Chapter 91: Chapter: 91

ANDREA

I turned my face towards the window so I wouldn't see his face and be tempted to quiz him about who the woman was. Alessandro didn't say anything as he drove the car; a soulful Italian song played on the radio, helping distract me from thoughts of Alessandro's gorgeous old flame, at least for a while.

Other equally important thoughts occupied my brain that I didn't even bother to ask where we were going. These days, my brain feels like a cluttered closet, full of so many thoughts and questions. Right now, I'm thinking about Alessandro and his relationship with Nicklaus. Could they be brothers?

Their resemblance is uncanny; I know not all identical twins look that much alike. There's always something that makes each unique. No twins could be this identical.

But they did. They looked so much alike that Alessandro used it to fool me, the world, and the whole Montgomery family into believing he's Nicklaus.

None of them realized that the man living as Nicklaus wasn't really him. I wouldn't have known either if I hadn't met that woman and had later seen the real Nicklaus for myself. The clogs in my brain have been turning incessantly ever since; the only logical explanation for their resemblance is that they were twins who were separated from birth.

I know the Montgomerys aren't aware of Alessandro, and I haven't heard Lorenzo speak of Nicklaus, though if anyone would know, it would be Alessandro's grandfather. I was so confused and eager to solve this mystery of Alessandro/Nicklaus.

Find out why Alessandro was pretending to be Nicklaus in the first place and how long he'd been doing it.

My thoughts went back to Lorenzo. I wonder if he would be okay, if he would be able to walk again, being shot in the leg could shatter the bones. Seeing that the Valentina woman had momentarily blindsided me from what happened earlier, before she made herself known.

While I don't like Lorenzo, I also don't hate him;. He could have been cruel and hurt me, especially after what I did to him,, but he didn't. He'd actually treated me nicely, so I didn't like seeing him hurt. I kept wondering what could be causing the cousins' animosity towards each other.

“What? What is it?” I asked, suddenly, when Alessandro stepped on the brakes and flew the car through the busy road, weaving between other vehicles as if he were showing off his driving skills to the world.

“We have a tail,” he muttered, checking his rear-view mirror. He had only one hand on the steering wheel; his other hand reached into his pocket, took out his phone, and dialed a number.

“You mean a tail, like someone is following us?” I asked, frowning, and glanced back to see if I could spot who was after us. I couldn't see anything. There are a couple of cars driving behind us, any one of them could be the one.

“They've been following us for a while now. It's time I lose them, I think my fucking grandfather didn't stop me from taking you out because he wanted to see where and what we would be doing.”

“Crow, where are you?” he asked over the phone. He listened for a while, and I suspect Crow was saying something important because his face hardened.

“It's okay, I already know he would order soldiers to keep an eye on the house, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd had the house bugged. It's why I made other arrangements, I will see you in a few,” he spoke and quickly switched off the phone and pocketed it.

“What if he hurt my friends when he couldn't find us? What if he gives the order to kill Alice this time, or…or Beth and Katie?” I asked, starting to panic.

“We have to go back, Alessandro. I can't take it if any of them died because of me. Please take me back,” I begged.

“Relax, Andrea, he wouldn't do that, yet,” Alessandro assured, still driving fast. I shake my head.

“That man is a monster who pretended he was a kind old man just to get close to me; he'd had an innocent woman shot just to make a point. So excuse me for being cautious. That monster is capable of anything. Take me back!” I yelled.

“No! I'm taking you out because you've been trapped inside that house for more than a week. You fucking need to breathe. He won't hurt them; he knows he'd got us right where he wants us, trapped. He knows it, and we know it. He knows we wouldn't want him to fly off the handle and go on a killing spree, so your friends are safe. I give you my word, they will remain so." His voice was firm, cold, and sure.

I still wasn't convinced. But I trust in his capabilities. If Alessandro said he would keep them safe, then I would believe him. Because I knew he was the only one who had the power to fight his grandfather, I also didn't want to go back to that house.

It's true, I feel trapped and claustrophobic in that house, and it's because I live under the same roof with that monster. My instincts had warned me against him, but, like always, I ignored them. I sigh, so exhausted with everything, maybe going out will do me some good.

I watch the blurring vision of people, buildings, and vehicles as Alessandro weaves through cars, streets, and alleys for almost an hour before finally driving the car into an underground parking lot. I wasn't surprised to see Crow come out of the black Lamborghini that was parked a little distance away. I'd heard their conversation after all.

The man's mohawk had been shaved low everywhere, and he looks different, though he's still menacing. He nodded at me in greeting; I nodded back, smiling, sitting in the car, before meeting his boss's gaze.

Alessandro motioned for me to get out of the car after they spoke for a while. They both exchanged keys, then we parted ways. Alessandro took the Lamborghini Crow had driven over here, while Crow took the SUV and drove out. We waited for a few minutes, then Alessandro drove out of the underground parking lot.

My eyes watched the road while my mind wandered. Italy is beautiful, but the turmoil I'm in wouldn't let me enjoy this trip. I'd thought of coming here, of how I would tour all the famous sites and places. Enjoy their delicious cuisines, take pictures, etc. I never thought I would be kidnapped and brought here. Not even in my wildest dreams. Here I am!

“Where is this place?” I asked when the car stopped outside a small building; from the looks of it, it's a clinic. I wonder who is sick. Why did Alessandro bring me here? Did he perhaps get injured during one of his night missions? It never occurs to me to check if he was injured.

I mean, why should I? I guess to me, the man is indestructible, which is stupid. Alessandro is a man. A strong, dark, and cold man, but still a human being with blood in his veins. And of course, no one is infallible; he could be hurt and killed anytime, especially with the kind of dangerous life he leads.

“Are you sick, Alessandro? Did you get hurt?” I asked, and I was shockingly worried for him. He stared at me with something I couldn't read. The black ring surrounding the deep blue in his eyes was vivid and unique.

I've always loved his eyes, dark and cold though they were; there's also something hypnotizing about them that seems to hold your attention, luring you in.

Moth to flame! Beautiful but deadly at the same time. I am partial to them and wouldn't mind if our baby got eyes like their father.

“No, Andrea, I'm not sick or hurt, come on, we are going inside, but wait, I will open the door for you,” he said, cutting off my inner monologue, and got out of the car, rounding up to where I sat waiting. He surveys the area in that smooth way he has, without letting anyone realize what he's doing.

I only noticed it because he'd done it a few times before, when we were searching for Meredith;. He always takes in his surroundings, always alert. He finally opened the door for me. When I got out, he placed his hand on my lower back, pulling me closer to him. Guiding me towards the entrance, we walked into the clinic together.

Though the hospital was small,, it was immaculate inside and looked new. Two women and a man were behind the nurses' station. Pregnant women, children, and men wait in the reception area. Some of them stared at us.

I know what they were staring at, the gorgeous big man in a nice suit and a woman in an oversized men's shirt with tangled strawberry blonde hair and a puffy face. I didn't need a mirror to know I looked terrible, like something a cat dragged in.

And Alessandro's ex-lover, or whoever that Valentina was, had seen me like this. I quickly banished her thoughts from my mind. Alessandro's hand on my back was warm, and it made me feel safe. I thought that's where we were going to wait too, in the reception. Instead, we stride right into the hallway.

“We've got an appointment already, the doctor must be waiting for us.” Something fluttered inside my stomach, and a thought occurred to me then. Could it be that Alessandro brought me to the hospital for my first check-up as an expecting mom?

No! That couldn't be, right? We haven't really talked about my pregnancy or what it means for both of us. However, the decision has already been made for me by Don Marchetti. I don't know what Alessandro views on it.

He hadn't given me any signs that he wanted the baby; earlier, he'd said that he would protect us. Maybe that's all that matters. With him, that is an answer in itself; that means he does want the baby,, right?

Turns out, we really are here to see a gynecologist because of my pregnancy. Alessandro knocked on a door and pushed it open. An older woman with kind eyes welcomed us into her office. Then she kissed Alessandro on both cheeks.

“Alessandro, it's been so long, no?”

“Yes, Emilia, it has. How have you been?” They chatted in Italian like old friends. Then the woman's eyes finally went to me.

“Sorry dear, I'm being rude, aren't I? I haven't seen this boy since he was a teenager until now. Come have a seat.” Her English, though accented, was perfect. She led me to a chair on the opposite side of hers where she'd gotten up a moment ago.

“I'm Doctor Emilia,” she said, shaking my hand after she'd sat back in her chair.

“Hello, doctor, I'm Andrea.”

“Nice to meet you, Andrea. Just Emilia would be fine, please. Now would you be ok with Alessandro being in the room, or should he wait outside?” she asked in her professional voice. I glanced at the sides and stared into Alessandro's eyes, the man who confuses me and keeps on surprising me, and without looking away, I answered.

“No, it's okay. He can stay,” I replied. For a moment, his eyes softened just a little bit, but that blankness was replaced in a flash.

“Alright, let's begin.”

After all the routine checkups I suspect every pregnant woman goes through, the urine test, blood test, BP test, etc., were once again back to the doctor's office where my first sonogram was done.

I couldn't help but be excited when I saw and heard the tiny life growing inside me. My eyes had instantly searched Alessandro's, whose entire attention had fixed on the monitor, watching the life we had both created.

His face was hard as usual. I noticed his 'sAdam's apples rising and falling. Alessandro Marchetti is nervous!

“What did the test results say? Is she okay and the baby? Are they going to be okay?” he said, though his face and eyes didn't show it, his question did. He cares!

“Everything is excellent. Both the mother and baby are in good health. The pharmacist will give you some vitamins and folic acid, ” Doctor Emilia said, her head down while she wrote down on a piece of paper. Then she hands it to Alessandro.

“It's good for the baby. I will be expecting you to come see me next month. And if there are any questions or concerns, please call me.”

We thanked the kind woman and left her office. Alessandro takes the prescription to the pharmacy and gets the vitamins. Then we left the hospital.

Our next stop was at an expensive mall, where Alessandro had booked entirely for us to shop alone. The place was empty of customers, and only two women were there: the saleswoman and the manager.

I knew I needed clothes, considering all my things had been stolen from me by Patrizio, that jerk. My suitcase, phone, laptop, handbag, and passport were all with him.

He'd even taken my sketchbook, where I'd written down all my ideas for wedding dresses. I have so many beautiful sketches and ideas I would regret losing in there.

The only things I was left with were the clothes they'd left for me in the closet back in the villa. Which are all smaller sizes, either that or I've added weight in the days I've been in captivity. I need clothes that actually fit. Though I love wearing Alessandro's clothes, it isn't ideal outside the bedroom.

The clothes, lingerie sets, and shoes that the sales girl and manager picked out for me were all jaw-droppingly expensive. I told Alessandro I only needed summer dresses and a few jeans. But he'd totally ignored me, only giving more orders to bring more.

I was hungry and exhausted. Two hours had gone by, and we were still not done. Alessandro was busy working or whatever on his phone,  sitting in the chair provided for him outside the fitting room.

He only raises his head whenever I change into a dress; his beautiful,, cold eyes run over every part of me, either with approval, his dark eyes heating when he likes the dress, or with a frown when he doesn't. It doesn't matter what I like; the women only listen to him.

Fortunately, I like almost half of the things he bought me. The amount of lingerie and nighties he'd chosen himself made me shiver. When he fingered a particular red thong with hooded eyes, my stomach fluttered, knowing where his imagination was.

But even with the hundreds of thousands of dollars he'd spend on me, I only wanted to get out of the boutique. I was pretty close to strangling his neck when he handed me a pair of barely there red silk bras and panties and ordered me to change into them. I couldn't help but touch them.

My hand trails over the cup; it's a size bigger than what I normally wear, like the rest he'd bought. I knew Alessandro chose this for me to try it out, imagining me wearing it for him.

He looked like he wanted to help me change. I shut the door in his face before he could say anything and quickly stripped out of the black number that clung to my body like a second skin and put on the panties first.