The Handsome Helper

Chapter 22

Sitting at a dining table surrounded by Donny's family is something I never thought I'd do.

But with Donny sat on my right, kelly sat on my left and a 5 year old sat across from me I felt a little less anxious.

Donny's left hand was resting on my thigh while we ate our pasta. It was a very comfortable atmosphere considering there was about 15 people at this one table. Things were being passed down like we were a production line and conversation flowed effortlessly. It was safe to say I could do this whole "big family" thing.

"Sorry I'm late"

I turned in my seat to see a boy dressed from head to toe in black; black "Supreme" snapback, black leather jacket, black sweats and black trainers. And the worst part? He was Michelangelo's twin.

I turned back to face my plate quickly.

"Cillian, move Xavier so Caesar can sit" Sarah commanded from the head of the table. My head snapped up as the chair opposite me was being pulled out and the 5 year old hopped off. I cussed myself for sitting here, bang in the centre.

I tried to focus on the tasty pasta sat on my plate as Caesar sat across from me but I couldn't. I looked up to be met with his eyes. He looked away quickly and received his plate loaded with food.

"No need to stare Duchess" he said, his tone was serious and full of disgust. Great, another guy who hates me. Donny's hand tensed as his brother's recognition registered with him.

So my customer wasn't Michelangelo after all, that was a relief since I wanted to become friends with Kelly. She seemed lovely and she promised to teach me how to perfect eyeliner.

"Eliza, this is Michelangelo's twin, Caesar" Donny explained. He didn't look up from his plate as I sat and smiled at the him. He devoured all the pasta on his plate and only when he wanted more did he look up

"Let's hope you don't get stabbed to death" I mumbled which caused Donny to shake with laughter. Caesar didn't look up and glare at us for laughing at him, he just continued to eat like a pig.

"So, how long have you been engaged to Micky?" I asked kelly. She lit up at his name and looked at him. They shared a second and then she answered "2 long years". I was amazed, that's a long time.

"We're waiting for Donny" she added.

"Waiting for Donny to..?" I asked confused

"Settles down"

"Why?"

"Because he's our eldest brother and therefore should be the first to marry" Caesar snapped. I looked at him and his empty plate. I'm really confused and I must've looked it because Caesar tutted and laughed. His laugh was dry and dark.

"My family is stuck in the Stone Age" Donny whispered in my ear; his hot breath lingering on my skin relaxed me slightly "don't mind them" pressing a final kiss to the side of my head Donny went back to eating.

"Yeah right, we're not modern" Caesar snapped, he put air quotation marks on the word 'modern' "because we don't sit whores at our dad's dining table" my fork dropped to my plate and I could feel hot tears burn my eyes.

It really was stupid of me to think this evening would do smoothly. All roads are bumpy, regardless of how many times you pave over them. And Caesar, Caesar was one annoying-ass bump.

"Get out" this time it was Sarah who snapped. I thought it was directed at me for a split second but as the colour drained from caesar's face I knew it was him who was being exiled, not me.

His chair scraped the floor loudly; the noise filled the silent room and everyone watched the cocky douche walk out with his head hung low. Something about his walk told me that this hardly ever happens.

"None of my boys were raised to use that language at the table Eliza, you must forgive me" Sarah pleaded, I offered her a nod before going back to move my pasta around. Micky smiled at me before easing the family back into numerous lovely conversations.

It bugged me how Sarah took the blame for her son's words, why did I have to forgive her for something someone else said?

--

Helping Sarah and Kelly clear the table was beyond fun. The two gorgeous women danced around the big open rooms like we were alone in this big house. They had music playing at a volume that would allow you to hear the foreign beat from a mike away. And when I say foreign I mean Indian, yeah it surprised me too.

While Kelly stood at the sink, shaking her hips and washing the plates, Sarah danced around the rooms drying a plate at a time and then passed the dry china to me, I was sat on top of the work top afraid to make a fool of myself.

"Bathroom break!" I shout to the dancers over the music. Kelly puts down the plates she's rinsing and calls me to her telling me she'll walk me to it.

As we walk I try to memorise the way so I don't get lost on my way back. Kelly's silence is helpful and I admire the fact she knows when to shut up. We arrive at the bathroom and she heads back to the kitchen.

Once out I'm faced with the same hallway I was standing in with Grammy. I walked back to her picture and studied it.

Donny looked so much like his grandad. I didn't know much about my grandparents, come to think of it, I didn't know anything about them.

"Ehm" someone to the right of me cleared their throat. Before I could look who, they started speaking "i apologise for dinner" caesar's tone was lacking all emotion, I didn't believe he was sincere and with that tone I knew he was being forced into this apology. How rude!

When I gave no reply Caesar rolled his eyes and turned to leave. I watched as his figure rounded the corner that lead back to the kitchen.

I gave him a head start before I followed him.