His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 40

I heard laughter coming from downstairs and yawned while I made my way to the kitchen. After hangingVincenzo, Beau and Luis once again— I had returned home and took a long nap. Isobel was almost sitting on Christian’s lap as the two were laughing together. He never laughed like that with me. This was crazy, was I jealous? I shrugged off my thoughts and sat on the opposite side of them. “Hi.” I grfrowned my eyebrows while Christian took his distance from Isobel. “Hi.” Christian greeted back with a smile on his face and stared at me while I did the same. Isobel clearedgave him a nudge against his shoulder. “Hello.” She greeted me with a fake smile on her face. “Hi…” I repeated once again. Her being here bothered the living crap out of me, and her sleeping over anroom yesterday had bothered me even more. If she planned to remind me that they were sleeping togetdid a wonderful job at that last night. She told me that she had no trouble with me, but her actions told me otherwise. Her occasional glares acompliments were not something anyone could miss…anyone except Christian. After getting back from his parents’ place yesterday I had hoped we would’ve had another movie night aentire mood was ruined when I walked into Isobel sitting at the kitchen table as if she lived here. Okay, technically she knew him longer than I did— but he was my fiancé, may it be real or fake. “Isobel, cfor a second dear!” Emmanuella called out for her. By the look on her face, I could tell that all she wanted was to decline her offer and not leave me alone wput on a fake smile and left the room to go to Emmanuella. “I’ll be back.” She announced and kissed Christian on his cheek. For someone who was not in a relationsbehaved as if they were together…that was funny. “Are you guys dating?” I asked him and he immediately shook his head. “Just friends.” He told me, but I response. “Did not sound like that yesterday,” I whispered under my breath but just loud enough so he could hear you jealous?” He chuckled while I looked down embarrassed. No, I was not jealous I was

just… “Because if you need something from me, I can give it to you— all you have to do is ask.” He told me andaring look. “W-what do you mean?” I stuttered. “I think you know what I mean.” Christian chuckled. The downside of us getting along was probably him could bully me. “I need my friends…would it be okay for them to sleepover?” I asked Christian. I was going to get Faith a— one way or another and was even willing to drag them here. I could understand that staying here coufeel uncomfortable, but me being here all alone also felt uncomfortable so I think they could manage. “Sure, you don’t have to ask me that— it’s also your house!” He chuckled. “We’re having a sleepover?” Iwalked back in asked and threw her arm over my shoulder. “I think she was talking about her friends.” Chsave me, but Isobel wouldn’t listen. “I’m also her friend, isn’t that right Serena?” She had already invited herself, giving me no choice but to “Did anyone say something about a sleepover?” Marc had suddenly shown up with Johnny following beapparently we’re having a sleepover!” Another guy who I had never seen before said while I was confuseeveryone was planning to crash my girls’ night. “I’m Luca by the way, Christian’s cousin— I’m sure he hasn’t mentioned me because I’m not Johnny!” Hand wrapped his arm around Christian, while everyone except him and I laughed. “I’m pretty sure this is not what Serena had in mind, and you all have more than enough work to do — asI don’t even know what all of you are doing here!” Christian complained. “This is not a walk-in center!” “Technically it will be once you take over uncle, so yes— it is,” Luca told him, and I could already tell he w“You don’t have any problem with me being here, right? …or are you going to throw a drink in my face awhore?” Luca asked me, while everyone laughed at his joke. “That’s enough, stop it!” Johnny cracked in between laughs— great, even he was making fun of me. “No seriously, stop— Serena is…not laughing,” Isobel spoke and laughed even harder while I felt embarracould be. Perhaps this was their kind of humor— but to me, it felt uncomfortable. “You guys are not done laughing?” Christian spoke in a tone intimidating enough to shut them all up.

“Tat him. I was trying everything I could to not get any crazy ideas in my head, but when he did charming couldn’t help but melt at his kindness. “No but seriously, what are all of you doing here?” “Well let’s see, we came here to ask if you had something to do for us— but now that we’re having a slethe grocery shopping.” Marc shrugged his shoulders while Christian rolled his eyes. “Sleepover? We are not in fourth grade— get ahold of yourself and make yourself useful!” Christian scolpouted at his words. “Do you really think sleepovers are for fourth graders?” “That’s not what I meant— I…” Christian frowned at the sad look on my face. “Don’t take it personal Serehe’s a party pooper.” Isobel teased him. “Party pooper! Party pooper!” She chanted as the others followed her and poor Christian sat there with auncomfortable look on his face. He was probably trying to save me so they would not crash my night— make it worse. “Okay then it’s settled, we’re having a…sleepover.” He spoke to shut them up which had worked. Christiaoccurred to me as the calm type, so seeing he was surrounded by loud people was definitely interesting.I had often wondered if our baby would take after our calm personality or if our baby would have a persoown. After the others left to go grocery shopping I had texted Olivia, Faith, and Luna who had immediately agmentioned the word, men, that was all it took for them. “Come to my office, I want to show you something.” Christian suddenly spoke and left while I quickly folhim. “Did I do something?” I asked and heard him chuckle. “Why are you acting like I’m going to smack you with my ruler?” He smirked and opened the door to hison, get in.” I walked in and looked back as he closed the door behind him. “So…” I spoke first while he repeated the “Stay right here.” He said and walked to his desk. I anticipated his next move and saw he grabbed a big sfrom his desk. “Here you go.” He spoke, avoiding all eye-contact with me. I grabbed the bag from his hand and walkedopen it. It was hangers full of designer baby clothes and I couldn’t help but pout while going through thbuy something for the baby, but he did. “It’s an expensive baby.” I giggled while trying to think about how much all of it would’ve cost.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“Receivinparents is priceless,” Christian spoke and wrapped his arms around my waist so he could feel the baby. Surprised at his wise words I turned around and stared into his eyes. He had a warm smile on his face anheld his hand against my stomach. “Even though this was unplanned… I’m happy to be in this together, wMy gaze traveled to his lips and I was trying to hold in my breath. Serena, you can’t — I repeated in my hover again. I can’t fall in love with him, I can’t. “Serena?” Christian tried to get my attention. “Hmm?” I asked and tried to look into his eyes once again. I could not be falling for him, I had promised “What are you thinking about?” Christian whispered and moved his hand to my cheek. “N-nothing,” I told him and tried to move away, but he held his two hands on the desk and trapped me so I could not take another step. “Did I say something out of line? I’m sorry.” He immediately apologizedhead, the only thing he did wrong was making me fall for him. “It’s not you, it’s me,” I whispered to myself and tried to avoid his eyes which kept following me, no matlooked. “I know what you’re thinking— but you deserve much better.” He sighed and removed his handsmove. “I-I should get ready,” I mumbled and turned around to walk away while he grabbed me by my wrist to s“Serena… don’t be like this.” Christian sighed but I had pulled away from my hand and walked straight oWhat was happening to me?