Chapter 97

Chapter 97

“You can start by giving me your number.” The man asked full of confidence. How was I going to breakthe bad news?

“H-huh?” I gulped with a nervous look on my face before I burst out laughing. “God, no-I think this is alla misunderstanding!”

“Yes, you are a very attractive man and I was obviously staring-but I have a ring on my finger, I have afiancé and I obviously have a baby.” I laughed and held the baby powder in the air.

“Well, I happen to make a great step daddy and I don’t see a fiancé around here…so..” He spoke andteasingly looked behind me.

“W-what?” I stammered surprised by his reaction. I thought he was going to end it here, but this manjust didn’t know how to give up.

“Hey, I’m joking.” He chuckled and nudged my shoulder. “Oh wow, yes of course.” I took a deep breath

and smiled.

“You are obviously a pretty young lady, but if you’re taken, you’re taken.” He shrugged his shoulders. “IfI had just came to town a bit earlier.”

“Are you new here?” I asked him out of instinct. It was always a mystery to me why I keptconversations. going while I wasn’t very good at it, but for some reason talking to this stranger camenaturally.

“Yes, are you going to give me a city tour?” He asked. “Hah, city tour?” I scoffed. “If the perfect idea ofyour city tour includes poopy diapers and a screaming toothless baby.”

The man scrunched his nose and shook his head. “Yeah, no. I’ll have to decline.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I laughed along. “So beautiful stranger, can I at least get your name?” Heasked me. I paused for a second and was debating whether to give him my name or not. Aftereverything I had been through I was still a bit cautious of strangers.

“Come on, I mean no harm-seriously.” He laughed and stuck out his hand. “I’ll start, my name is Dario.”

“I’m Serena.” I somehow ended up introducing myself. Dario was a kind and charming person whoobviously knew how to keep a conversation going. “What’s that smile on your face?” Dario asked.

I hadn’t even noticed the smile on my face until he pointed it out. “It’s just, you really remind me ofsomeone dear to me.” I sighed and thought about Vince. We had also officially met at a grocery storeand just like Dario he was also kind and charming.

“Is it your fiance? Dario asked with a hopeful look on his face. “No, not my fiancé-just a close friend.” Ilaughed, but once my mind went to Christian that laugh had vanished.

I had a baby and a fiancé, a fiancé who was waiting for me and our baby, I couldn’t talk to randomguys. anymore. How would I have felt if Christian had done this to me? That’s right, I would’ve beenpissed if he spoke to any girl he had no business talking to.

“It was really nice meeting you, but I really have to go now.” I excused myself and turned around, butgot stopped in the process when his hand wrapped around my wrist. “Do you come here often?” Darioturned me around again.

Normally I would’ve yelled at anyone who touched me, but for some reason, I didn’t. His touch felt

soothing and innocent as if I had nothing to be afraid of. “Look I really have to go now, but my name isSerena Alfonzo-now you know how to replace me if you change your mind about that poopy diaper tour,” I

told him.

A friend was a friend, so a male friend wouldn’t matter, right?

“Serena Alfonzo?” Dario spoke with a surprised look on his face. “You know what they say, if it’s meantto be it will be.” Dario chuckled.

“Suddenly?” I asked surprised. Dario let go of my wrist and gave me a polite nod. “You’re in a hurry soI’ll let you go, but I’ll tell you what.” He spoke and leaned in closer.

“If we ever cross paths again. You’ll have to take me on that poopy diaper tour, promise?” He askedme. His face was only a few inches away from mine, so I pulled away and tried to catch my breath as Ilooked into his eyes. “Promise,” I whispered, knowing I would most likely never see him again.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I muttered and turned away to make my way to the register. What was Ieven thinking? If people would’ve seen me, people like Daniela in particular, they definitely would’vestart talking.

After I paid for the baby powder I ran back to the car. “Is she still asleep?” I asked as I opened the doorand looked at Siena.

“She’s knocked out.” Vernon chuckled. “But what the hell were you doing? I thought it was going to bequick.” He scolded me.

I pulled out my phone and looked at the time. “It were only ten minutes, now start moving-we have togo!”

The drive to the hotel was short, but when we arrived Christian was already waiting at the front with abig smile on his face. “Bring my baby over here!” He shouted while I took Siena out of her car seat.

“I’ll help you with your bags.” Gina immediately walked over to help me. Christian still kept the poor girlat a distance. “Thanks.” I smiled at her before I made my way over to Christian.

“Siena, daddy’s been waiting for you!” He loudly spoke while I shushed him. “She’s asleep!”

“What do you mean my baby is asleep?” He asked and took her from my hands. “She needs to wakeup, it’s time for her to cat.” He told me as he gave her kisses all over her face. Siena slowly began towake up and giggled after seeing his face. “Mommy was going to starve you, wasn’t she?” He teasedme and gave me at look.

“This is why you have to stay with daddy.” He told her as she reached out her hand to grab his check.“I’ll go

make her bottle.” Gina excused herself and walked in, while Christian didn’t even give her as much asa glance.

“Come on, it’s been four months.” I sighed the moment she was out of his sight, but all Christianignored me and led me inside.

“Do you see that my Sience? This is all yours.” Christian kissed Siena on her cheeks before he spunher around. “Look, I even put up a butterfly symbol for that little Alfonzo thing you guys got going on.”Christian provoked me.

“Wow, so you do remember she’s also mine, thanks.” I chuckled in disbelief.

“But naming a hotel after her? Don’t you think it’s a little…?” I laughed and grabbed her from his hands.Christian’s way of throwing her around was definitely a bit worrisome at times.

“Nothing is too much for my princess, isn’t that right?” He took her from my grip and turned around so Icouldn’t get to her. “Mommy is just jealous because the name of the hotel is Siena and not Serena,

right princess?” Christian teased and walked away while Siena was babbled back.

“You have your hands full, with both of them. Gina smiled and handed me the bottle. It was obvious shewas just trying to do her job and avoid Christian the same way he avoided her, but unfortunately for theboth of them they had to work together. Somehow she managed to not get fired yet and it was mainlydue to her impressive work. Lucio was right, Gina was an intelligent person and a powerful woman whowas good at her job.

She was a hard worker and no one could deny that, not even Christian. “I do, it’s like I’m raising twokids.” I agreed. I smiled at the image of Christian throwing Siena around while she giggled and playedalong. Even though she was only four months old, she loved the games he played-and sometimeseven initiated

1.

“I know Christian is still giving you a hard time, but he’ll eventually warm up to you-I’ve definitely beenthere.” I tried my hardest to reassure Gina. If anyone would’ve told me that I would be as lucky to seehim smile every single day, I would’ve told them they were crazy-but here we were.

Gina sighed and shrugged her shoulders as also she looked at the two. “Trust me, It’s not that easy.”

“Don’t you and your husband want any children?” I wondered. I knew she had been married to herhigh- school sweetheart for three years and often noticed the way she looked at Siena. “We do, in thefuture.” She smiled.

“Hey, careful with that lamp!” Gina yelled at the poor guy who tried his hardest to hang the diamondchandelier. “Excuse me while I take care of this before Christian blames me for this mess.” Gina pattedme on the shoulder. “And don’t forget your date with Christian, tonight at seven-I’ve picked out youroutfit, it’s in your closet!”

Right, my date with Christian. It would be the first time since Siena was born that we would spendsome alone time and our first time away from her.

“Christian stop!” I yelled out when he threw her high into the air while all I got in return was a teasinglook. “She likes it!” He yelled back and pointed at her toothless smile.

Seeing Christian being the happiest version of himself was all I ever wanted. I don’t even think I’d seenhim angry since Siena came into our life. He had changed into a warm and loving father-and had oftencut his days short so he could spend time with me and Siena.

On the days he couldn’t-he would take us with him just so he could be with her, and I even felt a bitembarrassed to admit it, but Siena was definitely a daddy girl and adored him a tiny bit more.

After Christian gave Siena her bottle he showed us the rest of the hotel and literally stopped by everysingle person to brag about his daughter. This is your future boss.” He reminded them all every single.

second.

Hours later we made our way back home where Emmanuella was already waiting for us. Even thoughshe did not work for Christian anymore, she often stopped by to visit Siena.

“We can also cancel and watch a movie like back in the day,” I told Christian. I trusted Emmanuella, butleaving Siena was not something I was ready for. She became a part of my daily life.

“Serena.” Christian chuckled and grabbed my hands. “I would love to watch Peppa Pig with you andSiena, but tonight is necessary.”

“Okay,” I pouted and looked at Siena who was drinking her bottle in Emmanuella’s arms. “What do youthink about my dress?” I asked and spun around so he could take a good look at me, “Gina picked itout for

me.”

“Gina?” Christian chuckled. “Before you know it she’ll try to take over your life-I think your fashionsense is also great.” He rolled his eyes.

The smile on my face had disappeared and I began to feel self-conscious. Did he not like it?

“But I think you look beautiful, you look gorgeous.” He quickly recovered himself and pressed his lipsagainst my forehead. “You always do, you know that.”

“So do you.” I leaned in to rest my head on his shoulder, only to get pushed away. “I don’t want yourmakeup on my clothes. If it’s not Siena’s vomit-I don’t want it.” He spoke as he made his way towardsEmmanuella and Siena.

“Siena, daddy is leaving.” He grabbed her from Emmanuella’s arms. “Daddy would rather go on a datewith you tonight, but there’s something else I have to take care of. He spoke while Siena giggled.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered and grabbed my daughter from his hands. “I’m going to miss you evenmore.” I pouted and tried to get her attention, but her eyes automatically moved to Christian.

“It’s like you guys are competing for your daughter’s attention.” Emmanuella laughed at us. “Whowould’ve thought that things would’ve worked out like this.”

“It’s not a competition, there’s nothing to compete about.” Christian bragged and grabbed Siena backfrom my hands. “I’ve already won, so it’s not a competition.”

I ignored his words while Emmanuella gave me a pitiful smile. “He has a point.” She shrugged hershoulders.

“Thank you so much for staying here Emmanuella, you’re a lifesaver.” I thanked her again.

Bringing her over to my mom or Francesca was also an option, but after that, it would’ve been animpossible mission to get her back as they would most likely not hand her over. “No problem.”Emmanuella smiled and took her from Christian’s grip.

“We’ll be back before midnight!” He told Emmanuella and grabbed my hand before he dragged me outthe door. “I miss Siena.” He randomly spoke. It hadn’t even been a second.

“Yes, I know-I do too.” I agreed. Having Siena in my life became something natural and I wouldn’t wantto have it any other way. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Why are you making such a big deal out of this?” I pushed him against his shoulder. These past fewdays he had always been in a good mood, but today he was extra happy.

“Because I have something special planned. Something I should’ve done a long time ago.”

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