Lost Lombardi

Chapter 22

"How was school today?" Pietro asked Dino while they were having dinner. Don was also there.

"It was good," Dino said, eating his food slowly.

Pietro looked at Dino's plate. He sat across from Dino at the table. "You didn't take any shellfish, right?" Pietro asked.

"No. I don't want to die," Dino said. Don's eyes turned to Dino and then Pietro. Dino didn't see it because he was looking at his plate. He felt uncomfortable around Don.

"You better learn to talk to your father respectfully," Don said, and Dino realized he had acted stupid.

"Sorry, Papa," he said. He didn't want to spend another hard session with Don like the other day. Last time, he escaped because he fainted. This time, he was healthy, and there was no reason to faint. That meant he would have to stay until the session was over. No, thank you!

"Did you apply for the football team?" Pietro asked.

"No, I didn't. The school doesn't have a football team. They only have rugby, basketball and tennis," Dino said.

"Then apply for the rugby team. Your father played rugby. I played rugby. Your uncles played football and rugby," Don said, and Dino knew now he had to apply for the team no matter what.

'Shit,' Dino thought.

Dino looked at Pietro helplessly. "Can I play tennis then?" he asked.

"Tennis is for girls," Don said, and Dino opened his mouth in surprise. "Do a sport that real men do," Don said.

'But I'm just a boy. Not a man,' Dino thought.

"Do as he said," Pietro said.

"Okay, Papa," Dino said because he had to say it.

"Isn't Helio also at your school?" Don asked Dino again.

"Yes, Grandpa," Dino said.

"Are you two getting along well?" Don asked.

"Yeah, kind of," Dino said.

"I thought he didn't like you," Don said, looking into Dino's eyes.

'Shit, here we go again,' Dino thought.

"Yes, he doesn't like me. So we stay away from each other. So we are doing good," Dino gave the perfect answer, and Don looked shocked. He seemed to struggle to think of another question. Fortunately, nothing came to his mind.

"Okay then, I'm done eating," Don said, standing up and leaving the table.

Dino looked at Pietro. "Can I not do any sport?" Dino asked.

"No. You have to do one," Pietro said.

"Can I have a license and a car like the other kids?" Dino asked.

"Okay," Pietro said, like it wasn't a big deal. Dino couldn't believe his ears.

"When should I start practicing to drive?" Dino asked.

"Tomorrow?" Pietro said.

"Okay," Dino said excitedly. He was stuffed but wasn't supposed to leave the table until Pietro did. Finally, Pietro finished his food and left.

Dino ran to his room with excitement.

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The next day, after coming home, Pietro changed into another good-looking suit and arrived out of his room.

"Where are you going?" Dino asked. He wondered where his father was going when it was just a few minutes until dinner.

"I'm going to meet Caterina. She called and said she needs to talk with me," Pietro said.

"Does that mean I have to have dinner with Don?" Dino asked with an upset look on his face.

"Yes, you have to have dinner with him alone," Pietro said like it wasn't a big deal.

"But I...," Dino tried to say but shut his mouth. He didn't want to give Pietro a hard time when he was about to leave to meet his ex-girlfriend. Pietro was looking for a second chance with her.

"Okay, good luck then," Dino said.

"Good luck for what? We're just going to talk," Pietro said, smiling as he left.

'Shit. Now I have to have dinner with that monster,' Dino thought.

When Pietro went into the restaurant, Caterina was already there. She didn't look sad or angry. Pietro took it as a good sign.

"How are you?" Pietro said after approaching her table. She looked at him with a smile.

"I'm fine. How about you?" Caterina asked, her tone casual, as if nothing was wrong.

"I'm okay," Pietro said curiously. "So, what's going on?" Pietro asked.

"Well, I've been thinking about our situation," Caterina said, her eyes meeting Pietro's. "I've decided I want to marry you after all," she finished, a warm smile lighting up her face.

"Really?" Pietro asked with excitement. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"It's not a problem that you have a son. We can send him to a boarding school," she said.

"Why do we need to send him to a boarding school?" Pietro's happiness faded from his face as he asked.

"Because we need some alone time. Dino is not a child. He's sixteen, and it's not like he misses you. You found him a few weeks ago, right? He'll be fine, Pietro," Caterina said, touching Pietro's hand on the table. He slowly pulled his hand away. Caterina's face changed.

"Why? You don't like it?" she asked with surprise.

"I don't like it. I don't want to send Dino to a boarding school," Pietro said.

"But you don't even have that strong connection. We've known each other for two years. You just met Dino. Are you going to choose him over me?" Caterina asked like Pietro was talking nonsense.

"He's my responsibility," Pietro said.

"I'm not asking you to be irresponsible. Sending Dino to a boarding school isn't a bad thing. And what about me? We're engaged. Am I not your responsibility too?" Caterina asked. Now, she looked annoyed.

"I don't have a problem with marrying you. But I'm not sending Dino to a boarding school," Pietro said.

"Okay then. You chose Dino over me. Fine. I'm not going to marry you then," Caterina said, removing the ring from her finger and giving it to Pietro. Pietro's heart filled with pain. He noticed Caterina's eyes were shining like she was about to cry.

"He won't be a problem," Pietro said because he didn't want to leave Caterina like a jerk. He liked her. But he couldn't agree with what she was asking for.

"I don't care," she said firmly.

"Okay then. I'll leave. Goodbye, Caterina!" Pietro said and left. Caterina felt sad after Pietro left. She felt angry at Pietro for not choosing her. Caterina felt betrayed. So she started to cry.

She took her phone and called her father. "Dad..."