Once Called Home

Althaia

“No way! You got yourself that car?!” I gaped at the gleaming black Aston Martin as he escorted me outside.

“Sure did! Worked my ass off to get it.” He looked at his car pridefully.

When we were younger, he would always talk about wanting an Aston Martin. We used to love talking about cars when we were kids and got so excited when we saw those luxury cars in movies. I was a sucker for those cars.

Michael opened the door for me, and I immediately glanced around as I got inside, almost afraid to move in case I would ruin something. It was one sexy car, and just sitting in a freaking Aston Martin felt surreal. And he was looking fine driving it.

A sexy man deserved a sexy car.

“So, how come you’re attending the engagement party?” I asked. Sure, we all knew each other, and we were close growing up, but he was always talking about traveling the world, so I didn’t think he would have stuck around.

Michael glanced at me quickly before refocusing on the road.

“Ah, I forgot you don’t know.” He smiled, and I gave him a confused look.

“Don’t know what?”

“I work for your father now.”

Oh.

“So, does that mean you’re a part of the … family business as well?” I didn’t know how to word it exactly. It all sounded so strange on my tongue and made me slightly uncomfortable. Even though I didn’t know much about it, the word Mafia should be enough to know that it was definitely not a safe career.

“Family business, you say?” Michael chuckled. “Is that what you call it?” He continued to tease.

“Well, how else would I say it?” I chuckled, and he shrugged.

“Dunno, Mafia? Family business sounds so … boring.” He said as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Mafia…” I said out loud, like it was a strange word. “You’re saying it like it’s a normal nine-to-five job you have. What happened to the ‘I want to travel the world’ dream of yours?” I slightly faced him with a brow raised.

“Who said I don’t get to travel the world, bellissima? I get to travel around, and I get to make a shitload of money. That’s a win-win situation for me.” He laughed, and I felt a small tingle erupt in my stomach at him calling me beautiful.

“Wait, do you speak Italian now or is it just that one word to hit on women?” I asked in a teasing tone.

“You don’t really have a choice but to speak the language when the Italian mob guys are around. Gotta defend myself if someone is out there planning to shoot my white ass.” Michael was cracking up, like he just told the funniest joke ever.

“I guess you’re right.” I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. “What about you? Still speak the language, or is it long forgotten?” He wondered. Even though it had been ages since I had spoken Italian, I still remembered a lot.

“Not really, it’s mostly forgotten.” I told him. I was not as fluent as I once was, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. I didn’t want anyone to find out I still knew the language because I wanted to hear if anyone was trying to talk shit about me.

“I still know a few words here and there. It’s just me and mom, so there really isn’t any need to speak Italian.” I bit down on my lip, hoping he didn’t catch on to my lie.

My father is Italian, and my mother is Greek, so naturally, I grew up speaking both languages. My mother was fluent in Italian since she was married to my father for so long. Since we no longer lived with my father, there was no reason for my mother and I to speak Italian.

Michael faced me and gave me another one of his beautiful smiles. He was one handsome man with ocean-blue eyes that you easily could get lost in. I averted my gaze so I wouldn’t be caught staring for too long. His handsomeness made me a little nervous.

“Yeah, I get that. No need to worry, I’ll be your personal translator during your stay.” He tilted his chin upwards like a soldier ready for duty. I let out a small chuckle. He looked so proud.

“Funny how the tables have turned, huh? It used to be me who translated stuff for you.” I teased. His lips curved up as he drove through the huge gates of my father’s mansion. Anxiety was building up as we approached the entrance.

“We’re here!” Michael sang as he parked in front of the stairs to the house. “Hold on a second.” He stopped me when I was about to open the door. Michael quickly got out and made his way to my side and opened the door for me as he gave me his hand.

“Thanks.” I smiled, holding his hand while attempting to exit the car gracefully, without flashing him too much leg with the long slit up my thigh.

Stepping out with my right foot first was a mistake as the slit rode higher up, giving him a full view of my tanned leg. Michael’s eyes dropped to my bare skin, and I hurriedly got my other leg out and stood up. My cheeks got all hot when I saw Michael smirking.

Clearing my throat, I looked down to make sure my dress was still in place, and I wasn’t accidentally flashing anyone. If people were going to talk about me, I certainly didn’t want them to talk about how they could see my thong.

“Still wearing the necklace, I see.” Michael’s eyes followed my fingers as I adjusted the necklace between my breasts. He gave a small smile as he touched the gem.

“Of course! Nono gave it to me. This way, he’s always with me. I never take it off unless I get wet.” He let his hand fall to his side and gave a full-on smirk.

“Yeah?” He inched closer to me. “How often are you wet, then?” Michael whispered while looking deep into my eyes, and my breath got caught in my throat.

I was pretty sure my face was as red as it could be, and my heart beat a little faster at our closeness. I gave his arm a light smack as I sidestepped him. I felt like I couldn’t breathe when he was so damn close to me.

“Shut up, you know what I mean. Let’s go. I don’t want to be too late for the party.” I said hurrying him along.

I heard him laugh as he shut the car door and walked up next to me. He took the small gift from me and put his hand on my back.

“Ready?” He asked, and I gave a brief nod. I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself and hoping everything would turn out okay.

Together, we made our way upstairs and into the mansion I once called home.