Chapter 180 Mezza
Alessia's POV
John heads up the steps first ,Then Alex climbs next taking his usual seat at front , and Luca joins him stretching his arms above his head.
“A four hour road trip seated on the bus nearly gave me a cramp in my back.”
I cannot even relate because my body is still recovering from all the changes . I say nothing as I enter next taking the seat behind Alex and My father sits beside me while Lucy and Angelica settle on the opposite aisle. Hugh steps in last as the door seals shut. I watch as Hugh heads to the last seat in the opposite isle picking a window sear.
Ferrini air has White soft plush leather seats and grey carpet that runs the entire walkway the cabin crew are in the back dressed in their white and grey fitted uniform stocking up the food and bar .
Leaning back I sigh with relief as my residual tension starts to ebb out slowly .Soon I feel the engine start humming beneath the floor .The pilot is warming up for take off.
The pilots voice cuts across the plane through the speakers : "Welcome Abroad Ferrini Air ,We are about to lift off destination Sicily .Please ensure you wear your seat belt and enjoy your flight"
I clip my seatbelt on tightening it for good measure . I can feel my father watching my movements not saying a word for a while. Alex stands up checking everyone's seat belt to make sure we are all wearing it snuggly then he returns to his seat .Moments later the engine's sound grows louder. The plane begins its ascent slowly first as it runs down the empty strip . As usual my stomach turns and my hand tightens on the armrest for a moment.
It's not like I am afraid
But altitude and air pressure always makes my stomach queasy when flying.
I turn to the window as the aircraft lifts off the ground and Mezza slowly disappears from view. And for the very first time since I stepped foot in La Geneva I allow myself to Exhale. One by one we all settle down for a smooth quiet flight .The large mountains we saw leading to Mezza now look like mere shadows under her clouds. On my right my father still hasn't shifted or said a word.
His hands are resting on the arm rest, his eyes are facing forward . I guess this is quiet and adjustment for him he didn't know he will ever be rescued . He might have even given up at some point. I watch Lucy who is seated across me drop the scripts she had been reading and stretches her arms above her head.
“That's enough for now.” she says softly as Angelica covers her mouth as a yawn escapes “My brain needs to rest too.”
Luca turns to them “You ladies have started translating already?”
Lucy nods. “Now that we have la Rosa we need to figure out the real owner.”
Luca whistles gently “Let's hope that information does not start a war.”
“We will try our best to avoid that as much as possible.” Alex says confidently
“With this group that is highly unlikely.” I add silently .
My father exhales deeply suddenly “Your mother loved flying.”
His words startle me as I thought he would be silent for the entire journey. I turn to him curiously. “Did she ?We never went anywhere.”
He nods his face pulling into a sad smile “She said flying made her feel free.”
My heart clenches in pain at the mention of my mother . "Margo Molano" She was so vibrant yet taken so swiftly and carefully. I face him once more he looks so sad I do not know how I am going to tell him about her being dead. I gulp hard ,I know I can’t keep this secret forever and it's better if I tell him before anyone does.
"Dad"
Perhaps because I am not using to saying it the word sounds strange on my tongue he turns to me expectantly.
“Everyone in Sicily assumed you died at sea.” I say quietly
He clenches his jaw tight "I was kidnapped at sea yes ,they spread the false rumor themselves "
My chest tightens
I believe it
Nothing cruel is above la Geneva it seems.
“Where is your mother?” He asks me in a resigned tone as tears pool in my eyes .He already knows he just wants to hear me say it.
“Didn’t they ever speak to you about Mom?” I whisper
He stiffens slightly. “No, they wanted something from me and when it was obvious I could not help they detained me .”
This is going to be hard
How do you tell a Man that his Bond Mate ,his wife is gone ?
It's hard enough that she resigned her fate when she heard of hus death . Choose to keep living on as a Maid in his family home for years, never complained, never argued, never fought back!
I can't even look at him , I look down at my hands staring at the lines on my palms.
“A member of La Geneva poisoned her.” I whisper gently
The silence that follows is almost heart wrenching. It's a kind of silence that is full of unsaid thoughts but you can feel them pressing on your subconscious. I feel his limbs go limb and turning to him his eyes are shut tightly as if he is fighting back his tears .He says nothing for a while until he opens his eyes once more his voice rough and thick with emotion.
“I felt the emptiness but …” he shakes his head “ I did not want to believe it”
“What exactly did they want from you?” I ask turning to him his face has gone as pale as chalk . Not because he is angry I am asking him questions but from grief.
He lets out a sharp breath “It's a very long story.”
“We have all the time in the world” I whisper
And for the first time since we were reunited I watch his eyes soften .“Yes My daughter…” he says quietly “We have time to catch up.”