Honest

twenty-one

Giuseppe Vitale

My father stares at the photos in front of him pensively.

“And you really like her?”

I nod. “I do. And I think she'd be a good Queen of the family."

He sighed. “I was hoping you'd find an Italian. These are critical times...besides she seems like handful.”

I smile. “Oh she is. But it's worth it.”

He nods. “My control on the counsel has weakened with the new wave of counselors. And she...will not help.”

I shrug. “That depends on what your definition of help is. And since when do we give a f**k what the counsel thinks anyway?”

He shakes his head at me. It's a familiar gesture now. I'll admit, my father is pretty good looking.

We look almost exactly alike, but I'm a little darker, and his hair is scattered with a litte gray.

I'm much more handsome of course, but that's because of my mother's genes.

“The problem is, this new generation... you're all crazy, and I can't even properly threaten you anymore.”

That's true.

“Anyway, your mother is nagging me about retiring soon. So that means, this is all...your s**t. And I give up. Goodbye.”

I roll my eyes. “You can't give up, old man.”

He eyes me sideways. “Sure I can. I put my middle finger up and go to Figi. And you know I will.”

Yeah, he would. Not that Mamma would let him leave me in lurch like that.

“Where is Mama?" I ask.

He smirks. “Are you missing your mommy?” He sings, putting his hands on his cheek. “Do you need your binky?”

I roll my eyes. “You're so mean to me.”

“Because you're a momma's boy,” He shoots back. “No one likes a Momma's boy.”

He's so immature sometimes. I sigh. “At least I'm not whipped like you are."

“I'm not whipped,” He sneered. “I'm fucking...”

I snort. “Old age getting to you, Dad?"

He shoots me a glare. “I'm f*****g Niccoló Vitale. And your Mother knows she doesn't tell me what to do.”

The door to the study opens. I watch his expression with a smirk.

“Manon,” He smiles, that faker. “How was your trip?”

“Fine. What were you saying?”

I watch him, waiting for his excuse. “That you're gorgeous, and I adore you.” He smiles widely.

Mom sends him a dubious glance, smiling at me.

“You finally came to see me, Seppe, come here.”

I give her hug, and she kisses my head.

Dad rolls his eyes grumbling.

“Damn it, Manon, the boy is grown now. Stop kissing him."

“Take the jealousy down to a three, Niccó, he's your son.”

“Still, he's twenty-four years old. You can't keep babying him.”

I smirk at my father as my mother inspects me. It's so hilarious to watch him seethe silently.

“Have you been eating? You look thinner, Niccó go fix him something to eat.”

“Let him fix his own food,” He huffs.

Mom glares at him. “I got you a vest.”

He starts shuffling. “I'm not wearing it.”

“Just try it on,” She insisted.

“No! They're ugly. And itchy. And bitchy. All the wrong –ithes.”

She rolls her eyes. “I bet Giuseppe would try it on, would you son?”

“Sure mom,” I smile.

I bend down, so she can pat my head, “I know you would. You're a good boy, unlike someone over there.”

Dad grumbles. Mom winks at me. Seeing him upset is hilarious so we always tease him.

“I'm not putting on the best, and that's final,” He murmured.

“Fine, I'll give it to Giuseppe. I spent hours looking for it—”

“Just...! I'll take it.”

He's so jealous. He glares at me, taking the bag from the table. He'll probably stash that thing away somewhere, so he doesn't have to be reminded of this low point in his life.

It's just me and my mom then.

She sits down, taking off her shoes. “I heard you have a girl you like,” She observed, looking at the pictures. “Is this her?”

“Yes, Ma. Isn't she pretty?”

“Oh she's adorable. Are you treating her well?”

I look away. “Yes.”

“Don't lie to me, you know I hate that.” She says sternly.

“Mom I really like her. And if we could just spend some time, I think she'll like me too. She's just stubborn is all.”

Mom looks up at me tiredly. “Look, I know your father and uncle set a bad example, but I've told you, most of the time, kidnapping people makes them hate you.”

“I didn't kidnap her,” I murmured.

She gave me a skeptical look. “And the only reason you're interested in her is because you like her right?”

I say nothing.

“You're so much like your father. You always have some agenda. But let me tell you, if that girl tell me you hurt her, I'm gonna hurt you. Now I brought you in this world and I can take you out."

I wince. “Mom—”

“Giuseppe," She interrupted sternly. “If you kidnapped that girl you will let her go. Do you understand? Because if you don't, Luna will take the throne, and you will not.”

I sigh. “Mom, I love you.”

“I know.”

“But...this is none of your business. And you don't know her. But I promise I won't hurt her.”

She shakes her head.

“You're too stubborn. You think you know best. But I'm telling you," She looks into my eyes. “Even if she grows to loves you, there will always be apart of her, small as it may be, that will hate you. And you will always know it.”