《Honoured with love》 Chapter 01 Chapter 01 Introduction... N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. I read once that people believe you can fall in love three times in a single lifetime. The first time is exciting, it''s fast, new and exhrating. The kind of love you''ll never forget. The second time you fall in love with someone you begin to heal, mature and understand how it all works. It''s a precious kind of love. But the third time... The third, It''s strong, passionately real and evesting. The kind of love that will have me on my knees. My Name Is Giovanni Venturi and this is my story about the Three Loves in my lifetime. I''ll take you back to the past to visit my first love, Celeste Maddison. She just happens to be the mother of my Second love. My precious daughter Rosalia. I''ll tell you about our journey of having to leave New Zend to fly back home to Italy. The struggle of being a single dad while being a hotshotwyer and taking down the mob. It sent us into hiding and lead to the abduction of Rosalia. We had to fake our deaths to start a new life. Rosalia went to live in Ad, New Zend with her Uncle and Aunt while I had to go hide out in Irnd for two years. Then I''ll invite you to join me at our present time where I meet Mia. My third and final love. I''ll admit... I tried to keep my hands to myself, but her innocence brings out the protectiveness in me. And I''ll be damned if I let her go once I''ve announced to the world that she now belongs to me. Giovanni-fucking-Venturi.... Chapter 02 Chapter 02 Sixteen years of age..... ¡°I Love you Gio¡± Celeste announces her love for me. I gaze out into the paddock that sits at the back of my house. We alwayse out here for some privacy away from my little brother Luca when both my parents are working. He always yells at us whenever we show any affection towards each other. I''m surprised I haven¡¯t murdered the Lil shit yet, to be honest. I look back at Celeste and say... ¡°Love you too.¡± I smile as her cheeks start to turn a crimson red. ¡°You do?¡± Her words are drowned in surprise... ¡°I do baby, I¡¯ve loved you for a long time.¡± I can¡¯t help but wink at her. ¡°Oh, Gio!¡± She screams and jumps into my arms. I catch her on unsteady feet and let my eyes feast on her. I¡¯m gonna make her carry my name one day. Celeste Maddison will be known as Celeste Venturi to the world when the time is right. She will bear my children and give my life purpose. I bend my head and seal the promise with a kiss. She moans silently as I deepen the kiss trying not to drop her at the same time. ¡°I want you Gio. I truly want to be yours.¡± She whispers with desire. ¡°Are you sure Mio caro?¡± I ask her. There¡¯s nothing I¡¯d love more than to drive myself deep inside her. We are both virgins and we made a vowel to be each others first when the right time came. I''m sixteen years old and my Celeste is a tender Fifteen-year-old. We are Eleven months apart and in New Zend, it is illegal to have sex with a minor at fifteen years of age. ¡°Yes.¡± She says fiercely looking into my eyes. ¡°Ten months, you only have to wait Ten months Celeste.¡± I calmly say to her but every nerve in my body is igniting. ¡°I''m positive Gio. I want to show you how much I love you by giving you my body. You already have my heart and soul. It¡¯s time I give you my body.¡± My cock jerked at the mere thought of finally being able to im her, to possess her in every way possible with her consent. She steps out of my arms and lifts her summer dress over her head. She looks me in the eye holding me a prisoner to her whims. Slowly she reaches behind her and unsps hercy bra. I break eye contact to watch it fall at her feet. I move to stand in front of her and let my fingers trail over her pebbled nipples. Her breasts are ripe and full. They¡¯re perfect... She¡¯s perfect. I kneel before her and slowly start to peel her panties off. Her core is sprinkled with ck hair protecting my merchandise. I sigh with need. ¡°God I don¡¯t deserve you Mio caro,¡± I say breathlessly. But I¡¯d be damned to let any other man, have you. I think to myself. I nt a soft kiss where I¡¯ll soon fill her. I stand and strip. It¡¯s not the most graceful strip show but I stand as proud before her naked as the day I came into the world. I cup her face and lightly rub the pad of my thumb over her lips. ¡°You sure about this? We can stop now and try again when you¡¯re ready.¡± I need to be sure onest N?velDrama.Org holds this content. time. ¡°I¡¯m sure Gio, nows the perfect time.¡± I slightly sense her nervousness. ¡°I started the pill five days ago. The school nurse said to start it on the first day of my period.¡± Her voice is sweet like honey. ¡°When you want to stop, we¡¯ll stop¡± I assure her. She nods and lightly licks her lips before her shaky hand reaches out and she wraps her fingers around my shaft. She slowly starts to move it up and down twisting her hand giving me extra friction. I throw my head back and moan out in agony with need. Her hand is soft, her touch is gentle and feels a thousand time better than mine. Shit! I¡¯m about to bust my nut in the first sixty seconds. I wrap my fingers around her wrist and she instantly stops. ¡°Am I doing it wrong?¡± Doubt washes over her beautiful face. ¡°Quite the opposite baby. You¡¯re setting my soul on fire, if you continue to touch me like that you¡¯ll unman me right here, right now.¡± I bring her hand up to my lips and press a Kiss to the palm of her hand. I gently lie my beloved Celeste down amongst the long grass and rest my weight on my forearms above her. I line the head of my cock up with her entrance and look deeply into her eyes as I slowly enter her savouring every delicious facial expression she makes imprinting it on my brain. I break through her barrier and she screams out momentarily in pain and her body goes tense... I freeze. "No, don''t stop Gio. Please... Don''t stop." Her words areced with pain but the sheer determination on her face sends me into a frenzy and I quickly start pumping her slowly through the pain. "I''m sorry baby... So.. Sorry." I whisper in her ear. Slowly her screams turn into the sweetest soft moans. It tells me she''s now ustomed to my size and she''s marking my back with her nails. I''ve wanted this with her for so long and now that it''s a reality I fear I won''tst. "I''m not going tost Mio Caro." Shame coats my words "Cum for me Gio, use my body for your release." She writhed under me. And I did, I ced my head in the crook of her neck and breathed in her scent while I pumped into her flooding her walls with my semen. I pull back and look into her eyes. "Thank you, Mio Caro," I say honoured. I slowly ease out of her and give her my t-shirt to clean herself with. We put our clothes back on and walk back inside the house hand in hand with a small bounce to our stride. When the sun begins to fall and the night''s breeze blows I walk my girl to her house and tell her how much I love her. I tell her I''ll be counting down the minutes till I see her next and her elegant face lit up like a shooting star gliding through the sunless sky. My heart and my soul were at peace. Chapter 03 Chapter 03 Sixteen years of age... Thirteen weekster... Celeste rang me up and was crying over the phone asking me to meet her at our special spot down by theke. I got here twenty minutes early not wanting my love to show up and have to wait for my arrival when she is already feeling down and out. I pace the path covered in leaves anticipating what the cause is for her sudden outburst of cries. When I see the girl I love hurt it drives me wild wanting to cause bodily harm to some unlucky Bastardo. "GIO!" She calls out running into my open arms. "Baby, what''s the matter?" I hold her tight breathing in her sun-kissed hair. " I''m sorry., I''m so sorry." Tears were streaming down her beautiful face. "Va bene baby- It''s okay baby." I try to soothe her. " I got sick from the mussel chowder and I didn''t know... I didn''t know." She breaks down. "Baby, What are you trying to tell me. I don''t understand." I feel hopeless not knowing what she is talking about. She reaches into her pocket and produces a folded piece of paper. I take it from her trembling fingers and open it. Shock ms into me like a tidal wave and I stumble back. Fanc¨´lo - Fuck She''s pregnant! I look at her through hooded eyes. What am I to say to her? How do I react? I pull her in and kiss the top of her head. "We will grow to love our baby." I finally say to her. Because it is the truth. "How Gio? We are only kids ourselves. I didn''t know, me being sick would stop the birth control from working." She looks at me through her tears. "Ssshhh... We got this baby. We got this." Fear strikes me across the chest. I can go to jail for statutory rape, leaving my new family behind is out of the question. I need to tell my parents. I need to man up and take responsibility for my actions. No matter the price. ******** We''re sitting at the dinner table finishing our meals. I look at my mama then at papa. Sweat beads my head and my nerves are a wreck. I take a deep breath. "Mama, Papa," I announce keeping my voice as firm as I can. "We need to talk." My eyes switch between them. "Gio, Is everything okay?" Mama asks. "There''s no easy way to say it and I''m not gonna sugar coat it." I take another deep breath. "You''re going to be grandparents," I announce. My mama drops her silver utensils against her te making a loud clinking sound. My papa stared daggers at me and Luca sat thereughing like a Hyena. Lil turds gonna cry in his dreams tonight. I thought to myself. "Giovanni Alberto Venturi." My father bellowed trying his best to keep himself stered to his seat. "This better be a joke." His lips thinned. "I''m sorry." I bowed my head in shame. "Gio baby, what have you done?" Mama cried shaking her head full of curls. "He was thinking with the wrong damn head! That is what your Gio was doing." My father said looking at me with disappointment. "I love her and we will raise our child together," I said with determination. "You''re damn right you will boy. Us Venturi men don''t turn our backs on our women and children." He dered. "I know papa." "We will go to her family tomorrow night and ask for her hand. No grandchild of mine will be born without bearing my name." "It doesn''t work like that here papa." I sigh. "I don''t care if we lived on Mars and you got an alien pregnant, we would still go and ask for HER hand." He pushed back in his chair, the legs scraping along the floor. He stood cing his hands on the table and red at me. "This is what happens when kids try to y grown-ups. They fuck up and fuck everything up along the way." He banged his hand against the table, we all jumped with fright. He continued to stare at me for a couple of breaths before he spun around and left the kitchen. I looked at mama and tears were running down the sides of her cheeks. I hated that I was the cause of her tears. "Mama, you have to stop him." I pleaded. "Why Gio? Your papas right, where is your honour?" She uses her white napkin to pat dry the corner of her eyes. "Celeste Maddison is why mama," I mumble "Gio! You know what her parents will do." She eximed. "I do mama, I do." I look at Luca who is surprisingly quiet. "So... I''ll be an uncle?" He asks proudly. "Si, you will. We will have a baby to take care of, you and me fratello-brother." I smile at him knowing deep down he''ll be a great uncle. "So... Does that mean Vanessa will be my sister?" He looks disappointed. I chuckle. "Si, no more googling at Nessa. She is off-limits." "I don''t google at her Gio!" He abruptly stands and leaves the table muttering how many ways he''s going to murder me in my sleep. Me too fratello, me too. I snicker in my head. "Gio," Mama says sternly getting my attention. "This is serious. Why didn''t you use protection?" "She was on the pill. But she fell sick and she didn''t know the pill would no longer work." My heart aches for my love, knowing how upset she''d be right now. How alone she must feel. "Do they not teach this in health ss!" She says massaging her temples. "I guess not," I say getting up from the table. I walk into the kitchen and open the top cupboard pulling out a small bottle. I open the lid and take two small white pills out. Putting the lid back on and recing it in the cupboard I walk back towards my mother and hand them to her. She takes them and graces me with a faint smile filled with gratitude. I fill her ss up with the jug of cool water that sits on the table. She slips the pills into her mouth and swallows them with her water. I sit down next to her and take her hand in mine. "I know I''m only sixteen mama and I stuffed up big time. But I promise you I will make you proud, I want to be a good father to my baby. I just need your help to make it possible, if not for me then for your nipote-grandchild." My eyes fill with tears. I do not know what my future entails and it scares the crap out of me. I could still end up in jail for all I know. I wouldn''t be surprised by Mrs Maddison. If given the opportunity she would put me on a ne with a one-way ticket back home to Italy. I know she never liked me, now she will have a reason to loathe me forever. "I will talk to your papa Gio. You know he wille around eventually." She pats my hand, kisses me on the head and gets up from the table leaving the room. I clear the table and minutester I can hear my father yelling and cursing me out in Italian. I flinch when I hear their bedroom door jerk open and mming shut. My mother walks into the kitchen looking at me with a smile on her face and raises her thumbs before she winks at me and walks away. My mama knows how to get what she wants when she wants from my papa. It''s the kind of marriage I''ll strive to have with my darling Celeste when the time is right. I finish clearing the table and I go to my room with the hopes of getting a good nights sleep so I can figure out my next move. I''m going to be a papa. I think to myself. If the Gods could grant me one wish, I''d wish to be blessed with a daughter as beautiful and smart as Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. her mama. My heart will be full andcent forever and always. I close my eyes and fall asleep with a smile on my face. Chapter 04 Chapter 04 Sixteen years of age... Five months pregnant... Papa has been generous enough not to force the matter of us telling Celestes family that she is pregnant. It has been a hard road and we are only halfway through her pregnancy. Mama urged Papa to hire me in our family clinic so I can earn money to support my new family with. We ordered a few pieces of furniture for the nursery online to avoid any of the town''s gossip. Papa cleared out his home office and repainted the walls a beige colour and stered a bundle of Dr Seuss quote stickers on top. "This one will be the wisest of us all" He proudly said puffing his chest out. We''re all excited about our new Venturi addition to the family and can''t wait to find out the sex. I can''t thank the gods enough for their guiding hands in leading my Celeste and child through the path of protection. I just wish my Celeste would ease up a little and enjoy the changes happening to her body. She looks stunning with her bump forming. I smile just thinking about her and imaging what she will look like full term. "YOU!" A loud scream fills the clinic. I look up to see my beautiful Celeste being dragged by the hand of her mother across the room straight towards me. I stand and walk around the reception desk. "Is this your doing?" Her mother yells at me, lifting Celeste''s top exposing her tiny bump. "Si," I answer. I look at Celeste and her eyes are on mine filling with tears shaking her head. "What were you thinking?" She said turning Celeste to the side and pointing at the dove tattoo on her hip. I sigh with relief. "We have matching tattoos." I lift my top and show her. "I don''t want you anywhere near my daughter." Her eyes narrow and she pokes me in the chest. "Stay away." She threatens me. "Or what?" I ask challenging her. "I''ll go to the police and get a protection order out against you." She huffed. "I haven''t done anything to put your daughter in danger." Anger starts to build in the pit of my stomach. "But they won''t know that now will they?" She says with a snarky attitude. " You would lie to keep me away from her?" My hand''s clinch, forming into fists. "You can bet your dirty little Italian ass I will." She res at me. "That is quite enough Mrs Maddison." My mama calls out as she walks directly towards us. " I will not have you talking to my son like that in my ce of work. Next time save your confrontations for an appropriate time and ce." Mama says standing in front of me, sheilding me from her vile assumptions. "Now, where would the fun be in that?" She lifts her face and looks around the room. Multiple pairs of eyes look back with amusement. She looks back at us. "I think I''ve gotten my point across." She abruptly turns and leaves the clinic dragging my future family along with her. "Gio." My mother''s voice is full of pain. "I know mama, I know." I lean into her open arms and hug her. "We have to tell your Papa. We can''t keep this from him, you know it will get back to him and he will be furious hearing it from someone elses mouth other than yours " She pats my head. I pull back and look up at her. "I will mama. I promise." "Good. Now, fix yourself up. My Venturi men don''t crumble for no one." She says with a sly smirk. I worked my shift feeling miserable thinking about my Celeste. Desperate to know if she was well and safe. I messaged her a dozen times and she still hadn''t messaged me back. Fear seeps into my heart. ******************** We''re sitting down having dinner. Mama looks at me, urging me with her eyes to speak up and to tell papa. I put my fork down and take a deep steady breath. "Papa," I say waiting for him to look up. "Si, Gio." He says as he takes a bite from his bun mum had freshly baked for dinner. " Mrs Maddison came into the clinic and warned me to stay away from Celeste. She threatened me with a protection order." My heart starts to race. " Merda!" He swore in Italian. "I don''t know what to do that won''t get Celeste into trouble. She is halfway through her pregnancy and she still hasn''t told them." He says frustrated as he pushes his te forward. "I can be charged with rape," I say softly trying not to panic. "You should''ve kept that in mind before you stuck it in her." He scratches the back of his head with frustration. "I wouldy down dead before I let anyone take you away Gio." His eyes bore into mine. "You are my son and this is not our home." He gets up from the table and walks out of the kitchen. I look at mama and she faintly smiles at me. "Your papa is right. This is not our home and we can pack up and leave when the timees." "What about my family?" "You are no good to anyone if you end up in jail." She snaps. "Gio, this is serious. It is time for you to act like a man and do things you don''t agree with even if it means leaving your family behind till the time is right toe back and im them." She stands and looks at Luca. "Learn from your brother''s mistake and strive to be better." She nces back at me and walks away. "Does that mean I''m not gonna be an uncle anymore?" He says sadly. "You will always be an uncle no matter what happens, Luca," I reassure him. A small smile lights up his face. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. "Help me clear the table." I stand piling the tes on one another. "Okaaaaay..... " He says like it''s the hardest job ever. Iy awake in bed looking up at the ceiling wishing sleep would hurry up and im me. My minds going crazy thinking about Celeste. Not being able to touch her or be near my baby is killing me silently. I look at the time on my bedside table. 23:04 Fuck it! I throw my nkets off and chuck a pair of running shoes on. We stay on the same street, I just need to be sure she is alright so I can at least get three hours sleep. I quietly open my bedroom window sliding it up inch by inch trying not to make too much noise. I throw one leg over the edge than the other. I hit the grass with a little thud and sprint towards Celeste''s house. Her bedroom light is off. I desperately look around for something to throw at her window. I spot an old bottle top, I pick it up and aim for her window and throw it. Secondster Celestees to the window and pulls her curtain back. Once she realises it''s me she opens her window. "Gio... What are you doing here?" She says in a hushed tone. "I needed to see you and know you''re okay." My heart does a little somersault. "We''re okay " She whispers cing a hand over her swelling belly. "Ti amo" I say. "I love you too!" She smiles and wipes a lone tear from her face. Chapter 05 Chapter 05 Sixteen years of age... Seven months pregnant... "Gio, she knows," My Celeste said weeping over the phone. A sudden wave of panic crashes into me. My heart starts to race and my breathing falters. "Merda." I silently scream. "She''s pissed Gio, I''m sorry." She apologises to me. My beautiful Celeste apologized to me, it should be me apologizing to her. I put her in this situation. Me! "Mio Caro, You have nothing to be sorry for." I sigh. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. "I forgot to lock my bedroom door and she walked in on me getting changed. I shouldn''t have been so reckless." Her voice drops into a hushed tone. "What is done, is done. We knew this day woulde and now it is time to stand up and fight." I say encouragingly. "Easy for you to say Gio. Your parents are awesome. Mine. Mine want to throw you in jail and throw away the key." A light sob escapes from her mouth. I can''t pretend to act surprised, nor can I build up the courage to tell her what my parents had said about New Zend not being our home. ~ It is better to live on your feet than die on your knees''~ I once read. And it is true, I can''t build a stable life for myself and my family if I am on my knees in prison. No matter how much it pains me to think about leaving them behind. Mama and Papa were right. "She said I can''t keep our baby. Once she is born she will go directly into the system and we will never see her again." She sniffs trying to hold back her tears. My body shudders with rage. "That will never happen," I say darkly. "The Venturi''s will NEVER let that happen," I promise her. "I don''t know what to do Gio." I can hear the fight in her fleeing. "You will continue to be a strong, loving vessel for our child." I try to keep the tremble out of my voice. "And you will let me handle everything." I dere right here, right now that if any man or woman should touch my child with the intention to hurt her I will rain hellfire upon thee. I will make their life a living hell no matter what the aftermath entails for me. "You promise Gio?" She asks breaking my train of thought. "I swear on my life, Celeste." My grip on the phone tightens turning my knuckles a pale shade of pink. "You are my life, my heart and my soul. You are my everything and only you can bring me to my knees Amore mio." I sigh with a heavy heart. "I''ll always love you Gio. Always and forever no matter what." I can hear a faint smile in her words. "Now go and rest. You need to be strong for our baby girl." I remind her. "Our baby girl." A little giggle leaves her lips. "Si, our baby girl. The gods have blessed me with two beauties. Two more than I deserve." I confess. "You deserve so much more Gio and I hope I can give it to you one day." She says just before she hangs up. I ce the phone back down onto the receiver and walk into the living room where my papa sits watching his favourite television show. "Papa." He looks up and takes his reading sses off. "Si, Gio." He gestures towards a vacant seat on the sofa and I sit down. "The Maddisons'' know and they are threatening me with rape charges." I lean forward in my seat, folding my arms on top of my knees and ce my head inside, shutting my eyes warding the nausea to leave my shaking body. I hear papa sigh. "It is time Gio." He says as he rises from his chair. I snap my head up and scowl at him with worried eyes. "It''s too soon papa. Can''t we wait for another two and a half months? We can all leave New Zend." I plead. "I''m sorry son. But in order to keep you out of jail, we need to leave as soon as we can." His face was full of remorse. "She will put my baby into the system and send Celeste away. We will never find each other if that happens." I say with fear coating my words. "If there''s a will there''s a way Gio. YOU ARE A STRONG-WILLED young man. I fear for the future where you will wreak havoc upon those who do you wrong." He proudly states. "But you must be smart and not let your fear cloud your judgment. This is the right move for now." His eyes bore into mine. I trust my papa wholeheartedly and I will follow him where ever he takes me. Even if it is to the other side of the world. I am a Venturi. ~Don''t deny, Dy.~ "I understand Papa." I rise from my chair and walk towards him. "Thank you." A light sob leaves my mouth. My father reaches forward and crushes me to him. "It is not a goodbye Gio. You will see your beloved Celeste and daughter again. I promise you." He ps his hand on my back for constion. What do I tell my Celeste? I promised her I would make everything right and now I''m preparing to flee the country to outrun the charges her mother will soony against me. I walk to my room and close the door behind me. I pick up my phone and make the call to tell my precious Celeste there is nothing I can do and I failed her without even putting up a fight. I failed my daughter even before I get to meet her. Dread eats me up from the inside out, turning my heart a light shade of grey, as my walls slowly go up, hardening my pure heart infecting it with venom. Determination sets in and I make a vow when the time is right I will return and make the Maddisons'' pay. I will turn their world upside down and make them wish they never crossed the line where Giovanni Venturi was concerned. Chapter 06 Chapter 06 Sixteen years of age... Seven months pregnant... "Hello?" My Celeste answers in a hushed tone. I know it is risky to call her but I need to tell her the truth. "Mio caro." The wordse out in a pained manner. "I''m sorry," " What is wrong Gio?" She asks concerned. There is nothing but silence between us as she waits for me to answer. "We are leaving the country," I mumble filled with shame. "No. Are you serious?" "Si, Papa said it is the only way to keep me out of jail." "But. But.. What about our daughter? I thought you promised to take care of everything." Turmoilced her precious voice. "I failed. I am sorry." I growl over the phone. "I will return for you both," I pledged. "When Gio? In a month, a year?" "I don''t know." Anger surrounds me and I punch a hole in my bedroom wall. Pain radiates around my knuckles causing me to spit lines of Italian curse words. "My mother is bing unbearable. Shees in to check on me every ten minutes. If she could, she would chain me to my bed like a prisoner. I don''t know how long I can live like this." She breaks down crying over the phone. "Merda! Celeste, you have to be strong. We NEED you to be strong." I start to pace the room trying to calm my nerves down. Fuck it. I think to myself. I end our call and walk out of my room, out the front door and straight towards Celeste. I knock on the front door pounding away impatiently waiting for someone to open it. When the door jerks open I walk into the house, straight towards Celestes room with Mrs Maddison hot on my heels pulling at my top, tearing it as I force myself to carry on walking to where my princessys in her dungeon of a room. "Celeste!" I roar. "Vanessa call the police. 111 now!" Mrs Madsison demands. "Stop! You good for nothing loser." She continues to pull on my clothes. Celeste runs down the stairs with her hand on her belly and her eyes filled with tears. The sight of her knocks the wind out of me. She is more beautiful then I could ever imagine. My eyes have starved for weeks without being able to feast on her. She''s been locked away from big bad ol'' me. As she gets closer I take her by the hand and carefully lead her out of the house as fast as I can. We quickly walk towards my house, crashing through the front door. I double lock it knowing Mrs Maddison will send her husband over to retrieve my precious Celeste once he returns home. "Gio." Mama calls out as shees racing out of the kitchen to see what themotion is. Her eyesnd on Celeste, travelling down to her swelling belly. "Oh, Tesoro mio." Mama gasps with love. She rushes towards us and hugs Celeste, embracing her with love. "Gio.." She scowls at me. "Mama...." I ce my hand over my child. Mama sighs. "Go." She motions towards my room. "You don''t have long." She looks through the peephole of the door and shakes her head. I lead my precious Celeste to my room and lock the door. She walks over to the window and looks out towards the street, shivering with fear. I pick up my leather jacket that''s been thrown over my desk chair and wrap it around her. She turns to face me, she sps my hand with hers and ces it over her swelling belly that houses our baby. She sps my hand in hers and ces it over her swelling belly. "Ti amore figlia mia," I say with pride. "I love you, my daughter." I trante, gazing into Celeste''s eyes. " I want you to name our daughter." She ces a hand on the side of my face, stroking her thumb along my heated skin. "The honour should be yours." "I want her to know that her papa named her and it had great meaning to him." A faint smile graces her face. I lean in and cover her mouth with mine, wrapping my arms around her, pouring all my untold emotions into our kiss. Her arms snake around my neck, pulling me in closer. A husky growl vibrates off my chest. There is a loud rapture of knocks at the front door. "Open up! Celeste, it''s time to go NOW!" Her father bellows. We break our kiss and a light sob erupts from my Sweet Celeste. "Shhhhh.." I sayforting her. "Gio. I, I don''t want to go back there." Unshed tears threaten to fall down the side of her beautiful face. "I don''t want you to go either Tesoro." I rest my head against hers. "I wish I was more of a man. I don''t deserve you." I mumble feeling like my heart is being torn to shreds. "Gio." My papa calls out from the other side of the door. "Gio, son. It''s time for Celeste to return home." I hear him sigh. I take my beloved by the hand and lead her back towards her creator. A father would never allow the heinous actions her mother protrudes upon her to happen to his beloved daughter. I feel sick, disgusted with anger as I slowly watch her step forward. Unexpectedly her mother appears wrapping her hand violently around her arm and yanks her out the door. "Get your FILTHY HANDs OFF HER!" I roar as I stalk towards her. "Gio!" My father calls out. Ie to a halt, my chest vigorously rising and falling, my hands clenched into fists, and I''m prepared to take on the damn world. I growl like a wolf desperately wanting to rip her head off. "She belongs to me." I sneer. "Gio, son." My papa ces his hand on my shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "MINE!" I roar. "MY BELOVED... MY BABY!" "Ha!" Mrs Maddison snickers. "She is legally mine till she is eighteen. You''re three years too early boy!" She scowls at me. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. Celeste cries out as she tries to break free from her mother, struggling against her vice-like grip. "Gio.." She sobs. "Gio, I love you." A loud p fills the room as her mother''s handnds across her face. "Foolish child! What do you know about love?" She titters? My Celeste cradles her stinging face in the palm of her hand with her eyes heavy on mine. "She will NEVER belong to you," I say without breaking eye contact. "Dr, don''t you think you should get your child under control before he hurts himself." Mr Maddison grumbles. "This has gone on long enough." He says impatiently. "Don''t tell me how to handle my son," Papa says calmly. "I think it''s best you should put all your time and energy into your wife. Give her a few lessons on how NOT to handle your pregnant daughter." He taunts. Mr Maddison abruptly turns and walks out of the house. I stand there seething as I watch their figures vanish into the darkness. I turn to face my papa and mama. Words ached to leave my mouth and when I opened it to talk. The only thing that came out was a soul- crushing howl that filled the entire house. Chapter 07 Chapter 07 Sixteen years of age... Seven months pregnant... One weekter... The police showed up at our front doorst night intending to take me down to the police station. Papa urgently called out to me while I was in my room moping around. When I walked out of my room, his head dropped briefly before he looked back up at me than the front door. His eyes were vivid of any real emotion. "Mr Giovanni Venturi." The police officer asked me when I stepped forward. "Si," I answered with a sigh. "There has been aintid against you from The Maddisons regarding their eldest daughter." The cop looks at me rolling his eyes. "The whole town knows about you and Celeste, Giovanni." He closes his note pad. "I''ve spoken to your father and I will dy the processing of the case as long as I can." He tucks the note pad back into the inside pocket of his jacket. "I just wanted Mrs Maddison to see that I acknowledged herint." He touches the tip of his hat and nods his head as he walks back to his patrol car. Papa closes the door. "Come Gio." He looks at me with an unreadable look on his face. I follow him to the living room and take a seat on the sofa across from him. " Mama and I spoke. We will stay as long as we can until your case goes to trial. Officer Wolfgang was kind enough to fill me in and told me Mrs Maddison is attempting to get the maximum." "Of course she is," I mumble. "Gio, this is serious. An allegation like this will follow you around for the rest of your life." Papa said in a worrisome tone. "I know papa," I reply meeting his gaze. "And I''m truly sorry." "I know you are. Sometimes our destiny chooses us and leads us down a difficult path. Our future is never forged in perfection. I see that now." I swear this is the rawest thing he''s said to me since I told him about Celeste. I''ve missed his wisdom and our talks. Picking his brain and feeding off his knowledge has always been my favourite time spent with him. "I don''t want to leave my family behind papa. The olddy is evil and she will destroy my Celeste and take my daughter." I can''t help but soak my words in fear. "Celeste is a remarkable youngdy. You should be proud." "I love her so much papa." I confess "I feel like I''m drowning in my misery and it''s suffocating. It''s daunting." I sigh deeply expelling some of my heartaches. "There wille a time when you will need to make that decision Gio. I am telling you this now so you can have a n set out and ready to follow when the timees. If we try to take Celeste and your child, it will be considered kidnapping. Celeste is still a minor and she is not a blood-rted rtive." Papa says with a tinge of despair. "I''m just sixteen papa. I''m trying to wrap my head around the fact that I''m about to be a Papa myself in a few months. What n can I put together that I won''t stuff up along the way?" I grow more nervous each passing day. "Ah... I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday," his eyes ze over. "Your mama stole my heart all over again and she didn''t even know. When you were crowning and the midwife told her to pant, she cursed the gods and told me she would rip my penis off if I ever tried getting intimate with her ever again." He chuckles... "You''ve never told me this story," I say, being fully invested in it. "Yeah well, it''s not an everyday kinda story to tell," he gazes at me. "The nurse reached down in- between your mamas'' legs to help guide you out. The pressure was too much for your mama to take and she gave one good push, and nearly sent you flying across the room." His shoulders moved up and down as heughed. "Exin nearly?" I ask. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. "Well, if it wasn''t for that nurse holding your head. You would''ve flown through the air like a buttered bullet," his face lights up. "When the nurse ced you in your mama''s arms, she took one look at you and fell in love with you hard. She looked up at me and said Gio. We will name our baby boy Giovanni Enzo Venturi. The pride your mama felt shone blindly through her beautiful eyes. I have never seen your mama look more glorious then she does after birthing my sons." I look at my papa in awe. He got to witness his sons being born, I probably won''t have the honour to do the same. I worry about Celeste having to go throughbour on her own, without me. No one will be there to encourage her to push and whisper sweet words in her ear, letting her know how amazing and beautiful she truly is. My daughter won''t get the chance to hear my voice when I cry and tell her how long I''ve waited to meet her and how much I love her. "I envy you, papa. I can only hope and wish that I am granted the chance to witness the birth of my baby." I yearn to be the kind of papa my daughter will grow up to love and respect. But, I can not be loved or respected. If I''m not there when she enters our lives like a surge of lightning. I am being robbed of so much more than I deserve. "I don''t have the words to illustrate your future. But I do believe, that the gods have a n for everyone and everything they do. Patience is a virtue Gio." He says confidently. He stands and I stand too. "Thank you for everything you continue to do for me, papa," I say with meaning. "I will always and forever be here when you need me." He leans in and hugs me, patting me on the back. Chapter 08 Chapter 08 Sixteen years of age... Seven months + two weeks pregnant... I''m standing under the window that belongs to my love. I look up to the sky and let my eyes feast on its natural beauty. The pitch-ck ocean with speckles of light reflects how I feel. In a sea of darkness, there is a glimmer of hope. A slim chance that things may just work out and everything will be set right. I breathe in the cool summers night air, slowly exhaling it from my lungs. The slight pinching sensation it creates in the back of my throat. Reminds me I am only human and I can''t control every hurdle I I came here to see my Celeste, to tell her I love her and to show her, I will be here for as long as she will have me. I start to whistle our favourite song. ~Just the way you are~ By Bruno Mars. Momentster, she opens her window and looks down at me with a sweet smile on her beautiful face. I continue to whistle the whole song just for her. Being held captive under her deep blue eyes. My heart sings for her and my eyes bleed to feast on her. " Ti amo!" I say loud enough for her ears only. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. "I love you too Gio." Her smile grows bigger. I get on one knee like a man would to propose to his lifetime lover. "Be mine always and forever." I reach into my back pocket. Pulling out a Lockett pendant on a silver chain. She gasps with shock. Yes, unexpectedly on a whim of uncertainty. I went out and spent two weeks worth of my pay packet on this very ne. My beautiful Celeste will one day have a ring when the time is right. I promise to never buy her a ring unworthy for her to proudly disy on her delicate finger. I n on giving her the world one day and I can''t wait for that day toe. "Always, forever and so... much more Gio!" She ps her hands with excitement. I stand and throw the ne up to her. She leans out the window and catches it with her delicate fingers. I watch her with eyes full of pride as she sps it around her neck. She looks at the heart- shaped locket and opens it, inside exhibits two miniature pictures. One side frames our baby scan photo and the other side frames a picture of the two of us on our first date at the ice cream parlour. I''ll never forget the day I firstid eyes on her. We had moved into the street four days prior. It was my first day at college. I walked out the gate with my skateboard and she rode past me on her baby blue bicycle with a basket in the front. She looked at me and did a double-take before she nearly lost control of her bike. I tossed my board on the ground and took off after her. I didn''t catch up with her on the way but I did find her at the bike rack chaining her bike up. "Hi," I said to her with a heavy ent. She looked at me and scowled. "Can I help you?" There was a tinge of venom in her voice. "Si, What''s your name Caro mio?" I was blown away by her self confidence. "Not interested." She threw her bag over her shoulder and walked away. "Hey, not interested!" I called out to her. "Giovanni Venturi." I chuckled, watching the sway of her hips She stopped and turned around. She slowly ran her eyes up my body. Then flipped me the bird with a devilish smile ying on her pink lips. It was at that moment I vowed to make her mine no matter how hard she yed to get. It took me a shockingly two months to get her to tell me her name. And that was through gritted teeth. Slowly I was able to bust down those walls she put up and niggled my way into her glorious heart. Never in my brightest days, did I ever think I''d fall so hard for her. Like a cigar- shaped torpedo flying through the ocean. I asked her for her number and to my surprise, she handed it over with a smile on her face. A smile, I tell you! I rang her every night for two weeks straight before I built up the courage to ask her out. "What took you so long Gio?" She said over the phone. "You''ve been waiting for me to ask?" I said trying to keep the surprise out of my voice. "Yes!" She sounded annoyed. "I thought you would''ve asked weeks ago." "Betterte than never." I chucked. Wanting to kick myself for not noticing the signs earlier. But, in my defence, she was always hot one minute and cold the next. How was I supposed to know? "So is that a yes?" I asked eagerly. "Will you treat me with love and respect Gio?" She had the nerve to ask. "Always and forever," I promised. "Will you always be loyal and honest?" She continued to question me. "Along as you promise to be mine and mine only," I demanded. "Then yes, Gio." I could hear the amusement in her voice. "From this moment on. You, Celeste Maddison, belong to me. Giovanni Venturi from this moment onwards." I couldn''t contain the possessiveness I strongly felt towards her. If I could expel my soul for a second. I would and give ourselves a hi-five. "Yes." Sheughed. We spoke on the phone for another two hours before her evil-wicked mother demanded her to get off the phone. The next day I waited for her to leave her house and presented her with a beautiful red rose, which I picked freshly from my mamas'' rose garden seconds earlier. "For you mydy." I bowed my head, taking her hand in mine and gently pressed a soft kiss to her heated skin. She giggled, smelling the rose and kissed me on the cheek. I badly wished she had pressed those luscious lips against mine, sealing the deal we madest night. My heartfelt giddy. It was an odd feeling, yet it felt right. She felt right being mine. Chapter 09 Chapter 09 Sixteen years of age... Seven months +2weeks+ 3days pregnant.... I''m standing at the bus stop with the sun harshly beaming down upon me. Her torturous rays of light are relentlessly expelling sweat from my tensed body. I feel dirty, like a sweaty pig. It''s only eight o''clock in the morning. And already. I feel the sudden urge to drown myself in a cold shower. I''m standing here patiently waiting for my queen to walk around the corner. It isn''t an easy task to do so this morning. Yet, here I stand. Tall and eager as ever. I always make sure I leave home thirty minutes earlier than Celeste. This very bus stop is our chosen destination to meet up. Just so we can walk hand in hand to school together. I leave early making sure her mother sees me exit the house. If I don''t, she will escort my Celeste to school and embarrass her. Seventy per cent of the time she does not show and it makes me wild. Knowing she''s being kept home, missing out on school. Just because Mrs Maddison doesn''t want me near her. Like,ing to school with a full and rounded belly isn''t mentally and physically hard enough. I know my Celeste puts on a brave face even when she''s dying on the inside. I look up and watch as she rounds the corner sporting a baggy hoodie and maternity tights. She looks more ravishing with every passing day. I walk up to her and ce my hand firmly on her swelling belly. "Ciao figlia mia," I say in Italian. "Hello, my daughter." I trante in English looking into Celeste''s eyes. She ces her hand over mine and smiles. "You are adorable, you know that Gio?" She giggles, patting my hand. "Come on, we need to go if we''re gonna make it to ss on time." She groans as she rubs the small of her back, sighing. "You sore Caro mio?" I take her backpack from her and swing it over my shoulder. "Just a little." She sighs again, looping her arm through mine. "Mama said she can order you a baby bump belt if it will help." "My mum would only question me where it came from and it will only end up in the bin." She breathes heavily. "You just say the word and I''ll let mama know. I can get papa to write you out a prescription for some ibuprofen?" I say walking. Trying to keep a slow and steady pace for her. "I don''t feelfortable taking that stuff. I''m young and I don''t know the risks it will have on our baby." There''s a tinge of worrycing her words. "Papa wouldn''t prescribe it if there was a slight chance of hurting either one of you," I say, scowling at the footpath. "I know.." She sighs. "I''m sorry. I''m just really tired and sore. Things are getting a bit difficult to do on my own and homes thest ce I want to be. If it wasn''t for Nessa I would have left a long time ago." My blood starts to simmer, I hate hearing her say, she no longer wants to be at home. Home is supposed to be your safe haven. If it can''t be your safe haven, then what is it? "How is little Ms Nessa?" I ask out of curiosity. I''ll inform Luca of her well beingter this evening. I know he has a crush on her, even though he denies it repetitively. But, I do love to tease him on a daily basis. It''s one of my favourite pass time activities... " She won''t stop stealing my things the little horror." She chuckles, brushing the loose strands of hair away from her tired face. "Still adorable as ever then?" It was my turn to chuckle. "Yes and no." "Does she have any idea she''s going to be an aunt?" I question. "No, my parents don''t want her getting attached to something, that won''t have a ce in her life," She looks up at me with watery eyes. "She thinks I''m eating too much and putting on a lot of weight." I stop walking and turn to face her. "Your parents won''t get the chance to put our child into the system, Celeste," I growl. "The Venturi''s will never let that happen," I promise her. "How can you say that if you won''t even be here for her birth?" Her bottom lip begins to tremble. "Papa and Mama promised me. I believe them and so should you. They have never let me down." I bring her hand up to my lips and press a kiss on the inside of her palm. "We are family, Venturi''s never left anyone behind no matter what," I inform her of the Venturi way. ~No man left behind.~ " I wish things were different." She says sadly. "If things were different we wouldn''t have our bundle of joy to look forward to." My heart sinks with her N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. loss of faith. If things were different, we wouldn''t exist together. And that''s a thought I can not swallow, without wanting to choke. "I. I just... I can''t do this anymore Gio. I have no freedom, I rarely get to see you, and my mother is doing my head in. I feel like she''s trying to brainwash me and it''s a battle I''m slowly losing." Tears start to slowly fall from her beautiful eyes. "It doesn''t matter how many battles we lose. It''s about winning the war and I can''t do that without you, Tesoro." I swallow the lump that''s forming in the back of my throat. With every passing second, I start to realise this is not the Celeste I fell in love with. The Celeste I fell in love with, was strong, funny and optimistic. It''s crushing my soul knowing that her soul is being tormented behind closed doors. And there''s not a damn thing I can do, to prevent the damage from flooding into her gorgeous heart. ~I am not a boy, not yet a man.~ But what am I Giovanni Alberto Venturi meant to do, to stop a broken heart forming in my queens chest? Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Sixteen years of age... Seven months pregnant + 3 weeks + six days... I decided to take Luca out for the day. The need to get out of the house was smothering, I was going insane and desperately needed to focus on something else. I took him out to the space parlour in town, surrounding ourselves with people our age. I thought it was a good idea at the time, little did I know. The boys from the rugby team at school were here also. I''m standing next to Luca watching him takedown a whole bunch of zombies in a mansion. It''s four dors a game, the graphics are crap and the sounds even worse. He''s loving it, yelling and ducking like they''re gonna jump out of the sma screen and eat him. He''s having a st and that''s all that matters. "Gio, Gio... Did you see that?" He yells, waving his gun around, reloading it. "Si," Iugh. "Those zombies don''t stand a chance." I rub his head, messing up his hair. " Hey......" He shuffles to the side. "You''re gonna make me lose." The sheer determination I witness in his eyes was staggering. I wish he''d put that much effort into helping me out with chores around the house. I unclip his gaming card from around his neck. "I''m gonna go load some more money on it," I told him when he looked up at me with worried eyes. I think he thought it was time to leave. "Stay here until I return," I tell him, I wait for him to nod yes before I walk away. I walk up to the counter and wait in line. "Oh crap!" I hear a familiar voice say as he chuckles. "Is that Papa Bear Giovanni?" His voice raises purposefully. I roll my eyes, taking in a deep breath, exhaling slowly as I try to remain calm. "Yeah, yeah... That''s him alright." Another familiar voiceughs out loud. "Oh damn... Wonder where Mama Bear is." A third familiar voice yells out. "Wonder what her honey pot tastes like." He finishes. They allugh in unison like it was the funniest thing ever. They obviously haven''t looked in the mirror I straighten my back getting to my full height, rolling my shoulders back and loosening my neck muscles. Preparing to give at least two of them a beating. "Nah, Nah bro... I heard after they give birth their...." ~Silence... followed by a lot of gasps~ The unfortunate prick didn''t get the opportunity to finish his sentence before I viciously connected my fist with his ugly face. "You''re DEAD Venturi!" His teammate bellowed out as he charged towards me in a tackle execution. I sidestep him, sping my hands together and bring them down hard upon his back. The force of my mighty punch sent him plunging to the ground with a loud thud. "You''ll have to do better than that Dantey," I saidughing at him. Unexpectedly I found myself being tackled to the ground,nding on my back. New Zend and their damn rugby moves. I groaned on the inside. I looked up just in time to see Leos'' fist flying through the air, heading straight towards my nose. I twist to the side, then the other side, bringing my torso up to create space between our bodies. I raise my legs high, wrapping them around Leo''s neck, cutting off his air supply. His face starts to turn purple quickly as he panics and desperately tries to break free. "Tap out!" I say through gritted teeth. His body slowly starts to go limp. "Merda! Tap out!" I howl. He finally taps out, hitting my arm. Instantly I release him and get to my feet waiting for the next contender. James and Finn look at each other then back at me. They shake their heads and raise their hands surrendering. " You''re all good bro, we were just having augh," Finn mumbles. "At whose expense?" I growl taking a step towards them. "Is it funny still?" I feel the rage still burning inside me. "Nah Nah... Bro, we''ll grab the boys and leave." James says as he slowly approaches his cousin Dantey. My eyes never leave his until I''m satisfied he won''t try anything. "You gotta go, man.." The cashier says when I finally reach him. "What? Did you not witness what just happened?" I ask astounded. "Yeah bro, But you threw the first punch so you gotta go." He points towards the exit. "Merda!" I curse, sighing. "But let me tell you this bro." He motions for me to lean over the counter closer towards him. "You sassed those guys like a pro. If it was up to me, I''d top your card up for free. Those guys are a pain in the butt." He quietly says. "Thanks, bro." I look over my shoulder towards Luca. "Can I at least stay till my brother finishes his game?" He looks over at Luca then back at me. "Yeah alright," He opens a draw beside him and pulls something out. " Take this." He hands a piece of paper to me. I look at the paper and it''s a fifty per cent off gaming voucher. "It''s only valid for three days." I scoff at him. "Then you better make sure youe back in three days." He smirks. "It''s Sunday!" I shake my head. "You close at five in the evening on weekdays." I feel the sudden urge to facepalm myself. "And?" He says. "I have school." I roll my eyes heavenward. "That''s your problem bro." He dismisses me and motions for the next person toe forward. I screw the piece of paper up and shove it into my pocket. It''s junk and belongs in the trash. I walk over to Luca who''s still standing where I left him. "Come on." I throw my arm around his shoulders and lead him out of the parlour. "Gio..." His voice drops. "Si." I look at him. He raises his hand and points across the courtyard. I look up to see the boys I just gave an ass N?velDrama.Org holds this content. whooping to are waiting for me. They all stand at once and approach us. I move in front of Luca, using my body to shield him. My eyes turn dark and the rage slowly starts to resurface. "Chill bro," Leo says. I snarl, getting ready to fit again. They stop a few feet in front of. Dantys'' twisting his back side to side, Leos'' rubbing the back of his neck and Tobys'' standing there ring at me. Not much of a winger. Iugh to myself. It''s a wonder why Tobys'' still on the team if that''s the best he''s got. "Wee in peace," Finn speaks up. I arch a brow, looking at them individually in the eye. Wondering what in God''s word they want with me. "We''re sorry," Toby finally says with venom coating his words. "We didn''t know you had it on you man," James says chuckling. "What do you want?" I say with a heavy ent. I cannot control the depth of my ent when I get mad. Sometimes people misunderstand me, and it annoys the crap out of me if I have to repeat myself. I feel Luca tug on my top and I look back at him. He looks up with worried eyes and instantly I implore my body to rx. I smile at him, letting him know everything will be okay. "We wanted to ask if you''d like to join the first XV team?" James announces. "And why would I wanna do that?" I scoff at them. "Because you''re fast and you''d be a real asset to the team," Toby speaks up, sighing. I look back at Luca and raise my brows. His head bobs up and down with excitement. " When and where?" I ask them. "Tomorrow, after school third field." Finn smiles. "If I''m there, I''m there." I look at them for a second before I take Luca by the hand and walk away. I was nning on taking him to get an Ice-cream. But now that''s void since I need to go home and do some research on how to y rugby. Papa''s gonna lose his marbles, he''s been trying to get me to y some kind of sport since we arrived in the country. I always told him no, I wasn''t interested. Yet, here I am rushing home to prepare myself. Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Sixteen years of age... Seven months + 3 weeks + 6 days pregnant.... I''m in my room, lying t on my back, looking up at the ceiling. It''s seven o''clock at night and I''m eagerly waiting for my Celeste to call me. I want to give her the exciting news, hoping it will get in her a better mood. gods only knows she deserves it right now. I told Papa this evening while we were all seated around the dinner table. Luca was jumping up and down in his chair with fierce enthusiasm. "Papa.." I say looking at him. "Si, Gio." He answers as he ces his utensils down, beside his te, giving me his full attention. " I''ve been asked to join the boy''s rugby team at school." I watch him carefully, gauging his reaction "You have?" His eyes light up and he smiles. "Si, The boys approached me at the spacie parlour this afternoon," I look at Luca. "Isn''t that right?" I ask him. Luca bounces up and down in his chair nodding his head. "Si, after you showed them who''s boss." His voice was filled with excitement. "Brat," I mumble, sighing. Can''t be mad at the kid if he was only repeating what I had said to him when he asked me why we were fighting. "GIOVANNI!" Mama says, raising her voiceced with shock. "Yes, mama?" I dared to y stupid. "Don''t you mama me," she points her finger in my direction, shaking it, up and down. "You know full well we don''t approve of any kind of violence." She scolds me. "And that''s including when you leave this house." Papa looks at me and sighs. "What happened?" I look at Luca giving him the evils, then I look back at my parents. "They were making a mockery of Celeste and me," I say as my hands start to form fists. "What did you except Gio?" Mama says, shaking her head. "You''re young and soon to be parents." "I will not stand back and let them sexually talk about my Celeste." My voice trembled with anger. Mamas eyes soften and Papa sits there nodding his head. "Alright, son." He says gently. "Are you sure you want to join the team?" "Si, I think it will do me some good," I say honestly. "My mind revolves around Celeste when I''m not busy. I go to school, Ie home and go to the Clinic. But it''s still not enough. I''m not allowed to go to any of her appointments or baby scans. I''m being robbed of something I should be entitled to. She is my daughter too, even if the Maddisons refuse to acknowledge me." I bang my fist against the table. Causing everyone around me to jump with fright. "I''m sorry," I quickly say, raising both hands in the air. "May I please be excused?" "Si," Papa says. I push my chair back and stand from the table, picking my te up. "Leave it," Papa says. "Luca and I will do the dishes tonight." His eyes were full of pity. "No matter what you may think Gio, I all proud of you." He confesses. I nod, cing my te back down on the table, and I walk out of the kitchen with my head held high. There''s a loud ringing sound that brings me back to existence. I sit up, from my bed and retrieve my phone. "Celeste?" I say, as soon as I answer the phone. "Hi.." She says, sounding exhausted. "Have you rested at all today, il mio amore?" I ask concerned. N?velDrama.Org holds this content. "No, it''s near impossible to get rest around here at the moment," She sighs deeply. "My parents have been arguing non-stop for the past two days." "I''m sorry," My shoulders suddenly feel heavier, the extra weight of stress can do that to a man. "It''s not your fault Gio, I don''t regret a thing that''s happened between us. Remember that always." "Always and forever," I say with a sad smile. "I have something that might make youugh." "Yeah?" "Si, you ready?" "Hit me." I can hear the amusement in her voice. "I agreed to join the school rugby team." She gasps, "No way!." "Si," I say with pride. "MY Giovanni''s going to be a rugby yer?" She giggles. "Si, I miss you too much to sit around home going crazy with desire." I honestly tell her. "Me too, I miss you so... Much Gio." A light sob leaves her mouth. "Merda," I curse. "I didn''t want to upset you. This wasn''t my intention when I answered the phone." I growl feeling pissed off at myself. "It''s okay, it''s not entirely you. My hormones are so outta wack, I even cry watching Barbie with her silly happily ever after endings." She sniffles "Oh no, is Nessa still making you watch them with her?" I chuckle "Yes, while she steals my hats and sings her little heart out." Her voice was filled with admiration for her baby sister. "Very cute indeed." I stand and walk to my window, looking out across the street where her house sits. "I wish I was a fly on the wall," I mumble. "And why would you wish to be a pesky fly?" "So I can watch over you always without being noticed." I ce my hand on the window, wishing hers was on the other side. "Like some kind of superpower?" "Si, like in the movies. Where vampires can transform into bats." Believe me, even I know how silly it sounds. But, I''m desperate and I miss her. "Along as you weren''t creeping." I hearughter in her beautiful voice. "It''s a promise I know I wouldn''t be able to keep, where you''re concerned." "It''s a promise I''d hope you''d break every chance you could." She says lightly. "You''re very naughty Celeste," I growl over the phone. "Only where you''re concerned." She giggles. I titter. "You will get us into some serious trouble when we''re older." I joke. "Oh, I n to every moment I can get." My naughty Celeste is flirting with me. "I have to go, I love you." She hangs up quickly. "Damn you, Mrs Maddison!" I grumble looking towards the house. I throw my phone on the bed, ridding myself of my top, throwing it in the washing basket in the corner of my room. I head towards the bathroom and turn the shower on ultracold. I need to cool my soul, it''s burning me from the inside, out. If I don''t cool it down, I fear the rage will take over and I''ll do something that will have me regretting my decisions for eternity. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!