CHAPTER Seven

The sweet smell of the gazpacho soup emanating from the kitchen left both the kids and Antonio gasping for breath, Wasn't Irene just the perfect cook . The soup was a local delicacy Irene’s mom prepared for them on special occasions, a soup made majorly of tomatoes. Irene prepared it with all the love she had for her mom's cooking. She really missed those good old days.She wondered when she would be able to go home.

“Dress up Tommy, Grandma and Grandpa will be here soon”. Isabella yelled as she ran her brush down her long curly hair

“Okay what are you kids up to”. Antiono said as he grabbed Tommy's petite suit,he helped Tommy wear his suit which fitted in perfectly.

“You look just like a prince charming my good man”. Antiono said as he stared proudly at Tommy. Tommy was just like him when he was his age , with the same brown eyes and curly hair.

Isabella, almost done with her hair, ran to her daddy to zip up her dress, Irene came in with her shoes as she helped her fit into it .

“I can handle that,go get dressed”. Antiono said, giving Irene a kiss on the forehead.

Few minutes later the kids and Antonio were seated in the living room, watching the TV channel, Irene coming down from the stairs in a simple evening dress ,the gown cascaded elegantly to the floor , delicate chiffon flowed from the fitted waist ,the fabric billowing with each graceful step. The rich , burgundy hue accentuated Irene’s fair complexion , intricate lace detailing along the neckline added a touch of romance , while the plunging back revealed just a tantalizing glimpse of bare skin.

As Irene moved ,the dress seemed to dance around her body ,every subtle movement captivating the eye. To Antiono this was no ordinary evening gown ,but a stunning work of art that captivated the eye , he spent little on that dress and it was giving the whole world. She was indeed beautiful.

“You look beautiful ”. Isabella said as she ran over to Irene,she gave her a warm hug and a rose flower. Tommy couldn't stand his sister being the first to do that so he began crying, Irene hugged him and gave him a kiss.

Antonio looked lostly at Irene, he held her hand and whispered something into her ears ,she blushed immediately.

“The Fit is perfect for you my love”.Antiono said as he kissed Irene on her hand . Irene smiled at him ,she released herself from his grip and took her seat .She felt good and confident at least for now.

Antonio in a men's blazer suit made him look very captivating,Irene couldn't help it, she stared continuously at Antonio during the whole meal.

Antiono's parents,Mr and Mrs Rasemela were very much like their son in appearance, Antiono had his mom's sparkling eye and nose, and also his dad's huge statue , Antonio being taller with two inches . The only noticeable difference was the way his parents spoke with so much pride in their tone, a bit of Spanish and affluent modernized English.They were happy to see their grandkids after a very long time .

“Who's she?”. Antiono's mum asked as she made a screeching sound with her fork in an attempt to clench a piece of meat .

“Mom, Dad ,this is my girlfriend Irene”. Antiono said as he smiled at Irene.

“Girlfriend?, really,I didn't know you would have a girlfriend after all that happened”. Antonio's mum said as she dropped her fork and stared at her son.

“Where are you from dear?”. Antiono's dad said as he gave Irene his first observation since he came into the house.

Irene's heart now racing like a horse couldn't assimilate what was really going on,she didn't know if she wanted this or if she should just leave,but she loved Antonio and the kids,she was doing this for them.

“Alhaurinel Grande here in Spain,sir”. Irene said as she held in her breath.

Antiono's mum left out a short laugh as she stared unbelievably at Irene.

“Alhaurin Grande?,what makes you think that my son Antiono Rasemela is your type, or do you think this is a kind of charity organization that lends money to the poor huh ?”.

The words stroke Irene like a bomb shell that's been waiting to explode,her greatest fear about this meeting has finally escalated. She slowly bent her head at the bench as she stared at the floor.

“Mom please stop that, I won't let you make her feel like that, I don't think it matters where she comes from, besides she is a nice person,and i love her”. Antonio said as he spoke to his mom angrily.

“Son you stop this minute, we are the Rasemela’s and our blood would never run on a lowlife like her , she isn't worthy to belong here.” Antiono's dad said as he hit his hands hard on the table.

Irene felt devastated,she felt heartbroken,why would her poor family background always be the reason people didn't like her,she rose up from the large table, bowed her head low as she walked out of the dining room, she went into the bedroom, she shut the door and began sobbing.

Antonio was so enraged that he left the dining room angrily,he went after Irene who had now shut the door.He didn't want this,he didn't want the girl who had brought so much happiness to him to feel this way.

“Irene please let me in”. He said as he stirred the door handle.

With no response after about a few minutes of pleading,he went downstairs back to the living room. His parents, done with the meal, were now watching a TV channel with their grandkids who were now sleeping.

“Antonio my sweet heart where have you been all this while?, come”. His mom said as she gave out her hands for her son.

Antonio feeling really stressed out, ignored his mom ,he reached for Isabella and Tommy,he carried them both into their room. He sat down at the floor leading to Irene's bedroom as he stared at thin air, he heaved a deep sigh as he spoke.

“I love you Irene”. He said as he kept silent for a few seconds.

“It doesn't matter who is against it ,but am not ready to ever give up on this love”. Antonio said as he let out a deep sigh

Irene unlocked the door,as she stared up at Antiono who was now standing. Was she ever going to get tired of this handsome billionaire,she didn't think so .

Antiono held her by the hand,as he led her back to his parents. Mr and Mrs Rasemela were shocked at what they saw .

“Mum, Dad, this is Irene,the love of my life, whatever you think of her this minute doesn't matter anymore because I am ready to spend the rest of my life with her”.

Antiono's mum got enraged,she stood up and stared angrily at Irene,who was now scared.

“What on earth have you done to my son”. She yelled out loudly.

Antiono not moving an inch stared at his mom. His dad stood up to face him

“Antiono I demand a stop to this nonsense right now,I won't sit here and watch you disrespect us like that”.

They stood silence for a long period of seconds.

“If I can't have her, my life won't be complete,she has brought so much peace and happiness to me and also the kids, she's a nice person I can promise you that”. Antonio said as he looked at his parents with a distressed face.

His dad starring at Irene ,walked out of the living room towards the bedroom. Antiono's mum got up and followed after her husband.

Antonio heaving a deep sigh, looked down at Irene who was now sobbing,he hugged her passionately like he was never going to let go ,he hugged her like he was going to face the world for her sake.

“Promise me Irene , promise to stay by me no matter what happens, promise to not left go of this hands no matter what happens,am ready to fight for this love,stay by me please”. Antiono said as he drew her closer to his chest.