Chapter 64

Alessia.

I hadn't prepared myself properly. I just knew that I had tons of questions that I wanted to ask her. Why did she abandon me? Was the main question that had been nagging me inside. Angelo gave my hand a little peck as we walked to her entrance door.

I didn't ask Angelo how he managed to find her because I knew how much effort he was putting into trying to make me happy. And as someone with a connection, it wouldn't be hard for him. "I'm here." He leaned over and whispered to my ear, kissing the side of my face gently.

The door was opened and we were directed inside by the housekeeper. "Mrs. Annabelle is waiting for you in her guest room." The young housekeeper told us.

"Please take us there." She led the way and we followed suit. All the while, I couldn't help but notice the picture frames of a beautiful woman. There are like five of them on the wall then some art painting. We stopped at a door and the housekeeper knocked.

"Come in." My nervousness kicked in as I heard her voice. However, I didn't get time to compose myself when Angelo walked up inside shutting the door behind him.

My eyes instantly landed on a beautiful woman who looked better in the face than in the picture. Bile rose in my throat as we stared at each other. There was no mistake that the woman was my mother. I could see my resemblance. But why now? After all the years?

Angelo sensed my inner turmoil, he whispered the same way he did when we first arrived. "Everything is going to be alright. I will be outside."

I held his arm stopping him before he could leave. "Stay." I needed him to be with me. Because that was the only way I would be able to express myself. I'm depending on him. "Don't leave me here," I added. His eyes lingered on me for some seconds before he intertwined our hands.

"Please." She gestured to the sofa facing her. Angelo and I grabbed our seats. Right then, she made a phone call. "Lily, please get three cups of coffee to my guest room as soon as possible."

My eyes didn't leave hers even for a bit. If anything, she looked like someone who was living her life pretty well without any reason to experience pain. "You guys are welcome." Her voice cut through the silence.

Neither Angelo nor I spoke a word until the housekeeper brought the coffee and left. "How have you been, Alessia?" She asked taking a sip of her coffee.

Be yourself. I recalled Mom's words.

"Been pretty good. Not until I found out my life has been a lie all this while. Should I say since childbirth?"

She set her cup of coffee on the desk gently. "I know you have a lot of questions you want to ask me. Even though I have answered most of his questions. But I know you'd want to hear it from me myself. So bring it on. I will try my best and answer them with honesty." The way she talks in calmness didn't fail to hit my chest. She doesn't look like seeing me has touched her. More like she doesn't feel any pain.

Angelo didn't let go of my hand, instead, he held it tighter. "For starters, why did you abandon me?" I let out the question.

"Because your father didn't value my worth. He left me after promising me the world. Leaving me to fend for myself. I couldn't handle taking care of what broke me apart."

"Are you trying to say, I was a mistake?" I asked gulping down a bitter saliva.

"I don't feel that way anymore." She answered. "But you felt it before. That was why you abandoned me. Because you feel like I was the reason why your life didn't go well." My heart was hurting already from her words. I expected something like she was threatened by him. I didn't expect her to label me as a mistake.

"At some point. But I didn't entirely abandon you. I monitor every move of yours. I partake in your upbringing." A scoff left my lips. "How is that possible? When I know nothing about you until now? I have never met you until today. How do you expect me to believe that?"

"They didn't tell you but everything was sponsored by me. Including the house they are living in. Your education. Your job. The opportunities. I just didn't want to keep you by my side. And I did that because I wanted to protect you."

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I looked at Angelo who didn't have a surprised expression on his face. "How..." I trailed off.

"I found out yesterday too. I guess it is what it is." Angelo muffled out.

"But why didn't you show her face? Why did you have to do everything in secret? Why did you help me? You could have allowed me to hustle again. When I thought I was a lucky person for getting a job right after university and also the opportunity. Why?" I choked at my words.

"I am not going to apologize because I didn't do anything wrong. So far, I was only protecting my child. I know I wouldn't be able to do that wholeheartedly if you were still with me because it would always remind me of what Enzo did to me. I had to give you a better life somewhere."

Okay, I was already in tears. I was shocked and didn't know what to think. The woman abandoned me yet she didn't. But do I feel a mixture of peace and pain? "I didn't know this is..." I trailed off holding my head with my hand.

"Listen Alessia, I knew one day, the truth will eventually be out. And I know I had to prepare myself. I am a woman who had worked so hard to keep her pride and emotions in. But when you walked in, I told myself that I was going to set everything right with my daughter. Yes, it's okay to be vulnerable sometimes. And right now, I'm holding myself back from breaking down. Please understand. I've come a long way." I couldn't look her in the eyes. My heart was hurting.

"Do you hate me?" Her question made me lift my face and look at her.

"How can I hate you after all these? When I have not experienced life with you?" The tears rolled down my eyes.

"Even if I do, I can't erase the past and can't change the fact that you're my mother. No matter what."  We held each other's gaze, eyes not wavering.

"Can you sit next to me?" I gripped Angelo's hand tightly. "Please." She pleaded. I need to make sure this is really happening to me. That my daughter doesn't resent me for abandoning her."

I gulped down a lump. A part of me was holding me back, another part was pushing me to let things go. I followed my heart got up from my seat and occupied the space next to her.

She reached for my hand and took it in hers. "I know I said I won't apologize but seeing your tears made me feel guilty. I'm sorry, Alessia." I wasn't mistaken by the tears that rolled down her face. I got so emotional that I found myself saying. "Can you hug me?"

"Is it okay?"

I nodded my head more tears gushing out. She opened up her arms and I got into her embrace. "Thank you for not hating me for keeping you away from me. And thank you for being here." I buried myself in her body feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted.

We broke free from the hug, she cupped my face. "Stop crying. You look so much like me when I was a child." A chuckle escaped out of me. "I had no choice."

"I saw myself in your eyes. I'm glad I didn't send you away completely. I'm sorry once again." I flashed a smile. "Thank you for being a good person in hiding."

The sound of voice clearing broke us free from the bond moment. "I feel like an outsider now. Mother and daughter have reconciled. My presence is no longer needed." He ended with a scoff.

"Don't worry Mr. Angelo you're going to get compensated. Looks like your love for my daughter is so deep."

I couldn't help but feel my heart swell up as she mentioned the word daughter. "And what are you going to compensate me with? Mind you, money won't move me."

Her lips curved up into a smile. "What do you say to us working together? As a team to bring down Enzo. I rejected your offer yesterday." My eyes darted to the two. Looks like I still have more to find out.

"I can only accept your offer if you will follow my terms and conditions."

"I have a feeling you have activated your mafia mode." She turned to face him completely. Angelo briefly glanced at me. "I can do anything for her."

"Likewise me. You can't marry her without my consent, if I may remind you. Or are you planning on breaking my daughter's heart?" To say her words didn't come funny to me would be an understatement. Like why the exchanges of words.

"I'm in. Let's talk business then. You're giving me more than I'm giving. Let's help each other. And it will be a win-win case."