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She tried to brush it off, but I insisted until she relented.
"I'll pick you up afterward."
There didn't seem to be any break for us. The more we tried to sort things out, the more complicated they got. It was like we were stuck in this endless loop of problems, and it was starting to wear me down.
As I chewed on the bruschetta, it became a brief distraction from the mess we were dealing with. Looking over at Griselda, her thoughtful expression tugged at my heart, making me want to protect her from all the craziness.
The clinking of our forks and knives against the plates was the only sound in the room, echoing the weight of the things we couldn't say out loud. With each bite, I silently promised myself that I would get to the bottom of this whole dad situation for her sake. No matter how tough things got, she wasn't going to face it alone.
The following day, I found myself settled into my office after dropping Griselda off at her mom’s place. Sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting a warm, inviting glow over the sleek contemporary furnishings and tasteful artwork that adorned the walls.
Enzo sat across from me on one of several comfortable sofas; the worry etched on his face mirroring my concerns.
We were knee-deep in a discussion about the issue of my newfound role in the mafia. Enzo leaned forward, his brows furrowed.
"So, what's the play now, Emilio?" he asked, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
I took a moment, letting my gaze wander over the ever-moving city below, before replying, "Same as what I told Griselda. It's not a simple puzzle to solve. With news of my new role spreading like wildfire among the families, it's like putting a spotlight on our every move. Right now, the mafia is sheltering us.”
Enzo nodded. "It's a tricky web you’re caught in," he mused. "But what about the long term? You can't keep balancing on this wire forever."
"I don't plan on staying on the fence forever," I answered while looking out the windows. "This wasn't meant to be mine. It was supposed to be Carlo's, and the role will naturally revert to him."
Enzo regarded me with a skeptical gaze.
"Have you spoken to Carlo since then?" he inquired. "I'm pretty sure he's not exactly thrilled with the turn of events."
A wry smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I shook my head in response.
"Haven't had the pleasure," I admitted, the strained relationship with both my uncle and my brother weighing heavily on my mind, in addition to everything else. "I haven't spoken to either of them since the will reading. But the silence won't last forever, especially since I'll have to make a trip to the family house soon enough."
Enzo let out a sigh. "And what about Griselda?”
I let out a small sigh.
"She's the reason I'm taking things slow," I confessed, the thought of her safety intertwined with every decision I made. "Can't afford to mess up, not when it's not just her anymore."
Enzo's curiosity was piqued, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Not just her? Who else is there?" he probed.
A wide grin spread across my face.
"She's pregnant," I revealed, the thrill of the news reverberating through me despite the surrounding drama.
Enzo's eyes widened to the size of saucers.
"Congratulations," Enzo managed, his shock still evident. I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction. The sheer incredulity on his face was almost comical. "Didn't think I'd ever settle down, huh?" I teased, a playful glint in my eye as I savored the moment.
Enzo's response was typically candid.
"Can't say I did," he retorted, his straightforward nature causing my amusement to wane, replaced by a good-natured eye roll, but beneath the skepticism, I knew he was happy for me.
"I’ve now got two people to worry about," I remarked.
Enzo nodded in silent understanding, and then, as if on cue, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen before answering, "It's Lucas."
I gestured for him to pick it up, slightly wondering what happened for him to call.
