Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Mena

“You’ve been waiting for me?” I asked. Looking at the woman. I had no choice but to admire her beauty. It might’ve been the way she presented herself, or the sundress which hugged her body–but there was just something about her.

I could tell she had never had a worry in her life, other than which designer bag would match her outfit for the day.

What struck me the most was not her beauty, but the way she had been involving Naty. It was both heart warming and worrying because I couldn’t understand why.

Giulia pulled me into a welcoming hug. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your sleep, sweetheart

“Not at all, ma’am,” I replied, trying to match her big smile..

“Giulia, please,” she corrected me.

“‘”Giulia”

“Now sit. You have to help me ear all this food. She guided me to a chair. I sat down and looked at the plate in front of me, filled with eggs, toast, fruits, and much more I wasn’t going to try and pronounce

My mouth watered at the sight, and I mentally kicked myself for having gone to the mall for food when I could’ve been eating this all along.

Liule Melody suddenly stood up, and grabbed Naty’s hand. “Come on, I want to show you some new paint Gian bought me

“I want to seel” Nary followed her new friend, leaving me alone with Giulia

“Careful, Melody!” Giulia called after her. “Don’t let that poor girl trip!”

Then she looked back at me with a grin. “Now we have some time to talk.”

Talk?

Talk about what I felt my palms turning sweaty Talking was never a good sign.

“Am 1 in trouble?” I asked, hesitantly.

“No” Giulia spoke. “I was wondering if I was in trouble since you haven’t come to visit me at all.”

“Oh, my bad,” I apologized. I just didn’t want to bother you. That’s all.”

Ever since my arrival, I had been trying to play it safe. For now, Giulia seemed kind, but I didn’t know whether it was sincere or just an act. Why would someone of her status be so cool about her son, the heir to the family business, planning to marry some maid.

“It’s okay,” Giulia beamed. “I heard you visited my favorite boutique? Some of the women who think they are my friends told me,” she giggled, covering her mouth. “They’re all very curious about you.”

“I did go there. There was this dress I wanted to buy for Naty,” I responded, purposely ignoring the part about the nosy people. As long as I ignored it, I could pretend like those stares didn’t happen.

“I really like Naty,” Giulia brushed her long dark waves to the side. “I hope you don’t mind her calling me grandma.”

“Not at all,” I reassured her. To be honest, I was worried, I worried about Naty becoming too attached, and I didn’t know for how long Alessio had been planning on keeping us here. It would only be a matter of time before we would had to return to our old lives.

my

“Also, I wouldn’t mind more grandchildren!” she continued. It has always been my dream to become a grandma, and by the way these sons of have been moving, I had expected about ten by now” she opened her arms, disappointed. “All these women walking these stairs, yet nothing, can you believe that

“No Ma’am–1 mean, Giulia,” I corrected myself, awkwardly playing with the fork and the food in front of me. “I can’t believe it.”

She had a point

Giulia leaned her chin in her hand as she quietly observed me. “You’re so soft–spoken, timid, humble, different from the brat my husband forced upon Alessio, or the women he usually goes for. But I like it.”

“Thank you, Ma Giulia”

12:03 PM

Chapter 21

“I do have to ask, what are your intentions with my son?” Our conversation turned into an investigation.

I pushed some food in my mouth, giving myself some time to think. I could either gush like my life depended on it, or give her a simple answer. “‘1 want to make him happy. That’s all.”

“Sure. I mean, I’m sure you can see past his grumpy personality, but it must also help that he is loaded, for you and your family, right?”

“M–My family?” I cackled, pointing a finger to myself. “I grew up without a dad, my mom never cared that much, neither do my siblings. I’ve been working for as long as I can remember, a–and I don’t mind working!” I ranted, right before apologizing. Tm sorry, I didn’t mean to

My apology was cut short by Giulia’s loud laughter. She popped a strawberry in her mouth and threw back her head. “Oh god, I love you!” She exclaimed, laughing even louder. “I c–can’t believe you’re a real person. It’s so fascinating, like I’m watching a movie or reading a book or something!”

I couldn’t figure out whether that was a compliment or an insult, but judging by her love confession from earlier, it couldn’t be the latter.

The information I just fed this woman about my family, was more than I had ever told Alessio

In other words, not a good idea.

“As you may know, my boy is like a tyrant, always trying to boss everyone around. A trait he got blessed with from Domenico”

“I can imagine,” the words left my mouth too easily

“Whatever happens, don’t let him walk over you–because if you do, he’ll do it for the rest of his life,” she warned me. “Alessio is the kind of person to treat others how he thinks they want to be treated.”

Giulia smiled proudly, “I showed Domenico what I was about from day one, and he has never raised his at me, tried to boss me around, and has never disrespected me, because I won’t allow him”

I nodded, taking in her words. I had already given Alessio too much power, he thought I was weak, he had already walked over me a few times too

many.

“It’s never too late to

o show a man his place, Giulia read my mind, tapping my hand. Unfortunately, it was too late for me

“Thank you for the advice.

“Anytime,” she winked. “By the way, I’m not going to push further on the subject of your parents, but I do hope you’ll come to me one day. I’m a nosy person, can’t help it”

Hopefully not dar nosy it could bring me into some serious trouble with Alessio. I appreciated her what appeared to be good hear, and gave her a

nod

She was too warm, too kind, nothing like I had expected, and certainly not the kind of person I would’ve thought to be Alessio’s mother.

As I was lost in my thoughts about Giulia, I felt a warm hand on my shoulder from behind. I turned around, seeing Dante smiling at me. “Are you trying to save her from my charming brother, advising her to run while she still can?” he joked, closing his eyes a bit

I hadn’t seen him since the announcement of the engagement. He had left with Alessio to handle whatever business, and because I was in no hurry to face him, I couldn’t have been more happy

He had been openly flirting with me, and I didn’t do much to stop him.

Just thinking about how that made me look when I was supposedly dating his brother made me want to smack myself.

I used to think he was annoying, but now, as I was looking up at him, I felt an instant sense of calmness in his presence. Unlike Alessio, Dante’s touch didn’t make me flinch, no—it was comforting. I wanted to believe that he wouldn’t do me any harm.

“Matter of fact, I’m trying to make her stay, because I like this one,” Giulia stood up with a chuckle. “I’m afraid I have to go. I have a manicure appointment, you should join me some time sweetheart.” she looked down at my hands.

As she walked away. I glanced down at my short, plain nails, wondering if her invitation was genuine or if she was hinting at something.

“Don’t even think about it” Dante spoke, smiling “How will you

u even wipe your with those 10–inch nails!”

“Same as you wipe yours, don’t worry about me,” I shot back, laughing.

“Ouch,” Dance clutched his heart dramatically, making me laugh even harder. If the criminal thing didn’t work out, he could always switch to acting

He sat down on Giulia’s seat, making himself comfortable. “Since you didn’t invite me to join you, I’ll invite myself.