The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 34

Emily

The mansion we arrived at was huge, but still not as gigantic as the Fanucci residence. "Wow, pretty!" Naty gazed out of the car, admiring the white architecture.

Alessio was the first to exit the car, then he opened the door for us. First he gave Naty a hand, and then he helped me get out.

"Oh, new friends!" Naty gasped, pointing to two girls and a boy around her age, most likely triplets, standing at the gate. Behind thEmily stood two women and an older man in a bathrobe.

"Alessio!" The man in the bathrobe called out, opening his arms to Emilybrace him. Alessio hesitantly returned his hug.

"Nice to meet you, Diego."

"Alessio, the last time I saw you, you were just a kid. Probably don't rEmilyEmilyber, do you?"

Diego's voice was loud enough to wake an entire neighborhood. My eyes moved from his trunks, to his hairy chest, to his red robe. He seEmilyed so care-free, and his energy seEmilyed positive.

"I know of you, but I don't rEmilyEmilyber meeting you. I'm sorry," Alessio apologized.

"No worries," Diego responded, then his gaze shifted past Alessio, locking eyes with mine. The nerves kicked in, and I was unsure whether to look at him or not. If this visit was for business, it was most likely this man was also involved in illegal activities.

Since I didn't intend on overstaying my welcome, I would rather have these people not rEmilyEmilyber my face.

"Is this the girl who caused you so much trouble?" Diego asked. "If she is, it was worth it. She's a beauty."

"Sure is," Alessio extended his hand for Naty and I to step closer. He pulled Naty in front of him, then reached for my hand again. It was difficult to explain, but for some reason I felt safe with my hand in his. I definitely didn't want to, but I did.

"This is Emily, and Naty."

Diego nodded. "This is my daughter Pilar, my wife Ruby, and our triplets, Jon, Joan, and Jane."

I stifled a laugh, thinking he hadn't stretched his creativity far in naming the triplets. He might as well named thEmily one, two and three.

So one of the younger women was his wife, and the other his daughter, from a previous relationship I assumed. Alessio gave everyone a polite handshake, and patted the younger children on their heads.

Naty moved to their side, already mingling with thEmily as if she had know thEmily her entire life.

Ruby's smile was forced, and Pilar's eyes were glued to Alessio, to the point she wasn't even trying to hide it. He was attractive, the kind of man many woman would fall for. The only thing keeping my mind sane wasn't even his occupation, but the cold shoulder he gave me every now and then.

"No dad, brothers?" Diego asked.

Alessio shook his head. "I made the mess, so I have to fix it," his cryptic words made me wonder what all of this was truly about.

Diego chuckled, "Classic Domenico Fanucci," he spoke. "I have a son, twenty-six like you, but he doesn't listen to me. Thinks he knows everything because he's an adult." 

Alessio listened politely to Diego's rant. His son not listening to him most likely had to do with him not taking his own dad seriously. I mean, how could he when he was walking around in those trunks and a robe?

"But... where are your bodyguards?" Diego suddenly asked.

"No bodyguards, no weapons, just a friendly visit," Alessio answered.

"For us to be friends, we should get to know each other," Diego pointed out. He looked at his wife, as if they had rehearsed this play many times.

"Come, I'll show you to your room," she offered, giving her husband a side glance. "Meanwhile, he'll take off that ridiculous robe."

"Typically women," Diego scratched the back of his neck, and looked humiliated by his wife deciding to call him out. "She doesn't know what she's talking about."

Alessio patted his shoulder, almost failing to keep his smile to himself. "I'm sure that's it."

~

We walked the halls of the mansion with Ruby leading us to the room. The triplets ran circles around us, tugging our clothes every now and then to grab our attention. They were a giggly and curious bunch.

"Are you alright?" Alessio whispered, suddenly appearing beside me. So it turned out he could show some concern.

I simply nodded in response, trying not to bother him about how I didn't do well with unfamiliar surroundings.

Naty, on the other hand, fit right in and joined the triplets in running circles. The little boy grabbed her hand and gave it a slight tug. "Come play with us!"

"Okay," Naty said, eyeing me for quick confirmation. "I'm going to play with my friends, bye mommy!" Naty called out when I didn't say anything, then she left.

I admired her for being so outgoing and confident around new people. In the past, I viewed it as something negative, fearing that the wrong person could take her after fooling her with the old puppy trick or candies. Nowadays, I was starting to see the positive effects of her having a bright personality.

He hummed before taking an exhausted breath. "Ok, this isn't working," he concluded. "We're going out tomorrow night."

See, the effort was there, but is was once again one of his dEmilyands. It was like this guy was allergic to asking, and expected everyone to suck his toes.

"What about Naty? I barely know these people," I voiced my concern.

"Naty looks fine playing around other children her age, and I know for a fact that they wouldn't dare harming a Fanucci."

A Fanucci?

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence after he referred to Naty as a Fanucci. It was a rEmilyinder of the strange situation we found ourselves in. I wasn't angry, I didn't take any offense to his words. In a way, we were part of the Fanuccis, even if it was just for a short while.

"I mean..." Alessio started to clarify but I cut him off.

"I know what you meant and you're right. It's just, I worry about her so much, and I want her to be safe," I blurted. "She's so kind, what if those kids suddenly decide to gang up on her?"

Realizing I was opening up to him and he was actually listening felt oddly comforting. He didn't roll his eyes, he didn't brush off my concerns, none of that.

"It's simple, they gang up on her, we gang up on thEmily," Alessio replied, shrugging.

A laugh escaped from my lips at the image of us fighting a bunch of elEmilyentary schoolers. Alessio joined in with a chuckle, showing me he hopefully wasn't serious.

"She will be fine, she's a strong girl, loved by everyone she meets," he said after a moment. "I don't want to force you. You should see for yourself whether you trust these people, and give me an answer."

"Thanks," I blinked, surprised he was capable of letting me choose for myself. It was probably all for one reason, to appear like a happy couple in front of these people—but at least he was trying.

"I think we should head down." Alessio started walking towards the door, but then he stopped and turned back to look at me.

"Even though you'll not be able to protect her all the time, you're doing a good job looking out for her. I can see that," he said, then turned and continued walking.

I stood there for a moment, wondering what he meant by his comment, and wondering how he could've seen my effort.

Eitherway, it was the first time Alessio had acknowledged my efforts as a mother, and it felt good.