Moira sat on her bed; ignoring her mother’s frantic knocks on her locked door. She heard her footsteps fade in the hallway and figured she had given up trying to persuade her into discussing the Paulo De Luca matter. Minutes later, three sets of footsteps were heard descending the stairs. A couple more minutes later she watched her parents being shown to their car by Angelo.
Moira sighed deeply, realising that though she had successfully avoided her parents, she would, sooner or later, have to face Angelo and set him straight on the same matter. Being a Thursday, Moira didn’t want any tension between her and Angelo during their weekly visit to CHANCES.
“Sorry you had to witness that. My parents can be so overbearing at times.” Moira intercepted Angelo as he headed for his study. “Do you have a minute? I think we should talk.”
Angelo invited her into his study. “What was that all
As the old saying goes, you don’t really know what you have until it’s gone. But fortunately for Moira Viscoli, she realised early that she didn’t need to lose what she had to recognise its worth. Something needed to be done, urgently; for the sake of her own happiness. Back in her room, Moira lay on her bed and tried to cry herself to sleep. But sleep wouldn’t come. All she thought about was the fight she had just had with Angelo. She didn’t even realize they were having a fight until Angelo threw her out of his study. She tried to convince herself that Angelo was overreacting; that he was being over-sensitive. After all, we just had casual sex a few times; we mean nothing to each other. He shouldn’t act like we are an item, Moira told herself. Yet, Moira knew that she was lying to herself. What she had with Angelo felt far more exciting than meaningless sex. And judging by his reaction to the news about Paulo De Luca, Angelo felt exactly the same. One thing became apparent to her
Meanwhile…Mario and Isabella Viscoli were pleasantly surprised to receive their soon-to-be son-in-law in their home on Saturday morning. Paulo De Luca seemed happier than they had ever seen him in recent months. Clearly, Paulo was unusually upbeat as he revealed the purpose of his visit.“I’ve been counting days… and it’s exactly two months before Moira returns from Angelo’s. And more importantly, it’s two months before our wedding. I’m not letting her spend another day before she becomes Mrs De Luca.” Paulo grinned as he eased into a sofa.“I’m glad you’ve finally looked past the Angelo complication, my son.” Mario said, simultaneously putting his arm around his wife’s shoulder. “And of course, we are all counting down to the day our girl finally leaves that mad house.”“So you want to have the wedding the same day she returns?” Isabella was a little taken aback, concern was written all over her face. “I know, you can’t wait to marry her but don’t you think you might want to give he
Following her discussion with Sr Gustav, Moira became more confident that Angelo was more serious about her than he led on. She obviously took Sr Gustav’s word for the indisputable gospel. Yet she also realised that in spite of Angelo’s strong feelings for her, she had some explaining to do about her complicated love life.The trip back home became an obvious opportunity to break the ice and get the feuding secret lovers back on talking terms… at least for a start.“I had an interesting chat with Sr Gustav. It’s shocking how much people around us notice some of the things we think we are hiding from them.” Moira said as their car left the orphanage.“Is that so?” Angelo remarked with a tinge of sarcasm. “I didn’t know you were hiding some secrets from us, the common people around you.”“I meant things about us… dummy.” Moira whispered as she reached for Angelo’s lap and gently rubbed it. “Apparently, things between us are quite obvious to those who care enough to notice. Sr Gustav say
Ever since the burner phone incident which was worsened by his unscheduled visit to Angelo’s mansion, Paulo believed that Moira didn’t have access to her phone. And given the controversy surrounding Tony’s involvement in the whole situation, neither Moira nor her parents were keen to clear up this misunderstanding with the De Lucas. For Moira, keeping Paulo in the dark about her restored phone and computer privileges also worked in her best interests. Particularly, given her new-found feelings for Angelo, Moira wanted as little contact with Paulo as possible.As far as Paulo De Luca was concerned, Moira was in great danger of being hurt or molested by Angelo and his goons. He felt that contacting her in any way would, again, be misconstrued by Angelo as an attempt to plan a breakout. Paulo imagined that even if Moira somehow gained access to her phone or a computer, Angelo would spy on all her communication, especially with her fiancé. Just the thought of having his private conversati
Dressed in the most beautiful wedding gown she had ever imagined herself in, Moira Viscoli momentarily paused outside the chapel. She had promised herself not to entertain any pre-wedding jitters but the more her decision to elope tried settling in her mind, the more she questioned its wisdom. It was impossible not to have second thoughts. But the idea of finally being with the love of her life gave Moira all the reasons she needed to proceed with the plan. This was no time for second thoughts; Tony had already purchased their one way tickets to his hometown, where they’d settle and start a new life… away from her imposing parents. Moira signalled the lone chapel usher to open the door as she took a deep breath; knowing that once she stepped into that almost empty chapel there was no turning back. With just the priest and the lone usher, Moira didn’t expect the ceremony to last more than ten minutes; then she’ll walk out as Mrs Tony Scott, headed straight for the airport- to her free
“Gentlemen, before we carry on with the ceremony, I have to clear a little confusion on my part. Please refresh my old memory again; how are you two related to the bride and groom. I had been made to understand that there would be no guests at this wedding.” the priest asked as soon as Moira and her father reached the altar. His gaze shifted from Angelo to Mario, suggesting that it was them whose presence needed justification.“This is my father and that’s my mother over there. I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting them to come but they can stay.” Moira whispered to the priest.“And I think your information is a little old and flawed, Father. I am the groom; this young man is my….” Angelo added without changing his blank expression for even a second.“What?! Are you out of your mind? I don’t know what this man is talking about but I am the groom at th
“Papa, what is this? How could you allow such a thing to happen? Angelo… of all the men, how could you sell me out to such a dangerous man?” Moira protested in an angry but hushed tone since they were just a stone throw away from Angelo.“I had no choice, sweetheart. You have to believe me, he forced my hand.” Mario explained. He tried to hold his daughter’s hands in a bid to be more reassuring but Moira stepped back away from him.“Don’t touch me!” Moira hissed.“Your Papa is telling the truth, Moira. Please believe us, we never planned this. You know we have always wanted what’s best for you.” Isabella Viscoli tried to calm her daughter down.“And this is what you thought was best for me? Hijacking my wedding auctioning me off to the mafia boss? Is that your idea of what’s best for me, Mama?” Moira was clearly not having any of it.The two parents were overcome with grief for letting down their only child. Neither of them could find the right words to convince Moira that what had ju
“I hope your Papa and Mama have filled you in on our contract.” Angelo remarked as soon as he joined the Viscolis at the far corner of the chapel, where they had been having a private conference. He emphasised the words “Papa and Mama”, imitating Moira’s voice, obviously in an unsavoury bid to mock her.“Is that what a contract looks like in that pathetic little world of yours? In case you no longer realise it for what it really is, this is what we, the ordinary folk, call blackmail, Angelo. Why would you want to use a poor old couple for selfish gain? Haven’t you…” Moira charged at Angelo but her father quickly restrained her.“Calm down and shut the hell up, Moira. All this drama will only get you into more trouble and make things unnecessarily complicated for all of us.” Isabella advised her daughter in a low whisper.“I’d quickly drop that bitchy attitude if I were you, Moira. Angelo Manzini will certainly not tolerate such an out of control wife.” Angelo sarcastically referred to