Adopted – Episode 28

ADOPTED – Episode 28

© Happy William

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Anne

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His lips fit perfectly with mine, caressing my lips gently as if pleading with me to open up. I was shocked; he sure took me by surprise when he reached out to me.

But with his hand locked firmly in my hair, rubbing his thumb in small circles on my scalp resulting in an electrifying effect, I found my hand curling around his neck, bringing him closer to deepen the kiss.

With our tongue engaging in a sensual tango dance, his other hand traced the lines from my temple to my cheeks, to my jawline, leaving a trail of tingles in it’s wake that had me shuddering.

He was a wonderful kisser, that’s for sure.

We broke apart for air, our breaths mingling in pleasant heat. His eyes were on me, a small smile playing on his lips which were wet from our kiss. His dark black hair was disheveled… did I really run my fingers through it?

I suddenly felt my cheeks heating up.

“Wow,” he breathed out.

I giggled. “You sure know how to kiss,” I found my self saying.

He chuckled. “No I’m not. I guess we’re good together.”

“Aww….” I laughed, and he pulled me closer and placed a kiss on my hair.

No words were said, I guess our actions might have spoken more than words would.

“I might be kissing you more often,” he broke the silence.

Well, apart from that.

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That evening, we had dinner. The whole family at the table, except Cosima. I was really beginning to notice her absence now. Did she really run away after she realized that the fake will was close to being discovered? To be honest, I was glad. I haven’t had peace like this since she came in. To think she was willing to go extreme just to get Emilio…I shook my head.

“Something wrong, mia amora?” Emilio asked, his eyes directly on me. He was probably watching me the whole time and — wait. Amora? I might not know the meaning of most endearments he always called me, but I knew that amora meant something related to love.

Ish, Anne, don’t jump instead of hopping.

Still, the colour crept to my cheeks.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied.

He reached out and gave my hand a squeeze, and smiled at me.

“Hope so.”

Emilio was seated at the head table. Me on his right, Portia on his left, and Sergio on Portia’s left. Prudence came in once in a while to add to or subtract from the dishes on the table.

“So, Emilio,” Portia began as she dabbed at her lips with a napkin, before arranging it on her laps, “You’re expanding Salvatore’s Wineries to other countries abroad. I never knew.”

I watched as Emilio barely resisted the urge to scoff and roll his eyes. That would be too girlish.

“Were you supposed to know?”

“I’m in every way a Salvatore as you are. Sergio too. Don’t you think you exempting us from major decisions is a…..bad thing?”

Sergio, who up to this time had been quiet, spoke up, “Don’t bother mamà. He’s interested in gathering his toys together. To avoid them being taken away.”

For some reason he stared at me. I returned his stare directly, levelheaded, for a few minutes before he frowned and looked away. I’d resolved not to let these people intimidate me.

“Portia, Sergio, we’ve talked about this countless time,” Emilio said with an impatient groan. “There’s a reason papà willed everything to me. And I’m going to find out what that is. Trust me.”

“Blast it all!” Portia shot out, slamming her fists on the table to get up in anger.

“Hey, Portia. If you leave this table, then you might as well say good bye to living on Salvatore’s Estate,” Emilio said in a cool tone as he took a sip of his wine.

Wine…..

“You wouldn’t dare,” she spat out angrily.

“Oh I would. Try me.”

She scoffed loudly and sat back down.

Personally, I didn’t like the rivalry going on in this family. Families were supposed to support each other, love, cherish…. not quarrel at each dinner settings about money and titles.

I sighed and lifted a spoon of alimentes into my mouth, chewing slowly.

Portia and Prudence….. it came back now. They were involved in something shady. Maybe I should watch them closely and —

“Hey,” came Emilio’s voice softly. His eyes darted from me to the food, to me again.

Probably asking why I wasn’t eating.

Smiling, I shook my head.

Poor Portia and Sergio. They looked like they’d’ve loved to have upped and left.

We probably disgusted them.

I laughed at the thought.

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After dinner, Portia and Sergio couldn’t get away any faster. They literally sped away, leaving Emilio and I.

“Uhm, can I ask you something?”

“sh00t,” he replied.

“I don’t mean to be nosy, but the enmity between your family… it’s too strong. Neither of you is making an effort.”

He broke into a smile.

“Amora, there are just too many secrets in this house. I know it. And until I find it all out, or until someone comes clean, we can’t be united and have the ‘Happy Family’ you think of.”

“Oh.”

“Did I disappoint you?”

“Well…. I dunno. I guess I understand you,” I replied.

His phone buzzed, and he read a message. His brows furrowed.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

He nodded. “Work….the other.”

He meant the ‘Mafia’ I’m sure.

He was torn between going and staying.

It must be really important.

The idea of the mafia, and the kind of life they lived, got me scared most times. But it was his ‘thing’. Neither did I want to be clingy.

“It’s OK. I’ll probably go shower, then put a call through to a friend at home.”

He looked relieved.

Gosh, I’m imagining most things just because he kissed me today.

How pathetic can I get?

“OK. See you.”

He quickly kissed my cheeks and went out.

I watched through the window as he got into his Austin Martin and drove away.

I sighed dreamily.

I’ve never felt like this before, but whatever it was, I liked the feeling.

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Felipe

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Sophia sat across me at s table I book for two in a modest restaurant. She insisted on coming here, so I accepted.

We talked, and laughed together, and all this while it shone in her eyes how much she loved me.

I knew the look, being a ladies man. But I’ve always ignored them, or squashed them because they weren’t worth my while.

Sophia was different.

And I wanted to look at her that way too.

We were commenting on the food and laughing at one crazy couple away from us when my phone buzzed.

Ugh.

It’s from the House.

They couldn’t choose a better time to call, I thought with sarcasm.

“Sophia we got to good. Something urgent has come up.”

“Is it bad?” she asked standing up and wrapping her shawl around her shoulder.

“Not really. I’ll check.”

We reached her house.

“Sorry for cutting our dinner off—”

“It’s OK,” she replied.

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Sì. Tomorrow.”

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Dante

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I had my men placed at strategic positions on the road to Emilio’s mafia.

And I’ve also had a secret watcher watching his house and relaying info to me.

I also had an expert study the company’s agenda to present a loophole to trap Emilio Salvatore. He was getting too proud and cocky.

I’ll have to end him once and for all.

Through which ever way proved….fruitful.

I lighted a cigar, puffed on it, and waited.

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#NYCSS

#New_York

#USA

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Wendy

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I’ve just finished teaching my last kiddies class for the day.

As I got into my room and had a good stretch, I realized how much I missed Anne. By now we’d have grabbed junk food for dinner, sit on the floor of either of our room, and talk nonstop about our day and trivial issues.

I sighed.

Almost six months.

Suddenly my phone rang, startling me.

“Yes? Hello?” I said after calming myself down.

“Wendy!” came the soft squeal from the other end.

I gasped. “Anne! OMG, I was just thinking about you. I missed you.”

“I missed you too, Wen. So how’s everything? Iness and Jackie?”

“Fine, so swell. Tell me, how are you?”

She giggled. “I’m good I guess. in most aspects.”

She went on to tell me about everything she’d experienced, family members going berserk, her friend Sophia, everything.

I felt happy for her.

“You should come visiting,” she said.

“I’m not sure…..”

“Please….. I want everyone esp Sophia to meet you.”

“OK, I’ll think about it.”

“Yes. Gotta go now. It’s late over here. Bye.”

“Yeah, good night.”

I smiled as the phone clicked off.

With a shake of my head, I hit the shower.

To be continued

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