Chapter 372

“Eat as much as you can.” Christian spoke, sitting at the table. “Serena didn’t touch anything-so we’ll live.”

The three laughed, and I felt left out because I couldn’t understand the joke. Maybe this was karma for inviting myself to a lunch I wasn’t even invited to, “I can’t cook. I can’t even boil an egg. It’s tragic.” Serena tapped my arm, explaining. “Christian made everything.”

“Everything?” I questioned, wondering how he even found the time. The table was filled with bread.

pastries, meat, salad, and everything one could think of “Yes, he baked the breath and everything. Serena praised her husband, rolling her eyes seductively.

By the looks of it, Christian was someone who liked to get stuff done.

“What about all those maids?” My words came off as rude-a reminder to myself why I had to keep my mouth shut.

“Personally, I think eating a homemade meal feels more sincere,” Christian explained, not feeling offended. “Do you cook, Aria?”

“Yes, I love cooking.” The first two days, I went full out to cook a nice dinner for Vince and Luis-but they didn’t seem to care. The two did whatever and returned home late, going their separate ways.

I was hesitant to confront him, but the streets were dangerous-he knew it as best, and someone as young as Luis shouldn’t be alone.

“She’s a great cook.” For once, Vince had something good to say about me.

“Do you hear that, Siena? Next time we’re eating at uncle Vince’s place.” Serena called out to the kids’ table, where Siena and Lucio were seated.

“Yes!” Siena cheered excitedly as the state of my restless mind was already in disaster, hoping it was nothing more than an innocent joke.

My family had yet to receive an invite because I didn’t want them to see me miserable. No one was allowed to come over and say, ‘I told you so.”

Not in my books.

“Have you already made her something, Vince?” Christian asked.

Shocked, I turned to Vince, smiling nervously as he had managed to escape from my eyes. Having someone you cared about cook a homemade meal was a big gesture, one I hadn’t received from my parents.

“No, he hasn’t” I played with my fork, losing my appetite. I sensed Vince was a man who could be romantic if he wanted to-but I was not good enough to receive that treatment.

“At one point, he went to culinary school and said he would open his own restaurant.” Christian continued, not noticing Vince would rather have him change the subject.

“Oh-why didn’t you?” I questioned, trying to find out a bit more about my husband. “Did your dad not allow it?”

This was a small detail that could’ve been covered with a normal conversation. Vince and I didn’t communicate, I didn’t even know his favorite color, and I was not the problem here. He was the one avoiding me.

“My father….I wasn’t that lucky.” Vince replaced his nervous laughter with a weak smile.

Good job, Aria.

You always ask the right questions.

There was an awkward silence, with the only sound being one of our metal forks. Not only was I crashing their lunch, but I had also ruined it by mentioning Fabio Garcia.

It could not end like this.

“I planned on joining the circus, but my dad threatened to cut me off, and I haven’t spoken about it ever since.” I tried recovering the damage.

Vince, Serena, and Christian shot me strange looks.

“Tm good at juggling?” I spoke shyly, regretting my whole existence. Why couldn’t I communicate like a normal person?

Hearing everyone burst into sudden laughter made me feel at ease. Vince slammed his arm around me and circled my shoulder, for the first time showing sincere affection.

He looked at me, I looked at him and no words needed to be spoken.

Thank you for cleaning your own mess.

That was his message.

“I wanted to be a professional dancer-but I couldn’t pay for my education anymore and ended up…

dancing elsewhere.” Serena laughed, referring to the strip club.

We had all turned to Christian, waiting for him to reveal his secret. “Oh, me?” He scratched his neck. “I don’t know anything else.”

“Come on.” Vince nagged. “You shared my secret, and it’s only fair for you to share yours.”

“In that case.” Christian began. “I hope my children don’t turn out like me, but Serena.” He kissed her cheek, making her blush.

“That’s not a secret. Everyone knows that, and we all agree.” Vince laughed as all I could focus on was the affectionate couple.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked.

“The two of you seem to have a really good and healthy relationship,” I told them my observation.

“What’s your secret?”

Vince covered his mouth, laughing-Christian turned the other way, and Serena dropped her fork.

rubbing her hands.

“Well.” She began. “Get pregnant, search for an enemy, let someone hire one of Vince’s old flings and make her his assistant.” She broke down her tips. “That’ll do the job.”

“Uh it takes time.” Christian placed his hand over Serena’s mouth, grabbing all of our attention.

Time? Got it.

Throughout lunch, Christian shared many stories about Vince’s childhood, admiring him for his good and honest heart.

He hyped his friend until no more words were left while Vince remained humble and begged h to stop.

It was nice to hear these stories, but deep down, all I wanted was for him to treat me the same. I wanted him to accept me, and yes-I was done fighting for his heart, but that didn’t mean I didn’t like him anymore.

Sitting at the table of the woman I had attacked for no simple reason felt like a sin. Seeing how hard she tried to include me in every conversation, pulled out a few praises here and there, and smiled whenever she got the chance to ease the tension-made everything worse.

I wasn’t worthy of their kindness.

“I got into it with your brother, Beau, and said some things I shouldn’t have.” I gulped, closing my eyes for a few seconds.

I couldn’t do this any longer.

“Aria—” Vince nudged my shoulder. Christian shot him a look, telling him to let me speak.

“What did you say?” His stare made my heart raise.

“Yes, what did you call me?” Serena jumped in, rightfully assuming there must’ve been something said about her.

“He said Vince called me a nuisance. The words slipped from my mouth. “And then I was like ‘who, me or your stripper sister?’ and then he looked like he was about to kill me and—“

“Been there, done that-don’t worry about it.” Serena shrugged her shoulders. “I guess you felt the need to protect yourself because you don’t like the idea of me being around Vince.” She nudged Christian. “Right, Chris?”

Christian zoned out, squinting his eyes as he stared at Vince. Looking back and forth between the two, 1 could tell they were communicating in their own little language and wondered what it was about “Do you feel sorry?” Christian words were directed to me, but his eyes stuck on Vincenzo.

How could you bring this monster around my children? Those were most likely his thoughts.

“I do”

“Then maybe you can apologize.” His eyes met mine, still warm but also dominant.

“Christian!” Serena smacked his back, her cheeks flushed.

“He asked nicely.” Vince backed him, agreeing with his friend.

I wasn’t offended. In this situation, apologizing would only be the right thing to do.

“No, I should apologize,” I said to Serena. “From the bottom of my heart-I’m so sorry, and I should’ve never said that about you.” An apology should’ve left my mouth a long time ago. “You’re a good person, and it was wrong for me to bring back your past. That was wrong of me.”

“Thanks,”

“I don’t want to cause any trouble between the three of you-and I really like you.”

I finally understood why Christian’s sister, Stella, would rather hang out with someone like Serena.

“Cause trouble. What are you talking about?” Christian raised his brow. “Vince and I are one step away from getting divorced so we can marry each other.”

“He’s the leader of the Vince Fan Club.” Serena vouched for him.

“Is that a thing?”

“Not officially, I’m still working on it.” The tone in his voice sounded so serious, making me wonder whether he was really joking.

“She reminds me a bit of Carmen. He bumped against Serena.

“She does, doesn’t she? She has the same impulsive behavior.”

Impulsive behavior? I couldn’t even get mad at the truth.

Vince, who supposedly found it to be funny, let out a sound of laughter. Being like Carmen, the dress thief didn’t specifically have to be a bad thing.

I bet she said some stupid things time from time, and that was why Serena and Christian were as kind as to forgive me.

“My brother is like a cute puppy, has a soft spot for women like you-so it’s surprising the two of you don’t get along.” Serena sulked. “He’s also part of whatever is going on here.” She used her hands to include Christian and Vince. “They’re in a love triangle.”

Not even at the wedding had her brother been mature enough to put aside our differences and avoid me at all costs. Getting along with Vince’s friends and Luis would make my life much easier-

but it had to come from both sides.

“He’s really protective over you.” A smile appeared on my lips. “Same as Christian. Must be nice to have someone like that.”

Maybe that was uncalled for.

“Thanks for lunch, but I think we should go.” Vince suddenly got up from his chair as if he didn’t like where this conversation was headed. Neither did I.

“Not because of me, isn’t it?” I pointed at myself with my mouth hung open.

“No.” Vince chuckled, shaking his head. He grabbed my hand to pull me from the chair and squeezed it tightly. “I still need to go to the factory, and I promised Luis I’d be home early.”

Luis, Luis, Luis.