Cherié

Chapter 13

I was instantly irritated and Alma noticed. “Who is she? Why don’t you like her?”

“My little sister, and because she’s annoying.” Alma laughed as Cher brought Chessie over to meet her.

It wasn’t long before the guest of honor arrived and Cher and Ally greeted him with a warm hug and a birthday sash and crown. He spent the night greeting his guest and Ally and Cher coordinated his gifts.

I took Cher by the waist and whispered in her ear. “Take a break and enjoy your hard work. You haven’t really spent time with Bobby.”

She turn and hugged me. “I’m finally getting the workaholic out of you.”

“Let’s go downstairs and join Ally and Bobby on the dance floor.”

“We’re dancing, let’s go,” Chessie said as she once again stole Cherie out of my arms.

Elio quickly came over and warned me to take Cher back up. As I asked why, the reason came over and hugged Chessie. My face was hot and I balled my hands into fists. Cher grabbed my hand and asked if I was okay.

When I tried to lead her away Donatella got my attention. “D’Angelo, my love how are you,” she said coming to stand in my way.

“I was doing quite well until I saw your face. Why would you come here? ”

“We’re family. Right? And I missed you so much,” she stated as she pulled on the hem of my shirt.

I shooed her hands away. “You’re being inappropriate.”

She fingered the buttons on my button down and spoke. “I’m your fiancé, why are you afraid of my touch all of a sudden. You could never get enough of it before.”

Cher pulled me to face her. The fire behind her eyes told me she observed all Donna did and said. “Who the f**k is that? And why the f**k is she touching you?”

“Let’s go somewhere quiet so I can explain.” I whisked Cher away as quickly as I could. I took her to Elio’s office and she sat on his desk with her arms crossed looking expectantly at me.

“You remember I told you my dad arranged a marriage for me?”

She nodded. “I thought she left the states with someone else on your wedding day.”

“Apparently, she’s back. That was Donatella. I’m going to head home I don’t want to ruin Bobby’s night. She loves to start fights.”

Her expression flashed with confusion then fury. “You said you wanted to be my date. Now, I let you be my date and you’re going to leave me because you’re scared of your ex? ”

“I’m not scared,” I yelled at her. “She’s ruined enough good things in my life. I don’t want her manipulative ass to find a way to ruin this.” I grabbed her hand and kissed it gently. “I didn’t mean to sound so angry.”

Cher placed her hand on my hand. “Are you still in love with her?”

“Not remotely.”

“Do you want to have me when this party is over?”

I smiled. “Do you have to ask that ridiculous question.”

Cher smirked up at me. “If she bothers you she’ll have to go through Alma and me. There isn’t a thing she can do to change the path we’re on… unless you let her. Are you going to let her,” she challenged.

I caressed the side of her face. Cher wasn’t the type of girl that backed down from a challenge. While, I knew she’d be able to handle herself against Donna. I knew she should not be forced to pay for my mistakes in partners.

I kissed her softly. “Let me know if she is disrespectful to you. I’ll make sure it never happens again.”

She smiled up at me with that wicked look in her eyes. “I’m sure if she tries anything I can get the message across just fine.”

Cher took my hand and led me back to the bar. She ordered us both 2 shots each and I knew I’d be able to relax a little more. We enjoyed dancing with each other and her friends.

Cher went off to the bathroom and I went to order another round of drinks. Val had taken over and she looked amused. “No catfight yet. I’m surprised Donna is staying away.”

“If I know that sociopath she is scheming something up.”

“Your sister did let her know you moved on and to let it go. I don’t think Donna got the message.”

I shook my head. “That is her problem not mine.”

In the ladies room Cher had just walked up to the sink to wash her hands. When Donna walked in Cherie immediately caught her eye. So that’s the slut trying to take my man. Donna thought.

Cher felt eyes burn her back she glanced up and saw a woman glaring at her and didn’t hold her tongue. “Do you want this sink or something?”

Donna smiled and walked to stand beside Cher. “No I just recognized you from earlier. I’m Donatella Zizzi of the Zizzi family. You were with my fiancé. And I don’t blame you for being a home wrecker, but you can go away now. I’m home.”

Cher took in a deep breath. She got a hand towel from the bathroom attendant before she addressed Donna again. “When your EX fiancé expresses to me he is no longer in need of my company. Then I might consider granting his wish. But as for now. I’m his new home. And you’re all burnt up.”

She strutted out of the bathroom as Donna seethed. No girl had ever been that bold to speak to her, a Zizzi like that. When she returned to my side Bobby’s party was just about cleared up though most party goers were still enjoying the main floor. I took Cher to the VIP on the main level and she did something she never did in public. She sat on my lap.

“Your fiancé is watching us. What do you want to do?”