Page 30 of Her Cruel One-Sided Love

Did that mean it had been the same for him, five years ago?

Had he also fallen in love with her that one night?

"I hope you say yes,signorina—-"

Ysabel shook her head at Cattleya's show of formality. "Please just call me Ysa."

"I appreciate the offer,signorina,but it is not proper to do so."

Potenziana shook her head when she saw Massimo'sfidanzataopen her mouth to argue. "It is no use insisting otherwise with this stubborn child, Ysabel. If I cannot change her mind, no one can."

The grumpiness of the older woman's tone had Ysabel biting back a smile. Who knew someone likeLa Stregacould be so...well...cute?

Cattleya pursed her lips at being described as stubborn. "May I remind both of you—-"

"No, you may not."La Stregaand Ysabel ended up saying the same thing at the same time, and it was Cattleya's turn to swallow back a laugh when she saw how her employer and Ysabel turned to each other in shock.

La Strega'seyes suddenly started twinkling. "Do you know,bambina?Massimo had always been very vocal that his ideal bride was someone who was the opposite of me."

"A coward?"

Cattleya could no longer keep herself from grinning at this while her employer was visibly pleased by Ysabel's words.

"I appreciate the compliment,bambina,but actually..." Potenziana sighed as she was forced to remember the past. "I'm sure you have read an article or two about his mother?" She saw Ysabel hesitate and was not surprised by this. "You have, haven't you? And the things you read were entirely unpleasant,sì?"

"I don't believe everything I've read—-"

"You should do so on this matter, unfortunately. The press usually exaggerates things,sì,but in the case of Massimo's mother? She was truly all that and more, and hereccentricities,as Massimo himself very sarcastically likes to put it, have scarred her son deeply. He likes to joke about not wanting to marry a woman like hisnonna,but in truth, ourfamigliaknows that what he is most determined about is not to repeat his father's mistakes. He does not want anyone who has too much personality..."

Like me, in other words,Ysabel realized.

"Massimo has not spoken much about you to ourfamiglia,but in the few times he did, it had become obvious to us that he did not think highly of you at all. The impression we had of you was that you were the black sheep of yourfamiglia..."

"Um..." Ifthatwas Massimo's reason alone for thinking she was not suitable for him, then Ynez probably didn't even have to lie about her past. Ysabel had been quite the rebel in her high school years, and in those days, her parents had been frequently called to the principal's office for her many misdemeanors.

"Nothing to say in your defense,signorina?"

Ysabel squirmed in her seat. "I was very...opinionatedback then?"

The answer had Cattleya choking, and when Ysabel looked at her in surprise, Cattleya cleared her throat, saying,"Mi dispiace, signorina.I was just wondering what kind of, er,opinionyou had when you were reported to have punched your teacher?"

"Because she called my classmate's mother a prostitute—-" Ysabel stopped speaking. Why was she admitting to all of these in front of Massimo's grandmother of all people?

"It's fine, Ysabel." Potenziana had trouble keeping her face straight. "There is nothing that Cattleya can ask of you that would shock me. I've already read all about it in your file—-"

Ysabel winced. "It must've been a pretty thick file."

"The thickest I have most definitely, among all the bridal candidates I've considered for my grandsons."

"Ouch."

Potenziana and Cattleya laughed at this, and Ysabel wondered if she should tell them she wasn't joking, and she was really hurt,seriously.

"And while I personally consider your, er, high school adventures rather delightful..." The older woman's smile faded slightly. "Massimo is unlikely to feel the same."

Ysabel was starting to feel disheartened again, and the older woman seemed to have sense this.

"It will truly be alright, Ysabel. My grandson is a one-woman man like his grandfather, and it is the only reason he and your sister have been dating for years. Massimo keeps remembering that one night you made the most spectacular impression on him, and it is what makes him unable to let go of your sister."

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