Chapter 158

“I’ll drop you off at home, and after that, I’m going to get my uncle,” Dario spoke after an awkward silence.

I was still pissed at Christian and couldn’t stand the thought of him and Gina being together. I didn’t care. if she was close to death. I just didn’t want her around.

“You can also stay with us. Apparently, our house is a walk-in clinic,” I scoffed. “N-no, you’ve already done enough.” Dario sighed. “I can’t believe I betrayed my dad.”

“I’m so sorry.” I apologized. I was so caught up in my own stuff that I had forgotten all about his actions. He betrayed his dad, who he was so fond of, and he did it all for me. He was also the one who came back for 1.

“No, don’t be. I don’t know what would’ve happened if we came any later. I don’t know what I was thinking -I’m the one who should be apologizing.” Dario spoke. I still had so many questions, but at the moment, Dario seemed just as confused as I was, and he needed time.

“Do you think your dad will come back for Luca?” I wondered. After Dario’s betrayal, Luca was the only one Berto could probably count on. Dario betrayed him, and Johnny was never an option.

“I don’t know.” Dario sighed. “He told me that it wasn’t time to reveal himself because Lucio is still alive- but he’s all on his own now, so I don’t know.”

“And the Orlando estate?” I continued. I was willing to hear every bit of information he wanted to give me. “I’ll wait until my dad’s cools down. He can’t stay mad at me forever.”

“Do you still want what Christian’s has?” I asked, surprised. I thought we were heading towards the end of, things, but we were not. “I still think his position is supposed to be mine,” Dario spoke. “Dad went too far with kidnapping Enzo and the girl, but we still have the same goal.”

“Dario…”

“You already carry the Orlando name, just let it rest and go your own way. Christian doesn’t have anything to do with this!”

“He has what’s mine, and he never said anything about it-so how does he not have anything to do with this?” Dario pointed out. Fair point, he got me there.

“And what if you’d talk to him about it so the two of you can work things out?” I suggested. “I did know what happened in the past because I wasn’t there-but Christian has changed a lot.”

“You’re so cute, Serena.” Dario chuckled. I knew my words sounded stupid, but I could always try.

“I just want you to stay by my side. I don’t want to lose you too.” I muttered, embarrassed. All I wanted was for everyone to get along. Why did it have to be so difficult?

Dario drove me home and never addressed my words again. I bet he felt terrible for Enzo and Gina because putting their lives in danger was not part of his plan, but despite all of that, nothing had changed. He still held a grudge against Christian.

“Thanks for the ride.” I barely whispered and reached out my hand to open the door, but before I could make another move, Dario wrapped his hand around my wrist to stop me. “I’m sorry, Serena.”

He spoke without meeting my eyes.

“Yes, I know.” I nodded and tried to release myself from his grip, but he wouldn’t let go of me.

“Also…yes, I hate my cousin, but don’t give Christian a hard time. Gina was in there because of him, so it’s only natural for him to hel-”

“Fuck you!” I snarled, annoyed, and got out of the car. “Serena?” Dario called out, but I ignored him and slammed the door shut.

First Beau and now Dario? Dario didn’t even like him. I stomped towards the mansion and noticed how Dario was determined to make sure I got in safe. Seeing Ramiro’s car in the driveway made me even more pissed. If anyone needed to treat their wounds, they could’ve done that at the hospital. I could understand him wanting to help his brother, but Gina?

“What’s up with the expression? You look like a witch.” Marc, who leaned against the door, chuckled. “Christian told me to wait for you. Come on.”

Oh, so now he cared about me?

I walked past Marc and followed the voices in the house so I could find Christian. “It’s not the time to throw a tantrum, please don’t start anything an—”

“Shut up!” I yelled at him. One more comment and I would’ve gone entirely crazy. “It’s so easy for you to talk when you don’t know what I’m going through,” I told Marc. “You should’ve been there. He walked past me and left me in that basement for…her?”

“Serena, Christian cares about you-you know that.” Marc defended him. “But there’s a line between business and personal feelings. Not everything is about you.”

Not everything is about you….

“It is,” I told Marc. “Gina isn’t just anyone. You know that. She’s the one who deceived me by-”

“Serena, stop it!” I heard Christian’s voice and turned around to face him. He seemed embarrassed, and only after seeing the look on his face, I realized that I was out of control. I wasn’t over, Gina. I would never get over it.

“What’s wrong with you?” Christian sighed as he grabbed my hands and stared into my eyes as if he was trying to find the answer behind them. “You need to calm down. You can’t get your personal feelings get in the way like this. Gina was close to death. Did you want me to leave her there?”

Christian asked.

He was right, but I couldn’t help it. Cesca was right. Maybe I was weak, and perhaps I didn’t fit in.

What if I was wrong? What if I was better off cleaning the house after all?

“I didn’t leave you because I didn’t care about you. I left you there because you weren’t on your own. I’ve never ever left you on your own before-you know that.”

I looked around me and watched as also Marc and Beau enjoyed the show. Whatever my issue was, this was clearly not the time to discuss it. “Where is Dario?” Beau asked as he looked around him.

“He’s picking up his uncle and staying out of the picture until his dad calms down,” I told him before !

turned around to face Christian. He needed me and all I cared about was Gina. “How is Enzo?”

“Broken, literally,” Christian replied. He looked from Beau to Marc, who got the message and walked away so we could be alone. “Serena, I should’ve thought about your feelings-and I’m so sorry.”

Christian apologized.

He seemed shocked and flustered by my outburst, and it was obvious that he genuinely had no idea why I was angry. “Serena, say something!” Christian pleaded and moved his hands to my shoulders.

“Do you have feelings for her?” I asked.

“What, no?” Christian answered. “Do we have to have this conversation again? I know I made mistakes, and I told you I’m sorry.”

“So you don’t love her?” I sighed, relieved. That was all I needed to hear.

“No, she’s not even my type.” Christian laughed, confused. “I only fall for Serena’s who can’t tell left from right, can’t cook, clean-that’s my type.”

“I only love you,” Christian spoke. “So please don’t ever scare me again. I thought you were going to pack your stuff again.”

I laughed at the worried look on his face and pulled him into a hug. “Maybe I was overreacting. I’m sorry.” I apologized as I thought about my actions. “And I love you too, I love you too much, and that’s why I get so jealous.”

It wasn’t about what he had done. It was about Gina. I felt threatened by Gina, and that was on me.

“Do you know how jealous I was when I saw you get into that car with Dario? Did you hear me complain?” Christian frowned.

“I’m so sorry!” I burst out laughing at his cute expression. “I think your mom is right, I think I should just become a housewife.”

“No.” Christian shook his head. “I think we have these issues because I don’t involve you enough. I think it’s the opposite.”

“You think?” I wondered. “Speaking of opposites, it’s time for you to sit down with Dario so the two of you can fix whatever is going on. Wouldn’t it be a lot easier to have him by your side?”

“Maybe.” Christian shrugged. “You know I always agree with your advice, so how about you come up something?”

with “Really?” I asked, surprised. It was still so interesting to see how he agreed with every little thing nowadays. “Yes, really.” Christian nodded.

“Then should I cancel Carmen?”

“No,” Christian spoke. “We need to appear as normal as possible-and I can’t survive another day without Siena.”

“Okay, great.” I smiled and grabbed Christian’s hand to pull him down the stairs. “I can steal you away for a minute, right?”

“Yes, sure.” Christian smiled. “Ramiro is taking good care of them. I have more than enough time for you.”

“Won’t you look at them? They were close to breaking up just a second ago.” Beau gagged and nudged Marc, who did the same. “I called Johnny. He handcuffed Luca to a desk.” Marc told us.

“What?” Christian frowned. “You know what, don’t tell me-I don’t want to know.”

“Me neither.” I agreed. “But he deserves whatever is coming for him, now enough about Luca, and everyone focus on me.” I smiled. Christian joined Beau and Marc and waited for me to speak.

“After today, I’ve realized that maybe I should be taking my distance from this crazy family business and keep myself busy doing chores instead.”

“No.” Beau sighed and leaned his head against Marc’s shoulder. “I think I know where this is going.”

“And since we have a full house tonight.” I continued my speech. “I’ve decided to cook a meal for all of us!”

I patiently waited for their reactions, but other than three disgusted looks, I did not get a single reaction. “I said I’m going to cook!” I repeated myself.

“Wow, really?” Christian gasped and nudged Beau and Marc to force a reaction out of them. “Wow, really?” Beau mimicked Christian. “Just in case anything happens, we have a doctor in the house, so I guess we can handle Serena’s cooking today.”

“Yes.” I smiled, “I’ll be cooking for everyone, even Gina. I’m still trying to figure out my job here, and maybe it’s being a housewife, who knows?” I shrugged.

“I’m here for it.” Christian agreed and slammed his arm around my shoulder. “You guys, Serena is offering to cook for us-don’t treat her like that!”

“Thanks.” I smiled at Christian. I always forgot about little moments like these, which mattered more than anything. It showed me that he cared about me and that I was worrying over nothing. Christian loved me, and there was no reason to doubt his love for me.

“Serena is cooking, and everyone will empty their plates until the very last crumb.” He spoke and pressed. a kiss against my temple.

“See?” Christian whispered. “No matter what you might think, I’m always on your side.”