Page 109 of Frayed Bonds

“I promise Val.” Augustus extends a pinky out to me and I giggle interlocking mine with his. He brings the closed part of his fist to his mouth kissing it before allowing me to do the same to my hand.

“Okay, so for the third time, what’s up?”

“How long did Ambrose and Kaia date for?”

My question must surprise him because as we stop at a red light he turns to me with furrowed brows. “Kaia? Uhm I don't remember. She worked at Trescatelli’s when she was sixteen and that’s when she and Ambrose dated, it lasted for maybe a month or two I think,” he answers.

“And she’s Ambrose's age?”

He nods. “Why? I mean, why the sudden interest?”

I shrug. I don't even know why I asked or why it’s bothering me. So what if she and Ambrose dated?

“It isn’t something you have to worry about if that’s why you're asking,” Gus says looking over at me.

“Uhm, no I-I .” I straighten my shoulders and cross my arms. “It’s just everyone says Ambrose doesn't do girlfriends yet she was the only other girlfriend he had so I was interested as to why.”

He nods slowly. “Her dad is big into politics in South Africa and has certain opinions about who Kaia dates, and let’s just say he wasn't happy when he heard about her and Ambrose. Ambrose was quite pissed at the time and I think that may have had something to do with it.”

I sit silently and nod. “Val, I haven't seen Ambrose feel or act this way about a girl ever, not even with Kaia. He took down the entire Vitality Insurance firm all because they fucked you and your father over.”

As soon as the words escape his lips, his eyes widen and he faces the front. “I never said that, you never heard anything from me.”

“Gus, what do you mean?” I eye him carefully.

“How about we go for lunch.” He smiles, his voice has an air of nervousness to it.

The car pulls up at a restaurant along the coast, surprisingly not one owned by the brothers. Café Caprice. Memories of sundown cocktails in the summertime or Sunday lunches with my family flood my mind. This place has always been one of my favourites.

“Let’s go.” Gus smiles as he hops out of the car and hands his key off to the valet. I join him at the door. They allow him in easily but stop in front of me.

“I’m sorry miss, it's reservation only,” the male says, eyeing both me and my outfit. I look down at my clothes which are even more formal than what Augustus is wearing and a scoff leaves my lips.

“So, why does he get to go in? I didn't see you ask him if he has a reservation,” I ask loud enough for it to start causing a scene.

“Is there a problem?” Gus towers over the server who nervously looks up at him. Augustus is not the most intimidating Vitale once you get to know him but on the surface level, he exudes the same confidence and flair as any of his brothers do. He also has the same murderous gaze Adriano has when he’s annoyed. One of the many things they share.

“No-no, Mr. Vitale. I’m dealing with a customer that doesn't have a reservation,” he explains while turning to me and glaring.

I sneer up at him. He genuinely has no idea and I almost feel bad for him. I’m not usually one to cause a scene or to use the Vitales to my advantage but I hate being treated like this a lot more.

“That customer is Ambrose Vitales’ girlfriend,” Gus growls out and the server swears under his breath before staring down at his shoes.

“I’m so-so s-sorry,” he barely stutters, getting out of my way.

Gus looks over at me motioning for me to come in. I shake my head and brush past the server.

“You’re lucky I'm in a good mood or this would be the last place you ever worked in Tevici,” Gus says to the server before placing a hand on my back and guiding me in.

“I’m sorry about that Valerie,” he apologises as we take a seat next to a large window that overlooks the shore.

I shrug. “Nothing new Gus, we are treated like that all the time at places like this.”

He frowns at my words. “We don't ever deal with things like this.”

“I know.” I don’t dwell on the topic seeing as it'll only upset me further. Well, I try not to until the owner of the restaurant makes his way over to our table and strikes up a conversation with Augustus.

The conversation seems slightly heated and Gus' eyes flash to me multiple times before he eventually rises to his feet. He leans into the man’s ear and mumbles something. The owner’s body visibly stiffens as he nods quickly.

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