Chapter 83 You both occupy my heart in different ways
“I want to work in the RD Group. Will it be okay if I live with you for a while?" Oriana asked excitedly. Karen froze.
She didn’t have to ask to know that Roger didn’t like people around his house. "I’m gonna have to ask Roger about it first," she replied, but Oriana was pushy.
"Please, Karen, you know I’m a good girl. I just don’t want to live all by myself in an apartment," she expressed. Karen thought briefly and asked her, "How about Dad? I know he wouldn’t mind."
Since Giovanni had her living with Octavia, she just assumed he wouldn’t mind Oriana living with him as well. However, the whole family began to look at her strangely, wondering what was going on.
"Naaarh, Don Gio is too strict, and besides, I’m more comfortable with you. Aside from attending Roger’s birthday party, I haven’t been to Manhattan, and I don’t know much about the nightlife. My fashion would be hindered if I continue to stay here. I want to explore the world," she continued to say. Karen sighed.
"Alright, I’ll make the arrangement, but as soon as you get abreast with life here, you have to be independent, okay?"
"Thanks, Karen, you are the best," Oriana said excitedly before ending the call. Roger stared at Karen. "What exactly is going on?"
Taking a deep breath, Karen began to relay everything. "She wants to work in RD Group and wants to stay with us for a while." Roger frowned imperceptibly, and Giovanni was also not liking the idea, just like Molly.
"And you already agreed?" Roger’s question made Karen uncomfortable. "I’m sorry, but I lived with them before and I just wanted to return the favor."
Giovanni nodded. "It’s my fault. If I hadn’t sent Karen to live with Octavia, then there wouldn’t have even been a link between them. As it stands now, Karen was right in returning a favor. Son, can we speak in private?"
Before Roger could stand up, Delanie interrupted, "Dad, why are you acting strange? Oriana is Aunt Octavia’s daughter, and you always said she was like a sister to you."
“I know, but how do you know what I want to talk to your brother about?" Giovanni asked. Delanie popped a shrimp into her mouth and shrugged. "Whatever, this food is good, and I'll just finish it before you come back."
Both men smiled before excusing themselves from the table. Away from the summer hut, Giovanni informed Roger, "Octavia knows the rules, but I feel Oriana might be a problem. She knows the two of you are half-siblings and might try to take advantage of it."
Roger knew where this was going and smiled. "Dad, Delanie and Declan are my full siblings. Blood doesn't matter. As for Oriana, I only tolerate her for the sake of peace, so I honestly don't want her at my house."
By the age of six, Roger chose his family. It had nothing to do with blood but love, and it had been so all these years.
"I know, son. I just want you to be prepared because I made the mistake of sending Karen there."
"No, Dad," Roger refused. "Professor Josh helped Karen prepare for her exams when she hadn't been in the lecture hall for months. I owe them this, and don't worry, I can handle Oriana."
A sigh of relief escaped Giovanni. He must have tried to keep Karen away from Roger, but then it yielded great results. Karen ended up not missing out on her final exams like they planned, so it was just right to return the favor.
"Alright, son, but please be careful."
Roger was calm. "I wouldn't mind telling them if not for what Delanie said earlier. It would be best to wait until she falls in love with someone worthy of her."
"You are right," Giovanni agreed, feeling that he made the right decision in raising Roger the way he did. "Let's go back and let me make the final announcement," he said, embracing Roger.
The boy had always made him proud from day one.
Returning to the table, Delanie had indeed kept her promise, emptying the bowl of shrimps.
Roger smiled and informed her, "You haven't changed. I had that made specifically for you. Kitten isn't a fan of it."
Delanie was touched. "For a moment, I thought you forgot about my likes because of your gorgeous wife," she stared at Karen enviously. Roger smiled at her. "Karen is my wife, and you are my sister. You both occupy my heart in different ways."
His words excited Delanie, knowing she wasn’t completely erased from her super brother’s heart.
Karen remembered something and asked, “Lani, I hope you don’t mind, but Wade asked for your contact information, and I didn’t give it to him.”
Delanie’s expression changed. “Why didn’t you? He’s such a nice guy.” She had hoped for him to ask but when he didn’t, she assumed he didn’t see her like that, but hearing this, hear heart leaped with joy but was soon stabbed with a knife.
“Good thing you didn’t give it to him,” Giovanni interrupted, addressing Delanie. “Stay away from Wade, okay?”
Delanie did not seem to agree. “I haven’t spoken to him since the party because I was disappointed, he didn’t ask for my number. Since Karen has his, she can give it to me.”
Giovanni was not liking this, and neither was Roger but Karen shook her head. “If you liked him, then why did you give him a fake name?”