Chapter 99

Christian All Christian could see when he entered the master bedroom were tears.

Francesca was in tears, the twins were in tears and even Gio who had always been as strong as a rock was in tears. “I assume you told them?” Christian spoke after he cleared his throat.

“Christian, you’re here,” Franco spoke and made his way towards him while Christian kept himself at a clear distance. “Ramiro has just left, it was nothing big-and he’ll be fine.” His grandfather tried to reassure him, but Christian knew better.

Lucio’s declining health was enough for the entire family to make their way to the Lamberti estate, and even more family members were waiting outside of the bedroom, hoping for the best-but the tears on their faces were enough evidence that Lucio had finally decided to tell everyone the truth.

“Christian, come here.” Lucio reached out his hand and used all his power to sit up straight. With his head lowered Christian made his way to his father until he could grab his hand. “You too, all of you.”

He spoke to his children.

Christian noticed Enzo wasn’t there, but there was nothing he could do. Lucio did not even want him on the Lamberti estate, let alone his bedroom. “Mom, I’m so sorry,” Christian spoke to Cesca who was in tears, and kissed her forehead.

“Are you guys okay?” He asked Stella and Mia. Luckily the twins had a break from school and were at home for the time being. “Okay? Dad is dying!” Stella cried in Mia’s arms.

Gio walked over to his sisters to comfort him while Christian focused his attention on his dad. He was the one dying, yet he was the one with a guilty look on his face.

“Do you guys think you can step out for a second while I talk to your brothers?” Lucio requested.

Cesca scoffed and turned away from her husband to grab the twins’ hands. “Even until now you still want to hide everything from us, you disgust me.” She cried and pulled the twins out the room.

“I’ll go talk to her, she didn’t mean that.” Franco sighed and left the bedroom. “Mom is just upset, she didn’t mean that.” Gio agreed and held his father’s hand.

“The two of you should be with your family, be with your daughters-I’m doing fine.” Lucio tried to convince himself, but Christian and Gio weren’t fooled. Ramiro had prepared them for this and told them that at this point anything could happen and the illness would become even more aggressive.

They were prepared, but still scared for what was about to come.

“Why do you look so handsome, what were you up to?” Lucio smiled at Christian and touched his suit. “I asked her to marry me, I did it properly this time-as you told me I should.” Christian smiled back.

“That’s some good news. It makes me happy, you still have a lot to fix.” Lucio nodded his head. He did have a lot to fix, and Christian was well aware of that.

He had been carrying his secret with him for such a long time that coming clean was not an option.

because he knew it would probably anger her even more. Having Gina as his personal assistant made everything even worse, but he knew that Lucio was fond of Gina and could only take that much, so he never addressed the situation.

“Just know that I’m not going anywhere until we deal with these Orlando’s. I won’t close a single eye we deal with them.” Lucio spoke.

After Christian’s way of getting rid of Fabio caused an uproar, the unity of all the families was hanging from a thread, and a new family coming to town made people even more anxious. The Orlando’s who started of as small family were making a name for themselves and it was not that difficult to see what their real intentions were. They were planning to take the number one spot from the Lamberti’s.

“Christian. I know you have a family right now but-”

“I know.” Christian cut him off. “I know you have to prepare me and that I have to work even harder, I know.” He nodded his head and thought about how Serena would take this news. He wasn’t even that much at home, to begin with, but even on the days he wasn’t-he’d make sure to take the two with them, but a lot was going to change including that.

“You too, Enzo,” Lucio told his other son. “I’m sorry things have to be this way, but we can’t let the Orlando’s take over everything this family has build. We need to get them out of here.”

“I know,” Gio spoke. “And I’ll stand by Christian and make sure he’s ready in case something happens to you.” He promised.

“Yes, because it’s just the two of you.” Lucio sighed. Christian and Gio gave each other a look and both decided to let that comment go. Lucio completely erasing their brother from existence hurt, but they had to deal with it. All the families were curious as to what had happened and there were many baseless rumors, “Now tell me, how are my babies doing?” Lucio asked. “They’re doing fine, Pia’s legs are getting stronger and baby number three can get here anytime.” Gio told him.

“That’s right, you have to be here to experience the birth of your first grandson.” Christian smiled.

After two girls, Dana was finally having a boy and the entire family anticipated the birth. “Of course I’ll be there.”

“And how is our future queen doing?” Lucio laughed. It was a family nickname Siena had received before she was even born. “She’s fine, still a happy baby, and still spoiled. I’ll bring her over tomorrow.” Christian promised.

“Go home and be with your baby, be with Serena-make me another grandchild.” Lucio encouraged him.

“Serena doesn’t want more.” Christian chuckled. It was something he discussed with her because he didn’t want Siena to be alone but Serena made it very clear, no more babies anytime soon.

“She’s afraid of getting twins or triplets.”

“She’ll change her mind, Dana said the same and now she’s popping out babies every two years.”

Gio patted his shoulder. “But dad is right, go home and rest-I’ll stay here for the night.”

Christian had an uncomfortable look on his face and didn’t want to leave. The idea of something happening while be wasn’t there scared him. “Yes, go-did you not see all those people on the other side, waiting to say their goodbyes to me as if I’m dying tomorrow?” Lucio chuckled.

“That’s right.” Christian sighed as he looked at all the Lamberti’s through the frosted glass door. “I’ll be here first thing in the morning, I promise, Christian spoke and kissed Lucio on the forehead.

“You’ve never treated me like this, maybe this should’ve happened a long time ago.”

“Don’t say that,” Christian said. He felt terrible for not treating him like this earlier, but now that he still had the chance to change everything, he would.

“I’ll come and visit you tomorrow.” He spoke one last time before he turned around to leave.

As he made his way back home, Christian held back all his tears and tried to think positive thoughts. He knew this would happen at one point, and he was prepared-so he promised himself not to cry. He was going to be there for Lucio and follow his requests until his very last breath.

After he arrived home he wasted no time and immediately made his way to Siena’s bedroom. His entire mood to kiss his daughter goodnight was ruined when he saw her holding Siena in her hands.

How dares she? He thought as he glared at Gina and leaned against the door.

“Christian, you’re back!” He heard Serena’s cheerful voice. Gina immediately turned around and put the sleeping Siena in her crib before she took a step back.

“How are you? Is your dad okay?” Serena cupped his face and stared into his eyes. “He’s fine, just felt a bit dizzy. Christian reassured her before his gaze moved to Gina.

“She came here to check up on me,” Serena explained, but to Christian, those words didn’t mean anything.

“My office, now,” Christian demanded and walked away, leaving Serena behind flustered. Gina who was well aware of Christian’s temper followed behind him.

“What the hell are you doing in my home, holding my baby. Are you sick?” He asked her after he shut the door. The frightened look on Gina’s face was enough for him to keep his cool, but he was still pissed.

“I’m not trying to involve myself in your family mat-

“Then what are you doing here?” Christian sighed. The other reason why he could not fire her or yell at her was out of fear. The thought of her being alone with Serena or the thought of her taking revenge made him sweat.

“Trust me or not, after I heard what happened I was worried for Serena’s well-being and came to check on her, that’s all.” Gina spoke in defense.

“Well I hate to break it to you but you and Serena will never be buddy-buddy” Christian spat in her face. “I don’t know if you can see the seriousness of the situation, but you can’t come in here and pretend like you’re part of my family.”

“I’m sorry, I crossed the line.” Gina apologized. Christian stared at the frightened girl in front of him, and thought about how she lost her confidence whenever it was just the two of them.

The first time he met her she definitely wasn’t like this, and whenever she did her job-which she was very good at, by the way, she wasn’t like this either.

“Listen, Gina, I’m sorry it’s not your fault. I’m the one who crossed the line.” Christian came back to his senses. “I just want to make sure that we don’t forget about our agreement.”

“No, I remember. work for you until Lucio is not here anymore and then we’ll both go our own ways.”

Gina trembled. For a split second Christian reached out his hand to calm her down, but he immediately pulled it back. The last thing he should do was touch her.

The same day after they had arrived home from the hospital Christian ordered her to come to his office, and demanded answers in the same aggressive way.

Gina explained to him that her husband got her this job and that she tried to get out of it, but couldn’t. She explained that all she wanted was to make her in-laws happy, which she was able to do so by working for a Lamberti.

The thought of telling Lucio the truth had never crossed his mind, he made a deal with Gina to let her work for him until his dad was not here anymore. Yes, he did it out of fear-but he also did it out of guilt.

He did it because Gina was a genuinely nice person, who regretted her actions and he knew that Gina was not to blame. Whatever happened between Gina and her husband was between the two of them, but Christian never told her that he had a girlfriend and a baby along the way until after they slept together. That was on him.

“Trust me, I feel just as uncomfortable as you do-but I promise you, all I wanted was to check up on Serena, Gina explained one last time.

“That’s nice of you, but it’s weird that you and Serena are getting along, don’t you feel like it’s unfair? Don’t you think you’re making a fool out of her?”

“And how about you?” Gina finally snapped. She did not understand how she was the one making a fool out of her when he was the one who cheated on her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” Gina closed her eyes, but there was nothing else left for him to say. She was right.

“Listen, let’s just keep this a business relationship. You are a great assistant and you’ve helped me a lot and feel free to involve yourself with every business, but please not my family business.”

Christian told her.

“Fine, can I go now?” Gina muttered. Whenever Christian looked into his eyes he felt sorry for having to do this to a nice person with a kind soul, but he had no choice. He was doing what he thought was necessary to protect his pride and family. “Go.” Christian told her.

Gina rolled her eyes and turned away, but before she could take another step Christian grabbed her by the wrist.

“We’re okay right?” He asked for reassurance. Gina put a fake smile on her face and nodded her head. “Yes, we’re fine-I have a lot of respect for you and I’ve never had an issue with you.” She spoke before she freed herself and left his office.

Christian took a deep breath and rested his head against the wall.