Page 42 of Useless Love

After we order food, Carmine makes an excuse to leave. “Work calls, but you ladies enjoy the pasta.” He grabs my hand and won’t let go, pulling me to my feet. “Princess, walk me out.” He kisses both mothers goodbye, and then I follow him.

“Well?” he asks once we’re outside.

“Well, what?”

“Do you think your mother is satisfied with my answer?”

I chew my lip. “I think so, but…No, I think she’s satisfied for now.”

“Good. But earlier, when I mentioned setting the date, you looked concerned. Something wrong?”

I'm just thinking about how you will marry my sister and how much it will break my heart saying goodbye to you. Nothing major.

I shrug. “Um…Just realized how fast time flies.”

Without warning, he pulls me in for a quick kiss. I want to melt into him, but I pull away. “Stop. What if Mother sees? She might tell Father and he’d be pissed.”

Carmine only smirks. “I promised not to take your virginity. Didn’t make any promises about kissing.”

“I don’t think Father will care.” I’m actually more concerned about Mother seeing how happy I am around him and realizing I like him so much.

Carmine sighs. “Regardless, don’t make any plans today. I’m coming to get you for dinner tonight.”

“C-Carmine about tonight…” I should just tell him no. I don’t trust myself around him.

He pulls me close again, saying seductively, “What about it?”

I’m flustered and can’t think straight, so I say, “Uh, what should I wear?”

“Wear something sexy for me. Something that shows a lot of cleavage.” He leaves without another word

In no time, lunch is over, and Mother and I ride back to the penthouse.

As perceptive as ever, she says, “Gaia, be honest. You like Carmine, don’t you?”

I shake my head, prepared to deny the accusation. But she lifts her palm to stop me from speaking.

“I know you too well, Gaia. But I’m not mad. I understand because he is very charming. He also seems to like you. Since your sister hates him, we can ask your father to modify the deal. Would you like that?”

I blink at her in disbelief for a moment. I hadn’t even thought that was an option.“How do we know what Arianna truly feels? She is the queen of keeping her feelings hidden.”

Mother only smirks. “Trust me, Arianna doesn’t want him. I don’t see why you can’t have Carmine. If it will make you both happy.”

“Both?”

“Yes. When you walked Carmine out, Claudia got up to use the bathroom. She apparently saw the two of you making out. She told me she had never seen him like that before.”

My cheeks are warm. Mother knows? “You’re not mad? That he kissed me?”

She only smiles. “I was young once, remember? Your father is too strict with you girls, but I understand how appealing men are.”

I cover my mouth, not expecting my mother to say something like that. I’m relieved, but my stomach is still unsettled. “It doesn’t matter though. Carmine hates liars, and I’m lying to him every day.”

Tapping her nails along her thigh, Mother adds, “You’re going to be a coward? Won’t it break your heart to watch Carmine and Arianna marry, have kids, and live unhappily ever after? Sometimes you’re too saintly for your own good.”

I scowl at Mother, but she might be right.

She shrugs. “Hey, I landed your father not just from sitting on my knees and praying. But that’s another story.”

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