I am getting married

One month later.

The living room of the safe house kept feeling like it was closing in around him as Rene paced back and front,  unable to sit down. There was so much pent-up frustration that was building inside of him.

"Young master," Adina's voice sounded behind him, and he spun around in shock to see her standing there. Her hands were clasped tightly together in worry, concern written across her features. "Breakfast is ready. You should eat something."

Burying his face into his palms, Rene sighed,  letting out another deep breath, knowing that there was little point in resisting. Pushing off the wall, he followed after her, and she led the way into the dining area, where food had already been set out on the table. 

Taking a seat, he picked up his fork and stared at the food, but he wasn't hungry; instead, he felt sick to his stomach.

Looking up, his eyes caught sight of Adina standing beside the window, her arms crossed as she regarded him solemnly. 

"Can I join you?" A voice came from behind him, and Rene immediately jumped to his feet, turning around, and there Catherine stood, smiling at her son.

"Mom?" Rene whispered, unsure if he was hallucinating from how exhausted emotionally he had been.

Suddenly, Catherine rushed into his arms, and Rene squeezed her tight, feeling a rush of relief at her presence, and buried his head into her shoulder, "Mom."

"Look at you, taller than me." Catherine laughed as she ran her fingers gently through his hair, tears prickling in her eyes.

Letting out a small sound, Rene stepped back, a grin pulling at his lips, as he gazed fondly upon her. "It's really you."

Just then, the sound of footsteps got his attention, and he gazed towards the doorway to see Rome walking in. The two men silently stared at each other, neither making a move.

"Isn't he all grown up, honey?" Catherine said, breaking the heavy silence.

Rome nodded curtly, looking directly at Rene and speaking, "Yes, wife. He is truly a man now."

"I wish you would treat me as such, then," Rene mumbled, his voice sounding weak.

With sadness clouding her eyes, Catherine glanced between her husband and son before saying, "How about breakfast as a family? Come, you two... Sit and let's eat."

Both men sat down slowly, neither able to tear their gazes away from each other, and Catherine could sense the tension radiating in the air.

She cleared her throat lightly and looked between them before saying softly, "The food is getting cold."

The father and son shared a glance before both of them tore their eyes away from each other as they began picking at the food. 

After Adine had served their plates, the family sat in silence eating, only the sounds of chewing and spoon scraping against plates and silverware filling the room.

Finally, Rome took a sip of water before swallowing, placing the glass back down on the table before leaning forward slightly. "Well, I have good news."

Immediately a worried glance crossed Catherine's face, and she gently touched Rome's hand, saying, "Let's allow him to finish his food first, huh, honey?"

"There's no need. I have lost my appetite. He can say whatever he wants to say." Rene interjected, his jaw clenching tightly.

Looking at Catherine, Rome hesitated, seeing that she was nervous and the tears behind her lids hurt his heart,  causing it to ache deeply. He hated seeing the look in her eyes, but then Rene's voice snapped him out of it. "Are you going to tell me? I am icth to hear this so-called news."

The sarcasm in her son's voice caused Catherine to wince and squeeze her husband's hand tightly, and Rome frowned and leaned back in his chair, his expression pained.

"You can have the opportunity to be close to the family," Rome spoke, his words slow and measured.

A faint smile crossed Rene's face as he gazed over at his mother, but then he saw a teardrop rolled along Catherine's cheek as she stared back at her husband with pleading eyes.

"What's the catch?" Rene asked, afraid of the answer.

Rising to his feet, Rome reached over the table and placed a firm hand on Rene's shoulder, staring straight into his eyes, a serious expression on his face. "You are going to get married to the youngest granddaughter of the Rossi family, and we expect you to do everything that I ask of you, no question asked or fussing."

A nervous chuckle left Rene's lips, thinking his father was joking, but he could see the seriousness in Rome's eyes. This was no joke.

"You are serious. I am getting married." Rene murmured, looking over at his mom, who gave him a small smile of encouragement, but her eyes showed the fear of what his life would be like.