Chapter 58

Alessia.

I sat on my bed with my head between my head, replaying Angelo’s words in my head. It was a shocking revelation that I had never expected. Yes. I won't deny the fact that I was angry at him for hiding such a deep secret from me. But the main thing hitting my chest was my parents hiding the truth from me. It was a bitter revelation that I had never expected to happen to me.

I didn't have a normal person as a father but a mafia leader, who kills without. Who was the cause of the parent to the only man I've ever loved. The sound of my phone ringing made me lift my head. Mom’s name was plastered on the screen. I wiped the tears off my face before sliding the green button and putting the phone on speaker mode.

“Hey, Alessia. How are you? Have you arrived at the airport?” came Mom’s voice. I felt something hit my chest.

I gripped the bed covers. “Not yet Mom. But soon.” I answered.

She noticed my weak voice. “What’s wrong with your voice? Are you okay?”

“Yes. I'm having a sore throat but I've taken drugs.” I lied. A few seconds of silence followed before Dad’s voice resonated through. “Alessia my dear. It's okay if you can’t travel today. There's tomorrow. Make sure you get better first.”

I covered my mouth with my palms as the tears escaped me. How can such loving parents not be mine? How is that even possible? Could it be Angelo was mistaken?

“Can you hear me, Alessia?”

“Yes, Dad. Thank you.”

“Good. We're not in a hurry. Just come home safely.”

I gulped down a bitter saliva and mustered the question out. “Is there something you want to tell me, Dad?”

There was silence from the end for some time before Dad answered. “We have a lot to tell you, Alessia. We missed you. Come home soon.”

“Are you sure you don't want to say it before I return?” I still pressed on the question hoping I would get a bit of a hint from them. But they said nothing and only wished me a safe return home. Dropping the phone on the nightstand, I buried my head between my legs once again and cried my eyes out.

There was no way this would be possible. They're my real parents. I wasn't adopted. Throughout the morning, I didn't leave my room. I could hear the movement of my door opening and closing but I paid no attention. I didn't want anyone to talk to me.

It was evening time when my body temperature suddenly went up, making my whole body begin shaking. I pulled the covers to the brim of my nose but nothing changed. “Alessia?” I heard the familiar voice of Lillian who rushed up to me.

“Jesus! You're burning up!” she pulled out the covers away from my body and held my hands. I was too weak to speak a word. “Wait here, let me get Angelo.” My chest rose and fell as she rushed out of the room.

A few seconds later, she returned with Angelo hot on his heels. “Get a bowl of cold water and a clean cloth.” I heard Angelo say to Lillian who wasted no time in rushing out of the room. She later came back with what Angelo requested.

“Do you want me to…”

“No. It's fine. I will take care of her.” Angelo dipped the small towel into the water and placed it on my forehead. He did that for some time before massaging my chest. My hot body began cooling down. Nevertheless, my chest continued to rise and fall. After some while, my eyelid began closing. Because I could know it, I fell into a deep slumber.

**

I didn't know how long I'd been sleeping but when I woke up, the room was a bit dark. I didn't feel the weakness I felt before and the heat. I was about to lift my body when I felt a large hand holding me. Angelo’s eyes were closed as he sleeps soundly. I wanted to pull my hand away quietly without waking him up but found myself staring at his sleeping frame.

My fingers itch to touch him and I did that. I started by trailing my fingers over his brows, down to his eyelid. I stared at them for a longer time before shifting down to his nose and lastly his lips. I caressed his bottom lip. A soft smile erupted from me as Angelo pushed his lips forward as if he knew I was staring. “Cute boy,” I whispered tilting my head.

By the time I had gotten immersed in what I was doing, Angelo’s voice startled me. “Want to have a taste?”

I withdrew my hand away fast turning my back. “How are you feeling now?” He asked.

“I am good.” I stuck to a short reply. He didn’t say anything again. I even thought he had left the room until I turned and found him staring at me. “When are you taking me to see that man?”

Angelo’s brows creased. “Why so fast?”

“I want to see the man that abandoned me. To talk with him.” I declared.

His eyes darted left to right before he got down the bed to a standing position. “Where are you going?”

“Nowhere. I’m here with you, Alessia. Can you do something for me?”

It was my turn to look at him with confused brows. “What’s that?”

“Can you hug me?”

His request came unexpectedly and I didn’t know how to react. Yes, I have missed him so badly. I have missed his touch. His warmth. The way he wraps his arms around me. “Can you say you love me?” I asked back.

We held each other’s gaze for the longest time. I didn’t move from where I say neither did he take a step forward or back. “Will it change anything if I say it?” He asked.

“It would change everything, Angelo. I would—”

“I love you.” The words left his lips faster than I expected them to. The background suddenly faded and was left with strong thickness and the loud beating of my heart. Without thinking much, I dropped my legs down and sat up closing the gap between us, and wrapped my arms around him.