Chapter Twenty eight

Angel's POV

I lead them  to the backyard where the table was already set . One by one , the maids enter with the meals that I've cooked .

" I thought you were coming with Leona ?" Rosa asked  Marcus ." She had to buy some stuff by the shop "  he replied and just upon speaking a lady comes through the door  .

She has dark brown hair and blue eyes  and holds the same confidence as  Rosa in her red attire with heels , and I immediately know who it is .

Antonio stands up walk to her and hugging her affectionately " benvenuta a casa piccola" ( welcome home baby girl)  she smiles up at him " Thank you daddy " Rosa hugs the Daylight out of her .

" I missed you so much honey" she gasped and quickly  pulled back to stare at her " Look at how skinny you have become ! Just a few months away from me and you're a stick !" Rosa exclaimed  worryingly. The girls Snickered at their Nonna's words

Leona roll her eyes " I'm fine mommy I had to loose some weight for the runway show remember ? Don't worry about it " she then turn her attention and her eyes saddens " Hi baby bro" Lucas stayed quiet and only nod. I could feel the tension between them but it was soon interrupted by Rosa " Let's eat , shall we?"

We all settled down Lucas and Antonio both seat at both end of the table Rosa next to Antonio and me to Lucas . Leona and Marcus sat together across from us and the girls next to their grandparents. We say grace then we start to serve  ourselves .

" So Angel , tell us how did you meet Lucas ? " Rosa asked looking at me expectedly . I froze when everyone's attention settled on me  .

" We met at the girls ballet class , that's where I work " I elaborate ." So you are with a client from your workplace ? That's not professional don't you think ?" I turn and look at Leona she smirk at me playfully .

" No one asked for your opinion Leona " Lucas said godly her face saddens at his words " I was just making sure she was good for you "

" Don't "

" Kids ! " Rosa quickly interrupted their bicker " what's the matter with you ? You finally see each other after months and the first thing you do is bicker ? can't you put your differences aside for once ?" They look down shamelessly " sì mamma"

Rosa sighed then turn back to me " So you're a teacher ? " She ask her mood soon lightening up I nod " yes a ballet and contemporary teacher  " her smile instantly widened .

" Leona was a ballet dancer when she was younger " " Really ? " I looked at Leona hoping to spark some sort of a conversation with but she

only rolls her eyes at me . I ignored the pang that it's send to my heart .

" Yes ! And Lucas was her partner they were so adorable " Rosa gushed I glance at Lucas only to see him all red  . I smirked planning to tease him about it later .

Rosa then start to tell me about stories of Leona and Lucas's childhood and how Marcus has been part of the family for years now and works in their company " He's like another son to us " she said holding Antonio's hand and looking Lovingly at  Marcus he smiled back  " Y'all are  my family too "

After eating , the table breaks into small talks Rosa with Lucas and Marcus and Leona with the girls probably catching up with all the lost time . " Angel mind joining me for a walk? " Antonio suddenly asked me .

Why would I go for a walk with my boyfriend's father ?

" Of course" we walked halfway through the yard when he suddenly stopped " what are your intensions ? Is it the money you want ? Because if so , you won't even get to land a finger on it , Angel if that's even your real name " Antonio confronted coldly at me .

I am taken aback by the sudden questions and what he regarded me as .

" I have no bad intensions , sir , the money is no issue for me I work at one of the most prestigious  dance schools in Italy which your son choose to place the girls in I'm more than financially stable , and my name is Angel reed " I rant off offended  that he already got a certain bad image about me within the two hours of meeting each other .

He stared at me for a moment before is eyes widen " you're the daughter of Beatrice Reed " he stated " you knew  her ? " I ask my hands becoming sweaty

Antonio nodded " We were once partners , but she withdrawn due to personal reasons " he then look at me questionaly " so y'all knew you were both in Mafias ?" " No , we didn't know and I'm not in the Mafia  " he frowns " why not?" " For the same reason why my mother isn't still with me "

" But you choose to be with someone who is in it ? " I shrugged" things happen " I never planned to fall for someone who is in a Mafia it's was uncalled for , but I don't regret it .

Antonio got quiet for a moment and it is the first time since tonight that I've seen something other than a cold stare on his face " I don't  want you to hurt him . His  last relationship wasn't exactly roses  , it took a toll on him , especially on the girls . They need someone who can love them unconditionally no matter how hard it get , and I hope you can be that for them . " Antonio looked at me with nothing but sincerity .

I look back at the three people who slowly made their way into my heart . My heart warming" I'll be honoured . "

~~~

After the conversation with Antonio , we went back to eat dessert with the others . I could feel that he's more relaxed in presence . I was almost done with my mango cake when I feel a tug on my dress's sleeve .

I looked down to see big blue eyes staring up at me " Angel can you help me wash my hands please" Heaven asked I smile softy at her " Of course . " I picked her up in my arms and carry her to the kitchen after I'm done helping her out , we walk back outside .

On our back to the backyard , I hear a sniff ." Who's that ?"  Heaven whisper in my ear refering to the sniffing " It's nothing baby . Let's go join the others . " I kissed her cheeks and brought her back to where the rest are .

I go back to where I am saw Leona crying with a box of tissues " Here " I hand her the box and join her on the bench behind the bush .

" I never asked you to come " she regards me coldly glaring at me " You didn't have to " I informe her , she scoffed at me .

" If you think by doing this I will start to like you , you're wrong " she still glare at me .

" I didn't  come here to get your approval to be with your brother . I came here because I saw you were in need of a friend " she rolled her eyes and takes a tissue and wiped her eyes briming  with tears a black eye comes to view . I gasped .

As if realising what she had done , she quickly covered her eyes . " I -I  need to be alone " she stutter " what happened to your face ?" I whispered taken aback by the bruises ." It's none of your business " she snap angrily

" why don't you go back to dinner  with your fakeness , and act like you you're not here for my brother's money " I frowned what's up with them  implying that I'm only here for the money ?

" I could care less about Lucas money I have a stable job and his money does not interest me " I said anger rinsing in my chest then I sigh remembering the main problem here " You need help "

" I surely don't need it from you " she looked at me from head to toe with a disgusted look  I sighed , running out of patience with her attitude " Not from me , coming from your family "  she stayed silent .

" When something doesn't work out , you should cut it from your life " I told her I then remembered the first time Lucas told me about her and how distant she had become because of her boyfriend .

Her boyfriend

" Is he responsable for this ? " I asked . I don't voice my though out , but I see her become rigid like she knows what I'm talking about " like I told you before , it's none of your business "  She glared at me then stormed off to the house

***

Hey guys !

This chapter was pretty interesting .

I honestly feel bad for Angel it's looks like the Armani family has something against her.

We've only heard of Leona , and now  we finally got to know how she is . What do you think about her ? She has a strong character .

Don't forget to vote , comment and share this story too .

Sincerely

~ EstherAli~