Stupid stupid girl.Do I even have the right to feel this way? We just had sex, it was just sex, it's not like we're a real married couple.No matter how many reasons I find, I can't seem to find one to justify the way I'm feeling now. Perhaps it's the feeling of being an idiot, I came all this way to have his breakfast delivered, like a doting wife.I've overstepped my boundaries, fine, do whatever you want Liam. This means I can do whatever I want to as well, I mean…it always has.Fuck this, I'll just visit my mom, she recently had surgery, she'll need some fruits to strengthen her immune system.I bought a fruit basket on my way to the hospital, I had it wrapped and customized with a note attached to it.I don't miss the smile on her face when she sees me. She looks pale and has lost a lot of weight, her head is covered with a chemo hat.She has a rosary in her hand, her caretaker is by her side arranging a few things, I have Liam to thank for that.But we're not thinking about him
"Fuck." I mutter and push Serena off me, I want to wipe that smug look off her face.I rub my face in frustration, of all people to be in a misunderstood situation with, it just had to be Serena fucking Moretti, and she's having fun with this."Won't you go after her?" she teases."Leave, now." I barkShe toys around my desk "I'll be back soon Liam dear." she grins with satisfaction.I'm too bothered with the fact that this bothers me more than it should. The look on Emma's face can't leave my mind, and now, I stare at the flask she dropped. I haven't opened the food yet.James comes by to remind me of my meeting in fifteen minutes, I assure him I'll be on time.Should I call her? Am I overthinking this? It was just a kiss on the neck, after all, she probably isn't too affected by this and I'm here losing my mind.How foolish of me to think that even for a split second, she might be…jealous.I open the flask, it's french toast, with some eggs by the side, and bacon. She tried to plate
Adelina."A teenager in our home for a month? I'm sorry but can't you keep her with mother?" Liam bites his steak angrily."My sister is…" Enzo clears his throat "…scary." Fair point."No." Liam says "And your wife's relatives?"He's overreacting. "I don't think it's a bad idea." I butt him.He looks at me, welcoming my challenge. "You'll take care of her?""Take care? She's a teenager, not a toddler, how hard can it be? Besides, it's only for a month, don't be such a puss." I offer a sweet, sarcastic smile and sip my wine."It's settled then, I am so grateful." Enzo grins."Nothing's settled." Liam is talking to Enzo but his eyes are glued on me. "We have to draw up some terms.""Terms? What do you think this is? Some sort of business contract?" I scoff."If you have a problem…" he turns to his uncle "…then Adelina can stay with her mother's relatives.""No no. They talk too much, I'll just have her in the same situation I'm trying to avoid. I don't want her to be affected by her Ma'
"I have a date planned for you, and you have no choice but to show up." Mother says.She interrupts my afternoon with this disturbing news and my patience is running thin."No, thanks. I won't cheat on my wife.""To hell with that lame excuse." She clicks her foot. "If Serena isn't to your taste, then you'll need someone better.""Given up on your favorite already? Ouch." I biteShe ignores my statement and continues, "Odette Morel, daughter of the French diplomat, is a perfect fit, her father is willing to ignore your careless mistake of a marriage."She has to be kidding me, "Forget it. Don't waste their time further.""This is an opportunity men would kill for. Can't you see the extent to which I am prepared to go? For the sake of this family? For the sake of our stronghold? Can't you see the sacrifices I make?!"Yes, I am well aware of how far you can go. I am constantly reminded of the evil, dirty things you have trampled under your foot, my trauma is built on your 'sacrifices'.
"Don't you have any friends? All you do is mope around and stick your nose in those unrealistic novels, ugh!"I just looked at Adelina, unsure what to say to her, why are kids these days too loud?"And you, do you normally say EVERYTHING on your mind?" I bite back, call me petty, I don't care."It's a talent, I just say what's on everyone's mind, and I also know when to shut up, most people these days don't," she says with so much sass."No, you don't, you're interrupting our quiet time," Liam speaks, looking up from his book."Hmph," she glares at her cousin. "You both are home on the weekend, no friends, doing nothing fun, but reading, you suit each other."I gasp at her outrage and look to Liam for help, they both possess the same trait of stubbornness after all, why do I have to be dragged into this?"You have no friends either, because if you did, then you wouldn't be here bothering us," Liam says.I smile at his response, I'm enjoying this."I DO have friends," she waves her pho
Dinner time is here and Emma still isn't here, could I have gone too far? She left rather abruptly.With one bite, I can't help but look out at the door, now I'm stuck with this gremlin who can't put her phone down for a second.She laughs at TikTok videos and sings along to almost every video that plays, it's annoying.She's too similar to her father, and how I miss my peace."Miss her?" she asks and I turn to her.She has a playful, teasing look on her face and I hate it I'm never having kids."Who?" I play dumb, keeping my expression plain."Who?" she mocks my voice "Who else? Your mom? Emma duh."No one talks to me like that, I don't care if she's a kid, she's too sharp-mouthed."Mind yourself," I warn.She shrugs, "Call her then, she's late after all."Maybe the kid is right, she's a Caruso now, staying out too late may pose some threats to her, and, as her husband there should be some concern from my side.After giving it some thought, I decide not to call her, "Call her yoursel
I'm a tad too excited to meet Natasha, we've been delaying our meeting for weeks now, and I'm itching to hear what she has to say.Maybe that's why I'm here already and I stand up from my seat when I see her approach me."Hey!" she greets, pushing some of her blonde curls out of her face, "Sorry, I kept you waiting," she pants."It's fine, I'm happy you can meet with me.""And," she sits down and places her bag on the table, "I'm sorry we've been delaying this, it's been a rough couple of weeks, Antonio's getting married, and his fiancee wants something a bit grand, it's been a hassle."The big scary guy is getting married? Who's the lady who managed to tame him down?It's like Natasha read my mind because she says, "He's not so scary you know, his fiancee, Gia, she's a sweetheart and he adores her, he can do anything for her."I chuckle nervously and nod, good for them I guess."I hope that after all this, we can reunite, as a proper family and you and Antonio can have a proper intro
"How many times must I visit you Liam?" my mother asks, her legs crossed, hair slicked to the side, and her red bottoms visible.She means business."Till you're tired and give up," I say uninterested, hoping she'd leave."You fucked up your date with Odette, the diplomat is furious," she expresses."He can hop on a plane back to France then, I'm sure there are many monsieurs glad to take her hand," the only way to play against Mother is to beat her at her sass game.It's impossible, but I must try."LIAM MICHAEL CARUSO!" She thunders."I have real work to do, and you're interrupting me Ma," I tell her."I, your mother am not satisfied with the way you've been living lately.""And, what do you mean by that?" I ask, knowing the answer."Liam. Why can't you understand that I only want the best for you? You'll realize it when you start seeing the benefits. A good partner…wife, will open the right doors for you and give you more influence," she sighs."Emma is a good wife," I reply"Oh he