Chapter 188

Christian “So,” Dario awkwardly spoke. Christian gave Dario a shrug and pointed his head towards the warehouse. “You told me you’d lead the way, so I’ll let you lead the way.”

“I wasn’t talking about the way inside,” Dario spoke, irritated. “I was talking about the conversation.”

Christian let out a laugh and placed his hand on Dario shoulder to pull him towards the warehouse.

“Oh. the conversation?” He spoke, sarcastic. “Do you even know what our cousin looks like?”

“I…have no idea,” Dario chuckled as the two made their way inside. Dario could not the unfamiliar faces and some of the family members who shot him an unamused glare.

“It’s nothing against you.” Christian explained to him. “It’s because they feel threatened by your presence.”

“My presence?” Dario questioned. Dario was confused and could not understand how anyone could dislike him when he tried his hardest to get along with everyone. “You have to understand, these people have worked really hard to earn our respect.” Christian shared. “And then you come along-

“So I haven’t earned your respect?” Dario asked, shocked. Christian was just as surprised by that statement because that was not what he meant. “You saved Enzo, and you abandoned your dad to help us…of course, you’ve earned my respect!”

Dario released a relieved breath and gave him a nod. “Exactly.”

“How did it end up with your assistant?” He asked. Christian’s mind went to Gina before it moved to Serena. It was never his meaning to abandon Serena, and if he could’ve taken everything back, he would’ve done it in a heartbeat.

into it “I let someone check up on her. She was pretty shaken up.” Christian told him. He didn’t want to ge as it was none of his concern anymore. He was going to keep his promise to Serena this time.

Dario was surprised. “You didn’t go by yourself?” He asked. “I mean, that’s a good thing.”

That was all Christian planned on doing. The right thing. “I’m just trying to be how Serena wants me to be like.” He yawned.

“But that’s actually not the real you,” Dario concluded. “It’s like living in a lie,” He whispered the last part. Christian disagreed. He believed that he had not changed, and if he did, it was probably for the better. He could understand Dario had been through a lot and accepted the fact that there was a lot of stuff he had missed out on. He was convinced that someone like him wouldn’t understand.

“Look, there he is.” Christian pointed out as his eyes moved towards his younger cousin, Kenzo.

Christian had never understood why a seventeen-year-old would want to work at the warehouse, but it started to make a lot of sense.

“Yes, I can see he’s the one we’re looking for.” Dario laughed at Kenzo. Just by looking at him, he could read the stress from his face. The boy was uneasy and looked around him as if he was waiting for something to happen.

“Is this the poor kid you were going to attack?” Dario asked Christian, who let out an annoyed sigh.

“Are you going to talk to him now, or will you do it tomorrow?”

“Kenzo!” Dario called out. The boy almost flinched and turned around to look at the two. He took small steps forward and lowered his head. Christian kept his mouth shut as promised and waited for Dario to lead the conversation.

“What’s up? My name is Dario, I don’t think we’ve met, but I’m your cousin and “No.” Christian rolled his eyes. He grabbed Kenzo by the back of his neck and gave him a slight squeeze. “Come on, kid, I think it’s time for us to talk.”

“I didn’t do anything!” Kenzo yelled out in defense. People were starting to turn their heads, so Christian covered his mouth with his hand. “I never said you did anything?”

Dario gave the boy a sympathetic look while Christian pulled him along to a separate room.

“Christian, we’ve discussed that we’re not going to do this!” Dario whispered as he followed him.

Christian closed the door and pulled out a chair for Kenzo. “Please, little cousin, make yourself feel comfortable and take a seat,” Christian spoke as he glared at Dario.

Kenzo seemed frightened and sat down on the chair while Christian took several steps back.

“Please, Dario.” He forced a smile on his face. “Thank you,” Dario spoke. He stepped forward and knelt to look at the boy on the chair.

“Kenzo? I think I don’t think we’ve met, but I’m your cousin…my name is Dario.” He spoke with a charming smile on his face. “Kenzo,” He sighed. “It almost sounds like Enzo, is your name plagiarized, or did uncle Lucio inspire aunt Lena?”

1. “1 “Let’s get to the point!” Christian spoke, annoyed, but Dario raised his hand, telling him to shut don’t know,” Kenzo whispered. Dario let out a chuckle and gave him a slight push against his shoulder. “You don’t know? Of course, you wouldn’t know.”

Christian was confused by the smile on Dario’s face. It didn’t matter whether it was in good or bad times, Dario would never lose that smile. “Do you like your mom?” Dario asked.

“W-why am I here?” Kenzo questioned. Dario looked at Kenzo’s shaking hand before he placed his hand on top of it. “You said you didn’t do anything, so there’s nothing to worry about.” He smiled. “I just want to talk to you, that’s all.”

“I love her.” Kenzo spoke. “Of course, I love my mom-that’s a stupid question.”

“That’s good to hear.” Dario chuckled. “I also loved my mom…she, unfortunately, passed away several, years ago.”

Christian started feeling uncomfortable and was not really in the mood to hear about Dario’s past.

Although he didn’t have anything to do with it, he still felt guilty, and he wondered why it was relevant to the story.

Kenzo finally met Dario’s eyes and gave him a pitiful look. “I’m so sorry to hear that,”

“That’s fine.” Dario shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”

“My dad, on the other hand.” Dario continued. “He’s kind of dead, but I can somehow still feel his energy. Do you know what I mean?”

Kenzo shook his head. “Of course you don’t,” Dario spoke. “You were probably so young when he passed away.”

“Hes calm down Durin erpiped him. He pulled Christian ay mud felt terrible for Ken who wement and frightened hic cein We’re just having a conversation right. Renzo Darin amiled again while Renais bi desperate nodded his head ime rin you can trust me” Daario tried to get an answer out of him. Kenzo took a deep breath and prepoved himself to tell them the truth “7 tell you”