Giovanni

by Dominique Butler

I just shake my head. This girl, I thought, as my phone beeps. I pick it, seeing that Gio texted good morning love. I replied back with a good morning then set my phone down.

  "You ready?" I ask Brandi placing the menu down.

  “Yes," she said. I was looking around the dinner for our waitress when I spotted Angel and Tisha walking into the diner looking around for us. After Tisha spots as they walk over.

  "Hey, girl," Tisha said.

  "Hey," I said back. Tisha sits next to Brandi and Angel next to me.

  "Did y'all order yet?" Angel asks.

  "No," I said.

  “Good," Angel said, taking the menu from in front of me.

  “What were you two doing last night?" I ask, looking at Tisha.

  “Nothing," she said, covering her face with the menu.

  “Really. So Angel spent the night, and y'all didn't do anything," I said. Tisha raised her hand, signaling the waitress a few seconds later. Ciara walks over to our table.

  "You ready," she asks, taking her pen and notepad out. We all order the pancakes and bacon except for Brandi's greedy ass. My phone beeps again I pick it up off the table to see that Gio texted me again telling me to give Angel the envelope. I replied back, ok.

  "Did you start packing?" I ask Tisha.

  "No, but it should be easy shorts, sandals, shirts, and dresses," Tisha said.

  “No short shorts," I tell her, not needing her to display that entire ass in front of my family.

  We spent an hour in the diner eating and talking. After we finished eating, I went to place my card down. "I got it," Angel said, pulling out his wallet. I give Brandi my keys.

  “I’m going to the bank. I'll meet you at the car," I tell her, putting on my jacket.

  “We’ll wait for you," Angel said, getting up.

  “Thanks," I said, sliding out the booth. I walk outside of the diner, going across the street to Bank of America. When I got into the bank there's only a couple of people in there I waited in line. Receiving a call, I look at it, seeing that Gio is calling me.

  "Hello," I say.

  “Love, how's your morning?" he asks.

  “Good," I tell him smiling.

  “Love, remember that we are having dinner at my house tonight. I'll have my driver pick you up at eight," he said.

  “Okay," I said.

  " I'll talk to you later," Gio said before hanging up after waiting a couple more minutes I was able to walk up to the counter.

  “How may I help you today?" asked the bank teller.

  “I would like to put this into my safety deposit box," I said pull the envelope from my purse, sliding it under the window.

  "Okay. What’s the number," she asks.

  "15023. Camille Smith," I say.

  “Just give me a few minutes to place it in your box and get your receipt," said the lady. I waited a couple more minutes before the lady comes back with my receipt. "Have a nice day," she said, handing it to me.

  “You too," I said, placing it in my purse. I walk back across the street to the dinner to see Angel and Tisha sitting on the hood of his car talking.

  “Where’s Brandi?" I ask.

  “In the car," Tisha said. I shake my head.

  “What took you so long?" Angel asks.

  “The lady was having trouble getting into my account," I tell him.

  “Okay, what are y'all doing next," he asks.

  "I need to pack," I tell him.

  “Your bags from yesterday are in my trunk," he said.

  “Okay, you driving to my apartment," I ask, walking to the side of the car knocking on the door.

  "Yes," he said. Brandi gets out of the driver seat, handing me my keys.

  "Let’s go," I said, walking to my car. After Brandi and I put our seatbelts on, we drove back to my apartment. I park a couple spots down from the door we got out the car to see Angel park his right behind us we got out the car grabbing all the bags we can carry while Angel grabbed the rest. We all made into my apartment, dropping the bags in the living room Brandi instantly diving into the bags.

  "Mille," Angel says I turn to him.

  "Yes," I said.

  “Gio," was all he said.

  “Oh yeah," I said, walking into the kitchen, grabbing the cookie jar I reached into the jar, taking the envelope out. "Here," I said, handing him the envelope.

  “I’ll see you in the morning," Angel said, giving me a hug then walking out the kitchen.

  “See you later, Brandi," he yells, walking out the door. I lock the front door then walked back into the living room sitting on the couch next to Brandi she's smiling going through the bags. "They are gonna be so jealous of me," Brandi said, inspecting the clothes.

  “When you're done separating the clothes, start packing and get something together for tonight," I tell her getting off the couch.

  "Where are we going tonight?" she asks me.

  “ We are having dinner at Gio's," I said.

  "Is he really you fiancé?" she asks.

  "No, but he's trying to get there," I tell her walking out the living room.

  I walk in my room to see Brandi's shit everywhere. This girl, I thought, stepping into my walk-in closet, grabbing a suitcase and duffle bag. I'm only gonna be down there a couple of days, so I just threw a bunch of t-shirts and shorts while still packing my phone starts ringing I walk to my bed picking up my phone to see my dad calling.

  "Hello," I said.

  "Mille, are you packed?" he asked.

  "Almost done," I tell him, sitting on the bed.

  “Good, everyone can't wait to see you," he said.

  "That's good, but dad, can you give me the financial statements from the last couple of years for me to look over," I ask.

  "Baby, you're on vacation, you don't need to see them. You don't want to make people believe that you don't trust them," he said.

  “For me to help everyone, I need to see the statements. If you can't get them for me, I'll just get them myself," I tell him.

  “No, no, it's fine. I'll get them. Is there anything else you need me to do," he asks.

  "No, that should be all," I tell him.

  "Ok, I'll see you tomorrow," he said, hanging up the phone.

  "Brandi let's get the packing we still got to go to dinner tonight," I said, finishing up packing.

  “I’m coming. All your clothes are in the bags," she said.

  I grabbed my suitcase and duffle bag, taking them in the living room, placing them next to the TV. I look at Brandi, grabbing all her bags.

  "I don't think all these clothes gonna fit in my suitcase," Brandi said.

  “You better make it fit," I tell her, grabbing all my bags.

  What am I gonna wear tonight, I thought, going through the bags when my phone rings. I grab it from back pocket, seeing Gio calling me. Hey," I said.

  "Hey, love. What are you doing?" he asks.

  “ Just finished packing, so I'm looking at all these clothes you bought me," I tell him.

  “How long are you gonna be gone for?" he asks.

  “Just a few days I should be back by Tuesday," I tell him.

  “It’s not a long stay," he says.

  "No, I'm mostly there to make sure everything is in order," I tell him.

  “Like what?" he said.

  "Nothing that you need to worry about. So this dinner, is it a fancy affair?" I ask.

  "Not really. My nonna, parents, Danny and his girlfriend will be there," he said. I was a little taken back when he mentioned his parents.

  "Do they know I'm coming?" I ask.

  "Yes, they actually want to meet you," he said.

  "Really because they know we're not in any type of relationship," I say. He lets out a sigh.

  “Yes, they know. Just be ready at eight I have to go," he said.

  "Okay," I said, then hang up the phone.

  Now I need to find a nice appropriate dress to meet his parents. I thought to dig through the bags.

  After ten minutes of searching, I found
a loose-fitting black dress with spaghetti straps. I lay it on the back of the couch, taking the rest of the bags in my room. I see Brandi's clothes everywhere.

  "Girl, you better pack and find a nice appropriate dress to wear to dinner tonight," I tell her, putting the bags in the closet.

  "I need help," Brandi said, whining. I stop midway to the door, then walk back and sit on the floor next to her folding clothes. "Thanks, big sis," she said, giving me a hug.

  “Come on. We still need to find you something to wear to dinner," I tell her. After an hour of me helping Brandi pack her clothes and picking out her outfit for tonight, we chilled in the living room watching TV.

  “What’s gonna be served at dinner?" Brandi asks. This girl can't go an hour without thinking of food, I thought.

  “I don't know," I tell her.

  “Mille, can you call Gio and ask him what they are gonna be serving?" she asks.

  “No. You're gonna eat what they're serving," I tell her turning up the volume on the TV.

  “You gonna starve me tonight," she said, being overly dramatic.

  “If you don't like what's being served, we'll stop somewhere after dinner," I tell her.

  “Okay," she said, getting on her phone.

  A couple of hours later, it was six o'clock. "Come on, Brandi, let's start getting dressed," I said, walking into my room. I wrap my hair up then get in the shower. What’s gonna happen tonight? I thought while I'm washing my body in my own little world.

  "Mille, hurry up. You're using all the hot water," Brandi said, knocking on the door.

  “Give me a minute," I said, turning the water off. I hop out the shower drying off than wrapping the towel around me open the bathroom door. "What?" I said, seeing Brandi standing at the door.

  “You have been in there for twenty minutes," she said, walking into the bathroom.

  I walk into my room, grabbing deodorant off the dresser, then put a little on, then putting baby oil on while I sit on a towel. After getting all greased up, I look at the dress I picked out earlier. It is thin, so people will be able to see a strapless bra, so it looks like I won't be wearing one tonight, I thought. I grabbed a thong out the drawer then wrap the towel around me, plugging in my flat iron, setting it on 350, then walk in the closet looking at heels.

  “Mille, are you flat ironing your hair?" Brandi asks.

  “Yes," I tell her picking two different types of heels. "Thin heel or thick heel?" I ask her.

  “Thin," she said. I place the other heels down the grabbing a black clutch before leaving the closet I put them by the desk.

  “Can you do my hair?" Brandi said, putting on lotion.

  " Yeah, come on," I tell her, grabbing the desk chair putting it in front of the dresser after ten minutes of flat ironing her hair I put a little makeup on her.

  “You’re done. Move," I say, taking the scarf off my head. “What time is it?" I ask her.

  “It’s 7:30," she said, getting dressed I started doing my hair after ten minutes I put a little bit of eye shadow and lipstick on. I put the dress on then slip on the heels I walk in front of the body mirror admiring myself.

  "You look beautiful," Brandi said.

  “Thank you," I replied.

  "You look so adorable," I said, seeing her in this loose-fitting white dress, tan cardigan, and tan wedges. My phone rings I pick it up off the dresser.

  "Hello," I said.

  "Hey, love, I'll be there in five minutes," Gio says.

  “Okay, we'll be ready," I tell him, hanging up the phone.

  “Grab everything you need. They'll be here in five," I tell Brandi, grabbing keys, charger, gum, and lipstick putting it in my clutch. I walk around the house, turning everything off. "Let's go," I tell Brandi waiting at the door.

  " I'm coming," she said, walking to the door. We left the apartment walking to the elevator seeing Mrs. Lilly standing there wearing a blue dress with blue flats and a purse.

  “Looking sharp, Mrs. Lilly," I said, walking up behind her. She jumps a little before turning around.

  "Just trying my best, darling. Look at you, girls," she said, giving us hugs.

  "You're coming too?" I ask.

  “Yes, I haven't seen my son in a while, it will be good to see him and Victoria," she tells me as we get on the elevator. I look at her about to say something. "Dear there's no need to be nervous," she said I smile at her calming down from her words we got off the elevator walking into the lobby when Gio walks through the front door, he stops and stares at us.

  “Ladies, you look very lovely tonight," he said, walking up to Mrs. Lilly, giving her a hug and kiss then Brandi follows with a hug last me he walks up to me pulling me by my waist to his. Gio wraps his arms around me. "You look, sexy love," he said, then he kisses my neck.

  "Come on, lovebirds," said Mrs. Lilly walking out of the door he grabs my hand then leads me to the car. There's a black SUV sitting outside with the door open.

  “You first love," Gio said, letting me walk in front. I slid in the back seat next to Mrs. Lilly. Gio closes the door then sits in the passenger seat.

  "Ladies, it will be somewhat of a long drive, so get comfortable," the driver said, pulling off.

  "How long is the drive?" Brandi asks.

  “Forty minutes," Gio replied.

  She sighs. "This food better be worth it," she said, pulling out her headphones.

  "It will be. My mom is cooking," Gio said.

  "Good, I haven't had her cooking in a while," Mrs. Lilly said, pulling out her crossword puzzle. I look up to see Gio staring at me through the mirror we play eye tag for five minutes before he starts texting me:

  Gio: You look very beautiful tonight, love.

  Me: Thank you-you look very handsome yourself.

  For the rest of the ride, Gio and I text, asking about each other's day and getting to know each other more.

  The car stopped jolting me a little bit. "We are here, ladies," said the driver getting out of the car. I look out the window to see that we're outside of a mansion. I see Gio helping Mrs. Lilly out of the car, so I get out on Brandi's side with the driver we walk around the car.

  "Follow me," Gio said, wrapping his arm with Mrs. Lily while they walk up the steps. Gio knocks when they reach the top of the steps we waited a few minutes until a woman with long black hair opens the door.

  “Good to see you, Victoria," Mrs. Lilly said, giving her a hug.

  “Yes, it is since we haven't seen each other in a while," Victoria said she then looks behind her seeing Brandi and me. "Who are these lovely ladies?" she asks, looking us up and down. Mrs. Lilly walks into the house.

  “This is Camille. Camille, this is my mother, Victoria," Gio said as he reached his hand towards me. I grab it walking up the stairs.

  "Nice meeting you, Mrs. Ricci," I said, reaching my hand out.

  "Nice meeting you, Camille I heard a lot about you," she said, giving me a hug catching me off guard.

  "Who’s this little cutie?" she said after letting me out if the hug.

  "My little sister Brandi," I tell her.

  "Come here, sweetie," Victoria said to Brandi, giving her a hug."Let's get in the house before Michael comes looking for us," she said, walking into the house with us following after her. The house was beautiful with a creamy white and light green color.

  "He should be in the living room," Victoria said, walks in a different direction. We follow Gio.

  “It seems that she likes you," Gio said.

  “That’s just the start. She hasn't asked me any questions yet," I tell him.

  We walk into a spacious living room with a fireplace and a mantle to see Mrs. Lilly was sitting having a drink with an older man that can be Gio’s twin sitting across from her. “Papa," Gio said, walking towards them.

  "My boy. How are you?" the man said, giving Gio hug.

  "Good," he said then turned to us.

  "I would like you to meet Camille. Camille, this is my father, Michael," he said, reaching his arm ou
t to me. I walk to them, reaching my hand out to shake his.

  “Nice meeting you, Camille," Michael said.

  “Nice meeting you, Mr. Ricci. This is my little sister Brandi," I tell him.

  “Nice meeting you, sweetie," he said, shaking Brandi's hand.

  “Come sit," Michael said, walking back to his seat Gio, Brandi and I sat on the couch while Mrs. Lilly and Michael sit in the chairs at the ends of the couch.

  ”Camille, you’re the CO that was with my son when the incident happened?" Michael asks.

  "Yes," I tell him. Gio hops up from the couch.

  "Camille, you want some wine?" he asks.

  "Yes, please," I said. While trying not to distract me from Mr. Ricci's questions.

  "Papa let's bring the ladies something to drink," Gio said, grabbing his father's arm walk out the room leaving us in silence.

  "He's just trying to start a conversation with you, so don't take it the wrong way," said Mrs. Lilly. I look over to her.

  "I'll try not to. I'm just done talking about it with people always asking about what happened and how I'm doing," I tell her.

  "When Victoria let you in their home, you became family. They just want to make sure you're okay. I know my son came off a little hard. I know that Gio is telling him to cool it down,” Mrs. Lilly said, putting me at ease.

  Chapter 15

  “That’s good to know that question he just asked," I tell her. A minute later, Gio and Michael came back with glasses.

  "Here you go, Brandi," Gio said, handing a glass of ice water. He places the rest of the glasses down on the table, pouring red wine into them then gave everyone a drink.

  "So Camille, where are you from?" Michael asks.

  "Atlanta," I tell him.

  "The heat down there takes some time getting used to," he said.

  “It does, but so does the cold up here," I tell him, he laughs this deep chuckle.

  “Yes, it does. Camille," Michael said.

  “Yes," I say.

  He was about to say something when there was a loud knock from the front door " I'll be right back," he said, getting up walking out the living room.

  "How old is your dad?" I ask.

  "He's 50," Gio said.

  "He looks like he can be your twin," I tell him. Gio just shakes his head.

  "Look who joined us," Michael said, walking into the living room with Danny and some dark-haired girl.