Chapter 176

“It always fascinates me how your dad manages to throw parties within a day.” I gasped as I stared at the people carrying the large boxes filled with decorations, Dario wasn’t here yet, and I couldn’t wait to see his reaction once he found out all of this was for him. “Yes, I know.” Christian agreed. “I think that’s one of the things I’ll be missing the most.”

“Me too, especially birthday parties. He went all out.” Enzo added. “You have to continue his legacy Christian, that’s all up to you now,” Enzo smirked in a teasing tone. Christian gave him an annoyed look. and rolled his eyes. “What? We can’t put this all on dad. Serena, Christian has been giving out instructions since last night.”

“Really?” I asked, surprised. Christian seemed embarrassed and let out a scoff. “I’m not your dad.

You can organize your own party. Enzo.”

I giggled at Enzo while Christian pulled me inside, where even more people were doing their best to clean the house “So you’re going all out for Siena’s birthday?”

“Christian, Enzo!” A voice called out. I turned around and looked as Christian’s sister, Stella, made her way over to us. Christian didn’t hesitate and let go of my hand so he could pull her into a hug.

“It’s good to see you. I feel like we don’t see each other at all nowadays.” Christian smiled at her.

“Yes, just like when we were younger.” She sighed before she moved her eyes towards me. I stood back with an awkward smile on my face and was unsure of what to do.

“Serena,” Stella forced a smile onto her face while I did the same. It wasn’t as if I disliked Christian’s sisters -but I wasn’t that sure about where I stood with the other Lamberti’s.

“Where’s Mia?” Enzo asked. “It’s strange to see the two of you apart.”

“Well, you see.” Stella began. “She said some questionable stuff about Dario, is extremely disgusted by the fact that he’s apparently our cousin and still needs some time to process all of that.” She chuckled. “We should give her some time. You know how she gets.”

“So dad already told you?” Christian wondered.

“Yes, I mean-Mia had plans to marry the man!” She spoke hysterically. “And he turns out to be our first cousin! Ew?”

Didn’t we all?

Stella kept on ranting about Dario and how disgusted she was by the fact that they turned out to be family until Franco finally interfered to stop her. “You go and do your makeup, or whatever it is that you do.”

“Grandpa, you’re no fun.” Stella whined before she stormed off, leaving us alone with Franco. His face seemed tense, and it was obvious that he had indeed not closed a single eye, but what else could we expect if the man heard that not only his eldest son but also his grandson were still alive?

“I can’t wait for Dario,” Franco complained as he looked at Christian. “I need answers, and I need them now-I can’t wait for Dario!”

Franco stepped closer while Christian stepped back. “Just hold on for a little while longer…please.”

Christian pleaded. Franco furrowed his eyebrows and was ready to snap, but something inside of him changed, and he took a deep breath.

“So when is will he be here?”

“Soon,” Christian sighed. “He’ll be here soon.”

Christian looked at Enzo, who got the message, and grabbed Franco by his arm to pull him away.

“Do you see now?” Christian asked.

“Yes,” I spoke as I reconnected my hand with his. “I can see why you didn’t want to tell anyone, your grandpa is acting strange, and I’ve never seen him like that before-”

“Not strange.” Christian stated. “He’s weak, and that’s not a good thing-he’s supposed to be the pillar of the family-

“Not anymore.” I told Christian. It seemed as if he misunderstood his position, but luckily I was there to open his eyes. “Things have changed. You’re the boss now-and I know you want to protect your grandpa, but we have to ask him about the money.”

“Weren’t you the one who said we should move it before your uncle gets to it? Who knows what he has planned.”

“Yes,” Christian spoke. “I did say that, but grandpa clearly doesn’t know where it is, and apparently he’s been looking for it all this time—“

“So that means he might have a good idea of where it is,” I told Christian. I honestly didn’t care at first, but hearing this money was for Siena changed many things. Hadn’t she gone through enough already?

“Fine, we’ll ask him.” Christian ended the conversation while Lucio made his way towards us. He seemed different, energetic, stronger, and it was all because of Dario. “Look, I’ve finally figured it out,” Lucio told Christian while he held his remote in his hand.

“It’s not a toy, dad.” Christian laughed while Lucio joined him and shrugged his shoulders. “You look beautiful, Serena.” Lucio smiled at me. “You always look beautiful. I’m so lucky to have a beautiful daughter-in-law.”

“Yes, he’s losing it,” Christian whispered.

“But he’s right, though.” A familiar voice spoke. “She is really beautiful.”

We turned around and looked at Mauro and Dario. Lucio froze up, and his jaw almost dropped as he stared at Dario, who was extremely confused. “I-I didn’t know you guys were having a party today, if 1 had known-”

“Don’t be silly.” Christian chuckled while he pushed Lucio to the front. “This is your party, all of this-

Christian looked around him. “We’re preparing all of this for you.”

Mauro placed his hand on Dario’s shoulder and pushed him to the front, while Dario froze up and could not say a word, but neither could Lucio. “For me?” Dario gasped. “Why would this be for me?”

Christian stuck out his hand and waited for Dario to accept it. Dario looked at his uncle, who nodded his head and wanted to shake Christian’s hand, but Christian did the unexpected and pulled him into a hug instead.

Even I didn’t expect this and was utterly shocked by his actions. I knew he wanted to make him feel welcome and to feel like a part of the family-but this was something else. “Oh okay, we can also hug 1 guess.” Dario smiled.

Dario made eye contact with me and gave me a wink, but I freaked out and lowered my head as I was too ashamed to meet his eyes. How could I even get flustered like that while I had a fiancé?

“I don’t think we’ve officially met.” Enzo chuckled as he walked back into the room. He made his way to Dario and placed his hand on his shoulder. “I’m Enzo, your cousin. You probably heard a lot about me- but it’s not true. I’m not crazy-” Enzo spoke, but before he could say anything else, Christian kicked him against his leg. There was a lot Lucio didn’t know or even had to know about and after seeing Franco, it would be for the best to remain that way.

“You’ve probably heard a lot of things about me too, and I know that I’m not the ideal cousin-

“Of course you are. You’re family.” Christian reassured him and slammed his arm around his shoulder. “Come on. There’s been someone who’s been dyin-waiting to meet you.”

Dario shot Lucio a nervous smile and knelt so he could take a better look at him. “It’s really nice to meet you…uncle,” Dario spoke. Lucio smiled at his nickname and moved his hand to Dario’s check.

“I got the ring you gave me. Do you see it?” Dario bragged. Lucio let out a laugh and ruffled his hand through Dario’s hair.

“Where is he!” Franco’s loud voice suddenly pierced through the room. He walked in with Cesca and Stella behind him, who were desperately trying to hold him back. “Calm down, grandpa!” Stella called out, but Franco released himself from their grip and walked at a fast speed.

“He’s the real crazy one,” Enzo muttered. Dario seemed nervous and stepped back while he fumbled his hands and lowered his head. He suddenly wasn’t that confident anymore, which was a strange thing to see.

It was no secret Berto despised his father and probably only had evil stuff to say about Franco.

That’s how he made Dario angry and hungry for revenge.

“Look at me!” Franco demanded as he hurried over and placed his hands on Dario’s shoulders. It took a second, but Dario followed Franco’s instructions and slowly raised his head before the room went silent. Everyone was awaiting Franco’s reaction as he walked in so aggressively, but what no one expected was the laugh that left his mouth.

“Dario,” Franco gushed as he pulled him into a tight hug. “So you’re my lost grandson!”

“Let me take another look at you!” Franco laughed and pulled away before he forcefully cupped Dario’s cheeks. “Look at you. You’re just as handsome as grandpa!” Franco spoke and attacked Dario’s face with a million kisses.

“You know, I’m suddenly fine with the idea of him disliking me,” I whispered as I scrunched up my nose and looked at Christian, who did the same. “I don’t remember him ever treating us like that.”

Enzo yawned while Christian let out a chuckle. “Me neither. I thought that treatment was only for his granddaughters.”

“Give him a break.” Lucio smiled. “He has been looking for him for a long time now, and now that he’s here, it almost feels as if we’re dreaming.”

“Grandpa, he’s a grown man, and you’re nearly killing him!” Stella complained while she tried her hardest to push him aside.

“It seems like you’re not the favorite anymore, Christian,” Cesca whispered just loud enough so we could hear. “I know you want to be nice, but your position practically does belong to Dario-don’t be too nice.”

I immediately reached out to hold Christian’s hand and glared at Cesca, who had enough of everything and was already on her way out. “Don’t listen to her,” I told Christian as I squeezed his hand. I did not want Anyone with eyes could see that Dario was broken and done fighting. I still believed in my ability to read others and could tell he was a good person. All he was after was a family who would look after him.

“Dario is our ally, not our enemy.” I reminded Christian once again. “Don’t ever listen to your mo-

“Yes, I know,” Christian spoke, irritated. He let go of my hand and gave me an unimpressed glare before he shifted his attention to Dario. I knew he was insecure and still saw Dario as a threat, but he was also doing his best to get along with him, and I would not let Cesca get in the way of it, ever.

“We have some time to talk before everyone gets here-let’s go,” Christian suggested.

It was pretty clear he didn’t mean Lucio, but Lucio seemed to think otherwise. “Yes, let’s go!” He smiled brightly. “I want to hear all about your life!”

“Shouldn’t you take a nap before everyone gets here?” Franco suggested in a desperate attempt to get rid of him, but Lucio shook his head. “No, of course not. I want to hear all about my nephew’s life!”

We all looked at Franco, who let out a deep sigh and shrugged his shoulders. “If that’s what you want, then we’ll do that.”

“Sure,” Dario spoke. “Let’s talk.”