I fiddled with my fingers, suffering within, the uneasiness their gazes were giving me.
Lord, this is one big family.
And I am the stranger here.
"Evelyn," Mario's voice almost made me flinch as I looked in his direction. He got on his feet and gestured me over.
"Come," he said, taking out a seat for me.
I walked towards him, ignoring the various eyes on me.
I think I have to greet, right?
Show good manners, Eve. You are in their house!
"Good....good morning, everyone," I stuttered as I sat on my seat and Mario took his seat right next to me, which is my left side.
There is one unfamiliar person I haven't seen before seated here. I guess he is the remaining members of the family.
"How was your night, dear?" A blonde woman I remember to be Mimi's mum asked. She is seated opposite Mario and Mimi is seated next to her and opposite me. Next to Mimi was an unfamiliar blond man that looked around our age but might be older.
He flickered his eyes at me but focused on his meal. Next to him are Mario's two friends. I can't remember their names.
"It was good, thank you," I said, forcing a smile.
I heard a familiar scoff, making me look in the direction next to Mimi's mum.
It was Mario's mother. Aunt Candela, as Mimi called her.
"Of course her night was good. The rooms in this mansion are filled with expensive and comfortable beds which some people don't deserve to sleep on actually," she said, eating her meal nonchalantly.
I felt hurt after hearing that.
"Mum," Mario called.
"Yes, honey?" She asked nonchalantly.
Mario heaved a sigh.
As if they were called, my eyes moved to the head seat and I locked them with the Don.
My heart raced instantly but I lowered my gaze.
A maid placed my meal in front of me.
It was pancakes, eggs and bacon with orange juice.
My heart tightened as I recalled having the same meal at my house before going to school yesterday morning.
Suppressing my tears, I thanked the maid and reached to pick up my cutlery, but I sensed Mario leaning closer to me.
"Taste the pancakes, they are delicious," he said.
I gave him a tiny smile as I picked up a portion of the pancakes with my fork and took it in.
He is right.
It is really delicious.
"How is it?" He asked.
I let out a slight involuntary moan, nodding afterward as I looked at Mario.
I saw a dazed look on his face, but it was instantly replaced with a smile.
I heard his father clear his throat, making me glance at him. He is focused on his food.
"Uh, good, right?" Mario asked.
I nodded. "Yeah,"
"My aunt made it. She is an excellent cook." he said, gesturing at his aunt, who was smiling.
"Oh don't flatter me, Mario. I just made them the way pancakes are supposed to be made." She said.
"Exactly. You are exceptional," Mario complimented.
"Indeed," the man seated next to Mario and close to his father spoke for the first time, eating his meal happily.
"See? Even uncle Dante knows that," Mario said.
"I doubt that," his aunt said.
"Accept the compliment, mum. You deserve it," Mimi said, chuckling.
"Of course she does," Mario supported.
"Well, I am...."
"Can we just have a peaceful breakfast?" Mario's mum retorted, silencing everyone.
"Thank you," she said, muttering something in Italian under her breath.
I guess. I mean, we are in Milan. They must be Italians. The language is familiar.
My eyes moved to the person next to her.
Mario's father.
He is focused on his food, not minding us.
I was right. He is a man of few words.
I lowered my gaze but stole a glance at him and took in his attire this morning.
He is more gorgeous than last night. Mostly thanks to the way he is eating with those tattoo-filled hands that could do other things too other than eat..... Okay, he is wearing a white shirt with a few buttons left open, exposing his.....
"So, Mario, honey," Mario's mother called, snapping me off my criminal thoughts.
I lowered my gaze on my meal, moving my fork on it.
Yes. Criminal.
I was checking out someone's husband.
Her husband.
"Yes, mum?" Mario answered.
"When is your friend leaving?" She asked, making me freeze.
I flickered my eyes at her. She is sipping her orange juice nonchalantly and looking our way, waiting for an answer.
The drop-clicking sound of Mario's cutlery caught my attention.
"Why? Why so quick to kick her out?" He asked, sounding angry.
"Honey, I am not kicking her out. I am just asking...."
"That's what you are doing. You are clearly kicking her out." He retorted "Why are you being heartless?" He asked.
She let out a scoff of disbelief. "Mario..."
"I literally told you that her parents were killed, and their house was burnt down. Some bastards almost killed her, but the boys and I saved her. She has no one else out there.
"So you are who she has now?" She chirped.
Mario scoffed. "Yes, I am the one she has now."
I poured all my uneasiness on the fork I was clenching.
They are literally arguing because of me.
"For goodness' sake, honey, you don't even know her," she said.
"I do know her. She is my schoolmate," he said.
She scoffed. "That's not enough, sweetheart. And certainly not enough to bring her, a total stranger, into our home."
"Candela," that husky voice placed me on the edge.
"No, Adrian. Don't do that. Not now. Our son has to understand that what he is doing is STUPID," Candela mouthed the last word, throwing a scowl at me.
I dropped my gaze.
"With all due respect, aunt Candela, don't call what I am doing stupid," Mario warned harshly, making everyone freeze.
It was like he just dropped a bomb on the table.
Did he just call his mum, aunt?
Candela is the most surprised. She has her hand on her chest, hurt at Mario's harsh words.
The Don is just there, sipping from his glass nonchalantly.
He isn't bothered at all.
Others are bothered a bit. At least her sister is.
"Wow, nephew. That's a bomb," Dante said amusingly while chewing his food.
Wait, isn't Candela Mario's mother?
"Mario, what is with you?" Mimi's mother whispered.
"Nothing. Just that aunt Candela here, decided to be annoying as always," Mario said, looking at his mum.
"That's enough, Mario." That husky voice spoke up, sounding very commanding.
I am off the edge again.
Mario kept calm.
"Apologize to your mother," the Don ordered, leaving no room for a protest.
There was a slight silence.
"Don't keep me waiting," the Don ordered calmly, making me look his way. His gaze is on his meal.
His mouth chewing his meal.
"I am sorry," Mario said. Like he forced himself.
Candela pushed back her seat. "Excuse me," she said and walked away before anyone could say anything.
"Candela," Mimi's mother called.
Candela kept walking away.
"You shouldn't have said that, Mario. She is really hurt." Mimi's mother said.
Mario sucked his teeth slightly, looking away.
"Excuse me, Adrian," She said, making me look at him.
He nodded slightly as his eyes moved to mine. My heart raced instantly, making me drop my gaze as Mimi's mother pushed back her seat and got on her feet before walking away.
"Mum," Mimi called, but her mother didn't respond.
Mimi shook her head and focused on her meal.
Wow. I just got into this house, and I am already destroying their peace.
I seriously didn't bargain for this.
I need to talk to Mario about leaving. I don't want to be the reason for their misunderstandings.
"Are you okay?" Mario asked, making me look at him.
I nodded. I flickered my eyes at the Don. He is looking at me.
I lowered my gaze.
"Are you sure?" Mario asked.
"Yes,"
He placed his hand on mine and I almost flinched.
"Don't worry, soon we will be on our way to your place to search for a clue like I promised." He said, smiling at me.
I smiled slightly.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but we are going for the warehouse operation, remember?" The man next to Mimi asked.
Mario hit his temples with his palm slightly, letting out a sigh.
"I totally forgot that," he said.
"And after that, we have a job to run outside town," one of Mario's friends said.
"Right," Mario said, sounding disappointed.
"What's the problem?" The Don asked calmly. His voice could scare away birds or little children even.
It makes me want to go down on my knees.
It is so husky.
This is definitely how Lyric described Ace's voice to be like in my book. Deep, husky and very sexy.
Sexy indeed.
I don't think there is any other sound that could match her description. This is the exact sound.
"I totally forgot about our job today and I promised Evelyn that I would take her to her place to check for clues to trace those bastards and then take her shopping afterward." Mario explained, looking at me with a smile.
I gave a nervous smile.
"The job is more important," the man next to Mimi said, making me look at him.
"Carlos is right, son," The Don said, sipping his wine.
God, he is very composed and reserved. You would think he is a robot.
But no.
He is a man of few words who looks composed and deliciously dangerous.
What is wrong with me?
"I know, dad," Mario said.
"Your little friend can wait, can't she?" The Don asked, making me glance at him.
His eyes are on me.
Oh boy.
I lowered my gaze. One gaze at him and my heart has gone a thousand kilometers already.
"I guess so." Mario said, squeezing my hand gently. "But hey, why don't you take her instead?"
I froze. Wha.....what?
"Seriously?" Dante asked.
"Yeah, dad is free today. Plus, I know he wouldn't want to put up with aunt Candela's nagging today." Mario teased.
Mimi let out a chuckle, making Mario chuckle as well.
My eyes moved to the Don.
His eyes were on me, but they moved to Mario.
"What makes you think I would want to take your friend to wherever you said?"
I lowered my gaze, feeling hurt by that.
"I thought you might want an adventure or something. It's been a while since you stepped out, dad."
"Hmm, well, I have an office here and a son who will be taking over from me soon. You have a lot to learn. I don't need any silly adventures." The Don said, sipping his drink.
I dropped my gaze, still feeling hurt.
Uh....no need to rush.
I am not in a hurry.
"However," the Don said, making me look at him.
"Is she ready to go now?" He asked, looking at me.
My heart raced again.
"I guess she is," Mario said, looking at me.
"Let's go,"
Huh?