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Her mouth dropped open slightly and she began to fidget on her feet. She didn’t want to come. That much was obvious. I kept my face neutral to avoid giving away any amusement and waited for her response.
“Thank you. That is very kind but I- “
“Do you have somewhere you need to be this evening?” I interrupted and from the panic in her eyes I knew she didn’t.
“No. But won't I be putting the children to bed?” she asked.
“We will be having an early dinner so the children can see their sister. They can also stay up a little later than normal tonight. I just wanted you to also eat with us as well,” I explained, and she nodded nervously. “Good. Dinner will be ready at 6.30pm and served in the dining hall.”
I turned on my heels before glancing over my shoulder at her stunned face. “Olivia. You are exceeding my expectations in every way. Keep it up!” I smirked as I walked away.
A Dinner Affair
Olivia
How on Earth did I get myself into this mess? Dinner with the Buccini family. I couldn’t think of anything worse than having to sit at a table with Giovanni and refrain from punching him in the face every time he opens that filthy mouth of his. I am not even sure how I agreed to this. Cecilia Buccini was a master manipulator! Hats off to her.
“Why do I have to wear this? It’s so itchy!” Sani complained as I did up the shirt buttons. It did seem a little extravagant to be putting the children in their finest designer clothes to eat dinner as a family in their own home, but these were the clothes laid out for them, so help me God if I didn’t force them into it.
“You want to look nice to see your sister, don’t you? Look at Raya. She looks like a princess,” I tilted my head towards the sweet little girl that was holding her tulle lilac dress in her hands and spinning in circles. “Every princess needs her prince.”
“Ewww! I can’t be her prince. I’m her fratello,” he wrinkled his nose up in disgust and I laughed. His face turned curious as he studied my face while I fastened the last few buttons. “Who is your prince Liv?”
I paused for a moment and felt an unexpected lump form in my throat. The way his big brown eyes were staring into mine so innocently reminded me of Nate’s. I shook my head with a small smile. “I don’t have a prince, Sani.”
“Then I be your prince?” His sweet voice had tears threatening my eyes as I smiled widely and nodded my head.
“I would love that,” I managed to choke out before I quickly stood up and busied myself with tidying their toys. I don’t know why his words affected me so much. It was just a sweet, innocent question yet it felt like it had plucked at a hole in my heart and suddenly all the thread previously holding it together was unravelling. I had felt alone for so long. Nate could have been my prince, but he was stolen from me. A moment that was supposed to be so special was stolen from me. And once again, I am living in fear. No prince charming was going to come and rescue me on his white stallion because this was real life. And real life is fucked up.
“Did you make all this effort for me?” A warm voice came from the doorway of Sani’s bedroom, and I turned to see a stunning girl the same age as me. Her face held so much warmth as she looked from her brother to her sister before they ran into her open arms. I smiled as she smothered their faces with kisses. One thing for sure about this family was that they really did love each other. It was sweet. “And this must be the famous Olivia Jones I have been hearing so much about.”
I felt a prickling heat rise in my chest as my heart fluttered at her words. My first thought had those butterflies appearing in my stomach again. He told her about me? What did he say?
“My mamma has not stopped raving about you these last few days. Olivia this, Olivia that,” she smiled, her dark brown lipstick making her lips look larger than they were. Disappointment settled in my chest. Of course, he hadn’t spoken about me. Why would he? And more importantly, why do I care?! I can’t stand him.
“Hi, you can call me Liv. It’s so nice to meet you. I have heard a lot about you too,” I smiled, walking towards her and extending my hand. Her hazel eyes looked down at it like it was a snake about to strike and instead, she pulled me into her arms and squeezed me tightly.
“I am not like the rest of my cold, heartless family, Liv. I do hugs,” she chuckled, and I nodded, still a little taken aback by her warm and alluring nature. She was so different from Giovanni. Yet I could definitely tell she probably got some of her playfulness from her mother. Though I could never imagine Cecilia pulling me in for a hug. “You best go get ready! I can watch these two monsters now.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I looked down at my flimsy white cami and jeans. I didn’t bring any spare clothes with me. This was all I had.
“Please tell me you weren’t going to wear that to dinner?” Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. I nodded slowly, wrapping my arms protectively around myself. “Well, that just will not do! Come on everyone, to my room! We have an angel to dress!”
“She is a princess,” Sani corrected and I smiled, ruffling his hair.
Half an hour later and I was standing in front of the floor-length mirror in Elenora’s exquisite room, wearing a deep red dress that was far too low cut for a family dinner. I tried to protest but Elle was not having any of it.
“You look phenomenal Liv! You should really dress up more often. You have a body to die for!”
I rolled my eyes as I looked back at myself in the mirror and ran my hand over the expensive fabric. I must admit, I did look good but find me somebody who wouldn’t in this Dolce Gabbana dress. It hugged all my curves in all the right places and hid the little flaws that always niggled away in my mind. I dreaded knowing how much this was worth. Pulling my long, unruly hair up into a high ponytail, I gasped as Elle grabbed my arms and forced them back down.
“What are you doing? Hair down! Always!”
I chuckled at her seriousness. It was as though I had committed a serious offence, not just trying to tie my hair up.
“But it got wet today. It’s a mess.”
“No, it looks beautiful. Your natural curls look lovely over one shoulder like this,” she said as she bunched up my hair and placed it over my right shoulder. One ringlet fell forward over the opposite side of my face, and I had to admit, she was right. “Okay! Now make up!”
