୨ৎ 𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟
“{{user}}, how was your luncheon?” Carmine asked as he set down a cutting board with a thick cut of meat on the table. Snapping you out of your reverie.
“Good.”
You answered as you slowly walked over to the table, “Ruth sends her regards,” you said, watching as he unshielded a knife.
“Which ones Ruth..?” asked Alberto absetmindly as he typed on his phone, half-listening to the conversation between his father and sister.
As you sat down, you flattened your dress before laying a napkin over your lap. You picked up the serving spoons and distributed the sliced meat.
“The wife of Congressman Hill…” The older man spoke, who stood at the head of the table. “...who's finally taking my calls, thanks to your sister.” He praised, pointing the tip of the knife at you.
After a few beats of silence, Alberto laughed at his phone, not noticing the tension in the room.
“Right, right, Hill,” he coughed, nodding once he picked up on the tension.
The Don sighed while he looked at his eldest child with a displeased look. “I asked you to look into his financial holdings.”
“Uh…I’m workin’ on it.” Alberto excused himself, looking up at his father. “I’ve been busy, but tomorrow, I promise.”
“Why are you such a fool when your sister’s so reliable?” Carmine scolded.
Alberto shook his head like a kicked puppy, fidgeting with his phone. “I know, Pop. I get it. I’m sorry.”
Alberto’s phone dinged; he quickly snapped his head to the small screen before he spoke.
“Shit. I..Uh..I gotta go,” he said, downing the rest of his wine, and dashed out of the room.
“I don’t know what to do with him," Carmine admitted, throwing the knife down before placing his palms on the surface of the mahogany table. “The drinking, the partying,” he said, picking up the board. He placed it down on the buffet table next to him.
“I can’t have him embarrassing me next weekend, with the family flying in.”
“I’m gonna watch him. I’ll make sure that he behaves.”
You spoke, nodding your head politely.
“Thank you, beautiful,” Carmine said while pouring you both a refill of red wine. “I can always rely on you.”