Chapter 18
Christian
“Here you go, sir.” The man carefully spoke and placed the check on the desk and lowered his head. Unfoeveryone had to
experience Christian’s worsened temper these past few weeks and no one knew why hegrumpy than usual.
No one knew about the guilt which had been eating him up. Christian was known to be a lot of things, bcouldn’t keep their
promise wasn’t one of them. He wished he could go against his dad to help out Serebut he knew that it would end up getting
them into even more trouble.
Only Lucio, Enzo, Marc, and Johnny were aware of the pregnancy and Christian wanted it to stay that wayfear was to do
something which would hurt Serena and the baby because he knew he would never be abhimself.
Serena being Matteo Alfonzo’s biological daughter had definitely been a turning point in his decision buwas a reckless man and
if he were to find out about her existence or the baby he would’ve taken action.It’s to protect them, Christian tried repeating in his
head to make himself feel better, but he knew not evecould compare to whatever Serena must’ve been feeling these past weeks.
He felt bad for having to go as far as calling her names but he had to make sure that she would despise not crawl back. The only
downside was that she wouldn’t accept his checks, no matter how much he wouwould always find their way back.
“Send the other one,” Christian told the man who was frightened by his unusual calm tone. “O-of coursebefore he walked out the
office.
“Trouble?” Vincenzo asked. He had stopped by to sign a deal and to visit his best friend. Christian wondewould’ve dine if he told
them that there was indeed trouble and that his father, Fabio, was the cause of aHe wished he could tell his friend about the
pregnancy and he knew Fabio would most likely not even bahe did not know Serena, but out of fear he didn’t want to take any
risks.
“Nothing to cry about,” Christian responded and looked at his friend as he went through the papers. Vindifferent from his father,
he was a kind and warm person who had always handled every situation as peaHe was well mannered and knew how to keep
his temper, even though he knew how his mother died he grudges against the Lamberti’s or the Alfonzo’s.
Christian could not name a single person who did not like Vincenzo, but he could name many who had sagainst Fabio.
“Here you go.” Vincenzo handed him the papers and poured himself a drink. “You’re always crying abousupposedly never visit
you, so I’ll hang around here for the day.”
Christian gave him a shrug. He knew that he had brought this upon himself for calling out Vincenzo for njust like he knew that
Vincenzo had nothing to do with this situation, but still, he couldn’t bare his friendIt had nothing to do with him, but with his
unfortunate parent.
“Beau, come and sit down.” Christian offered the guy who had came along with Vince a seat and motionstep closer. Even though
he was a bit younger, Beau was Vincenzo’s bodyguard. Christian had always beehis calm and reserved manners and thought
about Marc who had always been loud and made his presendespite having the same job.
Out of respect Beau sat down and had the same stoned expression on his face which he usually carried. Ihad even scared
Christian at one point and made him realize that perhaps he should try smiling more.
“So what have you been up to?” Christian asked Beau, but Vincenzo took matters into his own hands. Hebreath and leaned back
as he closed his eyes. “Christian, do you believe in faith, in love at first sight?”
“No?”
Christian cracked a laugh and looked at Vincenzo as he waited for him to tell him that it was all a joke, buwasn’t. “Oh wait, you’re
serious?”
“Tell me this story so I can laugh some more because I really need it,” Christian spoke as he patiently wai“I met this woman. The
first time we locked eyes I thought I might’ve been going crazy but I had no chanher, but then we crossed paths again and I felt
embarrassed to ask for her number.” Vincenzo spoke. ChrVincenzo a look of pity and felt sorry for the hopeless look in his eyes.
“It isn’t faith, it’s a coincidence,” Christian spoke as he tried to speak some sense into him, but Vincenzo otherwise and shook his
head. “That’s not where this story ends.”
“Dad put me in charge of the factory for a while and I was pissed. But when I went through the applicationame and her face, but
she was rejected. My dad giving me the factory gave me the power to turn thinghired her.”
“So you hired someone who does not have the right qualities to work there. Think this through, what if spaperwork and you end
up with a bullet through your head.” Christian worried for his careless behavior. how Fabio gets.”
“They didn’t hire her because of her past, but I think it should not be held against her so I gave her a chacontinued, while he
completely ignored Christian’s words. “She must be beautiful, show me a picture,” Cbut nothing could prepare him for the look on
Vincenzo’s face.
“Don’t be ridiculous, I won’t,” Vincenzo told him. He was convinced Christian would recognize her, but thneeded was for
someone to judge him for falling in love with a former stripper. To Vincenzo— it did not but he was afraid that it would to others.
“How can I give my opinion if I don’t know what she looks like?” Christian tried to get an answer out of hVincenzo there was
nothing that could change his mind.
“You want to imagine someone? Imagine Beau with a wig, they kind of look alike!”
Beau glared at Vince, before he looked at Christian who had burst out laughing at this strange comparisohad enough to drink,
Beau please get him home safely.” He smiled.
After the two were finished catching up Vincenzo and Beau had left. Having a conversation without Serethe subject felt great.
Talking to Marc or Johnny who were unaware of Serena’s identity and called him a ruined his day, while talking to Lucio who had
been hiding behind a two-faced personality felt like torturHe couldn’t even think about what his mother’s reaction would be once
she found out about all of this. Francesca would slap him for getting a stripper pregnant, slap him for bringing the family into
danger anruining the family’s good name she had worked for, as she liked called it.
No matter what others thought, Christian had already seen through Serena and knew what kind of persoChristian knew that
Serena was a hardworking and kind person who deserved the universe and had no wwhatsoever about her raising a child on her
own, but he knew she needed the money and was willing to only she’d accept.
If anything he was controlling himself to not call her or go to her doorsteps on his own, because he knewup forcing or even
threaten her to accept the check, even though that would only make her fear him evewished he could tell her the truth about
everything, but he couldn’t.
He knew that his dad had made some valid points and that it was for the best, but he also knew that he wthrough war with the
Garcia’s and any other family if Lucio would let him. He was willing to do anything,got to take care of his child.
Lucio’s easy way of handling things confused him. Christian was convinced that as long as everyone invomouth shut no one
ever had to find out about Serena’s identity. He would be able to protect both her anpeace, but Lucio wouldn’t let him.
He didn’t agree with him, but if there was once person who Christian respected and trusted the most it whis father, the person he
trusted the most, Lucio.
Even then Christian was afraid that he might’ve been forced to go against him, because the only way to to accept the check
would be to pay her a visit.