Finding Him

C H A P T E R - S E V E N T E E N

Husband and Wife

E L E O N O R A ' S    P O V :

Dad wouldn't let me wear the cherry red dress that I considered acceptable but he considered a "grown-up" dress. Okay, so the slit was a little high but my boobs looked good. He's just a hater.

Instead, I had to go with a emerald green silk dress. It fit nice and bisnonna even let me wear her good pearls for the occasion. I feel pretty enough. Papà even matches me in an emerald green suit with black accents. It's obvious we're the best looking here.

Bisnonna, nonno and some of my papà's brothers made it. Zio Enzo and Zio Sav came.

As soon as we make it in, my eyes dart to the dessert table in the back. What? I'm a girl who knows what she wants.

But before I can make a break for it, some guy is walking up to us with a woman on his arm. He greets papà with a hug, slapping his back. My eyebrow lifts, papà has never been this friendly before. This is odd.

I thought he was too grouchy to have friends.

"Valerius! My man! Armanis, its always a pleasure." The guy nods and his wife playfully slaps his chest, but thanks papà for coming. "Now, I've heard the good news. Where is she?" Me? Is he talking about me? I stay silent waiting for papà to say something.

Papà looks to me proudly. "Angelo, this is Ellie. Ellie, this is Angelo Rossi and his wife."

Angelo stands stunned for a minute. "No way?" His voice is unsure. "I'm going to be so honest dude, I totally thought this was your date." Angelo laughs and I cringe. Ew.

"This is why I barely keep in touch with you." Papà retorts back to him, slapping Angelo's head. "You're a dick."

Angelo finishes his laughing fit. "I mean, you're so grown up. It's been so long! Tommy will be happy to see you, eh?" Angelo looks away from me and to papà but papà doesn't give Angelo a smile. He looks quite annoyed actually.

Okay, really. Who is this Tommy dude.

I want to ask more but I have an inkling that papà's mood would decline if I did. Instead I ask, "Can I get food?" My thumb points outward to the food table and papà nods. Leon follows behind me.

I don't even get four steps without stumbling on my heels. The sudden impact of a body almost makes me fall straight on my ass. Great.

The person holds out a hand and I use it to pull myself up. I scoff, brushing their hand away once I'm standing. "Mind watching where you walk?" I semi-joke, looking the guy up and down.

I'd be lying if I said he wasn't attractive. Dark brown hair, greenish-blue eyes. His face is so blankly stumped that it annoys me slightly. You knock into me and then you look at me like you're the one confused? Some people really just never have anything in their brains, do they?

"Sorry—" He sputters out as I walk away.

I find myself at the desert table because I want nothing more than to eat every single chocolate item here. Starting with the fudge.

I feel Leon behind me, not directly but close enough for me to want to turn around and tell him to mind his business.

Hm. A chocolate fountain. This in-fact is the highlight of my night.

"Hello—"

"Fuck!" I jump, catching the strawberry that is falling off my stick. Immediately, I shake off the fruit because of the heat of the chocolate. "Really?" I say, defeated, pouting at my demolished strawberry.