Chapter 46 Guests
Alessia's Pov
I wake up slowly, stretching on the bed. Rubbing my eyes, glancing around, I find myself alone, but the door is ajar and soft hums of voices are drifting in from the living room. I yawn. Do they ever just stop and smell the fresh air?
I reluctantly head into the bathroom where I find fresh toiletries waiting. I sigh with pleasure. I have a bath and slip on a bathrobe that feels so snug and clean. I head to the closet and find a few clothes my size and underwear. Alex is so thorough. He thinks of everything. I pick out a yellow sundress and slip it on, smoothening it on my body. I check my reflection in the mirror before heading out of the room.
As I approach the living room, I can pick out Alex’s deep husky voice, Luca’s slightly more upbeat one, and some new distinct voices. From the sounds of it, they seem to be discussing something important. As I step into the living room hallway, I see a guard standing in front of Alex and Luca, both wearing all-black combat gear.
“Infiltrating the meeting will not be easy,” one of the guards says.
Luca replies, “I still stand by my idea of me being the obvious choice. They are not familiar with my face. Just get me an iron-clad identity and forged documents with a skilled guard so we make a quick entry in and a clean exit.”
The guard gives Luca a tight-lipped look. “I have the best guy on it. Your ID will be ready before the meeting starts at 11:00 am.”
Alex claps Luca’s back playfully. “Then there won’t be anything to worry about.”
Luca smirks, feeling good with himself, not saying anything.
Suddenly Alex lifts his head, as if he can smell my presence, and turns around, locking his eyes on me, and I feel my legs get wobbly all of a sudden. I use the doorway as support for a moment.
“Good morning,” I murmur softly.
All the others also turn around to stare at me. Their gaze does nothing to me though. It figures, only Alex has ever affected me this way before. Alex stands and starts walking towards me as I have a brief flashback of the tender kisses we exchanged the night before and how incredible I felt when he cupped me through my lacy bra. My body quivers in excitement as I watch him walk up to me. As he reaches my side, he takes my hand in his, and warmth crawls up my arm as he walks me back into the living room. We settle on the couch as he lifts my chin, meeting my gaze again.
“Morning, cara mia. Did you sleep well?”
Smiling at him as my heart races, I answer shyly, “Yes, I slept like a baby.” He smirks. He seems happy with what he sees in my eyes as he lets my chin go. I immediately feel bereft, missing his slight touch.
I drink him in hungrily. He is dressed in a beautiful dark blue suit with a crisp white shirt and two buttons undone. I want nothing more than to reach up and curl my fingers in his chest. I instinctively clutch my dress to keep my hands from doing just that, folding my legs under my body instead.
My gaze takes in the new faces, and I ask, “Which meeting are you trying to get into? Were you not invited?” I ask innocently as Alex’s lips twitch.
“Maybe our invite got lost in the mail.” He has a straight face, but I can see both Luca and the guards trying not to laugh by the side of my eyes.
“It’s just an important event for like minds,” he answers, his tone somewhat vague. “You don’t need to worry about it, but the intel that will be shared there is vital, and Luca will get it for us.”
I scrunch my nose for a moment but nod.
Luca adds, “I will be in and out in minutes.”
It doesn’t sound like a routine to me, but I keep mum about it. Before I can ask something else, Alex says:
“Remember to call Mr Padre and stop by his place to pick up the document.”
“I almost forgot about that,” Luca scratches his head, smirking. “After the event, we will go and see him.”
I turn to Alex, curiosity getting the better of me. “Alex, does Mr Padre have something about my lineage or”
I am interrupted by a round of sharp knocks on the suite door that echoes through the space.
The guards look at Alex, and he gives them a nod and a wave of his hand as they move towards the door in silence.
Luca joins them by the door, glancing through the small intercom screen, and then he returns quickly, whispering something to Alex. Alex’s shoulders straighten as he curses loudly.
“Luca, wait until we are in the dining room before letting them in.”
Luca squares his chest. “Okay, Alex.”
“Alex, who is it?” I ask, relieved that from the looks of it it’s not an enemy. Alex’s gaze holds mine, and he grimaces as he stands up and pulls me with him, gently walking me towards the dining room and closing the door firmly shut behind us.
“Alessia, we should eat some breakfast first before we entertain guests.” I nod numbly as he opens my chair and I slide in. I stare at the table filled with different kinds of food and beverages. My stomach rumbles, but I also wonder fleetingly who it could be that just arrived and why he thinks I need food first before I can engage with them.
I face him, my eyebrows furrowed.
“Alex, who exactly is here that I need to be full before I can talk with them?”
Alex glances at the shut dining room door, his jaw clenching for a moment.
“Cara mia, trust me. You will get it when you see them. Eat up.”