Chapter 170

“It’s Dario….Dario Orlando.”

There was pin-drop silence in the room, and no one dared to open their mouths. All I could do was stare at Christian as he observed the stoned looks on Franco’s and Lucio’s faces, with the only one showing some reaction being Cesca.

“D-dario?” Franco stuttered. Christian pulled out a chair and grabbed Franco’s hand. “Maybe you should sit down, grandpa.”

Franco took the chair from Christian’s hands while Lucio was still unable to say a word “Dad”

Christian sighed. “Please say something.”

“How?” Lucio whispered, surprised. “How is that possible?”

“So you mean to tell us that our enemy is m-my grandson?” Franco asked. “A-are you sure?”

“Positive.” Christian nodded. “There’s no reason to doubt him, and he’s not our enemy anymore.”

“Dario and his uncle, Mauro, hid behind the Orlando name because Dario actually came here to take what’s his.” Christian twisted the truth a little. “The family business.”

It was so fascinating to me how he just decided to leave out the part where his uncle was still alive, and all I could hope for was for it to work out the way he had planned. What would happen if Berto would suddenly show himself before Lucio’s death?

“We had a mutual agreement, and whatever grudge he’s been holding has completely disappeared,” Christian spoke. “All he wants is to be part of the family.”

“How do you know that? Wasn’t he trying to sabotage us?” Cesca snarled from the back while Christian rolled his eyes. “I told you we had an agreement. I wouldn’t put this family in danger if I didn’t think he was a good person.”

Lucio let out a surprised laugh and looked at Christian with hopeful eyes while Franco did the same.

“I want to meet him!” Lucio spoke. “We should invite him to the photoshoot and- ̈ “I’ve already done that.” Christian smiled, relieved. It seemed like he did know Franco and Lucio as the best because he might’ve expected this reaction, but it was a complete surprise to me.

“I want to properly meet him.” Franco spoke. “I want to meet my grandson.”

“I know, grandpa,” Christian smiled. “That’s my next question. “Would the two of you be willing to meet him before the photoshoot?”

Franco and Lucio looked at each other before they both said the exact words. “Yes!” They spoke enthusiastically. “What about Luca and Johnny?” Franco asked. “Did you tell them?”

I looked at Christian, wondering how he was going to get himself out of this one, “Yes, I told them first.” He spoke. “They also needed some time to process it.”

“Of course they do!” Franco agreed. “I thought after you guys have met him, he can officially be part the family,” Christian suggested. “What do you think about that?“

of “I would love that,” Franco replied while Lucio nodded his head. “You should’ve brought him along right away.”

”

“Dario Orlando?” Lucio repeated. “Who would’ve thought?”

་་་

“I know, right.” Christian sighed as he played along. It wasn’t the firy time he lied, and he was actually really good at it. “You should also bring his uncle,” Franco instructed. “If he raised him all this time, I would like to thank him for it.”

“He did what I couldn’t.”

“I will.” Christian promosed. “He’ll be pleased to hear this. He didn’t know whether you guys would accept him or not.” I spoke for the first time. “Because of the way we treated you?” Franco laughed while Christian gave him a look.

“Maybe.” I shrugged. “Wouldn’t that scare off anyone?”

“Wait, how did we treat Serena?” Lucio suddenly asked. I felt so bad about him not knowing anything because I knew none of it would’ve happened with him around. “There’s nothing.” Christian ended the. conversation.

“Dad, do you remember uncle Berto’s last birthday party?” Christian asked while Lucio had to think for a second. “Yes, I remember.”

“There was this kid. The others bullied him, they beat him up, threw food over him—“

“And I told him not to let anyone bully him.” Lucio finished. “Of course I remember. I was so mad at you that day, and even Luca helped him out. How could I ever forget about that?”

“Well.” Christian chuckled. “That kid ended up being Dario.”

Franco seemed troubled, and I could see the regret in his eyes. “It’s not that crazy for him to turn against us.” Cesca surprisingly admitted. “What happened that day should’ve never happened, and learning that he’s part of this family makes it even more embarrassing.”

“You’re right, mom,” Christian spoke. “Dario is this way because we made him this way.” He acknowledged their wrongdoings.

“Christian,” Lucio suddenly called out. “I need the name of the list of all the children who were there.

If that situation pushed him to go against us in the first place, I think all of you owe him a proper apology.”

I felt terrible because Lucio probably felt guilty, while that wasn’t the only reason. He had no idea about Berto still being alive.

“That won’t be necessary,” Christian reassured everyone. “I remember everyone involved, and I’ll make sure Dario gets his proper apology.”

“I have to see him.” Franco said to Christian. “Please give me his number so I can call him-”

“It’s okay, grandpa.” Christian smiled. “I’ll invite him over so he can meet all of you. Serena will actually visit him right now and tell him the good news!” Christian suddenly decided.

“What?” I asked, confused. It almost seemed as if he wanted to get rid of me. Since when did Christian want me around Dario?

“I mean, yes, I will.” I recovered myself after seeing the look on everyone’s faces. How were the tables turned, and how was Christian the one telling me what to do?

“Perfect.” Cesca smiled as she walked over. “That’ll allow us to spend some more time with Siena.”

She grabbed Siena’s from my hands while I stood there with a flusiefed look on my face and was still trying to process the fact that Christian was trying to kick me out of the house.

“So you’re leaving me so soon, Serena?” Lucio smiled. I looked over at Christian, who had a guilty look on his face, and wondered what his problem was. “Yes, apparently.” I chuckled in disbelief as I made my way over to him.

Lucio used all his strength to remove one of his rings from his finger and pushed it into my hands.

“Please give him this and tell Dario that we can’t wait to meet him.”

I gave Lucio a warm smile and a tight hug before I shifted my attention towards Franco. He was in a hurry to get one of his necklaces from his neck and pushed it into my hands: “Serena, please tell him that his grandfather gave him this and that I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Yes, sure,” I spoke, sarcastic. “Is there something else you want me to give? Like a leg, a foot, or perhaps a gold bar?”

I couldn’t believe Christian had me running crazy errands while he was literally there and could’ve done it himself, but at least I got to visit Dario. “Serena, a word, please.” Christian laughed while he grabbed me by my arm and pulled me out of the room.

I released myself from his grip and gave him an unsatisfied glare. “What’s with the attitude?” He spoke with a nervous smile on his face.

“Tell me, what are you keeping from me?”I demanded, but Christian pretended to be stupid and gave me a confused look. “Why would I keep something from you?” He spoke and grabbed my hand. “I thought we told each other everything.”

I stared into his eyes and was waiting for him to break, but he didn’t. Perhaps I was overreacting, and he was telling me the truth. “I need you to go to Dario, and I need you to schedule a meeting for tomorrow,” Christian told me, “Why me?” I spoke angrily and gave him a slight push against his shoulder. Christian moved his hand towards my cheek and gave it a pinch. “I thought we were a team. Stop complaining.”

“I’m not complaining!” I made clear as I pushed away his hand. Christian gave me a playful look, and I could tell he was preparing himself to make one of his stupid jokes again.

“Tellme, what are you keeping from me?” He mimicked my tone. “You’re cute when you do that.”

“Do what?” I frowned at his mocking tone. Christian shook his head and rested his hand on my cheek. “Nothing.” He smiled as he handed me his car keys.

“You remember the address, right?”

“Yes,” I huffed, annoyed. “I wanted to spend our day together. I don’t want to be apart from you or Siena.”

“I know,” Christian spoke. I could clearly see that he was up to something, but I did not know what it was. “Are you sure everything is okay?” I asked.

Christian gave me a nod and leaned in to press a kiss against my lips. He tried his hardest to reassure me that everything was fine, but something felt off. Why would Christian, who was so desperate to be with me, would want to make sure that I wouldn’t be here?

What was he up to?