My Light

Nora's POV

I've made the rounds and chatted with my family, said my good bye's to Nonna. She's had quite a bit of fun listening to the music and being with family. Their is so much tension between my mom and my uncle's family, I'm just thankful that they try to put aside for the sake of Nonna.

I excused myself from the table as Piero and Vera had their first dance, I cringed as they danced to “Lucky” by Colbie Caillat. For some reason just the sound of the song made me want to puke. I look at their relationship and feel like it was all built on lies and deception. All I want to do is leave. Zayn was trapped chatting with Leo and some of his friends, drinking at the bar. All I could do is smile and sneak out the side door and catch some fresh air.

I feel like all I've done today is drink and contemplate life today. Not the best combinations but I'm still alive, I'm still here and that's all that matters.

“So what's the pretty girl thinking of now?” I look up, my mouth agape I'm sure of it, and I turn to see a smug Piero.

“What are you doing here?” I ask cautiously, adjusting my skirt to make it as long as possible.

“Well this is my wedding.” He laughs. His laugh that used to make me smile makes me cringe now. It's amazing how quickly feelings you have for someone can change, like switching off a light switch. “What are you doing here? Where is your lovely boy band member?” Piero had many different moods, this taunting, rude, person is the mood of an asshole.

“He's drinking with your brother-in-law.” I cross my arms and stand up straighter.

“I've never been a fan of Leo anyway.” He smirks, leaning against the wall, crossing his arms.

“Why are you out here?” I'm quite rude but I feel like it's necessary.

“I saw you sneak out, I danced with my mom, and then I came out here to see you.” He shrugs like it's no big deal. “You know, I think you look gorgeous tonight.” He walks towards me but I put my hands up to stop him.

“What are you doing?” I ask, leaning back slightly, extremely uncomfortable with this situation.

“I think we should continue where we left off.” He acts like everything he's ever done to me never happened.

“Are you serious?” I almost bite back a laugh but let it out anyway. A bitter laugh. “Their hasn't been a you and I for almost a year and a half. And thank God it's been that long.” I push him slightly and move to the side.

“You ran off like such a coward that day. You should have just gotten over it and we could have moved on.” He snares. He can't be serious. Everything in the world, he wants us to just continue. I'd rather eat a dead snake then touch Piero.

“You cheated on me with my cousin. And now you're married to her.” I state the obvious. “Leave me alone.” I jerk my arm away from him and start walking towards the door. I'm for sure leaving now.

“Nora. Nora. Nora.” He chuckles. He really is evil. “When are you going to get it? I'm officially in your family now. Vera and I will have children, even if we get divorced I'll always be around. Always taunting you from afar.” I can't stand him.

“I think she asked you to leave her alone.” I breath a sign of relief when I hear Zayn's voice from the door, I suddenly feel safe and relaxed. I quickly stand next to him as he steps in front of me to shield me.

“And what the fuck are you going to do?” Piero asks. “You can't keep anyone happy, remember? Perrie. You're the worst.” He laughs at himself. He's such a terrible person, bringing up all these things.

“Yeah mate, we've established that.” Zayn laughs and rubs his chin with his fingers. “And no one cares. You've got a lonely life, you're so obsessed with Nora that you married her cousin.” I feel the tension outside and I'm it's bitter.

“Obsessed with Nora?” I watch as Piero adjusts his suit and tie, loosening it just a little.

“She broke up with you, she didn't want to marry you, move on like everyone thinks you did.” Zayn takes a step closer to Piero and I don't want to think of what will happen next.

Piero looks around Zayn to me, “So you never told lover boy the truth?” This time Zayn looks back at me and I don't know what to do. “I cheated on Nora with Vera. She came over one day and I had just fucked her cousin for the first time.” He's so crude I cringe at his words. Zayn turns to me and I can see he's confused.

“I'm sorry I didn't tell you.” I start. I was planning on it eventually but I just want to block that memory out of my head, how embarrassing is it to tell someone that your ex-fiance cheated on you with your cousin?

“It's okay Nora.” He smiles at me and finds my hand, rubbing his fingers against the back of it. I feel at ease but of course, Piero is still here.

“How sweet, the happy couple is still so in love.” He mocks us.

“Don't you have to be inside Piero? Enjoying your wedding?” Zayn wraps his arm around my waist and looks at him. Piero probably has about fifty pounds on him but he's not intimidated at all.

“Whatever you two are meant to be together. Both pathetic and worthless.” He starts to walk past us when a familiar voice comes through.

“You know what Piero?” We all turn to see mama standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at him. I can see the anger seething from her body.

“Mrs. Conti.” Pieor is suddenly fearful. Never anger an Italian mama. Ever. “I didn't see you there.” He tries to laugh and stops when no one else joins him. I don't think I've ever seen my mom this angry before. I watch as she walks up the steps, more like storms up the steps, she must have heard us arguing when she got back from dropping Nonna off at Sal's house.

“I'm so glad my daughter never married you.” She stands face to face with Piero, hands still on her hips. Just glaring at him. “You are trash.” She points a finger into Piero's chest and I all but gasp at her anger, she never does this. She never intervenes like this and never loses her cool.

“Mrs. Conti.” He starts.

“Don't even address me.” She presses her finger into his chest again, pushing him backwards. “You cheat on my daughter with her cousin then have the audacity to tease and mock her. She is a prize you will never win. She is too good for you.” She takes the time to look at me, Zayn holding my waist tight, as if to pull me back.

“Mrs. Conti, I can assure you I never meant any harm, we all think this is in good fun.” Piero tries to make light of the situation and I can help but just sit back and watch as my mom lets go.

“That's you're problem Piero, you never think.” I watch as my mom literally backs Piero up into the wall, still unleashing against him. “Don't you dare talk to my daughter ever again. And that boy band member she's with, his name is Zayn, and he's more of a man than you will ever be. Keep away from us or you'll be sorry.”

“You are all the same. You southern Italians, you've always thought that you were better then my family, you're the trash.” He spits at my mom. I can't believe he's had the audacity to talk to my mom like that. Zayn is literally holding me back from charging him. Before I can even think, I watch as my mom balls her fist and punches him square in the jaw. My eyes grow wide, did that just happen?

“Mama!” I rush to her side. “Are you okay?” I ask, worried more about her then I ever would be about Piero.

“Well that hurt more then I thought.” She jokes a little as Piero leans against the wall and rubs his jaw, it's a little red. “Let's go.” She grabs my arm and looks back to see Zayn quickly catching up with us.

My mom is not a physical person at all, in fact, usually she avoids confrontation completely. This has taken me back more then I have ever known. I'm so proud of my mother at this moment. We're not ones to be violent at all but I'm just stunned.

We arrive inside, Zayn's fingers laced with mine. “I don't think he'll be a problem anymore.” My mom laughs, her new found confidence just glowing from her skin. “You two should leave, go have fun, get away from here.” She smiles and hugs me. “We have lots to talk about.” She whispers in my ear as we embrace. Apparently we do.

“Yes mama.” I smile as Zayn slips my sweater over my shoulders and grabs my purse, passing it to me. “I'm really sorry I didn't tell you the truth about what happened with Piero.” I know I've already apologized about the situation but I just can't help but do so again.

“I cheated on Perrie.” I can see Zayn chewing on his inner lips, like what he's just spoken about is poison coming from his body. “We all do things we're not proud of, we used to try and make each other jealous to invoke emotion. I'm not saying it was right, because it wasn't. What Piero did to you was terrible. I would never do that to you. I've learned from my past mistakes.” He squeezes my hand. “I swear it.” He wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me in as close as possible. “I know this is crazy.” He begins, pausing at the door to the car. “But, I love you Nora.”

Notes

Hey everyone!! Hope this update finds you all well. Thank you so much for the kind comments. Traffic on this story has kind of died down, it's okay, I blame it on the google problem. :) Hopefully everyone is still reading!

I hadn't originally intended on having Angela punch Piero but he needed to be put in his place! And Angela and Nora have some growing to do, sooner or later. :) Hope you all like it!

xoxox