123- Giullia discovers Alessandro's true identity.
**GIULLIA SANTORI’S POV**
As I drive towards the house my parents chose, I reflect on everything that's currently happening. I have a lot to sort out, from ensuring my parents are safe in their new home to deciding the details of my wedding. Even though getting married was never a dream of mine, with a wedding dress and an altar, today I can see the importance of this act.
My relationship with Vittorio is very mature, despite the jealousy crises he's been showing. But our desire is even greater, leading to the delicious madness we're indulging in. He's also an incredible father.
As I pull up to the house, I park the car and as I walk towards the entrance, I notice two security guards accompanying me. I stop and raise my hand, indicating for them to stop where they are.
"There's no need for you to follow me everywhere," I order.
"But the boss ordered..."
"It doesn't matter what Vittorio ordered, I'm ordering you to stop." I roll my eyes and continue walking towards the house.
I push open the large door and see Alessandro standing up, walking towards me with a wide smile. As he approaches, he nods in greeting.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, miss."
I notice being addressed as a single woman and find it strange. Being a mother, everyone always refers to me as "ma'am," but I ignore this language formality.
"Hello, Alessandro. My parents loved this house, and so did I. Of course, it requires some changes, but nothing too difficult to do. Are you also responsible for this function, or should I find an architect?" I ask excitedly, looking around.
"I can take care of anything you require," he informs me.
After sorting out this detail, he retrieves some papers and sits on the couch, spreading the papers on a coffee table in front. I also sit down to sign the papers, but before I do, I pick up the contract and read it carefully. Everything is correct, the clauses, values, and property details. Minutes after scrutinizing, I sign the paper in the designated place.
"You made a good deal, Giullia!" He smiles.
I don't know why, but I had the impression that he pronounced my name as if we were close. I look closely at his clear eyes and blonde hair falling over his eyes and start to find his gaze strange.
"The property is sold and belongs to your parents. Take the document to your parents to verify properly. I know Vittorio might be worried that I'll do something to your parents, but I would never do that, it's not my focus."
My heart races when I hear those words. I take a few steps back and end up bumping into the coffee table. He remains still and opens a wide smile.
"What are you talking about? Who are you?" I feel afraid, but not for myself, but for being a mother.
"Don't be afraid, at first I wanted to get revenge on you too, but after getting to know you, I would want a woman like you by my side."
I feel the dagger at my waist, brought with me in case I need to defend myself. He doesn't move, doesn't advance, and doesn't do anything against me.
"I am Alessandro Bianchi, but my last name is Messina!"
I feel as if a cold wind is running through my body. I look at him, and a movie starts playing in my mind. The memory of that man analyzing me and affirming that I wasn't a woman for Vittorio, then shooting Vittorio without any hesitation. These are eternal traumas that I carry from that time, traumas that I thought were buried with Messina and Carlo.
The words are stuck in my throat, and I swallow hard, looking around and seeing no man, neither him nor my security guards. We are alone in a huge room, and silence hangs in the air.
"What are you going to do with me? Seek revenge?" I take steps backward, trying to distance myself.
"With you?" he smiles.
Alessandro steps toward me, and I can't continue because the couch prevents me from taking more steps back. The man approaches, touches my hair, and I tremble, remembering my son, my parents, and my future husband.
"I won't do anything to you. I couldn't get you out of my mind since I first saw you. I understand Vittorio's fascination with you. But do you think he cowardly killed my father just to come back? He killed my father because he wanted to be a leader. You're being deceived. You're a trophy, Giullia!" He asserts convincingly.
"My parents, my son... if you dare to do anything to them, I..."
He doesn't let me finish speaking, putting his index finger on my lips and silencing me.
"I'm a man of my word, I won't do anything to you, your son, or your parents. But I will kill Vittorio in a way even more painful than the way he killed my father!"
My love for Vittorio is as intense as my love for my parents and son. He's my man, the person I've waited for years, and hearing this hurts me deeply. In a desperate act, I grab my dagger from my waist and try to strike him with it, but he holds my wrist and smiles.
"You're brave, I like that. I'm even more fascinated, but you need more to kill me."
I hear the sound of cars approaching the house. Alessandro looks out the window and carefully observes who is arriving. He takes a few steps back and, still with a smug smile on his lips, orders:
"Your beloved has arrived, go to him. Tell him who I am, it won't do any good. Don't forget, maybe I could be a man more worthy of having you, instead of that idiot."
He stands still, and fearing someone might harm Vittorio, I run out of the house. When I reach the door, I take one last look at the room, and Alessandro isn't there, he's disappeared.
My breathing is labored, and nervousness consumes me. I feel afraid and, at the same time, I feel that he wouldn't do anything to Luca and my parents because if he wanted to, he would have already. But I can't say the same for Vittorio.
"Giullia, what happened?" Vittorio shouts and runs toward me.
I watch him approach and hold my face, he stares at me, and that makes me stop. I look at him and think that I can't lose him again.