Chapter 58

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Hey guys. I'm back. I'm sorry I couldn't reply to any of you. But thanks for the wishes.
My grandma passed away in her sleep, four days ago. We're all doing well so far, because we were kinda prepared for it. I'm just happy she got a peaceful death and didn't have to suffer.
Love you all.
💕💕

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"We're going to Italy!!" Nathan screamed, jumping on my bed, while I turned in my desk chair, looking at him ridiculously.

I don't think I heard him right.

Ryder and Tyler entered my room, whistles in their mouths, while they used a pan as a drum.

"You can't be serious!!" I exclaimed, standing up.

"Oh bless your forgetful soul." Ryder said. "We're not. I'm Ryder. This is my twin, Tyler. That's your twin, Nathan."

"Shut up." I said, punching his shoulder. "I can't believe it."

We all sat down on my bed in a circle planning a conspiracy.

"We're going for the ball." Tyler started. "Long ago, our family started it. Every year, people gather and celebrate."

"Then why aren't we organising it here?" I asked.

"Because we do not organise it. The other Romanos do." Nathan said. "Grandpa's older brother, Leonardo is the one who handles the Mafia in Italy. Grandpa moved here and started from scratch, building the mafia to what it is today."

"Wow." I said. "So we're gonna meet our second cousins now?"

"Yeah. I'm not looking forward to it though." Tyler said, scrunching up his face. "We hate that family. But who cares. You're with us now, so it'll be more fun."

"I'm so excited." I said, bouncing in my seat.

Just then, Luciano came barging in the room.

"What was all that drumming for?" He asked, but stopped when he saw us sitting in a circle.

"What are you planning?" He asked, making some space for himself and joining us.

Ryder told him about the Ball in Italy and how we were leaving the day after tomorrow.

Luca groaned.
"I don't want to see those bitches." He said.

"How many cousins do we have?" I asked.

"Grandpa's younger brother Marcello has two sons, the older one has five sons and two daughters, the younger one has two sons and two daughters. We don't get along well." Ryder shrugged.

"We don't get along at all." Luca corrected.

"Okay. What about the older one? Grandpa's older brother, I mean." I asked.

"He's a bastard. Thinks he's superior than Grandpa and that the great Antonio Romano should follow his orders." Luciano ranted, before actually answering my question. "He doesn't have kids, because he killed his wife after two years of marriage."

My eyes widened.
"Why?" I asked.

"He suspected she was cheating on him when he saw her hugging another man, who was actually her distant relative. He killed her before she gave him an explanation and found out later after her death." Nathan explained.

"Bastard was bragging and joking about it at the last ball two years ago." Luciano gritted.

"He is exactly what Luciano said." I said.

"A bastard." Luciano said, nodding.

"Now the important part." Nathan said, gaining everyone's attention. "Since the Mafia world doesn't know about you, you're going to be officially introduced as the Mafia Princess."

"Aren't the granddaughters of Grandpa's younger brother, the princesses?" I asked. They shook their heads.

"You're the Italian Mafia Princess. They're the Sicilian Mafia Princesses. You're more special, because Dad is the Capo. Grandpa's younger Brother's older son is involved in the mafia, his younger son is not. He is in fact, just a businessman. Everything Legal. He just attends the Ball every two years, otherwise he never gets involved with the Mafia." Ryder explained. "Grandpa's older brother handles the mafia, but he's not willing to hand it over to any of his younger brother's grandsons."

"Okay. So what should I wear?" I asked.

"Something formal." Nathan said, in a duh tone.

"I'm really going to break their jaw this time, if any of them try to start shit with me." Luciano said, cracking his knuckles.

"What's stopping you?" I asked, frowning.

"Everyone. Because it may start a war. It would be shameful for two Mafias to fight, when they belong to the same family." He said. I pouted.

No fun.

"Let's go have dinner." Nathan said, as we all got up and went downstairs, still making plans as to what we'd do when we reach there.

Dinner went peacefully with everyone mostly happy about the trip and the ball, rather than annoyed by the fact that they had to see those female dogs again.

"So, we're all excited and happy for the trip but.." Dad started, making sure he had our attention. "No fighting. I don't want any of you to be involved in any kind of hand-to-hand fight." He sent a pointed look towards Luca, who ignored it skilfully.

"If someone is bothering you, walk away, don't lower yourself to their level and start an argument. Got it?" He asked.

"Yes, Dad." We all said in a chorus, already bored with the lecture.

"Do not disrespect anyone there. I won't be responsible for the bullets in your head or broken bones, if they decide to be lenient." Dad said, obviously joking at the second part. Just the disrespect part was serious.

I looked at Nathan, who looked amused like everyone else.

"Vice versa. They can't touch you either, because that will start a war. They can't even touch any of us in a disrespectful way, let alone hit us or shoot us. Not even the Capo there." He explained.

"Alright. That's all. We're gonna have fun." Dad said, happy about the trip. I smiled at him. I love it when he's so happy. Dad looked at me and furrowed his eyebrows.

I was sitting closest to him. He was at the head of the table. Elonzo sat across from me.

"What?" He asked, smiling lovingly.

"You look so happy." I shrugged.
He wasn't born there, nor did he grow up there. Maybe it just had something to do with his Italian blood or maybe memories he made there.

"My Mom's grave is there." He said, his voice barely above a whisper. He smiled longingly.

Oh. That's cute.

"Can I pay her a visit too?" I asked.

"Dad already planned on introducing you to her, personally." He chuckled. "He'll take you with him."

"Cool." I said, excited.

Grandpa once showed me a picture of Grandma. God! Was she beautiful. She looked like she could get any guy with just a snap of her fingers, but she fell for Grandpa. Can't blame her. He's perfect.

I think I forgot to say this, but I'm so trucking excited.

_________

Fam
_________

David:
I'm so excited.

Xavier:
Who asked!?

Daniel:
Back off, Xavier.

James:
Kids. Stop fighting and start packing. You D-shits are always late.
*D-trips.

Me:
I know for a fact that wasn't a mistake. Lmbo.

James:
Here comes the smart one.

Diego:
Wow, Evvie. You change sides, real quick.

Me:
Anyways, I'm so excited!!! I can't put enough exclamation marks.

"Evvie." Someone called out.

"Huh?" I asked, looking up.

"I said, you're to stay by our side all the time. By our, I mean any of the family members. Brothers, Uncles, Aunts, Me or Grandpa. You can't trust any of our relatives in Italy. Okay?" Dad asked.

"Okay." I nodded.

He handed me a credit card next.
"Go shopping to buy something Formal." He said, handing me the credit card. I nodded.

"Can I get some pastries too?" I asked, gesturing to the card, although I doubt pastries would make a difference.

"Do you really think you need to ask that?" He asked, smiling. "Buy anything you want, as long as it isn't something wrong."

"Okay." I said, putting the card in my pocket.

"Oh! I forgot." Dad said, turning to Luciano. "If I find you trying to do what I caught you doing last time, you'll regret it."

"What did he do?" I whispered, nudging Nathan.

"He was about to go inside a room alone with a chick he didn't know, to do the unholy stuff." Nathan whispered back. "He ran into Dad on the way. Good for him."

"Okay." Luciano grumbled. I stifled a laugh.

"He's a truckboy. What's the difference if he does it there?" I asked, confused.

Is he allergic to Italian unholy stuff?

"They may have been assassins or may have HIV or something. He didn't even know her. Here he does those things with the girls from school. He knows them." He explained.

Ew. Gross. Someone sanitise him then drown him in holy water.

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"I don't know!!" I whined, as Nathan and Diego held the two 'outfits' of one kind. David and Daniel held the two 'outfits' of the other kind.

"So what should we do?" Max asked.

All of them were accompanying me to shopping. The girls were busy shopping at some other store, where I forced them to go. I dont want them to waste their time on me, while I sulk.

I can't decide what to wear!

"I don't know. Just leave these. I'm not sure what I want to wear." I pouted, feeling sad with the situation.

"Okay. We can take a break and go eat while you clear your head and lift up your mood." Diego said, smiling. I nodded.

The pretty lady, who is the owner of this boutique, still smiled sweetly.
"Let me know, if you decide." She handed me her card.

"Of course. Thank you." I said, before following the guys out.

"Don't be sad, Evvie." David said, putting his arm around my shoulders. "I'm sure something will catch your eye."

I nodded. Nathan looked me worriedly, then exchanged a look with Zack, who then looked at me again.

"What?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. They shook their heads and continued walking.

Suddenly, Zack grabbed my upper arm and pulled me away from there and towards I don't know where.

"What are you doing?" I hissed. My protest, almost coming out as a whine.

We reached a beautiful balcony type place. He released his grip and lifted me up to make me sit on the tall counter type thingy, so we were now face to face. He stood between my legs, hands on either sides, before sighing.

"What's the matter?" He asked, his voice coming out softer than I expected.

I shook my head.
"Nothing."

"Do you want to wear a suit or a dress?" He asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I don't know." I whined, putting my head on his shoulder.

Yes. Nathan and Diego were showing two dresses each, while David and Daniel had two suits in their hands.

"Something is bothering you." He pushed.

"I just want to wear my usual clothes." I mumbled, not picking my head up from his shoulder. He is to blame. He wrapped his arms around me, making it impossible for me to even move, fearing I might have to un-hug him.

"But you were so excited to buy something pretty for the ball." He said. I could hear the confusion in his words.

"I know. But then I saw them and-" I stopped and bit my tongue.

"And?" He said, then somehow knew I wasn't going to say anything. "You want to wear baggy clothes?"

I nodded.

"And the suits are like hugging your body?" He said, piecing it together. "And the dresses have tight enough upper bodies?"

I just stayed still, not nodding, not shaking my head. Perfectly still. I was actually stunned into silence at how easily he came to that conclusion.

"You're self conscious." He muttered next, with an emotion I couldn't put a finger on. I could hear the disbelief in his tone, considering I'm the one being cheeky about being pretty.

I could feel the tears of frustration gathering in my eyes, both from the fact it was so obvious and the fact that I couldn't choose anything.

"You don't wear dresses because of self-consciousness and not because of your liking." He said, a sigh leaving his mouth.

This time I nodded. It was exactly that.

"Alright, look at me, nerdy." He said, softly, pushing my shoulders lightly.

I lifted my head up, but didn't look into his eyes. I felt his hand grab my jaw, before he placed a soft kiss on my lips. I looked up at him, wide-eyed and red-faced.

"Now that I have your attention." He smiled cheekily, before asking a question that caught me off guard.

"Have you ever seen someone and felt your breathing stop?" He asked, but didn't wait for an answer. "Like your heart rate sped up and you can just hear your heartbeat and nothing else?"

I shook my head. I doubt if people ever feel like that. Maybe he's just being cheesy.

"Of course not." He said, softly. He took both of my hands in his. "Believe me when I say this, Nerdy. But when I saw you in that dress and the one you wore at Halloween, I felt the same. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise. As I said before, you look handsome in tomboyish outfits and beautiful in dresses. Always pretty."

"I don't know if I say this enough, but you're beautiful in every way imaginable. You don't have to be so self-conscious about your body. You don't have to put up that tough front you put while giving cheeky remarks. Its okay if you feel bad about your body but it's not okay to keep it inside and dwell upon it."

I just nodded, looking down.

"You're beautiful, no matter what you wear, okay? You don't have to make us believe that you're never doubting yourself. I don't trust that 'I know I'm beautiful' kind of remarks anymore." He said, running his fingers through my hair, before wrapping his arms around me again. I closed my eyes and hugged him back. He kept his chin on my head.

I don't doubt myself. I'm just not as confident in dresses as I'm in what I usually wear. I just feel conscious when it isn't something oversized.

'That's exactly what self-consciousness is, idiot.' The voice in my head, said in a duh tone.

"You really feel that way or you were just trying to be cheesy?" I asked, chuckling a little. Trucker learnt how to be dramatic from me.

"You'll know when you feel it, while looking at someone. Hopefully, that someone is me." He said, like the cheeky monkey he is.

"Nah. It won't be you." I replied. We both laughed, before just enjoying the silence for some time.

It would most definitely be him, if I could even feel that.

"Okay. Let's go." He said, after a while. I got up and followed him like a lost puppy. I don't know what the truck he is thinking.

"Where are we going?" I asked. He stopped for a moment to grab my hand in his and began walking again.

He walked back into the boutique. The lady greeted us again, with a bright smile. Zack nodded at her and led me somewhere.

"What about this one?" Zack asked. "Just take one Dress and one Suit. Wear whatever you feel like wearing when the time comes."

"I already told you. I don't know." I said, shrugging. He started looking for something else.

"I may help you out here, Ma'am." The lady said, gaining our attention. Zack turned to look at her, just as I did.

"We have an exclusive collection, if you will let me." She said, softly, looking at me.

Poor her. The guys didn't let her help me, cuz they thought with six of them with me, I won't really need it.

"Okay." I said, smiling. "Thank you."

She started walking as we followed her.There was a staircase at the back, those wide stylish stairs, with beautiful golden railing.

As soon as we reached the upper part, my jaw dropped. I squinted my eyes. It was so bright, with all the lighting and the shining dresses.

I found Zack already moving forward and searching for something. Something that will catch his eye.

I followed him and watched him look around, while looking extremely hot for some reason.

His eyebrows were furrowed and  a small pout on his face.

Suddenly he sped up and started walking in a particular direction.

"This one." He said, turning towards me for confirmation. I shrugged nonchalantly, like I didn't care, which was an act. Because I couldn't take my eyes off the dress he chose.

He's got some taste.

"We will buy this one." He said to the lady, who nodded, smiling sweetly at me.

"Do you want to try it on?" She asked. Zack looked at me before shaking his head.

"Alright. It will be delivered by today evening." She said, leading us back to the downstairs part.

"Can you show us the best three-piece suits you have?" He asked.

"Sure. Please follow me." She said, as she turned in a direction. I just held Zack's hand and followed them.

Again, the same scene happened. Zack looked around at the suits displayed, before he picked up the best one in his eyes and asked her to have that sent too.

I paid using the card Dad gave me. This boutique was indeed too expensive for my liking. But Zack has a point when he said there'd be no difference to Dad's money.

"Where have you been and what have you been doing?" David said, glaring at Zack, as soon as he saw us walk over to their table.

Before Zack could respond.
"Ew. We don't wanna know." Diego said, shutting him up.

"Are you Okay?" Nathan asked, as soon as I took a seat beside him. I nodded, melting into the side hug he gave me.

"We bought a ball gown and a three piece suit." Zack told them.

"Great." Max said, smiling at me. "You're gonna kill some Italians there."

"Are you gonna ask Kate to the ball?" I smirked. At this, his eyes widened before he dropped his gaze to his food.

"No. Why would I?" He mumbled, his ears turning red.

The guys chuckled, looking at his flustered state.
"Stop pretending, Max. We're all your friends."

"Ugh. No. I'm not gonna ask her. She's just not getting the hints." He said, in a whisper, so just I would hear.

"Oh? You're not ready to tell her yet." I stated. He nodded.
I dropped the subject there. It's his choice, of course.

"Okay." I said, nodding a little.

My phone rang.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Did you buy something?" Jenna asked.

"Yes, I did." I said, taking a bite.

"Great. We'll be there a day before the Ball. We will help you get ready." She said. I nodded.

"Okay."

I have about a week before the ball. We're going early. By we, I mean, all of Grandpa's offsprings and their families.

"Are you guys still shopping?" I asked.

"Yeah." She said, while telling something to someone in the background.

"Did you eat?" I asked.

"We will. Don't worry." She said, dismissively.

"Make sure you do." I said, before hanging up.

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I'm still laughing at that D-shits joke. I laughed for an eternity when I wrote it. Idk what's wrong with me.
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