Giovanni:
"I'm up! Ouch!" I instinctively clasp my broken hand as pain shoots right to my brain, waking me up successfully.
Another day.
I throw the threadbare covers off my legs and sit up right just as the alarm rings off.
"Gio, you're going to be late for work!" I hear my mother before her head appears through my slightly open door.
I quickly hide my injured hand behind my back. I don't want her to get worried but it seems I'm too late.
"No. No. I saw that!" She's sitting beside me in a few strides and taking my injured hand from behind my back.
"I'm fine. Just another bar fight."
She's not even listening to me, mumbling Italian profanities.
"Mama." I retrieve my hand from hers and put it on my lap before taking her hand in my good one.
"I'm fine. Look at me." My index finger pull her chin up only to find tears in her eyes.
"Mama...." my throat clogs with emotion. This is my weakness. My mother's tears.
"I'm so sorry. You should be following your dreams. You're doing all these sketchy jobs to feed all of us. If only your father was..."
"Shhhhh." I pull her small body into my chest and hold her tight and she holds on for dear life.
"I'm so sorry." She keeps sobbing as I rub circles into her back.
"My beautiful boy." She pulls away from my embrace to smile through her tears.
"I am beautiful." I grin boyishly with a wink.
I should get ready for my shift in Starbucks.
I grab the first shirt I find on my small table and throw it over my head.
Finding pants is much easier.
Mom passes me my favorite pants and I smile my thanks at her.
"MamaMia, Look at me! I completely forgot about it." Mama is on her feet and trailing me as I start to leave my room.
I pass my eavesdropping little sister on my way out and shake my head at her.
"What are you so excited about?" I hear her ask my mother. I don't stop to hear their little conversation. I might have an injured hand with no insurance to see a doctor but that doesn't mean I'll get a paid day off from my part time job at Starbucks.
The divine smell of coffee coming from the kitchen and mama's cooking wakes up my mood. Maybe today won't suck as much as yesterday.
I have to get coffee into my system and mama has this perfect mix that is strong as hell and potent to boot!
I grab the pot and pour myself some.
Now, where's breakfast?
Excitement rush through my veins as my eyes clock the pan of deliciousness.
"Lemon ricotta pancakes! Is Nonnina in town?!"
I grab One of the perfectly laid pancakes and sink my teeth into it with a satisfactory hum.
"Delizioso?"
I'll recognize that voice anywhere.
"Nonnina!" I turn on my toes to find granny smiling brightly at me.
"Ragazza mio." I wrap her frame with my bigger one as I breathe in her familiar scent.
"What are you doing in Atlanta?" I release her from my embrace to continue munching on my pancake.
"Family business. Nothing important."
I pause my chewing at this.
Family business in the Bastino family means something entirely different from what any ordinary family would think.
The last family business that involved grandma ended up with my father missing and mama dragging us out of Sicily.
That was almost ten years ago.
We've seen Nannoni several times on holidays since then but she's never mentioned the family.
Until now.
"Don't leave your mouth hanging with food in it, Gio. Let's sit for breakfast." Mama and Mia waltz into the kitchen at that moment.
I turn away from them to spit the suddenly stale food in my mouth.
"I'm late. I'm sorry I can't stay for breakfast." I down the cold cup of coffee and start to make my retreat.
"You've not even freshened up."
"I'll get ready at work." I assure mama with a quick peck to her forehead.
"It's good to see you Nonnina." Another peck for grandma and a quick ruffle of Mia's hair
"Make sure mama takes her medicine."
"You promised to make me cookies!" I hear Mia yell after me.
"When I get back!"
I hail a cab but remember that I'm short on cash and mama's medication is running out.
"Sorry, I'll walk." I apologize to the impatient taxi driver who hisses and zooms off.
My phone pings in my pocket, alerting me of a text message. Carlos name flashes on the screen as I swipe open his text.
I HAVE THE PERFECT JOB FOR YOU. MY COUSIN SAYS YOU CAN USE THE KITCHEN AT HIS RESTAURANT IF YOU HELP HIM SERVE AN IMPORTANT CLIENT OF HIS A FEW DRINKS.
I can't help but smile.
Just what I need.
I can't let grandma's presence shake me just because she said she's here for family business.
I don't care what that family business is nor would I let it spoil my day
"Flowers go that way!" I hear Rachael, mom's secretary barks at the obviously flustered new maid as I race past the flurry of activity currently going on in our huge garden. Well, it's too damn huge to be called a garden but as usual, everything with my mother just has to be huge. Like her ego!
"Good afternoon ma'am!" My quick escape is ruined by the flustered maid's squeal when her big eyes mistakenly catch mine and they fly quickly down to her shoes.
Everyone immediately stop whatever they're doing and bow slightly.
Shit.
I slow down to a walk.
"Don't pay me any attention." I wave the workers off. I really need to get inside before I shit all over this place!
Why did I eat that disgusting sandwich Toni gave me this morning?
"Everyone get back to work, now!" Rachael, ever the coordinator continues barking orders at everyone. Spending a decade working as mom's secretary has certainly made her into her mini version. I can't help but stop and watch her. She's even dressed up like mother. Is that why she's still single at 43?
Probably.
"Ma'am, do you need anything?" I'm brought back from my thoughts by the same maid who halted my run for the bathroom and my stomach growls like a reminder to why I'm here right now. I turn my eyes to the maid. She must be new. She looks younger than my 22 years and her nerves are obvious with the way she's clenching the poor flowers in her grasp.
"I'm good. Little advice though, miss...."
"R_R_Raven." She adds quickly.
"Get rid of the nerves. Rachael feeds on people's fear." I tell her with a small smile and fold her collars down for her. I don't wait for her reply, my stomach growls angrily.
"Thank you ma.."
The door is suddenly pulled open before I reach for the handle, startling me.
"Shit!"
"Don't let mommy hear you." Toni's adorable face looks up at me from the doorway. She's smiling like she knows just what kind of predicament I'm dealing with because of her right now.
"I'll deal with you in a min...arrrggh"
I clutch my stomach and double over in pain. Make that ten minutes.
I push past her tiny frame and race up the stairs.
"You shouldn't run up the stairs!" I hear the laugh in the little monkey's voice as I basically fall into my room without grace. I fling my phone and bag onto my bed.
I'm in the toilet at the speed of light, I don't bother with the door. It's my room after all. No one would dare enter without my permission.
I exhale in relief as I get down to business.
"Where's your Mr Kent?!" My shoulders jump with the sudden interruption.
The bathroom door is slammed open before I can think about where I left Mr Kent, my new bodyguard. He's definitely getting fired by mother.
My maniac nine years old little sister greets me with a huge smile.
"Toni!" I can't even reprimand her with my stomach singing and growling painfully.
"Prudy is here." She pouts like the spoilt child she is but I can't help but smile at her. She's the only one allowed to call mom's personal wardrobe manager, Prudy.
"I'll be right down. I don't know what you put in my sandwich this morning." I mutter the last part as I grab the tissue paper. Toni reluctantly starts to retreat.
"Tell her I'll be right down. And please close the door behind you." I call after her small back.
"Are you angry at me?" She turns teary eyes back at me and I beat myself up for raising my voice at her.
"I'm not angry sweetie. You should knock before you enter into any room that isn't yours, okay?" She nods and instead of leaving, she starts walking back to stand by the door.
"Are you really getting married today, Isa? The garden looks real beautiful today." I sigh and pull myself up from the toilet seat. My growling stomach becoming the least of my worries.
"I'm not getting married. Yet. Come here." I flush the toilet and take her hand as I lead her out to my bed.
"Prudy brought a lot of pretty dresses. She says I also get to test some of the dresses!" She bounces on the bed beside me.
"You look excited." That makes one of us.
"Wedding dresses are so pretty." She points out and rolls her eyes like she can't understand why I'm not excited.
Well forgive me for not being excited about marrying a stiff, grumpy man.
"It's just an engagement party."
"So? There'll still be pretty dresses."
"Of course you're right." I tweak her nose playfully and she giggles. My phone vibrates on the bed, catching my attention.
"Can you go tell Prudence I'll be down as soon as I finish umm.....powdering my nose." I finish drily.
"Powdering your nose." Toni giggles and I grin playfully.
"I just need to take this call." I nod for her to go ahead of me and pick my phone up with the click of my door shutting close.
"Ma'am." Mr Kent's anxious voice fills my ear as I connect the call.
"Mr Kent." I walk to my window and look down at the party decorations being put up in the garden.
"You said you were going to the ladies room."
"And I wasn't lying. You just failed to ask which ladies room I intended to use."
"Where are you? I'll come pick you up."
"I'm pretty sure you're fired Mr Kent. You really should keep up. My mother probably found out I came home without my bodyguard before you did. Call your agency." I shake my head and end the call.
Poor man. I'd told him to wait for me outside the company's restroom only to sneak out and run off on my own. I needed to drive myself and think about how tonight would change my life.
Too bad he'll have to join the long list of bodyguards fired by my mother before the ink dry out on their contracts.
It's not his fault.
It's my only way to rebel against my mother.
It's silly and childish but, frustrating all the men hired to guard me is the only outlet I have in my life.
Speaking of outlets, last night started like a good idea and ended up a disaster. I wonder what the bar attendant would think about last night.
The stunning man with eyes too dark was definitely my knight in shining armor and with that smile, I could have done more than smile at him. If Luke hadn't chosen that time to catch up with me and attack the man!
I didn't even get his name.
I did get a feel of his hard body while he held me and let me cry though.
"Why the hell am I grinning like a lunatic?" I roll my eyes at myself.
I'm about to be engaged.
I grimace as my eyes catch Raven trip on a table cloth and crash into Rachael.
"You idiot!"
Poor girl.
I guess Mr Kent is not the only one getting fired today.
A sharp knock on my door has my eyes flying up to the door.
"Mother!" My spine straightens like an obedient servant and I shoot up to a standing position.
Mother's stern eyes move round the room before resting on me.
I resist the urge to straighten my dress. She definitely hates fussing.
"You are to choose a suitable dress today." She states and I nod.
I've practically rejected all the dresses that has been brought to me for the past few weeks, just to stall.
I guess I can't stall anymore.
"No shenanigans tonight."
"Yes mother."
"Good. Downstairs, now." She gives my room one more look over before turning on her expensive heels and walking out.
I grab my phone on my way out and the text lighting up the screen has me smiling.
CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DISASTER THAT'S YOUR ENGAGEMENT TONIGHT.
DO I HAVE TO CALL YOU IN-LAW AFTER TONIGHT?
"Silly man." I chuckle under my breath.
Luke's text cheers me up a little bit. I'm marrying his twin brother and he calls it a disaster?
He's probably right but who are we to say what's a disaster or not in this world of contracts and mergers?