The truth is, Madame Celina's potion just made them hot and heavy for me.And now that they have me out of their system, I can kiss any kind of proposal goodbye.They will never want to marry me.I'm...just a hot mess of a girl who kept a grudge against them for five years strong without faltering once, until I decided I could not live my life so consumed by them, and that's when I had that cleansing ritual.Never mind "woe is me" or "woo."I'm more like woo woo.
"I thought as much.You might have stood a chance with Pablo, but once I discovered who the new Onyx kings are, I knew you would fail to procure a proposal.You've dashed my hopes, girl, of uniting the Larsons with the Onyx Empire.It's a pity I care about you and your well-being.A little.So here, I brought you a husband.Marry him, and I will release your trust fund."
I stare open-mouthed at my grandmother.And it's only then I notice an entire man standing beside her, one I didn't know from a bar of soap.
Oh god.This is bad.So, so bad.I can't marry whatever his name is.Which means my family's financial situation will remain in the toilet.I can't marry anyone but them.
"Benjamin John Black comes from a good family.They were loyal servants of your grandfather during the rough years of the mafia, and he will treat you well.Benjamin, give her the papers to sign."
Benjamin jumps to attention, then hands me a stack of papers with an apologetic look on his face.
"Hi, I'm Benjamin.My friends call me Benny," he says, and judging from his smile, he's as awkward as I am in this situation.
I stare at the papers.The first one is a marriage contract to Benny.
"Well, give the girl a pen, Benjamin.Do you want her to sign the papers with her fingers?"My grandmother tuts.
"That won't be necessary, Benny."
The sound of Marcello's voice catches me so off guard, I'm sure I'm dreaming.More so when he's followed by Lorenzo and Emilio.No only did my grandmother let herself into my apartment, she left the door open.
Oh great, everyone is here.Three of whom I've exchanged bodily things with.Immediately, a scarlet blush burns from my cheeks.
"You three," my grandmother says, as Lorenzo takes the stack of papers from my hand and Marcello the pen from Benny's hand.
"Well, you might have been a little late if you hadn't arrived when you did.Have you made a decision?Which one of you will be marrying my granddaughter?"
"That would be all three of us, signora Evelyn," Emilio says, straitlaced.
If this were a different situation, I would have laughed my ass off at my grandmother having a mental glitch right in front of me.
She stammered and stuttered, so taken aback by what Emilio said, she looked at risk of having an apoplexy.And eventually, when she got something out, it was just one word.
"What?"she asked, clutching her pearls.
"Isabella,tesoro, would you mind waiting in your bedroom for us?We have some matters to discuss with your grandmother."
It was my turn, apoplexy and all.
"What?"I stammered.
"You heard me," Lorenzo says in that way where he expects everyone to do as he says.
I open my mouth again, and then because I have nothing, I turn around and go to my bathroom like a damn robot.
I may have sat on my bed for ten minutes, trying to figure out my thoughts but mostly losing my place and having to start again.When my bedroom door swings open, I jump up.I'm either going to be facing my grandmother and poor Benny or them.
It's them.
