After changing her clothes, Suki grabbed her little bag and headed downstairs to join her grandmother. She was happy to go out with her. It was a privileged moment for her, but she was a bit confused when she saw Dante and Dominico standing near the old woman.

Mrs Smith: Suki, you're ready? Dante and Dominico wish to accompany us. Is it alright for you? (Dante was staring at her.)

Suki: Yes...

Mrs Smith: Don't worry, they won't bother us, otherwise, I will kick their ass! (Suki chuckled.) Boys, let's go.

Michael, Mrs Smith's assistant, had the black van prepared and was waiting in front of the entry door. He offered his hand to his boss to help her to get in and was about to do the same with Suki, but Dante grabbed her by her waist to get her inside.

She startled, surprised, but didn't say anything. Dominico smiled at the little girl's reaction when he sat near their grandmother. She had to sit next to her brother, and she didn't seem comfortable either.

Mrs Smith was on her phone during the ride, answering to some messages and Suki didn't know what to do. She had her cousin in front of her, intimidating, and Dante on her side, that was staring at her without saying anything. She looked at his hand, and it still showed traces of his injuries. She wondered if he had really put pomade on it.

Dante: Yes, I did... Dr House!

Suki: (She looked at him with her innocent eyes.) How...

Dante: I know you... and it's easy to see what you think on your face!

Suki: Does it hurt?

Dante: No, I told you, it was nothing.

Mrs Smith: (She was still watching her phone.) What happened to you?

Dante: I fell... and your now favorite grandchild waw worried for me.

Mrs Smith: (She continued to type her message.) You fell... I see... you should be more careful while going out next time... Sorry, I have to make a call. (She put earphones.)

Suki: You fell? You said that you were not 5to fall...

Dante: Because you were implying that I fell because I had drunk... (He bent a little.) You wanted me to tell you that I fought because I was angry? And then you would have looked at me with fear?

Suki: ... No... I wouldn't...

Dante: Yes, that's what you're doing!

Dominico: I can confirm... (Suki looked at him.) You are not really good to hide your feelings or it's maybe on purpose, I don't know.

Dante: No, unfortunately, it's how she is. An open book, naïve, fragile and... putting her noise in others' business when she shouldn't!

Mrs Smith: (She took out one of her earphones.) Tim, hold on a second... Suki, does those two are bothering you? You seem annoyed. (Suki shook her head with a little smile.) Okay... (She returned to her call.)

Dominico: Grandma Gina is ready to kick us out of this car for you.

Dante: Clearly! You don't seem happy that we came with you... so why didn't you say to her that you didn't want to be with us?

Suki: I don't know... as you wanted to come with us, you probably had your reasons, and I'm sure that Nonna is happy to spend time with you.

Dante: Stop putting others' desires before yours!

Suki: Okay...

Dante: Hum... and stop sulking, it doesn't suit you!

Suki focused on the landscape and tried to keep a neutral expression. The two boys stopped teasing the little girl, otherwise, the entire day would be unpleasant for her, and it was not their goal. Mrs Smith finished her call after 5 minutes and quickly they arrived at their first destination, a cute café closed to the biggest mall of the city.

The matriarch of the family let the boys order their drinks, then she chose something for Suki and her. She asked for the top sale dessert and when the waitress brought everything, Mrs Smith said.

Mrs Smith: This is the best dessert of that café. You baked delicious cakes this morning but only drunk a glass of juice. You have to eat more, to grow healthy.

Suki: Thank you... I didn't eat a lot because I'm not really hungry after cooking... (She smiled.)... I don't know why...

Dante: So don't cook! You want to feed everyone, but you don't take the time to eat properly.

Suki: I eat well everyday!

Mrs Smith: Dante, are you sure that you came with us because you wanted to clear a misunderstanding between the two of you? Because, from my point of view, you're just bossy with Suki, nothing else.

Dante: I only remind her that she should think about herself first!

Mrs Smith: So, use the good words and the appropriate tone! And it is the same for you Dominico. (The young man looked at her, surprised.) I know that Suki is not comfortable with you, and it's easy to guess that playing the alpha male is the cause of the situation.

Dominico: Grandma, I never was like that with her!

Mrs Smith: Suki is a delicate child, at the opposite of her brothers, so adapt your behavior. You can not enter in her life with your cold gaze and big body and expect from her to welcome you with open arms. She doesn't know you after all.

Dominico: Shedidn't know you too few days ago, but you are close.

Mrs Smith: Of course, we are close. I am her grandmother and contrary to you, I am kind, and I took the time to get to know her!

Dante: It was still pretty fast. (He took a sip of his coffee.)

Suki: It was easy... because Nonna is an amazing woman, really kind and... She accepted me at the second she saw me... (She ended with a little voice.)

Dante: Not like most of us... (His tone was calm.)... as expected, you will never forget... (Suki stared at him with a sad gaze.)

Mrs Smith: We didn't come here to talk about the past, even more about stupid mistakes that are not supposed to happen again, right?

Dante: No, it won't.

Mrs Smith: Great. Dominico, if you want to bond with your little cousin, today is a good opportunity. Show her a different side of you and learn how a wonderful little girl she is. As for you Dante, stop being an idiot. If you care about your little sister, tell her. It's simple!

At the grandmother's words, no one dared to say anything. It was embarrassing for both Suki and Dante, and the little girl blushed.

Mrs Smith: I hope that now, we can all spend a quality day together.

Dante: That's the goal.

Suki: Hum... Sorry to have misjudged you, Dominico. (He winked with a smile, and she shyly smiled back.)

Dante: And me? (She looked at him.) Don't you have anything to say?

Mrs Smith: Dante... you're really childish for a 27 years old man!

Dante: Not at all...

They finished their drinks and returned to the car for a 2 minutes ride to the mall. They parked in the VIP section of the parking lot.

Mrs Smith: I didn't come here since a long time. Dante, are you familiar with that place?

Dante: I'm not really the type to do shopping every weekends, you know... it's not my thing.

Suki: There is a map over there, are you looking for a specific boutique? I can help you maybe.

Mrs Smith: Not a specific one... but more one adapted to your age.

Suki: I thought that you wanted to do shopping. I don't need anything. Father and Gabriel already bought so many things for me.

Mrs Smith: Still... you didn't receive anything from me yet, and as your grandmother, it's my role to pamper you. I did the same for all of your brothers, buying expensive things because it was trendy.

Dominico: She even bought his first car to Gabriel.

Suki: A real car?

Dante: Yes, a real car, not a Playmobil one! (Suki frowned and he smirked while looking at his grandmother.) You should think at that as a gift's idea for his birthday.

Mrs Smith: And a nice Barbie doll for you! Or do you prefer a baby doll that can speak and that you can feed, change, and play the mommy?!

This time, Dante was the one to frown at his grandmother's mocking tone. Suki's expression changed when she heard Mrs Smith, and she couldn't retain her laugh. Dominico smiled, amused too.

Dante: It's funny... hum... (He walked ahead, mumbling.)

Mrs Smith: You see, Suki, that's how you should answer to your brothers when they play the bad boys.

Suki: I would never dare...

Mrs Smith: Why not? I told you, as the only girl of that family, you hold the power.

Dominico: Grandma Gina is not wrong. It's clear that you already have complete power on most of them... even if some, like Dante, try to hide it behind a tough behavior... you just have to see how Gabriel reacted when he thought that I was rude with you. Even if I am his closest cousin, he was ready to kick my ass for you.

Mrs Smith: Gabriel only did his job as Suki's eldest brother.

Suki: Gabriel is pretty protective... he makes me feel precious...

Mrs Smith: It is exactly what you are, Suki, a precious daughter, a precious sister and my precious granddaughter. (Suki blushed a lot. Mrs Smith took her hand.) I'm wonder what we will find for you!

They took the elevator to the 5th floor of the mall, where there was a lot of boutiques for young people. Mrs Smith and Suki were walking together, at a slow path, looking at the shop windows and Dante was following with Dominico 2 meters behind. They looked like bodyguard with their imposing stature and that serious gaze.

Mrs Smith proposed to enter in one of the shop that was selling girls' clothes, and she tried to find a cute outfit for the little girl. Suki wanted to make her grandmother happy, so she looked at the clothes with attention. She didn't know what to take but wanted to avoid a new razzia in the shop, like the time she came with Gabriel.

Dominico: If I may say so, that long purple sweat would look nice on you.

Suki: Ah... thank you, I like that color...

Dominico: Hum... and I think that style is better for a little girl of your age. (She smiled a little.) You see, I'm not that scary!

Mrs Smith: You find something that you like? (She showed her a nice dress.) What about this? Yellow is good for summer. There is also this pink shirt, that blue short and...

Suki: Nonna...

Mrs Smith: What? I'm sure that your Father didn't buy summer clothes for you. Even if it's still spring for now, it's better to buy everything while we are here.

Suki: You... are not not going to buy the entire shop...

Mrs Smith: Ahahah... no, don't worry, just one or two things.

Suki: Father and Gabriel also said that... but they bought a lot of things in the end. (Mrs Smith laughed at the cuteness of Suki and continued to look at the clothes.)

Dominico: She's so happy to be able to buy girls' clothes...

Dante: Let her buy whatever she wants. If she choses something that you don't like, you don't have to wear it! That's all!

Suki: Hum...

After picking enough clothes to wear for an entire week, Mrs Smith paid at the counter and asked for a delivery directly at the Smith house. Then, they continued their shopping in the other boutiques. This time, Mrs Smith bought some shoes for herself. When she was done, it was already lunch time, so they went to the food court of the mall.

Mrs Smith: So, children, what do you want to eat?

Dante: I'm good for a big burger but I'm not sure that you want that!

Mrs Smith: Do you take me for an old grandma, unable to enjoy a burger with her grandchildren?

Dante: Clearly, I imagine you more in a 5 stars restaurant than in a fast food,... kid? That's good for you too?

Suki: Yes, whatever you want.

Dante: Dom? (His cousin nodded.) Great, I'm starving. Nonna, choose a table, I'm taking care of the order... with the kid!

Dominico: Grandma, let's go this way, it's quieter.

Dominico put a hand in Mrs Smith's back and they walked to the back of the restaurant. It was not a basic fast-food chain but the new type, more fancy, that was popping in big mall.

Suki followed Dante to the counter to order the food. She didn't know why he wanted her to go with him, but she went as he asked. She didn't want to have a dispute with him today. There was 2 persons before them, so Suki looked at the menu on the big screens.

Dante: Are you having fun... shopping with Nonna?

Suki: (She looked at him, but he continued to look at the screens.) Ah... yes... Grandmother seems happy, so I'm happy too...

Dante: You don't seem the type to like shopping.

Suki: Not really, but I'm just happy to spend time with her, not you? (He looked at her and she had her beautiful eyes staring at him.)

Dante: She is not here for me, but for you!

Suki: Still... if you have the opportunity to be with your grandparents, you should be thankful... I mean... it's a chance...

Dante: I am thankful to still have her in our lives, don't think that I'm a complete jerk!

Suki: No... it's not what I said... (She shook her head.)

Dante: I know why you're saying that... so stop stressing. Enjoy every moment that you can have with her... we are not kids; you need her more than us and let her pamper you... just like she did with us. (He nodded.) It's our turn, what do you want to eat.

Suki: Can I have the kid's menu?

Dante: (He looked at her from head to toe.) Yeah, I guess... you're a kid after all. (He smirked.) If you want a toy, I can buy one for you, you know... (He laughed at her frown.)

Suki: I'm not really hungry, that's all!

Dante: Yeah, yeah...

Dante placed the order and paid with his black card. It was a table service, so the siblings joined Mrs Smith and Dominico. They were sitting side by side on the bench, so Suki sat near her brother.

After few minutes, two waitresses brought the dishes, and there was a lot, because Dante ordered several side dishes with the burgers' menus.

Dante: Nonna, in case you changed your mind, I ordered a chicken salad for you.

Mrs Smith: I thought that it was for you because... (She smiled.)... you seem to have gain some weight lately...

Dante: What the... no!! I'm perfectly fit! Are you sure that your eyes are still functioning correctly?! I'm handsome, from head to toe!

Dominico: (He chuckled.) I didn't know that you were such a drama queen, Dante...

Mrs Smith: Our Dante is like a little child in a big body! (Suki giggled.)

Dante: (He put his hand on Suki's head and made her look at him.) Are you laughing at my face? You've got some guts, girl! (Mrs Smith kicked his leg under the table.) Aouchh!!! Eh!!!

Mrs Smith: Behave with my granddaughter!

Dante: I didn't do anything that deserves to receive that kick!

Mrs Smith: I think the contrary. Eat your burger, I thought that you were starving! You too, Suki, eat.

Dominico: So, what's your plan for this afternoon? You found all that you wanted, or do you need anything else?

Mrs Smith: Suki, do you want to buy more things?

Suki: For me? No... but... while we are here, I would like to buy a gift.

Dante: For whom? (His tone was more serious.) For that guy?

Suki: Who? Haru?

Dante: Yes, him. Why do you want to buy a giftfor him?!

Suki: I didn't say that it was for Haru.

Dante: He is your only friend, so if not for him, for whom? Tell me!

Mrs Smith: Dante Smith, your sister has the right to buy a gift for whoever she wants without asking your permission!

Dante: I want to know that's all!

Suki: It's for Father.

Mrs Smith: You want to buy something for Salvatore? Why? It's not his birthday or Father's day.

Suki: No... but I think that it will make him happy. I want to give him a little gift.

Dominico: You see Dante, no need to worry.

Dante: I was not worried! (He looked back at Suki.) You should have said that directly!

Mrs Smith: You didn't let her the time to say anything and jumped to conclusion. That boy, Haru, is her friend, so even if she wanted to buy a gift for him, it is not a reason to react like you did!

Suki: In fact, it's not a gift, but I wouldlike to buy another thing.

Dante: What?

Suki: The other day, Haru brought Korean food that his mother cooked for us, so I want to bring Japanese food for lunch... so I need Bento boxes and to buy some ingredients too. Last time, I went to the Asian market with Gabriel... so if we can make a stop over there before going home.

Mrs Smith: Of course you can, Sweetie.

Suki: (She smiled.) Thank you, Nonna.

Mrs Smith: I would love to go with you but I'm not sure that my old legs can handle more walking hours... So, after finding the gift for your Father, you can go with the boys to that market while I head home first. Is it okay?

Suki: Yes, sure... if it's okay for Dante and Dominico... (She looked at him, unsure of his answer.)

Dante: Hum... (He took a big bite of his burger.)

Dominico: Sure... and about Uncle, what type of gift do you have in mind? We can help maybe... offering a man's perspective.

Suki: I thought of a tie or something like that. Father always wears nice suits to work.

Mrs Smith: I'm sure that he will love it.

Dominico: Good idea.

They continued their lunch, and they finished almost everything. Dante ended up eating the salad that he had ordered, and he teased once again the little girl when he discovered the mini-Barbie doll in the kid's menu.

After that break, they looked for a boutique selling man's suits. While Dante and Mrs Smith were waiting on a couch, Suki searched for a nice tie. She was surprised that Dominico helped her that much to find the best one. He even took in consideration the price of the ties, after understanding that she would like to pay the gift with her own money.

Dominico: So, you keep the dark blue one?

Suki: For Father, yes. (He looked at her with curiosity.) I think the clear blue one will suit well to Gabriel... so I want to buy it too.

Dominico: For Gabriel... lucky guy... and what about the others?

Suki: ... I don't think that it will be a good idea... and Enzo rarely wears suits... I can find something else for him.

Dominico: I see... (She looked away, embarrassed.) Ready to pay?

Suki: Yes,... and thank you for your help...

Dominico: You're welcome... I'm not as bad as you thought, right?

Suki looked at him, but he was already walking toward the counter. She felt sorry to have misjudged him just because of his powerful aura and unreadable expression. She came out of her thoughts and quickly went to pay. Her grandmother was tired, and she didn't want to let her wait for too long.

Mrs Smith: Did you find what you wanted?

Suki: Yes, we can leave now. I hope that Father will like it.

Dominico: And Gabriel too... (He smirked when she looked at him.)

Dante: Gab? You bought something for Gabriel too?

Suki: Yes...

Dante: Hum... (He kept a straight expression.) Let's go, time's running!

Dominico smiled at his cousin's reaction. He knew that a touch of jealousy was growing in Dante's mind. And he was not the only one to have noticed that and to think the same way, Mrs Smith too.

The young man was doing his best to not show his affection for his little sister, but his childish reactions sometimes or the protectiveness that he showed, betrayed him. Suki saw Michael waiting for Mrs Smith.

Michael: Madam, your car is ready.

Mrs Smith: Okay. (She hugged Suki.) I'm going first. Have fun at the market and buy everything you need. Your brother is here to pay for it, so don't be shy. As for the two of you, be careful, take care of her and don't say or do something stupid or be ready to leave that city!

Dante: Yeah, yeah... we know... and don't worry, nothing will happen with me around... I kept her safe more than once! Michael, be careful on your way back!

Michael: Sure, Sir.

Suki:Bye...(She left with the boys after a last hand sign.)