Tattered Love

Chapter 8

My sisters and I get into my Maserati Ghibli. I pull out the garage as the brothers follow. I have no idea where I'm going, so I'm letting Alessio get in front to lead the way. I look over and see our parents slide into the limousine and gets chauffeured around. Rolling my eyes, I follow behind Alessio. He takes a left out of our driveway. If I'm in a loose shirt, leggings, and sandals; where the hell is this family outing? We pull up to a beautiful botanic garden, as I go to step out; Alessio is already there with his hand out for me. With his help, I climb out my car. We walk to the entrance of the garden and see their father is causal clothing.

"It looks like some of us are over dressed." He comments as he takes in my parent's appearance.

"We're doing a picnic over by the hydrangeas. Than we're going to walk around the garden. Lastly, there's a trail we are going to hike, at the end of it is a beautiful waterfall and a small lake. It's to die for." Arcangelo says as he sprints passed his father.

"See, I told you this outfit was fine." Alessio chuckles. For once, I'm glad I trusted him this one time. Alessio walks faster than I do and starts talking to his father in radio fire Italian. They spoke so quickly, I only caught bits and pieces. One particular part I did catch and I don't think I was supposed to.

"Stronzo." Their father grumbles out in annoyance.

"Anzi." Alessio replies shaking his head.

"Nemmeno tu sei un santo Alessio. Cosa hai intenzione di fare con la tua amante??" Donatello says in a rough voice.

"Sono stato con lei da quando avevamo sedici anni; ben prima che questo accordo fosse mai fatto. Cosa dovrei fare?" Alessio's voice rises.

"Finiscila con lei. Questa ragazza, potrebbe essere qualche anno più giovane di te; tuttavia, è buona per te. Il vero te." Donatello responds with irritation.

"Non sai niente padre." Alessio grunts out.

"Vedrai quando diventerai non accecato. Allora sarà troppo tardi perché scivolerà dal tuo matrimonio e dalla punta delle dita. Allora cosa?" Their father replies while shaking his head.

"Padre. Alessio. Credo che sia meglio avere questa conversazione da orecchie indiscreti. Preferibilmente a casa." Alexander quickly says.

I'm assuming he noticed I was eavesdropping. Sadly, this was getting great. I was waiting for Donatello to lay into his son. But, Alexander the Great had to end it quickly. As we make it to the picnic spot; I find a humongous blanket draped onto the ground.

"We have to sit on the ground?" Mother whispers to father.

"Don't embarrass me. Sit on the damn blanket." Father whispers his snap at mother.

Tori and Gabby grab each of my arms and pull me down with them. We wait for everyone to be seated before moving for food that is sitting on some tables.

"There's several dishes laid out, different drinks, desserts, snacks. Ladies first." Donatello instructs.

He didn't have to tell me twice about ladies going first. I haven't ate today and I'm starving. Gabby opens the lids to the snacks which were zippuli, brustengolo, crocchette di patate e parmigiano, arancini al burro, and salvia fritta. Tori opens the main dishes and I swear I looked like Will-E Coyote. Eyes out my head and all. Beef Ragu, cheese raviolis, chicken piccata, eggplant parm, and spaghetti and meatballs. I open the remainder of the dish covers and stumble upon the desserts. Tiramisu, vanilla panna cotta, and a torta del nonna. I take the plate from Donatello's hand and start with the main food. I scoop up spaghetti and meatball and cheese raviolis onto my plate. I make my way to the snack like foods. I place all five snacks into a plate that Alexander had for me. I glanced at the desserts but opted against it for now. I place my food down onto the blanket and ungratefully plop down onto it. Before I can take my first bite of food; there's a glass of chinotto and a dish with all three desserts. My eyes go from the hand to the face in a matter of seconds; to my surprise it's Alessio.

"I noticed you didn't get anything to drink or dessert." He says with a microscopic tug upwards of his lips.

"Thanks." I mumble out, taking the drink and dish from him.

Once everyone had gotten their food and drinks; we begin to actually eat. My mind keeps replaying Alessio handing me a drink and dessert. Why would he when he made a snarky comment about what I ate before?.

"So, what are you going to do about Ana?" Arcangelo whispers to Alessio.

"Don't remind me." Alessio groans. What does he mean by that?

Once we have all ate, it's time to take a stroll through the garden. I have no clue what Donatello has in mind but this garden is gorgeous. I walk around the garden edges looking at each flower. I stop at almost every single plant just to smell them. I am currently sniffing a Bougainvillea. It's color is so vibrant and beautiful. Next I wander over to peachy colored orchids. As soon as my face was close enough to the orchid; a flash from someone's phone gets my attention.

"Perfect!" Gabby squeals.

"I'm in lounge clothes! There's nothing cute or perfect about that!" I whine out to my sister.

I continue to walk around the remainder of the perimeter of the garden. Still smelling and admiring each flower. I finally stop at red roses that have white lilies blooming around it. As soon as my face is at the roses and a smile is planted on my face; a flash goes off.

"Gabby I swear..."

I start to threaten, however, it wasn't Gabby who took the picture. Hell, it wasn't any of my family members.

"Perfettamente sbalorditivo."

Alessio!