Chapter 27Johnny’s POVThat night, Ciro and I stayed up all night trying to figure out why my uncle was here."It doesn't make any sense; my father would come and get my mother by himself unless they were up to something."Ciro nods. "That's what I have been thinking.""Let's go back to the house; we just need to keep a close eye on Alessia. With any luck, Francisco will slip up, and I get to put a bullet in his head," I said, smirking.I know for sure my father sent Francisco to spy on us; I can't leave my mother and Nonna alone there, and I know what my father would do to my mother if she dares to leave. I can't put her life in any more danger.I went to the living room only to find Alessia fast asleep."Alessia, wake up; we need to get back home." I gently shake her.Fuck, she's a heavy sleeper, I thought."Maybe this will work," Ciro said, holding a bucket in his hand and smirking.Before I could stop him, the bucket was already tipping over, making a sleepy Alessia sit up straigh
Chapter 28Alessia’s POVIn the morning, I found myself waking up on the floor. I groaned getting up, and looking around, I realized I fell asleep in the studio.I walk towards the door, and just as I open it, Elma stands there."Good morning; breakfast is ready." She said it with a tired smile."Good morning, thank you. You look tired this morning. Didn't you sleep well?" I wondered why she had bags under her eyes.She nodded. "Clarissa and I were looking for you all night."I suddenly felt bad for scaring them like that. I wonder where Johnny and Ciro are and if they are alright."They are upstairs, my dear," Elma said, answering my unspoken question.I bit my lip. "Are they mad at me?""I don't think so dear, let's just say that room holds many memories, but it's not my place to tell you."Elma and I made our way to the kitchen, and as soon as I stepped inside, Clarissa gave me a tight hug."O my dear, I'm glad you are okay. We were worried about you.""I'm sorry." I awkwardly hugge
Chapter 29Alessia’s POVThe next day, while Clarissa and I were inside the studio to finish some last touch-ups, Johnny came walking inside.His hair fell onto his forehead, and his hands were shoved into the pockets of his suit.Clarissa walked up to him, wrapping her arms around him and whispering something to him. She kisses him on the cheeks, then leaves.He nodded and walked closer to me, and I put the last paint on its shelf, turning to him.He cleared his voice and stood next to the table, biting my lips I went and stood next to him.It was silent between us when I heard him say, "My mother came to me this morning and told me what happened yesterday."I looked away and suddenly found the floor more interesting.He cleared his throat again. "I'm sorry for the way I acted; I'm not that kind of man who shouts or abuses women."Biting my lips, I nodded."I can't tell you why I acted the way I did, even though I know you have a suspension about who my siblings are."I nodded as he l
Chapter 30Johnny’s POVI found myself waking up before five in the morning, feeling excited about today. I'm not sure why, maybe because Alessia forgave me so quickly?I showered and wrapped the towel around me before walking to my closet. I decided to wear a pair of jeans and a black button-up shirt with my black dress shoes.By the time I was done, the clock showed six.I groaned, wondering if Alessia was ready yet. Just as I wanted to go to her room, I heard a knock on my door.Opening the door, I saw my mother standing there smiling, still in her pajamas. "Good morning, mom." I greeted her with a smile.She looked me up and down and said, "It's good to see you in casual wear instead of a suit." She said it with a sly grin.I rolled my eyes, stepping back so that she could come in.She walked in and sat on my bed, "I just want to check up on you before you go out.""I know that’s not the real reason you’re here, mom.” I said I was closing the door.She shrugged and asked, "Why did
Chapter 31Alessia’s POVI watched as the car disappeared when I finally went inside."Alessia, your back is early," Clarissa said as she looked over my shoulder."Where's Johnny? Didn't he come with you?"I looked at her, not knowing how to tell her what Johnny went to do. "He went to Ciro."She raised her eyebrows and covered her mouth as if she realized something."They are going to kill Francisco; he found out what he did to you."I nodded. "I don't know about the killing part but yes, he found out about the bruises. I forgot about it." I whispered."O, my dear. I am so sorry, but sooner or later he would have found out."I just nodded, not knowing what to say."Don't worry, dear; Johnny can take care of himself. Come, let's get some hot chocolate; it looks like you need it." She smiled at me.I followed her to the kitchen and noticed Elma busy making food for an army."Are you expecting any visitors?" I couldn't help but ask.Elma looked up to me and smiled broadly. "Yes, my husb
Chapter 32Alessia’s POVLast night was nice. Johnny's grandpa is a sweet old man, except for the fact that he kept saying that Johnny and I are dating.I went up to my room just after dinner—well, more like after my third glass of wine. I can't believe that I was tipsy.The bedroom door opened and Johnny walked in, smiling at me. Gosh, that smile."I see you are up. Breakfast is ready." He said this while looking at me.I nodded. "Thank you. I'm just going to take a quick shower. Give me ten minutes."He nodded and walked out of my room. I quickly got up and went to my closet, where I decided to wear my ripped denim and a white t-shirt with my red trench coat.I quickly showered and got dressed. I put my hair in a high ponytail and walked out of the room.I hear music coming from downstairs, wondering what's happening.Ciro and Johnny were already seated and had served their food when I entered."What's with the music"? I asked them."Grandma and grandpa have some friends over; they
Chapter 33Alessia’s POVEver since what happened this morning, things have been weird between Johnny and me. I wonder if he heard me in the shower. Because just after I was done, I found him in my room. To make things worse, Elma would point out my blushing face whenever she saw me with Johnny, but he just acts like nothing has happened, or maybe I'm overthinking. Elma, Clarissa, and I stayed up drinking wine and just talking."Do you want to see what the boys looked like when they were younger?" Clarissa asked me."I will tell her the embarrassing stories." Elma now also smiles at us."Yeah, sure, why not?" I said, pouring myself another glass of wine.Clarissa went to get the albums and soon the three of us laughed at the baby pictures of Johnny. I noticed that, at the age of six or seven, Ciro came into the picture."Where are Ciro's parents?" I asked the two ladies in front of me.Elma looked sad all of a sudden. "That's something he has to tell you; it's not our story to tell.
Chapter 34Alessia’s POVI had just finished my shower when there was a knock on my door. I quickly wrapped my towel around me, walked to the door, and opened it, finding Johnny on the other side. "Hey!" I smiled at him.He didn't smile or acknowledge me; instead, he pushed past me and walked into my room. I frowned, was confused, and brushed it off.He placed down a few boxes, and I guess it's for the ball that's happening tonight. "Here is your dress for the ball tonight," he said, looking anywhere but at me."Thank you, but you didn't have to.""It's not a big deal, Alessia," he said rudely.I hummed, "Is everything alright?"He turned towards me, and the look in his eyes scared me; it wasn't the same look he had last night."What's wrong?" I asked, stepping back, afraid of this man in front of me."You and I will never get close."My eyes widened. Look, I..." "No, because of you, my men are being attacked back home; because of you, they see me as weak; and because of you, my bes