Melanzana was no ordinary home. One could spend hours roaming halls and rooms that connected intricately like some unsolvable labyrinth. The walls were either a mauve or melon color trimmed in cream. Massive windows faced north and south of the estate larger than the doors. Each one flooded every angle of the place with natural sunlight. The furnishing in every room brought masculine and feminine tastes together masterfully with large wingback chairs, long sofas and antique carved tables or marble statues. The lower level had more rooms than above, all of which connected one to another through tall arch shaped entranceways and doors that never closed. And the men who worked for Don Battaglia were constantly congregated in open parlors, or billiard rooms, which were below. It was the upper level that remained reserved for the family and men who had clearance from the Don himself. And no hall or room within the estate went unguarded. Mira nodded to a man who stood watchful in the shadows. He only stared unblinking back at her. It would take some time to get use to this fortress. But with unknown danger out there she felt safer here than anywhere Kei would have taken her.
Giovanni said he would join them downstairs. Mira decided to seek out Catalina. After she changed Eve they strolled together along the halls to her future sister in-law’s room. Several times Mira had to walk a bit faster because Eve would sprint away and around a corner. Finding her room empty they continued the search on the lower level. Soon they found Catalina chatting with a member of her staff.
“Nippy!” Eve said, running at full speed toward Catalina who turned and swept Eve up into her arms. Her ringlet hair, which she usually wore in a center part, was messily styled over her head and combed over her left eye.
“Who is Nippy?” Mira asked.
“It’s her name for me,” Catalina grinned. “I told her to call me Zia, or Cat, but she settled on Nippy after I found her ninny.”
Eve rested her head on Catalina’s shoulder holding her around the neck. Mira’s smile faded when Catalina’s head turned and she got a better look at her face. She noticed Catalina wore heavy eye makeup, face powder, blush and dark lipstick. She was a beautiful woman but that beauty was always accentuated in soft undertones of makeup. All of it seemed a bit overdone.
“Ciao bambina!” Catalina hugged Eve tightly. “You hungry?” Catalina glanced in Mira’s direction. “We have antipasti, carni, frutti di marre, everything!”
“What’s with the makeup?” Mira asked.
“Just experimenting with a new look. Do you like it?” Catalina set Eve to the floor and took her hand. Before Mira could respond she started off toward the terrace. “Prego. Time for dinner. Ana is bringing everything out of the kitchens. I’m so glad we can all sit down as a family.”
Mira hurried to catch up. Apparently the dinner bell had been rung. She knew from her previous visits that dinner was a family event and every man on the staff considered it an honor to dine at the table with the Battaglia’s. There were three long tables set to feed the small army of men who patrolled or visited the estate. Most were arriving out of the gardens. Giovanni was among them. Mira wasn’t sure how he’d gotten around her to meet his men but he walked up and scooped Eve into the cradle of his arms. He held her above his head to her daughter’s delight. Eve spit out her pacifier and squealed, kicking her little feet. She was airborne.
Through the activity Mira kept glancing to Catalina. Something about her felt off. Catalina avoided Dominic and Lorenzo, casually walking around them she pulled her hair to her face.
“Catalina you’ve been busy.” Mira pointed to the highchair that was now pushed up against the table.
She smiled. “I had one of the boys go out and purchase the chair.”
“Thank you.”
Giovanni sat at the head of the table with Eve in his lap playfully clanging the fork and knife together. Mira walked over to put her in the high chair. Eve bucked and screamed her protest. She refused to leave her father’s lap. “She can eat with me.” Giovanni said in a calming manner. “Sit Bella, there.” He nodded to the seat at his left. Nico pulled out Mira’s chair and she accepted the seat.
Dinner progressed. Mira’s gaze bounced from one man’s face to the other as the noisy rambunctious crowd at the tables laughed and talked over passing bowls and plates of food. She slipped Giovanni a look to read his mood. He hadn’t questioned her further about the phone call, but she felt tension between them. Maybe it was her imagination. He trusted her after all. There was nothing to fret about. Even Kei would eventually see that her life choices were her own to make. Who knows, maybe one day these men could be cordial toward one another and Eve could have them both in her life. It was wishful thinking.
Giovanni readjusted Eve on his lap and took the knife from her hand. Eve ate from his fork as his gaze lifted to his sister. Mira noticed the way it shifted between Catalina and the empty chair next to her.
“Where’s Franco?” he asked.