Chapter 61

My dedication goes to two countries.

Puerto Rico and Madagascar

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Kara’s POV

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Stephano parked his Ferrari at the gate and turned the engine off. I gave him a curious glance when he didn’t press the horn for the security guard to open up for us.

“What’s up?”

He picked my left hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. Then for no reason, he started kissing each fingertip and swirling his tongue on them in this way I would term erotic. Flustered at the response my body was getting, I grabbed my hand and placed it on my lap.

“You’re not driving in...why?”

“I’m stalling babe, just for you. Are you ready to face your in-laws?” He wiggled his brows. “You’re about to get a thousand doses of affection and you know they’re worse than your mom.”

Realization dawned and my eyes widened. “Right. Thanks for reminding me.”

“You’re welcome love.”

I childishly stuck out my tongue. Then I remembered we would be meeting so many people in there, not only Stephano’s immediate family.

“Can we bail?” I pouted, groaning. He was right. Mrs. Alfonsi didn’t treat me like the nanny’s daughter and the Alfonsi’s in total saw me as the baby of the house.

That was part of the reason I grew up having whatever I wanted without an excuse. Also, they took part in so many special events in my life- like my first day in preschool, my birthdays and high school graduation so they were literally family.

“Do you really want to bail?”

“Er...what if I really want to? We could go somewhere and just-" my hands were already gliding up his chest as I gave him a wink.

He gave me a bored look in return, which made me scowl. I could’ve sworn I was good at teasing and seducing him but Stephano had been careful ever since the confession I made days ago at Paris. He was serious about that no-sex punishment.

“Loosen up.” I rolled my eyes.

He raised a brow and shook his head. “So you can make me go against my own rule and cancel the punishment? Not a chance love.”

He drove in and I waived at a smiling Simon, the security man stationed at the gate. When we parked, I leaned into the seat as nostalgia hit me.

I had grown up here. And of course, I did miss it dearly. My childhood memories were all here. Stephano alighted but I didn’t, still looking around. Unlike other days, I intentionally waited for him to come and open the door, admiring his taut butt in those dark jeans as he walked around the car. He was wearing black Polo I had picked out for him this morning and black, fitted jeans. Coupled with his black spiky hair and two days old stubbles, he looked incredibly sexy.

“Mama showed me the jewelries you gave her. Thanks.” I told him just when he was about to open the door. I did it myself and smiled up at him.

Holding his hand out, I accepted it and allowed him wrap his hands around my waist just because we felt like it.

“She doesn’t need to thank me and neither do you. Natalie is literally my second mom.”

“Still-” He gave me an annoyed look and I stopped pursuing the subject. “Okay fine. She loved your proposal lines by the way.”

A lazy smirk slipped onto his gorgeous face. “It was perfect. I know, you don’t have to remind me.”

“Actually no. Her words were ‘Stephano looked really cute when he thought you weren’t going to say yes and panicked.” I giggled. Mama had talked about it all yesterday and early this morning when we were preparing to leave.

It wasn’t until after she repeated it to me several times that she was finally happy she watched the video of our proposal —even though she wasn’t present— that she finally released myself and Stephano to leave for the Alfonsi’s mansion this morning. I opened the large door and just looked around. Most of those that heard the large metal door opening stopped chattering and equally stared at me. My cheeks flushed and I looked around, avoiding their knowing gazes.

But I was glad to be here because they considered me family. Also, it had been long since I saw these many family members. I knew I was in for some drilling because they would want to know what transpired between me and Stephano, even to the last detail. I rolled my eyes and walked further in.

Stephano’s uncles and aunties from different countries and continents were here too.

“Look who’s here! Kara!”

Stephano’s cousin, Callie shouted and came over to carry me from the ground. She spun me around thrice. Callie was about four inches taller than I was. Next was Mark, Callie’s brother. They were both aunt Catherine’s children and aunt Catherine was Mrs. Alfonsi’s older sister. He pecked my forehead after lifting me up. “It’s good to see you again, Kara bear.”

Callie was a year older than I was while Mark was three years older.

“Me too. I’m very happy to be here with you guys.” I gave him a genuine smile.

“My, you’ve gotten fatter!” Stefan groaned beside before I was lifted off the ground again with him pecking me on the forehead. Stefan was very annoying as a boy and we got along just well when we were kids just because he found joy in annoying Stephano. Also, he often called me his wife.

For some reason then, Stephano hated talking to him but since Stephano later revealed that he had a crush on me since I was eight years old, there was a possibility that he usually got jealous whenever Stefan claimed I was his wife. A smile crept onto my face at that thought.

“Stephano hasn’t been feeding you!” He chuckled and quickly dropped me, smirking.

“Hello to you too Stefan. I have been feeding Kara well, actually. In almost a year time, it’ll show.” Stephano stated darkly behind me. His arm snaked around my waist as he pulled me closer to him. His body was tense.

Stefan grew red for some unknown reason and then gave me an awkward stare, eyeing me up and down before laughing out loud. “He means putting babies in there.”

My eyes widened as I looked away from him awkwardly, not saying a word. Then he burst into cackles, doubling over and slapping his knees while walking back to the table where some of the others were still sitting as they waved at me. Stephano didn’t even have to say anything, he could’ve simply ignored Stefan but his jealousy always got the better of him.

“I always knew that wanking loser had the hots for you all those years back.” This time, it was Sasha, Stefan’s twin sister that spoke. Stephano who had been relaxed just a second ago tensed again. In reflex, I smiled and grabbed on his hand.

He looked down at me with pure adoration and I boldly leaned up to steal a kiss before turning around to face Sasha.

“Sasha, language! Don’t embarrass my man.” I blushed while warning her and pulled him into the large sitting room which looked more like a hall. I usually called Stephano my man, but not when he was right there.

I released his hand and went to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Alfonsi. Then aunt Cat and some others I couldn’t properly remember.

“Kara bear, I haven’t seen you in ages. You should come and greet this old man often.” Mr. Alfonsi told me fondly while Stephano walked towards his father and said something in his ear.

“I will try my best from now on.” I replied him warmly.

“How is your mother, dear? That woman is a neat freak! She would send a maid up every thirty minute to one hour just to make sure I am comfortable whenever I’m chanced to visit and she complains I don’t come to Italy often...” Aunt Hazel, Mrs. Alfonsi’s younger sister complained. This time around, I couldn’t stifle my giggle because I knew she was right. Mama was a neat freak and always very attentive to everyone. I was glad she’d now retired, because she was quite the multitasker.

I saw Stephano and his uncle wandering up the stairs with his father and rolled my eyes. Business already? This was a family gathering!

“I’ve been waiting for that boy to make a move several years ago. What made him snap?” Aunt Cat asked with a wry smile. All the ladies around stopped what they were doing and listened attentively. I couldn’t blame them. Stephano was closed off and rarely showed any affection so they were wondering how things had transformed between us.

Mrs. Alfonsi laughed and patted my lower back. She had been playing cards with Mr. Alfonsi and Mr. Dante, a family friend before Mr. Alfonsi left with Stephano.

“I threatened him.” She imputed with a chuckle.

Aunt Cat’s eyes grew large with curiosity and some other ladies huddled closer, eager to know her response. Even I was curious to know how she threatened him. “How?!”

“I said I would tell Kara the truth, that I would expose his thirteen year old love for her.” She replied with a contented smile. Aunt Cat gasped and patted her cheeks lightly, a grin spreading out on her face. The ladies oohed, ahhed and awwed.

“Who knew Stephano could be so loving? The proposal pictures and video almost made me cry. He even took her to Paris, the city of love.” One of Stephano’s distant cousin gushed. The others agreed.

“Kara is so lucky.”

“Right? My dear cousin is always cold and aloof but she managed to crawl into his heart somehow.”

“One time... I thought he was into men. I mean, he always took pictures with men but never one picture with a woman. Not even with his model ex-girlfriend... Danielle. Who knew he had a beautiful girl in mind?!”

“And to think he loved her since childhood. So romantic!”

‘I can’t wait to see them...kiss again. The video still looks surreal. Awww.’

The comments were coming from left, right and center while Mrs. Alfonsi looked pleased. They were all looking at me now with dreamy eyes. I blushed and made an excuse to use the restroom, wanting to clear my head and prepare myself for the numerous questions that could still be thrown my way before we leave here.

I went upstairs and silently accepted hugs as some of Stephano’s younger cousins passed and greeted me. Finally reaching the passage, I went straight to my old room.

It was just as I left it. The windows were shut and the curtains parted to give beautiful scenery of the garden at the back yard. Most of my things were at Stephano’s mansion now but my six and half foot mirror was still here. My shelf still contained my high school textbooks.

My cheeks were read and my eyes slightly glazed over, as if I was thinking too deeply about something.

My feet carried me and I found myself looking down at some of the pictures I had left here on my reading table. I had taken one with Giuliano and Stephano at a local festival, another one with Angela and Stephano at a park when I was eleven years old, another one with mama and my late dad in an event the Alfonsi’s had held, then the last one was just myself.

Heaving a sigh, I chuckled and looked around. I didn’t miss this place like I had thought I would. Wherever the ones I love were, that place was where I could confidently call home. This place was home, because the Alfonsi’s were family. But Stephano’s mansion was homey home, because he was there and mama was there too and it felt more like home because I didn’t have to scurry past him or watch him glare icily at my back, I was now clearly aware of his intentions.

Just when I was about to turn around and leave the room, the door opened. I didn’t turn around. The cologne alone already alerted me to who it was.

“Enjoying the attention without me?” Stephano whispered into my ear as he came behind me and snaked his two hands around my waist.

“Hmmm. I’m precious to them after all.” I boasted. Stephano moved us to the mirror.

“You’re precious to them, and to me.” He crossed his arms over my chest and leaned in, digging his nose into my neck.

Then he started kissing me there. “Kara?”

“Hmm?”

“I love you.”

My breath hitched. His eyes were shuttered, as if he was not really here and yet he was kissing my neck hungrily and staring deeply into my eyes. “Stephano?”

“Hmm?”

“I-” I gasped. He was kneading on my breasts slowly, fondling them and tweaking on my nipples from my black lace dress. I could only stare dreamily and allow him do what he pleased, because he knew I wanted it.

“What were you going to say love?” His eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint.

“I love you.” I tried to turn around but he held me still.

“Don’t. I just want to keep staring at your perfect face.”

“My face is not all perfect. I have large eyes and there used to be acne...here.” I pointed at a spot on my forehead.

“Your large eyes are perfect and as for the acne...we’ll call our doctor to recommend a doctor that'll take care of such treatment on our way home.”

I laughed. “No need. I said I used to have. That was more than a month ago, before I started my finals.”

“See? Your face is perfect. Hmm.” He resumed his kisses on my shoulder blades, tugging the material of my dress impatiently. I blushed again under his scrutinizing gaze.

My stomach started to hurt a little, just like when I just got out of bed this morning, so I bit my lower lip. Maybe it was because of my period that I was constantly moody and overly sensitive and emotional. Also, I was feeling slight pain in my abdomen.

“What’s wrong?” He dropped his hands on my breasts and they missed his burning touches.

“Nothing. My stomach...”

“Come. Let’s feed that tummy.” I giggled slightly. Stephano just said tummy and not stomach.

“I was just coming up to search for you. My, Kara, you’ve gotten prettier and chubbier since I last saw you.” Someone screeched just as I got to the edge of the stairs.

“Are you calling me fat?” I feigned hurt and she rolled her eyes.

“I think I am.” She played along and I rolled my eyes.

“Hello Lily.” I smiled and hugged Angela, Stephano’s younger sister and the last child of the Alfonsi’s. We often call her Lily. “You’ve gotten even more beautiful as well. Touring has done more work on you.”

Angela was a tourist and model. She was rarely at home, always traveling every now and then. As we walked to the table, we started talking about tourism and the fun in it.

Her parents became worried as they heard Lily relay her recent escapades and Mr. Alfonsi made her promise to reduce the traveling to only four or three times a year, which Lily grudgingly agreed to.

“Lunch is set! Everyone gather at the dining, now!” Mrs. Alfonsi shouted from the kitchen. A smile crept on my face.

This was why I loved this place and the people. Family meant everything to them and once they love you as their own, you’ve automatically become famiglia too. Blood. To most Italians who followed family rules and ancient beliefs, family came first.

“Hello everyone. Steve.” Stephano nodded at his uncle who came and tapped the back of his head. We sat to eat. As usual, Stephano helped me cut the large portion of chicken into small bits while I poured his wine.

“So, have you decided on the date of the wedding?” Aunt Maria, Mr. Alfonsi’s only sister asked. She was always strict and straight to the point.

Aunt Maria was a business woman. After losing her husband who she had married for only four years, his family came and took everything the husband had left, killing the lawyer and destroying the evidence. With the help of her two brothers, Mr. Salvatore Alfonsi and her other brother Bernardo Alfonsi, she started her own business. Ruthlessly, she bought back all her shares and made her late husband’s family pay. All this was done within seven years.

Now years after, she was still cold hearted and didn’t know how to sometimes express herself, just like Stephano was at his workplace whenever he was buried in work. But her family understood her.

Her words were always chosen slowly. It was like she was waiting for someone to pounce on her, so her words were always calculative, curious and smart. I almost choked on my salad but swallowed it just in time, thank goodness.

“Well, no-”

“Yes we have. We’ll do the engagement at my place in three weeks from now and then next two months well do the wedding...but we haven’t chosen the date. Isn’t that right, love?” Stephano asked very softly and smoothly, his eyes warm as he awaited my response. He seemed to have it all planned out.

I didn’t remember making that decision with him, though when we were making out in the plane yesterday, he had asked me when the perfect time to fix our wedding date would be and I might have said next week. Okay, that wasn’t the rational part of me talking. That was the horny part because he was pushing all the right buttons and refused to go further as we passionately made out. He made it obvious that he was restraining himself from going too far.

But Stephano had simply replied me that next week was too soon as we hadn’t done any preparation yet. Sadly, he still stuck to his no sex till wedding night punishment and we then decided to get married in two month’s time.

“Yes. He is right. I was just...lost for a second there.”

Mrs. Alfonsi’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that too soon? I have to send out invitations to the commissioners, and then the minister of finance, we haven’t discussed with the caterer yet, then we need to specially invite Vladimir Slater and the venue hasn’t even been chosen yet. The-”

“We don’t have to do anything so elaborate. What matters is that you all are present and you’re my priority, mi famiglia. We can make inquiries about the venue next week, my friend Barbara has an in-law who’s a caterer and she’s known nationwide so I’ll contact her to make enquiry and we can go for cake testing after booking an appointment. Mom and I will handle the invitations and send it out with Adrian. Moreover, the most important thing to me and Stephano is your presence. If you are there, then our wedding is already a success.” I told them and could see that I managed to convince Stephano’s parents, because they smiled warmly at me and didn’t pursue the topic anymore.

Even Aunt Maria looked pleased and her normally frosty gaze turned soft for a moment.

Everyone went back to eating while I pondered over everything. In the next one month, I would be an Alfonsi by blood and marriage. ‘Mrs.’ actually, no longer Miss. The thought overwhelmed me and I had to take water quickly.

I didn’t notice my hands were shaking until Stephano held the water and helped me guide it to my lips. From my peripheral vision, Mrs. Alfonsi was smiling as she not so subtly stared at us.

“Are you okay love?” Stephano softly asked me and I nodded.

“You can’t go all lovey dovey at the dinner table bro. Some of us are trying to put food in our stomach.” Lily complained in a teasing tone beside Stephano. Stephano ignored her and since I was on his left, he casually placed a hand on my left thigh. The chatter continued again but I rarely commented.

“Baby, are you alright?” Stephano’s voice was filled with concern when I tensed for the third time. I wanted to enjoy the meal but this stomach upset was getting stronger. I couldn’t hide the pain anymore and it showed on my face.

“My stomach. I’m on my period...” I whispered. He frowned, then relaxed. He picked out his phone.

His mom scowled at him. “Stephano, you can’t use your phone on the dining. That’s disres-”

“It’s an emergency mom. Just a second.” After scrolling for some a minute or two, he kept it back in his pocket. His hand went to my waist and he started patting and gently massaging me.

“What are you doing?” I muttered, loving the caress.

“Google said rubbing your waist and caressing your stomach helps to ease menstrual cramps. We’ll leave immediately you’re done and I can rub your stomach.” He stated bluntly, like it wasn’t a big deal and we were discussing business. My heart warmed. That meant he had been going through Google to look for some remedy on the menstrual cramps.

“I’m done.” I breathed, feeling needy for more of his attention. I wanted his body on mine, all over me.

“Thank you for the food mom. It was delicious.” We said simultaneously and I got up. Thanking after a meal was habitual in the Alfonsi’s household, even for Mr. Salvatore Alfonsi himself.

“Where are you going? Let’s play a game...” Stefan frowned as he grumbled. Most of us had finished eating while some were almost through.

“I’m taking her for a rest. She’s having some cramps. Excuse us.” Grabbing my waist protectively, we walked away from the table while Mrs. Alfonsi called after us that she would bring medicine up soon.

“I’m turning you into a couch potato.” I complained, knowing we were going up to just go and lay on the bed. Stephano ignored me and we went into his room. The bed sheets were clean and nothing was dusty. The furniture was in their usual black and white and not a single thing was out of place.

“Come.”

He helped me sit. Going to pick a white shirt, he helped me pull my dress off and I wore his shirt. His eyes didn’t linger on my breasts out of respect before he went on his knees and took off my heels.

“Let’s just lay in bed. We’ll leave after dinner.”

“Wedding date?” I breathed as I lay down.

“You pick.”

He checked his phone, scrolling with a serious look. As he scrolled past, I saw that September fourteen was free and it gave us a whole month to prepare, so I went for it. “Hm... How about fourteenth of September?”

“Sounds great.”

I nodded. “I still can’t believe we’re getting married.”

“Me too.” His icy blues pulled me in, the tenderness in them caressing me without a physical touch. “You’ll finally be all min-”

“My favorite girl!” We heard someone yell. That was Giuliano and from the sound of it, he was stomping up the stairs. In an instant, the door barged open.

“Kara boo, Kara bear!” He jumped on the bed and hugged me, tickling my sides. Despite the stomach ache, I giggled.

“St-stop!” I laughed weakly. Stephano punched his shoulder with a glare and Giuliano stopped tickling me.

“Chill bro. It’s just a hu-”

“She’s having cramps. Get out.”

“Jeez, commando much? Eek.” Giuliano smiled down at me. Just as he was about to leave, he stole a kiss on my cheek and burst into laughter, walking out. “Your face is hilarious brother! You’re fuckin whipped.” He laughed. I kept staring at his retreating back till he shut the door, smiling at his childishness.

“Hope he didn’t disturb your stomach too much?”

I shook my head, cuddling his waist and placing my head on his thighs as I sniffed his cologne from his shirt. Stephano pulled out a handkerchief from his drawer. Dropping water on it from the bottled water on the top of the drawer, he dabbed at my face softly.

“You shouldn’t allow other men peck you. You’re already my fiancée and will be getting married soon.” He grumbled.

“He pecked my cheek. No need to clean my forehead.” I smiled smugly.

“Stefan kissed you there earlier.”

“Oh. Their kisses mean nothing. They’re like brothers to me while you are the love of my life. Still, I won’t allow them kiss me from now on. Also, your mom reminded me about the ring. It’s for the middle finger.” I adjusted the ring position and rose up my middle finger.

“You want to fuck me?” He bluntly asked.

“Stephano! No, well...yes. That’s not what I meant...” I gave up and groaned when the pain suddenly increased.

“I’m here. Mom already went to get pills for it.” He murmured and started rubbing my stomach. Finally, he lifted my shirt and snaked his hand up my stomach, rubbing it and whispering sweet nothings to me.

I didn’t know exactly when I fell asleep to the sight of him smiling down warmly at me.

*

Drum rolls!!! Wedding! The next chappie is the wedding, this is too emotional for me. OMG. We've gone a long way and SBTTB will finally come to an end. Hehe.

Kindly vote and comment your thoughts as always. Thanks for the supports. I rate you guys. You've been there since day one.

Group hug?? 🤗 🤗 🤗

Your girl,

Hephzibah ❤❤