Why Are They Here?!!

Katniss

"Come on, sweetie."

Giselle nodded, and I took her tiny hand as we stepped out of the apartment. But I froze instantly. Someone was already standing at our door.

"Oh my God! Mr. Corleone, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" I gasped, clutching my chest. He simply smiled, completely unfazed.

"Heading out?" His voice was calm, almost too casual for the way my heart was racing.

"Uncle! It’s the same uncle from yesterday," Giselle exclaimed, eyes wide with recognition.

"What brings you here so early?" I asked, trying to catch my breath and make sense of his sudden appearance.

He glanced at me briefly, then crouched down to Giselle’s level. "Good morning, Giselle. Did you sleep well?" His voice softened as he addressed her, his gaze kind and warm.

Giselle nodded shyly. "Yes, Uncle."

Yesterday, he’d introduced us to his family, as promised. Giselle had been hesitant at first, but now... now there was something different. They had connected in a way that seemed almost too easy, too fast.

"Good," he said, gently brushing his hand over her hair. I watched closely, reading the tension in Giselle’s stance. She still wasn’t fully comfortable. She smiled, but I knew she wasn’t ready to let her guard down.

"So, where are you off to?" Mr. Corleone asked, standing tall again, shifting the conversation effortlessly.

"Our monthly grocery run," I replied, keeping it brief, hoping to wrap this up and avoid any more awkwardness.

His eyes lit up as if I’d said something magical. "What a coincidence! Today’s my grocery day, too."

I blinked. "Your grocery day?" My disbelief was evident, but he just nodded with a grin.

"Yes. And since our schedules align, why don’t we shop together?" He sounded genuinely excited, like it was the best idea in the world. His eyes sparkled with a childlike enthusiasm.

I raised an eyebrow. "You do your own grocery shopping? Don’t you have people for that?" I asked, the absurdity of it not lost on me.

He awkwardly ruffled his hair, a rare hint of embarrassment crossing his face. "Maybe... but this month, I wanted to do it myself."

Before I could respond, he clapped his hands. "Well then, let’s not waste time. Let’s go!" His energy was infectious.

"Giselle, want me to carry you?" he asked with a gentle smile.

She shook her head quickly, flashing a proud grin. "No, Uncle. I’m strong! I want to walk!" she declared. Mr. Corleone chuckled, but I knew the truth—she was still nervous. Normally, she loved being carried.

"Alright then," I said, unable to resist his charm. Before I knew it, we were sliding into his sleek, luxurious, limited-edition car.

As we pulled up to the supermarket in the heart of the city, I could feel the stares. Whispers rippled through the crowd, eyes following us as we walked inside. Mr. Corleone was pushing the shopping cart with Giselle sitting inside it, while I walked beside them.

"Look at them! They’re like the perfect couple! So rich, so elegant... Oh my God, they’re straight out of a dream!"

I bit my lip, sneaking a glance at Mr. Corleone. He looked completely unfazed, as if this kind of attention was just another day for him. But for me, it was far from ordinary. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn’t help but question—was this really just a grocery trip?

“You’re right! And look at their child! They’re absolutely perfect!" Another whisper floated through the air.

“That man is so handsome—and such a good father! And the woman... she’s beautiful, so motherly!”

Mr. Corleone nudged my shoulder gently, snapping me out of my thoughts. I startled slightly.

"Yes, sir? Is something wrong?" I asked, turning to him.

"Did you hear what they were saying?" Mr. Corleone asked, raising an eyebrow and giving me a curious look.

"Ah, yes. I heard them," I replied, feeling a bit awkward as I spoke. But to my surprise, Mr. Corleone just smiled, looking rather pleased.

"Do you think we really look like a perfect couple? They said we seem like the ideal family," he remarked.

I could only respond with a polite smile. "Well, maybe that’s how they see it. But their judgment couldn’t be more wrong. There's no way we’re a couple, let alone a family," I said, voicing the thoughts in my head, because, well, it was the truth.

"Why do you say that? What they’re talking about could happen in the future. Sooner or later. Who knows?" he said lightly, with a steady gaze that made it seem like he was serious.

"Huh?" I was left speechless, my heart skipping a beat as his words sank in. I quickly looked away, trying to escape the intensity of his stare.

But that was a mistake. Looking ahead, my eyes widened in shock.

"Damn it! Why are they here?!"

To be continued...