Chapter 8

• Christian
• Christian looked at his best friend, Isobel and observed how she held a conversation with Marc and Johnny. To others Isobel seemed close to perfect, she was beautiful to look at, smart, educated, kind, and Christian could not disagree with that.
• In the past, Francesca had always been outspoken over how perfect Isobel would be for Christian. Isobel did not seem to mind that much, but those comments made Christian feel uncomfortable. It had not only been Francesca but a huge majority who thought the same, but for Christian that was a no-go. Anyone but Isobel.
• He did not liked her in that way and ignored the crush she had developed, although he did felt bad because she was hungry for his attention, and he took advantage of her. He made clear that he was wasn’t looking for a relationship, but Isobel didn’t cared and kept fighting for his attention in the hopes he would eventually change his mind.
• “Chris, what’s your take on this?” Marc had asked him. Christian who hadn’t paid any attention to the conversation blinked his eyes and shrug his shoulders. “They’re talking about their anime stuff again.” Johnny yawned, exhausted.
• Marc was Christian’s bodyguard, so being around Christian was his job—but for Johnny it was different. Johnny was Christian’s favorite cousin and probably the most sane one. The two had the same age and had been close ever since they were in diapers. “My take on this is the same as Johnny’s yawn, I don’t care,” Christian spoke, while Isobel stared at him with a dissappointed pout on her face.
• “While you think about your actions and how they keep on hurting me, I’ll take a look and see if I can help Emmanuella.” Isobel scoffed and got up from the couch before she stormed away.
• “Pretty sure that had a double meaning.” Marc laughed. Christian wasn’t stupid and felt it too, but there was nothing he could do about it, it was not his fault that his friends spoke about topics that did not interest him or that Isobel allowed herself to get used by him.
• His thoughts were interrupted by the notification on his phone. Lucio would be returning and as always had to be on top of everything.
• There were times where Lucio didn’t even know why he let Christian be in charge, but he had no choice. Christian was the best choice and a good leader, but most importantly, he had no desire to take over the business, which was exactly why his grandfather and Lucio, were convinced he was the beet choice.
• Lucio Lamberti who had unfortunately lost his eldest brother due to this life, had experienced how this business could break a family bond and did not want the same to happen to his sons.
• ‘Will be back by tomorrow morning, hope everything went well with the business and hope all the girls are healthy!’ Christian read and didn’t know how to reply. Everything went downwards when his old father learned how to send texts. He knew by mentioning all the girls his dad meant one in particular, which was Serena who was as sick as one could be.
• He did not know or cared why Lucio had taken an interest in the girl and figured it was due to her being so different from everyone else, but he had seen his dad angry before and was was aware Lucio was a man you did not want to cross. ‘Have a safe flight.’ Christian responded.
• “Marc, you know who Serena is, right?” Christian asked his friend who immediately nodded his head. “Yes, Squirrel. The girl who spilled champagne over Vincenzo and one of your lucky one-night stands,” Marc commented.
• “Yes, her,” Christian confirmed as he completely left out the final statement. After all, she was one of the many and nothing special.
• “I need you to keep a close eye on her until she gets better, I need you to follow her around no matter where she goes and make sure she doesn’t drop dead somewhere,” Christian ordered him.
• “Is there a reason why uncle is giving her all this special treatment because whenever we have meetings he mentions her name quite often, doesn’t he?” Johnny who tried his best to follow the conversation asked. “I don’t know and I don’t care, just don’t want to get him angry,” Christian explained and looked at Marc. “I’ll take care of it.” Marc spoke.
• Christian felt bad because she had to work in the state she was in, but he knew some of the girls could not miss their tips, especially since they had bills to pay. If Christian could’ve, he would’ve just given the girls in need a check, but he was well aware that it might’ve hurt their pride, especially if it had came from him.
• He felt awful whenever he walked through the hallways and noticed how people stopped what they were doing, just because they feared him. He did not want to be feared unless it was necessary but he knew he couldn’t help it, he was aware of his difficult and misunderstood personality, but there was nothing he could do about it. It was the way he was raised and it was what Lucio had taught him. Don’t fear others, let them fear you.
• Christian did not fear anyone other than his parents. He feared his father for the power he had and he feared his mother for her unwanted comments. Whether it was about which kind of cologne he was wearing or what kind of suit he was wearing, Francesca Lamberti was always on the lookout for any points she could disaprove of. She hardly complimented her, unless it was to brag to her friends about how handsome and successful all of her children were.
• The eldest, Gio, was twenty-seven years old and feared by many. He was a married man and had two daughters. Despite his harsh personality, he was dependable and determined to take care of everyone.
• Enzo was twenty-five years old, a trouble maker and a ladies’ man but could also be serious and was definitely not someone you could walk all over.
• And at last there were the twins, Stella and Mia. They were nineteen years old and just like Christian, very stubborn but also extremely wise, and were both in college.
• After Christian graduated from university and got his business degree, he had no time to rest and was immediately expected to take over his father’s business. It was what all the other families had chosen and most of all, it was what his father and grandfather had decided. When the time was right everything would be going to Christian.
• Christian did not mind and was prepared for this. Ever since a young age, he had experienced how Lucio brought him and his brothers along to important meetings and showed them the downside of this business. Lucio taught his sons everything his father had once taught him. He prepared them for what they should do to keep the business alive, how to let others fear them, how to hold a gun, how to throw a punch and even how to get rid of someone. Family comes first, regret and tears are for your pillows, were the words he spoke afterwards while wiping their tears.
• “I’m going to check up on Isobel, I think you really hurt her feelings. I’m not used to her being this quiet.” Marc announced and made his way to the kitchen. “So.” Johnny smiled.
• “Are you going to the annual family reunion next month?”
• As every year Francesca Lamberti organized a large family get-together. It was meant to be an event so the family could catch up but it was also a way for Francesca to brag about her glamorous life and Lucio.
• Francesca and Lucio had met each other in an old school way. Their parents had arranged a meeting and their marriage but luckily for both sides, they managed to get along.
• “I don’t know, I’ll see if I can make it.” Christian shrugged as he was not in the mood for a family reunion. He did not see the point in going considering he had heard the same questions every single year.
• “Are you afraid grandpa and grandma are going to ask you for grandchildren again?” Johnny laughed as he read his cousin’s mind. Christian was bothered and rolled his eyes.
• If there was anyone known to ask uncomfortable questions it would’ve been his grandparents, Francesco and Maria. He loved them both, especially his grandfather who throughout the years lost his cold reputation and turned into a kind family man, but that did not change the fact that Christian was not ready for their yearly interrogation.
• “I just don’t feel like going,” Christian spoke to get his cousin off his back, but he knew better than that and so did Johnny who wasn’t buying it. He chuckled and placed his hand on Christian’s shoulder. “You don’t feel like going?” Johnny mocked him.
• Even though Christian couldn’t appreciate people who disrespected him, it someway calmed his heart. It felt nice to be surrounded about people who did not treated him differently because of his status. He had a close, small circle of true friends and cherished them for treating him as a human being instead of a product.
• “Just go to their reunion.” Johnny pushed him. “Don’t forget grandpa and grandma are nearing their deaths.” He let out a laugh. It wasn’t supposed to be funny, but to Johnny who laughed at his own jokes a little too often it was. “You can always find a random girl, get married, become a dad...that’ll get them off your back for a while.”
• “I don’t have plans to get married and I also don’t have plans to become a dad, so I have no plans to show my face at the reunion.”