Chapter Five: A Breakfast To Remember

The next day, at breakfast.

Isla, noticing their antics and understanding that they had made it their mission to torment Sierra, glared at both of her brothers until they got the message and stopped smiling.

“I’m sure Sierra is used to eating with her family and is unfamiliar with our language so I'll say grace,” she spoke and looked at her brother with a knowing look.

Luca, sensing his sister’s piercing gaze, yielded and let her pray.

When the prayer was done, Sierra visibly heaved a sigh.

“So, Sierra, I'm curious. What is breakfast like in a German household? Did your servers and staff go around dressed in kittens?” Luca Rinaldi asked with an expression so innocently curious that naive Sierra didn't realize what he had implied.

Before Sierra could respond, Isla slammed her hand down on the table and hissed, “Basta Marcus!” Isla boomed in Italian as she glared at her brother, filling him with instant regret. He knew he had crossed the line in his sister's eyes and although he felt and showed no remorse for his words, he felt bad because he had disappointed her.

Isla shook her head at Luca Rinaldi then turned to DOMINIC to give him a stern look, making it clear that she wouldn't let him off if he took over from Luca in harassing Sierra.

DOMINIC understood and yielded to his sister’s reprimanding and the ‘family’ began to take their meal.

Stressed by everything that had occurred in the few minutes of her arrival, Sierra was determined to be done and out of there as fast as possible. She ate quickly but maintained basic etiquette. The four were silent for a while after that and the tension in the room rose until Isla felt that it would suffocate her if she didn't attempt to break the ice.

“You know Sierra, Ricotta and Honey go very well. If you spread creamy ricotta cheese on toasted bread or crackers and drizzle it with honey, you will be in for a sweet and creamy treat,” she said.

Startled by Isla speaking to her, Sierra was too nervous to realize that it wasn't an order but a suggestion and quickly followed the instructions. She took a bite and with the explosion of creamy flavor in her mouth, her eyes bulged out and she unconsciously said.

“Hmm, this is so good,” she said as she savored its taste.

“I knew you would love it,” Isla replied, delighted. Sierra was visibly more relaxed and the tension in the room had drastically reduced.

Breakfast continued as Isla added more items to Sierra‘s list of best snacks and brought other small talk to ease her anxiety.

Uninterested in their conversation, DOMINIC and his brother resigned to themselves as they finished the rest of their breakfast in silence.

DOMINIC was the first to be done and he ordered the maids to clear his plate then turned his gaze toward Sierra, who sat on his left.

“I have business to attend to and I will not be back till late in the evening. It is none of your business where I am going but If I receive word that you have gone against my rules in any way, you can rest assured that the distance between me and you would be the least of your worries.”

With that said, he stood up and made his way towards the exit of the dining room.

Just then, Isla got a call and had to stand up to leave.

Meanwhile, in another part of the Rinaldi’s household, SERGIO, DOMINIC‘s uncle, was far from thrilled that his nephew had found a better half and was taking his anger out on Luciana, the latest addition to his collection of exotic women.

His conjugal actions were halted by the sound of his alarm ringing and he let out curses as he glanced down at his watch and realized that he was late to the Rinaldi family breakfast.

He abandoned Luciana on his bed and hurried to get dressed and ready.

Arriving at DOMINIC‘s house, he passed his niece as she walked out. She did nothing to acknowledge him and it took all his self-control not to beat her up then and there.

At the dining room entrance, he was met with his disgusting nephew who had dared covet the position which was rightfully his. It was like a series starring all the characters he wanted to smack hard until they had some good sense.

‘I must get my anger under control. Someday soon, this will all be mine.’ He reminded himself as the thought of shooting his niece and nephew nearly took control and directed him to do exactly that.

As his eyes moved across the room, they met with the bitch who helped DOMINIC usurp his position. At the sight of her pale skin and slender figure, his stomach contorted with rage.

‘She deserves to be punished,’ he thought to himself.

“Good morning, uncle,” DOMINIC said with his cold and aloof look. The instant he had seen his uncle coming towards him, he decided not to leave just yet. Instead, he watched his movements like a hawk.

SERGIO heard the greeting addressed to him but didn't bother to spare the usurper a glance, and instead took his seat at the table.

He was served almost immediately and began eating.

Sierra, unsure of what to do, attempted to greet her in-law but was met with a cloud of harsh-toned speech in a language she guessed was Italian.

He was screaming at her at the top of his lungs for no apparent reason and all she could do was look to DOMINIC for help, terrified.

‘Why does every male in this household hate me so much? The females are angels, DOMINIC’s hatred makes total sense since he was tricked into marrying me but what have I done to this guy?’ Sierra wailed inwardly.

Ignoring her pleading eyes, DOMINIC turned to SERGIO with a glare that spoke in volume what he needn't say in words. Then he walked out of the dining room.

Sierra had been too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice the exchange and she believed she had been saved from further onslaught of yelling by the sound of SERGIO's phone ringing.

SERGIO took one look at the restricted caller and made his way out of the dining room, leaving Sierra alone, with a horrible feeling in her stomach and unable to swallow any more of the delicious breakfast.

“Yes, what is it?” SERGIO rudely asked whoever the caller was. Upon hearing the reply, his angry expression morphed into one of devious glee.

Having returned to get something he had forgotten, DOMINIC caught sight of his uncle's expression as he passed the hallway and a sense of foreboding took root in his mind.