Chapter 18 Morning at the Ferrini’s
Alessia's POV
When I wake up, the rain has finally stopped. I look around and notice the sheets are dented, and the other side of the bed is warm. He joined me in the bed… That seems oddly intimate for someone you are holding captive and trying to keep at arm’s length. I sigh, turning my neck around in circles, trying to get all the kinks out. The towel he used last night is still hanging on the side of the chair.
Alex? I call out, wondering if he is maybe in the bathroom.
I am met with silence.
I put my hand on the empty spot again. I can’t believe he slept in this bed. With me, watching me. The idea of it makes my stomach twist in knots. I get up and walk towards the door to check if it’s open, even though I know I will find it closed. I twist the door knob- yes it’s still closed.
I shake my head and go to the bathroom, having a quick shower and picking out a t-shirt and jeans, a perfect fit from the wardrobe. As I sit on the vanity to apply some makeup, I hear keys rattling on my door. Who could that be now? I wonder as my heart leaps. I face the door as the lock clicks, and Luca walks in.
I sigh in relief, smiling at him.
“You are up already?” he asks quietly.
“Good morning, Luca. I am an early riser,” I tell him. What I don’t add is that while I was working at the Sirrano's Residence, I was up at the crack of dawn on most days, so this is even the best sleep I have had in years. I force down my somber thoughts as my gaze meets his again.
“Where is Alex?”
He studies me before answering. “When I arrived, he was on his way out…”
Before I can caution myself, I blurt out, “Where did he go?” Alessia, it’s not your place to ask these things. He is not your lover. I caution myself inwardly after the damage has been done.
He shrugs. “To handle some business, I presume.”
I fold my arms on my chest, remembering how he returned last night.
“He returned home soaked to the bone and bleeding last night. He said it was Gio’s-" My voice cracks on his name. Luca nods at me, his gaze softening. “Yes. I am so sorry. He had been shot before he arrived the location.”
I stare at him, shocked. “Oh… Alex said he didn’t kill him, but he didn’t tell me who did, so I just assumed it was one of his men.” Now I feel bad for punching him and telling him I hate him last night.
Luca shakes his head. “He found him dying.”
I stare at him, still unsure. “How can you be so sure of this?”
“Because I was there. We went together. He even tried to help him, but he was too far gone.”
I gasp in surprise as my chest sinks in remorse. “Why didn’t he just tell me what happened?”
Luca sighs. “He probably thinks it will be easier for all the people concerned if you hate him.”
My mind flashes to his words - Hatred keeps you alive. Indeed, because now without it, I have nothing to hold on to as an anchor. I let out a shaky breath.
“That’s ridiculous…”
Luca folds his hands into his pockets. “Perhaps it seems that way to you, but that’s how he is.”
As I continue to ponder over this new revelation, I hear a soft knock on the door, and Lucia steps in with a tray.
“Morning, signora. I brought your breakfast,” she says, indicating the tray in her hand.
“Thank you, Lucia, but I am not-” My stomach growls loudly before I can finish. I feel my cheeks warming in embarrassment as they both chuckle.
Lucia crosses over to place the tray on the side table and scolds me softly. “Come on, signora, please eat something.”
“Yes, please, you can’t deny you are hungry,” Luca joins in as I grudgingly get up and head towards the chair to eat the food. Luca joins me in the other chair while Lucia moves around the room, fixing the bed and sweeping out the non-existent dirt. I take a few spoons of the porridge when the door opens again. I look towards the door as Alex walks in, dressed in a black suit that shows off his sculptured body with his holster clearly visible, looking like a Model .My heart sputters, electricity zaps in the air, and tension starts to accumulate slowly. Dios, he looks like sin wrapped in chocolate, and I feel a sudden ache to eat the said chocolate as opposed to the porridge seated in front of me.