A New Life Read online

  “Need to put an extra power point in the bathroom. Angela said she needed one,” Valeria shook her head. “Are you sure? I don’t know anything about that.” She hadn’t heard about an extra power point and didn’t feel comfortable letting Luca come inside.

  “Come on. Just let me get the job done. Won’t be long.”

  Valeria thought that maybe Angela did need the power point, but why hadn’t she told her that Luca was coming by? “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

  Luca didn’t respond quickly. “Had a day off today—stuff to do, you know what it’s like.” He gazed at Valeria from top to bottom and moved closer. He invited himself in and Valeria moved out of his way. She refused to be intimidated by his overpowering demeanour. She watched him waltz to the bathroom with a wild swagger, and felt a little uneasy. Valeria followed him to the bathroom, watching him fiddle with some tools. She made her way back to the kitchen, swept the kitchen floor and wiped down benches. Some time had passed when she heard his voice behind her.

  “Hey there. I’m back.”

  Almost losing her breath, she turned. “Is the job done?”

  He nodded. “Sure is. Good to go now. You’ve got an extra plug for anything you need.”

  She waited for him to leave, but he stood there as if transfixed by her. “You know—I wonder why you’re marrying a man you don’t even know.” He stared. “What about getting to know a man, falling in love and then getting married?” Valeria felt her hands shaking. She found Luca threatening, but didn’t want to show it. Her father scared her just as Luca did, but she needed to be strong.

  “We can get to know each other, Valeria. Just you and me. What do you say? I’m not so bad once you get to know me.”

  Valeria shook her head. “Please leave.”

  “Why?” He edged closer to her in the kitchen. She could smell his horrid breath. “Why should I leave? We both know you need some loving from a real man, and that man could be me.”He got close before Valeria had the chance to move back. He stroked her face, licked his lips and stared in silence. Valeria was almost in a daze. She didn’t want to feel things, but she realised she’d never been touched the way he’d just touched her. He was almost gentleman-like.

  Valeria finally came to her senses as he moved in closer to kiss her. She moved back, away from the kitchen and ran to the back of the house. She heard his footsteps behind her. “Where are you going? Come back here. We were having a moment.”

  Valeria reached the garage outside and closed the door. She was gasping and her whole body trembled. Her face felt flushed anther chest tightened. She heard his voice and cringed. She couldn’t let him touch her. It wasn’t right.

  “Come on, my dear, Valeria. Come out of the garage.” There was a pause.

  “Don’t worry, I know where the key is. I’ll be back.”

  Valeria wasn’t prepared for the speed and strength in which he shoved the door. She tried to push hard against it realising that he’d found the garage key. Unfortunately, his strength overpowered hers and he swung the door wide open with his leg. She fell back, hitting her head against the concrete surface. He pulled her up and gently touched her face. He kissed her roughly on the lips and started feeling her up and down. Valeria resisted him, and this led to his fury.

  “You bitch! What the hell are you playing at? You flirt, you tease and then you run off. Well not, anymore. I have you all to myself now.”

  Valeria attempted to push past him but Luca shoved her roughly to the ground. She was temporarily dazed, but looked around for anything that could help her. She spotted a nearby shovel, and reached for it, but Luca was faster. His face showed rage when he lifted the shovel above his head as if ready to strike. Her heart raced and her vision blurred as she thought about her family, and the hard life she’d had in Piaggine. She thought about her new life in Melbourne and her dream of starting a dressmaking business. Those dreams would be shattered now as this crazy man prepared to kill her. He’d probably dump her body somewhere then tell Roberto that she’d left him high and dry. This man was about to damage those dreams and kill what was left of her fragile self-esteem. Would she just stand by and let it happen or would she take a stand? She had to think on her feet if she was to save herself.

  Focusing on his shoes, Valeria kicked him on the side of his right foot. He lost his balance and fell on his side, dropping the shovel. He quickly got up, grabbed her around the waist and threw her down on the ground. She struggled against his hands, which held her firmly down as he lay on top of her. He kissed her hard on the mouth as she tried to turn her head away but failed. He was too rough when he caressed her breasts, his hands making their way down to her hips. He tried to lift up her dress, but she responded by shoving her right knee into his groin, causing him to wince in pain.

  “You bitch!”

  Valeria took advantage of his pain and pushed him off of her. She sprinted out of the garage and ran back inside the house. She locked the back and front door and hoped that he would leave. Placing her hands against the door, she bowed her head and cried.

  Valeria hobbled to the bathroom, short of breath and washed her face. She noticed the mark on her cheek from where he’d slapped her, and touched it. She saw the superficial gash on the side of her head and washed it off. When she gazed in the mirror, she noticed her bloodshot eyes. Her skin was olive but now she looked pale in complexion, given her ordeal. Her family’s friends in Italy had always complimented her on her sparkling green eyes and full lips, but she didn’t see any appeal in them. Her short, auburn hair softly framed her face. She felt her beating heart that refused to slow down, and swallowed. Her throat felt parched so she wandered over to the kitchen and poured herself water from the kitchen tap.

  Several hours later, Valeria heard the door as she was resting on the sofa. She saw Roberto approach the living room with a knitted brow, staring. “What’s with the bruise, Valeria? Are you okay?”

  Valeria shook her head. “Luca—he tried to hurt me today.”

  Roberto looked startled. He took her hand in his and joined her, sitting beside her. “What happened?”

  Valeria explained about the incident. When she was finished, Roberto flinched. “That’s ridiculous. Luca wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s always helped us. He couldn’t possibly do this.”

  Valeria’s heart missed a beat, and she pressed hard on her temple. “Why don’t you ask him?”

  Roberto shook his head. “I can’t do that.”

  Valeria was shocked and disgusted by his reaction. How could he choose not to believe her? Why would he think she’d lie about something so grave? Her heart broke in two. “Why not?”

  Roberto turned away and gazed out the window. “It would create a scandal, and one we don’t need with the wedding coming up. Besides, he wouldn’t intentionally hurt you. Maybe he just wanted to talk, and you running off scared him. Did he hurt you before you ran off to the garage?”

  “Well—no, but I felt—felt threatened.”

  “But see it if from my perspective. You run off to the garage for no apparent reason. He didn’t hurt you. Isn’t that just a bit over the top? He just wanted to talk.” He paused. “Besides, how do you expect me to believe what he said about you and him?”

  “What about him slapping me and—.”

  “And what?”

  “He kissed me—he was—touching my breasts.”Roberto’s face paled. “Please don’t think I’m lying. He tried to rape me. If I hadn’t kicked him, he would’ve raped me. Please believe me.”

  Roberto didn’t respond. Moments later, Marco and Angela arrived.

  “Where’s dinner? You haven’t cooked?” Angela asked.

  Roberto stepped in. “Valeria claims that Luca came here and tried to attack her. Did he tell you about putting an extra power point in the bathroom?”

  “He did, but I wasn’t sure when he was coming.”

  “Well, he came today.”

  Both Marco and Angela angled their heads. “That’s ridiculous
. Luca’s been nothing but kind to us. You have to be mistaken,” Angela said. She walked off in the direction of the bathroom, and then returned. “Well, there is an extra point in the bathroom and he did a pretty neat job.”

  Valeria clenched her fist, and prayed that she could return to her homeland. What was the point of making a new life in a country with people who didn’t believe in her? It was rejection all over again. Maybe it wasn’t too late to return home. Maybe she could stop this wedding.

  When Roberto explained her story in detail, Angela stared at Valeria while Marco placed both hands on his wife’s shoulder. “This is stupid. Why would you say this about Luca? I think you just misinterpreted the situation, that’s all. Besides, he’s never made a pass at me. He’s always been the perfect gentleman. Without his help when we first settled, we would’ve been totally lost. He wouldn’t do this.”Angela said.

  Valeria rose from her seat. “If you don’t believe me, then why don’t you ask Luca? See if you can tell when he’s lying to you.”

  “I will speak to Luca,” Roberto said. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Wait up,” Marco said. “I’m coming with you.”

  Valeria left for her bedroom while Angela moved into the kitchen to start on dinner. She sat on the bed and pondered. She could not believe that she was marrying a man she barely knew and who wouldn’t support her on this. She didn’t understand men at all.

  Dinner was a tense affair as Valeria listened to Roberto’s account of how Luca had denied attacking Valeria. “He said he kissed you on the cheek and —aah then went to hug you to wish you well. Accidentally, he brushed his hand against your breast but then he apologised and left.”

  Valeria heaved. “How do you explain the gash and bruise on my cheek?”

  “He said you fell forward accidentally, hitting your face and head on the ground. That you’d panicked for no reason.”

  “Only because he pushed me.”

  Valeria took a bite of the spaghetti bolognaise but it tasted bitter in her mouth. She sipped the homemade wine and it tasted sour. Fighting the urge to scream, Valeria said her piece.

  “I think that if you guys don’t believe me, then there’s no point in continuing. I’ll just let it go for now, but he’d better leave me alone or I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

  Angela flinched. “Now, now Valeria. Let’s not get dramatic. Luca’s been our friend for a few years now— and we’ve only known you for a couple of days. Who did you think we’d believe?”

  Valeria drew back, fighting tears. “But why would I lie about such a thing?”

  Roberto patted Valeria’s hand across the table. “We’re not saying you lied. It’s just that Luca was probably being friendly and you mistook that for something else.”

  “Are you serious?” Valeria asked. She realised that in all fairness they didn’t really know her, but they had known Luca for years. He must’ve had a way of charming himself out of this one, but eventually she would catch him.

  “Do you know how many things Luca has done for us?” She shrugged. “He helped us paint the house when we first arrived here, bought us some furniture, lent us some money, and he’s now helping us with the wedding. He’s been a god-send.”

  Valeria turned away in response, thinking that Luca was indeed a complex character.

  The rest of dinner time was spent on small talk and then Valeria helped Angela with the washing up. The men smoked their cigarettes and cigars in the living room with the television switched to the Italian news channel.

  Chapter 3

  Matrimony

  Over the next three days, Valeria kept herself securely in the house. She wouldn’t risk Luca dropping in when she was on her own again. Rather, she kept herself busy by cooking, cleaning, and literally locking herself in. Luca had made her housebound. She had shopped with Angela for the post-wedding food. Her wedding dress fit perfectly, and she was happy with the adjustments. The incident with Luca was never spoken about, and Valeria was thankful he hadn’t bothered her again. She couldn’t blame the others completely for not believing her, given their long friendship with Luca, but it still hurt not to have their full support.

  The day of the wedding was nerve-racking for Valeria. Luca had driven Roberto and Marco to the church whilst another friend of theirs had driven Valeria and Angela to the church. Originally, it was Luca who was allocated her driver, but without discussing it with her, Roberto had obviously asked someone else to do it. Perhaps he was thinking how awkward it would be for her, and she was mildly touched by the gesture.

  Other close family members, including Roberto’s two brothers and their wives, as well as a few friends, met at St Monica’s Church in Moonee Ponds. It was a classically beautiful church with many steps leading up towards the entrance. Valeria felt numb as she took small steps outside the church, waiting for the wedding march to start playing. It was a beautiful autumn morning, and looking around her, she could smell pine-scented air and see flocks of birds overhead. Her breathing became rapid. As Valeria waited for Marco to walk her down the aisle, she felt frazzled and wanted to turn back. She wondered what she was doing marrying a man she didn’t love. What was she thinking? Was her life in Italy that bad that she needed to escape so desperately? Valeria ignored her thoughts. She noticed the family members and friends sitting on only one side of the church. She cringed when she spotted Luca who winked at her from the middle pew of the church. She wondered why they had still invited him after what he did to her, but then again, they all felt it was a colossal misunderstanding. He had obviously charmed his way back into their good graces.

  After the vows and signing of the documents, Roberto and Valeria strolled out of the church. They stood outside and were greeted by family and friends. She felt completely alone without her family present. Not that they could afford to come, but then again, it wasn’t like it was a real marriage. It was a marriage of convenience. Yet, Valeria couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of abandonment by her parents. Valeria briefly recalled a memory when she had felt neglected by her father back in Italy. Images flashed through her mind that were best left buried but always surfaced under stressful circumstances such as this one. She was fourteen, only 4 years ago when her father was having a house built as contractors were laying tiles on the roof. Valeria was watching the workers and running through the field. Little did she realise there was a plank of wood with a protruding nail on the ground. As she ran, the nail penetrated her foot and she cried out in pain. No-one noticed so she refused to tell her father about the incident. Sometime later, Valeria winced with pain at the lunch table. Her mother was absent for the day. She struggled to eat lunch with her family as her foot swelled up, aggravating the pain. When Valeria could no longer tolerate the pain, she told her father about the nail. He was angry she hadn’t told him sooner and sent her to the doctor by donkey on her own. After an hour’s travel, she ended up at her older sister’s house; the pain felt like a razor in her foot. Her sister found her and called the doctor nearby who quickly visited the house. He gave Valeria a tetanus shot and said, “You were so close to dying, Valeria. It’s lucky you came to see me right now—we need to fight this infection in your foot. You’re a very lucky girl.”

  Valeria thought that if her father had genuinely cared about her safety that day, he would’ve taken her to the doctor himself. Instead, she fended for herself. If it wasn’t for her sister, she could’ve easily died.

  Breaking out of her thoughts, Roberto introduced her to some of his friends and she kissed them on both cheeks, as was customary. When Luca came up to them, she noticed that Roberto greeted him with some reservation, but when he wanted to greet Valeria, Roberto stopped him. He seemed to look at Luca suspiciously, and drew closer to Valeria by putting his arm around her shoulder. She felt subtly protected by him.

  “Why don’t you bring the car around, Luca. We’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”

  Valeria noticed Luca’s eyes darken and his lips pursed. He nodded
, turning towards Valeria with a brief sinister look in his eyes, then headed for the car park at the rear of the church.

  Roberto and Valeria eventually left in Roberto’s white Valiant with Luca driving them back home. Valeria sat awkwardly in the car, lifting her dress which had filled up part of Roberto’s space. She noticed Luca staring at her in the rear view mirror so she shifted her gaze and watched the traffic. She was in awe of the shifting crowds and the wide open spaces and roads, quite different to her own village. She had also never viewed such a spectacular church with all those stained glass windows, that wide-open space, and such an array of candles. She’d only ever visited a much smaller church in her village. She realised how poor and lonely she felt. Everyone here seemed wealthier, more educated, and lived in an open and natural, but populated space. She’d need to adapt to the city with its dense population and vast roads.

  Roberto turned to her. “So how are you feeling?”

  Valeria shrugged. “It all seems so unreal.” She shifted awkwardly in the seat.

  “That’s natural.”He paused. “So I guess tonight—aah— we’ll be together.” Roberto watched her curiously as if he could see right through her.

  Valeria froze. How could she manage that? She looked away and didn’t respond. Valeria wasn’t ready for anything sexual to happen.

  When she turned back towards him, she couldn’t decide exactly what she felt for him. She liked him and realised there were many layers to his personality.

  She noticed Luca staring at her in the mirror again. He held an expression of contained anger and composure while driving. Valeria felt chilled and hugged her body tight.

  When they finally reached the house, Luca went to his house next door to grab some chairs for the prospective guests. Valeria and Roberto entered the house. She walked to her bedroom while Roberto fixed himself a drink in the kitchen. She changed into a black lace sleeveless dress that she had bought especially for the post-wedding party, and took one last look in the mirror. She put on long, white silk gloves adorned with cream beading that went up to her elbows. She breathed a sigh of relief that part of the day was over, but she was still nervous about later tonight. She left the room and greeted the guests who had just arrived, and then helped Angela serve an early dinner on a buffet table. The table was filled with tortellini bolognaise, baked garlic-seasoned chicken, arancini balls, salad with feta cheese, prosciutto with assorted cheeses and homemade Italian sausages with ciabatta bread.