Chapter 37: Meeting his family PT 2
The downside now is that I don't think I'm good with kids especially with the fact that they usually get scared of my eyes. I tried playing with a toddler once and he suddenly burst into tears. Never again.
Right in cue, a girl that has an uncanny resemblance to Araceli, comes skipping into the dining with her wavy black hair swinging on both sides. She is wearing a blue flowery dress, blue sneakers and held a brown teddy bear in her right hand. She is definitely Rina.
Her eyes met mine and she gives me a wide toothy grin which showcases her two missing front teeth. She diverts to my direction and hugs me with her chubby hands around my neck.
"Adrianna! You are so pretty. You smell so good. Danny tells me about you everytime. He said you will bring two sisters for me to play with. Is that true?". I stiffen at her statement. Dante way to go!
I pull away from her but still hold her in my arms, "Yes. It's true. They will always play with you. I have also heard a lot about you. You give Dante the best makeovers. Thanks for my making him look good". She giggles excitedly. Not knowing what to say next except to smile, Araceli seems to notice my awkwardness so she calls her.
"Katrina, where are your table manners? Don't behave like that in front of guests. Take your seat child" She scolds her in a chiding tone.
She let go of me and sat on the chair she was formerly using as a stool to reach me.
"She's not a guest, mum. She's Dante's girlfriend". Color rises to my cheeks at her statement. Rina faces Dante.
"What? Didn't miss me?". Dante teased her.
"Pfft. Why would I miss you? Adri is going to give me two new friends to play with". She scrunches up her little nose. I chuckle lightly at both of them.
Katrina places her ear against my protruding belly and I freeze at the sudden contact. Too much contact. I slowly relax when she starts to rub my belly.
" Hello babies! Danny told me you are in there and you will come to play with me soon. But he also said you disturb Adri sometimes. Don't do that anymore,okay? If you do, I won't give you guys my dolls to play with for a month. I can't wait to meet you!". My heart warms at her actions. She will definitely be a great aunty to them.
"Catrina! Stop disturbing Adrianna and eat your food". I shake my head to show that I didn't mind at all.
"I'm sorry Adri. She gets like this around people she likes". She said to me apologetically.
The rest of the dinner was peaceful and fun with Rina and Dante constantly bickering and Armando eventually started to ease up and chipped in here and there.
"So what do you want to study,Adri?". Araceli asked. My face falls a little at the question.
"I haven't really had time to think about it with everything going on. I just want to be a good mum to my children for now. They are my priorities".
" And I'm sure you will be. I'll be there to help you every step of the way". I smile gratefully at her.
"Adri, did you know that Dante wanted to be a mermaid when he was younger?". Rina asks me enthusically. I almost fall out of my seat in laughter. Even Armando lets out a hearty laugh.
Dante's ears turn pink and a scowl takes over his face. "That is so not true! And even if it was true, it's still better than wanting to be a dinosaur".
"Dinosaurs are so much cooler than mermaids. Isn't that right,Adri?"
"No, it's not. Right babe?". They did not just put me in the middle of this. I looked at Araceli for help and she gave me a look that definitely said 'Don't get me involved'. Unable to go against her puppy eyes.....
"Of course, dinosaurs are better than mermaids. I happen to love the T-Rex the most".
"Really Adri? I'm your boyfriend". He deliberately places emphasis on the 'your'.
"Girls code Dani. Get used to it boo". Rina and I giggle at the frown on his face.
The atmosphere was so light and comfortable until a group of men dressed in black suits entered the living room in two rows.
Araceli, Rina and Dante visibly tense up. They weren't smiling anymore and it was like the light in their eyes were gone. It was like Voldemort had entered.
Armando looked like he was about to kill someone because he stood up immediately.
"A family dinner without me? Now,now, that's not fair, is it?". The voice was deep and filled with faint sense of mockery. That voice sounds familiar....
The fear to turn to look at the man superceded my curiosity. The face of the man that is definitely Dante's father....
The sound of leather shoes keeps drawing closer and closer to the dining table that was filled with deadly, eerie silence.
"Never thought I would see the day when Armando Romero would be in my dining room. Eating my food". The food in my mouth suddenly tastes like sand. Why am I behaving like this? I am anything but a scaredy cat. I am Adrianna Romero.
I could now feel his presence behind me. Armando faces me.
"Let's get going. We have overstayed our welcome". As I make to stand up from the chair, his voice resounds in the dining room once again, "What's the rush? I don't get to meet my future daughter-in-law?" .
I still can't understand what is stopping me from looking at Dante's father. The eerie feeling becoming more suffocating with every passing second.
I take a deep breath and decide to man up and face my fear. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?
Though my brain warns me not to, I do the next thing that brings back every single memory and trauma.
I look back and stare at the black eyes that look exactly like Dante's and also reminded me of-
I freeze
I do the one thing I haven't done in years.
I run.