“You did indeed, wife, you did indeed.”
She laughed again, as I aggressively manuvered us into a parking spot. The Porshe slid into the spot like butter as I hit the brakes and stopped our movements. When I got home, I was for sure going to a nearby dealership.
I have got to get myself one these.
We entered into the (Italian Jewelry Store) and Diamond’s eyes went wide. She loved diamonds, and rubies and pearls. After all she had her own jewelry store. I watched her walk around peering into the cases. She’d become a total kid in the candy store.
“What made you bring me here?” she was peering in closely at something but moved away just as quickly.
“The owner knew my father. They grew up together surprisingly. My father purchased my mother’s ring from this shop.”
Diamond through a smile over shoulder and continued looking. Her excitement was contagious; whenever I stopped to watch her inspect something my heart hitched in my throat. The owner came out shortly. His hair had gone shock white with time but the fluffy mustached above his lip was still salt and peppered.
“My boy, you came,” Vincent Casiglio smiled at me.
We embraced and Diamond rejoined me.
“Yes,” I smiled. “Diamond this is Vincent, an old family friend. Vincent, this is my wife.”
They shook hands.
“What an appropriate name,” Vincent smiled widely.
“It’s more of a nickname,” Diamond looked between us smiling widely.
“Well welcome to my store. There are things in here that belonged to countesses, queens, royalty of all sorts.”
“You know, Vincent…I’m something of a jewelry buff myself,” Diamond smiled widely. “I saw a piece over here. Would you tell me about it?”
“Of course, my dear…”
The two of them walked off like I wasn’t even in the room. I took this time to inspect what I’d come for. The diamond and ruby ring was sitting untouched. This was Diamond and Tiberius. They were the center of my world.
I moved behind the counter and twisted the key that Vincent had left in for me. Pulling the ring out, I waited until Diamond had finished history lesson. My palms were sweating.
She could reject you, you fool. Again, in front of Vincent. God that would fucking hurt.I needed to get control of my thoughts before I became uneasy.
“Did you see anything you liked?”
“Yes! Everything. There is a ring in here owned by the Countess Mountbatten-Windsor. Thierry, I have to have it.”
I chuckled. “Perhaps another trip.”
“Well, what did we com….”
Her words trailed off at the sight of the ring I’d had chosen for her. The first ring that I’d ever given her had been to show her that I had money and that I could bend her to my will. She had worn the ring, but she’d also taken it off and I hadn’t seen it since. It hadn’t really meant anything, just a ring.
“This is …”
“It’s ruby,” Diamond said peering closer the emerald shaped red stone and the two diamonds flanking it on either side. “And Diamonds. The shape and clarity of the ruby from what I can see is perfect.”
“Its us….the center stone is for Tiberius birth month. And Diamonds for you but two because of us.”
She stood up. “I….I love it.”
Getting my nerve back up, I dropped down to one knee. Behind Diamond, Vincent gave me a nod of approval and dabbed at his eyes.
“Ivy Knowles-Scarpetta, my Tesoro, my Donna….you are my equal….”
