One Night Stand with My Husband's Brother

CHAPTER 8

After a long day at the newspaper, I left the building and was surprised by the scene in front of me. Giovanni was standing there, casually leaning against his luxury car, with his driver by his side. My friend Susan, who was waiting for me, looked at the scene with an amused smile.

"Mia, this doesn't look anything like a casual relationship," Susan teased, raising an eyebrow.

I corrected my posture and approached Giovanni, who pulled me into his arms and gave me a passionate kiss on the lips. The intensity of the kiss caught me off guard, and for a moment, I even questioned if he really was gay. But then, as if reading my thoughts, Giovanni whispered in my ear, "Just playing our parts, remember? We can't raise suspicions."

I nodded, trying to get into the act. Susan said her goodbyes, leaving us alone by the car.

"So, what do you want?" I asked Giovanni, trying to regain my composure.

He smirked mischievously and said, "I need you for a trip."

"A trip? When?" I asked, intrigued by his sudden request.

"Tonight," he replied, catching me by surprise once again.

"Tonight? But I have work tomorrow," I protested.

"Don't worry. It's all taken care of. Consider it a reward for your excellent performance as my 'girlfriend' and a way to solidify our 'relationship,'" he said, using air quotes to emphasize the falsity of our agreement.

I hesitated for a moment, torn between curiosity about the trip and my responsibilities.

"Alright, count me in," I said with a smile. "But can I at least know where we're going?"

Giovanni shook his head, maintaining an element of surprise. "Sorry, darling, it's a surprise. Trust me, you'll love it."

I playfully rolled my eyes but couldn't help feeling a wave of excitement. This whole charade was becoming more and more intriguing and mysterious.

"Alright, I'll trust you. But just so you know, I don't want to end up in the news as a missing person," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Giovanni laughed and assured me that I was in good hands. He opened the car door like a true gentleman, and I got into the luxurious vehicle. As the driver started the engine, I couldn't help but wonder where this unexpected journey would take us and how it would affect our fake relationship.

Little did I know that the night ahead would be filled with unexpected twists, and the lines between reality and fiction would blur in ways I could never imagine. But one thing was certain: this fake relationship was becoming much more real and exciting than I could have ever expected.

***

After an exciting private jet trip, Giovanni and I finally landed on the ground, and I was immensely surprised to realize that we were in Miami. I looked at him, seeking confirmation, and he smiled, confirming my suspicions. I couldn't believe we were in my hometown, but the surprise didn't end there.

We walked together to his elegant black Mercedes, and within minutes, we arrived at a restaurant. My steps were lost in nervousness; after all, it had been years since I last saw my parents. Then, at a reserved table, my eyes met the aged faces of Emília and José, my dear parents, chatting while looking at the menu.

My heart raced, and I felt a mix of emotions at seeing them again. Giovanni noticed my hesitation and said, "Go on, I'll wait for you here."

I knew I couldn't avoid this moment any longer. I wanted to introduce him to them, to let them meet the man who was helping me in this crazy journey and who was becoming more than just a fake boyfriend, my best friend. With determination, I approached Giovanni and said:

"No, not without you. I want you by my side."

"Mirela..." Giovanni called. He seemed concerned and warned, "If I go over there, you know I can't be introduced as anything other than your boyfriend. We'll have to lie to your parents... Is that what you want?"

I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes, feeling a wave of gratitude for his understanding and support.

"There's no better boyfriend to introduce to my parents than you, Giovanni," I replied sincerely.

He smiled and gave me a brief kiss on my forehead. Together, we walked towards the table where my parents were seated. My heart was pounding, but the surprise on their faces when they saw Giovanni at my side quickly turned into acceptance and joy as he spoke to them, explaining our history, how we met, and how our relationship had developed.

As Giovanni finished speaking, my parents embraced me tenderly. We were reunited, and this time, with someone special by my side. As we sat at the restaurant table, the conversation with my parents flowed smoothly and pleasantly. My mother, Emília, spoke enthusiastically about her cleaning jobs and how some of her clients had become friends. My father, José, shared stories about gardening and the challenges he faced in keeping the plants healthy and beautiful.

I looked in awe at Giovanni, who listened attentively with a genuinely interested look on his face. He engaged in the conversation with my parents as if they were old friends, and I felt grateful for his efforts to be a part of my life and connect with the people who mattered to me.

However, our interaction was interrupted when Giovanni's phone rang. He seemed surprised as he answered the call, then excused himself and moved away from the table. While he was away, I continued talking with my

parents, who praised Giovanni without knowing that our relationship was just a charade.

"He's such a polite and charming young man," my mother commented, smiling.

"Yes, he seems like a good person," my father agreed.

My mother wasted no time asking if our relationship was serious and when the wedding would be.

"We're still getting to know each other, Mom," I replied. "It's not serious at the moment."

"But oh, that young man has no look of not taking you seriously. I saw the way he looked at you. It's true love," she insisted.

At that moment, my eyes turned to Giovanni, who was returning to the table with a serious expression on his face. Something seemed wrong, and I felt my heart tighten.

"Sorry to interrupt," Giovanni said as he sat down. "but I need to return to New York immediately. My grandfather, Guido Cordopatri, just passed away."

The news hit me like a punch to the stomach. My parents expressed their condolences, and I felt compelled to hold Giovanni's hand to show my support. He squeezed my hand tightly, seeking comfort amidst the sadness.

"I'm so sorry, Giovanni," I said sincerely. "If you want, I can go with you."

He nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Mirela, but I don't want to interrupt your meeting with your parents. Besides, I need to handle some family matters."

I understood his decision, but worry still etched my face.

"Come on, we're in this together," I said, holding his hand as my parents watched attentively.

"You can go; we'll have plenty of time to share moments," my father said.

We finished dinner with a mix of emotions. Giovanni and I set off for New York. The night had been a roller coaster of emotions, and I knew the next few weeks would be challenging for Giovanni and his family.

As I looked at the horizon, I wondered what the future held for us and how everything would unfold.