20 The first I love y*u

Every day for the next couple of weeks I spend every free second I have with Stefan, he picks me up after work every day and on the weekends we stay together as well. I haven’t seen Miranda or even my parents, but I’m enjoying my time so much I don’t even care. The more I know Stefan the more I like him. It’s scary how much I’ve come to care for him in such a short time. A few weeks ago, I didn’t even know he existed, but now I can’t imagine not being with him. 

“So, I was thinking of a fun game we can play tonight,” Stefan says as we reach the front porch of my house. 

It’s Saturday night and my dad called Stefan this morning to let us know he wanted us to be home for dinner tonight. I ignore why my dad insists on having these awkward family dinners, but knowing how he’s always been, I’m sure seeing me dating a guy can’t be easy for him, even if it’s someone he really likes, so the least I can do is please him once in a while and show up for dinner. 

“What kind of game?” I ask.

“Every time your mom says something snarky, we take a shot.”

I burst out into laughter. “I don’t think I can handle such heavy drinking,” I respond as we step into the hallway. 

“That’s the point, the first one to vomit, loses,” he jokes. 

“So, you are Olivia’s boyfriend!” I hear Roxana’s high pitch voice as she walks towards us.

Of course, it’s the end of the month, I completely forgot she’d be here. She walks in slow motion with long and sensual moves, like she’s trying to impress Stefan, she sways her hips in what she thinks is a sexy manner. 

“And you are the famous cousin,” Stefan replies uninterested. 

Roxana reaches us and doesn’t even bother to look at me. She goes directly to Stefan and kisses him on the cheek, lingering longer than needed. I feel a pang of jealousy. Not cool, Roxana. 

“Where’s my mom?” I ask a little bit more aggressively than I intended. 

Roxana looks at me out of the corner of her eye, as if I was an annoyance. 

“She had a headache and went to her room to lie down in bed for a while. Can you imagine? We don’t have much time before the annual gathering and she’s waisting it with her afflictions,” Roxana explains. “And, of course, you were out all day, so no help from you either. Seriously, if it wasn’t for me, this reunion would never take place.”

“My mom and I have planned this event many times before and not once have we needed your help, so we’ll be fine,” I blurt irritated. 

“Well, now there’s a new host, a better one,” Roxana turns around and walks to the dining room using the same failed sexy moves from before.

“Can you believe her? She thinks she’ll be a better host!” I exclaim.

“No offense, doll, but anyone would be a better host than your mom. A baboon with a knife would be a better host than her. I talk from experience,” Stefan jokes. 

I poke him in the ribs but laugh with him.

My dad comes out of his office, followed by my cousin Mike.

“Mike, you remember Stefan Corvino?” My dad says. 

“How can I forget him. Good evening,” Mike says grindingly.  

They shake hands with coldness, both looking straight into each other’s eyes with contempt. Mike is sticking his chest out like a peacock, brave, and ready to duel. I feel a little bit ashamed for him, he’s acting foolishly. Why is he behaving like this? I fear I’m going to spend dinner worrying not only about my mom but also about Mike’s attitude. Stefan remains as cool as always, looking down on him. 

“Let’s eat!” My dad says, purposefully ignoring the scene in front of him.

We follow him to the dining room and my mom joins us shortly after. 

“How’s the headache, Doris?” Roxana asks as my mom takes her seat. 

“Better, thank you,” she replies curtly. 

Both my mom and Mike are looking daggers at Stefan, I’m surprised about Mike’s attitude, he’s usually such an easygoing guy. 

“Good evening,” Stefan greats my mom as if he hasn’t noticed the way she’s looking at him. 

“Good evening, it’s so nice of you to let me see my own daughter,” my mom responds.

“Why would Olivia want to be here? To see your sour face?” Berates my dad. 

“Hey! Don’t start,” I intervene. 

Roxana looks eager to see my parents argue and I would hate nothing more than to please her. 

“I’m so sorry, your daughter is so delightful I just can’t stay away from her,” Stefan says dismissing my dad’s questions. 

I’m sure I just blushed. I sink into my seat as if I were to melt. 

“Oh, how cute,” Roxana exclaims with envy. 

“How’s work, Olivia?” Mike asks me pretending he has regained his usual good mood, but I know him too well, something is really bothering him.

“Good. I’ve learned a lot,” I reply.

“You know you’re rich, right? Like, you don’t have to work at all,” Roxana says with her whiny voice. “Don’t you have something better to do? Like, hang out with your friends?”

“Hey, let her be,” Mike whispers. 

“If you want a job, why don’t you just work for your dad? I mean, it’s kind of strange that this huge flower business is run by men. They can probably use a woman’s perspective,” Roxana sates. 

“That’s enough. Nobody asked for your opinion, be quiet!” My dad orders irritated. 

Mike looks daggers at Roxana while shaking his head and Stefan clears his throat. 

I know Roxana is nosy, but I’ve often wondered the same. My dad never employs women, I’ve always assumed it was a sexist stand, but I’m his only child and the only heiress to his business, he could make an exception. At some point, he has to realize that including me in his business makes sense. My brother used to work for him and did fine, and I’m way more responsible than Alex ever was. I don’t get why he hasn’t even offered me a job. 

“Yes, talking business is boring, let’s talk about something else,” Stefan suggests. 

“If your job bores you, maybe you should look for a new one. Preferably away from my daughter,” My mom says and I cringe. 

“Yes, that would be awesome,” Mike seconds. 

My dad bangs his fist on the table causing it to shake, luckily no glasses are knocked over. 

“That’s enough!” He yells as the veins in his forehead pop out. 

Mike cowers like a frightened dog, but my mom keeps her head up.

“You misunderstood me, I don’t like talking about business, but I enjoy what I do. And I’m sure, Michael, you’ve heard how good I am in what I do... actually, I think you’ve had the privilege of watching it live,” Stefan says with a smirk. 

Mike’s face turns red with anger, I fear he’s about to jump over the table and attack Stefan. His eyes are filled with hatred. I’ve never seen my cousin so upset, but like the good guy he is, he controls his impulses. My dad seems like he’s going to intervene, but then he reconsiders and just keeps on eating his pasta. 

“The privilege of watching what? You selling flowers?” Roxana asks when she realizes her husband is not saying anything back at Stefan. 

Mike takes her hand abruptly and mutters “Be quiet.” 

Roxana looks around the table, confused. I wish I had a better notion of what’s going on, but I’m as lost as her. At least I know I’ll get to ask Stefan after dinner and he will be honest with me. 

“Why don’t you tell us what you’ve planned for the reunion?” My dad asks after a couple of awkward silent minutes. 

Those are the magic words. Roxana’s mood drastically changes and she starts to explain to the table every single detail she has thought of to make the Ricci’s annual gathering a success. It’s the first time in my life I feel glad that she’s so talkative. 

“We hope to see you tomorrow for breakfast. My husband makes the best waffles you’ve ever tasted,” Roxana says as Stefan gets up his chair after dinner is over. 

“Sure, if you haven’t had enough of this circus, you should join us tomorrow. Good evening,” my dad says as he walks out of the dining room. 

Mike glowers at Roxana, he’s clearly upset she invited Stefan to the family breakfast.

“It will be my pleasure,” Stefan replies politely as we walk to the main door. 

“I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t come tomorrow,” I say to him as soon as we are alone.

“And miss an opportunity to piss Michael off? No way!” He replies. 

“Why does he hate you?” I ask seizing that no one can hear us. 

Stefan leans his back against the hallway wall. 

“It’s more of that boring business talk, are you sure you want to know?” He asks. 

“Yes,” I answer firmly. 

“Ok. He’s scared and angry. After your brother passed away, Michael was the clear successor to run the business, but unfortunately, he’s grossly incompetent. And, now that I’m here, there’s no question I’m better suited to lead this alliance. I’m better prepared and way more talented. The icing on the cake is that now that we are together, your father won’t oppose me taking over everything, which crushes any hope Michael had of your father contending me in the future.” 

I take a step back, the pasta from dinner is threatening to come out as my stomach clenches. I inhale slowly so I don’t throw up. 

“Is that the reason you are going out with me? Am I just a business strategy for you?” I ask trembling. My eyes are filling up with tears, I can’t believe I’ve been used in such a disgusting way. I’m such a fool.

Stefan guffaws so laud I’m sure the whole house has heard him. He takes my hand and pulls me towards him. 

“How can you think that? Of course not! Oh, doll, don’t be so silly,” he says as he holds me in his arms. “Look, I’m not going to lie to you, us being together is good for the business, but that doesn’t mean I’m not crazy about you. I love you.”

My heart starts to pound against my chest. It’s the first time he says to me I love you. I could just start jumping for joy. I’ve never felt this happy in my entire life. I forget my fear, he’s so dreamy. 

“I love you too,” I say once the commotion lets me speak. 

I press my head against his chest. I don’t care about hostile families or business strategies, as long as we are together the world can burn down.