Chapter 59 Challenging Him

Alessandro leaned in and tapped on the table between Gia and Maximo. "Hey, hey, buddies!" he said in his deep voice. Both of them stopped arguing and their gazes shifted toward Alessandro. Alessandro smiled. The first step was achieved. "Why are you fighting? This is supposed to be a family dinner, not a rivalry dinner. And look at your mommy," he whispered so Mia couldn't hear their conversation. Gia and Maximo's heads instinctively turned toward their mom, but Alessandro tenderly held their checks, stopping them from looking at Mia. "No, no, don't look at her," he corrected instantly in his hushed voice. He had to win the challenge. "She is very mad at me because she thinks you were fighting because I brought you all here. Do you want Mommy to fight with Dad?" he asked, his eyebrows wrinkled in worry. Gia and Maximo both shook their heads. "Good! Then don't fight." Alessandro pleaded gently. Both kids nodded in agreement. "Then we call it a truce Alessandro murmured, lifting a glass of juice. Gia and Maximo raised their glasses of juice and clinked them. ""Yes!" they echoed in agreement. Mia watched them intently, desperate to hear what they were talking about, but the Italian don was very clever. He didn't let her hear a single word. "We're good!"Alessandro turned to face Mia and smirked winningly. Mia knew what that smile,meant. But the good part was Gia and Maximo had stopped fighting. She would deal with the cunning mafia king later. The waiters brought food one after another and served it on the table. Gia and Maximo enjoyed their meals with Alessandro, and he didn't seem like the person they'd read about in news articles. He was nice and polite. After dinner, Alessandro settled the bill and left a huge tip for the waiters. Then he drove Mia and the kids to Mia's apartment. "Kids, it's time to say goodbye to Mr. Valentino," Mia said, prompting the kids to step out of the car. Both kids' faces fell as they realized Alessandro now had to go to his house. "No need," Alessandro interrupted, shutting off the engine and getting out of the car. Mia furrowed her brow suspiciously. "I am staying with you guys tonight, Alessandro announced. Mia gaped at the shamelessness if the Italian don. "You can't just invite yourself to my house!" Mia snapped, narrowing her eyes. "Ah, that's very rude of you, baby," Alessandro whispered with a hurt expression. "You didn't invite me, so I invited myself." hands, heading to her apartment. "Please, Mom! Please, Mom, let Dad stay with us tonight." Gia and Maximo both pleaded, refusing to move. Dad?! She couldn't believe this charming man had already cast a spell on her children, making them ready to defy her for a man they had just met. Such a wicked enchanter he was! Mia shook her head subtly as she glared at them in silent warning, but Gia and Maximo remained undeterred. It made her even more annoyed at Alessandro for making her children rebel in just one day "Yes, please, Mom!" Alessandro pleaded as well, making an innocent face and mimicking Gia and Maximo's tone. Mia rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine, Mia sighed. "But we don't have an extra bedroom, so, Mr. Valentino, you'll have to sleep on the sofa in the living room," she told the mafia boss curtly. "No problem," Alessandro smiled and leaned closer, whispering in Mia's ear. "After all, you still have to give me my reward. I won the challenge." He smirked, making Mia's lips part with realization. That was the reason she didn't want the Italian don to stay with them. But the ship had sailed, and now he was staying the night. Emily opened the door as Mia rang the bell and smiled at Gia and Maximo, but her smile faltered when she saw Alessandro standing behind them. She looked at Mia in panic. "I will tell you everything, Mia sighed and entered the apartment. The kids entered their room, dragging Alessandro with them. Emily took Mia to a corner in the kitchen and asked, "Will you tell me what's going on?" "Emily!" Mia looked at her helplessly. "Gia and Maximo went to meet with Alessandro, escaping their school. They wanted to talk to him because they wanted me to marry him," she sighed. "What?" Emily was surprised because she knew how dangerous Alessandro Valentino was, and the rumors of him being a mafia boss were true. She had seen him with a gun and witnessed him killing people during the attack on her and Mia. "You can't marry him. He is very dangerous," she whispered with wide eyes. "I'll find a way," Mia rubbed her forehead. "But tonight, he is staying with us." "You already allowed him to stay here with us?!" Emily whined in irritation. Mia shrugged helplessly. "Where will he sleep?" Emily asked, a furrow of concern forming on her forehead. "I am not giving up my room for another man, she refused sullenly. "No, no, you don't have to leave your room," Mia assured her. Emily looked at her skeptically. "So... Is he going to sleep in your room?"