“Omar, really?” Tammy scolded.
“I’m just saying! Come on, bi...umm, girl.”
Tammy chuckled, but only the black women in the room laughed. The Europeans were on the cusp of being offended.
“Attention please!” Vicki, the wedding planner, shouted, interrupting the chatter. “I need every woman that is not a part of the wedding party to give us the room.”
As Vicki hustled ladies out of the room, Omar and Gail ushered Tammy into the bedroom. She needed fixing, and they were gonna get it done.
“Wait!” Luca’s mom shouted before they entered the room.
Tammy froze and turned around. When her mentor/mother-law spoke, she listened. Anna walked up to Tammy and placed her hands on both her cheeks.
“I’ve always wanted a daughter, but I was unable to produce one. I wanted someone that could step in and take over my fashion empire. Before you, I thought all was lost. Tamara, God has not only blessed my son with you, but he has also blessed me. I love you. Someday, you will combine our houses, and our houses will rule this world of fashion.”
“Anna, stop,” Tammy choked.
Tammy was filled with love and admiration. She was crying, yet again. Annabella and her approval meant the world to her. Tammy worshiped the woman, even before she knew that she was Luca’s mother.
“No, Tamara, I won't stop. I have to thank you. You are my legacy, a blessing from God. I think I might love you more than Luca does,” she said with a smile.
“I love you, Anna. You're my blessing. Thank you for everything you've taught me. I’m so happy that you're my mother now. Even though you look more like a sister,” Tammy said with a wink.
“That’s my girl,” Anna gushed as she pulled Tammy into her arms.
Their emotional hug was what Tammy had longed for most of her life. She needed to be loved by a mother, even if it wasn't her own. But through the grace of God, Tammy had many mothers now. Annabella, Mary, Katherine, and Catarina were matriarchs that had a major impact on her life. Hell, even Beverly, the worst mother ever, had a hand in her success.
“I have something for you,” Anna said, handing her an envelope.
“Thank you,” she told her.
“Read it now,” Anna instructed, before stepping back, and allowing Omar and Gail to whisk her away.
Tammy ran her fingers over the seal of the envelope as Omar led her to the salon chair. It was most definitely from Luca. He was the only one that called her Tamara, although mostly when she was in trouble. She inhaled the scent of cigars. It was definitely from Luca.
Tamara,
For a long time, I thought that my purpose in life was to rule the world. By that, I mean the world that surrounds me. It has always been my destiny to conquer. But, I found myself unable to conquer the one thing that my heart desired.
It was you.
You were unable to be conquered because, from the moment I laid eyes on you, it was you that had conquered me. Your beauty, your determination, and your endurance has weakened me. You have made me your servant from the very beginning, and I will serve without hesitation. I love you more than anything in this world. You have given me a son, and a life worth fighting for. I know that I can be hard, but you like it hard ;-). I won't live without you. So, thank you for keeping me alive by agreeing to be my wife.
Tamara, I love you. You are my ending and beginning.
Your future,
Giovanni Luciano Savelli
Tammy fought back tears as best she could until she decided that it didn't matter since her makeup was already destroyed. She allowed her tears to flow as she folded the letter and tucked it back into the envelope.
“Good or bad?” Omar asked as he picked through thick strands of Tammy’s hair.
“Good,” Tammy whispered. “So damn good.”
Tammy slouched down in the chair and fantasized about the life that she was going to have with Luca.
