already five when I returned, and no one asked any questions. They just welcomed me back with open arms. I had a feeling, though, that Pops knew what I had been up to, but even he never mentioned a word.

  “They had already moved and were settled in Toronto by then. I stayed with you all while I went to rehab and got clean. I watched you every day and saw how you interacted with Mamma, Pops, and Dante—you were so happy. There were a number of times Mamma asked me when I was going to sit down and tell you the truth. She would say, ‘she is five, and she will be okay. You’re her father.’ And I tried so many times to tell you, but I couldn’t. I would look into your eyes and see your mother’s, and it would send me into a panic. I couldn’t even save or take care of her, so how was I going to take care and protect you? I wasn’t suitable enough to give you the love and time you needed. So, we decided that you would permanently be staying with them, and they would continue to raise you as their own.”

  “When and why did they move us to Toronto?” I asked.

  “They moved not too long after Adela’s death. As soon as the funeral was over with, Mamma and Pops took you and Dante and left. It wasn’t safe for you in New York anymore. The Heinrichs were threatening to take you away from us, and that was never going to happen. If Viktor could have his child murdered, then what would he have done to you?”

  “How did you walk away from those people unscathed? The ones you ran around with on the west coast?”

  He looked me dead in the face with no emotion. “Who said I didn’t? I paid the price to get out, and I have the battle wounds to prove it. I’ll show you the scars if you want, but how? That is something I will carry to my grave.”

  “Did you ever miss me? Why didn’t you want me?” I asked.

  “Of course I wanted you… I missed you every day, and I thought about you constantly—I just couldn’t handle it. I was young, stupid, and selfish, and I had lost the love of my life. Every time I looked into those beautiful green eyes of yours, it killed me. I called Mamma and checked on you all the time and you were always doing well.”

  “I wouldn’t have called you selfish then, if you checked on me all the time. A selfish person wouldn’t have done that—they wouldn’t have even thought about it.”

  We both were quiet for a moment before I continued. “I’m not sure how to handle myself with you.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help with…that?”

  I thought about it for a second before answering. “Don’t try and act like you’re my father. Papá was my father—he raised me. Be my friend first, I guess? And then we can go from there?”

  “That sounds like something I can handle,” Benito said with a smile.

  “Does Gabriella know I’m yours?”

  “No,” he stated. I could tell by the way he responded that he wanted to keep it that way.

  “Okay, good,” I breathed out. “I just don’t think I’m ready for anyone else to know.”

  “When and if you are ever ready, is when we can tell her.”

  “So, unless you’re a Heinrich or an alpha male in this family, no one else knows, right?”

  “Alpha male, huh? I like it,” Benito genuinely laughed. “And yes, that’s correct.”

  “Okay,” I replied.

  “Do you ever think you and I will ever be able to get past this? Will you ever be able to forgive me?”

  “I think we can, just give me some time. And treat me like you always have, and try not to threaten me with moving into your house,” I said with a wink.

  “I never really meant that—I just didn’t know how else to get you to talk to me,” he admitted. “And you can take all the time you need—no rush.”

  I gave him a genuine smile before I pushed my chair back and stood up. Benito quickly did the same. He looked worried—like I was about to quickly leave, but I did the complete opposite of what he thought. I threw my arms around him and hugged him as tight as I could.

  “I forgive you,” I whispered in his hear as a certain weight was lifted off my shoulders.

  Time would only tell whether or not our relationship would grow.

  ***

  “Mama!” Violet yelled as her mother and my mother walked through the front door.

  It had been such a long since I had seen Violet’s mom. She hadn’t change
d a bit. The only difference between Violet and Sarah Masterson was the color of blonde hair they had. Violet’s was still natural, whereas Sarah’s was now bleach blonde. They both shared the same big personality, though. It could be exhausting at times being around the two, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

  “Hi baby,” Sarah said as she wrapped Violet up in a hug. “Hello, Lily.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Masterson,” I replied.

  “Lily, you know to call me Sarah!” she said, before releasing Violet and giving me a hug.

  My mother said hello and gave both Violet and me a hug as well.

  About that time Dante came in through the front door holding three giant suitcases. “Why do all women think they have to bring their entire wardrobe with them when they travel? Seriously, it’s two days! Can’t you all ever just travel light?” he mumbled as he headed up the stairs with the luggage in tow.

  Dante had picked up our mother this morning, before heading to the airport to pick up Violet’s. Violet and I were trying to finish up a project outline that had to be done this morning, which is why we weren’t the ones to pick her up.

  “You know you love me!” Sarah called up after him.

  “It’s a good thing too,” he shouted back down, making us all laugh.

  “Well, let’s get this show on the road,” Violet said, grabbing her purse and smiling at us all. “I’ve been waiting for this my entire life!”

  That was true. It was time for Violet to say yes to the dress.

  ***

  We had been shopping most of the day and Violet tried on countless dresses, but none of them made her feel like it should. She had her heart set on the perfect dress, and she was determined to find it.

  As we made our way into our final shop, we were all disappointed.

  We hadn’t even made it all the way into the building when Violet shrieked.

  “Oh my gosh! Here it is!” she said as she ran over to the side of the store and held the dress up. “And it’s my size too!”

  She quickly took the dress and headed towards the dressing room, passing the approaching associate without even giving her a second glance.

  “Ms.,” she called, racing after Violet.

  I laughed as I watched the associate chase Violet, wishing I had videotaped it to show everyone later.

  Sarah, my mother, and I had barely sat down, when Violet emerged from the dressing room.

  She looked stunning.

  “This is it. This is the dress,” she said as she made her way onto the podium and faced the trifold mirror.

  The dress fit her perfect hourglass shape.

  “You look so beautiful,” I finally said.

  And she did. Dante was going to lose it when he saw her.

  The dress itself was a slight trumpet cut with a heart shaped V-neck that hugged her body in all the right places. It was decorated with small pearls. The shoulder pieces were about three inches wide on each side and done in the same design as the rest of the dress. There was a simple lace belt that went across and the beading on the front added the perfect touch.

  “Sweetheart… I’m going to cry,” was all Sarah could get out as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

  “You’re already crying, mom,” Violet retorted as she started to cry herself. She was having her bridal moment.

  I made my way over to Violet and embraced her in a hug. This was one of the happiest days that we had ever shared. I didn’t want this moment to end.

  It didn’t take Violet long to meet with the seamstress and pay for the dress. Violet made her fitting appointment two weeks from now, and soon after we all headed back home.

  The car ride was quiet—we were all exhausted from the day. Today had been rough, but in the end, everything worked out and Violet had the dress of her dreams.

  “Oh, I wanted to ask you, Lily,” Sarah said when we were almost back. “When are you going to be looking for your dress?”

  “Well, Violet gave me complete control over my bridesmaid dress. I’m thinking about doing a halter top, but then again I really like—” I said, before I was cut off by her.

  “No dear, I meant, when are we going to look for your wedding dress?” she asked.

  “Not for a while. I’m not even engaged,” I replied.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. When did you and Emilio call off the engagement? Violet said you had a party and everything—oh my, how devastating! Were you heartbroken? I would have been.”

  “Fake engagement party, mom,” Violet said when she could finally get a word in.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I must have misunderstood,” she said as she gave me a small smile and turned toward the front. “Well, one day it will be your turn, and he is going to be one lucky man.”

  For a moment, it felt nice that I would someday pick out my wedding dress. The only question was—who would I say ‘I do’ to?

  Chapter 8

  “Are you sure they’re gone?” I asked as I started down the stairs.

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Emilio said as he stepped away from the window to face me.

  “Thanks for getting them out of the house,” I said, stopping at the end of the steps.

  “You’re welcome.” He smiled, before walking toward me. “I told Dante I would need a few hours, and that maybe he should call before he came home.”

  “Do I even want to know how you got them both out of the house?”

  “Probably not,” he laughed.

  The last couple of weeks had flown by. I still couldn’t believe that today was the day we would be surprising Dante and Violet with their engagement party. I was beyond excited!

  “Elle should be here soon, and then Kay, the party coordinator, and her vendors should be here shortly after that. Don’t forget…,” I said, before Emilio cut me off.

  “We’re helping set up, I know,” Emilio repeated for the millionth time.

  “And did you—”

  “Yes, I got the permit approved through the city for the fireworks,” he said with a smirk.

  “And—”

  “Yes, I talked to the neighbors, and they know about the fireworks.”

  “Thanks again for all your help this week. I really appreciate it,” I said with a smile.

  “You’re welcome,” he said with a slight chuckle as his smile grew. “It really wasn’t a big deal. I would do anything for you,” he said sincerely, before taking off towards the backyard.

  The last couple of weeks had been easier for Emilio and me. We had been in a good rhythm around the house. We didn’t avoid each other anymore, but he still kept his distance. He was giving me space for once, by not being overbearing, which was nice.

  “I’m…,” Elle said loudly as she walked into the house, making me jump. She cut herself off as soon as she saw me standing by the stairs. “What’s up? You look, umm, deep in thought?”

  “Nothing,” I said too short and fast.

  “Sure, whatever you say. I know you’re lying, so either spit it out now, or I’ll force it out of you. I have all day.” She smiled wickedly at me, and for a moment, I thought about telling her.

  I shook my head at her. “It’s nothing. Just something Emilio said to me, and the fact that right now I’m just… happy.”

  “I can tell.” Elle smiled and winked at me as she passed.

  ***

  Kay and her vendors wasted no time. As soon their feet hit the ground, it was organized chaos. The house, inside and out, was transformed right in front of our eyes. Since the 4th of July was the Monday coming up, Elle and I had decided that a red, white, and blue theme would be great. Our theme was, “Let Love Sparkle.”

  Thankfully today, the weather was wonderful. It was a nice warm day, but not overbearing enough where we couldn’t have a wonderful party outside.

  The ten rectangle tables with white linens were placed in a star burst position right off the porch area. Four small blue vases, which held white daisies and red roses, were placed on each one. A makeshift dance floor was placed togeth
er right past the tables. We had lights strung across the porch and dance floor. Red, white, and blue papier-mâché balls, of all sizes, hung from the lights, the nearby trees, and the screened in porch. We left a place off to the side of the porch for the DJ to set up.

  The other side of the porch had a “Light up the Night” table set up. There, guests could find glass vases and bowls that held not only glow sticks, necklaces, and other things, but they could also find sparklers, Roman candles, confetti poppers, and a few other small fireworks.

  Past the dance floor, further out in the lawn, we had double loungers set up for everyone to lay on and relax later that evening when the big firework display took place.

  The screened in porch was cleared and everything was moved to the garage. We thought having the food in the screened in area would be best. The food stations were set up beautifully and decorated with red, white, and blue platers, bowls, and flowers.

  When the caterer arrived, Elle, Emilio, and I rushed upstairs to get our clothes changed for the evening. I rushed through my shower, before pulling my hair up in a fancy ponytail, putting on my makeup, and slipping into my red summer dress I had bought the other day for this very occasion. When I exited my room, Elle was leaving Violet’s room. She looked lovely in her short, navy blue dress and curled hair.

  “You look great,” Elle said, smiling at me.

  “Thanks,” I laughed. “So do you. As long as we don’t out shine the bride to be, that’s all that matters.

  “Violet was not happy when I insisted that she wear the white dress we bought her last week. Her exact words were, ‘this dress is too damn dressy for what I’m doing today.’ At least Dante cooperated this morning when I laid out his outfit for him. Although, he did give me a funny look—I just told him to trust me. I think he has an idea, though.”

  “I’m sure he does,” Elle said as we headed down the stairs. “By the way, where is Lucas?” Elle questioned. “Wasn’t he supposed to be here already?”