Love Shot

Chapter 8 pt2: The DeLuca family

CARLOS'S POV

Carlos: I'll get ready in my room. See you downstairs Princesa.

I winked at her and then left. She's so cute when flustered. Gosh, she doesn't know how hard it is to control myself around her.

Her smile...

Her laugh...

The way she looks up at me...

How she's so strong that she could handle everything they did to her...

Everything about her is fucking amazing. And it hurts me when she gets hurt because she's kind and always trying to make others happy, but no one has been there for her like that. It's sad.

I never would of thought that I could care for someone like I care for Astraea. But I wouldn't say I like her, at least not yet. It's too soon for me to say that.

When I was in my room, I had a warm shower and got dressed in black jeans and a navy blue hoodie. I put on white sneakers and went downstairs. I saw Astraea hugging Lexi, and Matteo, Dad and Alexander joined them. When I reached the bottom of the staircase, Dad had rushed to the door. I stood behind Astraea and pinched her waist. She jumped and turned around, looking at me like she was ready to attack. I laughed, looking at the light shade of red that crossed her cheeks but she quickly turned around to hide it. It's fun teasing her like this, especially since she's shy and gets flustered easily.

I saw Mom and Carmella come in first. Mom hugged me tightly.

Maria: Es tan bueno verte, hijo mío. (It's so good to see you, my son.)
Carlos: Es bueno verte también mamá. (It's good to see you too Mom.)

Carmella came to hug me next. She then stood next to me, comparing our heights.

Carmella: Oye, me estoy acercando a tu altura. (Hey, I'm getting close to your height.)
Carlos: Cerrar pero aún no. (Close but not yet.)

Carmella and Mom then turned to Astraea.

Carlos: Astraea, this is my mom and sister, Carmella.
Astraea: Hi, it's wonderful to meet you.

She smiled and held out her hand, but Carmella ignored it and hugged her instead.

Carmella: We do a lot of hugging in this family, well except for Carlos. He's the loner of the family.
Carlos: Carmella, por favor. (Carmella, please.)

Astraea laughed while Carmella grinned. I thought Mom would say something but she just looked at me.

Maria: Carlos, can I speak to you for a second?

I nodded and left with Mom since Carmella's busy with Astraea.

Maria: I was expecting Camilla.
Carlos: Mamá, she's been compared to her sister her whole life.
Maria: Of course she has, Camilla is perfect!
Carlos: That doesn't matter.
Maria: Pensé que tenías la edad suficiente para tomar buenas decisiones. Camilla era la mejor opción. (I thought you were old enough to make good decisions. Camilla was the better option.)
Carlos: Mamá, deteniéndola. Astraea será mi esposa y no estoy cambiando mi decisión. (Mom, stop it. Astraea will be my wife and I'm not changing my decision.)
Maria: I'm just thinking about your future.
Angelo: This marriage was your idea. The least you can do is accept the woman I chose to marry. She's been through enough in life. She doesn't need your bitterness adding to that.

I walked away from Mom and back to Astraea. I can hardly believe I said that. Never in a million years did I picture myself getting so irritated and frustrated by someone judging others. But here I am, telling my mother off for commenting about a woman I've known for less than a week, even then we don't actually know each other. Fuck, Astraea does things to me.