15
Gianna aka Ria (18years)
“So, have you decided what you’re wearing to your prom?” Ishara shoved a handful of Cheetos in her mouth and chomped.
We stood in the kitchen of my home I shared with Zayne. Seven months ago after being proposed to, with a mug of coffee and with the blessings of Harsh, Bhavna, and Ishara as my witnesses, I married Gabriel Morrone...my Zayne in front of his witnesses, Sam, Kat, and Declan. This was the first time he’d traveled since we got married and because I’d never stayed alone before, Ishara was keeping me company until his return.
“Should I even be going to that dance?” I reached for the Cheetos and she snatched the bag away.
“Why the fuck not? You might’ve married the man of your dreams but you’re still a fucking senior.” More Cheetos and another chomp. She rolled her tongue around for a moment then parted her lips and flashed her Cheetos-covered teeth at me.
“Gross.” I smacked her hand and straightened. “I don’t want to feel weird when I arrive there with Zayne on my arm.”
Ishara shrugged. “Then don’t go.” She licked her fingers and came around the breakfast island. “You’re your own boss now. The only person that gets to make decisions for you is you and of course your gorgeous husband. And anyway, the focus of the prom will be on you and your hot date.” She winked.
As if he knew we were talking about him, my cell pinged.
Hey, baby girl. Almost done. Will probably be home early. Love you.
Ishara chuckled. “I love the way he makes you blush, Ria. What I wouldn’t give for some true love.”
I bit my bottom lip then glanced up from my phone. “I decided to tell him.”
Her brow creased. “About.”
“Who I really am and what my father did. All of it. My real name. Everything.” I wanted to tell him before he left but between him kissing me goodbye in the kitchen then taking me against the door, I never got a chance to.
Ishara leaned her elbows on the countertop, her smile soft. “Don’t you want to wait for your mom to contact you first?”
Shaking my head, I slid down onto a stool. “It’s not fair on him and I’m sure once I tell him the truth, he’ll understand.”
“And I don’t doubt that but your mom went through a lot of trouble to keep you hidden and for good reason. If you do this without checking in with her, there’s no telling what the repercussions might be.” She sighed then squeezed my arm lightly. “I know Zayne will protect you, my gut says wait for you mom. Ultimately, it’s your call, babe.”
The doorbell chimed and I jumped up with a squeal. “Oh, my God it’s Zayne. That’s what he meant by being home early.”
Laughing at my childish exuberance, Ishara gestured to the door. “Then go open it.”
I raced for the door, bumping the couch backrest in my hurry. “Hey, you’re back...” the words trailed off as I swung the door wide, the air collapsing in my throat “W-what...w-what,” I struggled to form a coherent sentence.
“Ciao, Gianna.”
I gaped at the man standing on my threshold, every instinct in me telling me to shut the door. Catching sight of the twenty or so black-suited men at his rear, I knew it would be futile. Even though I’d seen him last ten years ago, there was nothing dissimilar to the way he looked back then.
Cassius Mancini.
Same black hair oiled and swept back. Same handsome features except for the stern expression and crow’s feet edging his eyes and mouth. Same expensive black suit. The difference, he was a dad then. Now a stranger, a payment collector who’d sold his daughter. And my mother had warned me about speaking to strangers.
“What are you doing here?” I finally found my voice. “How did you find me?”
“Come now, child is that any way to greet your father. After all these years, I would’ve expected a little more excitement.” The smile he offered was neither congenial or arrogant until he spoke again, “I must say your mother did an excellent job of hiding you from me, she had me fooled for years, I almost believed some sick bastard had taken you,” and a full-blown smirk swathed his face.
His words poured a coldness through my bones I didn’t associate with my mother’s warmth. A sudden warning clanged at the back of my nape. I shivered, trying to calm the goosebumps invading my skin. “Where’s mom?” I stretched up onto the tips of my toes, craning my neck to look behind him. “She didn’t come?” I asked, surprised. How else would’ve he have known where to find me?
