Chapter 22 XXII
"A five days trip to France?! Really?! Just you and me?" Alessandro exclaimed the moment I told him about the trip to France. He actually looks genuinely shocked. What's so shocking about it?
"Yeah. We are leaving this afternoon, which means you have to go back home and pack some of your suff. I'll come pick you up later." I looked up from the file I was reading and stared at him. "But why do you sound so shocked?"
At my question, Alessandro grew flustered, or maybe I was just imagining things. "W-well, it's probably because I have a passion for travelling the world. I've never really been anywhere except California, New York, and Italy. It's exciting to go to a new country and experience new things."
I smiled, finding his response cute. "Well, I guess you can add it to your list of countries you've visited. Some day, you're going to visit some more countries."
He stared at me for intensely for a second, and it made me a bit uncomfortable. "I guess you're right, but this is going to be the best trips of my life. I'm sure of it."
"And why do you think that?" I was genuinely curious. What's so special about this trip that he thinks it would be the best trip of his life?
His answer almost made me fall off my chair. "Because I'm going with you."
I stared at him wide eyed hopping to find some kind of joking expression on his face, but Alessandro looks completely serious, warm green eyes fixed on me like I was a piece of cake he couldn't wait to taste.
What the hell am I saying? He probably doesn't mean that in the way I'm thinking. He's the brother of my girlfriend. Even though I know he likes men, it's impossible that he thinks of me in that way.
I cleared my throat to brush off the awkward air. "Uh... uh, I think we ha...have to go. We still have to pack our stuff." I stood up sharply from my seat and hurried towards the door. My legs felt like jello, and it didn't help that his eyes followed my every movement. "I'll pick you up at your place." I said, keeping my eyes away from him before walking out and closing the door gently after me.
I leaned against it, breathing hard. Get a grip of yourself, Rowan. If you don't control your emotions, this trip is going to turn out a disaster.
I waited in the living room for Alessandro to come down, but he seemed to be taking his precious time packing his stuff. Either way, I nervously waited.
Anna came out with a mug of coffee. "Would you like some coffee, Rowan?" She asked but set the drink down anyway.
"Uh, thanks, Anna."
She grinned at me, and I expected her to leave, but she stood there and watched me take a sip. I wondered why she was still standing there. Does she have something to say?
When I set the mug down, she said. "Rowan, I've been meaning to talk to you about something, but I've never had the time. You're always either with Mr Ricci, Mr Sandro, or Miss Alessandra." She said Alessandra's name with such distaste that had me worrying. Did they have a fight or something?
"What's it about?" I asked curiously.
She fidgeted a bit, but as she opened her mouth to speak, Alessadra came hurrying down the stairs. "Rowan!" She called, and I stood up with a smile to engulf her in a hug. Anna moved aside, with her head lowered.
I pulled Alessandra into a hug. "Hi Alessandra."
"Hi," she said, pulling away and glaring at me. "But I'm mad at you!"
My eyes widened in alarm. "Uh, what did I do?"
She shook her head and crossed her arms like a kid throwing a tantrum. I would admit her angry face is cute, though. "You're going to France, and you didn't even care to inform me."
I chuckled at how ridiculously cute she was right now. I couldn’t help pinching her cheeks a bit. "I'm sorry, Sandra. Your grandfather only told me yesterday, and I planned on telling you today. I'm sorry I didn't do it on time."
She sighed and wrapped her arms around my neck. A sly smile was on her lips. "You should make it up to me when you get back."
I didn't know what she was implying, but I replied. "I'll take you out on a magnificent date when I come back."
She shook her head. "What if I want something else?"
My heartbeat spiked up as I wondered what she might want. "I...I..."
Alessandro came downstairs dragging a small luggage along. He stopped short when he saw Alessandra and I locked in an embrace. His expression immediately twisted in irritation, which left me confused.
Despite that, I couldn’t help the way my eyes trail down his body. He was wearing shorts and a fannel, with a white tank-top beneath it and white sneakers.
Is there a day where this guy doesn't look good?
"Earth to Rowan!"
My attention snapped back to Alessandra. "Uh... you were saying?" I asked, blushing in embarrassment.
She said with a roll of her eyes, but a smile was still on her lips. "You're so dense, Rowan. I said I'll tell you what I want when you get back"
I nodded quickly. For some reason, I felt my nerves spike up because of Alessandro's gaze on us. I have no idea why, but I just want to crawl into a hole and die.
"I'm so going to miss you, Rowan." Alessandra whined and hugged me tightly again.
My face burned in embarrassment. Alessandro was still looking.
He cleared his throat. "I understand how hard it is to separate from your lover, but you shouldn't keep me waiting, Brooks."
Brooks?
What happened to Rowan?
I pulled Alessandra back a bit because she wouldn't let me go. "Uh, I have to go now, Sandra."
She glared over her shoulder at her brother. "Stop being a prick, Alessandro. Rowan waited here for you for hours as you battled over what's the best outfit to bring with you. Why can't you wait for a few minutes?"
He rolled his eyes and headed towards the exit door. "I'll wait in your car."
"Arrogant prick!" She snapped.
Something about Alessandro's expression made me nervous. I removed Alessandra's arms from my neck. "I've got to go, Sandra. I'll call you."
"Fine," she obliged, but a smirk quickly replaced her solemn expression. Before I knew what was happening, Alessandra kissed me. It wasn’t passionate, but it wasn’t a peck either. Either way, it made me feel weird. The bad kind of weird.
I didn't like her kiss last time, but now I felt repulsed by it.
I'm seriously going insane.
"That will give you something to think about." She whispered in my ear and pulled away, smirking. "See you." She blew a kiss and returned upstairs.
I sighed and headed out of the house. Anna was nowhere to he found. She probably left after Alessandra ambushed me.
I got into the drivers seat of my car, and Alessandro was looking out the window. He didn't even acknowledge me, and it made me feel like he was pissed.
I felt like I should apologise. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."
He looked at me with hard eyes. It made my pulse plummet. He sighed and looked away again. "I guess I should be happy for you and my sister. You're just that into each other, aren't you?"
I gulped and prepared to start the car. "I guess you could say that."
"And yet she's not the one going on this trip with you."
His words sound bitter and I looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Just drive the fucking car!" He growled and stared out the window completely blocking me out.
I have no idea what got stuck in his ass, but I won't let him take his anger out on me.
Ignoring him as well, I inserted the key into the ignition and rode off.
This trip was already starting as a disaster.