Protected by the Beast ✔

59

Word count: 2559

Unedited ❤️

This chapter is long so I had to divide it into two. And it explains a whole lot so read calmly and enjoy. Let me know your thoughts on it :-)))

Riley's POV

*

We didn't stay long inside the room after Trisha showed us where we would be spending the night because we didn't have much to unpack. Also, when we later ate that evening, the dining was very quiet. I'd anticipated so many talks and all, where I would somehow get to figure some things out but while we ate dinner, it was like all what I witnessed at the piano room was merely a figment of my own imagination.

Trisha's family went about their own way, doing their own thing.

No one spoke except the pregnant lady who received a call and then announced that Mario was on his way. My eyes widened in slight excitement at the announcement as I eyed the lady, then it clicked.

She was Mario's pregnant wife whom Fred had told me about earlier today. After dinner, she introduced herself to me as Mario's wife, hugging me and welcoming me to the family but our chat was cut short by Trisha's grandma who needed her attention urgently. 

Sitting with Ingrid, I busied myself with a crime series displaying on the TV which was based off of real life happenings, occasionally expressing my shock to Ingrid who was also as shocked as I was by how twisted and psychotic people's minds could be.

Then at some point Ingrid got a call and busied herself with speaking to the person while I just concentrated on the series, eager to know who was responsible for the kidnap, torture and attempted murder of the victim called Mary Sailor.

"Riley?" Someone's voice suddenly called from behind me and I got up, turning around because I immediately recognized that voice which sounded very familiar to Fred's voice.

"Mario." I walked up to him and hugged him, suddenly feeling like a little girl who'd missed the comfort of her older brother.

"How are you?" He gently patted my head, his voice softening.

I took a step back and looked up at him, still smiling. "I'm fine. How was work?"

"Just the usual. I see you're getting along with the family." He eyed me in my house clothes and chuckled.

"I am. I met your wife. She's so sweet." I chuckled while his PA who'd followed him to our home the first time they visited collected the folder in his hand while curtly nodding at me and I returned the nod before watching him walk up the stairs.

Was he also spending the night here? It would be a busy night then.

"My wife can be sweet to everyone except me sometimes." He chuckled, looking behind me with a playful expression like he was sharing a joke with me and I understood what he meant when Julia suddenly appeared from behind and stepped forward to peck him.

"Pregnancy will do that to you. Welcome home baby. We were just telling Riley here about the bridal shower a while ago."

"Which won't be happening?" He rose a brow and she frowned a little. 

"No it will. We spoke about it..." She stole a glance at me then moved her gaze back to Mario, "this morning. We want to know more about Riley and we also have to do this because it's the tradition. I did mine and Trisha has the right to do hers too. Even Riley will do hers when the time comes."

"There's no bridal shower happening, Trisha." He told her in a matter of fact tone but she scoffed.

"Like- wait why? We discussed this earlier and I didn't hear any objections-"