2. The Beast And His Beauty✔️

New Beginnings

Karina

I sat in the middle of Uncle Giovanni's bed and stared at the screen in front of me.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

Giovanni was holding Tamara, who had her legs wrapped around his waist. She was unbuttoning his shirt.

"I'm going to need a lot of therapy to unsee this."

"Karina! What are you doing here?", he said as he put Tamara down and buttoned his shirt up.

"Getting college application results. Aria won't stop crying and I couldn't concentrate at home.", I said as I refreshed my emails once more.

"Why didn't you just go to the library?"

"This is my safe place."

He smiled at me and sat beside me.

"Why do you look nervous? You're gifted, Karina.", Tamara said.

"No, I'm smart. Just like the other half of the world."

"Karina! You're 18 years old. What did we say about being hard on yourself?"

"I'm an Andiacci. We're brilliant at everything we do, but what if I'm not as smart as I thought. What if I don't even get in?"

"What school is it?"

"Rabbinical College..."

He stifled a laugh.

"You're concerned about not getting into Rabbinical?"

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Something else is wrong.", Tamara said.

"I got in to my dream school, but it's not in Jersey. Mom and dad would never let me go. Rabbinical College is closer."

"That's awesome. What school did you get into?"

I bit my lip.

"Columbia.", I mumbled.

Uncle Giovanni wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm so proud of you. Why aren't you more excited?"

"I can't go. You know how protective mom and dad are. Plus, what about Gio?"

"Karina, you have to allow yourself to have a life. You've worked your ass off your entire academic career. You deserve this."

I smiled and hugged him.

"That's why you're my favorite godfather."

He chuckled.

The door opened again. It was my parents.

"Karina, there you are. You can't just leave like that. We were worried."

I stood up.

"I got into Columbia."

I saw their shock expressions.

"We're so proud of you, baby! You worked so hard for this."

They both hugged me.

"So, I can go?"

"Of course, Karina. We trust you."

I smiled and hugged them back.

"Where's Giovanni? I should tell him."

"In the kitchen."

I went downstairs to find him.

He was making a sandwich in the kitchen. Aria was sleeping in her carrier.

"You know we don't live here right."

"We might as well. We're always here."

I laughed and took a bite of his sandwich.

"Why were you here?"

"I had some things to think about."

He nodded and began eating his sandwich.

"I got into Columbia."

He stopped and looked at me.

"What? When did you even apply?"

"A while ago."

"And when were you gonna tell me?"

"I don't know. I-"

"So, you're just gonna leave and run to New York?"

"I'm not running anywhere!", I shouted at him.

"What's going on?", I heard Daddy ask.

"Karina's abandoning me."

"I'm not abandoning anyone. I got into my dream school because I worked hard for it. You're my twin and you're supposed to be happy for me."

"You know what? Just go, Karina. Have fun with your new snobby friends and your new perfect life. Aria and I will be fine."

"Giovanni!", Mom shouted.

He ignored her and walked out.

I began sobbing. Dad wrapped his arms around me.

"Shh. Princess, it's okay."

"He hates me. Why isn't he-", I couldn't speak anymore.

I bawled into my dad's chest.

Tamara

I snuggled into Giovanni and kissed his collarbone.

"You were great with Karina. You're gonna be a great father one day."

"Maybe. Or maybe I lost my only chance."

"Maybe not."

He glanced down at me.

"What do you mean?"

"You're going to be a daddy, Giovanni."