Hate That I Love You

45

Author

After his untimely ambush on his son, Damian and the untrustworthy Emilio, Angelo returns home to his wife. However, he's not too fond of receiving the news about his son interacting with the Devil himself, but to find out that his Anita is aware was nerve wrecking. "Why didn't you tell me?" He began furiously as he approached his wife who was babysitting DJ for the night.

"Shhh. He's almost asleep, Angelo." Mama decided to look after her grand baby while Imani and Domenico could spend some peaceful yet quality time with one another. She carefully places him back into his crib after she rocked him to sleep.

Once he was down, the two grandparents continued their conversation in the bedroom with the baby monitor close by. "Anita, why didn't you tell me he was talking to Emilio?"

"Because of this. I knew you would act exactly like this. Look at you, sweetheart. You're stressing yourself out over this."

"Excuse me for worrying about our own son."

"He's not a child anymore. We can't control what he does. You knew eventually this day would come. You've said it yourself."

"You sound like Emilio now. How can you be so calm about this?"

"Oh, I don't like this just as much as you do, but Damian deserves to know. Don't you think? It's not like any of this is his fault. He didn't ask to be left alone on that road. Maybe this is good for him. You should see it that way instead of being so selfish."

"I'm being selfish?"

"Yes, Angelo. You're not thinking about how this is making him feel. Have you even sat down with your son and really talked about the issue?" Angelo was feeling incredibly guilty for not taking consideration into his son's feelings. He's been so wrapped up in preventing the two from ever crossing paths that he really didn't think things through. "Invite him over for dinner."

"Excuse me? In my house?"

"You need to settle this. You can't keep paying him off, Angelo. He's just gonna find alternative ways to get closer to Damian. Me, you, or anyone else can't stop that."

The thoughts that were running through Angelo's mind weren't soothing to his decision making. That this day finally came and there's no turning back. The pressure was weighing down on him like hell fire. There could be some possibilities that this could all go right or... this could all go straight to hell. Whichever it could be, Angelo knows for a fact that he's not gonna like it. "I'm getting a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach."

"Honey, everything's gonna be okay. I think it's time  that all of us can find a way to really grow and move on from the past." As he looked into the eyes of his wife's, unknowing of the secrets he's kept from her after all these years. Secrets that could break his family apart. "If Damian can forgive then we should, too." Mama gazes at the baby monitor and finds DJ fully asleep. "I'm getting ready for bed. Joining me?"

Angelo takes a deep breath. "Yeah, I just need to grab a few things from downstairs. I'll be with you in a few minutes."

"Okay, baby."

"Do you need anything for your pills? Water? Tea?"

"Tea would be good."

"Chamomile Vanilla." They said simultaneously.

"I know, I know. I'll be right up." Her husband returns to the kitchen to gather her tea together. Angelo made sure no one else was around to see him click the button under the cabinet drawer, revealing his weapon's stash behind each cabinet. He grabs for his Beretta 92X and wipes the dust off. It's been a while since he's held his second love in his hands.

Angelo thought back to what Damian confessed to mentioning his demented sister. And what her intentions are. Angelo has already warned his guards to remain stealth and alert if anything gets hectic. Without any of his kids knowing, he's placed a few men in their care. Just to watch over but to keep a strong distance. Which is why none of them have been in any danger lately.

"Angelo?" Anita lightly shouted from upstairs.

"Coming now, mi amore." He cocks his gun back and tucks it in his back pocket.