♥ Chapter 23♥

Enzo D'Angelo.


19:26 '' The Moretti residence'' The twins' room '' Italy.

I'm woken up when I feel a caressing hand running gently over my face. I open my eyes and see one of the twins, his smile lighting up the room.

''Who are you?'' I ask, still a little sleepy, which makes Luan smile even more. ''From your smile, you're Luan.'' I say, recognizing him by his familiar, warm expression.

He smiles even more.

''I'm not an idiot, my love,'' he replies, with an amused and affectionate tone.

''My love'' is a bit of a cliché,'' I say, causing him to smile even wider.

''But it suits you. '' he says, running his thumb gently over my right eye. The gesture is soft and comforting. ''You cried. '' he says, with a statement, not a question.

''It's all right,'' I reply, trying to soften the concern he expresses in his attentive gaze.

''The conversation with your mother wasn't so good?

''On the contrary, it was good,'' I say, sitting down on the bed with a relieved sigh. ''At first, the conversation was very tense, but then it got better.

'' I'm glad then. Are you and your mother getting along now?

''We always got on, but I didn't tell anyone,'' I explain. He nods, running his hand over my cheek again, as if to make sure I'm really okay.

“How do you feel now that you've told me what was bothering you?” he asks, with a curious and worried look on his face.

I let out a relieved sigh.

''I feel fine. For the first time, I don't feel a weight on my back; I'm a little lighter.'' I say, and he nods in agreement, visibly relieved.

''Yes, I can see in your expression that you're not frowning as much as you used to. '' he observes, and I grimace, which makes him laugh softly.

''Anyway, why did you wake me up, and where's Lucas?'' I ask, realizing that he's not in the room.

''I woke you up so you could get ready. Lucas and the others are downstairs, waiting for us to go to the salon.'' He explains, and I let out a resigned sigh.


''Where there will be a lot of people. '' I grumble, and he laughs softly, as if he finds the situation a little funny.

''Don't worry, there will be a place reserved just for the family. You can stay there with them.

'' All right. '' I accept, with a tone of resignation. I get out of bed and stretch, feeling my muscles relax. ''Give me fifteen minutes, and I'll be ready.

'' Right, I'll be downstairs waiting for you. '' he says, quickly giving me a kiss on the cheek and running out of the room with a contagious energy.

I nod lightly and go into the closet. The room is well lit, and the clothes are neatly organized. I take out a long-sleeved white blouse made of a light, cool fabric, ideal for the weather. The fabric slides smoothly between my fingers.

I also chose a pair of gray twill pants in a sober tone that go well with the blouse. The texture of the twill is soft and comfortable. Finally, I pick up a pair of white shoes, which sparkle in the light, completing the look in an elegant and discreet way.

With my clothes in hand, I head for the bathroom.

****


I go downstairs, already dressed, and see that everyone is ready.

''At last, Mr. Star. '' says Alex, with a wry tone. I roll my eyes at him.

''Forget me.' I reply, and the twins can't take their eyes off me. I make a sound with my throat, and they both just smile.

''Well, since Enzo's here, let's get going. '' says their father, his arm around his wife's waist.

My parents approach me.

''Enzo, you can walk us to the car. Melissa can go with you,'' says my father, Dante, and I don't understand why.

My father, Elijah, puts his hand on my back and guides me out.

''I didn't do anything wrong. '' I say defensively.

''We know that, we just want to talk. '' says my father, Dante.

I nod with a certain insecurity, look to the side, and see the twins watching me. They smile gently. I get into the car and soon see the other cars leaving.

''Sorry, Enzo,'' says my father, Dante, and I don't understand.

''Sorry for what?'' I ask, confused.

''We followed you into the bedroom and heard everything,'' he explains. I lower my head, looking at my shoes.

''We're proud of you, Enzo,'' says Elijah. ''Even though we've never shown it, we're proud of the young man you've become and the man you're becoming.

'' Yes, we always judged you because we didn't understand why you were constantly expelled. We thought you did it for fun, not to defend us,'' says Dante as he drives away.

''Then we apologize, son.'' They both say it in unison.

I smile slightly at that.

''There's no reason to apologize. It was always my fault for not explaining the reason for the expulsions. I didn't want to appear weak to you, being bullied and never reacting. As the son of two mobsters, I didn't want to be seen as a coward, so I thought I'd use pranks to scare you.

''And you've really overcome that. '' says Elijah, laughing slightly.

I smile.

''Enzo, if these kids are crossing the line with you, we can leave.'' says Dante, seriously. ''We don't want you to suffer. Friend or not, if Christopher's sons hurt you, the alliance we have is gone.'' He says it firmly.

''Dad, you don't have to do this because of me. You've been friends since before I was born,'' I say, worried about the situation.

''My brother is right, son,'' confirms Elijah. ''You're our son, and he's a friend. The most important thing for us is family. If their children cross the line with you, the alliance is over,'' he says, also seriously.

I let out a sigh.

''All right, but I hope it doesn't come to that,'' I say, and they both remain silent.