Page 4 of Untouchable

She gives him a dazzling smile before they join in a nauseatingly passionate kiss.

“Guysss,” I groan as I toss the covers off of my bed and stand up. “It is my birthday. Could you chill with the PDA for 2 seconds so that I don’t start the day off with a vomit session.”

They break apart and my mother gives me a familiar eyeroll that I most definitely inherited from her.

“Don’t be dramatic. When you meet the man of your dreams you won’t be able to keep your hands off of him either.”

My father lets out an almost feral growl under his breath before my mom smacks him in the stomach. My parents have two very different opinions on the subject of my romantic life. I am sure that my father has been thrilled over the last 18 years since there really hasn’t been one. Like a schoolgirl, I have kept my heart tucked away for one person in particular and after 18longyears, it is all about to pay off. So, Papà will just have to get used to it.

After a few presents from my brothers, we all have breakfast, french toast and a mountain of bacon, my favorite. Once breakfast is wrapped up, I take a ridiculously long bath before my mom and I go to our salon appointments along with my Aunt Tasha and her daughters, Eva & Emilia.

They all ask me more than once what I am so smiley about, but I definitely don’t want to talk about how I have a date with their brother/son, so I just tell them that I am excited for my party and leave it at that. My mother gave me a knowing look that promised we would be talking later. I don’t think anyone will have a problem with Alessandro and I when the time comes, but for now I want to try to keep him all to myself for as long as I can, which I am sure won’t be long at all.

After my hair is done up into a stunning updo and my makeup is applied to perfection, we all head back to our homes where we get dressed for my birthday party. My parents spared no expense and from what I saw earlier, the entire ballroom upstairs is dripping with regal décor of golds, creams and diamonds.

Like my mother, I have taken an extreme interest in fashion and design and with a ton of my mother’s help, I made my gown for tonight. It is something out of a fairy tale, ivory with a beaded corset boddice and a sweetheart neckline. The skirt was supposed to be an A-line but much to my mother’s annoyance, I changed my mind last minute to a drop waist ball gown that is fit for a princess.

Normally I cannot stand it when people refer to me as Princess. Even though I know they are talking more about my position in the Family, there is something about it that just irritates me. But this gown is a million times more stunning with the dramatic skirt so for tonight I will be a princess.

I pair the gown with Ivory colored elbow length gloves and stunning gold encrusted earrings. I then fasten the spectacular necklace my parents gave me this morning and am blown away with how perfect all of it looks with the dress.

“Oh sweetheart. You look absolutely breathtaking,” my mom says with her hands up to her mouth. “I just can’t believe today is really here,” she says sullenly as she sits on the edge of my bed.

I roll my eyes with a soft smile as I go to sit next to her. “It isn’t like I am moving out or anything, Mama. Papà made it very clear that he wants me here until I am married, though I am sure he would prefer for that day to never come.”

My mom laughs and nods her head as she pats my hand. “He loves you so much, and he has been terrified of you dating since we found out we were having a girl. We just want to make sure that when the time comes, you will have a nice man who will love and cherish you.”

I bite the inside of my cheek as I look down at my dress, hoping to avoid my mother’s penetrating gaze.

“What if I already found that person?” I ask quietly.

“Oh?”

I chance a look up to see my mother watching me with a soft smile. Her eyes tell me she already knows, and since I have never kept anything from my mother, I figured that there was no point in starting now.

“Alessandro asked if he could escort me to the party.”

“Yeah? What did you say?”

I throw my hands up exasperated with my mother’s coy tone. “Yes, of course. Come on, Mama. Don’t act like you don’t know that I have loved him my entire life.”

My mother chuckles lightly as she nods. “Oh, I do. I just wanted to hear you admit it.”

I smile sheepishly and shrug my shoulders before I begin playing with my glove. “I think this is it. For us. I think that we are finally moving on to be something more.”

“I am so happy for you, sweetheart. There is no man in the world that could treat you better than Alessandro. The poor boy practically worships the ground you walk on, always has.”

“You think so?”

She lets out a surprised laugh. “Sweetheart, I know so. Everyone does, even your father. He just may not want to admit it.”

“Papà won’t be mad right?”

My mom rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Your father can be controlling and unreasonable at times, but he will get over it. His reaction will have nothing to do with Alessandro and everything to do with another man taking you away from him.”

I nod as I begin to smile wider.

“So, you think he really does like me then?” I ask, desperately needing the validation that this isn’t all in my head.

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