A New Life (2 page)

              Valeria felt her hands shake slightly, taking a deep breath. “I'm fine.”

              “Luca seems to like you.”

              Valeria watched Angela closely, wiping the dishes thoroughly. “He doesn't even know me, but you guys seem close.”

              “He doesn't have much of a family. His mother left him when he was just a little kid. I think he was about 8 at the time. He says he still remembers her.”

              Valeria was curious. “And his father?”

              “He said his father was pretty controlling and critical. He was always finding ways to get his approval. I think now he's quite ill in Italy, but Luca doesn't seem to care that much.”

              “And he doesn't have any other family?”

              Angela turned the tap off and wiped her hands. “No, which is why he sticks with us. We're his family now.”

              Valeria felt slightly nauseous. Did she want him to be part of the family? Would she always feel uncomfortable in his presence? She broke out of her reverie when Angela spoke.

              “Come to think of it. You look a lot like his mum.”

              Valeria turned to her abruptly. “What?”

              “Well, he showed us a photo of her. A photo he'd found in his father's room, which he then stole. She looks a lot like you, with the auburn hair and the pretty features.”

              Valeria was numb. What could she say to that? She didn't want to be a ghost of his past, but now that Angela mentioned it, it would somehow haunt her. He might be comparing her to his mother, and she didn't want that.

Chapter 2
Broken Boundaries

Two days later, Angela and Valeria arranged some tulips for the church. She also tried on her wedding dress from a friend of Angela's who made wedding dresses. She was grateful that Angela's friend had used her ideas for the design. She had been unable to afford making the wedding dress back home but had always brimmed with designs. As a result of her ideas, she had made casual clothes for her family with the use of cheap fabrics and a weathered, rusty sewing machine.

              Her wedding dress needed some slight adjustments but would be finalised by the following Saturday. It was made of organza and tulle with sequins around the waist and chest. The sleeves were three-quarter length with layers of frills from the waist down, flowing outwards, and almost hoop-like.

              It was important to Valeria that she was looked upon by others as attractive and presentable on her wedding day. Her mother had brought her up to believe that others' opinions of her were important and Valeria didn't like others gossiping behind her back. She wanted to make a good impression, and being seen as strong and beautiful was a cultural belief and the way she had been brought up. The Italians she knew back home didn't like any sort of scandal and always worried about other people's opinions of them.

              Valeria kept busy tending the back garden, tidying up the house, and cooking dinner for Roberto, Angela and Marco as they all had their own jobs. Roberto and Marco worked  installing sewerage pipes, and Angela was a machine operator. Valeria had only completed five years of primary school education in Italy, and was then forced to help out her family on the farm as they needed the extra hands. She had little education but was well-trained in sewing, cooking, cleaning, and doing impeccable farm work. However she hoped that her skills as a gifted seamstress would allow her to set up her own dressmaking business; a dream she wanted to turn into a reality. With her limited education and no English speaking skills, she was worried about finding suitable work in Melbourne. As she was a gifted seamstress, she knew that setting up her own dressmaking business would fulfil a passion of hers.

              On her third day in Melbourne, Valeria responded to the doorbell. She swung open the door and drew back when she saw Luca beaming. “Just came by to see if you needed anything.”

              Valeria cringed, noticing a red metallic tool box in his hand. “No, I'm fine, thanks.” She was about to close the door when Luca had charged in like a bull.

              “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.”