Ruins Of Roses BOOK 2 (Rebuilding Ruins Series)

42. FOCUS

ANGEL ROSE

Today the Russo family opted for an outdoor breakfast. A table is set in the spacey pool area. I had to drag Frankie out here because for some reason he didn't want to join his family for breakfast this morning. We are leaving today so whatever issues he has with any of them he has to get over them and spend a little more time with them before we return. They ask us about the honeymoon and my face turns red tomato when they start teasing me saying I'm glowing and how happy they are that Frankie is satisfying his wife. His grandmother goes on and on about how she would die a happy woman if we all moved here.

"Live with liars. Over my dead body" I hear Frankie mumble next to me as he stabs his sausage with a fork like he's trying to murder the already dead peace of meat.

"Babe are you okay" I put my hand on his knee hoping he doesn't turn his anger on me and stab me in the eye with that fork.

I'm not trying to be the female version of the rapper Fatty Wap hitting the stage and wowing the crowd with one eye. It's one thing for a guy to have one eye but it's another on a female. The world puts too much pressure on female appearances than on male. I bet I'd hear about my eye than my talent.

Frankie shoves the sausage in his mouth glaring at uncle Leonardo ignoring me.

Just then my father-in-law exits the house in a vintage dressing gown that looks expensive and the entire family's reaction is comical. His mother, nieces and nephews are grinning like crazy while his brothers high five him and some pat his back impressed how well he pulled off the Hugh Hefner look. Frankie on the other hand rolls his eyes.

"Why are you wearing father's clothing Rafaele" uncle Leonardo clenches his teeth.

"Just tasting out what it would have felt like walking in his shoes. I look like a boss do I not" he makes a ridiculous pose and I cover my mouth stiffling a laugh.

As the servers clear out the table after breakfast uncle Leonardo asks Frankie for his throne. I don't know what he's referring to till I see a simple throne made from expensive wood that would look good sitting on while out camping.

"Babe you made this?" I beam.

"Did it while we were fighting during our honeymoon" he says plainly.

His Nonna says something in Italian and everyone that understands agrees with her.

"What did she say?" I ask Frankie.

"She says she loves it"

"I love it too. You're the really good at this" I kiss his cheek.

"What in the world is this" uncle Leonardo glares at Frankie.

"The throne you asked for" Frankie smirks.

"That's not a throne. What in the world"

"Oh give the boy a break. That thing is not too bad" Raffael defends his son.

Frankie and uncle Leonardo switch to Italian but I can tell they are not saying nice things to each other. Next thing Frankie's Nonna, uncles and aunts all have guilty looks on their faces and Frankie is yelling and no doubt cursing in Italian. I don't know if something is wrong with me but he looks so hot right now I feel certain body parts reacting to the scene in front of me.

"Girl are you okay?" Sky eyes me with concern.

"I feel like jumping my husband right now" I say.

"You a bad girl" Sky giggles.

My cheeks turn pink when I realize I said that out loud.

Next thing Frankie storms off and when I start to follow him Mateo tells me him and his brothers will take care of Frankie. I'm glad they are here because I wouldn't have known how to comfort him when I don't even know what he's angry about.

As everyone begins to leave uncle Leonardo tells me to remain in my seat. I'm used to his rude behavior by now so it really doesn't shock me much.

"You are all going back home today" he starts when everyone is gone.

"Yes sir"

"Cut the formalities. We are family now. You are my brother's daughter and my niece now"

"Thank you uncle Leonardo" I smile happy that he's accepting of me.

"When you return I expect you and your husband to live in the same house and sleep in the same bed but I know the latter is going good yes?" the side of his mouth twitches.

"Yes" I look down blushing.

"Now you need to understand that just because you are going back home and I'll be far away doesn't mean I won't know what you and my nephew get up to so if he does something to try to end your marriage be sure to let me know about it are we clear"

"Yes uncle Leonardo"

"If you forget where your loyalty lies and let him manipulate you into signing the papers then you and I are going to have problems and I'm one person you don't want to have problems with ?Angel Rose?. Your career is on the line here so whatever decision you make keep in mind what's at stake. One wrong move and there goes your career down the drain. If I made you be sure that I can break you and I mean that in every sense" he continues.

With every threat he's throwing at me chills continuously run down my spine. He can be scary when he wants to be.

"Are you saying I-I should stay even when he tells me he doesn't want me around him anymore?"

"That is what I'm saying. All you have to do is give me a call I'll make all your problems go away. I put my number on your contact list so use it anytime alright?" he says.

"I will"

I'm scared to ask how he put his number on my phone to begin with. I have a password on my phone. Lorenzo's son probably hacked my phone. Don't people know what privacy is anymore.

"This money belongs to Frankie. His grandfather left it for him when he died. I want you to help your husband invest it wisely so the both of you can have a brighter future" he slides the check over the table.

I take the piece of paper from the desk and read the words written on it and notice that it's a three million dollar check. Wow.

"Is this why he was mad earlier?" I look up.

"Yep. He needs the money but you know how stubborn he can be"

"I will try my best" I fold it in half and put it in my jean pocket.

According to Frankie his grandfather died years ago. I'm confused as to why they had to wait this long to give him the money. I'd be angry too if I was him but there's so much he could do with the money and if he let's me help him we can accomplish it.

The family is busy chatting dragging the inevitable goodbyes.

"Sing us a farewell song Angel Rose" Bella says with a smile.

"Oh wow. Okay" I laugh.

That was unexpected but I'm a singer. I can come up with a song or make up one if I have to.

"You don't have to do this" Frankie says.

He's still in a bad mood since breakfast.

"I don't mind" I clear my throat smiling.

I start to sing and as I hit the chorus Nonna takes a hold of Frankie hand and I notice his eyes soften. Aunt Francesca is in tears as she glances at Mateo who pulls his mother in his arms to comfort her. When the song ends I can tell everyone is emotional and I must say I'm proud of myself for provoking such emotions from the family. Nonna says something to Frankie and the two share a hug all his anger forgotten.

"That was amazing" Bella gives me a tight hug.

"You sing like that for my son while in the bedroom and he won't remember his ex wife" Rafaele says so only I can hear.

I can't help giggling. I'm glad Frankie's dad wants the best for Frankie even though he was horrible to him on our wedding day. I blame it on the alcohol.

"Thank you for everything" I hug Sante.

"You owe me" he jokes.

"Couldn't agree with you more" I smile.

I'm forever indebted to Sante. If it wasn't for the stunt he pulled the other day Frankie and I wouldn't be married.

"Take care of each other" Nonna hugs me "Love my grandson like he's never been loved before. Don't give up on him" she finishes.

"I will do my best" I assure her squeezing her hands.

After saying goodbye to everyone the four of us get into the cars and drive to the airport. Frankie looks to be lost in his thoughts. I miss the chatty Frankie I spent the last couple of days with. Today the old moody Frankie is back but today he's got an extra coldness to his persona. I lean my body to his threading my fingers through his and he looks at him. I smile at him but his face stays indifferent. It's like he's a zombie or something like that.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"I'm good"

"I'm here for you if you need to talk. You don't have to carry the load on your own anymore" I caress his arm.

"I don't want to talk about it"

"How about we talk about something else. Anything" I draw circles with my thumb on the back of his hand.

"What could we possibly talk about?"

"I enjoyed my time here. Especially yesterday" I grin.

"I enjoyed myself too" he says surprising me.

"Maybe we could come back again. Your grandmother was almost in tears when we left. I bet she wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren"

"If my uncle didn't live here I'd have came here more often but that's not the case"

"Who taught you how to speak Italian?" I ask him.

"By the time I learnt to talk my family had moved here. It did help that my grandfather only talked to us in Italian"

"And your kids?"

"My daughter knows a little bit of the language. I teach her whenever she comes. It's part of who I am she needs to know" he says.

"You should talk in Italian in the bedroom" I feel my cheeks heating up.

"Is that so" he smirks.

"Forget I said that" I cover my face with my hand giggling.

Goodness I should filter things coming out of my mouth. It sure sounded better in my head.

"You are cute" he removes my hand from my face and kisses the side of my mouth.

"Cut it out" I push him off of me. He only laughs.

"Can you see a bow tie in the clouds?" I look outside the window. Anything to change the subject.

"I can only see wings"

"You must be high on something. Those are not wings. That's a bow"

"I might have had something strong to drink earlier but I'm very much still sober. Now apologize for calling me intoxicated" his tone is threatening.

"I did not call you intoxicated" I chuckle.

"Same damn thing now apologize or pay for it"

"Pay how?" I grin.

"So many exciting ways to torture you" he bites his bottom lip. Hot.

"Well in that case no" I play with his chin beard.

"You have five seconds to apologize or suffer the consequences Mrs Russo" he pulls away from me.

"I'm not apologizing" I giggle.

"Your five seconds is up" he starts tickling me.

"Frankie stop. STOP" I burst out laughing trying make him stop but it's hopeless. If he doesn't stop I might pee myself and embarrass myself even more.

"Apologize"

"I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY"

To my relief he finally stops and I lay on my back on top of the seat trying to catch my breath while he sits there watching me with a smirk his lips inviting. I pull him with his shirt and give him kiss which he returns. I wrap my legs around his waist as our kisses turn into a slow make out session. He starts unbuttoning my pants but I stop him.

"I don't feel comfortable doing this with him here" I mumble glancing at the back of the driver's head.

"We'll pretend he's not here" he kisses the side of my neck.

"I'll make it up to you when we get home. I promise" I hold his head in my hands and peck his lips.

He gets off off me and I sit up properly next to him as we continue driving.

***

I'm in Frankie's kitchen making breakfast for him like a good wife. It's been three days since we got home. The first day we spent catching up on sleep and the second I spent packing up my things in my apartment which I'll be keeping and yesterday I moved into Frankie's house, well our house, with him and Camille's help. She had gotten herself someone else to help her at the flower shop while I was away. I'm unsure when I would be able to go back to working at the flower shop because I had tones of things to do.

Speaking of which I still haven't had a talk with Frankie about the check his uncle gave me. I feel dread fill me at the thought of having a fight with him about it. I mean he was cursing and yelling at his family about it the other day. If his uncle gave it to me it probably means he must have refused it when his uncle gave it him. I don't understand though why he would turn down his inheritance. From the looks of it he had a really good relationship with his grandfather so I don't understand why he won't be angry at his family for waiting to give him the money while he spends it. I know I would. Okay maybe I'd have reacted the same way he did.

When I'm done with breakfast I carry it to our room where he's still sound asleep. I had transformed his boring baige painted bedroom into a nice colourful place. I didn't put dramatic bright colours because I knew he would hate it. I had went and bought a nice white comfy bed cover and added lots of pillows in different sizes in black, grey and red, black lamps and grey curtains. He didn't say anything when he got back from his job at the garage which lead me to think he didn't find it too loud for his taste. Once in the bedroom I put the tray on top of the bed and climb and lay next to Frankie and kiss him all over his face.

"Morning" I stop when he groans.

"Why are you waking me up Angel" he turns and lays on his stomach facing away from me.

"I made us some breakfast"

"Do you know what time I got home?"

"I know you got home late but you were going to wake up maybe an hour or two from now and get ready for work" I climb on top of his back and lay on top of him so I can kiss his face.

"Angel get off me man" he says in a whiny voice.

"I made you breakfast hubby. Eat it to spare my fragile feelings" I say in a sweet baby voice.

"I never asked for you to make me breakfast"

"You didn't have to ask. I just wanted you to enjoy the perks of having a wife" I open one of his eyes.

"Stop it" he chuckles.

I did more than bake him croissants this morning. I sort of went a bit overboard. I cleaned his house, washed all his clothes, planted some flowers outside his house and so many other things.

"Wakey wakey" I whisper in his ear my lips lightly brushing his ear and I hear him let out a shaky breath.

"I'm up now get off"

I get off of him and settle next to him smiling. I watch as he takes his sweet time getting up, stretching his toned limbs and yawning. He sits up and I put the tray of food on his lap and start eating.

"Don't you have a job to go to?" he looks at me.

"I wanted to talk to you about something. Your uncle gave me something to give you" I get off the bed and go through the closet and take out the check from my handbag then flop back on the bed.

"What is it?"

"This" I hand him the check.

"I told him and I'm going to tell you too. I do not want the money" he clenches his jaw.

"But it is yours. This was your last gift from your grandfather"

"My grandfather has been dead for more than a decade now. Did you ask yourself why I'm only getting the money now?" he gives me a cold stare.

"Baby you need to focus. This money your grandfather left for you to build a life of your own. I know it hurts but your uncle must have had his reasons"

"It's not just him that made the decision of not to giving me my own money. Seems like everyone was in on it because nobody bothered to tell me my grandfather had left money for us. My brother went to college and bought a gorgeous house and the whole time I thought my uncle did everything for him since he like uses him when his criminal friends mess up and need a lawyer" he gulps down half his juice.

He opens the drawer next to him and takes out a bottle of something strong and pours it into the half full glass of juice filling it up and stirs it with a spoon.

"I understand why you are mad baby but you turning down the money doesn't affect your family in any way. Think about all the things you could do with it, the improvements you could make. You could send some money to your ex for the kids, create more gorgeous furniture and sell online and earn more money than you do now"

"They should have given me the money back then. Maybe if they had I'd still be with Natalya" he says before drinking half the the contents from the glass.

"Your ex?"

"She was the love of my life. I don't think I can love another woman like I love her" he looks out the window.

I feel a stab of pain in my heart hearing him say he still loves his ex wife. It's understandable seeing as he stayed single for a while, maybe he was too in love with her that he didn't want to open his heart to another woman. Explains why he keeps me at arm's length.

"What happened between you two" I bite my thumb nail.

The curiosity of his past relationship is about to kill the cat. I need to know.

"I don't want to talk about it"

"I understand. Let me help you Frankie" I take his face between my hands so he looks into my eyes "Let me make you the father your children will be proud of"

"Why do this for me?" he frowns.

"You are my best friend dummy" I smile "Friends look out for each other. I want to make you happy, any way that I can" I caress his cheek with my thumb.

He looks me deep in the eye as if trying to see if I mean every word I just said. I hope he sees that I want to do this for him. I promised his family I'd look out for him and in return his family promised to keep him from leaving me. I trust that Leonardo Russo will do what he said he would.

"I want to be the father my children will be proud of"

"I know baby. Let me help you" I smile.

"What if I fail at this" I see doubt cross his features.

"That kind of thinking is not acceptable in this house Frankie Russo. It's got to go. You are a success. Think that and you'll be unstoppable. Oh and if you're going to succeed at anything you got to cut on the alcohol" I grab the glass in his hand and hand him mine.

He groans as I carry it to the kitchen to discard of the self made cocktail.