7. MARCO/DAHLIA

MARCO

I'm so fucked up.

I just came out of Dahlia's room after having a massage from her delicate hands. And I'll have to say that she looked so beautiful pinned beneath me. For the slightest moment, those whiskey eyes showed desire. I can't stop thinking about her and the flush on her cheeks when I teased her. She seemed to avoid talking about last night, so I left that topic unaddressed.

A smile reached my mouth as I recalled how she looked angry when I told her that it was all a ploy to get her to touch me, but quickly that smile went away. Because someone was standing in front of me.

broad shoulders. olive skin. dark eyes.

MY DAD.

Why the fuck is he here?

Why the fuck was he casually walking down the corridor this early? With nothing but sweatpants on with such a serious expression on his face. I am already fucked up, as if last night's investigation wasn't enough. I need to get my shit together before he sees me like this.

"Can I ask you what you are doing here while your room is on the other side?" Dad's eyes stared deep into my soul. He loves Dahlia as much he loves Jo and no matter how much I plead that I love her, he will surely kick me out of the house.

"Nothing, Dad, just going to my room." I answered like nothing happened. And for someone who have a great IQ, I made a shitty lie.

Really, Marco?

"Are you really going to lie to me?" Dad asked, his eyes narrowing at me. "I saw you coming out of Dahlia's room."

"Dad, you just assumed because I was coming from the room next to her room," I replied. "I must say, old age is really getting to you if you can't even remember the layout of our own house."

"Someone who grew up in this very house should know that there is no room next to Dahlia's." Dad smirked at my feeble attempt to cover up the lie. "I guess your high IQ doesn't always translate to common sense," he added, a smug expression on his face. I noticed the curve of his lips and the twinkle in his yes.

He was enjoying it.

He and Josie loved to piss me off.

He had some superpower at catching my and Jo's lies and always seemed to find amusement in it. While Jo got away because she was his princess, I was always the one left to face the consequences. Dad's ability to see through my lies was both frustrating and impressive, making me wonder if I would ever be able to outsmart him.

But I love and admire him, and I strive to be like him.

A man whose reputation and power know no bounds in the corporate world, a man who prioritizes family above all else, and a man who, despite all his stern exterior, has a heart of gold. I realized behind all the cold indifference he gives to the world are smiles, warmth, and laughter he saves for us. How fiercely he loves and protects us, and how lucky I am to have him as my father.

"What were you doing in her room?" Dad's voice grew stern, and the earlier smirk was gone.

If someone could kill me with a stare, it might be my dad. It doesn't matter if I was his son or not when it comes to Dahlia and Josie. He treated her like her own child, and he was super protective of her. I guess overprotectiveness is just one of the many traits he possesses.

"Dante, are you ready for the morning session? You promised me." Mom's sleepy voice came from behind.

It took a while to register what she said, and it made me damn uncomfortable. I am better off not knowing what my dad promised her and what session is left pending for the morning.

"Mia Cara, Not now, but later. Be careful." Dad held Mom by her waist so she could get stable. It seemed that her legs were shaking, and it could only be from...

I banished all those thoughts because I don't want to picture my mom and dad like this.

Mom looked beautiful as ever, a slight pillow crease on her cheek from where she had been sleeping. Her black hair was framing her face, and her beautiful leaf eyes were droopy as she placed her head on Dad's shoulder.

I spotted how Dad looked at her with love so pure and unwavering, a look that I had seen countless times growing up. Dad was always looking at Mom, waiting for when she would look back at him with that same adoration. It was a love that had stood the test of time, and I knew in that moment that no matter what happened, their love would always be a constant in my life.

"Oh, Marco You're awake. Well, sorry for that." She smiled at me, and if a smile could be turned into a weapon, hers would be a lethal one. She was a mother who would do anything to protect her family, and I knew that her love for us was just as unwavering as the one shared between my parents.

"I just saw him coming out of Dahlia's room." Dad returned to the earlier interrogation. Yeah, his tone was filled with concern and suspicion.

"Come on, Dante. They are young; let them live a little." Mom lifted her head from Dad's shoulder and looked up at him, as if silently pleading for understanding.

"Mia-

"I know that you are worried for Dahlia, but you can't stop her from doing certain things. like falling in love, dates, or sex. It's her life, and I know from my son that he would never force himself on any woman. And I am sure Dahlia knows what she is doing. Young love is beautiful. Ours was filled with passion and excitement, remember?" Mom said to dad , reminiscing about their own youthful romance.

"And groveling and getting on knees." Dad smiled back at her, remembering how he had once begged for her forgiveness after the fallout from a truth mom learned.

"But we are here, married and happy, so let our son and my dahlia figure things. Hmm?" Mom said softly and I will be forever grateful how easily she handles dad , always knowing the right words to say to calm him down.

"But- " Dad tried to argue but Mom stopped him.

"Honey, just give your daddy self a little rest."

Mom was the boss lady of this house. Whatever she says, that's it.

"Ok, so let's continue our session you so valiantly promised me last night , darling," Mom said in a conspirational whisper, but it wasn't low enough for me not to hear.

"Mia Cara, your legs are already shaking. Are you sure about that?" Dad pecked at her lips.

"Oh, I always love when you touch me, and—

"I'm excusing myself from this conversatio before you start making babies right here." I said and dad chuckled.

"You are getting a little too comfortable with your jokes, sweetheart," Mom replied with a playful smile.

"Learned from Aunt Issa."

"Of course, who else would teach you such things?" Mom laughed, ruffling my hair.

"Careful mom or dad will get so jealous that he might kick me out of the house." I whisper in her ear as I notice my dad giving me a playful glare.

"Yes, because of you, I'm suffering from marital neglect." Dad joked, shaking his head in mock disapproval.

"How can you suffer from that when the first thing I do in the morning is kissing you, dante?" Mom raised her eyebrow at her husband , playfully challenging him.

Dad chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "You're right, my love. I couldn't ask for a better partner."

Mom smiled and kissed him on the cheek, "I know, I'm irresistible."

"Thanks for saving me, Mum." I said to her, kissing her cheek.

I had to bend so that she could kiss my cheek back, a tradition we've had since I was a child. "You are too tall, but anytime, sweetie." Mom replied with a smile, ruffling my hair affectionately.

DAHLIA

I did everything to avoid Marco and Uncle Dante. I skipped breakfast and went straight to my shoot. I kept myself busy all day, hoping to avoid any awkward encounters with them. Despite my efforts, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for avoiding them.

I was working on a movie named CONNECTED BY AN INVISIBLE STRING' with the famous actor Jasper Dahl, who was every girl's crush nowadays. Long Blond hair and navy blue eyes that seemed to pierce through your soul, Jasper was a sight to behold on set. His charisma and talent were undeniable.

After the shoot ended, I was gathering my things when Jasper approached me. We became good friends on set. He was always respectful and down-to-earth, which made it easy to connect with him.

"Hi, Dahlia," he greeted me with his polite smile he always wore making him look like a prince charming.

"Hey, Jasper." I said while I tried to find my earpods.

"Are you busy right now?" He asked, noticing my frantic search.

" ME? Oh no, I was just gathering things up so I could leave." I located my earpods and put them in my bag. "What's up?" I asked, curious about why he had approached me.

"Okay, then I wanted to ask, are you free tonight?" He asked , his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Yes, I'm, but why?" I replied with curiosity.

"Would you like to go on a date with me?" He said with a nervous smile, his cheeks slightly flushed.

GODDAMN! He was asking me on a date. Should I or not? Like, girls will die for this opportunity.

He was a genuinely good guy, and I don't expect to be a couple from the first date, but maybe it could work out. But I am too unsure; I haven't dated anyone in a while. Or I guess, I have never had a date. Don't blame me.

"It would be dinner and a walk down the skyline." He added after seeing my uncertainty. "No pressure, just a casual evening to get to know each other better."

His laid-back approach to the date and understanding of my hesitation might make it worth giving it a shot. Plus, trying something new could be fun.

"Yes, let's do it," I finally agreed, feeling a sense of excitement for the first time in a long while.

"Great, then I'll come to pick you up at 7." He said, his dimple appearing as he smiled. I should be swooning but I felt nothing but anxious anticipation for the upcoming evening.

"Okay, I'll be there." I said. "Hey Jasper, are you going on the next shoot?"

I asked, trying to shift the conversation away from my nerves. "Yeah, I'm planning on it. Are you coming too?" Jasper replied, his easygoing demeanor putting me at ease.

"The director said it have my scene tomorrow morning, so I'll be there bright and early." I responded, grateful for the distraction.

And after some talk, I went to the café where Josie and I planned our lunch. I was starving, but my stomach will have to take the torture as memories resurfaced.

You are ugly, Lia. Suck it in; you're not good enough."

I shook my head, trying to push those hurtful words out of my mind as I focused on the present moment. I can't eat too much food because I need to look my best for tomorrow's scene. It's all part of the job, I reminded myself, taking a deep breath and ordering a light salad instead. But it's not, I know it in my heart, its just my acceptance for those comments that continues to haunt me.

"WTF, you're so lucky, Lia. I'm jealous." Josie exclaimed after I told her about my date with Jasper.

"Yeah, I think so, but...

"You think so, girl? It's a date with Jasper Dahl." She cut me off. One might think she was the one who was going on the planned date.

"Okay, I'm so blessed to have this date with him, but can you please listen to me out?" I sighed.

"I'm here for you, Lia."

"Okay, so Jasper is going to pick me up, so we would have to make something to keep Uncle Dante and my dad away from this because I don't want Jasper to lose some of his teeth by his punches." I stated my problem.

Apparently, Uncle Dante was so overprotective of me and Josie that he would cut the hand of any man who dared to touch us. Plus, he will tell dad who might do the same thing.

"It's a simple problem. We just need to take help from Mom, and Dad will be out of our way." She said that as if it wasn't even important.

"How could I tell her? She is his wife," I asked.

"Come on, Lia. She is all Aunt Stella. She helped me on a countless number of dates I had, and I'm sure she will help you. She doesn't agree that we ought not to go on dates." She stated confidently.

Yeah, she was right. Aunt Vivian was the queen of the Russo Kingdom.

— — —- —-

"Aunt Viv, Could I ask you a favor?" I said to Aunt Viv, who was scribbling her ideas on a sheet for her next event.

"Lia, I'll help you on your date." She looked up from her sheets and chuckled at my horrified face.

"Lia, Josie told me, and I can't believe you got Jasper Dahl as a date. Not that I don't think you are ugly, but he has a reputation as a bachelor lifestyle lover." She added , raising an eyebrow.

"So how are you going to help me?" I asked her.

"Sweetie, I am going to my husband's office, and I will make him stay locked there with me, and in the meanwhile, you go and have fun." Aunt patted my head in affection.

"Thanks, Auntie," I said gratefully, feeling relieved. "I owe you big time."

"Hey, we have to stick together gainst over protective daddys." Aunt chuckled as I hugged her tightly, grateful for her support and understanding.

"Absolutely," I replied, feeling a sense of camaraderie with my aunt as we shared a knowing smile.

While going to my room I noticed Marco cooking for Josephine, his sister as she have a food syndrome that requires a special diet. I admired Marco's dedication to taking care of his sister and felt grateful for my own family's support and understanding.

But then, seeing him, I felt flutter in my heart that was so missing with Jasper. It makes me so unsure about my date.