Chapter 119

“Serena, you have visitors!” My mom called from downstairs.

“Visitors? Who?” I asked Siena and waited for her to answer back. All she could do was babble and look around, and unfortunately the innocent baby had no idea about the mess we were in.

After hearing Daniela and the remaining musketeers voices, I planned to make a detour, but it was already too late.

“Serena! You haven’t called us at all, so we came to visit you.” Daniela smiled. Now that Christian and I weren’t together, there was no point in being kind to these girls. I was done playing nice, so one slip up. and they would follow in Gina’s footsteps.

I walked down the stairs with Siena in my hands and put a fake smile on my face. “That’s nice of you, all of you.” I smiled at the seven girls, with Daniela, Maddie, and Karina standing at the front.

“I told you, the moment we met you, we’ve claimed you as our sister. If Christian cheated on you, it means he cheated on all of us.” Daniela scoffed. She grabbed Siena from my arms and walked away while the others immediately followed like little chickens.

“Yes, that’s right-your daddy is a cheater, c-h-e-a-t-e-r!” She spoke to Siena, who could only giggle.

If she only knew what that meant. “Come on, let’s go to the backyard. It’s way too pretty outside to sit in your Toom the whole day.”

“If you insist.” I smiled and followed the girls outside. Don’t be shy. Tell us everything that happened.” Karina encouraged me.

I took a breath and let out all of my concerns. I was so put on not telling these girls anything and made them out to be demons, but they were the ones who listened to my story without interrupting me-and even though it came out of curiosity, it was still nice to know they cared.

I especially had a lot to say about Maddie, Marcello’s fiancée, but I knew that she was the one behind this, and for that, I was grateful.

“Don’t feel ashamed about the video. Gina had it coming for her-you got her good.” Karina nodded her head as all the other girls agreed.

“I can’t believe he threatened to take away Siena. That’s ridiculous. It’s a good thing you were able to get all of your things.” Daniela pouted at Siena, who leaned against her chest. “Siena is such a sweetheart, and she doesn’t deserve all of this.”

“No, she doesn’t.” I sighed. “Christian and I promised each other to give her a peaceful life, no matter what -but yet here we are.”

“I’m kind of sad. You and Christian were a power couple.” Karina mumbled. “I can’t believe we all used to have a crush on him. I thought he was a sweetheart!”

“He still is.” I defended him. My overall opinion on Christian had not changed. He was still a sweetheart, and he was my sweetheart-but his words and his actions confused me.

He was right. Since when have we ever let our families even get between us? But it was not my fault, though. It was his for threatening to take Siena away from me.

“You must still love him a lot, poor thing” One of the girls pouted while everyone glared at her. “I’ll be fine.” I huffed. The truth was I wasn’t, and all I was waiting for was another breakdown.

I was waiting for Siena to throw a fit late at night because she needed her daddy, and there was nothing I could do about it. “So, how do you feel about Dario?” Karina asked. “I mean if he’s going to help you out and all, you must trust him.”

“I do, but that’s it.” I made clear. The crush would always remain a crush, and that was how far I was willing to go. I appreciated his help, but going any further would only make the situation even worse.

“You don’t have to be loyal to Christian. You’re free to do whatever you want now,” Maddie shrugged her shoulders. “But you’re probably right. It won’t help your case, people will talk even more-

“Then let them talk!” Daniela interrupted her. “They’re already talking about the video. It can’t get any worse than that.”

“People talk?” I asked, flustered. I did not even know why I was so surprised, because I was prepared for it -but hearing the news made me anxious. “Yes.” Daniela confirmed.

“They’re calling you puta for hanging around Dario, the Alfonzo’s downfall, hoodrat, garbage, neighborhood thug-”

“Neighborhood thug?” I repeated Daniela’s words as I buried my face in my hands. It couldn’t get any worse than that. “They don’t like you anymore, because you put the situation out in the open.

They say you’re too dangerous and that you talk too much.”

“The funny thing is that no one is talking about Christian’s mistake. They’re only making fun of him for the video.” One of the girls spoke.

“That’s because he’s a man.” Daniela sighed. “Men get away with this kind of stuff because most women let them-and instead of standing together, they’re all turning against you, but we are not like that.” She scoffed. “He messes with one of us, he messes with all of us.”

Hearing about these double standards made my heart hurt. I was not the one who cheated, but other than the video-Christian did not have to suffer for his consequences, not even a bit. People gave him a pass for cheating, but they didn’t give me a pass for talking about it.

“Siena’s eyes are really gorgeous, but it’s a sad thing she has his eyes. I wouldn’t be able to look at them!” Karina commented while Maddie smacked her shoulder. “It’s her daughter. What else do you expect her to do?”

“They have baby sunglasses. I can buy her one.” Karina and Maddie bickered back and forth while my mind went to Christian. Karina was right, every time I looked into Siena’s eyes, I was reminded of Christian, but there nothing I could do about it. I had to live with it.

“Girls, I brought you some drinks!” My dad suddenly walked out with a tray in his hands. Matteo was known to say questionable things, but I loved him, and I knew he had the right intentions. All he wanted was for me to live a good life. I was aware of his obsession with his reputation and had often made him out to be selfish-but hearing he was still on my side despite people calling me ‘neighborhood thug or the family’s downfall made me feel guilty for every little thing I ever said about him.

“Thanks, dad.” I smiled at the bright look on his face. “Don’t thank me, I’m glad your friends stopped by- you deserve a break from all this madness.”

Right, a break. It wasn’t really a break if all we did was talk about Christian.

“You’re really kindhearted, sir-and Serena does deserve a break. She needs real friends around her.” Daniela smiled back. “Daniela Sala, isn’t it?” My dad asked and stuck out his hand, which she accepted.

“Yes, I’m sorry for all the stuff that happened with Isobel-but please know that my dad and my brother are working hard to restore the family name and to gain back everyone’s trust.” Daniela showed him her million-dollar smile while Matteo gushed at her kindness. “If Beau really wanted a Sala, he could’ve dated her. Don’t you think so, Serena?” He commented as he walked off “I’m sorry, but Beau is way too handsome to be with Isobel Maddie snickered while the other girls joined her. “Isobel is not an ugly girl” I defended her. I had a lot to say about Isobel, but when it came to her looks, I had nothing to add. She was gorgeous, and that was the very reason I used to see her as a threat.

“Ugly from the inside, just like Christian.” Daniela rolled her eyes. “I mean, look at the two of them?

It doesn’t matter how beautiful or how handsome you are. If you’re ugly from the inside, your looks don’t matter anymore.”

“Well, I support them.” I gave them my opinion. “If Beau is happy, I’ll support him.”

“Baby, no, she tried to kill you and her family disowned her.” Maddie gasped. “This is the exact issue with you and probably the reason why Christian can walk all over you,” Daniela commented. “You’re too kind and forgiving, and sometimes it gets on my nerves.”

“Right, that’s why we were so impressed with you beating up Gina. You seem to be holding back a lot. I don’t think it was only the cheating that made you angry.” Maddie concluded.

Maybe she was right. Perhaps it was because my feelings were all over the place. I never went there intending to hit her. I never went there to fight over a man, that’s for sure. I don’t even know why I went there. The biggest reason I wen there was because she made a fool out of me. That’s the only thing I knew.

“I don’t know, guys. I sighed. Hearing Christian held me back to protect my image and told Gina not to press charges changed many things, but it still hadn’t changed the fact that Christian’s family wanted to take my baby away from me. It was not happening.

“Most of our parents told us not to hang out with you because they’re not sure whether they stand with the Alfonzo’s or the Lamberti’s, but we came here anyway because we stand with our friend, Serena.” Karina smiled. Besides Maddie, who could not escape the Alfonzo’s, I already figured that to be the case.

“Thanks, it makes me happy,” I spoke sarcastically. “Don’t be like that. I came to give you advice on how to fight back against Christian and his family.” Daniela spoke.

I raised my head and looked at her to see if she was joking, but she wasn’t. This wasn’t supposed to be a fight. All I wanted was my daughter. “I don’t want to be on their bad side.”

“Letting him see Siena once a week? You already are.” Daniela laughed. I had nothing else to add as those words made me realize something. There was no turning back, but my decision was made, and I wouldn’t turn it back around. Maybe Christian didn’t mean anything he said, considering he was in a happy relationship with an Alfonzo for months, but the Lamberti’s were something else.

“So what do you think I should do?” I asked the girls. Maddie cleared her throat to get our attention.

“In case the Lamberti’s fight this the legal way-Christian will get the upper hand because they’ll bring up your stripper past and all, so for starters, the charity thing with Dario is a great idea. It will help you clean your image.” Maddie advised me.

“And your first step should be to apologize to Gina-”

“No” I stopped her from talking. This was where I would draw the line. “Just listen!” Maddie sighed.

“Your first step should be to apologize to Gina, so everyone knows you’re a civil person and not the neighborhood thug they want you to be,” Maddie explained. “Where do you even think those rumors.

came from?”

“I’m not telling you to forgive her, but you should apologize for beating her up-even if you don’t mean I took a deep breath and smacked my head against the wooden table. This couldn’t be true. She could not be serious, Gina started it. “Trust me. It’s the only way to clean your image-if you clean your image, the Lamberti’s will have nothing!”

Deep down, I knew Maddie was right, but Gina did not deserve that apology, especially not after bragging about sleeping with an engaged man “Maddie is right. It’ll help you-if you apologize to Gina, we’ll spread it to everyone the same way the Lamberti’s have been spreading rumors about you.” Daniela nodded her head. “It might even help the Alfonzo’s.”

“Fine, fine-I’ll do it!” I gave in. “I will apologize to Gina, happy?”

“No, of course we’re not happy-but it’s for the best.” Daniela said. “We’d rather beat her up again and bury her alive, but Siena needs to stay with her mominy.” She spoke to Siena, who was sitting on her lap.

“How do I know you guys are not trying to make things worse for me? How can I even trust you?” I asked. Getting deceived by people was nothing new to me. “We’ll help you, Serena-we’re on your side, and we won’t screw you over. If I mess with you, I mess with Marcello, and if any of them mess with you, they mess with me. That’s how you know you can trust us!” Maddie spoke..

She had a point. She couldn’t betray me. Maddie saw Siena as her niece and would eventually be an Alfonzo. The family’s downfall would also come to her disadvantage. Her advice was probably sincere as she had no choice but to help me, whether she liked it or not..

“Anyway, I’m happy you guys came here, and I’m happy I can count on you.” I smiled as I gave them a warm smile. Maybe they weren’t that bad after all.

There was only one bad thing, and that would be the crocodile tears when I would force myself to apologize to Gina.