A Sicilian Marriage [PUBLISHED]

Chapter 14: Ragusa, Sicily

When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood.

-Sam Ewing

Rafe Moretti's POV

I still didn't know what madness has possessed me into coming to this birthday party of Cesare. Coming here was a mistake. I realized it as soon as I arrive. Here I was having lunch at the formal dining room of the Palazzo di Fiorenza with my godfather, Laila and Leila, and their respective husbands, and of course, Enzo. this must be the most awkward lunch I ever had in my life.

Two men didn't stop sending me dark looks since I sat at the dinner table. But I was not surprised since I was probably the subject of their jealousy. I hid my smile that was the only reason I could think of why they were kept on sending me hateful glares.

The painful silence broke out when the birthday celebrant spoke directly to his nephew. "I want you to retire from the military, Vicenzo. It's time for you to manage your parent's business and start your own family. You are not getting any younger."

The man merely rolled his infamous green eyes. "Three things, uncle: one, don't call me by my full given name it makes me cringe when you call me like that 'Enzo' is fine. Two, I don't want to manage my parent's business you've been taking care of it for years I don't think few more decades will hurt you. And three, I will not quit in the military."

Cesare threw a thunderous look at him. "You nearly died with the explosion! How long do you think you can stay alive with this dangerous work you have? This is the reason why I couldn't die yet. How can I face your parents again? I didn't raise you well just to waste your life."

"You are worst than our ground commander when it comes to giving us lectures, uncle. Besides, I've cheated death countless times before." Enzo stated arrogantly that made his uncle's cold green eyes narrow. "And to be honest, you will not die anytime soon. You are way stronger than buffalo."

Leila was the only one who dared to laugh out loud at Enzo's statement. She was rewarded a glare from her father. "What is so amusing, young lady?"

"Enzo's observation about you, Patri. What else?" She said between laughter. "He's correct you are way stronger than a buffalo. I think you going to celebrate your 100th birthday alive and kicking."

Cesare didn't waste his time to start his lecture at the dinner table with rapid Sicilian. Leila continued to eat her food completely ignoring her father's sermon.

"That's enough, Patri." Laila put in once he was done with his lecture about life. "Think about your health. Your doctor told you not to stress yourself too much. Don't mind Leila and Enzo you know they are just teasing you. We love you so much, that's why we throw a birthday celebration for you tomorrow."

My godfather scoffed, drinking his wine. "I still don't understand why you want to invite other people for my birthday. I hate parties." He pointedly looked at Laila. "And what I don't understand is why you bother to invite Marco Orsini for my birthday? I still haven't forgiven him with his stunt asking your hand in marriage and then marrying his secretary instead."

We heard Nikos Pallis cleared his throat. Cesare raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Why? Do you need water for that cough, boy?"

"No, sir." The Greek man answered politely. But I couldn't miss the way his blue eyes darkened.

Leila's husband smirked. "He is just jealous of his own friend. He couldn't accept the fact that his wife was once engaged to his friend."

Laila smiled at her husband before focusing her attention on her father. "I told you before, Patri. Marco is a good friend of ours and Francesca is not his secretary."