Chapter 191 Guests
Alessia's POV
Looking around the room everyone seems to be thinking about all we have learnt today.
Two guardians
The Albatross crest
Ferrini bloodline
It's a whole lot to wade through and there is me of course . The second guardian ,my mark flares in response to my thoughts.
“Oh I know it's me” I whisper silently
Everything is falling into place now and just like that our connection makes sense . Do I dare say it was foreseen by my ancestors and his ? Alex is now standing at the head of the table, his expression blank as Padre continues to separate the translated scripts from the rest.
Selina on the other hand won't stop looking at me .I try not to growl in frustration , turning my attention to Lucy. She seems to be deep in thought nose scrunched in frustration before she exhales.
Padre turns to the table “ I will go and work on the remaining part of the script see you all tomorrow ”
We nod as Alex stands and follows them out of the dining the rest of us remain in our seats .The words still echoing like a song in repeat .
“Okay then.” Lucy mutters “That there was a lot of information to digest before noon.”
Luca slides his chair back " I think a history lesson as loaded as that should always come with wine.”
Angelica rolls her eyes “Luca you want everything with wine.”
Before Luca can respond we hear a knock on the door ..We all turn towards the doorway .Hugh immediately gets up and heads for the door , Alex checks his phone.
His brows raised “I don't have any pending messages and I am not expecting anyone.”
The knock comes again this time decidedly louder than the first. I hear Hugh open the door and a feminine familiar voice drifts to us.
“Good morning..”
“Ahhh” The Matriarch Marguerite Ferrini!
My stomach sinks. I am not in the mood for this ,a minute later I hear another voice, this time softer and of course more feminine.
Isa-fucking-bella as I live and breathe !
Urgh!
“Where is my son ?” Marguerite's indignation is in her voice which reaches us and Alex freezes for a moment not moving as Luca adjusts his chair sitting upright.
That woman certainly knows how to put Luca in check. “Dios Mio” he murmurs “That answers that question”
Alex gets up and heads to the living room to meet them . The rest are close behind but I take my time , taking deep breaths . I know how much they antagonised me before we left . I am not that scared girl anymore .Straightening my shoulders I walk into the room and just by the doorway are three people.
Anto Alex's chief of security and Behind him Marguerite Ferrini and Isabella . She stands stall her blonde highlights wrapped in a tight chignon, flawless make up on her ageless Grecian features her slim size two frame in a skin tight red bandeau dress with nine inch killer heels , Isabella stands beside her a short 5'4 slim svette brown haired beauty with a cute upturned nose , striking blue eyes and a plump mouth dressed in a similar dress but hers is the exact shade of her eyes Electric blue .Both women look like they just walked off Milan fashion show...
Perfect and dangerous
I gulp hard
Her black eyes move around the room immediately as their strong perfume fills the room almost bringing tears to my eyes. Anto moves aside bowing to Alex.
“Signore Alex , sorry to barge in this way , they insisted.”
Marguerite snubbs him as her eyes lock on her son's face and I watch her steadily as her facade slips and a look of pure adoration flashes on her face before it disappears once more but I had already seen it…She loves Alex to death and missed him..
“Alexander.” She whispers sweetly
Alex walks towards her in quick strides giving her a hug and kiss on both cheeks.
“Mother”
Marguerite grips his face with her frail hands looking him over.
“Let me see you ,you were away for so long.” she says sharply
“And you only sent a few messages a week to let me know you are well.”
Alex sighs “Mother I was busy.”
“Busy doing what ? You nearly got yourself killed.” she retorts ".
Luca coughs and uses his hand to hide the smile tugging on his lips .She finally releases him and looks around the room once more.
Her gaze pauses on Luca “Lucas I hope you looked after him like you promised ?.”
Luca straightens bowing slightly " Yes Signora I did"
She nods "You look well "
“Thank you.” he mutters
Then Isabella steps forward tired of being ignored oh here we go ...
“Hi Luca , welcome back.” she whispers demurely blinking her eyes
She has decided to finally jump ship but unfortunately it's too late!
Luca blinks in surprise but recovers quickly "Hello Isabella" both of them look at each other uneasily for a moment and Lucy tugs on Angelica's elbow leaning towards her ears.
“Angelica, it looks like you may have a rival.”
Angelica smirks confidently, “It's old news now.”
I laugh silently. This is going to be interesting. Isabella's eyes land on me first , I watch her electric blue eyes crinkle in disgust as she travels from my warm fluffy white shoes to my bathrobe and my messy hair in a bun at the top of my head.Her lips thin with displeasure but I am used to her nonsense .I move closer to Alex staking my claim on him as my mark warms up instantly
Let her chew on that!
She looks at me again something dark and twisted flashing in her eyes . "What are you still doing here?I thought you left Sicily?”
I hear Lucy and Angelica's shocked gasps but I don't turn away . I face Isabella my eyes cold and unblinking .“You thought wrong Isabella , I give her a fake smile.”
“And I am here to stay.”
Marguerite's cold eyes settle on me next, “Alessia.”
She calls my name as if she feels I am beneath her. I tense beside Alex waiting for her verbal assault as he squeezes my hand once. Warming and grounding me from the inside out , we got this . Surely if we can infiltrate La Geneva , swap La Rosa and escape with my father we can handle two cold women. Talking about my father I am so glad he opted to stay back in the Dining room and not deal with all this disrespect .I bow my head slightly in respect.
“Good Evening Signora Ferrini.” Ignoring Isabella who is fuming by her side.
Her eyes darken with anger as she looks at Alex , then me , then her eyes stray to our laced fingers.
“I am also surprised you are still here.” she says quietly
Lucy's eyes widen with shock as she glances at me then the two women , sensing the rising tension simmering between us.
Alex groans stepping in front of me “Mother, Isabella that is enough.”
She turns to him her expressions softening for a moment. “Alex you've been gone for months ,she places her french manicured nail on his arm and now suddenly you return locking yourself in this hotel with her.”
Luca clears his throat “To be fair it is a very lovely hotel for a staycation.”
No one cracks a smile and Marguerite ignores him..She fixes her cold eyes on me again.
“You seem to always be with my son.” she mumbles lightly.
I see Isabella smirking as she places her hands on her hips enjoying the drama .I look into Marguerite's eyes boldly “We are doing some work together.” I reply.
Alex's jaw ticks I know I could have handled that better but it's the first thing that comes to mind. “I see.” she murmurs clearly not seeing at all then she turns to Alex flashing him a fake smile and “Who are your new friends ?”
Alex makes the introductions waving a hand at Lucy and Angelica he mutters “They are historians from Padre that are helping me solve a case.”
Marguerite and Isabella turn to the ladies giving them a once over and dismissing them immediately
“Hmmp.” she mutters
As she drags Isabella’s hand and they both settle on the love seat , Alex and I slip into the sofa near Luca while the other ladies settle on single chairs .Once we are all seated we openly stare at each other for a few seconds until Lucy claps her hands together in a bid to reduce the tension.
“Well welcome to you two.” she says brightly
Angelica smirks trying not to laugh and Luca grins widely. I remain by his side, chin up defying them as the tension in the room becomes even thicker . Isabella's eyes keep returning to our joint hands every couple of minutes . Sighing I clench my teeth ,I never understood why these women instantly disliked me when we met at the Ferrini Mansion . They have taken immense pleasure in antogonising me from the very beginning and from the looks of things time has not dampened their dislike. Nothing has changed between us , but I am comforted by the fact that after the one of a kind meeting we plan to have with all the powerful families in Sicily? Everything will.