Chapter twenty
Alora POV
"Lora," I heard Rafaello call behind me, but I didn’t stop until I reached my room and shut the door. I had been avoiding him all morning, not wanting to face him after what happened last night. I’d made up my mind to return his things, only to run into Santino instead.
He had the worst advice, yet somehow I didn’t find it all that bad. Sometimes, I even wished I was his real sister, maybe then no one would treat me like trash. Even if it wasn’t real, at least he tried to cheer me up. Throwing that phone through the wall should’ve felt awful,knowing it had just been bought yesterday and cost a fortune,but seeing Rafe’s unaffected face made me want to throw it again.
I walked to my closet to get ready. Macko had suggested we go out to help clear my head, and I’d never felt so grateful to have people who actually cared about me. For once, I felt like someone,not just the abandoned girl from the streets with no identity.
After my shower, I put on a black backless dress with a thigh-high slit that Macko had picked out for me, tied my hair in a ponytail, and grabbed my purse. When I walked out, he was already waiting by the door.
"Look who finally showed up. I thought I’d have to drag your ass out," Macko teased.
"Hi to you too, Macko," I said, handing him the key.
We were about to leave when Rafaello’s angry voice stopped us cold.
"Where do you think you’re going dressed like that?" he snapped.
I didn’t answer, just stood there, waiting for him to lash out.
"Go inside and change. Now," he ordered furiously.
I wanted to defy him, but Macko gestured for me to just do it.
I walked back to my room and changed into baggy jeans, a simple top, and a hoodie. I hated how this man seemed to control every aspect of my life. Every time he tore down my choices, it felt like he was tearing down me too.
When I came back out, he was still waiting. I stomped past him furiously until I reached the car. Macko opened the door for me, and I climbed in.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"Anywhere, as long as I don’t see Rafe’s stupid face," I muttered.
The drive was smooth out of the estate. Once we hit the road, Macko put on some music and pushed the speed.
I was lost in thought and didn’t even realize we had stopped until he parked.
"We’re here. You can stop brooding now, princess," he said.
I adjusted my hoodie and got out of the car.
"Where are we?" I asked, looking around.
"Well, since you can’t do anything cheerful right now, I thought you’d want to eat some ice cream by the beach," he replied.
I immediately hugged him. He really knew how to make a girl happy.
"Thanks, Macko," I said, pulling away.
"Let’s get some ice cream, shall we?" he said, taking my hand.
There was an ice cream parlor just ahead.
"What flavor do you like?" he asked.
I hesitated. I didn’t even know. I’d never indulged in ice cream before. Seeing my uncertainty, he ordered for me. "Just pack all the flavors," he told the woman.
He carried the bag, and we walked back to the beach. He sat down and gestured for me to join him. I pulled off my hoodie, letting the breeze soothe my face.
He opened the containers and set them in front of us.
"Start with vanilla. It’s my favorite," he said.
The second it hit my tongue, the flavor melted smoothly, and I wanted more. For the first time in forever, something so simple tasted like happiness,cold, sweet, fleeting, but real.
"Tell me about yourself," I asked him.
He frowned, and I immediately regretted it.
"You don’t have to," I said quickly.
"No, it’s fine, hunny. It’s just… no one’s ever cared to know anything about me before. You’re the first," he said softly.
"Well, let’s see… I have two sisters and parents," he continued.
"That’s sweet. But how did you end up with Rafe, you know, the Mafia?"
"Rafe saved me from his grandfather. My family had a debt, and his grandfather took me from them. But Rafe lied, said the debt was paid, and insisted on taking me with him. He trained me, gave me a job, and now my family lives debt-free and comfortable."
I didn’t know whether to admire Rafe for saving him or hate him for never showing that side of himself to me.
I shuddered at the thought of Rafe’s grandfather. I’d only seen him once, and that was more than enough.
I decided to switch topics. "Um, Macko, do you know where Bianca went off to? I haven’t seen her lately."
"Probably in France. She and Rafaello’s grandfather don’t get along," he answered.
I wanted to press more, but it wasn’t my place.
"How about you, Lora? Do you like Rafe?" Macko asked, eyeing me like he could read my soul.
"No, I don’t like that jerk," I blurted out.
"If you say so. But girl, the way you eye that man like you could eat him alive says a lot," he whispered.
My cheeks burned hotter than the sun, and I wanted the ocean waves to swallow me whole.
"I don’t eye him. No way," I retorted.
"Then why are you hiding your face? Don’t worry, though. He does the same,like he could have you screaming in every corner of that house," Macko teased.
My blush deepened until I thought my skin might combust.
I really didn’t understand how I felt about Rafe. If love was supposed to be clear, then why did mine feel like a storm I couldn’t name?
So, I pushed the thought away and focused on the ice cream and the soothing ocean breeze. This kind of peace and freedom had become rare for me, and I craved it.
Then I had a silly idea. "How about we scream?" I suggested.
Macko looked at me, then screamed out loud. I joined him, screaming even louder.
We took turns until we collapsed in laughter, blissed out.
Hours later, Macko packed up the ice cream and helped me up. We drove back, reaching the mansion late.
I got out of the car, and Macko handed me the key and the leftover ice cream.
"Thanks. I really enjoyed the beach," I told him.
"It was nothing, hunny. I enjoyed talking with you. Now go eat some real dinner,no more ice cream," he said with mock seriousness.
"Yes, mum," I teased, heading inside.
Exhausted, all I wanted was a shower, a warm meal from Maria, and a long night’s sleep. But as I neared the kitchen, a soft laugh drifted from the living room.
I froze and stepped back.
Oh no. My perfect day shattered in an instant.
Rafaello sat in the living room with a woman.
He held a wine glass, saying something that made her laugh again and again. She stood, her elegant makeup flawless, her dress hugging her curves like it was made for her. She poured him more wine and herself some too.
He didn’t seem bothered. In fact, he looked happy. Happier than I’d ever seen him.
My stomach twisted, my lungs tightened. It wasn’t supposed to matter, but it did. It mattered too much.
Then she leaned against his chest, and he didn’t push her away. He wrapped his arm around her.
His eyes locked on mine, dark and unreadable, while his hands kept stroking her hair. That hurt worse than any slap.
I forced myself to breathe and dragged my feet tow
ard the stairs.
I walked away, but each step felt like tearing myself apart. And still, his gaze followed me like a shadow I couldn’t escape.