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

Chapter 127

Serena, stay awake.

That was all I could think of throughout the entire meeting. It was all for me, so I was supposed to pay attention, but I could only think about my daughter.

I didn’t want to take a crying baby to a meeting, so I left her with my mom-but I missed her, and I was going insane. Was this how Christian felt? Was this what I had put him through?

“So what do you want, Serena?” I heard Dario’s voice in my ear. My eyes widened as I looked at everyone around the table. I was so unprofessional.

Would I be like one of those celebrities who pretended to care about charities?

Maybe school was the best option after all. I couldn’t sit still, and I could not interact with everyone. Christian knew it all along. Why was I even thinking about him?

Snap out of it. I told myself as I took a deep breath. “You’re in full control, come on-tell us what do you care about the most?” Dario chuckled while I mouthed a quick thank you.

Any other person would’ve been bothered by me, but not Dario. Behind all of that hatred for Christian, he was a nice guy who just wanted to help others. He didn’t push me around. He didn’t yell at me-he understood that it was all very new to me and offered his help. “My main goal is to start with the children in this neighborhood. I want them to be able to do whatever they want to do without having to worry about any support or money, so they don’t end up like me…” I spoke.

I wished for no one to end up like me. From a high school failure to a college dropout and it all started because of one thing, it all started because I never got the money or the opportunities to do as I pleased. Giving me away was already bad enough, but leaving me without a dime?

It didn’t matter whatever Beau said. The truth was that he never had it any worse than I did. At least Beau had a roof over his head while I had to deal with tons of family’s and worry about when they would kick me out again. He had Vince and Luis. I had no one.

Beau was so selfish.

I mentally gasped at my weird thoughts and took a breath. I was starting to sound a lot like Matteo. He was my twin brother. It was not alright to think about him that way.

“I like your idea. It’s a smart thing to use your own struggles with this sob story!” One of the men spoke while Dario immediately reached for my hand. If he thought I was planning on beating up this random man, then he was absolutely right.

My life was not a game. It was real, and so was the suffering. It wasn’t a sob story. It was all real.

I looked down at Dario’s hand and smiled at his kind gesture. I didn’t have to tell him I was pissed. He could sense it. He was good at observing others and noticed things really quickly.

“Don’t worry. This is just what those people are like.” Dario told me after the meeting was over. I thought people like them were supposed to be good people, but they weren’t. “They’re really nice if you’ll give them a chance, smart with the brains but a bit stupid with words.”

“Well, I have neither, so I’ll manage.” I sighed. The house was empty, and it was just the two of us-but it was fine by me. I wasn’t scared of him, and I didn’t felt threatened by him.

“I guess it’s time for me to leave then.” I spoke as I got up from the chair, but before I could take another step. Dario wrapped his arm around my wrist. “Please don’t. let me make you lunch.”

“Lunch”” Browned my eyebrows. I wanted to get back to Siena, but the idea of food sounded really lovely and was exactly what I needed “Yes I make the best bargers

“Then I’m staying 1 love burgers” I chuckled. Dario grabbed my hand and pulled me to the sofa. “Good Just sit down and make yourself at home”

After some time. Dario was finished and handed me a plate Christian used to make me burgers.

spoke with my mouth full “I told you I was good” Dario smiled. He leaned forward to wipe my mouth, and my mind went back to Christian. He used to do this for

I was cheating? Dario and I weren’t even together but just being in his presence made me feel like a cheater “So, where

his head. Did I ask the wrong

dad Dario spoke. “My dad taught me how to cook when I

asked, surprised. From what I remembered, his dad didn’t really seem like a World Class chef. “Yes” Dario chuckled. “Anyway, I’m glad you like it, and if you let me. I would like to do this for you more

agreed. “We work together anyway, so you might as well make

that couldn’t forget about what he had done to Christian. It was true that Christian gave him a black eye, but I was too angry to see the full truth. It was a known fact that Christian didn’t like to hurt people intentionally, so something

I ask you something?” I asked. “Why do you

me.” I clarified. It wasn’t my intention to bring down the mood, but I

to get along with the both of them. “Do you think I hate

Was he serious?

think.” I played along with his game. “You told me he cheated on me with his assistant, you cringe whenever I mention him, he punched you, and you didn’t hit him back because you probably wanted to make him look bad, you told me how he feels about the Alfonzo’s, and you’re desperately

the-

He had a point. He was not forcing me to work with him or

because I genuinely like you. I like your energy, and it feels nice being with you,

us working together-but if you mess with him, you mess with me,” I told him: One day ago. I wouldn’t care, but now that Christian and I were

sighed. “I like the way

“Yes, I know.”

being here was so I did not have to talk about my home situation. “Not good.” I sighed. “It sometimes

like the Alfonzo’s were the talk in

sorry. If only I

issue, not yours-so it’s okay.” I reassured him. The situation was hopeless and definitely strained the family. Beau was so different from all of us, and he had been like that from the beginning. He didn’t want to have dinner with us. He didn’t want to go anywhere with us-he did not interact with our siblings, which made me feel bad. “Sometimes, I think my brother is only

do you mean?” Dario asked,

hospital, the only time he smiled wast when he was with Isobel. He doesn’t even smile like

Dario sighed. “Serena, I am so sorry-

okay, you can’t do anything about it, and it’s not your fault,” I spoke. “But still, you must be having a hard time, and I don’t like that. I like

smile about, but I didn’t want to ruin everyone’s day with

don’t mind having her around,” Dario smiled. That was really nice of him, but no one was waiting for a loud baby

hug?” Dario asked and opened his arms. “Sure, why not.” I smiled as I pulled him in a friendly hug. There was nothing.

you,” Dario greeted me before I left. I couldn’t wait to get back home, and all I wanted was to hold. my daughter. I still couldn’t believe that I tried to remove that happiness from Christian only because

I expected. This was not what I wanted for

even crawl-she couldn’t really do much, but I was okay with it. Holding her in my arms and being able to give her love was more than enough.

heard loud giggles in the kitchen and immediately made my way over. “Mom, what’s so funny? Why is she laughing?” I asked. The word, mom, used

“Are you

along, while my other brothers’ bond was the complete opposite. It turned out she was the most normal sibling out of

know,

ask because I didn’t want to be a bad mom. I couldn’t even take her to a meeting because I was afraid of what might happen,

coming with me.” I smiled as I picked her up. “Where are you going tomorrow?” My mom asked while Carmen gave me

very good liar. “Nothing special, just shopping.” I lied. I felt terrible for lying, but I really didn’t feel like my family telling