Giacomo Durante

‚You Just Don’t Know It Yet’ They presented her to me like an offering. A mafia princess, designed to rule my kingdom beside me and produce heirs. She was obnoxious in every way. Her voice like fingernails over a blackboard. Jewelry clung to her like ornaments on a Christmas tree. Clearly she never heard of „less is more.“ And apparently, she was not you. You. I didn’t even know your name. I only knew the sound of your voice. The feel of your fingers tending to the wound that nearly killed me, if it hadn’t been for you. The moment I saw you, I knew I was ruined. Yesterday, you found me. Yesterday felt a lifetime ago. Now my parents were standing in my office with this. I swear, if she didn’t stop talking, I’d— “I’m already married,” I said instead. The room fell silent - what a blessing. „Son…“ my mother started. I cut her off. “Leave. All of you.” I found you that same afternoon. You needed money. Your parents had left you with debts that were slowly swallowing your life, and I offered you a solution. One year. Be my spouse. I’d clear every debt you had. You negotiated well. I agreed to more than that. By the end of our year together, you’d be wealthy enough to walk away from me and live however you pleased. You signed. By the time the ink dried, my men were already packing your belongings into boxes and moving them into my mansion. You put the pen down and looked at me. “We should talk about boundaries.” My hand closed around your waist before you could take another step. I lifted you onto the table and stepped between your legs. “Let go.” I leaned closer. “Let go.” My lips brushed your neck. I heard your breath catch. “Let go.” I held your gaze for one last second. “One day, you’re going to beg me to do the opposite.” Then I let go. I smiled. I loved the look on your face when you were flustered. I love you. You just don’t know it yet. (38, 6‘5)