Forty-Seven
1067 Words
Manon
I wake up to Niccoló humming. Humming. He never hums.
I frown. “What's going on with you?”
He smirks like the flirt he is. “Nothing. I'm just in a good mood today.”
He bends down, placing a kiss on my lips before humming along, putting his tie around his neck.
“And I'm feeling...good.”
That man can sing. And he's so sexy when he does. Not the point! This is...getting creepy.
He tucks his gun into his waistband.
“I'mmmm feeling good.”
“Okay, stop!” I blurt out, thoroughly unnerved.
He chuckles, kissing me once more.
“You're never this chipper. What happened?”
“Well, you're in my bed. I'm alive. I'm in love.”
Did he just? He did, didn't he?
“You're in love?”
He chuckled. “With you. I'm late for work, but it's fine. Cause I'm feeling—”
“Good,” I finish, irked. “No I heard you first three times.”
He winks at me, kissing my forehead, as he shuffles out of the door.
Humming. Dancing out of the door.
“What the hell is wrong with that man?”
***
He leaves me alone, so I go to explore the mansion. There's people all throughout the house, the halls are bustling.
There's big buff guys, most are Italian. And most are, admittedly, pretty hot.
Many of them have scars. They mostly wear suits, they all look rich, but not one of them looks as wealthy as Niccoló does.
I walk around, just aimlessly, exploring.
My phone rings. I pick it up.
“Hello?"
“Honey,”
It's my mom.
“Hey Mom. I have something to tell you.”
“What?”
“I...I broke up with Niccoló. But I want you to meet someone. Someone important.”
“So soon?” She asks softly.
“Yeah. Just...I'll meet you at your house at about 6 for dinner is that okay?”
“Sure. But are you—”
I look away. “Just trust me mom. Don't tell Baba I'm coming. It's best for it to be...a surprise.”
“A surprise?”
“Oh yes, and you will be surprised.”
***
I have a plan. It may be dumb, by Niccoló will be in my life for some time, and it's best if I don't have the males in my family trying to kill him.
So...I have a solution. And he's in such a good mood, I might can pull it off.
I call Nic.
He answers immediately.
“Baby, what's up?”
What's up? He's acting so weird! And then last night I dreamed he told me he loved me. And then this morning I heard him say something like he was in love with me.
Then the dancing, and the singing and the humming.
“Are you cheating on me?”
He laughs. “No. Why would you ask that?”
I cross my arms. “Because you're too happy. Yours is the happiness of a man with a girl and hoe on the side.”
“Manon, I'm not cheating on you. Why did you call?”
“Oh, I have a favor to ask you.”
He hums. “Anything for you, baby.”
He rarely calls me baby. I'm pulcino. And Kitten, or kitty cat, or sometimes just Manon. But rarely baby.
“I need you to go to dinner at my parents house tonight.”
The line crackles. “You mean your family full of narcs?”
I roll my eyes. “The very same.”
“Quick question: Do I have to?”
“Do you want to stick around? Because if you do yes.”
He groans. “What time?”
I smirk. Gottem.
***
He holds my hand, as we walk up my parents driveway. I take a deep breath.
We stop at the door.
“I can't believe you made me wear this,” He pulls at the sweater, cursing in Italian.
“Yes well, you wouldn't wear jeans, and suits make you look like a mob boss.”
“I am a mob boss,” He growled.
“Not here,” I adjust his sweater, smacking his hand away from the fabric. “Here, you're just the guy I like okay?”
He sighs, looking away. “Fine.”
“Before we go in, put all your weapons in the bag.”
He frowns. “What?”
I open the giant bag I bought with me. “Weapons. In the bag. Now.”
“No. Just no. I—”
I don't say anything. I just look at him. I quirk my brow. Waiting.
He grumbles, pulling out his gun, and shoving it in the bag.
“All of it.” At his confused face, I explain. “I watch you dress in the morning. I know what goes where.”
He grumbles louder, taking out all the weapons he hides on his person every single day.
“Thank you,” I kiss him. “Wait here.”
I go inside. “Baba, I'm here!”
He comes to greet me, obviously over our little fight.
“So happy to see you,” He smiles.
I smile back. “I'm glad. So give me all your guns.”
He frowns. “What?”
“All the guns you own, in the bag. Quick, Baba."
“But—”
“Do it!” I urge him. So he does it, reluctantly but...it's my Daddy. And he does what I say when I really want something.
Soon I have a bag full of guns. And knives. And what I think is a grenade. I keep it at my side at all times.
I smile calmly. “Thank you Baba. Wait right here.”
I open the door, and pull Niccoló inside the house.
“Baba, Mama, this is Niccoló Vitale. He's the guy I like.”
Baba reaches for the gun he keeps under the table but I shake my head.
“Now, we're all going sit down, and have a nice dinner. We will be civil, mature adults, and have pleasant after-dinner conversation.”
Baba glares at him. “You slimy—”
Niccoló rolls his eyes. “Please, I eat pigs, I don't talk to them.”
“You!”
“Pleasant. After-dinner. Conversation!”
Baba and Niccoló flinch.
- Writer
