De Luca

Chapter 10 EDITED

Giovanni POV

"Come on. This is too easy!" I boosted with a smile on my face. I was currently destroying my family on the pool table. We broke the game into teams. My team was Jason, Leo vs. Nicolo, Lenny (Lorenzo), and Hendrick.

"Oh, come on! Somebody hurry wipe his ass off the table!" Nicolo pleaded. We always bet money on the games we play to keep it interesting. I'm usually a mellow player, while Nicolo and Jason were the show-offs. But tonight, I was the show-off, jumping the cue ball over their balls and landing my shots. My only play remaining was the eight ball. This has been going on for two rounds already.

"Fellas," Aunt J whistled, getting everyone's attention. I choose to listen while I prep to take my shot. "I'd like you to meet my good friend and my choice in the cook-off Nathalie," Aunt J announces. It was about time. I looked in my aunt's direction just to get a quick glimpse of the woman of the hour. I did a double-take, taking my shot. It couldn't be.

Nicolo, Lenny, and Hendrick cheered, and Jason and Leo groaned. I missed my shot, but it was worth it.

"Princess," I whispered under my breath. She was my aunt's star chef, and she looked beautiful. Princess, well now known as Nathalie, wore green high waist pants with a plain strap white shirt, green sneakers, and the Pandora set I bought her. Her curly hair suited her look. However, she styled her hair; it suited her.

I couldn't help the shit-eating smile that was on my face. I don't know why, but I was happy she finally got to see me. It put the debate to rest.

Her eyes scanned the room before settling on me. As her eyes roamed my body, I got hard at that. Nathalie tilted her head to the left, narrowing her eyes. I followed her gaze, which led to the watch she gave me.

Realization hits, and her eyes widen. I winked at her once our eyes made contact. I put the pool stick down. My hands were suddenly itching to hold her. My aunt introduced her to all the guys individually, taking her sweet time getting to me. Once it was my turn, there was no holding back. I pulled her to me. "Ciao, mia regina," she blushed. Her arms wrapped around my neck.

"Reds. In all honesty, I was expecting a burnt face or a scarred face, blind in one eye, or something like that," I chuckled. Princess bit her lower lip, bringing my attention to them. I'm leaning ready to claim the prize that I've denied myself for three years.

"Time out! You guys know each other!?" Aunt J shouted out, making us pull apart. My arms rested on her waist.

"Bad timing, aunty, real bad timing!" Nicolo and my sisters said in unison. My mom, aunt, and sisters were shocked to know that I was seeing Nathalie, who quickly corrected our semi-non-but-in-existence relationship.

"It's nice to meet you, but the war has begun. LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN," my father shouted. We all cheered and started setting up for the cook-off, more like taste off.

Jason, Lenny, Francesco, and Michele brought out the tables. Four tables were set up, one for my dad, mom, and Michele (the only one that is actually a top chef in Paris). The other table was for my dishes, and the next was for Nathalie.

"First up, the guys, Giovanni present your dishes," Hendrick said.

"With pleasure, I got Patti's Mussels a la Mariniere, cooked in wine, served with some crispy white garlic bread. Filet Mignon with Rich Balsamic Glaze. Lobster tail with garlic lemon butter, side of mash potatoes, green bean, asparagus, and spinaches,"

"Baked lemon and mushroom salmon, with steam-fried vegetables. Oh, my favorite, pork chop agrodolce, with a side of yellow rice and broccoli. Chicken Tetrazzini, shredded chicken, mushrooms, onions, garlic, herbs. Creamy sauce with parmesan over the linguine. And a very spicy lasagna. I had to keep the last one simple. I didn't want to scare the competition." I finished presenting my dishes, looking over at my girl.