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The harsh wind blew my hair in every direction as I got out of the car, followed by my aunts continuous moaning on how their hairs getting ruined.
Everyone else had also started to order drinks at the restaurant but as Aunt Nina saw a street food stand selling chocolate covered strawberries, she just had to pull over and get some. Now we're late by at least 30 minutes and surprisingly no one's called to check in on us. Me and my aunts all drove in one car, my uncles drove in a separate car, my dad, step-mother and step-sister drove a car together and the rest drove their own cars as they wanted to race.
Aunt Maria linked arms with me and we both walked into the restaurant, the other two following close behind. Soft, welcoming music was being played by a group of musicians up on stage. The restaurant was public so there were others here, all who turned their heads and whispered as we passed them.
Aunt Nina owns her own cosmetic brand which is heavily influencing many women in Italy. Aunt Maria owns her own firm where Nathalia is currently based in. And then Aunt Bridget is just... aunt Bridget. She used to be a model for Victoria Secret but then retired and now's she just a trophy wife.
"Why were you late? Do you know how disrespectful that is?" Delia commented, her tone laced with taunt and dissatisfaction.
"You have no right to comment on our punctuality when you joined this family quite late." Nina scoffed, sitting down next to her husband, Alessandro. All my aunts sat next to their husbands and so that left me sitting in between Enzo and Luca, some of the least tolerable ones.
As I sat down, I could practically smell the scowl Luca sent me and Enzo rolling his eyes didn't help me feel welcomed.
"For fucks sake." Luca muttered, downing his whiskey in one gulp. I grimaced when he went for another glass. How does his liver survive?
A waiter comes and asks us if we want any more refreshments, I was going to ask for a coke but was cut off by Angelo, who instead ordered apple juice for me.
Not that I'm complaining.
I've noticed Julien's quietness recently, he doesn't interact with anyone anymore and he's always out. I barely see him at home. I feel like it's something to do with the articles, I think he did kill Emir. Or maybe he was wrongly accused and had to spend some of his days in jail, which could've messed with him mentally.
As if feeling someone's gaze on him, he lifted his head, making eye contact with me. It didn't feel safe. I didn't feel safe being in the same room as my own brother. His eyes alone are a replica of those of a murderer. He clenched his jaw as he looked at me, before looking away to ask my uncle to pass him some beer.
"Valeria honey, what do you want to eat?" Maria pushed the menu towards me but Enzo snatched it before I could get it. He scanned through the menu, pointing at a dish while reading it out to the waiter.
"She'll have that." The waiter nods in response and returns to the kitchen.
