Chapter 67

Christian

“No, not at all.”

“In that case, I’ll follow your instructions and put myself up for advertisement, since you would’ve done tThose were the only words Christian heard over and over before he opened his eyes, with only one thougthrough his mind. What did I do?

He reached for his phone on his nightstand and looked at the miss calls. Five from Serena, ten from Luciomore from everyone else.

When he read the time on his phone he was wide awake and jumped up.

1 PM

How could I even sleep in that late? He thought to himself and immediately made his way to the showersins.

He knew that his dad was going to serve him on a stick for missing the first important group meeting —athat Marc, who had put him in this mess in the first place was nowhere to be found.

With the only thing in mind, going to the Lamberti estate as soon as possible, Christian stormed downstastopped in his steps and hid around the corner when he saw a girl sitting at the dining table, and just likeeverything had returned to him.

“In that case, I’ll follow your instructions and put myself up for advertisement, since you would’ve done tHe closed his eyes but opened them right away as all he could feel was guilt. How he betrayed Serena oujealousy, without giving her a chance to explain himself.

What is she still doing here? He thought as he looked at the brunette at the table, applying her lipstick asmall mirror in her other hand.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be out of your head soon—let me just finish this and call an uber.” She smiled and pullestraight. “I used your bathroom and stuff if you don’t mind.”

Christian remained quiet for a second and was unsure whether to yell at her or not, but soon realized thawas not her fault. “Ok.” He said and leaned against the wall, patiently waiting for her to finish up.

“You know what, I’ll take you home.” He offered, after realizing she would be staying here for a while. “Rso much I would appreciate that!”

Christian heard a scoff behind him and turned around to look at Emmanuella who gave him an unimpresfollowed her to the hallway and grabbed her arm to stop her from walking. “Is Serena who has a baby onenough for you?”

“Are you not ashamed of yourself?” She scolded him, but all Christian could do was release her hand as back.

He was trying to find the words to say, but he couldn’t and turned around as he stormed away and slambehind him, before he leaned his head against the walk. “Are you okay?” The girl asked, making him stanlet’s go.”

While the girl kept talking in his ear, all Christian could think about while driving was to get her home as as he did not want to hear another word or see her face ever again. “I assume your ex left with the baby.made up her own scenario.

Christian clenched his hands around the steering wheel and looked at her for a second. “I assume not.” Sspoke.

“I saw a baby room—I hope you don’t mind, I’m sorry—I’m a nosy person.” She awkwardly apologized.“Don’t be.” Christian felt bad for her. He knew that it was not her fault, but he needed someone to blameenough to shut her up for the entire ride and he wished he had done it way sooner.

“I couldn’t help but notice your family name—and I thought, ah Christian, I’ve heard of you before.

You obuildings in the city, must be tiring.” She kept ranting, as all Christian could think of was her knowing wh“If it helps to make you feel better, I have a boyfriend and I assume you have someone…and a child—so wsame position.” She tried to shift the situation as the car stopped in front of a penthouse. Christian ignorand unlocked the door, so she could get out.

“Wait.” Christian spoke and locked the door again. “Tell me your name.”

“You don’t remember?” The girl asked with a smile on her face but quickly read the room. “Uh, it’s Gina.hurry.

“Gina, how much will it take for you to keep your mouth shut about this, name a price.” He spoke with a his face, making Gina laugh out loud. “Have you seen where I live? I don’t need more money.” She pointpenthouse with a proud look on her face.

“So then I assume you’re just going to keep quiet about this?” He frowned his eyebrows as Gina noddedbright smile on her face, and unlocked the car door herself. “Lips sealed.” She whispered before closing tAfter making sure she got inside safely, Christian drove off and immediately called Serena. “Are you okayvoice and instantly smiled. “I’m fine.”

“Good, listen—the thing I said yesterday, you misunderstood. You’re mine and only mine and anyone whwill get executed.” She spoke. Christian knew that Serena had a good heart and that the last sentence wathat did not change anything. “So how’s the baby room going?”

“Good, great—perfect!” Christian tried to sound cheerful, but he knew he didn’t have the right to. He wathe truth regardless, but not over the phone.

“That’s nice. Did you see the sonogram?” He could her her smile through the phone. “No, I haven’t.”

“Oh…, it’s on your way right now! The baby is kicking a lot, and I think she looks like you—“ She kept raneverything went in through one ear and out through the other. He was not able to concentrate on her wwondered how he got himself into this position.

“You’re not listening, are you?” He heard Serena laugh, and felt even more guilt washing over him.

“You from yesterday, so I’ll let you rest!”

“Thanks…I’ll visit you soon.” He told her and prepared himself to hang up the phone. “You should, I nevethank you for bringing all of my friends here, and I know how private you are—so I really appreciate it.”

“Anyway—take your time and I love you!” His heart stopped for a second when he heard those words.

“I love you too.” He immediately said right after. He knew that he was not supposed to betray the personlove, but only that one mistake was needed for him to realize how much he loved her.

“Oh, we’re back at saying it again?” Serena chuckled. “Anyway, have a nice day!”

After the call, Christian made his way to the Lamberti estate and walked in while he noticed how all of that him and whispered among themselves. Not in the mood to call them out, he ignored them and made dad’s office.

“Yes?” Lucio called out after he heard a knock on the door. With his head lowered, Christian walked in anlook into his father’s eyes.

“I’m not going to ask where you were, all you have to know is that Gio covered for you and fixed your shspoke. Christian looked up with a guilty look on his face and saw Gio, Enzo, and Matteo stare at him.

“Thank you.” He told his brother and tried to wash away the jealous feeling. If there was any threat to hiswould’ve been Gio at the moment, but he had enough of family feuds and did not want to resent his brothey had finally started getting along. He knew that no matter the consequences, it was all his fault. “No us that you can’t make it the next time.”

“Lucio, don’t ’t be so hard on him, he’s doing such a good job in loving and protecting my daughter.”

Mand patted his back. “I’m leaving again.” He announced while Enzo walked behind him.

“I’ll walk you out.” He spoke, but Christian rolled his eyes, knowing this was all a way to avoid him.

“Do ydefend my decision to let you take over…again?” Lucio spoke and guided his hand to the chair.

“How are you feeling?” Christian asked his dad. “I feel like beating you up.” Lucio glared at him.

Christianbreath at his dad still threatening to kill him every now and then. “Sit and I’ll keep you updated.”

“I cheated…on Serena.” Christian suddenly blurted out and looked from Lucio to Gio, expecting them to him—but both did not say a word.

“Let’s focus on important things.” Lucio cleared his throat and grabbed a paper sheet, while Christian grahands and threw it from the table. “Chris!” Gio called him out, but Lucio held up his hand to stop him fro“This is important.” Christian looked him in his eyes. “I think she’s not the only one you’ve cheated on, thbunch of different women before that.” Gio chuckled.

“Back when I was younger and immature, this is different.”

“Christian, listen.” Lucio leaned over and grabbed his arm. “When you jump into a relationship too quickhappens and you move on and learn from it, but now is not the time.”

“Serena is like a daughter to me. I’m disappointed, angry—I want to kill you right now for multiple thingto keep your head in the game. Her life is in danger, I think that should be your priority.” He tried to get but Christian ignored every word.

“Do you think she’ll forgive me?” He wondered, but Lucio immediately shook his head. “She won’t becagoing to tell her anything.”

“I’m not?” Christian asked. “You will…you will eventually own up to your mistakes, just how I raised you tnow. Come on, think for once!” Lucio spoke in annoyance.

“See this is why I did not agree with this relationship. Do you see what’s happening to him? Since when so…so…so air-headed and soft?” Gio let out his opinion. According to him, he had changed, and the youneven he had feared at one point, was slowly disappearing.

“Soft?” Christian repeated. For him, worrying about Serena and feeling guilty for cheating on her was nohuman. “How about you and Dana?”

“I would never cheat on Dana, I love her with my heart!” Gio immediately defended his situation. As expethought. Gio had always been loyal to Dana, and no one could even think about him hurting her. So whylike that?

“I love Serena, so I don’t think that’s the issue,” Christian spoke. Gio snickered and shook his head.

“Andbetrayed her.”

“Listen, Chris, I don’t want to argue with you, but you don’t actually love her—you love the idea of her, tsomeone who is carrying your baby, your world, inside of her.” Gio attempted to give his younger brothe“Loving someone takes time.”

Loving someone takes time.

How much time did it take for Serena to love me? Christian wondered. While everything came so easy tohelp but feel pressured—but that did not mean he didn’t love her. Him not being able to think straight aher was prove enough.

“Listen, right now you will not tell her a single word—from now on you will treat her with respect and yothis issue after this shit is finished. Do I make myself clear?” Lucio raised his voice. He had shared the samand noticed how the same Christian who had rarely made mistakes was beginning to change. He becamereckless—and was not the son he had been preparing to take over.

“So you want me to lie to her again?”

“Christian use your brains for once. What do you think will happen when the Alfonzo’s find out you’ve cthat really what we should focus on right now?” Gio answered for Lucio.

“Ever since she came into your life, you have changed a lot.”

“Are we doing this again?” Christian sighed. Just when he thought the issue with Serena had vanished, itagain.

“No, I don’t have an issue with Serena—but you have to focus,” Gio told him. After Christian brought heconfront Enzo, he was impressed by her and knew that he had clearly misjudged her, but to him, that didfact that Christian was slowly changing.

“I am focused.” Christian tried to convince himself. “No, you’re not.”

“You will forget any of this ever happened and erase everything that has happened yesterday. It’s the beinvolved.” Lucio ended the conversation. “And after all of this is over you will tell her the truth, and perhaforgiveness.”

Christian looked into his dad’s eyes and saw how the conversation was tiring him. He felt guilty for lettinworry and decided to drop it for the family’s sake. “I understand.” He gulped.

Lucio took a deep breath and felt as if he had finally succeeded. “Great, now let’s start.”