Mena
I had been running around, trying to make sure everything was perfect for Domenico and Giulia’s arrival. The mansion was decorated with Giulia’s favorite flowers, pink roses, there was a buffet, and the entire family had gathered.
We all stood on the porch, waiting for their car to pull up. Apparently, it was some kind of family tradition to welcome someone back in this grand manner. Alessio did say it was only because the people loved free food, because soon after, they would all scatter back to their daily routines.
Alessio stood beside me, his arm wrapped around my waist. He had already looked down at his watch several times, his impatience growing.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you hate your parents,” I commented.
“I hate waiting,” he muttered back. “I still need to take care of a few more things today.”
I couldn’t blame him for being this stressed. He would leave tomorrow in the early morning, and not just him but many others who had forcefully been gathered here.
“I’m excited to meet Giulia. I heard she’s just as fashionable as I am. I hope she likes me,” Pilar practically bounced on her toes.
Alessio looked at her sideways, “Don’t worry, the two of you will get along just fine.”
It was supposed to be an attack toward both Pilar and Giulia, but Pilar was so happy she hadn’t noticed. However, I did and could not hold back a small laugh.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a car made its way past the gates.
“It was about time,” Alessio spoke. Then he called out to everyone, “Smile, pretend like you’re happy to see them!”
Glancing around, I saw everyone putting on their best smiles as they began to cheer on Alessio’s command. The situation was almost comical, and it made me wonder what was wrong with these people. Personally, I didn’t mind them coming back.
The car stopped, and Domenico and Giulia stepped out to a warm welcome. People immediately rushed toward the pair to greet them.
“Should we…” I turned to Alessio, but he shook his head.
“No, they’ll stay busy for a while.”
We hung back, watching the scene unfold from a distance. Dante scooped up Melody in his arms and held Naty’s hand. “Come on, let’s greet your Grandma and Grandpa,” he told her as he led them to the front.
The crowd immediately created a path for them, and when they did-Domenico grabbed the children and hugged them. A smile appeared on my face, watching how he didn’t leave out my daughter, and neither did Giulia.
Domenico’s eyes searched for us through the crowd, and when he did, he gave us a wave. Alessio and I waved back in unison.
“Your dad is even more handsome in person,” Pilar spoke.
Alessio smiled proudly at Pilar, “That’s a good thing. They say we look alike.”
“In that case, I’ll take it back.”
The two chuckled at one another. Ever since that night in the basement, they had been going at it, but it wasn’t half as bad as her exchanges with Gian.
As the crowd around Giulia and Domenico began to thin out, Alessio grabbed both of our hands and guided us to his parents.
“Ha, Alessio!” Domenico called out. “I see you decided to follow your Uncle’s footsteps and take a mistress!”
“What Uncle?” Alessio called back.
“My dad and his fucked-up humor,” he sighed, explaining to the both of us. “Don’t take him seriously. You’ll get used to it.”
“I know,” Pilar answered, unfazed. “My dad is the same.”
Domenico opened his arms to me, and I ran into his embrace. His hug felt warm and safe, one I had always been unable to feel around my mom or my siblings.
“It’s good to see you, Jimena.”
“I didn’t expect to see you back this quick.”
Domenico shrugged casually as he let go of me. “It’s just to cut off some heads, and then I’ll be on my way again.”
“O-Okay,” I mustered, still not used to these kinds of conversations being a regular thing within this family.
Giulia’s embrace was just as warm as Domenico’s. “You look so beautiful,” she pouted, holding my hands with a grateful smile.
“You too,” I replied.
Alessio also greeted his parents, his affection for his mom showing a bit more than it did for his dad. She got a tight hug and a kiss, he got a simple pat on the shoulder and an eye-roll. It was like a part of him was happy to see him, but just that small part-nothing more.
“It’s really nice to meet you two,” Pilar jumped in .
“It’s nice to have you here,” Domenico greeted. “Diego’s daughter is always welcome.”
“Yes, indeed,” Giulia squinted her eyes, looking her up and down. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“From who?” Pilar’s tone was a bit too defensive.
“Gian,” Giulia confessed. “He couldn’t stop talking about you… but you’re quite the opposite of how he described you. You look just fine!”
A loud laugh erupted from between my lips at the thought of Gian describing her as the worst and ugliest monster he had ever met in his entire life. Probably anything to make himself believe that he wasn’t totally obsessed with her to the point he felt the need to discuss it with his mom.
Pilar linked her arm with Giulia’s as they began to walk, “I would like to hear what your son had to say about me.”
Domenico slapped his fist on Alessio’s back, and they also began walking. “Tell me what you’ve done so far with my business.”
I followed behind, hearing Alessio huff in annoyance. “You mean the business you gave to me?”
~
Spending most of the day catching up was no problem for me, and I had fun, but I did feel a bit empty knowing I could’ve used that time to spend it with Alessio.
A while into the celebration, he had already left with some of the guys to take care of a few business matters. Now it was late at night, only hours before we would be parting ways, and that time was spent with him packing his suitcases.
I sat on the bed, scrolling through my phone to pick out a movie while Alessio was in the closet for God knows how long. The only thing that made me stop was when I heard his speak, but he wasn’t talking to me-he was on the phone.
There was one problem. I could clearly hear a woman’s voice on the other line.