I'm sat at the dining room table with my father to my right, my mother next to him, my nonna next to my mother with grandad opposite nonna. We're still waiting on Leo, Bianca and Scarlett.

I don't understand what happened to Scarlett. Why was she so afraid and upset? It didn't make any sense. I stood outside her door for half an hour, knocking and begging for her to let me in. I don't beg so the gesture said a lot. But she still didn't open the door, she didn't for Leo either or even Bianca.

I know Bianca had to take the spare key and open the door. I could've done that when she first locked the door but I wanted her to open the door at her own will. It was clear she wanted to be alone so I respected that and left. She didn't get so fortunate with Leo and Bianca.

"Where are the rest of my children?" Father stated, his patience clearly lacking. Mentally I roll my eyes, as if we never spent hours waiting for him at the dinner table as kids.

"They'll be here soon enough now Shutup and put on a smile." Nonna glared at father who cowered in his seat while my mother stroked his arm. My fathers a bastard but he still doesn't go against nonna. No one does or else there's serious consequences.

We wait another five minutes and I can hear their footsteps coming down the hall towards us. We all wait accordingly and listen to Scarlett clearly fighting with the two.

I watch as Bianca shoves Scarlett into the dinning room and how her eyes go wide as she realises who's at the table. Immediately her form straightens and she puts of a kind smile.

"Who's that?" Father asks looking at me.

Bianca and Leo step into the room as they both answer his question. "My best friend." They say in unison. Bianca turns to Leo glaring. He's completely oblivious to her look as he smiles right at us. Bianca punches him in the ribs. He curls over muttering "bitch" under his breath.

"She's my best friend dad, and I wanted you guys to meet her." She moves around the large table to plant a kiss on our fathers cheek.

He smiles at his daughter and moves his attention to Scarlett who's standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, that is until Bianca grabs her hand and pulls her over to the table.

Scarlett's sat next to me but makes no move to notice my presence. "I'm Scarlett Roads sir." He nods his head.

"Angelo Romano, and my wife Isabella Romano it's pleasure to meet you my dear."

"It's lovely to meet you both." She offers a smile to my mother who offers a small one back. My mothers a shy woman so I'm surprised when she does acknowledge Scarlett. Nonna quickly grabs her attention.

"Mario this is our granddaughter Scarlett. You remember I told you about her? Scarlett this is your grandpa Mario Romano." Grandpa smiles at her warmly.

"It's lovely to meet my new granddaughter. My wife's always been one for favourites and it's clear your hers." He winks making Scarlett laugh. There's no doubt in my mind that the two will get along famously. Grandpa is a loving man and has always treated nonna like a queen.

The maids bring in our meals and leave the room. Casual dinner time chatter begins between those at the table. Even Scarlett partakes with her stutter. My mother will quietly add a thing here and there, most would dismiss my mother but Scarlett listens intently and even asks her opinion on topics making my mother smile. It warms my heart to see her even the slightest bit happy. Being hauled up in a house with my father has not helped her mental health one bit.

Bianca is the real chatter box. She tells my father all about her shopping sprees as he pretends to be interested, I believe he's still upset over Bianca killing one of his future business partners. My grandpa, nonna and Leo all talk about the business while I sit and eat my dinner silently. I don't feel the need to partake in these conversations so I observe silently.

Once everyone's fed we retire to the sitting room. Mother and father sit together, as do nonna and grandpa. Scarlett's squished between Leonardo and Bianca while I sit alone in an arm chair.

Bianca and Leo seemed to have pulled out some board game, I believe it's monopoly? They're currently arguing over who gets to be the little dog statue. Bianca won as Leo's sitting on the floor holding a thimble. "This is fucking dumb." He grumbles. Grandpa laughs at him earning a glare from Leo.

"I'm getting tired, I think I'll retire to my room." Scarlett stands from the couch bidding everyone a good night.

"I'll walk you up. I'm tired too." I watch as she mentally fights with herself but eventually gives in quickly nodding at me.

Once I say goodbye the two of us begin up the stairs. Scarlett doesn't attempt any conversation. She stares at her feet while I look down at her completely and utterly confused.

Placing my hand on her bicep we come to a stop in the middle of the stairway, her eyes still refuse to meet my own. Taking a deep breath I speak "I understand that you're upset about the tattoo. I do apologise for bringing it on you so suddenly but it's a tradition, one that cannot be broken. Do you think you could find some way to forgive me?"

She finally looks up at me. Tears threaten to slip over her waterline. "Dante, you don't understand. You know I haven't had the easiest life which means I come with a lot of trauma and putting me in a situation like that where you force me over your knee to get pricked by a needle over and over again, triggers it. You didn't even give me the chance to discuss it with you."

I wipe the stray tear that's fallen down her cheek with the pad of my thumb. "You're right. I didn't think. I didn't communicate. I didn't understand your fear and I should've. Let me make it up to you?"

"I-I don't know-"

"-please. I feel awful just give me a chance."

She hesitates for a moment until eventually nodding in agreement. "Fine. One more chance."

I clap my hands together in excitement. "Great. Now let me walk you to your room like the gentleman I'll try to be."

"Mmm good luck with that." I chuckle placing my hand on her back as we continue up the stairs.

We walk down the hall and come to a stop in front of her door which is conveniently beside mine. Per my request...

"You know what? I think I have something that can makeup for what happened."

"You do? I'll do anything." And I meant every word I said.

"I want a dog."

That was unexpected.

"A dog?"

"Yep." She smiles happily. That smile makes it hard to say no. That smile that's stuck in my head. Fuck me.

"Hmm, hypothetically what breed would said dog be."

"A Doberman."

"I expected you to say a poodle or chihuahua."

"That was presumptuous of you. Not everyone sticks to stereotypes." She turns for her door. Shit! She's mad. I place my hand on her door handle preventing her from leaving just yet.

"Uh- fine! You can have a Doberman." Scarlett's eyes widen. She seems surprised I agreed. I am too.

Without warning she jumps onto me wrapping her arms around my neck. She kisses my cheek "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

She gets back down smiling like it's Christmas Day. "Are we good?"

"Possibly. But the next time you mess up? It's not going to be so easy. You won't be able to buy my forgiveness. Grand gestures only."

"Duly noted." I smile down at her.

"You should head to bed." I say. She offers one last smile before I watch her disappear behind her bedroom door.

There's only one thought on my mind.

I need to find a dog breeder...