Female Novel
Chapter 213
Chapter 213
“Siena, what did mommy get herself into?”
I waited for an answer, but all I saw were the same bright eyes full of curiosity staring back into mine. Itseemed to be some kind of routine and I could only wait for the day she would finally be able to reply.Perhaps she could give me some good advice. “That’s right. You can’t talk yet.”
It was the morning of the photoshoot, and we had all changed into the clothing which Lucio hadprovided for us. This would most likely be his last big family get-together, and it was a big day for him,but all I could think about was my ridiculous behavior.
I just went and had to tell Beau everything, while it easily could’ve been prevented. How did I evenexpect Beau to show up and behave as if nothing happened after telling him that Christian lied to him?Wasn’t that unfair of me?
“I’m so sorry, Siena.” I brushed my finger through her hair. “I’m so sorry for being…me.”
Siena’s babbles were enough confirmation that she probably agreed with me. I was a drama queenwho had been doing way too much, and it was time for me to take a step back.
“How do I look?” Christian walked out of the closet. I picked up Siena from the bed and made my waytowards him. “You look handsome. You look like a prince.”
“You just couldn’t be any more sarcastic.” Christian joked. He was right, though. I wanted to be happy,but it was hard considering the turns my stomach was making. I was worried sick, and all I wanted wasto disappear.
I really took it too far this time.
“You look gorgeous, and so does Siena.” Christian complimented us. He seemed genuinely happy ashe started playing with Siena, and I did not want to ruin his day. One way to save me would’ve beentelling him the truth, but I couldn’t bring it upon myself.
“Your dad has great taste.” I told Christian. He moved his attention onto me and ruffled his handthrough my hair. “He does. He put his all into this.”
He put his all into this…
“Don’t touch my hair. I don’t want you to mess it up.” I changed the subject. I felt guilty enough, and hedidn’t have to make it worse. “Oh, you’re already finished with your hair?” Christian mocked me. “Itlooks the same as yesterday.”
The fact that he could joke around with me meant that on a scale from one to ten, his happinessmust’ve been at a ten at the moment. We had a good time yesterday, and I did not want to damage ourrelationship even more than I had already done.
“Are you sure Luca is coming?” I asked. I didn’t want him to see that something was wrong, so I waswilling to discuss every subject necessary.
“Johnny told me he is. Luca might hate all of us, but he loves my dad.”
Well, that plan had also backfired. I felt uncomfortable by just hearing his name, but I had brought thatupon myself. Christian noticed the dismayed look on my face and reached for my hand. “I’m sorry, Ithought I’d take care of Johnny after the photoshoot and all-
“It’s fine. I never forbid you from talking to him. I interrupted him. He must’ve thought I was angrybecause I didn’t want him talking to Johnny, but that was not the case. That was never the case in thefirst place.
All I wanted was to protect my family, the family I never had.
“So, how are Carmen and Luke?” Christian asked. Whenever he said their names, he would get aguilty look on his face which proved to me that he knew some things were unfairly handled. But could Ireally blame him, when he had nothing to do with it?
“Carmen didn’t even send me a picture of her dress, so nothing has changed.” I sighed. I felt sorry for alot of things, but not for my thoughts about the situation. My opinion was still the same.
Christian nodded. “I think we should make our way downstairs. Johnny and Mare will be here soon.”
“J-johnny?” I stuttered. I knew he had requested for Beau, Isobel, and Marc to be here so we could allgo together, but I had not expected him to invite Johnny.
What could even go wrong with Beau and Johnny in the same room?
“Yes, Serena-he’s still part of my family, and I can’t shut him out,” Christian spoke, irritated. There wasno point in arguing, so I was not going to discuss it. All I could do was agree to his decision.
“Sure, let’s go.”
Christian grabbed Siena and held her in his arms while we made our way downstairs. “Do you thinkIsobel and Beau are here already?” I wondered.
My question got answered by the loud tone of Isobel’s voice. “There you have your answer.” Christianchuckled. “Her voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard.”
They were here earlier than Johnny, so that was a good thing. Perhaps I could talk to my brother andbeg him to forget about everything.
What was I even on about? It was my fault, and now I had to deal with the consequences.
“Are you okay?” Christian asked. My behavior was off, and anyone could notice that. I wasn’t good athiding my feelings, and I felt scared and anxious. “I’m good.”
I felt even more nervous at the suspicious look on Christian’s face and did not want him to ask me whyI was behaving so weird.
“Christian, please tell me why we have to do this again?” Isobel called out his name as we arriveddownstairs. It was a good thing she was here because if anyone knew how to keep a conversationgoing, it
had to be her.
“Because you and Beau are engaged, so you’re family…I guess,” I told her. At times it felt like shematched the Alfonzo’s and the Lamberti’s more than I ever could because nothing scared me morethan being in a room with those two families. One was my family and the other one was about to be myfamily, but it was still a lot to get used to.
My eyes searched for Beau, who stood back with a stoned expression on his face. If there were onething I liked about his friendship with Christian, it would’ve been how the two often greeted each otheras if they hadn’t seen each other the day before-but this time, it was different. No hug, no smile, nounnecessary insult, nothing.
“It seems like not everyone is excited.” Christian laughed. It was a good thing he did not realize whatwas truly going on. “Ignore him.” Isobel giggled.
All I wanted was to pull Beau away, so I could tell him to relax, but before that could even happen, wegot interrupted by a familiar voice. “Johnny-there you are!”
My eyes turned big as I looked from Johnny to Beau. While Johnny seemed calm, Beau looked pissed,and I did not know how things would play out. Johnny smiled at Christian. “You’re in a good mood
today. It doesn’t happen very often.”
down
“I am.” Christian spoke as he looked down at Siena. No matter what, I would not ruin this special day.
“Serena, it’s good to see you.”
I looked up at Johnny and tried to control my expression. If we were in the kitchen, I would’ve stabbedhim to death for having the audacity to smile at me.
I mean, would I really?
The smile on Johnny’s face looked warm and sincere, just like the times I used to work at the club.Besides. Enzo and Lucio, he was the only Lamberti who used to walk with a smile on his face.
It made me realize just how much of an idiot I was being. Johnny was like a puppy, and that day at thewarehouse, he just snapped. It was too much to handle with his dad, and all he wanted was to helpChristian. All he wanted was to get rid of his dad and Luca, so Christian didn’t have to go through all ofthis. He had once told me that Christian was not only his cousin, but also his best friend. Could I reallyblame him for protecting his best friend?
“H-hi.” I smiled at Johnny. Behaving like a normal human-being was something I wasn’t that very goodat! “Did you guys have a good vacation?”
“Yes, nice!” Isobel took over the conversation. The two started talking while I was in a trance andlooked at the smiles on their faces. I felt an uncomfortable pit in my stomach and stood closer toChristian.
Maybe I was jealous?
Maybe that was the reason why I unintentionally tried to ruin his bond with his cousin?
I mean, let’s face it. Isobel betrayed everyone, and even then, she got along with all of them, includingCesca, and then you had me. I tried my hardest to fit in, came from a well-respected family, carried aLamberti, was engaged to Christian-but all of that didn’t matter. I still didn’t fit in.novelbin
“Look at my little brother. He looks nice-doesn’t he?”
I snapped myself out of my trance and focused my attention on Johnny, who involved Beau in theconversation. He was so innocent that he didn’t even know what the problem was.
Did I agree with his actions? No, of course not-he still tried to sacrifice my siblings, but I had to admit-1did feel sorry for him. It almost reminded me of Vince who had lost himself for a short while.
Beau scoffed and walked past Johnny, who stopped him in the process. He placed his hand on hisshoulder. “Are you okay?”
“Far from okay, and I’m not your little brother, I’m not Luca.” Beau bumped his shoulder as he walked
past.
“Beau!” Johnny called out, confused, but he was already gone. My eyes automatically moved toChristian, who seemed just as confused as Johnny. Would he find out?
“Well, damn.” Johnny chuckled. “Isobel, what did you do to him?”
Isobel rolled her eyes. “Why does it have to be me? He’s been like that since yesterday.” Shecomplained. “He even gave me an attitude, and he never gives me an attitude. Usually he does not doa thing whenever I yell at him-but this time he yelled back. Can you believe it?”
“Hmm, I wonder why. Maybe he’s preparing himself to break up with you.” Johnny joked as the twowalked off. I made my way towards the door as I only had one goal, and that was to find Beau, so Icould tell him to forget about yesterday.
“Serena?” Christian spoke. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes before I turned around to facehim. “Yes?”
There was an awkward silence and he stared into my eyes as if he was waiting for me to tell him thetruth. Was he onto me?
“Did you tell him?”