So in this chapter and the following chapters, we'll be focusing on the events of the past, so in this chapter, you will learn more about the Lombardi sibling's childhood and their Mother so let's go back to the story!
Cleodora P.O.V.
" Babe wake up breakfast will be served in 15 minutes you should get ready." He said while fixing his hair while I rubbed my eyes softly then I got up and before I went inside the bathroom I gave Mateo a peck on the lips and went off to freshen up.
*10 Minutes later*
I went out of the bathroom wearing a black long sleeve crop top that showed my toned stomach and a little bit of cleavage, with a tight black mini skirt with a net stocking and black heels. I came out of the bathroom while drying my hair with a towel and the instant I came out my eyes scanned the room trying to look for Mateo but he was nowhere to be seen, I guess he left me alone again after that I went and sat in front of my Vanity and dried my hair with a hairdryer as my hair slowly dried showcased its beautiful Light brown color and I hung down above my bottom as I brushed it I got a better glimpse of myself in the mirror and in an instant Memories good and bad started flooding back playing before my eyes like a movie as I remembered things from the past someone said from the outside of my room " Cleodora dear breakfast is ready!" a thin high pitched voice said with a cheerful tone which reminded me of someone. Someone I've spent my whole life fearing.
*Flashback* 15 years ago Cleo was 12
Cleodora from the past P.O.V.
I was sitting in front of my vanity brushing my hair when I heard my siblings laughing and playing outside I looked at them playing happily through my window but something was erratic Camilla wasn't there but I didn't really think of it much as I thought she was just inside as I was about to go back to my vanity " Cleodora Darling Breakfast is ready!" She said peaking inside of my room with a wide smile " Coming! hold on I need to get something" I said with a big smile and went to get my book and she left to go downstairs after I got my book I went down the stairs gracefully as I was almost at half of the steps but my gracefulness was replaced with fear, anger, and hurt with the view in front of me, " YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT!!!" with that My Mother slapped Camilla hard that she fell in the floor crying I breathe heavily, after that my mother turned to me and " Cleodora Come my precious Rose." She said with a big smile as if nothing has happened I went down looking at Camilla with so much worry her lip was bleeding and her cheek had a red handprint on it and it looked like it hurt as I was walking to the embrace of my mother Camilla looked up and glared at me " THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!" She yelled while looking at me and then she got up and was about to leave but " YOU DARE BLAME MY CLEODORA FOR SOMETHING YOU DID!!!" Mother yelled and before we knew it Mother slapped Camilla again but on the other cheek and fell down crying harder " Come on Darling let's eat don't mind this ungrateful brat." She said dragging me to the Dinning room I sat beside Mother ad as the food was served I was lost in thought "Cleo! Cleoo!! CLEODORA!!" And with that, I snapped back to reality " Cleo are you with me?" Camilla asked " Yeah yeah." I replied and wiped my tears that I didn't notice were falling from my eyes " Hey you okay?" she asked while rubbing my back I nodded in response " Breakfast is ready to let's go." She said lightly smiling " By the way if it's from the past don't worry it wasn't your fault It never was so don't blame yourself for something someone else did to us." She said reassuring me I just looked down "I know but still." I said sternly to hide my sadness but Camilla sensed it " No buts." she said cheerfully and I smiled back at her and went downstairs.
Breakfast was uneventful. After breakfast everyone pretty much went to do their own things while I was preparing to leave for the day Father approached me, " Cleo is home before 8:00 pm we're having brunch early." He said looking at me while handing me my keys and before he could say another thing I nodded at him and took my keys and left. I know what you're thinking why do you give your Father the cold shoulder well I'm not always like this. Okay fine I'm always cold but not that much I'm only cold to my Father rn because I want him to know that he did something I didn't like, so for the people that are close to me knows it's better to get a scolding, slap, or punch from me just never silence, If I do give them silence and walk away they know that I'm mad, disappointed, or, hurt.
* 8 years ago* Cleo was 19
I finally arrived. I went out of my car and stretched my body for a little, Then I went inside and removed my shoes after I removed them I looked around the all curtains were closed but the beautiful chandelier shines so bright, as I admired the beautiful lights I smelled something good it was food!. I smiled and went to the kitchen " I'm Home!" I said happily and smiling brightly as I went to back hug the love of my life. " Oh, you here! I missed you so much, baby." He said while pouting, I chuckled and kissed him " I'm so sorry baby! Father has been at my back all week long, also me and him to go to Italy for a business meeting. I promise to visit you more often." I said while I pinched his cheeks and pecked him one more time. " How long are you staying then?" he asked with hopeful eyes, I sighed and looked him in the eye " I'll only be spending a few hours here, I won't be able to sleep over." I said with a low tone then he looked down, " Hey doesn't be sad babe I promise I'll make it up to you really soon." I reassured him.
He looked up with a big smile and I smiled back, " So what does my baby want to do?" I cupped his cheeks and kissed him. " Ehem them." Someone coughed making me jump away from him breaking the kiss, " Marie it's good to see you. How are you?" I said quite flustered but still managed to smile at her as she caught us in a very intimate moment. " I'm good Ma'am it's good to see you and sir smiling again his been very sad for the past few months as you have not been coming very often." She said smiling back at me and looked at the shy and pink man beside me I chuckled and said " Marie how many times do I have to tell you to just call me Cleo no need for formalities after all you've been taking care of Mateo ever since he was a teen, so there's really no need for that and thank you for taking care of Mateo in my absence." I said as I gave her a hug "Anything for the both of you." She said while hugging me back then after a few seconds we broke the hug as Mateo was calling us " Lunch is ready!" I went to sit at the table while Marie went to serve the food " Marie please join us!" I said while digging in " No thank you, Cleo. I already ate and plus I believe that Teo has something to ask you." she said making me frown and look at Mateo he chuckled nervously, I raised my eyebrows indicating him to ask me what he is supposed to he cleared his throat before talking " So I've been thinking we're already married and uh I think weshouldhaveababy." he mumbled the last part so I didn't understand what he said, " I'm sorry what was that?" I asked he sighed deeply " I said I want a baby." he said lightly like a whisper but enough for me to hear, I choke on my food " Oh Sh*t are you okay?" he asked as he stood up and gave me water and started to pat my back. " I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked we're too young I know but I just thought that you'd want to..." He said as I cut him off " Hey hey no need to apologize, don't worry I also want to start a family with you. This may be a forced marriage but I love you so much and I can't wait to start a family with you." I said cupping his cheeks and kissing him passionately but I broke the kiss when I didn't feel him kissing back so I looked at him, his eyes wide and his body is frozen. I chuckled " Are you not happy?" I asked him a little stern as I was teasing him. He immediately snaps out of his trance and grabbed my shoulders " No I'm happy, in fact, I'm elated, I'm just shocked." I laughed at him " But babe I don't think we'll need to try to make a baby." I said smiling widely " But why!?" He asked confused I scoffed at his cluelessness " Because we can't make something that is already there!" I said while laughing while Mateo's eyes widen as he realized what was trying to tell him I just laughed harder at his reaction, But before I knew it he has run all over the house while shouting " I'M GONNA BE A DAD!!!" I gave him a weird look and chuckled at his funny reaction he went into the dining room and hugged me I hugged him back, But he lifted me up and spun me around, then I saw Marie smiling widely while leaning on the door. Then Mateo kissed me passionately and I kissed back.
I then snapped back to reality when I heard a honk it was Celina hoking behind me I drove out of the house being followed by Celina and Caeden's cars I smiled remembering the memories from the past.
To Be Continued...
Author: Hey guys sorry for not posting a few weeks ago there was a typhoon here, there was a power cut and the wifi wasn't stable, and Thank you to the people that dmed me on ig to wish me safety. see you next chapter byee love youuu!! For sneak peeks and updates please check out my IG @riabanaag07