chapter - 2

FAMILY

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"Do you know why is your brother hell-bent to invite me to one of his parties?"

"I have no idea Uncle." Eden invited every-fucking-one, I wonder what is so important that he wants us all to be there.

"I'm sure it is something important," the only good thing that can come out of this stupid party is me finding a girl. I think I should bring a date myself, might enjoy her later. For afterparty.

"You going to bring a date?"

A date?

"I am," and I know what exactly he is going to say now.

"Son, you know your mother won't like seeing you with a paid whore."

I snorted in annoyance.

My mother thinks that I should go out and look for love in this world. Be the ideal son she wants me to be, I used to try very hard to be perfect for her.

I don't - not anymore.

"And I couldn't care less. See you tonight Uncle," I exclaimed ending the call before he can say anything.

It's already 12, I decided to make a few calls before going there.

.

The place isn't very crowded, unlike other parties, Eden throws. I walked inside and was greeted by my brother.

"Thank you for coming." I nodded my head at Eden giving her girlfriend Marissa a smile.

"Anything for you brother," I said patting him in the back. I looked around and spotted father and mother at the bar.

They both look happy, talking to each other - with my father's hand around my mother's waist.

All these years and my father is still a lovesick puppy for her.

"Don't be an Asshole, go talk to them," Eden said directing his gaze toward our parents.

"I will first tell me why you wanted us all here."

"I will, Camille and Aunt are still not here. Let everyone arrive." Camille is Uncle Roman's daughter.

"Better be something important brother," I warned him - And the part about a woman by my side. I did ask Ace to arrange for some girl to be beside me tonight but the girl he brought was too young. I couldn't even hold her hand without thinking of me as some kind of pedophile.

I sighed and decided to finally confront my parents. Ironic how a strong man like me still has to gain some strength to face his parents.

But before I asked the waiter to bring me a drink. I gulped the whole drink down and walked in their direction. They both must have felt me coming towards them because they both turned to see who it is.

Both of them gave me a smile my dad move forward to embrace me in a hug which caught me off guard. It took me a minute to hug him back. "Father."

"Son."

After this, my mother also gave me a hug surprising me completely. "Mother."

"God, Nicholas we missed you like crazy." Missed me?

Irritated I said, "You need to stop touching me now."

I didn't even remember when was the last time I hugged any of my parents. Not like I want them to do it.

She stepped back with a hurt look on her face.

"These are no manners, Nicolas. Don't disrespect your mother like this." My father said defending his wife securing an arm around her back.

"Alright." Having a normal conversation with them is fucking impossible. How am I ill-treating her if I don't want her to hug me?

"Nicolas," I turned around to find my sister with Uncle Roman and Aunt Ana. "Camille," I utter. "Brother," she says as she hugs me.

What is with people and hugging today? I awkwardly pulled her away from me - averting my gaze to Ana.

I kissed Aunt on her cheek earning a giggle from her. We both feel eyes on us - I turned to see my mother gazing our way. Everyone knows I don't talk a lot to my mother so It is obvious this whole thing will turn awkward real soon.

"Nick, come with me," Roman said telling me to follow him. I followed him as we made our way towards Eden and his girlfriend.

"Uncle Roman" Eden greeted him with uncle padded his back in return.

"Hey kid, and hello gorgeous lady," I smirked - he is flirting with Eden's girl in front of him. Her face turns red the look on her face makes me almost laugh. "Hello, sir. My name is Marissa. - Heard a lot about you."

An evil smirk forms on his face. "I'm pretty famous among the ladies, I know," he jokes earning a glare from Eden. "Where is Aunt Ana again Uncle. You want me to get her here."

"Eden you were always my least favorite one you know that right," he said sipping his drink. Me and him grinning at Eden's annoyance.

"You guys wait here let me introduce Camille to Marissa," Eden said pulling her with him.

"You aware of the Giovanni Cartel?" Giovanni's is another family like ours except we are more powerful than them. They are like our rivals but we both don't want to get our hands dirty because doing it will cause war.

"What about them?" I asked him. Unlike my father Uncle is a very active remember of our cartel. He always advises me on what to do next.

Music started playing in the background interrupting our conversation. "We will talk later. Let's enjoy this party for now," he said as he made his way toward my aunt again.

I found the bar very opposite to the one where my family is. Thankfully Eden organized more than one.

"One whiskey," I ordered and looked around. I spotted Marissa walking toward the entrance with a big smile on her face.

I followed her gaze to a girl entering the party - and it's I knew it is going to be a long night.

The girl is wearing a red dress over her petite body tight enough for me to have a glimpse of all her curves. Her black hair and falling on her back, giving me a pleasant look at her skin.

She is not the type of girl someone can find here. She is brown - she must be Mexican or interracial or some shit.

Marissa hugged her like they know each other for a very long time.

I am not doing anything later - This party is boring anyway might as well take her home with me for some real fun.



"I'm so glad you are here."

Okay, I don't get emotional but the love Marisa has for me makes my heart soft. With a pout, I embraced her in a hug. "No shit silly, besides Tutto il piacere è Mio," I am sure it means all pleasure is mine.

Behind her then came a man in a suit. He is a young boy with a smile that could melt anyone. He smiled at me and looked at Marissa to introduce us.

"Boss meets my boyfriend Eden, Eden meets Miss.Tanwar my boss."

Miss.Tanwar, no shit.

"You can call me Ayushi," I offered to mock her - Marissa gave me a playful look. "Okay, Boss. "

"Ah, Ayush come in and enjoy the party."

"Thank you and the place looks nice," I complimented.

"Thank you," they both let out in unison which again makes me think they look so cute together.

I looked around to find where the bar is. There are two in the room one is occupied by old rich-looking people. And the other seems more distant from the party.

I made my way toward it, carrying my dress. This red dress is very beautiful no doubt but wearing a dress like this is hard. I hope there is enough booze for me to keep my mind shut.

The music in the place is soft like a softer version of jazz. I didn't expect her to throw a party like this, but I like it.

I ordered a whiskey on rocks and sat down beside a man. He is talking to someone on phone I noticed what drink he has in his hand and it's also whiskey. I thought Italians only like richass wine. I didn't get to look at his face until he turned his to look at me.

Damn, he is handsome.

More than just handsome.

I shouldn't stare at a man like a dog but I can't help it.

He is breathtakingly gorgeous. With dull but bright blue eyes. A jawline I would very much like to kiss. It took me I didn't know how many minutes to finally scoot back.

The hell am I doing?

But he was noticing me too alright. I cleared my mouth God, this is embarrassing. I noticed that that the bartender has already served my drink, I picked up my glass to take a slip. My mouth feels dry.

"You are not from here," is he talking to me? Why? I gulped a whole lot of it. I need it if I am going to talk to him.

I averted my gaze to him. "No, I am not."

It is very obvious that I am not from here, girls in this country are tall and slim and me, I am just the complete opposite. I'm ugl-

I shrugged my thoughts to look at him again.

His gaze on me is still hard - and then his eyes dropped down to my breasts. I licked my dry lips earning his attention back to my face.

"Where are you from?" He asks maintaining a dominant sight on my lips.

I can feel myself getting hot just by the way he is looking at me. " In- "

"Attention everyone!" A voice interrupted me. I twisted in my seat to see Marissa's boyfriend calling people to get everyone's attention.

I shifted my gaze to them from this Greek God sitting right next to me.

"I asked you a question," he says again ignoring the special announcement.

"India," I replied but my eyes still settled on the happy couple. My body is getting hot, because of his eyes on me.

"What is your name?" He asked again. I am now sure he is not at all interested in the party, but I am.

"A---"

The whole room gasped including me, Eden is on his one knee proposing to Marissa a big diamond in his hand.

He finally twirled to see what is happening. I can see the tears in Marissa's eyes, "I know baby that we don't know each other completely. But whatever time we spend together made me realize that this is what. You make me happy like no other - you make me feel like I am the luckiest man in the world."

"Marissa Belle Ricci, will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?"

How can she say no to this? She jumped in excitement like a child, her makeup a little ruined because she is crying. She tried to say something but all she can physically do is nod her head.

Eden slipped the ring in her finger and kissed her - hard.

Everyone in the room clapped, cheered the happy couple. Marisa looks so happy, she does deserve all the happiness in the world. It was then I noticed that the man who was sitting in front of me is no longer there.

All of their families gathered around them to congratulate them. "Let's eat some cake shall we," Eden uncovered a beautiful birthday cake for her. He took her hand and guided her to blow the candles.

Everyone started singing Tanti Auguri with the happy birthday tune. I noticed that the greek God from before is beside the rest of their families. Does this mean they are somehow related?

I should stay away from Marisa's possible family.

When the cake was cut and the wine is served. I congratulated the happy couple, Marissa told me she has something to talk to me about but she will ask me that later.

The Greek God is nowhere in my sight. I shouldn't be disappointed but I am. With my 3rd glass of this champagne, I think I should go home. Marisa is busy with her guests and her fiancee.

I think I'll just leave.

Walking out of the place I feel someone following me behind. "Going early?" It's his voice, it's him. I turned and realized that he is really tall or I am just very short.

" It's 9 already, " my voice came out softer than I expected. My senses don't know how to work with this man this close to me. He is staring at me and not saying anything.

" Ayushi. "

He tilted his face a little, I think he didn't get it, "My name - is Ayushi."

"Nicholas." that's a nice name.

"Would you like to get out of here?" He askes me.

" I was - um, already leaving. " I was before he stopped me.

He took a step closer invading my space - filling the space with his cologne. "I know you were - but now you are leaving with me."

This isn't a question so I didn't say anything.

I normally don't do what strangers tell me to but right here I don't think I have a choice.

My body, my brain nothing is questioning this man. Everything feels fine. But no I shouldn't. Also, sex is cool.

"Then we will go in my car." I propose if he says yes then only I will go.

A smirk crept up his face, "Who says we are leaving. "

What does he have in mind?

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