The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 62

Alessio

The man gestured towards a young girl standing alone in front of a board, displaying her art. She looked lonely, and a sad smile was stuck on her face. There was no friend by her side, and everyone walked past her art.

"Sure, we'll take a look," the words left my mouth before I could truly think about it. The situation just looked fucked up, and despite me being an asshole, I did have somewhat of a sympathy for unfairly treated children.

I pulled Emily with me, and we made our way towards the girl's display. Instantly, she grew a big toothy grin on her face.

Emily knelt down to the girl's level and shook her hand.

"What is your name?"

"Lily," the girl replied.

Emily was quiet for a second, pushing a few strands of Lily's hair behind her ear. "I like your dress, Lily," she had her way of making people feel special. "What do you have to show us?"

The girl quickly reacted to Emily's question, giving her an explanation of her art while I stepped back and watched.

I ‘just relaxed and let her do her thing'—those were the same words she used in the car, and she was fucking good at doing her thing, whatever that thing was, so I let her.

It all came so naturally to Emily. Her glow, her kindness—and all of it was real. She didn't have to fake her interest like half the people in this room, including me—because it was genuine. It made me respect her even more.

That's my Emily.

"And what is this?" Emily asked, pointing to a painting.

"It's a bear," Lily explained, her eyes shining.

Emily turned to me with a grin. "Can you believe that? She painted your portrait."

I laughed because from her, I could take it. I was usually the one teasing her—I deserved it.

"Your work looks great, Lily," I joined the conversation. "I can't wait to see more of it in the future."

"Thank you, Sir!"

"No, don't thank me—"

"No, really," the dad, Derek, interrupted. "Thank you. Both of you," his expression softened.

People had different opinions about the Fanuccis, but once in a while, it was nice to get a smile.

"Our daughter got here on a scholarship provided by the Fanuccis. It's quite sad, but not one person has come to look at her work because we're from a simple working class family."

Naty stood beside her work, horrified, with Melody right beside her. They seEmilyed to be a big hit because a bunch of their classmates and parents surrounded thEmily. Although, I bet it probably had something to do with the Fanucci name. Again.

"Guys, this is the ugly brother and Naty's pretty Mommy I was telling you about," Melody couldn't last a second without bullying her older brother.

"Her mouth?" Emily whispered as we approached thEmily. "It's something."

I silently agreed. She was like a smaller girl version of Gian—but Melody gained extra points for being the cutest sister one could wish for.

Naty ran into Emily's arms to give her a hug, and then, to my surprise, she wrapped her arms around me as well.

"Thank you for coming," she sighed, looking up at me with those grateful brown eyes. "I thought you wouldn't come, but you did."

I had a hard time listening to her words because the way she had said it, the way she sounded too relieved, was not how it should be for a six-year old.

It made me think of that useless father of hers, and how many times he had broken her heart for her to assume that I wouldn't show up when I told her I would.

When Emily expressed that she needed a good father figure for Naty, I said I was aware, but at night, I was terrified. That thought haunted me because I realized I had to step up in ways I hadn't considered before. I wasn't there yet, not even close—but this could be a start.

As I brushed my hand through her hair, I made a promise to myself to always be there for her, no matter what. "I told you I'd come, I'm here. Always," I smiled back.

Emily leaned her head against my shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered.