De Santis First Impression

The first time that I saw Marco De Santis was at an event for the family which happened years ago. But I couldn't remember what he looked like anymore and I didn't bother checking the internet since I knew he wouldn't be there. Men who worked for the family always stayed off the grids of the internet.

We stood outside watching as the cars circle round before parking in the available space.

A total of four cars had driven through the gate. 

The men who I assumed were his bodyguards came out first, scanning their environment and eventually us.

Luca, Leo, Rio, Mom and I were standing at the front of our house waiting to greet Marco and his entourage.

I had declined to join them out here but Mom had been adamant and Luca had glared at me so hard. 

The third car opened and for some reason I don't know why this all played in slow mo in my head.

A pair of strong male legs came out first, the followed by an equally male torso and then his head. My eyes traced back from his neck to his feet, he was tall, far taller than I had expected.

And then I caught a glance of his face and almost gasped but held myself back in time. 

Marco De Santis was a very good-looking man, I wasn't going to lie. His looks were more on the dark side. And his skin had a golden hue to it. 

I caught myself admiring him again and resolved not to do it again. The fact that I was going to marry this man (not by my free will) was enough to reset my brain back to resenting him.

“Welcome De Santis.” Luca stepped forward with his hand stretched forward for a handshake.

Marco De Santis accepted it and locked hands with him. In that brief interchange, I scanned the people that were with me, they were all his guards. He didn't come with any of his family members.

Luca introduced us to him starting off with Mama, then Leo and Rio.

My brothers shook hands with him, while he kissed Mama's hand making her flush in surprised pleasure.

No way was I allowing those tempting lips of his anywhere near my hands.

When it got to my turn, Mama subtly pushed me forward. 

“And this is my sister, Sofia Bianchi.” Luca looked pointedly at me. His gaze were filled with threats and a silent plea not to mess this up.

“Hello Miss Bianchi.” His voice was deep, with a nice undertone.

I forced my mouth to cooperate with my brain but I couldn't speak. 

“She's shy. But you are just here in time for lunch. Please come in.” Mama smiled covering up for me.

Right now I only wished the ground would swallow me up. 

Marco De Santis frowned slightly before nodding. 

He and his entourage followed us as we went in. 

I had excused myself the minute we entered diverting to the bathroom while the others went ahead to the dining room. 

“Sofia, what are you doing?” I splashed water on my wrists berating myself.

After I calmed down, I joined them in the dining room taking my seat beside Leo while Rio was on my right. 

Luca was sitting at the head of the table while Mama was on his left side and Marco De Santis was on his right. And then Rio was sitting beside him .

“Welcome once again Marco De Santis to our humble abode.” Mama smiled, breaking the silence.

“Thank you Ma.” He nodded politely, making me narrow my eyes.

Hmmn, even though he eluded civility, I knew for a fact that this man wasn't civil one bit. Just step on his toes and watch the real him come out and cause carnage.

Our kitchen staff got to work bringing the dishes and serving it. 

While the men discussed about politics and little casual stuffs about the family business. I glued my eyes to my phone scrolling uninterestingly on Tiktok.

“Thank you.” I mumbled as my plate was filled and placed in front of me. I had no interest in conversing with anyone not  even Leo. 

“Let's pray.” Mama announced, her eyes trained on me in annoyance. Reluctantly, I dropped my phone face down on the table. 

“Dear Father Lord In Heaven.” Luca took the initiative to lead the prayer. Praying before eating was a normal routine in every household.

Members of the family were all Catholics which was absurd in my opinion because they were literally murderers for a living. 

“Amen.” We all chorused in unison. 

Our kitchen staff hung around a little before leaving us to enjoy our meal in solitude. 

“Is everything alright?” Luca frowned asking his future in law.

“Yes.” 

I noticed that Marco De Santis hasn't touched his food.

“You don't like the delicacies?” Mama asked, a trace of panic in her voice. She would literally faint if Marco De Santis didn't like any of the delicacies. 

I paused watching the scene unfold before my eyes.

“I don't mean to offend you and your family but I don't just eat food that is not prepared by the cooks I trust under my jurisdiction. One of my men will be trying it out before I eat.” 

“Oh okay. That's okay.” Luca nodded in relief while Mama settled down.

Marco De Santis held an Underboss position and I understood that he needed to get careful.

But because I was bitter at the fact that we were going to get married, I intentionally took offense.