Christian. “Here you go, sir. ” The man carefully spoke and placed the check on the desk and lowered his head. Unfortunately, everyone had to experience Christian’s worsened temper these past few weeks and no one knew why he was even more grumpy than usual. No one knew about the guilt which had been eating him up. Christian was known to be a lot of things, but someone who couldn’t keep their promise wasn’t one of them. He wished he could go against his dad to help out Serena and the baby, but he knew that it would end up getting them into even more trouble. Only Lucio, Enzo, Marc, and Johnny were aware of the pregnancy and Christian wanted it to stay that way. His biggest fear was to do something which would hurt Serena and the baby because he knew he would never be able to forgive himself. Serena being Matteo Alfonzo’s biological daughter had definitely been a turning point in his decision but Fabio Garcia was a reckless man and if he were to find out about her existence or the baby he would’ve taken action. It’s to protect them, Christian tried repeating in his head to make himself feel better, but he knew not even his suffering could compare to whatever Serena must’ve been feeling these past weeks. He felt bad for having to go as far as calling her names but he had to make sure that she would despise him enough to not crawl back. The only downside was that she wouldn’t accept his checks, no matter how much he would sent her, they would always find their way back. “Send the other one,” Christian told the man who was frightened by his unusual calm tone. “O-of course. ” He spoke before he walked out the office. “Trouble?” Vincenzo asked. He had stopped by to sign a deal and to visit his best friend. Christian wondered what he would’ve dine if he told them that there was indeed trouble and that his father, Fabio, was the cause of all of it. He wished he could tell his friend about the pregnancy and he knew Fabio would most likely not even bat an eye because he did not know Serena, but out of fear he didn’t want to take any risks. “Nothing to cry about,” Christian responded and looked at his friend as he went through the papers. Vincenzo was different from his father, he was a kind and warm person who had always handled every situation as peaceful as he could. He was well mannered and knew how to keep his temper, even though he knew how his mother died he never held any grudges against the Lamberti’s or the Alfonzo’s. Christian could not name a single person who did not like Vincenzo, but he could name many who had something against Fabio. “Here you go. ” Vincenzo handed him the papers and poured himself a drink. “You’re always crying about how I supposedly never visit you, so I’ll hang around here for the day. Christian gave him a shrug

He knew that he had brought this upon himself for calling out Vincenzo for not visiting him, just like he knew that Vincenzo had nothing to do with this situation, but still, he couldn’t bare his friend at the moment. It had nothing to do with him, but with his unfortunate parent. “Beau, come and sit down. ” Christian offered the guy who had came along with Vince a seat and motioned for him to step cl oser. Even though he was a bit younger, Beau was Vincenzo’s bodyguard. Christian had always been surprised by his calm and reserved manners and thought about Marc who had always been loud and made his presence known despite having the same job. Out of respect Beau sat down and had the same stoned expression on his fa ce which he usually carried. It was a look that had even scared Christian at one point and made him realize that perhaps he should try smiling more. “So what have you been up to?” Christian asked Beau, but Vincenzo took mat ters into his own hands. He let out a deep breath and leaned back as he clo sed his eyes. “Christian, do you believe in faith, in love at first sight?” . “ No ?” . Christian cracked a laugh and looked at Vincenzo as he waited for him to tell him that it was all a jok e, but it clearly wasn’t. “Oh wait, you’re serious?” . “Tell me this story so I can laugh some mo re because I really need it,” Christian sp oke as he patiently waited for the story. “I met this woman. The first time we locked eyes I thought I might’ve been going crazy but I had no ch ance to approach her, but then we crossed paths again and I felt embarrassed to ask for her number. ” V incenzo spoke. Christian gave Vincenzo a look of pity and felt sorry for the hopeless look in his eyes. “It isn’t faith, it’s a coincidence,” Christian spoke as he tried to speak some sense into him, but Vincenzo thought othe rwise and shook his head. “That’s not where this story ends. “Dad put me in charge of the factory for a while and I was pissed. But when I wen t through the applications I saw her name and her face, but she was rejected. My dad giving me the factory gave me the power to turn things around so I hired her. “So you hired someone who does not have the right qualities to work there. Think th is through, what if she messes up paperwork and you end up with a bullet through yo ur head. ” Christian worried for his careless behavior. “We all know how Fabio gets

“They didn’t hire her because of her past, but I think it should not be held against her so I gave he r a chance. ” Vincenzo continued, while he completely ignored Christian’s words. “She must be beautifu l, show me a picture,” Christian asked, but nothing could prepare him for the look on Vincenzo’s face. “Don’t be ridiculous, I won’t,” Vincenzo told him. He was convinced Christian would recognize her, but the last thing he needed was for someone to judge him for falling in love with a form er stripper. To Vincenzo— it did not mean anything, but he was afraid that it would to others. “How can I give my opinion if I don’t know what she looks like?” Christian tried to get an answer out of him, but for Vincenzo there was nothing that could change his mind. “You want to imagine someo ne? Imagine Beau with a wig , they kind of look alike!” . Beau glared at Vince, before he looked at Christian who had b urst out laughing at this strange comparison. “I think you had enough to drink, Beau please get him home safely. ” He smiled. After the two were finished catching up Vincenzo and Beau had left. Having a conversation without Serena getting in to the subject felt great. Talking to Marc or Johnny who were unaware of Serena’s identity and called him a cruel p erson, ruined his day, while talking to Lucio who had been hiding behind a two-faced personality felt like torture. He couldn’t even think about what his mother’s reaction would be once she found out about all of this . He knew Francesca would slap him for getting a stripper pregnant, slap him for bringing the family i nto danger and slap him for ruining the family’s good name she had worked for, as she liked called it. No matter what others thought, Christian had already seen through Serena and knew what kind of person she really was. Ch ristian knew that Serena was a hardworking and kind person who deserved the universe and had no worries whatsoever about her raising a child on her own, but he knew she needed the money and was willing to give it to her, if only she’d accept. If anything he was controlling himself to not call her or go to her doorsteps on his own, because he knew he would end up forcing or even threaten her to accept the check, even though that would only make her fear him even more. He wished he could tell her the truth about everything, but he couldn’t. He knew that his dad had made some valid points and that it was for the best, but he also k new that he was willing to go through war with the Garcia’s and any other family if Lucio w ould let him. He was willing to do anything, if that meant he got to take care of his child. Lucio’s easy way of handling things confused him. Christian was convinced that as long as everyone involved kept their mouth shut no one ever had to find out about Serena’s identit y. He would be able to protect both her and the baby in peace, but Lucio wouldn’t let him. He didn’t agree with him, but if there was once person who Christian respected and trusted the most it would’ve been his father, the person he trusted the most, Lucio. Even then Christian was afraid that he might’ve been fo rced to go against him, because the only way to persuade Serena to accept the check would be to pay her a visit