Chapter 102 Dinner time
Alex's POV
We stand at the brink of the dining hall and watch as coven members slip into their chairs ,catching up on their days activities. Luca turns to me and asks loudly “Are you ready for this?”
I nod my head “Ready as I will ever be,the sooner we get the answers we need the better”
It is so boisterous that I flinch for a second. Looking around the hall quickly I see some familiar faces and some new ones laughter is heard from almost every corner, the lanterns are shining bright like diamonds. If Alessia was by my side the noise won't irk me so but right now I feel like the Grinch on Christmas day.
Lucy and Angelica conveniently step in front and lead the way,me and Luca quietly following them from behind. My mind is filled with thoughts of Alessia,will she come for dinner? Will she approach me or stay away from us? My heart tightens as the unbridled thought of her sitting with Frederic fills me. I clench my teeth praying it doesn't come to that or his blood will be spilled tonight!
I settle into my seat beside Luca, Angelica settles on his side and Luca sits facing us. Across the table the coven members continue to talk Freely, their voices rising and falling in tandem and I feel so damn out of place. My eyes quickly drift round the table hoping I might be lucky and Alessia settles into another chair but alas no luck she is no where to be found. Her seat on my right remains empty and untouched. I clench my jaw tight I know I deserve this but it doesn't hurt any less. I face my empty plate hoping all the answers I need will appear there.
“Where is Alessia?” Someone murmurs nearby a voice sounding like Frederic I hitch my breath as I hold my table knife tight it digs into my skin drawing blood.
\-Pain just what I need to remain calm
\-The only antidote to my unhappiness
I dont bother answering neither do I bother lifting my head. “She is usually very punctual” he adds as Luca swears under his breath. Bastardi- I am sure he is gloating right now I won't even spare him a glance.
Turning to Enya she sits at the head of the table with her husband Orzo on her right. Her shoulders straight posture as regal as possible in a champagne silk dress with her hair in a tight bun. She doesn't say anything about Alessia’s whereabouts but I notice the tell tale tightening of her lips. She reaches for her wine glass and taps it once as the room falls into silence
It's obvious she already knows Alessia won't be joining us. She might even know what happened
The realisation settles like a stone in my chest heavy and uncomfortable.
“Let's eat, The princess will not be joining us tonight” Enya says calmly her voice echoing round the hall “Dinner will carry on as usual.”
Immedialtely she sits down, our starter materialises on our plates as usual but my appetite is gone and my mouth has turned to ash .Picking up my fork I move as if in auto pilot one bite at a time not wanting to give them even more to gossip about .
Luca leans towards my ears “ She is obviously very angry.” he mutters under his breath
I huff “ Luca, she is more than angry”
Raising my head I see Lucy eating her food quietly . She raised her head and gives me a sharp nod as her attention returns to her food.
Luca whispers into my ear again “Angelica said, Alessia asked for her food to be sent to her room.”
I feel like I have been sucker punched as I freeze for a moment. “Well at least she is not starving” I say flatly
We eat in silence for a few minutes then Luca leans over again “She also asked Mara to send someone to come and help move your things to our room”
\-Fuck ! This is bad
My fingers curl around the wine glass tightly
\-She doesn’t want to share a room with me any longer.
\-I wish she had just fought me , screamed , lunged even burnt me . Anything would have been better than this silent torment.
I feel Lucas gaze on me “Sigh , Alex”
“It’s okay Luca” I cut in resigned to my fate “I know I deserve this”
The second course arrives soon after and I have to force myself to pick up my fork everything is tasteless but I eat anyway. Across the table seated near lucy are two witches who keep whispering their eyes moving towards me routinely it takes a moment before I recognise them . Tensing I groan inwardly .
\- The jezebells that caused the problem
I grip my fork tighter ,If I could turn back the hands of time …
“Signore Ferrini” Maria a coven elder addresses me politelty “I was asking if you enjoyed your tour today but you seem distracted”
“I am” I reply earnestly no point lieing I lift my eyes to hers “Please excuse my rudeness, It was fine”
Her lips twist into a cruel smile and I am taken aback ,They are enjoying thr show .Alessia is not here with me, It’s obvious things are not working well in paradise any longer.
My phone suddenly starts vibrating in my pocket , I freeze for a moment .This is definitly from sicily no one else calls these days.
Luca notices and casually askes “Is it from the ferrini mansion?”
I nod already standing up ,dropping my napkin on the table turning to Enya “Please excuse me, this can't wait.”
She tilts her head in acknowledgement as I walk out of the hall. I answer the call on the third ring ,Not bothering to check I slide the answer button and place the phone on my ears.
Me:Ferrini here
Unlnown: Good evening Sir its Anto
Me: Anto whats the latest ?
Anto: Signore Alex we got a name from the culprits we caught before sending their boss the bloody gifts.
I take a deep breath
Me: Thats good who sent them?
Anto: Signore it was Mafiaso
Me : I gasp in shock thats one of Thomas guys
Anto: Yes signore we await his retaliation . I nod kicking a pebble on the ground
Me:Thats fine keep me posted on any other occurances, stay sharp.
I cut the call ,It's one thing to another Thomas is suppose to be on the hunt of La Rosa. Why is he still trying to infiltrate my kingdom? Or is it an isolated event because they heard I am out of the country they want to try and take what's mine? Do they have a death wish? Something isn't right will need to look into just what Thomas Serrano is up to but for now. I straighten my shoulders and head back into the battlefield because Alex Ferrini is no Quitter-