________________

MILKSHAKE

♧

KELIS _____________________

I CHEWED ON my shrimp with absolute satisfaction, ignoring the chaos that was slowly erupting around me. Albert had finally listened to my pleas and prepared a proper seafood boil for lunch. Antonio's family seemed to survive solely on pasta and bread, and while I didn't hate it, I needed variety before I lost my mind.

The shrimp was seasoned to perfection, the crab legs were juicy, and the lobster tails melted in my mouth. I cracked open a crab leg with my teeth, savoring the way the shell gave way to the sweet, tender meat inside.

"Okay, look at you go, Genovese," Nico grinned from across the table, leaning back in his chair as if watching me were his new favorite pastime.

"You were hungry. Eating for two?" Sophia raised an eyebrow, smirking at me.

I glared at her, mid-bite. "Don't start with me."

"Eating for two?" Aunt Andrea and Aunt Gabriella gasped in unison, their eyes lighting up with a mixture of excitement and alarm.

"See, she's eating fish! I ate seafood all the time when I was pregnant with Matteo!" Aunt Gabriella declared dramatically, clutching her chest as if it were the revelation of the century.

"I don't think frozen fish fingers count, Mom," Maria muttered, sipping on her mocktail with an unimpressed expression.

"Shh!" Gabriella shushed her daughter, turning her attention back to me. "Well? Are you?"

"Am I what?" I asked, deliberately taking another slow bite of lobster.

"Pregnant!" Aunt Andrea exclaimed. "You have that glow. I noticed it the moment I walked in."

I almost choked on my food, coughing to clear my throat. "Glow? That's sweat, Aunt Andrea. It's called seasoning shrimp over a boiling pot of water. Calm down."

Antonio walked in at that moment, his phone in hand, pausing when he caught sight of my expression. "What's going on now?"

"They think I'm pregnant because I'm eating seafood," I said flatly, pointing at the empty plate beside me. "Apparently, cracking a crab leg is a dead giveaway for motherhood."

Antonio blinked, his lips twitching as if he was trying not to laugh. "She's not pregnant. Trust me, I'd know."

The aunts gasped again, this time at his bluntness, and I tossed a piece of shrimp at his head, which he expertly dodged.

"This family is insane," I muttered under my breath, but I couldn't help the small grin tugging at my lips as the table burst into chaotic chatter again.

After finishing my seafood boil, I washed my hands, wiped them on a towel, and headed upstairs to pack. The house had been a little too chaotic lately, and the idea of a beach getaway was the only thing keeping me sane.

I dug through my closet, searching for the clothes I'd hidden from Antonio's mother. She'd proven herself to be a menace after I'd made the mistake of leaving my bikini out to dry last month. She'd confiscated it and, according to Nico, performed an exorcism over it to "remove the slut demons." Ridiculous.

Val, Malakai, and I had planned a trip to Tulum, one of our favorite spots. The beaches were pristine, the water a striking turquoise, and the vibes unmatched. Malakai had finally cleared his schedule, so we weren't about to let the opportunity pass.

Antonio knew about the trip because, like the sociopath he was, he tracked every single one of my plans. I hadn't even told him; he just knew. His family, on the other hand, was still in the dark. While I didn't care much about telling Nico, Sophia, Dante, Ambrosia, or Matteo, I knew Aunt Gabriella and Andrea would have something to say—and I didn't have the patience to deal with it.

I opened my drawer and pulled out three tiny thongs, folding them neatly before placing them in my bag.

"Really?" Antonio's voice cut through the air, startling me.

I spun around to find him leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, his gaze flickering from my face to the thongs in my hand.

"What?" I said, feigning innocence, tossing the lingerie into my bag without breaking eye contact.

"Three thongs? For how many days? Is that all you're wearing to the beach?" His tone was calm, but the way his jaw tightened betrayed his irritation.

"I didn't realize I needed your permission to pack my own clothes," I shot back, turning my attention back to the closet.

"You don't," he said, stepping into the room. "But I do need to approve whatever this trip is."

I sighed, pulling out a silky dress that was absolutely going into my bag. "Val, Malakai, and I are going to Tulum. It's not a big deal."

His brow furrowed. "Tulum?"

"Yes, Antonio. The beach. Relaxing. Fun. You should try it sometime."

His gaze darkened slightly as he walked over to me, plucking the dress from my hand. He held it up, examining it like it was evidence in a court case. "You're wearing this?"

"Yes, I'm wearing it. Is that a problem?"

"It's practically see-through."

"Only when I'm in the sun." I smirked, snatching it back from him.

He shook his head, but there was something more in his expression. Tension, maybe. Possessiveness. I wasn't sure. "You love testing me, don't you?"

I zipped up my bag and turned to face him fully. "And you love pretending you can tell me what to do. But guess what? I'm going, Antonio. Whether you like it or not."

Before I could say another word, a knock sounded on the door. Both of our heads turned just in time to see Aunt Andrea peeking in, her eyes widening at the sight of us standing so close.

"Oh!" she said, her voice high-pitched with embarrassment. "I—I didn't mean to interrupt. Carry on!" She quickly shut the door, leaving me frozen in place and Antonio smirking like he'd won something.

"She thinks we were doing something," I muttered, rubbing my temples.

"You mean we weren't?" His voice was smug, and I glared at him.

"Don't start with me."

Antonio's grin widened, the smugness in his expression making my chest tighten—and not in a good way. My heart betrayed me with an extra thump, and I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to slap myself for such a reaction.

"Come on, big boy," I said, trying to mask my flustered state. "Help me close my suitcase."

With a sigh, Antonio walked over and crouched down. "How long is this trip again?"

"Five days."

"You need all of this for just five days?"

"It's just two bags."

"Two enormous bags," he corrected, giving me a pointed look.

"That you're zipping shut. Now, come on, zip zip!" I patted the top of the bag before plopping myself on it.

Shaking his head, he knelt to zip the first bag, then moved to the second. When he was done, I clapped my hands with mock enthusiasm. "Yay. Now stay here while I change," I said, grabbing some clothes and disappearing into the walk-in closet.

I changed into a barely-there black bikini with gold accents. The top was a tiny triangle design, held together by delicate strings, and the bottoms had high-cut sides that left little to the imagination. For a cover-up, I threw on a sheer, white mesh sarong that did absolutely nothing to conceal the bikini, tying it loosely around my waist.

When I stepped back out, Antonio's gaze snapped to me, and I could practically feel the air shift. His expression darkened, his jaw tightening as his eyes swept over me.

"No."

"Antonio—"

"You're lucky I'm just saying no. If my family sees you in that, they'll drag you back into this room."

I crossed my arms, standing tall. "I'd like to see them try." Without another word, I snapped my fingers toward my luggage. "Bags."

Antonio's jaw twitched, but he grabbed the suitcases and followed me down the stairs, muttering something under his breath.

As we reached the foyer, we were met with Aunt Gabriella, Aunt Andrea, and a handful of other family members. Their eyes immediately narrowed as they took in my outfit—or lack thereof.

"What is this?" Aunt Andrea demanded, gesturing toward me.

"It's a bikini," I said, breezing past her and pretending not to notice the scandalized expressions on their faces.

"Where are you going dressed like that?" Gabriella asked sharply.

"Tulum," I answered, grabbing my bag. "It's a beach trip. With Val and Malakai."

"Who's Malakai?" Aunt Gabriella asked, her voice dripping with suspicion.

"My best friend," I said, already annoyed.

"Your male best friend?" Aunt Andrea's tone was incredulous. She turned to Antonio. "You're letting her go on a trip with a man?"

Antonio pinched the bridge of his nose. "I wasn't given much of a choice."

"No, no, no," Aunt Gabriella said firmly. "A married woman cannot go gallivanting around with another man, best friend or not. Antonio, you have to go with her."

"What?" Antonio and I said in unison, both of us glaring at her.

"Yes, you're her husband. It's your responsibility to make sure she's safe. And it's not proper for her to travel alone with a man," Aunt Gabriella added, folding her arms like her decision was final.

"Gabriella, I don't need a babysitter," I argued.

"And I don't want to go," Antonio said at the same time.

"Too bad," Aunt Andrea chimed in. "Antonio, you'll go, or neither of you will leave this house. And Celine," she added with a pointed look, "you might want to change into something that won't cause a riot at the airport."

Antonio smirked at that, but I ignored him, my irritation mounting. "Fine," I snapped, turning to Antonio. "Looks like you're coming, big boy. Try to keep up."

He grabbed the bags with a smug grin. "Don't worry, princess. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

I followed Antonio back upstairs, watching as he strode into our room with his usual air of nonchalance.

"Didn't she tell you to change?" he asked, glancing at my outfit.

"She also told me to take you with me," I shot back, shrugging. "I'm not great at listening to authority, so this is all I'm willing to do."

Antonio pulled out an already-packed bag from the closet and set it on the bed. Without a word, he disappeared into the bathroom to change. Of course, he had a pre-packed bag—because of course, he was always prepared.

"You knew you were coming," I called after him.

"I'm a mafia don, Tesoro. This is my job." His voice carried that infuriating grin I didn't even have to see to know was plastered on his face.

I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, "Of course it is."

By the time we finally made it outside, Val and Malakai were leaning against the car, a nearly empty bottle of Don Julio between them.

"He's coming?" Malakai asked, raising an eyebrow as Antonio strolled toward us, his signature smirk firmly in place.

"He's coming to babysit," I said, crossing my arms with a dramatic eye roll.

"Good. She's here," Val said, nodding toward a car pulling up just behind ours.

I groaned as Koleen stepped out, dressed in a bright pink bikini that seemed specifically designed to make me want to fight someone.

"Nice bikini," Koko said, her gaze trailing over my outfit before turning to Antonio with a sly grin. "Hey, Antonio."

"Koleen," Antonio said, giving her a polite nod but keeping his expression unreadable.

I narrowed my eyes at her as she practically strutted toward us. "Oh, come on," I groaned. "Why is she here?"

"Because the more, the merrier," Val said with a smirk, clearly enjoying my irritation.

"Or the more annoying," I muttered.

"Relax," Koko said, patting my arm like I was a child. "I'm just here for some sun, a few drinks, and maybe a little eye candy."

I glanced at Antonio, whose expression didn't falter as he stood next to me, his hand brushing against my arm like a subtle claim.

"We're wasting daylight," Antonio said, his voice calm but firm. "Let's get moving."

I shot him a look, but the silent warning in his eyes told me not to test him. For now, I'd deal with Koko and her passive-aggressive remarks later—preferably after I'd had a drink.

The private jet was luxurious, as expected, with wide leather seats, sleek countertops, and more alcohol than any reasonable group of people should have access to. The hum of the engines provided a steady background noise as Val and Malakai started pouring shots within ten minutes of takeoff.

Antonio sat across from me, nursing a glass of Hennessy like he was above all the chaos. He swirled the liquid in his glass, his eyes occasionally drifting to me as if gauging how far I planned to take things.

Val handed me a shot of tequila, and I downed it without hesitation. "That's my girl!" she cheered, clinking her glass against mine before grabbing Malakai's hand and pulling him into some ridiculous dance near the aisle.

"You better not be spilling liquor on this jet," Antonio said, his tone calm but firm as he leaned back in his seat.

"Relax, Don Genovese," Val said, mimicking his serious tone and making Malakai laugh. "We're just warming up."

Koko sat near Antonio, giggling softly like some cartoon villain in training. She sipped her wine and threw him occasional glances, but he barely paid her any attention, his focus returning to me every few moments.

I grinned and stood up, grabbing Val's hand. "Come on, Val. Let's give them a show."

"Oh, yes!" Val whooped, and within seconds, the two of us were dancing in the aisle like we were at a club. The jet's spacious cabin gave us just enough room to move, and I made sure to swing my hips a little extra when I turned toward Antonio.

His eyebrow arched as I bent low, twerking on Val while she cheered me on. His gaze was steady, sipping his Hennessy like nothing fazed him, but I knew better.

"You good over there?" I teased, winking at him as I straightened up, swaying my hips to the beat of whatever song Val had started playing on her phone.

"I'm fine," he replied coolly, taking another slow sip of his drink. "But maybe you should sit down before you fall and break something."

"Break what? My dignity?" I shot back, laughing as Val twirled me around.

Koko giggled again, her eyes darting between me and Antonio like she was watching some rom-com unfold. "This is fun," she said lightly, her tone annoyingly sweet.

"You're awfully quiet over there, Koko," I said, tilting my head at her as I draped myself over Val's shoulder. "Not feeling the vibe?"

"Oh, I'm feeling it," she said with a grin, leaning back in her seat. "I'm just enjoying the show."

Malakai poured another round of shots and passed them around. Antonio waved his off, holding up his half-empty glass as if to say he didn't need any more.

"Suit yourself, boss man," Malakai said, shrugging as he handed the shot to me instead.

I downed it quickly, feeling the warm buzz of alcohol spreading through my veins. "This is how you start a vacation," I declared, spinning around and tossing my hair over my shoulder.

Antonio's lips quirked slightly, the closest thing to a smile I'd seen all day. "Try not to destroy the plane before we land."

"Can't make any promises," I replied, smirking as I grabbed Val's hand again and pulled her into another dance.

The rest of the flight was a blur of laughter, music, and alcohol, with Antonio keeping his distance but watching everything like a hawk. Every now and then, our eyes would meet, and I'd flash him a teasing grin just to see if I could get a reaction.

He didn't give me one—at least not yet. But the way his eyes lingered when he thought I wasn't looking told me I was getting under his skin. Exactly where I wanted to be.

The moment the jet landed, the energy ramped up even higher. Val was out of her seat first, dragging me along with her as Malakai followed, a bottle of champagne in hand. Koko walked out behind us, practically skipping. Antonio trailed at a measured pace, carrying his bag over his shoulder and watching us like a babysitter forced to chaperone a group of hyperactive kids.

"Alright, where's the car?" Malakai asked, throwing his arm around Val as we exited the jet and stepped onto the tarmac.

Val squealed when a sleek black SUV pulled up, the driver opening the door for us. "Oh, we're riding in style, baby!" she shouted, practically diving into the car.

I grinned as I slid in beside her, Antonio's sharp gaze following me. "You're not sitting on my lap this time," I teased him, smirking as he climbed in last.

He gave me a dry look as he settled in across from me. "I wouldn't dream of it, tesoro."

The ride to the villa was filled with music, laughter, and Malakai popping open the champagne bottle, sending foam spraying everywhere. Antonio sighed heavily when some of it hit his sleeve, and I couldn't stop laughing.

By the time we arrived, the villa took my breath away. It was perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, with sprawling white stone terraces, an infinity pool, and lush greenery surrounding it.

"This is insane," I said, stepping out of the car and spinning around to take it all in.

"Only the best for us," Malakai said, clapping me on the back before pulling Val toward the entrance.

"I'm claiming the biggest room!" Val shouted, racing inside with Malakai on her heels.

I didn't even bother with the bags. Instead, I kicked off my shoes and bolted toward the pool.

"Celine!" Antonio called, his voice sharp.

I ignored him, pulling off my thin cover-up and tossing it onto a lounge chair before diving into the water. The coolness enveloped me instantly, a stark contrast to the warm sun beating down on my skin.

Val and Malakai were right behind me, both cannonballing into the pool and sending water splashing everywhere.

"Are you all insane?" Antonio said, standing at the edge of the pool with my towel draped neatly over his arm. His shirt was still crisp, not a drop of water on him.

"Live a little, Genovese!" Val shouted, floating on her back with a drink in her hand.

I swam up to the edge and rested my arms on the side, looking up at him with a grin. "What's the matter, Antonio? Afraid to get wet?"

His gaze flicked to my bikini, lingering for a second longer than necessary before meeting my eyes again. "I'm not afraid of anything, tesoro. But someone has to keep an eye on you."

"Oh, please," I said, flicking water at him. "Come on, Antonio. Take your shirt off and join us."

He arched an eyebrow. "Not a chance."

"Boring," I sang, pushing off the edge and swimming back toward Val, who was now trying to balance on Malakai's shoulders for a game of chicken.

Koko finally arrived at the pool, laughing as she dipped her feet in. "Antonio, you're holding her towel like a butler. Are you applying for a job?"

"I'd rather apply for a straightjacket," he muttered, but he still stood there, towel in hand, watching as I climbed out of the pool a few minutes later.

Water dripped down my body as I walked toward him, and his jaw tightened slightly. I grabbed the towel from him, brushing my fingers against his in the process.

"Thanks, big boy," I said, wrapping the towel around myself and smirking at the way his eyes darkened.

"Don't push it, Celine," he said evenly, but there was a flicker of something in his gaze—something I wasn't quite done teasing out yet.

"Or what?" I asked, stepping closer, the scent of chlorine and saltwater clinging to my skin.

His lips twitched, but he didn't answer, instead turning and walking toward the villa. I watched him go, already plotting my next move. This trip was going to be very interesting.

__________________________________

i've heard y'all's complaints and i knoww when are Antonio and Celine gonna fuck ?? girl I told y'all this was an ENEMIES TO LOVERSS gotta build the tension but trust me when don Julio and 2000's get mixed together shit goes down im boutta feed y'all with this trip lmaooo Val and Malakai can turn upp yall shoulda known they was menances when the first chapter was them after the club 🤭

but anyways loves what did y'all think of this chapter??

keep drinking water it matters !!

- zio 🍸