Chapter 56

Alessia.

I locked the door and pulled out the keys before carrying my bag and heading downstairs. The big living room was quiet as usual. And I doubt the housekeeper has woken up since it was still pretty early. I dropped my bag on the couch and then headed to the kitchen. I decided to make breakfast for Ryan before leaving. After the call with my Mom, she later handed it over to my Dad. I felt some kind of peace talking to them. It made me realize no matter the hardship, if you have your parents' good support, you won’t lack anything.

I don’t remember when last I entered the kitchen to cook. I had trouble locating some things in Ryan’s kitchen because I hadn’t even been inside before. The housekeeper was always busy in the kitchen. Now that I had it to myself, it felt strange.

The refrigerator was loaded with groceries of all kinds making it hard for me to know what to make. After some research on the internet, I decided to make chicken broth and noodles with some salad.

With the help of the tutorial on YouTube, I started making the preparations. Until the housekeeper came in. “Good morning, Ma’am.”

“Morning…” My eyes darted left to right trying to recall what her name was. “Rebecca. Trust you had a great sleep.” I said flashing her a smile.

“Yes, Ma’am. I can—” She pushed forward to take the knife from my hand when I stopped her. “It’s fine. I can handle it. Just help me with cutting the lettuce.”

“Okay, Ma’am.”

“Call me Alessia please.”

I used all the time in the world to cook the recipe. Rebecca has been helpful in making the chicken broth while I prepared the noodles and salad.

We set the table and awaited the arrival of Ryan who later made his appearance after some time. “Good morning.” I cheered wiping my palms with the hem of the apron.

A yawn escaped him as he accessed the dressing on the dining table. “What’s all these delicacies this morning?”

“I woke up at the good side of the bed today and thought of making you something to light up your day. Sit.” He was skeptical at first but sat down regardless.

I also grabbed my seat and pushed Rebecca to join us. Breakfast was in silence. All the while, Ryan wouldn’t stop looking at me. I know he’d be shocked when he finds out I have packed my bag to leave. But first I would enjoy the moment.

“Thanks for the food. Where did you learn how to make the chicken broth?” He asked wiping his lips with the table napkin.

Rebecca and I exchanged looks. “I know how to cook of course this is easy,” I said with a big laugh.

“Oh really. Didn’t know about that.”

“That’s because I didn’t tell you about it.” He nodded his head. I took the silence as a good sign to tell her about my decisions.

“Um…Ryan, I’m leaving.” I said in one breath.

At first, his brows were creased as if he didn’t hear what I said. “I have already packed my bag. I will be returning home.”

His eyes shifted to the couch where my bag was sitting before moving it back to me. “Why? Is it because of last night?”

“No. It has nothing to do with that. And has nothing to do with Angelo too. I’ve decided on my own. I will be going back to New York. Thank you for everything, Ryan. You’re a good friend and I hope we will continue to be in touch.” He was shocked at my outburst. Up to the moment, I sat up and picked up my bag from the couch, he didn’t stop looking at me.

When the realization hit me, his face fell. “Are you sure you want to do this now? You told me that you’re not ready yet.”

“I guess I am now.”

“Okay.” He answered forming his lips into a thin line. “I guess this is the end.”

“Yeah.”

Silence fell in the room as we gazed at somewhere else until he broke the silence. “Let me drop you off, then.”

“Sure.”

I said my goodbye to Rebecca and took a final look at Ryan’s luxurious house before taking off. No words were spoken between us as Ryan drove me to Angelo’s house. But I could feel the sadness in his eyes.

When we finally arrived at the destination, Ryan finally looked at me. “Thank you for everything, Alessia.”

“Thank you too. Thank you for allowing me to stay in your house. I enjoyed the time spent with you.” His lips curved up into a smile. “I’m the one to thank you because you helped me a lot. Don’t think this is over. We’ll still be in touch. Friends?” He pushed his hand forward. I actually felt relieved at his genuineness.

“Friends? Thank you once again, Mr. Charming man.”

He chuckled in return. “You’re welcome, Miss Beautiful Smile Woman.”

I got out of his car and waved at him for the last time. I might likely not see him again. We might only be getting in touch through calls or maybe social media. I watched as his car reversed back and drove away before taking a deep breath and taking off inside.

I didn’t inform anyone I would be coming. I know my appearance will come as a surprise to them. Instead of entering inside straightforwardly, I pressed the doorbell and patiently waited for someone to open the door. “Alessia?” Lillian’s eyes widened to a certain degree as she opened the door to my face.

“Hi,” I waved. She pulled me in for a hug. “Welcome back, Alessia.” She opened the door and collected my bag.

“Kelvin. Elijah, Alessia is back!” Lillian shouted. Within a matter of seconds, two tall men rushed down the stairs.

“Alessia? Is that you?” Elijah said as he approached me.

“Yeah. I’m here. How have you guys been? Where is Marco?” I asked my eyes roaming around the house.

The smile that was once on Elijah’s face disappeared. “He’s not here.”

“Why? What happened to him?” I bombarded.

“He fought with Angelo. Because of you.” Kelvin answered me. “Let me take your bag inside.” Lilian chirped in as a way of killing off the awkward conversation.

“Why did he leave because of me?” I asked again wanting to know the reason why Marco decided to leave the house because of me.

“Alessia?” Annie shouted through the stairs. “You this crazy girl!”

“Wait! Don’t hit me please.” But it was too late. Her strong fist landed on my shoulder. “You cheated me! You left!”

I ran off and she followed me taking the couch decor pillow along with her. “Come back here!”

“I will not until you calm down. Kelvin, she’s your girlfriend hold her.” Annie’s steps came to a stop.

“What? She’s your girlfriend?” Elijah asked him.

“Don’t be silly.” Kelvin brushed off Elijah’s question.

I used that as a means to stop Annie. “Don’t tell me you guys are still hiding your feelings.” I continued.

“I hate you!”

“And I love you. Let’s stop here, okay?”

Annie finally dropped the pillow and crashed on the couch. I emitted a sharp breath before joining her. “I’m sorry. I know I left without a proper goodbye. I just couldn’t keep burdening you.”

“And who said you’re burdening me? I was worried. My parents were worried. You left a crazy letter. I couldn’t reach out to you. Angelo couldn’t—”

“I didn’t expect you to find shelter in another man’s house instead of your best friend’s place.”

I lifted my brows in question. “I don’t remember us being best friends. Since when?”

“Since forever. I’ve missed you. Come here.” She opened up her arms. I got into her embrace. “Don’t disappear without a proper word again.”

“I promise. But I’m disappearing.”

“What? Where?” She pulled away and bombarded.

“Back to where I came from.” The smile disappeared from her face. Her eyes went behind me making me follow her gaze. There I saw him, standing on the stairs. He turned around and left without a word.

“I will explain everything to you. Let me have a word with him.” I sat up and made my way upstairs towards his study room.

I slowly pushed the door and stepped inside. Angelo was standing back facing his desk. He briefly looked at me before diverting his eyes away. “Hi,” I commenced.

“Hi,” He replied. Silence fell on us, thick and awkward. “Your wish is about to get fulfilled. I will be leaving.”

Something flickers in his eyes—surprise. But he didn’t say anything. I took a step closer to him. “I spoke to my parents last night. They want me back.” I don’t know why I was telling him about it. I felt the need to.

“That’s great.” His hand fiddled with the ring in his fingers which I was just seeing for the first time. “I’m happy for you.”

“Yeah. You can hand over my passport and I will take the morning flight tomorrow.” I said forming my lips into a thin line.

Bitterness settled inside me as he pulled open his drawer and fished out a passport. My eyes nearly watered at how eager he was to see me leave. I collected it from his outstretched hands. “Thank you.”

“Wish you a safe trip.” His words somehow hit me like a ton of bricks. It was too painful for me to accept that even in the end, he didn’t want to hold on to me.

I turned around to leave but stopped. “Can I ask you a question?” He nodded. “Are you okay letting me go like this? Even with everything we’ve been through together?”

We held each other’s gaze. My heart pounding inside. For the first time in my life, I wished for acceptance. To get accepted for once. To hear Angelo say those words to me. ‘I don’t want to let you go’. Because if I leave, that would be the end.

“It’s fucking painful to let you go but I have to do it for your safety.” I gulped down bitter saliva, taking another step forward, the way the space between us was just an inch. “Can you tell me you love me? For the last time?” I don’t know why I wanted to hear him say that but I felt like it would be the last time I would ever accept the fact that it wasn’t one-sided.

“Say it, Angelo and I promised—” The rest of the words halted in my throat when Angelo covered my mouth with his. The kiss lasted for a few seconds before he pulled away. “Take care of yourself, Alessia.” And just like that, he left the room, shattering my heart into more pieces of pain.