Who We Were Before

Chapter 7

Lorenzo

We arrive at the restaurant Papà wanted to meet at, I called him earlier in the morning asking if he had any free time, wanting him to meet Aella for the first time.

I leave the keys in the ignition for the valet and walk around to let Aella out, I tuck her arm against mine and pull her closer to my body. I could tell she's nervous, with the way she picks at her fingers. She looks up at me with anxious eyes.
"Lorenzo I don't think I'm ready to meet your father, I mean it's too soon. We barely know each other. Shouldn't we wait like a few weeks before we take this next step no a few months would be better." She pants after her rant.

I place a kiss on top of her head, rubbing her shoulders hoping to calm her. "Amorina, relax all will be well, once you meet Papà you will realize that he is not so bad, there is nothing to be nervous about."
"You're only saying that because he's your father." She said with a pout. I let out a laugh, how cute is my amorina.
"What?, It's not funny, I'm over here trying to not have a nervous breakdown and you're laughing at me."

"Come now, lets go meet Papà." I said,we walk in the resturant ignoring the hostess, we turn the corner and there sitting at a table is Papà, it's been so long since I've seen him only a few months . He likes to spend his summers here in the states and the rest of the year he stays in Italy. He stands up once he sees us.
"Papà, it's so good to see you." I walk up to him and he hugs me like the ones he used to give me when I was a little boy.
"Mio figlio, it has been too long, and who is this beautiful lady you have with you?" He gives me a knowing smile.

"This is Aellla, Aella this is Papà or Leonardo if you prefer to call him that." He walks towards Aella grabs her hand and places a kiss on top. If he wasn't my father I probably would've grabbed his throat and shoved him away for touching what's mine. Aella she just gives him one of her smiles that I know could charm anyone into doing what she wants.
"It's so nice to meet you Mr.Mancini." She said shyly, with her cheeks flushed a beautiful strawberry red.

"Please call me Papà or Leo."

We make our way towards our seats and sit ourselves down. The waiter comes and takes our orders, giving me time to observe my father's and Aella's conversation. They talk about the weather, where she works, goes to school, and her family. I just sit there quietly and admire her, how can anyone like her wish to be with anyone like me, I'm older much older and I've experienced life unlike her, but just the thought of letting her go and experience college boys, parties and hookups makes me fill with rage. No one else will get to know the familiarity of her body, her breathy moans or her smiles that make my breath catch everytime she throws them at me. My father glances at me, and by the look in his eyes he knows that this woman is the one for me, like how mother was the one for him.

Our food arrives and we dig in, midway through Aella excuses herself to use the bathroom. Papà reaches across the table and takes my hand in a harsh grip, there's a hard look in his eyes.
"Figlio, have you told her about Elisa?" How dare he questions me about that bitch, I yank my hand out of his and set my fork down.
" I don't plan on telling Aella anything, I will send the divorce documents to Elisa and she will sign them, and if she doesn't I will personally visit her in Italy and make her." I finished , my voice rough from my anger. I can tell that he doesn't like my answer when he sighs deeply as if he's dissapointed in me.

"You must tell Aella that you are married, a relationship cannot be built on secrets. I know that you hate Elisa but keeping this from Aella will only drive her from you." He says in a pleading tone.
"I was forced into this sham of a marriage by mamma, I have never met Elisa, I have never laid eyes on her, I have never even touched her, I signed the marriage contract because mother wished it so, she wanted to see her eldest son married before she died. Therefore I will not tell Aella, and if Elisa doesn't wish to sign the divorce papers I will go to Italy and make her." I will myself to calm down, my body tense from my anger, Papà just gives me a look full of pity knowing I wasn't able to tell Mamma no to her request, wanting to fulfill her last wish on her deathbed. If I knew that it would create this problem for me today I would've told her no, I just didn't expect myself to fall in love with someone like Aella, didn't expect for the possibility of a future of a family with her.

"Hey guys I'm back, did I miss anything?" She says this in a singsong voice, and this makes me more determined not to tell her, nothing will come between me and Aella and if anyone does I will get rid of them.
I give her a tight smile "No amorina, we were just talking about the business." I tell her hoping she believes the lie that so easily rolls off my tongue, no I don't feel guilty because in the end it will tie her to me. Meanwhile father just gives me a sad look hating that I'm lying to her.

The waiter comes back and clears our plates, I decide to skip dessert not wanting to stay here any longer, my mood ruined by my father's antics. I can take Aella to the icecream shop around the corner if she wishes for something sweet, knowing her I know she wouldn't be able to say no to sweets. The thought makes a small smile appear on my face.
"If you would excuse us Papà, me and Aella have somewhere to be." I take her hand ready to take her out of her.

"Don't forget to be there for your cousin Nico's wedding next week, the family will be expecting you there."
"Yeah, yeah I'll be there, I'll even bring Aella." He smiles at that. He approaches Aella who has an appalled look on her face probably mad I didn't ask her if she wanted to go to the wedding. I let out a small chuckle, my amorina looks so cute when she's mad.

"I will see you next week Aella." Father says to her before leaving and as soon as he's gone she turns her glare to me, fuck that look in her eye makes my cock hard.

"Amorina, don't give me that look if you don't wish to get fucked in the back seat of my car." I barely finish my sentence before she slaps me on the arm and just stares at me exasperated.
"Lorenzo!, you can't be saying those type of stuff out in public there are people here." She looks around wondering if anyone heard me say those words to her. I feel lighthearted when I'm around her, she makes me smile, she makes me laugh. I don't believe I've ever smiled this much in my life.

"Would you like to visit the icecream shop around the corner? I heard they've got the best icecream in town." The smile she gives me just makes my heart clench in my chest. I would do anything for this woman.
"Yes, I want cookie dough with chocolate syrup on top." I laugh at that, my amorina is an addict for sweets. I take her hand in mine and we make our way to the car. We get in and head to the icecream shop.