Chapter 74
Allegra was exceptional. In all areas. In swimming, in music, in writing, in school debates... everything. She is the kind of child who strives to be brilliant and accepts no less than that. A grade nine will never be good enough, because ten is perfect. And that wasn’t because of pressure from your mother, or because your grandfather was an amazing lawyer. While Evangeline thought she should drop the books a little and play more, the girl thought the opposite.
The day she needed some cardboard boxes to make a model, Evie said that in the attic there were some and she could go there to choose. The girl was almost finished, when she found a small shoe box, full of memories. She abandoned all the others and sat down, looking at all those things. It had an old cell phone, an opera bracelet, a box with earrings and diamond string and many photos. Evangeline alone. Evangeline with Felippa. And Evangeline with a man whose blue eyes shone as bright as Allegra’s when she was seeing something she loved so much.
Being the smart girl she was, Allegra knew who was in that picture. Once, when they were watching television, an extraordinary report began informing, that there was a police raid in a New York nightclub and a man had exchanged shots with the police. Allegra recalls that upon hearing the name Alec Castello, her mother was extremely nervous. She walked around, staring at television and only relaxed, when they reported that the man in question was fine.
After extensive research, Allegra knew a lot about Alec. When Evangeline informed her that they were going to New York, she felt genuinely happy, because she could go after what she suspected so much. Soon after Evangeline left to visit Felippa’s father, Allegra took everything she needed and left. The taxi driver who stopped for her asked about her being traveling alone. Allegra had a false permit, saying she could walk around town alone. And she also had a lot of money, which made that cabbie take her faster.
As soon as he reached the front of the Castellos mansion, Allegra observed everything. The great gate was open, as some vans passed by. As soon as the last passed, she sneaked around the corners, took advantage that the driver was distracted washing the car and ran to the front of the house. The door was open and she wasn’t intimidated by it. Allegra walked in and stared at it with curiosity.
None of the staff cared about having a strange child in the middle of the room. In two days, AB, Antony Blake, would turn ten years old and many more children would be seen. But Alec, as he came down the stairs, cared. Since Evangeline, he didn’t see anyone with natural red hair. It almost threw him off. But then he remembered his nephew’s birthday and relaxed almost completely.
"AB is in the back." he says, passing by her. "I do not like children walking around the house alone.”
"I’m no child. And I didn’t come to see Antony. I came to see you.”
Alec was almost out of the house when she completed her sentence. He turned on his heels and stared at her. Looking at Allegra, it was like taking a trip back in time. Although she wasn’t even a teenager yet, she looked a lot like Evangeline.
"I am Allegra." the girl says, since Alec was mute in facing her. "Allegra Atkins. And you are Alec Castello. My father.”
"What? It is not possible...”
The mobster looks around, looking for Audrey or some sign that it was just a bad joke. But as he does not find anything, he again faces the girl, who speaks.
"My mother told me that she knew she was pregnant, the same day she knew she could never practice music again. At first it was strange, she thought she was not capable and much less deserving... she says that living in London, changed her whole life." Alec remains staring at the girl, enchanted by her eloquent way of speaking. "I knew that my father, was not my father. Mom’s eyes are green, Dad’s brown and mine... well...”
"Wait... if you really are who you say you are... is Evangeline married?”
He wasn’t talking directly to Allegra.
"My parents are unaware that I know about everything." she continues. "I kept my doubts to myself and just waited for the moment when I would come here and could see you. We can do a DNA test, but I have no doubt.”
"I need to sit... come with me.”
Alec enters the mansion and goes straight to the living room. He pours whiskey and drinks it in two seconds. It didn’t even burn. Not like your mind and heart.
"Evangeline wouldn’t do that." Alec murmurs, turning to Allegra. "She wouldn’t hide... a daughter from me.”
"Do you know Mom? Really? She’s very proud. I don’t know what happened to make her leave, since the only part of this town I know about is Aunt Felippa.”
"How old are you?”
"I make ten at the end of the year.”
Alec didn’t have to be a math genius to know that the math matched. He sat down and made a move for her to do the same.
"Tell me more.”
"What do you want to know?”
"Everything.”
That request amazed Allegra. She told Alec everything she thought was important about her life. When her first tooth fell out; when she hit a boy in school because he called her a nerd; the amount of prizes she won in swimming; and more.
It was an hour and Alec didn’t even feel it. That’s when Howard came into the house, gasping and looking for his boss.
"You won’t believe who’s here.”
Before Alec could open his mouth, Evangeline emerged behind the great driver and froze to see the great love of his life.
"Alec.”
"Hi, Evangeline.”