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.

smiled. He leaned forward to wipe my mouth, and my

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

and lowered his head. Did I

me how to cook

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

1 agreed. “We work together anyway, so you might

little piece of me 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 must’ve snapped in

I asked. “Why

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

did 1-but I wanted to get along with the both of them. “Do you think I hate

Was he serious?

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

the-

Dario spoke. He had a point. He was not forcing me to work with him or to be here. “Yes, and yet I trust you.”

genuinely like you. I like your energy, and it feels nice being with you, yes I hate Christian,

he’s still Siena’s father, and I really like you as a friend, and I like 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 friends, I did not want to

the way you stick up for him. You’re amazing.”

“Yes, I know.”

not have to talk about my home situation. “Not good.” I sighed. “It sometimes feels like everyone actually hates each other. I mean, my own twin brother

seemed like the Alfonzo’s were the talk in town. The only thing Beau and I caused since we’d been here was trouble. “Yes, mainly because

Dario spoke. “I’m really sorry. If only I could help….”

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

mean?” Dario asked,

the hospital, the only time he smiled wast when he was with Isobel. He doesn’t even smile like that with me, and I don’t want my family

had no idea.” Dario sighed. “Serena, I am

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

for me to smile about, but I didn’t want to ruin everyone’s day with my personal issues. “I should go. I really miss

you should bring her the next time-I don’t mind having her around,” Dario smiled. That was really nice of him, but no one was waiting for a loud baby and a

Dario asked and opened his arms. “Sure, why not.” I smiled as I pulled him in a friendly hug. There was nothing. No flushed cheeks,

home, and all I wanted was to hold. my daughter. I still couldn’t believe that I tried to remove that happiness

was so desperate for a family, and now that I had one, it was not as I expected. This was not what I wanted for Siena, so I

but I was okay with it. Holding her in my arms and being able to give her love was

in the kitchen and immediately made my way over. “Mom, what’s so funny? Why is

laughed, surprised. “Are you the reason why she’s laughing?”

Carmen and I ended up getting along, while my other brothers’ bond was the complete opposite. It turned

know, but since I’m your

to be a bad

you’re coming with me.” I smiled as I picked her up. “Where are you going tomorrow?” My mom

a very good liar. “Nothing special, just shopping.” I lied.