Love, Evangeline

28.

Song: Billie Bossa Nova by Billie Eilish- the song is for when Evangeline and Domenic go out on their date later on in the chapter and when they get back to Evangeline's room. I felt like the song was appropriate for the mood for their evening/date;).

As I walked back to my seat,  a sore, aching feeling swelled around my heart. Gio looked at me and smiled, the content look on his face slowly disappearing ad I approached him. " You okay?" Gio asked. " Yeah," I sighed as I sat down. " What did he say to you?" Gio asked. " Nothing," I said. Gio clenched his jaw, knowing I was lying. I looked at him, " it's fine, okay?" Gio exhaled, " it's not fine if you're hurt." I forced myself to smile, " I'm not hurt, and if I was, I'd tell you." Gio slumped back in his seat as he pushed around the food remnants on his plate.

" We'll, I want to go swimming today," Sofia announced. " No one fucking asked," Leo said. Sofia shot him a glare, " good thing I wasn't inviting you." Leo rolled his eyes before grabbing a waffle and setting it down on his plate. Looking at me as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, Sofia said. " we have an indoor pool." " And trust me it's better than the public ones." I smiled, " I'd love to swim." Gio grinned as Leo once again, rolled his eyes. " Okay good, because I have this really cute swimsuit I know you'd look good in," Sofia said excitedly. I raised my eyebrows, knowing that Mya and her sisters sense of style, especially swimsuits,  always managed to put me out of my comfort zone.

" How about you let Evangeline we're the stuff she has in her, lemme say, her own fucking closet," Gio retorted. Mya held back a smile as Sofia and Gio went off arguing. Leaning over to me, Leo said, " about last night." The smile on my face faded off as Leo stared at me. " You wanna explain to me why my brother put a bullet in some guys leg?" Right as I opened my mouth to say something, the doors to the dinning hall flew open. Mrs. Berlusconi walked in with a huge smile on her face. " Good good, you're all here," Mrs. Berlusconi said as she clapped her hands together. A frown instantly took over her face as she looked around, " where's Luca?" " He stormed off ten minutes ago," Gianna informed her mom. Mrs. Berlusconi nodded, " anyway, your father has hit a major success in business. He's been asked to speak at a work event tomorrow night. Saying that, our family has been invited to the event, where your father and Domenico will be given awards."

" Wait, so that mean we're going shopping, right?" Isabella asked. Mrs. Berlusconi chuckled, " yes." Grinning from ear to ear, Isabella turned to Gianna as they quickly began talking about what dress to get. " What's the awards they're getting?" Leo asked. " I have no idea, but this event is a big step in your father and Domenico's business," Mrs. Berlusconi informed us. " saying that, Wednesday night, you will all be on your best behavior." Mrs. Berlusconi looked at her two sons, " I'm talking to you two." Both Leo and Gio grinned, I smiled as Mrs. Berlusconi winked at me. " Oh and Evangeline, all of Italy attends this event so if you want I can have extra guards assist you," Mrs. Berlusconi informed me. " Meaning other gangs are going to be there," Leo sighed. I looked at him, " gangs?" " Other families, on the dangerous side," Mrs. Berlusconi corrected. " So if you want, I can assure you I'll give you as much protection as you want." I smiled, " thank you." Mrs. Berlusconi nodded, " alright, I have to join your father for a business meeting, so if you need anything I'm busy."

" As always, have fun," Gio teased. Mrs. Berlusconi shot a glare at Gio before turning and leaving the dinning hall. As Leo sighed, he said, " these events are all the fucking same, we are invited and get paid to just around and eat food." I frowned, " you guys get paid to attend these things?" Mya scoffed, " our parents get paid, the more our family goes, the more others want to as well." " We're the bait basically," Gianna added. " Hey, the foods good, so stop complaining," Gio said. I looked at him, " but the girls there," Gio teased. Scoffing, I shook my head as a grin spread across Gio's face.