Chapter 34
Emily
The mansion we arrived at was huge, but still not as gigantic as the Fanucci residence. “Wow, pretty!” Naty gazed out of the car, admiring the white architecture.
Alessio was the first to exit the car, then he opened the door for us. First he gave Naty a hand, and then he helped me get out.
“Oh, new friends!” Naty gasped, pointing to two girls and a boy around her age, most likely triplets, standing at the gate. Behind thEmily stood two women and an older man in a bathrobe.
“Alessio!” The man in the bathrobe called out, opening his arms to Emilybrace him. Alessio hesitantly returned his hug
“Nice to meet you, Diego.”
“Alessio, the last time I saw you, you were just a kid. Probably don’t rEmilyEmilyber, do you?
Diego’s voice was loud enough to wake an entire neighborhood. My eyes moved from his trunks, to his hairy chest, to his red robe. He seEmilyed so care–free, and his energy seEmilyed positive.
“I know of you, but I don’t rEmilyEmilyber meeting you. I’m sorry,” Alessio apologized.
“No worries,” Diego responded, then his gaze shifted past Alessio, locking eyes with mine. The nerves kicked in, and I was unsure whether to look at him or not. If this visit was for business, it was most likely this man was also involved in illegal activities.
Since I didn’t intend on overstaying my welcome, I would rather have these people not rEmilyEmilyber my face.
“Is this the girl who caused you so much trouble?” Diego asked. “If she is, it was worth it. She’s a beauty.”
“Sure is,” Alessio extended his hand for Naty and I to step closer. He pulled Naty in front of him, then reached for my hand again. It was difficult to explain, but for some reason I felt safe with my hand in his. I definitely didn’t want to, but I did.
“This is Emily, and Naty.”
Diego nodded. “This is my daughter Pilar, my wife Ruby, and our triplets, Jon, Joan, and!
I stifled a laugh, thinking he hadn’t stretched his creativity far in naming the triplets. He might as well named thEmily one, two and three.
The Return of My First Love
3004
Chapter 34
So one of the younger women was his wife, and the other his daughter, from a previous relationship I assumed. Alessio gave everyone a polite handshake, and patted the younger children on their heads.
Naty moved to their side, already mingling with thEmily as if she had know thEmily her entire life
Ruby’s smile was forced, and Pilar’s eyes were glued to Alessio, to the point she wasn’t even trying to hide it. He was attractive, the kind of man many woman would fall for. The only thing keeping my mind sane wasn’t even his occupation, but the cold shoulder he gave me every now and then.
“No dad, brothers?” Diego asked.
Alessio shook his head. “I made the mess, so I have to fix it.” his cryptic words made me wonder what all
of this was truly about.
Diego chuckled, “Classic Domenico Fanucci,” he spoke. “I have a son, twenty–six like you, but he doesn’t listen to me. Thinks he knows everything because he’s an adult.”
Alessio listened politely to Diego’s rant. His son not listening to him most likely had to do with him not taking his own dad seriously. I mean, how could he when he was walking around in those trunks and a
robe?
“But… where are your bodyguards?” Diego suddenly asked.
“No bodyguards, no weapons, just a friendly visit,” Alessio answered.
“For us to be friends, we should get to know each other,” Diego pointed out. He looked at his wife, as if
they had rehearsed this play many times.
“Come, I’ll show you to your room,” she offered, giving her husband a side glance. “Meanwhile, he’ll take
off that ridiculous robe.”
“Typically women,” Diego scratched the back of his neck, and looked humiliated by his wife deciding to call him out. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
Alessio patted his shoulder, almost failing to keep his smile to himself. “I’m sure that’s it.”
We walked the halls of the mansion with Ruby leading us to the room. The triplets ran circles around us, tugging our clothes every now and then to grab our attention. They were a giggly and curious bunch.
“Are you alright?” Alessio whispered, suddenly appearing beside me. So it turned out he could show some
concern.
I simply nodded in response, trying not to bother him about how I didn’t do well with unfamiliar
surroundings.
The Return of My First Love
Chapter 34
Naty, on the other hand, fit right in and joined the triplets in running circles. The little boy grabbed her hand and gave it a slight tug. “Come play with
“Okay.” Naty said, eyeing me for quick confirmation. “I’m going to play with my friends, bye mommy!” Naty called out when I didn’t say anything, then she left.
I admired her for being so outgoing and confident around new people. In the past, I viewed it as something negative, fearing that the wrong person could take her after fooling her with the old puppy trick or candies. Nowadays, I was starting to see the positive effects of her having a bright personality.
She had even managed to crack Alessio, and all it probably took was a minute. That was just Naty
Ruby stopped in front of a door. “Since the kids have been waiting for Naty’s arrival. I thought she could stay in their room. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” I replied, grateful for their hospitality.
“Great,” Ruby swung open the door, revealing a room which size didn’t surprise me anymore. I had gotten so used to it, and that was a bad sign. I wasn’t supposed to get used to this lifestyle because I wasn’t supposed to live this life.
“I hope everything works out for you.” Ruby turned her attention to Alessio.
“So do I.” Alessio said.
Ruby stood with her hands together, waiting for Alessio to start a conversation, but he never did. Welcome to my world.
“A–Anyway,” she stuttered. “I’ll have thEmily bring up your luggage. Please come down when you’re ready,” Ruby said as she walked to the door. She gave us a wave, then left, closing the door behind her and leaving me alone in the room with Alessio.
The vibe in the room was awkward, and this time I knew why. It was all because Naty wasn’t present to save the day. It had once again struck me just how much I needed to rely on her, while it should’ve been the other way around. Alessio must’ve felt the same.
Suddenly, I heard a cough from across the room pulling me from my thoughts. I gasped at Alessio, bracing myself for whatever command he would give me next.
Don’t speak.
Don’t touch anything.
Just don’t breathe.
As I waited for his words, I noticed his gaze was still as soft as it had been in the plane.
3094
“If we’re going to make this work, you’ll have to be less awkward,” he spoke with a sigh.
“Yes,” I agreed, both confused and relieved. He was right, but he was definitely one to talk. I was awkward, I could admit that–but he wasn’t helping the situation either.
Alessio stepped closer, but for every step he had taken forward, I stepped back, immediately regretting
my reaction.
“Are you scared of me?” he asked when I had reached the wall, with nowhere to go. I could hear the slight concern in his voice, and believe it or not, it made me feel like a terrible person.
“I don’t know, you did threaten to kill me at one point,” I admitted, my voice slightly trEmilybling.
He hummed before taking an exhausted breath. “Ok, this isn’t working,” he concluded. “We’re going out
tomorrow night.”
See, the effort was there, but is was once again one of his dEmilyands. It was like this guy was allergic to asking, and expected everyone to suck his toes.
“What about Naty? I barely know these people,” I voiced my concern.
“Naty looks fine playing around other children her age, and I know for a fact that they wouldn’t dare harming a Fanucci.”
A Fanucci?
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence after he referred to Naty as a Fanucci. It was a rEmilyinder of the strange situation we found ourselves in. I wasn’t angry, I didn’t take any offense to his words. In a way, we were part of the Fanuccis, even if it was just for a short while.
“I mean.
Alessio started to clarify but I cut him off.
“I know what you meant and you’re right. It’s just, I worry about her so much, and I want her to be safe,”
her?” I blurted. “She’s so kind, what if those kids suddenly decide to gang up on
Realizing I was opening up to him and he was actually listening felt oddly comforting. He didn’t roll his eyes, he didn’t brush off my concerns, none of that.
“It’s simple, they gang up on her, we gang up on thEmily,” Alessio replied, shrugging.
A laugh escaped from my lips at the image of us fighting a bunch of elEmilyentary schoolers. Alessio joined in with a chuckle, showing me he hopefully wasn’t serious.
“She will be fine, she’s a strong girl, loved by everyone she meets,” he said after a momen to force you. You should see for yourself whether you trust these people, and give me an answer.”
don’t want
Chapter 34
“Thanks,” I blinked, surprised he was capable of letting me choose for myself. It was probably all for one reason, to appear like a happy couple in front of these people–but at least he was trying
“I think we should head down.” Alessio started walking towards the door, but then he stopped and turned
back to look at me.
“Even though you’ll not be able to protect her all the time, you’re doing a good job looking out for her. I can see that,” he said, then turned and continued walking.
I stood there for a moment, wondering what he meant by his comment, and wondering how he could’ve seen my effort.
Eitherway, it was the first time Alessio had acknowledged my efforts as a mother, and it felt good.
Chapter 34
Alisha
