Cara's POV Continued

Cara's POV

Adonis's grandfather released a deep questioning rumble.

"He's not?"

With a glance at Adonis, I confirmed.

"He's not. But among everyone that I've ever been with, he's the only one I'd like to spend the rest of my life with. He might be strong-headed, stubborn, and adamant, but he wants the best for me. That is enough for me." 

I shuffled closer to Adonis, resting my head on his arm in hopes that his grandfather bought my story. It wasn't all lies; Adonis was really those things, and he does want the best for me, even if it might be because he wants the best for himself.

Adonis's grandfather silently studied me for a minute. I felt Adonis pull me closer till I was practically sitting on his lap and his grandfather's already raised brow went higher. My face tingled with a warm feeling, blushing a bright pink. 

"Stop shuffling about; be bold!" I felt him breathe down my ear.

Turning to meet his gaze, he nodded in encouragement. That was the push I needed for the nervous feeling within me to disappear. I felt a surge of courage go through me as I took Adonis's large palm in mine, sitting up straight.

"You might not be satisfied with my answer, sir, but it's the truth. To you, he is the best grandson, but to me, he's the only man I can trust with my life—that's who Alessandro is to me." 

The reply I got wasn't one I expected.

The grim, bitter look dropped from his face, and he gave me a big smile, extending his hand for a handshake. 

"Welcome to the family. I'm Dimitri Bernardi. Adonis's grandfather."

At this point, I became confused. What was it with these people and their sudden change of attitude? One moment, their eyes are blazing with fury, and the next, they're smiling like they had no care in the world.

Could this be attributed to their mafia training? 

I felt a small squeeze of my hand and looked up to see Adonis staring at me expectantly. 

"Did you say something?"

"Nonno asked for your name."

"Oh, sorry, I apologize, sir. My name's Cara Camila Rodriguez." I introduced.

He waved me off.

"No dear. You don't need to be so formal. You're family now; call me Nonno. I'm so happy to meet you, and I would've met you sooner if Alessandro here had introduced you to me." 

I gave an awkward smile.

"It's not his fault. I wasn't ready." 

"But you are now?"

"Yes."

Not by choice, but what the old man doesn't know would not hurt him.

He hummed.

"That's good. It's such perfect timing for him. With everything that's going on in the family and his coronation being a few days away. There couldn't have been a better time. Is a week from now okay with you?" 

My stomach churned with an unsettling feeling. 

Coronation? What coronation?

Making a mental note to address that later, I spoke

"I'm fine with any day you decide on. I just need the next two days to myself. I have to hold a funeral for my father and settle into things fully. I feel I might be a little overwhelmed by the activities if I don't cut out time to take it all in." 

"You recently lost your father?"

"Just yesterday."

"Mio Dio. My condolences. You can have as much time as you need; the wedding can wait! Let me know when you pick a date for the funeral. I'd like to also pay my respect." 

I opened my mouth to tell him that pushing back the wedding date wasn't necessary, but Adonis beat me to it.

"No."

Dimitri gave him a disappointed look.

"No what?"

"We're not pushing the wedding back. Adjusting the wedding date would also mean pushing back the coronation date. I have a lot of things planned out, and I would not ruin my plans over a factor we can control." 

"Adonis. Show some respect! It's your father-in-law's funeral we are talking about." 

"I know, but he's dead, isn't he? Let's have the funeral and get it over with." Adonis finalised.

I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from speaking out in anger. My jaws clenched tightly together at Adonis's blatant disrespect. 

This was my father we were talking about. The man whose death he played a major factor in. 

I took in a deep breath.

Maybe it was for the best. I also had things to put in place, and holding off the wedding would only drag out time. 

"I agree with him. This is something we've both discussed, and we think it's best not to drag it out. My father would want the wedding to go on also." I lied through my teeth.

Dimitri's face held a pitiful look as he took my hand in his. He gave it a small pat.

"Are you sure, dear? It's not my grandson projecting his wants on you?"

"No. Adonis might be strong-headed, but I'm also resilient. It's what I want." 

"Okay." He smiled. "If you say so. I'll have Nadia put everything into order. She'll come over the day after tomorrow to go through the wedding planning with you. Today's a Thursday, so I'm thinking next week, Friday." 

"Nadia?"

"Sorry. You haven't met her yet. She used to be Adonis's nanny, but she stays in my home now."

I smiled at the thought of a woman chasing little Adonis about. 

"That'll be fine."

"Why not Monday?" 

Adonis and I both replied at the same time. I turned to him, slipping off his lap and back to his side.

"Monday? Seriously? Who holds a wedding on Monday?"

"I don't care. The sooner we have this wedding, the sooner I can get this over with."

I folded my arm to my chest, disagreement written all over me.

"Well, I care! And I feel Friday would work just fine." 

"You must have forgotten. It's not your duty to make the choices, but—

He trailed off, suddenly remembering we had company. Giving me a look that said, 'You're in luck this time around', he resigned to his fate.

"Fine. Saturday it is. Luca's fiance would be back by then, so she can also help you out. You can have your friend over too." 

"Thank you," I responded sincerely, and Dimitri spoke up.

"Now that we've concluded, can we go downstairs so you can tell more about how you met my troublesome grandson over lunch?" 

My eyes drifted to Adonis's.

Oh boy!

****

Italian Vocabulary

Mio Dio means My God.