THREE MONTHS LATER...
SHE WAS ECSTATIC, her relationship with Giovanni had blossomed into perfection in the months after their first date. It almost seemed like the world was brighter, classes were easier, and she always had a skip in her step. Nothing could possibly go wrong, not with such passion and love in her life. Genevieve often reflected on how her life would be now if she'd never encountered Giovanni in Mary's cafe that day. Would she be as happy? Would her anxiety still be prevalent and detrimental to her mental health?
The answers are vague, but Genevieve knew that without Giovanni, she wouldn't know the feeling of a burning, aching love. She had known for a week that she was in love with him and she loved him. He was her best friend, besides Clarissa, Mary, Harvey, and her grandfather, and he was the love of her life. The only thing was that she couldn't find the courage to tell him how she felt. She would try, and then he'd kiss her and she'd forget. That and be too scared of losing his warmth if he didn't feel the same.
Soon, she would tell him soon. Or at least that was what she told herself time and time again. There was nothing more to do than just wait patiently for him to bring up the subject of the 'L' word. For now, though, she would just relish in her feelings for him and the peace and comfort he offered her. Oh, and she couldn't forget his kisses. They left her feeling weightless, and was it a feeling! There was nothing she'd enjoy more than one of his loving caresses and a careful, delicate kiss to her waiting lips. It was pure bliss!
Tonight he would be coming over her house to officially meet her grandfather and Petal and dine with them. She felt a bit of trepidation at the notion of her grandfather not accepting the love of her life, but she pushed that to the side for now. She needed to focus on the lecture. Exams were coming soon, and she needed to be prepared for anything. Winter, even though it was awfully mild, had passed and spring was on its way. Winter holidays had passed, and she spent the time with her loved ones—she even went out for dinner with Giovanni in a gorgeous restaurant his friend owned.
Once the lecture had ended, she shot up from her seat and shoved her items in her bag. Genevieve needed all the time she had to prepare for dinner tonight. As she ran out the door, she bumped into someone, causing her to stumble back. She almost fell over too, if it wasn't for the hand that thrusted out and grabbed her arm just in time.
Genevieve looked up to see the same girl who had knocked her over months ago. The girl stood in front of her with a small, apologetic smile. "I'm really sorry about that." She thrusted her hand out, "I'm Megan."
Genevieve felt her heart rate pick up. Social situations destroyed her nerves completely. She could barely utter a word to anyone unless she was in a comfortable environment with people she knew surrounding her. "G-Genevieve, n-nice to m-meet you."
Megan grinned as she approached Genevieve. "As an apology, could I buy you a coffee or something?" Genevieve wrung her hands together as she avoided Megan's bright eyes. She felt bad that she was going to have to decline, for she couldn't spend any time not preparing for the dinner. Megan seemed like a very nice person, but she had no choice but to decline her offer.
"I'm r-really sorry, b-but I have plans a-already." She paused as she gnawed on her lip before making up her mind. "But I can g-give you my n-number so we c-could hang out s-sometime." Genevieve looked up to see Megan's face fall, only to brighten again with a wide smile.
"Sure! I'd love that!" She and Genevieve exchanged numbers as the time to prepare for the dinner slowly ticked away. After that, Genevieve sent her a wave before running down the hallway to meet her grandfather in the parking lot. He had taken the day off so he could help Genevieve with cooking and cleaning. The house was immaculate, but a worried Genevieve could spot even the smallest errors and messes.
Seeing her grandfather's car parked towards the middle of the lot, she looked both ways before hopping off the side walk and continuing her run to his car. Genevieve sent him a warm smile as she swung herself in the passenger seat. She hesitated, seeing Petal sitting there with her lavender collar on; Genevieve scooped the kitten up into her arms and settled in the seat.
"How was school, kiddo?" Her grandfather, Richard, pulled out of the parking lot swiftly. He knew his granddaughter was very anxious to get home and continue preparations for tonight. He didn't know why she was so worried, but he only assumed that Giovanni must mean a lot to her if she's trying so hard to impress him.
He had only heard about the infamous man who had stolen his granddaughter's heart completely, and he was looking forward to judging and examining him during dinner. If Giovanni didn't meet his standards or seemed like a risk of heartbreak for Genevieve, he would see the lad out with a stern warning to never approached her again. Richard only hoped it didn't come to that, for he couldn't imagine how broken Genevieve would be at the loss of Giovanni.
"Grandpa, I'm n-not in high school or e-elementary, I'm in c-college!" She giggled as she stroked Petal's soft fur. Genevieve sometimes thought it funny how her grandfather treated college as if it was second grade, and she loved to point it out whenever she could.
He rolled her eyes and huffed as she pulled onto their street. "You know what I mean, darling." He looked over to his continuously giggling granddaughter. He was glad her mind was off the dinner for the moment. "Fine, How was college?"
Genevieve sobered up as her giggling drew to an end. "It was good." She looked over to her grandfather to gage his reaction to what she was saying next. "I made a new friend."
She couldn't help but feel a little hurt as she took in the shocked look on his face. Yes, Genevieve knew she was very antisocial because of her anxiety, but it still cut at her heart when her grandfather was surprised by her meeting new people. "I'm happy for you, Genevieve. You're growing into a confident young lady."
Genevieve noticed her grandfather wipe at his eyes. "Oh, g-grandpa, I didn't mean to m-make you cry." She whimpered. She hated making her grandfather sad; it tore her apart every time his eyes watered and salty tears would drip down his face. Whether it was at the thought of her parents or her growing up, Genevieve hated to see her idol so sorrowful.
Richard pulled into their driveway, and he turned to give his little Genevieve a wobbly smile. "You're just growing up too fast, my darling girl." Genevieve launched herself into her grandfather's arms and hugged him tightly as the two consoled each other as best as they could. She eased his fears and doubts, and he gave her the comfort and love she yearned for since she was a mere infant.
Richard broke away from the hug to send Genevieve a wider, more confident grin. "Now, we have an evening to plan, don't we?"
• • •
Everything was set. Genevieve had gone all out with lasagna, homemade bread, a salad, and some lemon squares that Mary gave her the recipe for. Now, Genevieve stood in front of her mirror adorning the beautiful dress she had come to realize Giovanni had sent to her so soon after they first met. To anyone else this would be incredibly suspicious, but she was too naive and in love to realize he already knew where she lived.
She was broken from her train of thought by her grandfather calling her down from her room. Genevieve's eyes soon lit up and her lips pulled into a wide smile. Giovanni was here! She quickly ran out of the room, and barreled down the stairs into Giovanni's awaiting arms. She hadn't seen him in a few days due to something coming up with his schedule, and she had missed him terribly.
Genevieve pulled away enough to have her arms wrapped around his tapered waist so she could introduce him to her grandfather. "Grandpa, th-this is Giovanni, a-and Giovanni, this is m-my grandpa." She nearly combusted from both her nervousness and excitement of the two finally meeting. It was long overdue and she was so glad the time had finally come.
Giovanni reached out to shake her grandfather's hand, feeling slightly intimidated by the glaring man. "It's great to meet the infamous grandfather of mio angelo, Genevieve." [my angel] He tried to be as polite as he could, but the stoic older man with the fierce glare was making it hard for him.
"I see you have an accent. Italian, is it?" Richard made small talk with his granddaughter's love interest as he examined the man from head to toe. Giovanni was very muscular and had the height to match. He only wondered what really drew his granddaughter to fall so deeply in love with him. It couldn't be the accent.
"Yes, actually. My family is native to Italy, and it is my mother tongue, as well." Giovanni gave a tight smile as he pulled Genevieve closer to his side. She was so warm as she cuddled up against him, and he only wanted a few minutes alone with her to ravish her gorgeous, plump lips. He felt his crotch strain against his slacks at the thought of Genevieve naked and waiting for him to claim her. He quickly scolded himself to try and push away that imagery so her grandfather wouldn't get the wrong impression.
"Interesting," Richard returned his awkward smile. He turned to his granddaughter, his eyes softening at her wide and innocent eyes that witnessed their first encounter. "Genevieve, darling, could you give Giovanni and I a moment alone?"
Genevieve felt her heart beating out of her chest; she hoped this was going well! "O-okay." She stood on her tiptoes as she gave Giovanni a soft kiss on the cheek before scurrying away as little giggles erupted from her. She felt as if she had taken a major risk by publicly displaying her affection to Gio in front of her grandfather, but he could get over it.
As Genevieve disappeared into the kitchen with Giovanni's eyes watching her with a loving twinkle in them, Richard stared at the lad that had stolen his granddaughter's heart as he prepared his questions. "What are your intentions with my granddaughter, Mister Moretti?"
Giovanni snapped his gaze away from his little Genevieve, to stare into the eyes of the man that could make or break their relationship. "Only to provide her with all the love and comfort she deserves, sir. My intentions are pure." His eyes glazed over at the thought of marrying Genevieve and her bearing his children—they're children. A soft smile appeared on his face as he spoke more to Richard. "I want to give her the world and more."
Richard nodded, his barriers around his granddaughter falling at the obvious sincerity of Giovanni's words. "Well, then, Mister Moretti, I believe we have a delicious meal waiting for us." He led the man into the dining room where Genevieve was waiting, nearly jumping in her seat. All this tension was tearing at her nerves and truly affecting her. If her grandfather's and Giovanni's talk ended badly, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to survive the repercussions.
So, when she saw the two men enter the dinning room where she had set up the food and the dishes and silverware and beverages with smiles on their faces, she was deeply relieved. Genevieve beckoned Giovanni to sit beside her with a deep blush staining her cheeks at his loving gaze, and she felt her insides tremble at her desire to kiss him. That would have to wait.
"D-dinner is r-ready! I h-hope you like i-it!" Genevieve nearly squealed out as she turned to Giovanni beside her. She let out a content sight when he gently caressed her chubby cheek in a calming motion. He always knew how to bring her back to a relaxed state without the anxiety that ruled over her life. She nuzzled into his hand as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Richard observed the two lovers with tears in his eyes. He remembered having a passionate relationship like that with his past wife, Meredith. She was the love of his life, but she had passed away during his daughter's childhood. His daughter had then become everything to him, and he witnessed her fall in love, get married, and give birth to his beautiful little Genevieve. It was too bad her parents passed away in a car crash when she was still an infant. Richard only hoped he wouldn't have to watch his Genevieve face the same fate as her parents; he wouldn't be able to live anymore if she were to leave him.
As the night passed, Genevieve watched as Giovanni and her grandfather has multiple conversations, all raging between business and family matters. She was so happy to know that they were getting along, and she hoped this happiness within her lasted forever. The entire night Genevieve and Giovanni held hands under the table, and the shivers that crawled up her spine because of the contact made her heart soar. She loved him more than anything.
Unfortunately, it had come time for Giovanni to leave. "I d-don't want you to go." Genevieve whimpered as she stood alone with Giovanni beside her door. She felt her eyes well up with tears at the thought of the night ending and him having to go home. "I m-missed you so, so much." She felt her body shake as she tried not to cry. Yes, she might have been over dramatic, but her innocent little heart couldn't take the thought of missing him all night.
Giovanni smiled as he caressed her cheek. "I will be back, il mio piccolo tesoro. Don't you worry." [my little treasure] He swooped down and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss. He pulled her body up against him as to feel her breasts on his chest and the contours of her curvy little body mold perfectly with his own. He felt his dick hardening in his pants at the soft moans and whimpers that escaped her lips as he trailed soft kisses along her jaw and down her neck. The little vixen was trembling in his arms as he felt the urge the touch her in places only he would ever touch.
For the sake of his innocence, and so he wouldn't ravish her against the door with her grandfather in the house, Giovanni pulled away with a final peck of her now swollen lips. "Sogna di me, tesoro, e conosci il mio amore." [dream of my, darling, and know my love]
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hello everyone!
Sorry I took so long to update, but I just started school recently and have been putting most of my focus into that.
Not that it's an excuse, but just a reason to partially explain my month long hiatus.
Sorry to those of you that have been waiting desperately for an update!
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Make sure to give some feedback and support!