His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 5

“You are early today, sir,” Emmanuella told Christian when he had entered the mansion. Christian gave thof pity and felt awful. He knew that being a housekeeper was her job and that Emmanuella had been witbefore he was even born, but he couldn’t imagine cleaning and didn’t even know where to start. “Yes, I had something to take care of.” Christian smiled and thought about Serena. The girl he couldn’t hstrange, but since his dad told him to look after her he obeyed his wishes. He remembered his father, Lucthe day he had caught her walking out of his office. Lucio was livid and told Christian that he had expected him to look out for her from a distance and not baround with her. Truth to be told, Christian did not know why he did it but strangely enough, he couldn’tthat he was drawn to her. He was self-aware that it was a combination of her dual personality and that shinnocent as everyone made her out to be, but that was what made her distinct from the others. “I made your favorite, spaghetti carbonara!” Emmanuella told Christian and didn’t hesitate to grab his arpulled him to the kitchen. Christian gave Emmanuella a warm smile and felt better knowing that someoncared for his well-being. At the age of sixty, Emmanuella never had any children of her own, but working for the Lamberti’s was thand she had seen all of the children grow up into adults. After Christian left the family mansion a few yeamade it her goal to take care of him as much as she could. Emmanuella knew that as the heir despite beiChristian had many burdens to carry. He had built a wall around himself and came across as a cold and hbut Emmanuella knew better than that. “You’re keeping me company right?” Christian asked as Emmanuella pushed him onto the dining chair. Lhuge mansion made him feel lonely at times, and even the company of different women couldn’t fill thatneither could his family and friends who were either side eyeing him out of jealousy or kissing up his arsewould have his father’s power one day. Even though Emmanuella was a live-in housekeeper, she knew hodistance and usually ate her dinner before he came home. “Of course I’m keeping you company!” Emmanuella told him and hummed a tune while she was setting For Christian, it was difficult to get a sincere smile on his face, but Emmanuella never failedNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

to make him “I suppose Johnny, Marc, and your remaining entourage are working but isn’t your friend coming tonighasked while putting the plates down at the table. “Vincenzo?” “Yes, Vincenzo.” Emmanuella who knew him all too well confirmed and grabbed a bottle of pinot grigio wglasses. Christian thought of his best friend who would often come with different excuses as to why he cover, but somehow made time to meet up with different women. Even though the two had known each owere in diapers, the only time they met up nowadays was to talk about business. “I don’t think his fatherof us for that matter.” Fabio Garcia was a jealous man who knew the Lamberti’s were a powerful family and made it very clear tinterested in being close with the family, but the families worked together and business remained businealong from a distance. His eldest son Vincenzo on the other hand was like a brother to Christian. To this dLamberti could understand how Vincenzo and Fabio’s youngest son turned out to be angels while their vwas the devil in disguise. “Hmm, how about Isobel?” Emmanuella continued asking. Isobel came from the Sala family and also greChristian. The two had always remained best friends even though Isobel always had a thing for Christian. For Christian she was neither like a sibling or a lover, he could never see her that way. Instead, she was hihe frequently slept with but even though Isobel was aware that she was getting used she did not care onthough it was non-exclusive she still had the guy she had always wanted and could not complain. Christian dug into his spaghetti while Emmanuella looked at him with a proud smile on her face. Christiafood was all that truly mattered to her. “Is it good?” She asked and leaned over the table to clean his monapkin. Christian got an embarrassed look on his face and nodded his head like a little kid before he conThe two ate their dinner together while exchanging stories and not soon after they had both emptied the“Thank you so much for keeping me company Emmanuella, I appreciate it.” Christian gratefully thanked “Always, but don’t you think it’s time for you to settle down, to find a partner who is there for you and nnight? A soulmate.” Emmanuella quickly grabbed the empty plates to wash them on the hand in the hopes of Christian not gcomment, but after technically raising him more than his mother did for twenty-three years she

knew thawish for that. “I don’t believe in soulmates,” Christian spoke. His parents might have been married for over a decade ahis father would take a bullet for his mother, but he was not so sure about the other way around. The onFrancesca Lamberti had no complaints about Lucio’s occupation was because she was able to live the luxcomfortable life she desired and she was not afraid to admit it. Had she not met Lucio it would’ve still been the same because Francesca came from a powerful family aeducated, but another thing she loved was status and Lucio Lamberti had that. “How about children, you don’t want any?” Emmanuella asked, but all she heard was a scoff. “I’m not reaand I refuse to force a child into this life.” Emmanuella decided to let it drop and felt sorry because she knew what he meant. Throughout the yearexperienced many Lamberti’s growing up without a father and for Christian that was the one thing he dihad always told his dad that he was fine with taking over the family business because he had natural leadwould not give him an heir, ever. Lucio even laughed at his son when he said that because he claimed to be the same when he was youngdid not see himself change any time soon. “I think I’m heading to bed, I came home early so I will spend this time wisely.” Christian yawned. Emmanalready happy to know that he was at least getting sleep for once and nodded her head. “You go and reshere!” Christian stood up from his chair and thanked Emmanuella one more time before making his way upstairEmmanuella, besides my family you are the only woman I need in my life.”