8 Do You Wish I was a Boy Luciana POV It's been two days since I saw Enzo with his blonde bimbo. I hate that I miss him. I miss talking to him even though it's only been a little over two weeks since I learned he was to be my husband. A knock on my bedroom door brings me out of my thoughts. The person on the other side doesn't wait for a response. When the door opens, my mother steps inside, offering me a soft smile. She crosses the room and toes off her high heels. Despite looking like the Donna she is, she climbs into bed next to me like she did when I was a child. I lay my head on her chest, and she runs her fingers through my hair. "Tesoro, how are you feeling?" "I'm fine, mama. It's not like we were deeply in love." "Oh, principessa you can't lie to me. I know you are angry and hurt. Even if you weren't in love, you were definitely developing feelings for the stronzo," she says. I can't help the giggle that escapes me at my mother calling Enzo an a**hole. "Honestly, if it wouldn't hurt Marie I'd send Jules and Herbito to teach the boy a lesson," she says. I squeeze my arm that's wrapped around her tighter. "Thank you, mama." "Of course, now your father would like to speak to you in his office before breakfast." I haven't spoken to my father since our conversation in the foyer. "He loves you, Luciana. I know you're upset about everything that happened, including the betrothal, but never forget that man loves you more than his own life," she says. "Right now it doesn't feel like its mama. It feels like I'm just a tool for Papa since he never had sons to take over the family." She takes my chin, forcing me to look up at her. "Never. I saw that man's face at every one of my ultrasounds and the only emotion in his eyes when the doctor told us each of you was a girl, was pure happiness. He vowed to me that he would always protect me and his three principessas. I know you don't understand it right now, but everything your father does is about his daughters' safety and happiness," she says. She presses a kiss on my forehead before she slides off my bed and back into her heels. "After breakfast, we will go shopping. You and your sisters are going to need new dresses," she says. "Mama, I have enough dresses. I don't really feel like going shopping today." She crosses her arms over her chest, her eyes never leaving mine. I know immediately she isn't asking. "We will be going to your cousin's boutique and then for lunch at Ocean Prime," she says. I smile because she knows that it's my favorite restaurant. Once she's gone, I get up and quickly get myself dressed in a deep purple sleeveless dress that is long enough to not be obscene but short enough to be s*xy. I pull my hair into a side twist and put on light makeup. I make my way downstairs to my father's office. I knock twice before he calls out for me to enter. I push open the door and step inside. My mother is seated next to my father, who is looking at me like I'm a scared animal. "What did you want to talk about papa?" He looks taken back by my abrupt question. "Luciana, I know you're upset" he says. "No, I'm not. I'm perfectly fine." "Principessa, please talk to your papa. It breaks my heart when you are angry with me," he says. "I'm not angry papa, I'm hurt." "I'm sorry about what happened with Enzo. The boy obviously hasn't matured the way I had hoped," he says, but I cut him off. "This isn't about Enzo, papa. This is about you. I have always known I would have a duty to our family, but I never expected that duty would be at the sacrifice of my own happiness. Mama said you were happy when you found out that we were girls, but all this has made me wonder if that is true. Maybe 1/3 < 8 Do You Wish I was a Boy +15 Points > have three daughters was a disappointment, since you are so concerned about securing each of us a strong husband." He looks as if I just slapped him. He stands moving toward the window that overlooks the garden. His back to me and mama. "Your mama is right Luciana. I know you think this arrangement is about having strong and powerful son-in-laws, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. The day I first held you in my arms, I knew I would never love another person more than I loved you, my daughter. It was the same feeling with both your sisters," he says. "The moment you wrapped your little hand around my big finger, I knew I had to ensure that when I was no longer able to protect you, there would be a partner that would protect not only your body but your heart. A man that would love you like the tesoro, you truly are my principessa. I chose men for you and your sisters, who came from strong families that shared our values. I'm sorry I failed you, Luciana. Enzo has truly | disappointed me," he says. My chest aches as his words wash over me. "Papa" I say as I stand moving toward him. He turns to face me. "Can you forgive me Luciana?" "Papa, I'm sorry." He looks at me in confusion. "You have nothing to be sorry for Luciana" he says. "Yes, I do. I have never doubted your love for me, so I'm sorry for thinking that you wished I was a son." A warm smile stretches across his face as he reaches out to me. He pulls me into his strong arms and I melt into his frame. No matter how old I get, this will always be a safe place for me. "Now, your mother tells me you girls will be going dress shopping today for the gala we will be holding in a week," he says. I pull back, looking up at him. "What gala?" "I received a call from Marco after you arrived home yesterday. He is rather disappointed in his son," he says and I stiffen. He can't really think I will still marry his son after I saw him with that blonde bimbo. "He called to offer his apologies and a solution to his son's screw-up. He offered to change the betrothal to his younger son, Antonio," he says. I go to open my mouth, but he speaks before I can get a word out. "I declined his offer, Luciana. I told him that his son had lost his chance and I would be holding a gala for my beautiful daughter to pick her own husband. I still think that Enzo will be a good partner when he finally gets his head out of his a** but the choice is yours, my daughter," he says. "Thank you, papa" I say before wrapping my arms around him tightly. He presses a kiss on top of my head before he releases me. "Let's go enjoy breakfast before you girls do some damage to my bank account," he says. My mother clears her throat and glares at my father. "I'm sorry my love, our bank account." After breakfast, my sisters, mom, and I head out to the waiting SUV. Herbito smirks at me. I give him a questioning glance. "Guess who was at the gate bright and early this morning demanding to see you principessa," he asks. I roll my eyes. "If it's any consolation, he looked like sh*t and seemed sincere before we helped him leave," Herbito says. "What do you mean helped him?" "He needed some convincing to leave. Don't worry, we didn't rough him up too badly. You'll still be able to stand looking at the stronzo to have bambinos with him," he says. "I won't be having bambinos with him. Didn't papa tell you the betrothal is off." "I am your father's second. There isn't too much he doesn't tell me, Luciana. Let's just say I have a feeling that you'll still end up married to the stupid boy, but you need to make sure you teach him who is the real boss when it happens," he says. I roll my eyes before I slide into the car. The sound of Herbito's low laughter echoes in my ears. It doesn't take long for us to reach my cousin's boutique. Outside of my sisters, she is one of my best friends. When we step into the boutique, my cousin, Lana, rushes 2/3