Beauty and the beast

39

Nadia's POV

Today is finally thanksgiving.

The house gradually got fuller over the past two days. The grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and inlaws all showed up in large groups. That meant that I was interrogated by several people multiple times a day.

They all looked so defeated after I clarified that I wasn't Mateo's girlfriend. I was simply his friend. We were friends.

Right, friends. Friends who kiss, fuck and practically live together.

I heard stories of POC who experienced racism in Italy but I haven't so far. Well to be fair, I haven't left the house. We're going sightseeing tomorrow so I guess that will be the actual test. As for the elders in the house, I am yet to see a nasty side glance. They came to terms with their family being interracial since I'm not the only POC here. 

"You know Italians don't traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving," Mateo said while I got ready for dinner.

"Really?" I asked in disbelief while holding up two sweaters for him to choose from.

He pointed toward the cream one so I put it on over my bra. My outfit consisted of light blue straight-leg jeans, a cream sweater and beige loafers. I put my hair into a side part halo flat twist and added gold accessories like a necklace, bracelets and stud earrings.

"Why?" I asked sitting down at the vanity to put on my makeup.

"They don't see the need for a specific day to appreciate people in your life. We're generally family oriented so it doesn't change anything. Many refer to it as La Festa del Tacchino which means The Turkey Party. It's more of an American thing but since our family is so interblended, we do thanksgiving," he explained and I hummed in response.

I knew Thanksgiving was a predominantly western celebration but I didn't know that there were countries that chose not to celebrate it. America really is a place of its own. 

He stood up and walked toward me. I just watched him from the mirror while blending in my concealer. He stood behind me and caged me in his arms while I sat dumbfounded.

He just watched me tentatively before turning my head to face his. The kiss was as unexpected as it was quick. I would have thought I simply blinked if he still wasn't in my face when I opened my eyes.

"I didn't want to mess up your lipstick just yet. That will be my mission later on tonight," he moved back to his seat on the bed and I tried my best not to turn to fairy dust on the stool.

His phone started ringing and he answered it.

"Yes," I rolled my eyes at his response.

I told him numerous times that he can't just answer a phone like that but he claims that he has no time or concern for pleasantries.

The conversation was from there on so I couldn't understand anything after that so I focused on my makeup.

I put on a wine red lip stain to give my lips some colour without worrying about lipstick while I ate. My look was minimalistic but gave me a sense of safety for what I was about to walk out to. It was made up of concealer on any uneven patches, mascara on my bare eyelids and lip stain. Natural and clean.

"Just send it over to my email," Mateo hung up and I laughed at his annoyed expression.

"Trouble?" I asked turning to face him.

He simply hummed but brushed it off. I assume he didn't want to talk about it so I won't pressure him.

"Let's head down. Everyone should be arriving soon,"