It had been over a week since their arrival at Isla del Diosa and everybody was still welcoming and totally nice. Nikos enjoyed his time in the island and especially his new found friends, the younger men of the del Diosa clan. He never had difficulties on befriending all of them as they shared the same interest as him, which was the main reason why they clicked in just a short period of time.
"Good morning, sleepy head!" a smiling Chianna greeted him as he stepped foot downstairs.
"Good morning, Princess..." wired up from last night, Nikos still managed to say his greeting to the woman who seemed so cheerful everytime he saw her.
Chianna's eyes settled on Nikos, shining brightly, just like those stars that kept twinkling up in the sky.
"I guess apologizing for my late appearance is an old excuse now" Nikos shyly said to everyone, bowing down his head to pay his respect.
And once again, people were impressed by his action. Such a young gentleman who knew how to behave right. Even his father was looking at him all proud.
"You came here to relax, Nikos. You can take all the break you want, nobody's going to mind" Nikos smiled at Graciella, his future grandmother in law had always been so kind. She even winked at him which brought a genuine smile on his lips.
"Thanks, lola. That's so nice of you, all of you guys" he gratefully gave the whole family a glance, trying to let them know how sincere he waso.
"As much as possible, we'd like our guest to have fun. Plus, we're gonna be family soon. I meant, legally" the very down to earth Mrs. Olivia del Diosa de Jesus started to engage the conversation, looking like the spitting image of her two daughters, Samantha and Stacey.
A very true del Diosa.
Speaking of, and after spending his time overthinking in the middle of the night, Nikos decided to consider Chianna's suggestion. She was right. She was the only one who knew his real situation and like she said, she was ready for it.
So, be it.
He hadn't told anyone yet, not even his father. But Nikos had decided. And that was to marry Chianna del Diosa.
"Hola mi familia!" a thick, but obviously fake spanish accent yelled in the background, echoing the whole place, and startled each one of them.
As if on cue, everyone's head snapped directly at the entrance door, the recognition on their faces for the newcomer was descernible and in just a second, the girls began to make a very squeaky noise. They weren't hurt, just extremely excited.
"Red!" everybody in the room chanted altogether, except Nikos. He was facing the opposite direction so it was really hard for him to see.
"What's with the family reunion?" Nikos automatically turned a hundred eighty degree when he heard a clearer normal speaking voice of a woman.
Nikos' face went shocked and his jaw literally dropped upon seeing the owner of that voice, standing closer in front of them. He didn't even notice her foot steps. Being few feet away from her had given him the opportunity to stare at her for free. He couldn't help but kept gulping his throat and he did not know why.
Probably because, he was not expecting that the Red they were talking about the last time was a she and not a he. Now, he looked like an idiot who seemed so unprepared for this moment as he couldn't even remove his eyes off her. Such a breather-stealer! An epitome of beauty! Very classic and timeless!
Her skin was as white as snow and her hair was as red as the five o'clock sunset. Nikos couldn't help but to get mesmerized by the sight of her.
"Where have you been young lady?!" Jacob got up from his seat and immediately went closer to her, looking all furious.
"Outer space, father" the redhead replied in cold tone, causing everyone to gasp.
Niccolo smirked while Nikos held a disbelief reaction on his face.
"You better stop giving me this attitude or else----"
"Or else, what?" Red interrupted her father, getting annoyed. She just had a long ass flight and all she wanted to do at this moment was to get some rest.
"Fine! That's it! You're grounded and you can't leave Castillo del Diosa. Do you understand?!" in full authority, Jacob commanded or more likely yelled at her.
"Dad, that's enough" Franz went closer too, and immediately used his body to protect her from their father's wrath.
"Stop defending her Francisco. This is why she's acting like a spoiled brat!"
Franz gritted his teeth, still covering the redhead who showed no fear about the situation. What a tough one!
"Enough!" rose up from her cozy chair, Graciella finally butted in. "We can talk about this later, Jacob. Let your daughter get some rest first"
"Mama is right, honey" Bella reached Jacob's arm and gently pulled him away from their children. Then, she turned back around towards her troubled of a daughter. "I'm glad you're home, sweetheart" she opened her arms for a hug.
Immediately, Red clung into her mother's loving embrace, feeling so loose a little bit. "I miss you, mother" she said with all honesty.
Bella started sobbing which alerted everybody in the living room. "Mom..." Chiara and Chianna moved quickly and comforted their mother who got so emotional all of a sudden.
"I'm fine, my angels. I'm just glad that finally my baby is home"
"I'm sorry, mother. I will call from now on" Red assured and wiped Bella's tears, hoping it would calm her down. She really hated seeing her upset.
"Okay. Let's just stop the drama here" Graciella stepped in and tried to lift up the atmosphere for everyone.
Red smiled and pulled her grandmother into a hug.
"Okay, okay... young lady. You can let me go now" Graciella fixed the wrinkle on her outfit. "Red, my darling. As you can see, we have visitors here" she announced and pointed Nikos and his father. "And that man sitting right next to your grandfather is Mr. Niccolo Alexandrus, son of my bestfriend Agatha. If you still remember"
Red nodded her head as she remembered Agatha from her vivid-like childhood life. "Yes, she was very sweet and very kind"
"Good! And now, I want you to meet this handsome young man, Nikos. Agatha's dearest grandson" Graciella dragged Red closer to Nikos, making everyone shook their heads.
Deep inside, they felt sorry for Nikos and Red, for experiencing the Graciella syndrome.
"And, Nikos. I'd like to formally introduce you my little Red Vhiolette del Diosa. The youngest and the smartest in the family" Graciella exhibited her favorite hand gesture and plastered a huge smile on her lips.
Nikos was about to reply and introduce himself when a pair of violet eyes stunned him the most. He gasped in disbelief. Couldn't this girl be more real? How many surprises would he be getting from her today? She was absolutely beautiful in every impossible way!
"Nikos?" Graciella woke him up from his thought.
"Yes, lola?"
"I was talking to you but, I guess you got bewitched by my little Red's beauty. You suddenly lost your words" Graciella chuckled.
Nikos felt his blood circulating abnormally on his face so, he cleared his throat. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Red Vhiolette" he smiled genuinely and extended his hand towards her.
Nikos suddenly felt awkward when the girl didn't shake his hand. She didn't even take a glance, it was as if, she did not care at all.
"I'd like to rest if ya'll don't mind" she then turned around and started walking her way up to the stairs, leaving Nikos in shame as it was his first and most embarassing moment of his life.
Well, damn it!