Frost and Fire (+18) ✔️

37 | train wreck of a dinner

"I still think it's a bad idea for you to come," I said anxiously, looking into those brown eyes I've come to love so much.

"Stop worrying over, Cielo," he grabbed my face lacing his fingers at the back of my head, "I promise I'll behave. If she does,"

I just sighed and pressed my forehead on his collarbone wrapping my arms around him. "Am I wrong to hope?" I asked quietly as his arms wrapped around my body protectively.

He rubbed my back slowly, "You know the answer to that, Sweetheart,"

I did.

He made sure I did.

To hope is to wish, to dream. If you stop dreaming, you might not take that leap into the unknown in the fear of failure.

The drive to the restaurant was short but mostly consisted of Levi trying to distract me from what was going to go down in a few moments.

I had spent the night with the Finches, which was pretty usual for me. Levi and I spent almost every night together, either with him and his family or at the penthouse I share with my brother and sister.

Archer and Arianna were like parents to me, more so than my own. In the short amount of time that I had known them, I had grown to love them like they were my own parents. I had even grown to love Sven and the twins like they were my own siblings, and the protectiveness I felt towards them was shocking.

I didn't think I had any space left for anyone else other than my family, but all the Finches dug their way into my heart.

Tony and Nysa were already there with mother at the corner of the restaurant. There was a man in a suit sitting at the same table, beside my mother.

My whole body tensed. And judging by Nysa and Tony's postures they weren't entirely comfortable either. Tony was giving his signature glare to that man, and I had to guess it was Trent Hill—the sperm donor.

"Is that—" I started, clasping Levi's hand tightly as we approached their table.

"Trent Hill," Levi finished, drawing small circles with his thumb on the back of my palm.

"The fuck is he doing here?" I gritted

"Relax, Cielo," He said softly, but I could hear that control in his voice. For me. He was angry and annoyed with me. "Keep your cool,"

"This isn't going to end well," I said, plastering a big fake smile on my face.

Levi's lips brushed softly on my temple, just as they all turned towards us.

Tony raised his brows at Levi while Nysa just offered us a small smile. Naina Kasana was shooting daggers at Levi, and Trent Hill's eyes followed us with a precise movement.

"Hello," I greeted, "I hope you're miserable, Mother,"

"Jesus, Nia, have some filter," Nysa chastised, slapping my arm lightly. That earned her a pointed look from Levi.

I squeezed his thigh below the table, telling him to back off. We had made a deal before coming here, he wouldn't once intervene unless the things went south. That he'd behave, no matter what my mother said.

"What did you want to talk about?" My mother started

"Let's order first," Tony said gesturing for the waiter, "We're at the damn restaurant after all,"

I didn't miss the indirect had on my mother.

"I actually want to see how this goes, but I swear to god if Trent Hill says anything to you that'll hurt your feelings, I don't care about the consequences, but I'll actually punch him," Levi leaned into me and said into my ear.