Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Adrianna POV.

"I really had so much fun, Ria. Thank you," he said as he walked into the house.

"I am glad you did. Now let us go. I am sure that your grandma and grandpa are already here," I said.

"I hope they are so that I can tell them what I did Today," he said happily as he ran away. I know he went to look for his parents or uncles. I chuckled and walked in the direction he did.

When I walked into the dining room, I felt everyone's gaze on me and I looked up and raised my eyebrows to them.

"Guess you both had a lovely day," Ace spoke first.

"Of course, we did. I know how to have fun," I said as I winked at him , making him shake his head.

"Mommy, Ria took me to the park," Ivan exclaimed and all attention diverted to him. Phewks. Not that I hate attention but I hate being looked at as if they are expecting me to elaborate where we went.

"She took you to the park?" Mike asked.

"Yes daddy and I really had a lot of fun and got many friends while we played," he said.

"Lucky bitch. I wanted to take him to the park first," Mark murmured thinking I didn't hear it. I chuckled and he realised that I did hear him.

"Don't be jealous, Mark. At least he got charms from you," I said as I sat down.

"What do you mean?" Ace asked and I rolled my eyes.

"He met this girl. She is so beautiful by the way. He flirted with her and the girl was profusely blushing," I said.

"Ria, I wanted to be the one to tell them about her. Wait, how did you see us?" Ivan asked almost immediately.

"Love, do you really think that I could take you to the park and not keep an eye on you?" I asked.

"So that means that you were stalking me!" He exclaimed angrily, making me smirk.

"At least I didn't interfere with your fun. Did I?" I asked him and he relaxed a little bit.

"At least you remembered not to," he said and I shook my head at his stupidity. He had a huge grin on his face.

"Ivan dear, aren't you hungry?" Amelia asked.

"What did Adrianna buy you out there?" Alex asked.

"Ice cream. A lot of them. She fulfilled her promise. I hope Uncle Mark you can learn from her," he said and Mark almost choked.

"I am still your favourite," he said proudly.

"You are crazy," he answered.

"You are the least favourite," Ivan told him and he asked him a question.

"Who is always there for you?" He asked.

"You, but you always leave me just to give and fuck those bimbos," he said and Ace choked.

"I warned you about doing that in front of my child, Mark," Abigail complained.

"It is not like I fuck in front of him or something," he retorted.

"Can both of you stop bickering and continue eating your meals?" Amelia asked. " Child, come sit down so that you can eat."

"No, thank you. I will sit on Uncle Ace laps," Ivan said as he walked over to Ace.

Maria walked in and served food. I noticed that my meal was different from the rest and I got curious.

"What are you guys eating?" I asked.

"Why?" Mark asked.

"She is eating a different meal from ours," Ace said.

"Why is that?" Alex asked.

"That is why I am asking so that I can know," I said while rolling my eyes.

"Ooh. We are eating shrimp scampi," Abigail answered.

"Ria, do you want some?" Ivan asked and I hurriedly shook my head making Maria chuckle.

"Ivan dear, she doesn't eat that," Maria said.

"Why?" Paul asked.

"Allergic to linguini," she answered and they nodded their heads.

"So what are you eating?" Ivan asked.

"Some pasta and fried chicken," I answered as I took the fork and knife.

They were all looking at me but I ignored them.

I started eating. After some time, I felt a hand on my thigh and I jumped a little bit. Looking around, I saw no one had seen my movement apart from the ace who had an amused look on his face. Slapping the hand away, he frowned and I knew that he was the one. I glared at him before going back to what I was doing.

I saw Amelia smiling but I ignored her.

"So Ace and Adrianna have stopped their little fight," she said. I knew it was not a question though. I am sure that she was informed of what occurred this morning.

"You can say something like that," I answered with food in my mouth. They looked amused.

"What did you just say?" Ace asked and I rolled my eyes ignoring him.

"We have stopped fighting mom," he told his mother.

"Ooh, please. We will always fight but not before. That is what you should be telling her," I said.

"Ria, do you have a boyfriend?" Ivan asked, making most of us choke.

"Why?" I asked when I recovered from the shock.

"Just answer my question, silly," he said while glaring at me.

"No," I said because I didn't want to argue with him.

"Will date my uncle, Ace please," when he said this, Ace and I choked then looked at each other.

"What? Do. I prefer dating the guard to him," I said and by the look on Ace's face he was hurt but he later hid his emotions.

Why would he be hurt?

Is he interested in me as I am in him?

I shook my head cause that couldn't be.

"But you can date him for me, right?" Ivan asked.

"You know that people date the people they like, right?" I asked him and he nodded his head.

"Both of you like each other. It is just that you are blinded by your pride hence you can't see it,"he said angrily.

"I don't like him. Sorry, but I can't date him," I said firmly.

I was aware that everyone's gaze was on me but I could care less.

"Why?" He asked once more.

"As I said, I don't like him and furthermore, I don't want to date him," I said.

"So you won't do that for me?" he asked and I sighed.

"I can do anything for you apart from this," I said.

"But…." He tried but I interrupted him.

"Stop trying to force me into something I don't want to! I don't like him, I don't want to date him. Accept my decision. Period," I told him and he looked sad. I rolled my eyes cause I knew he was doing that on purpose.

"You are behaving like an old grandpa forcing his grandchild

to have an arranged marriage," I said and I saw that they all stiffened. "Sorry, I didn't know it had also happened anong you."

I looked at each of them and saw that they were disappointed and the little hope they had had already vanished. That made me wonder why they desperately want Vincenzo and I to date!

"You know, Vincenzo and I are just talking like civilised people today, so let us get along first before throwing us into.something you won't be part of," I said but not telling any specific person. I am sure that Ivan was told by someone to do that. Shrugging at them, I concentrated on the food in front of me.

I heard some murmurs but I didn't concentrate on them. I O

know for sure that they are discussing me but I really don't care.

Why would they desperately want me to date Ace?

Is there any problem? Is there anyone threatening them that they want Ace to date me so that they can also have a hand?

I know that they have always wanted me by my side since the charity ball. I have always had their back but they don't need to know that. I need to speak to Ivy about this. I am in no mood for hacking so I will leave that to her. I was so immersed in my thoughts that I didn't hear when I was being called. After coming back to my senses, I looked at them with questioning looks. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I changed my gaze. I found Maria looking at me with concern.

"Are you okay, dear?" She asked and I nodded my head so that she could get her answer.

"You seem lost," she said and I rolled my eyes at the words she chose to say.

Deciding to be sarcastic, I answer her with mischief," I am not. You can see me here, can't you?"

She shook her head while smiling.

"You and how you understand words," she complained and I chuckled.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked.

"Ivy," I said cause I know that if I said her, she would believe me immediately. I haven't had a chance to talk to her for a while now.

"Ohh deer, don't worry. You will see her soon. Now finish your food," she said before kissing my forehead.

I ate my food for a few more minutes. I have eaten shrimp once and that is when I discovered that I was allergic to one of the ingredients used while cooking it. I will try to find out whether one can cook it without linguini. I really want to taste it. Maybe I can then take the allergy pills! But they are in the room. Maybe next time.