Chapter 14 XIV.
It took a whole thirty minutes for me to calm myself down in the men's bathroom. I repeatedly had to remind myself that Alessandro is my soon to be brother in law, and convince myself that I wasn't gay. When I was finally satisfied with the outcome, I left the bathroom and returned to the lobby where Alessandro sat waiting for me.
He had return to wearing his shirt and shorts and was busy on his phone. Even while seated in such casual clothing, Alessandro still looks like he was created to be a Greek god.
I shook my head to get rid of my stupid thoughts. I mean, I just finished coaching myself in the bathroom and I'm here now doing the same shit!
I cleared my throat grabbing his attention.
"You're back." He said with a smirk. He casually stood up to his full height and picked up the paper bag I hadn't noticed was seated beside him on the couch. "Are you okay? You took quite long in the bathroom."
I resisted a blush. "It's nothing."
He raised a taunting brow. "Are you sure? You seem to have been having a nervous breakdown a while ago."
I blinked and try to clear my head from any disturbing answer that was popping up to that question. "It... It was nothing for you to worry about. I was just feeling a bit sick."
"Was it because of me?"
I frowned at him. It is because of him, but I didn't know he would think that. "Why do you think it's because of you?"
He shrugged. "You got like that when I grabbed your waist. I just thought maybe I made you uncomfortable."
He did! He really did, but not in the way he thinks.
I brushed off his words. "Its not that. Let's just go." I pointed to the paper bag. "I'm assuming that's your suit."
He nodded, "yeah it is. I told the guy to pick another because I wasn't sure if you really liked the first. You said it's just, good."
"It was nice. You'll look good in anything anyways." I replied without thinking. When I realized what I've said, I stared at a smirking Alessandro wide eyed.
"You know this is the second time you're telling me that I'll look good in anything." His grin widened to look like a genuine smile, and fuck it was really cute. "Do you really think that way about me Rowan?"
The way he said my name caused butterflies to flutter around in my stomach. How the hell is a man making me feel this confused about myself?
"Let's just go." I was already on my way out before he could get any more words out.
Right now I need to get close to Alessandro in order to convince him to take over his grandfather's company, but at the same time, getting close to him is dangerous. Not with this strange feeling I have every time he was close to me.
I think I just got myself in more trouble than I planned to.
Soon, we arrived at the Ricci's mansion. I decided to drop Alessandro off because he didn't bring his car along, and it would take time for the driver to get to the office to pick him up.
Against my better judgement, I offered him a ride and now we were both walking into the Ricci's mansion in an awkward silence and a bit of tension in the air.
Once in the living room, Alessandro turned to face me. I feared what he was going to say, but my feet stood rooted and my mind curious.
Alessandro wasn't looking cocky this time. He had a genuine smile on his face. The kind of smile that makes my heart flutter.
"Rowan, thanks for... For driving me home." He cleared his throat. For a moment I wondered if he was flustered. Why the hell would he be flustered?
I pushed aside the feeling and nodded, "you're welcome."
He nodded as well, and I could see that he was uncomfortable in his own skin. "Also, about what I accused you of that time..."
"Rowan!" Alessandra's voice cut into the conversation and she came rushing down the stairs. Before I knew it, I was engulf in a tight hug. "I can't believe you're here."
I hugged her back with a small smile. "Hi Sandra."
She pulled back smiling widely. "God I miss you! We haven't got the chance to go out on dates lately because you've been busy with my brother." She glared over her shoulder at Alessandro who was standing there stiffly. The smile was gone, the nervousness I thought I saw was gone. All that remained was a cold and detached Alessandro Ricci. "I hope you aren't stressing my boyfriend Alessandro? I know how insane you can be."
He shrugged casually, "only him can answer that." Just like that, Alessandro turned and stomped away from us. It left me wondering what's suddenly the cause of his annoyance.
"He's still a dick." Alessandra scoffed. "I'm so worried about how he has been treating you. Are you really okay Rowan?"
I forced a smile, "I'm fine Alessandra. I was just about to leave."
"Rowan wait!" She held my hand to stop me from leaving. She looks flustered. "Well, it's been long since we've been together you know." She trail a finger down my arm in what seems like an attempt to seduce me. "Would you..." Her blush deepened. "Would you like to come up to my room so we can have a chat?"
To be honest, I had every intention to say no. Being with Alessandra while knowing that I don't love her and would never love her doesn't sit well with me. But she looked so hopeful right now and I don't want to hurt her. I've already rejected her once, and I know it would hurt a lot if I rejected her a second time.
Yet if I agree to what she wants, I'll just keep leading her on. And when Alessandro eventually agrees to take over the company, I'll only end up breaking her heart in a more painful way.
But I also realized that, being with Alessandra might help me get over the stupid things I felt for Alessandro. Maybe Alessandra could make me realize that I had nothing to worry about. I'm not gay, and maybe this chaotic feelings I felt for Alessandro was nothing but a phase.
Maybe spending time with Alessandra would help me come back to my senses.
I smiled at her, "alright. Let's spend some time together."
She smiled so wide I feared her lips would split. "Really?!" I nodded with a smile of my own. Her beautiful smile was infectious. She giggled and kissed my cheek. "Thank you so much Rowan. Lets go!" She pulled me up the stairs and I held back a guilty feeling that threatened to surface.
I'm doing this to help myself, and to avoid problems and complications. I have to get over whatever it is I am feeling for Alessandro.