Ariana's POV:
We planned to go to the restaurant and papa also invited mom and dad because they haven't met for a long time. I go to their home as often as I can and they are also busy with their university and teaching.
When we reached the restaurant, we saw that mom and dad had already arrived because they were nearby. I dashed to them and gave them a tight hug. Milo was also with them because they were taking him for a walk so they came here directly with him. As this restaurant is owned by Tony fratello, we can go to the rooftop directly, as it was only reserved for the top clients and our family.
"I missed you guys so much." I said to my parents.
"We missed you too Ari." Dad said.
"Hello baby. How are you? Did you miss me huh?" I asked Milo while petting him gently on the head. He loves it when I do that. He let out a happy bark.
All of my brothers came to pet him and greeted mom and dad.
"Hello uncle and aunt. How are you?"
"We are good. What about you guys?" Mom said.
"We are also fine. Let's go and get seated." Papa said.
We then went and took our seats. I sat with my mom and dad. Then a waiter came and took all of our orders. We then chatted happily. Mom and dad still don't know that we are in the mafia so we didn't talk about anything related to the mafia.
Then our dinner came and we ate with relish. It was really delicious.
"Tony, you have done a great job here. The food and the service are excellent." Dad complimented him.
"Thank you uncle."
"Yeah. The food was delicious." Nonna also said. Tony fratello smiled a little to show that he is happy that his work is being complimented.
"Thank you nonna. Let's go home now."
"Why don't you stay with us Evan and Hollan?" Nonno asked.
"Yeah, stay with us tonight mom and dad please." I said.
"Okay okay. We will stay tonight." Dad said.
"Yay!" I said and hugged them. It was rare that they stayed at the Romano mansion so I was very happy. We then went into our cars to go home.
When we were on the road I saw an ice cream truck and looked at twinnie. He was also looking at me and then we nodded at each other and grinned.
"Stop the car please." I said and the driver stopped the car.
"What happened princess?" Elio fratello asked.
"We want ice cream. Let's go eat some." I said, giving him a cheeky smile. They don't let us eat ice cream late into the night but I am determined to eat some tonight. I mean who doesn't like ice cream late at night.
"You know that Tony and Leo will not let you eat ice cream right?" He asked amusedly.
"That's why I am asking you. Please let's go." I said unlocking my door knowing that he will agree. Twinnie, Orlando and I got out of the car and went to get ice cream.
"What will I tell Tony when he asks why we have stopped here?"
"I am sure you will think of something. You love me right." He sighed and shook his head.
"Ok but no more than a scoop." He said and I pouted at him.
"Or I will tell him why we are stopping here." I quickly nodded.
"Three chocolate ice creams please." Twinnie said. We all like chocolate ice cream, it's my favourite.
Then we got our ice cream and started eating it. Just then Elio fratello's mobile began to ring. We all stiffened because we knew that it must be Tony fratello. They were ahead of us and must have noticed that we were not following them. I shot Elio fratello a pleading look. He answered the phone.
"Hello, Tony. Our car is acting up and it will take a few minutes. You guys go ahead and don't wait for us. We will meet you at home." We all sighed in relief that he covered for us.
"Ok guys hurry up or he will suspect something." We nodded and quickly finished our ice cream and went into our car. By the time we reached home it was already late. So we all went to our rooms and slept.
*****
Morning:
I got up and got ready for the day. It was Sunday today so we planned to go shopping for our ball gowns. Mom doesn't know anything about the mafia but we have told her about the ball and she only knows that it is business related. So they have no interest in it and won't be coming. We all wanted exactly that. It will be dangerous for them to come at the ball.
I went to eat breakfast with all of them. As mom and dad slept here they were also there for breakfast. We enjoyed a traditional Italian breakfast as all of my family members were there. It was delicious.
Then we went to the market. Nonna, Zia, Twinnie and I went together. Mom also came as she was free. We went to the shopping mall that was owned by our family. It was the biggest shopping mall in NYC.
"Mom, do you know that this shopping mall is owned by our family?"
"Really?"
"Yes it is owned by us. Our family deals in many businesses like entertainment, hotels, shopping malls, construction and many more." Nonna said.
"That's wonderful. You guys have done a great deal with your businesses then." Mom said happily.
"Yeah it is all of our children and grandchildren's efforts and hard work." Nonna said proudly.
"But papa started this company with nothing and it is his efforts that all of the Romano can take it to new heights. After all they had the company to begin with." Zia appreciated nonna.
"That's true nonna. All of our family members are wonderful and hard working. That's why we are where we are." I said. All of them smiled happily. Then we went inside to shop.
"First let's go to shop for the gowns." Zia said. We went into the shop.
"In the meantime, I will go to the play zone to play some games." Twinnie said to me. I stopped him.
"No way you can go and abandon me here. You know how these ladies get when shopping and you have to help me." I whispered to him. I like shopping also but these ladies are fierce when shopping and I can't survive alone.
"Then why did you agree to come with them?" Twinnie whispered back.
"You know I can't deny them. It will hurt them. They seldom come here and want to shop with me so I had to say yes. Besides, I need a ball gown anyway." I whispered. Just then mom turned back to look at us.
"What are you two whispering there? Come on and try these on." They had already selected a few gowns. I went into the shop and took gowns and went into the changing room to try them on.
After some time and trying on gowns, they still couldn't decide on a gown. I was really getting exhausted so I gave a pleading look to twinnie. He immediately went to the ladies.
"Nonna, zia, aunty, I think this one looks perfect for her. Why don't we select this?" They immediately turned to him and glared.
"What do you know about fashion?" Matteo immediately shut his mouth and mimicked the zipping his mouth act.
"Nonna, what about this?" I said, showing them an elegant gown that matches me perfectly.
They looked at it and said to me to try it. I immediately went and tried the gown and I must say I fell in love instantly with it. It was like this was made for me. It fitted me perfectly. I went out and showed them.
"What do you think?" I asked with a smile. They looked at it and were astonished.
"Wow, I think this is perfect for you princess. Let's go with it." Nonna said. Zia and mom agreed with her.
"Twinnie, I think that our brothers will not like it." Hearing that I was confused as to why they won't like it because it was perfect for me.
"Why? It is gorgeous." I said.
"Yes she looks stunning in it." Zia said.
"Exactly because of that. She looks so stunning in it that all of the people there will only look at her and I am sure as heck that no one will like that. She has 13 brothers after all and I don't think that starting a fight will be right and there will be a fight if she were to look that gorgeous." Twinnie grumbled a little.
We all were amused by him and I shook my head at him.
"Then do you want your sister to be ugly?" Zia asked him.
"No, of course not. Anyways she is so beautiful that no matter what she wears she will always be beautiful." Twinnie said.
"Then if you know that then we can't do anything. She will wear this dress because she is not going to please someone else but she wants to look beautiful herself and every girl has the right to look beautiful no matter what society thinks." Nonna said.
"Yes, so you guys have your work cut out for you to protect your sister." Zia said. I was so grateful to my family. They always think of me. I saw that mom was also smiling and was a little tearful because she always had a little worry that what if I am not able to mix in the family well and they don't accept me fully. I went and gave her a hug and whispered.
"They are great, mom. So you don't have to worry about me." She nodded a little.
"Ok then let's go and settle the bill." I said. Nonna and zia already selected their gowns so we went to settle the bill. Even though this mall is owned by us we still choose to pay because we don't want to be very high profile and don't want anyone to know about our identity.
After settling the bill we went to get our footwear and jewellery. After that we went directly to the food court because by now twinnie was whining that he was so hungry that he could eat anything. After that we went home.
After reaching home, Raf fratello took me aside and wanted to talk about something.
"What happened fratello?"
"I am thinking of bringing Luka today and introducing him to everyone. All of our family is here and they all will be able to meet him together. He is also eager to meet our family. What do you think?"
"Well that's a wonderful idea. Why don't you bring him by evening and then he can also have dinner with us after that. This way all of us would have enough time to get to know him given our large family."
"Ok that's a good idea. I will go and ask him first then will tell our family. Thank you princess, you are a lifesaver." He patted my head and went to Luka.
I smiled hoping that they all got their forever. We all deserve that someone who will always be by our side no matter what. Someone who will always have our back and love us for a lifetime. Someone who is our forever.
I went to my room and put away my gown and accessories securely in the closet. It was already lunch time when we ate at the food court so now I have some time for my work. I went online and did some hacker assignments that were pending.
After that I called Noah and Jessy and talked with them for some time. They were thinking of coming to visit here and I was more than happy to welcome them. But we have the ball coming so I told them to come after that saying that I am not available at that time. I can't tell them about the ball because they don't know anything about the mafia.
After hanging up I called Levi and asked him about his plan and he told me that he is coming for sure. I was very happy. I can't wait to meet him. I miss him so much. Now I am eagerly waiting for the ball.
I was thinking all of this when Raf fratello came and told me that he had invited Luka and he is coming to meet our family this evening and he has also told our family about him coming. Now let's see how tonight goes. I hope it goes well.
******
So here is the chapter.
Please tell me how you like it.
Happy reading.
Love, Stella.♥️