Head Over Heels For Ezzio (Villaverde Series #1)

Chapter 40

Paris

"So you're the girl my son's been talking about!"

Napakurap ako, halos namamala ang lalamunan dahil sa kaba. We were at their house now, standing in their living room. Kakapasok pa lang namin pero agad na kaming sinalubong ng mommy niya. She looked excited when I saw her come out somewhere to greet us. Malapad ang mga ngiting iginawad niya. I couldn't help but watch her in awe while she was walking.

It was my first time seeing Ezzio's mother. She looked gorgeous in her white chiffon dress. It contrasted her morena skin. Her hair was up in a bun, which emphasized her high cheekbones and almond eyes. I could tell she was already in her late 40's or early 50's. But boy, did she looked younger.

I managed to give her a shy smile. I didn't know what to say. She wasn't exactly intimidating, but I was just really, really... shy.

I turned my head to Ezzio and he instantly met my gaze. I bit my lip as he pulled his hand away from mine to hold me by the waist. Mas hinapit niya ako palapit sa kanya. Our bodies touched. Ramdam ko ang makahulugang tingin ng Mama niya nang ginawa niya 'yon.

"Mom, this is Paris. My girlfriend."

He said it so simply. On the other hand, I became more self-conscious and uncomfortable, lalo na nang magtama ang mga mata namin ng ina niya. I was expecting her to stare and look at me closely, yung tipong nangingilatis. Pero... hindi naman niya ginawa kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag.

She gave me a warm smile. Nagulat pa ako nang marahan niya akong hinawakan sa braso.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, hija."

Even her voice sounded so full of composure. Everything about his mom screamed elegance and class. Kahit sa simpleng paggalaw lang nito.

"Same here po, Mrs. Martinez. It's nice to finally meet you."

I was grateful I didn't stutter. Good to know the tons of oral recitations and verbal presentations in college paid off!

"Oh, come on. Just call me tita Janette," she said, letting go of my arm.
"Why don't we continue our talk over dinner?"

Tumingin siya kay Ezzio.

"Naghihintay na ang Dad mo ro'n sa dining."

Dad.

Pinigilan ko ang sarili mula sa pagpikit ng mariin. Okay. His mom seemed fine. I don't know about his dad, though!

I felt myself tense up again when tita Janette gestured her hand, making us follow her. Nangunguna siyang maglakad habang nakasunod lang kami ni Ezzio sa likuran. Every step we took made me even more nervous.

"Breathe," medyo natatawang bulong sa'kin ni Ezzio. His thumb drew circles on the side of my waist in attempt to calm me down. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at sasagot na sana, kaso eksakto namang nakarating na kami sa dining area nila.

His father was hard to miss. Agad ko itong nakitang tuwid na tuwid na nakaupo sa kabisera. He was in a business suit, like he just got home from an important meeting. I was looking at him sideways but I could tell he had rough features. Thick brows. Dark-hooded eyes. An ample amount of stubble on his angled jaw. A bit muscular despite of him being in his mid-50's.

I gulped. Oh my god. This man was too intimidating.

"Dad," pagpukaw ni Ezzio sa atensyon ng ama. I almost panicked when he let go of me. 'Yon pala'y lumapit lang siya sa papa niya para bigyan 'to ng halik sa pisngi. Must be part of the Italian culture.