Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
"You are not satisfied that I am honoring my duty to famiglia?"
Massimo's tone was mocking, but his dark gaze was cryptic, his thoughts entirely unreadable, and that had always been the case with this grandson of hers.
People often assumed it was Cesare, with his merciless and often violent way of dealing with his enemies, whom one should fear the most among her grandsons. But in truth, it was Massimo who deserved such a title, with his heart of stone effectively disguised under seductively deceptive layers of urbane charm.
While Massimo was not an evil man - not one of her grandchildren were, thank God - neither was Potenziana blind about his faults. Massimo took his honor very seriously, and she had long suspected it was because of this that he hadn't been able to shut Ynez out of his life, the moment it became clear to him that things between them were not working.
And as for the rest of the world that had yet to prove their loyalty—-
Massimo had cruelly exacting standards for them to meet, and those who earned his wrath or enmity were forever banished from his life.
"I need you to give her a chance, Mas."
Massimo's gaze flicked back to Ynez's older sister, who was now chatting and laughing with two retired members of famiglia.
Potenziana was starting to feel uneasy by her grandson's silence. "Is it really that terrible, bambino? To be married to the girl I chose for you? I am not asking you to love her—-"
"I will marry her, nonna. On that, you have my word. And out of respect for you and our famiglia, I will keep my vows. But that is all I can promise."
Four
Ysabel
By the time afternoon rolls in, Ynez and Massimo's names have become the top trending hashtags locally, and Mammina's consequently reaps the benefits as we welcome an endless influx of #Masnez shippers. They're all happy to order whatever we recommend, and in exchange...
"Could you please, please, pleeeeeaseee tell us how they fell in love?"
I'd rather poke myself in the eye to be honest, but since the one time I refused to talk about it had quickly reached my sister's ears and caused her to accuse me of being jealous of her happiness—-
"It all began when Ynez was still in her third year in university."
The two girls sigh, and the dreamy looks on their faces make it obvious they're busy imagining themselves in my sister's shoes.
"And she was suddenly called out of her class."
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh."
"It had Ynez worried, since she's always been a straight-A student. She couldn't think of any reason why the university chancellor would want to see her."
"And then what?"
"When she went to the chancellor's office, the person she saw instead was...him."
Both girls look like they're about ready to swoon, and I'm just about ready to kill myself as well.
"I read in one article that your sister says she was close to fainting on her way to the chancellor's office..."
"Yes, that's right."
"But..." The girl who ordered a sundae smiles slyly. "Your sister still ended up passing out, didn't she? But for a whole different reason..."
"Yup." There's really nothing else to say but that, since it's Ynez herself who had shared that naughty little tidbit when she was interviewed by one of New England's most popular lifestyle magazines.
Another group of customers comes in at that moment, and my head starts pounding for real when I hear them whisper his name between giggles.
I can't take this anymore.
Carlita looks at me in concern when she catches me taking a break in the locker room. "You don't look too good, bella."
"I'm fine—-"
My stepaunt shakes her head. "It is not a sin to admit weakness now and then, Ysa." The older woman insists I go home, immediatamente, and as shameful as it is to admit, I only put up a token protest even as she ushers me out of the door.
I just need some time and space. I repeat the words over and over in my mind in an effort to convince myself that it's the truth, but the pain in my heart simply refuses to fade.
Maybe...maybe I need more than time and space then?
So what about time and space and...and...a tub of truffle-and-sour-cream-flavored fries? And maybe my favorite grape-flavored soda?
I entertain myself with such thoughts as I head down the Esplanade, and it's only when I've paddled to the other end of Charles River, and I'm on my way home that I belatedly notice how people I walk past are giving me second glances.
Huh?
While it's true that Ynez dating Massimo has made me famous by association in recent years, this level of attention seems a little too much, and unease skitters down my spine. Maybe something's happened between them? Could that be it?
The pain gripping my head worsens, and I'm already exhausted by the mere thought of having to read more stuff about the couple.