The Man of My Prayers (Fitzmael 3) - COMPLETED

13: Seven Strangers, One Legacy

ADORN ZHARICK VALE

"I'M HUNGRY," I said when we arrived in Italy with Imil and Ren.

It had already been a month since I started staying at Franco's house. He seemed to want me to stay there, so I hadn't left. We both got busy with our own work.

"What do you want to eat?"

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Ren's voice. "Pasta," I said.

"Sure, we'll stop by the restaurant later."

I shot him a look of disbelief. "No. I want you to cook."

"What?!" he exclaimed, clearly surprised. "You know Italy's pasta is amazing. Why would you want me to cook?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You don't want to?"

He chuckled. "Do I have a choice?"

I gave him a playful glare before we made our way into the unit where we'd be staying temporarily. We were only at the Bloom Hotel for our own safety.

"What kind of pasta do you want?" Ren asked once we sat down.

"Filipino spaghetti with meatballs," I replied. "Can you make that?"

"I'll do the meatballs," Imil volunteered. "Ren will cook the spaghetti."

I grinned widely. "I'm so excited!"

Ren excused himself, saying he needed to talk to the hotel staff to arrange the ingredients for what he was about to cook.

I yawned and lay down on the couch. "I'm getting sleepy again," I murmured.

"Up late?" Imil asked.

I shook my head quickly. "No, probably just jet lag." I rolled over to face him. "Is your wife about to give birth?" I asked.

He smiled widely, and his eyes suddenly sparkled. "Yes..." He let out a deep sigh. "I'm planning to ask The Superiori if I can finally tell Amaris about my job."

I looked at him in confusion. "She still doesn't know?"

He placed his phone on the table. "No... Amaris understands, so I know she doesn't hold it against me. The company is very strict about sharing this kind of thing, especially with our position as The Managers. Did you know I only found out my parents were part of the company when I was about to take over their position?" he said with a laugh. "That's how dedicated they are to the company, so I expected it would take years before they'd let me."

"The ingredients are almost here," Ren said as he approached us and sat next to Imil.

"Don't you have a lot of businesses?" I asked Ren.

He nodded. "Yes. Why?"

"Who's managing your family's businesses if you're busy with the company?"

"Catmint and Lilac, my sisters."

"Oh... I see."

I WOKE UP to the mouthwatering scent of what Ren and Imil were cooking. My stomach growled loudly, and I immediately made my way to the kitchen to see what was going on. My eyes widened when I saw them already plating the spaghetti, with meatballs carefully placed on top.

"Good, you're awake," Ren said. "Come on, eat."

I quickly nodded and sat down at the dining area. Ren placed the plates of spaghetti on the table before taking his seat alongside us.

"Franco called earlier," Imil began. "He tried calling you while you were still asleep, so he called me when you didn't answer. He was worried about you... He just got home and said he'd visit Archer," he added.