𝕱𝖎𝖗𝖊 𝕸𝖊𝖊𝖙𝖘 𝕲𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖊

Chapter Seventeen {Davinia} 🌹

His lemon woody scent overwhelms my being as his coat drapes over my shoulder. So we're having dinner outside. This should be interesting. We continue our walk to the garden in silence with my hand in his. Looking at it, one can tell the contrast. My slim, slender hand in his big large hands. The only similarity is our fingers. I have long thin fingers and he has long thick fingers.

My cold hand snuggles in his very warm hand and I love it. The setting of the dinner is coming to view as we get closer but just the side view of a particular person has me stopping in my tracks. My nails dig into my skin. Wait, it's not my skin.

"What's the matter" He asks as he tries to figure out what it is that makes me pause abruptly but I give no response. My whole body turns cold and I find it hard to swallow my saliva.

Why is she here? Who invited her to dinner?

My gaze slowly lifts to meet Roland's hardened gaze. "Did you invite my mother?" I almost can't recognize my voice. My voice is cold and void like a dead lake. Rolan's eyebrows furrow.

"I didn't. We can do this another time if you're not ready" I hear him say but I'm not capable of responding. He continues to talk but the blood rushing to my head is making it harder to hear.

"Let's go back in Mika. You're pale" I jerk back at the pull of my hand by Rolan. He's now pulling me back inside and I follow but then I'm reminded that I'm no longer the delicate, soft Davi and I shouldn't be scared anymore. I halt, making him do the same. He looks back at me with questions swirling in his eyes.

"Let's eat. I'm famished" I try to smile but I know it looks more like a grimace. My foot presses down hard in the heels I'm wearing and I sigh.

That should do it. Rolan looks down at our entwined hands and I follow his line of sight. My nails are digging into his skin so much I can see a prick of blood. I immediately let go of his hand. "I'm so sorry"

"I don't want to force you but I expect an explanation later" He says firmly before picking up my hand, leading me to the garden. A quick memory of my dad plays in my head.

He's teaching me how to ride a bike for the first time and I keep chickening out so he says this to me. "Who are you?" he asks firmly with a hot gaze on me. I could only look at the road ahead with fear. "I said, who are you!"

"I'm Davinia Jewels Lucchese, daughter of Carlos Lucchese! " I shout back.

He nods firmly. "And we don't back down" He whisper to my hear "Never" I nod. "Now take a breathe in and breathe out and we do this again"

And that's what I do. I breathe in and out and walk into the garden with my head high and a smug on my lips. Everyone is at the long dinner table. Even Rex, Alex, Barney and his wife Martha at the table and then there are two men whose face I don't recognize but I know they are Rolan's people. One looks undeniably like him while the other looks Russian.

They all watch us with different types of grin and smiles on their faces. I am too nervous and overwhelm to look back to each of their faces but I know someone who isn't smiling and that is Rex. There are two free spots after Melissa and we walk towards it.

Rolan pulls back my chair for me to sit and I mutter a thank you before doing so. I pull his coat tighter around my shoulders. If I knew dinner would be outside I wouldn't have dress in this skimpy camisole.

Rolan sits next to me and smiles at the person sitting directly across us. The person responsible for my erratic beating heart. My dearest Mother.

She sits opposite us with her maids standing few steps behind her. She looks leaner than before and her light green eyes look more like the color Grey. Her face is covered with heavy make up and she has a fixed smile on her face but I can tell what that smile means.

She's going to cause a scene tonight. I can already see it happening in my head.

I'm trying my best to keep my smug smile on my lips but I don't think I can hold on any more. The clinging of a glass breaks our stare off. My uncle is at the front of the table with his wine glass in his right hand and a spoon in the other hand. He's standing in his two piece dark purple suit with a big smile on his face.

"It's a lovely setting tonight. I'm glad to have you pretty ladies and fine men here tonight but tonight is not about our awesomeness" He jokes and everyone laughs except for me and Rolan. Rolan is not even looking at Uncle. I know this cause he's looking right me and I don't how how long I can avoid his piercing gaze.

"Ever since my brother Carlos has left the world of the living he left me in care of his amazing daughter. He told me to take care of her like a princess and I did. Davinia always makes me proud alongside pulling on my last nerve" everyone laughs again and I try to do the same but I'm too nervous.

"She's been breaking boundaries and pushing this outfit above the chain and I'm proud to call her my daughter. Now, someone else has come to take care of my daughter. A man who is strong, responsible and absolutely handsome has decided to continue pampering my Davi. He can't even take his eyes off her" this makes everyone direct their attention towards us and I hold my breath.