"Do you like me?" he asked. Franco grabbed her hands. "Because I like you. I like spending time with you but if you don't, well... I guess I'll accept that."
                          
Ivy was quiet for a second. She sighed and gazed at him. "Of course, I like you. But you have to be sure. I know your story and you know mine."
                          
"I know that. And I'm sure."
                          
It took him a long time to get over his past hurt. He had buried himself in work and in convincing Castor and Caly that investing in him was worth it.
                          
Castor kept setting him up with different women but he couldn't bring himself to care. He hadn't dated since Elena died. And it was even harder to date after knowing how he was conceived.
                          
His life sucked. He was born because of a crime. It was difficult to accept. And he didn't want to drag anyone into that.
                          
But like everything, things got better.
                          
His family didn't treat him any differently. In fact, his circle grew and all of them knew him not because of his last name but of what he had accomplished and what kind of person he was.
                          
And that when he had told Ivy the truth, her only reaction was how it felt to have half-siblings because she was in the same situation. That her father had two families. They had talked for hours before he realized that his origin didn't matter.
                          
He was his own person.
                          
"Fine."
                          
"Thank god!" he exclaimed and kissed the back of her hands. "Then, can you be my date at Mother's party?"
                          
Ivy gasped, yanking her hand and crossed her arms. "What! Our first date involves meeting your family?"
                          
"Why not?" Franco replied. "We'll be together for a long time."
                          
She reddened at his words. "If you're sure then."
                          
"Thank you." He gestured to the flowers. "And for these."
                          
Ivy arched an eyebrow. "You know that's not free, right?"
                          
He laughed. "I know that."
                          
✘✘
                          
Callista Genovese entered the shop she frequented and head straight to the accessories section. She had found the store two years ago. It was a small gift shop with rainbow-colored walls. Everything was just bright like it was made for kids.
                          
She chose a pair of star earrings for her mother in law. Caly was about to choose a charm for her bracelet when somebody cleared their throat.
                          
"You don't have to keep coming here, Miss Genovese."
                          
Delilah Gallo had her hands on her waist. Her hair was shorter, face bare of any makeup.
                          
Caly smirked at her bitch act. "What? I like this store."
                          
She roamed around as Delilah tailed her with a condescending stare. She chose a red headband with a huge red ribbon on it before she went to the counter.
                          
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
                          
Delilah shook her head as the employee scanned the items. "Will you keep doing this until I forgive you?"