Scared To Love You Again

23

Damian

"You really think they'll like it, Damian?" Leila asks for the third time since I've picked her up from her apartment. I think it's adorable when she overthinks.

I make her face me as we approach the steps. "Baby, stop stressing so much. Your outfit is beautiful. You've been around my parents before."

"Yeah, but that was years ago. How do I know if they still like me?"

"Trust me. They love you, Lei." I leave a reassured peck to her lips. She smiles and I ring the doorbell to my parent's mansion. Low and behold, Alana the Adulterer answers the door. Her bright smile fades once her eyes rest to Leila and my arm wrapped around waist.

She clears her throat and forces a fake smile. "Mr. Romano. I hope you're doing lovely this evening."

"Alana." Nodding my way in as we walk past the quick front door. Of course I'm not gonna introduce Leila to her. She's just a maid and an old, friendly fuck.

"I take it she was one of them?" Leila whispers. I know what she's implying, but it's not the topic of the night.

I clear my throat. "Not important."

She silently nods her head and Alana steps in front of us. "Um, Mr. Romano? Your mother wanted me to inform you that dinner won't be ready until 7. So if you'd like... you and your... friend.."

"Wife." I bit out.

"Oh.. I'm sorry. I didn't see a ring on her finger." And she got the right to talk?

"No, but I see one on yours. Keep fuckin' with me and you gon' catch one around your eye in a minute. Play with your mom, don't play with me, bitch." Leila threatened.

Alana quickly closes her mouth.

"Now what were you gonna say?"

She clears her throat. "Please. Follow me." Alana straightens herself then turns on her feet and begins to lead us to a nearby destination, but before we arrive, I lightly grab Leila by her face. Kissing her lips desirably. I've always loved how she can be so gentle, but still knows how to stand her ground. Balance.

We enter through the family room and find my brothers conversing with my parents. My mother's head shoots up once she realizes our arrival. "LEILAAA!!" She screams, piercing a hole through all of our ears. "Ohhhh, my sweet baby, Leila. It's so good to see you again." She adds after tightly embracing her.

"I can definitely say the same, Mrs. Romano."

"Oh, honey spare me with the formalities. You've always been like family to us. You know to call me Mama."

"Tesoro." My father walks up to us proudly as well, giving Leila both kisses on her cheek. "It's always a pleasure. Very happy to see you two together again."

"Thank you so much, Angelo."

Romeo and Domenico expresses their decorum while Apollo remains seated.

"Yo, Leila." Apollo hollered but my mother smacks him in the back of the head. Ha!

"Boy, I didn't raise you like that. Get ya ass up and greet people correctly."

He sucks his teeth. "Yes ma'am." Apollo lightly kisses Leila's cheek and daps me up. "I don't know why y'all get special treatment. Hell, I'm the baby." He whined.

"Grow up, Apollo." Romeo insisted.

My mother begins to grow teary eyed. "Look at all my babies under one roof againnn. Ohhhh. I knew I would see the day, but I didn't think so soon." She turns to me. "Damian's home. My daughter in law is back. Everyone's finding love. Lord, have mercy. I'm just overwhelmed with excitement." She attempts to fan her face. Did she say everyone?