Italian Lover

Part 12's

Confused at the meaning of the term, Donata frowned. “Bury axes warfare?”

“That means we forget about that car accident and start over. I'd rather be your friend than your enemy.”

Various expressions appeared on the teenage girl's face and continued to stare at Gina for a few minutes while remaining silent. When he finally spoke, his hostile attitude seemed to be forced. “Why do you want to

become my friend?”

Yeah, why? Gina asked herself, and then immediately answered herself: because it is likely that you and I are of the same descent—or at least brothers.

“I guess because I don't like it until someone doesn't like me,” said Gina in a slightly joking tone. “Not mean I'm more successful with your brother.”

“Ottavia has no time to pay attention to others, except herself,” Donata said with anger that does not

cover-up. “What he wants is to occupy the place of Lucius.”

Gina could imagine that. As Padrone, Lucius must have been in complete control of Carandente's affairs. Being number two is not easy for someone with a temperament like Ottavia. In his heart he wondered what drove Ottavia to marry a man who seemed to be an employee in his family business. The reason is not that the choices are limited.

“You must have missed your father,” Gina said gently, changing the subject. “How long has he been dead?”

The question shocked Donata; so he answered automatically. “Padre died six years ago.”

“Not too old, huh?”

“New age forty eight.”

That means there is a seven-year difference between the ages of Donata's father and Giovanni Carandente's, count Gina in heart. But that information

not that he is getting closer to proving that there is no family relationship between the two.

“Your gate bears a huge responsibility at such a young age,” Gina said again. “Otherwise if he is the last generation. It must have made him very depressed.”

Donna looked at herself suspiciously. “For what do you care?”

“I don't care,” Gina hastily convinced him. “I was just thinking, that's all. I'm sorry, if I've been disrespectful and commented on your family affairs.” He raised his hand and said again. “Better I go. I shouldn't have bothered you since the beginning.”

“Lantas, why are you doing too?”

“See you were sad earlier,” said Gina with concern. “I can't just ignore you.”

“So you think by offering me friendship I get all the peace I need?”

Gina did not care about the sarcasm that was so overwhelming. “Not all, but maybe just a little.” He hesitated before saying again, aware that he was on a unstable foundation. “Lucius

tell me what happened to you. It must have been an experience

bad one.”

His sympathy had an unexpected effect. Donata's face suddenly became tangled. “I think I'm addicted to drugs!”

“I'm sure Lucius doesn't think so.” Gina refrained from walking over and embracing Donata's shoulder. “You only

it just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It happened just a few days after all. Lucius' anger will definitely subside later.”

“No will.” Tears began to float again in Donata's eyes, his rebellious nature extinct already. “Lucius won't even see me! Nobody wants to!”

There she was, Gina thought with full understanding, the crux of Donata's heartache. He kept his tone sounding calm and steady. “You mean, because of your hair?”

“Meryl is your hairdresser?”

“Not, he's my friend.”

Buddy! Think Gina. “Friends who are very envious of you, in my opinion,” said Gina. “It takes a long time for your hair to grow long

again,” he said again, because there is no point in covering up, “but you can make it look nicer than it is now.”

A hint of hope appeared in the girl's eyes. “You can do it?”

That's not exactly what Gina had in mind, but because she couldn't possibly make Donata's hair worse than it was

now, he decided, “I can try it. You should have gone to the stylist

expert hair to fix it.”

“But we have to do it now,” Donata said again with a spirit that began to arise. “If my looks are not like

a scarecrow like Lucius said, he might allow me to

accompany you to Palio tomorrow. He likes you a lot, I know. He's gonna want to

heard that you asked.”

Gina was very doubtful of that, but she did not until her heart rejected Donata's sincere request. “I can only try,” he said again.

“Thank you.” Donata's smile was so bright. “And I'm really sorry about your car. I was wrong. I drove my car recklessly.”

“It's okay.” Gina could hardly believe the change in the girl. “I'm sure my car will return like a car

new later. After all, we have to hurry if we want to finish before lunch.”

“Lunch is still hitting him,” said Donata assured. “That means we have two hours.”

Nearly two hours to create an effect that could melt Lucius' heart; gina could only hope she could do it.

Gina carefully tidied up Donata's hair to make it look better than it is now. By the time it's finished

drying out the thick black hair, he began to regret why he had interfered in Donata's troubles.

He breathed a long sigh of relief while observing the results of his work. Donata's hair is cut in layers to look neat and fluffy, and given a bangs that frame his face, it is not the result

salon work, but it clearly shows considerable improvement. And Donata himself seems quite happy with his new hair.

Gina proposed that the girl replace her casual pants with a cream cotton skirt, her t-shirt with a pale green blouse. Donata said he was very happy and would take all the advice given by people he already considered to be true friends.

In less than 24 hours this was truly an incredible feat, Gina thought. It's just hoping Lucius doesn't think he's pretentious.

Lunch is served on the side terrace under the shade of the canopy. Ottavia noticed the change in her sister indifferently. Better than no improvement, that's all he commented, though not very good.

So it now depends on Lucius whether the man will give a more fitting compliment. But anyway, Gina felt Lucius would not like her to interfere in their family affairs.

Seriate...