Chapter 27
ARIA
Enzo and I have been married for about a week and a half already. Yeah, time sure does seem like it’s flying. I still can’t believe I’m married… we’re married!
It feels like I’ve been living on cloud nine since we tied the knot, though in the back of my mind, I’m a bit scared that I’ll wake up and find out it was all just a dream and I’ll still be trapped in that house with my father.
“Is everything okay, Tesoro?” Enzo asks, across the island from me.
“Yes. Sorry, I was just daydreaming,” I say, a soft smile crossing my face.
“About?”
“How this past week has been an absolute dream,” I sigh, happily.
Even though we didn’t do much—matter of fact, we didn’t even leave the penthouse once—except spend time together, laze around the house, explore the library he got for me, and watch movies, swim in his outdoor pool on his balcony, and get to know each other better, it was still one of the best weeks I’ve ever had.
Oh, I also ate lots of amazing foods that he ordered and cooked.
At the moment, I’m just a little bummed because it’s Monday and he’s going back to work today. I know he needs to, because he took the whole of last week off to stay at home and spend it with me. I still can’t believe he did that, but now I’m going to miss having him around all day.
My eyes are glued to him as he makes breakfast for me. He’s already dressed, and I can’t stop staring at my man. God, it really should be illegal to look that freaking hot.
He’s wearing black slacks and a white button-down shirt that’s rolled up to his elbows and… arm porn. Need I say more?
“And I’ll miss you while you’re at work,” I finally remember to add in the last part of my thoughts after being caught up in staring at my husband’s hotness. Damn, I’ll never get tired of calling him that.
“I’ll miss you too, baby,” he says, and when my eyes finally make their way up to his face, of course, he’s smirking at me.
“You should button up those top buttons before you leave. I don’t want anyone at the office staring at my husband’s chest,” I grumble.
“I was planning to, babe,” he replies, chuckling at my possessive tone. “Don’t worry, this is all yours. And only yours,” he waves his hand over his body to show me what’s mine.
He’s still smiling when he brings my pancakes, omelet, and juice over to me. I really fucking love how this man takes care of me.
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to,” I tell him, because he’s the one who insisted he make me breakfast before he leaves for work. “By the way, you’re really amazing at this husband thing, you know?”
I just wanted to put that out there and give him the compliment because he really has been amazing, and it was worth it to see the huge smile that lights up his face.
“I know.” He smirks, and I roll my eyes. Cocky asshole!
“Ready to go, boss?” Aldo questions, walking into the kitchen. “Good morning, Mrs. Andretti.”
“Good morning, Aldo. Make sure you take care of my husband while he’s out there. It’s your balls on the line,” I threaten, and the man cringes a little, which has me smiling.
“Will do, ma’am,” Aldo replies with a nod.
“Easy there, tiger. You do know I’m the best assassin around, don’t you?”
“Yeah, yeah. Doesn’t matter. I’ll always be worried about you whenever you leave the house,” I let him know.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine, baby. Your guards will be up shortly,” Enzo murmurs, pulling me in for a delicious kiss that has me dazed by the time he pulls away.
“Okay. I’ll try not to worry,” I mumble.
He pushes his sleeves down, buttons the top buttons of his shirt, and puts on his suit jacket. “Enjoy your breakfast and make sure you eat all of it. See you later, baby. I love you,” he says, giving me a quick kiss before walking out of the kitchen, following behind Aldo.
“I love you too!” I call after him.
“Yes, eat,” Giana says, waltzing into the kitchen. “Geez, you two are so in love it’s making me nauseous. I thought that man was never going to leave,” she jokes.
“Shut up!” I laugh, digging into my food before it gets cold, as Giana goes to the stove and starts making herself breakfast.
“What are you planning on doing today?” she asks.
“I don’t know… just continue growing this baby, I guess,” I joke. “We already have a cleaner and a cook, and who knows how many other household staff… so there’s literally nothing else to do.”
“True. That man is taking pampering to a whole new level.” She laughs.
“Right! Though I kind of secretly like it, but if you tell him that, I’ll deny it,” I threaten.
“Just enjoy it all now, because soon you’ll be sleep-deprived with a newborn around.”
“Like you won’t be trying to hog the baby as much as you can,” I laugh.
“Hmm. That is also true.”
I’m about to reply to her when we hear footsteps coming down the hall. A moment later, Bruno comes into view with another man following behind him.
“Good morning, ma’am,” they both say at the same time.
“Good morning,” I reply.
“This is Umberto. He’s been assigned to be your personal guard with me,” Bruno informs me.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am. I’m honored to be serving as your personal guard,” Umberto says, a stoic and serious expression on his face.
“Nice to meet you, too, Umberto,” I tell the man.
“Breakfast is ready!” Giana says to the guys. “I made enough for both of you.”
“We really shouldn’t—” Bruno starts.
“Thanks, but—” Umberto says.
I cut them both off. “You two are going to be here all day, and I don’t want you to starve.
Go eat. I’m not leaving the apartment so you can relax a little,” I tell them in a no-nonsense tone, and they both follow my orders.
Once everyone is done eating, Giana is about to clean up when Dorothy comes in.
“Shoo,” Dorothy tells her. “I’ve got it from here.”
“Are you sure? We can help,” I tell her. I already love her because she’s been so kind to me since I’ve been here, and she’s also on the ‘get me to eat all the time’ train.
“Yes. Go,” she tells me with a smile on her face.
“Thank you,” I tell her as Giana, and I make our way to the living room.
“You take a seat. I have something to show you,” Giana says, before dashing back down the hall and past the kitchen to her room. When she comes back, there are a few bags in her hand.
“What do you have there?” I ask.
“Baby clothes,” she says excitedly.. “I saw these on Saturday when I went out, and I just couldn’t resist getting them.”
“What the hell, G?! You didn’t have to get her anything,” I say to her.
“Oh hush, you! I’m going to spoil her so much!” she squeals, excitedly.
“Of course you will,” I laugh. “These are super cute though,” I say, excitedly, when she throws everything out onto the couch and starts showing me what she bought.
We’re in the middle of oohing and aahing over the clothes she got when I hear the front door open and then the sound of heels clicking on the hardwood floor.
Bruno is on high alert, but when he’s standing in the hallway, looking to see who is coming in, I see him relax his battle-ready stance.
“Enzo?” I hear the words coming out like a question as a beautiful middle-aged woman step into the living room. Her eyes widen when she sees me as she yells for someone. “Leonardo! Get in here!” she squeals. Well, it definitely sounded like a squeal.
From where she’s standing and the chair I’m currently sitting on, she has a full, unobstructed view of me, belly and all.
“Oh my God! Hi!” she exclaims, as excitement fills her voice and face.
“What is with all the racket, woman?” an older man asks, as he finally steps into the living room. He sees me sitting here and exclaims, “Oh my.”
I instantly recognize the man. Oh God! Leonardo Andretti. I’m pretty sure the woman is Lucia Andretti. Enzo’s parents! I’m going to fucking kill him! He did not mention that his parents would be stopping by. His mother rushes over to where I’m sitting and plops herself down next to me.
Giana gets up and quickly rushes away so fast I don’t even get to whisper what the hell. I’m so nervous sitting here with his parents in the room.
My anxiety calms a bit when she comes back a few minutes later, bringing refreshments for everyone with her and placing them on the small coffee table in front of us.
I give her a grateful smile because I wasn’t even thinking about offering them something to eat or drink, and that makes her grin at me.
I’m meeting my in-laws for the first time, and I’m already a terrible host.
“Now, what do we have here?” Leonardo questions no one in particular as he takes a seat on the couch across from us before turning to his wife. “Looks like our son has been holding out on us, dear.”
“That damn rascal! I’m going to have words with him later!” She huffs before turning to me and peppering me with questions. “Hi, dear. Who are you? What’s your name? If you’re here, then I can confidently say that you’re carrying our grandchild, am I right?”
“Um… Hi,” I say, shyly. I am so far out of my element right now. “My name is Aria… and yes, I am pregnant with Enzo’s baby.”
“Aria Bellucci?” his father asks.
“Yes,” I answer, and he lets out an unexpected laugh.
“That little shit! I’m guessing he thought he was being so sneaky when he was questioning me about your wedding to Salvatore. Guess that’s no longer happening,” he says, chuckling.
“How far along are you? Tell me everything and—” she goes to continue, but then stops on a gasp, pulling my left hand up to her face to look at the giant rock that’s on my finger. “Oh my God! Did you two get married?!”
“I’ll be seven months next week. And um… Yes. We got married last week,” I tell her, uncertainty filling my voice.
“That little shit got married without us! And he didn’t even mention it either. I’ll be having words with him later,” she grumbles to her husband.
“I’m so sorry. Um, it was unexpected and a long story,” I murmur apologetically.
“Don’t worry, dear. I’m sure Enzo had his reasons for not telling us. I’m just happy we have a daughter-in-law and a grandbaby on the way! Do you know what you’re having yet?”
“It’s a girl,” I murmur.
“Eek! I’m so happy! I’ve always wanted a girl to spoil, and now I’ll get two! I can’t wait to spoil both of you and go on shopping trips together,” she says happily.
Okay… this woman is not at all what I expected. Right now, she’s looking at me with kind eyes and she’s been holding my hand since she sat down. I don’t know what to make of her.
I thought she would hate me when I told her we were already married, but she’s been so nice and kind this whole time, and it’s making me tear up a bit.
“Thank you,” I whisper, a bit choked up. I wonder if my mother would have been like this… so genuine, nice and caring if she were still alive.
“I’m going to use Enzo’s office for a while since you two look like you have a lot to talk about,” his father says, getting up and walking down the hall toward the office, leaving us ladies alone.
“We’re going to be throwing you guys a party on Saturday,” she tells me a moment later, with more excitement lacing her voice.
“Oh, you don’t have to—” I start, but she cuts me off in her excitement.
“Nonsense! It’s about time everyone knows my son is off the market.” She grins, wickedly.
“Well, I do appreciate that,” I say, and she gives me a knowing smile.
“Let’s plan a party!” Giana says, exuding excitement too.
And that’s how we spend the next few hours, planning a reception that’s happening in just a few days.