Alessia’s POV
I woke up to the sound of the alarm. “Ugh,” I groaned. “So much for getting paid.” If I was in the Olympics, I would be the fastest person to ever get ready. When I got to the dining room, the twins already had breakfast. Ella was a sweetheart and dished my plate. I sat down, eating my plate of waffles. I was almost done with my food when I glanced at my watch. “Oh lord,” I muttered and ate the last waffle. Kissing the kids goodbye, I ran out of the house and made a mental note to register them in a new school before next week. The moment I arrived at the company, I felt instant regret. I hated that the universe was so unkind to send Dominic back to me and, worse, as my boss. Why in God's name did he have to be that? I walked to my office, happy I didn't meet him, and my jaw nearly dropped when I looked at the transparent door, and there he was, sitting in his office reading a script. Whose bright idea was it to make the doors transparent? My throat itched as I stared at him. His side frame was a perfect art. As he loosened his tie, I gulped and then he turned, catching my gaze. His strong piercing gray eyes pulled my soul. I almost died of embarrassment when he smirked, and I looked away. He definitely knew which buttons to push. Idiot! I tried to concentrate at work, secretly stealing glances to see if he was still watching me as my cheek turned bright red. He smiled when I met his eyes and I wished there was some way I could make the door less transparent. I gave up, sighing and pretended to work on my computer. He must have given up, because when I looked up again, he was working on some papers. Then came the mails, I smiled finally had some work to do. They were easy at first and all I had to do was routine checks. For the rest of my work time, I made a list of items the twin would need for school and did some research, picking only the ten best schools close within the area. By the time I was done, it was past 6pm and I had to go home. I logged out of my computer, grabbed my purse and left the office. Dominic was still working on his computer. Perfect I took a deep breath, took out a candy from my purse and chewed before stepping into the elevator. The doors closed shut and surprisingly opened again. “What the...” I muttered and kept quiet when I noticed Dominic. Ugh, Lord give me strength. Why did he have to use this elevator? I gave my best fake smile and pretended he didn't exist. His cologne drifted towards me. I took a peek at his face once more. The elevator's door closed and I felt the air start to suffocate me. Alessia, what the hell are you doing? You're supposed to hate him. Look away. Now! “Are you done staring?” Dominic asked. Oh, crap! He caught me. He turned his gaze to me. “This is much better.” “I wasn't looking,” I defended. “Hmm, doesn't seem like it,” he answered. I looked away and began counting the numbers on the elevator top. “You're awfully quiet, today,” he said, turning to me. I looked at him confused wondering what he was thinking. “Huh?” The words escaped my mouth. “Oh, I am in a rush to go home, plus I have some work I have to finish when I get home.” “Do you always avoid confrontation, or is it just around me?” He asked. What the hell was he talking about about now? Has he gone mad? I turned to glare at him, and the elevator jolted, making me lose my balance. He caught me in time before I fell, holding my waist. I blinked, finding it hard to stop looking into his eyes. They were so bold. My heartbeat rose and I tried to catch my breath. “Uhh,” I muttered and gently got out of his grip. The elevator shook again and this time, I crashed into his chest. He held me tight, and I tried to wriggle free. “Um, thanks. You can let go now.” I moved, but he didn't budge. What was he doing? “Dominic,” I called softly. His hand lingered, holding my waist so I couldn't move. His fingers brushed against my hip as he leaned closer. His warm breath touched my face. I tried to move away, but it only brought me closer. “Let me go, Dominic. It's not funny,” I said, my voice trembling. “What are you scared of, Alessia?” He asked. “I'm not scared of anything. Now, take your stupid hands off me before I break them!” I shot back. “Oh, really. I'll like to see you try,” he replied calmly. I swallowed, looking away as I tried to free myself. How strong was he? I should have picked another elevator. Damn this man! Damn his stupid elevator! Damn his touch! Damn his...oh no. What's he doing? I felt his hand move downward, touching the side of my lap. His fingers traced my upper thighs and I quivered. This can't be happening! Scream, do something, goddamn it! Alessia, move your body now! “Dom...Dominic,” I stuttered, speechless. The elevator rumbled again, and I screamed. It shook violently and the lights began to flicker. He held me tight, keeping me still even when the lights went off. I started to panic, my breathing harsh. I hated being locked in tight spaces. He noticed and calmly moved his hand on my hair. “It's okay,” he said calmly. “I've got you.” I clutched my hands at his chest, trying to steady my breathing. His warm body soothed me. The elevator finally stopped shaking, and the light came on. None of us moved. I had gotten control of my breathing. I wouldn't want someone to see us like this. “You can let go now,” I said. He looked down at me, his lips curling into a smirk. His eyes dropped to my lips. “Can I? He asked, his deep voice making my legs wobble. “You're impossible,” I murmured, shoving him away. I stepped back, reaching the wall of the elevator, but he followed by caging me in his arms. “Impossible?” He repeated, sounding amused. “I think you mean irresistible.” I rolled my eyes, scoffing at his stupidity. “You're not only a jerk, but a chronic harasser. Get the hell away from me!” He smiled, and moved away. One of the buttons on the elevator shone and the elevator opened. Before I could reach for it, Dominic pressed another button closing the door. “Are you insane?” I asked. “We're going down, not midway,” he answered. “I don't care. I want to get out of this damn elevator!” I yelled.Alessia's POVDominic held the boy, while I scooped the little girl in my arms. The moment I walked in to my house I saw the decoration."Congratulations mom. Welcome home!"I had no tears left to cry as I looked from the decorations to Marco , who scooped Ella into his hands, to Elijah who kept grinning from ear to ear."This is beautiful genuinely," I said, my voice god must betraying how I felt inwardly."And here are your pineapples ma" Dominic said, after keeping the babies in the nursery.They wouldn’t stop teasing me about the pineapple. Equally, Marco handed me a small gift basket—overflowing with pineapples. Dried, candied, canned, juiced, even a plush toy shaped like one.“Really?” I asked with a smile, raising an eyebrow.He smirked. “A token of honor. For the Queen of Cravings.”Dominic added, “Don’t forget the midnight tantrums when we ran out. That’s history right there.”The twins gurgled in my arms like they were in on the joke. I rolled my eyes dramatically, but couldn
Allesia povI should’ve known the second round of pregnancy would hit harder. I wasn’t twenty-three anymore, I wasn’t hiding from the mafia, and I certainly wasn’t ready to swell like a balloon all over again.I knew Dominic was taking his time to be a father he wasn't when I was pregnant with the twins. He was absolutely dotting, never complaining and understanding. Sometimes, I feel bad for talking to him in horrible ways, but I couldn't help it. I had to blame it on the hormones.By the third month, my belly had already begun to show. It wasn’t huge per se—just enough to make every pair of jeans feel like betrayal and every fitted top a personal insult. The moment I waddled into the kitchen wearing Dominic’s oversized hoodie, Ella gasped like she’d seen Beyoncé.“MOMMY, YOU’RE ROUND!” She screamed with wide eyes.Dominic nearly choked on his coffee.“Thank you, darling,” I said dryly, rubbing my stomach. “I was hoping someone would point that out.” I said sarcastically.Elijah peer
Dominic's POV“Kids,” I said, crouching down in front of the twins. “We’re going to have to head home early.”Ella's face dropped dramatically. “But why? Ee are not to leave until Monday.” she said sadly, her eyes dropping."I'm so sorry, but your mum is not feeling to well," I said deadpan. I hate to be the one announcing a bad news.“Is Mom okay?” Eli asked, suddenly serious.I glanced toward the closed door of the bathroom where Alessia had been locked in for nearly half an hour. The sounds of retching had stopped, thankfully, but the worry hadn’t.“Let's just say she’s not feeling great,” I said gently, brushing Ella’s hair back. “So we need to get her to the doctor. We’ll come back another time. Promise.” I said truthfully.The disappointment in their eyes faded quickly when Alessia stepped out, pale-faced but managing a smile. “Sorry, guys. Looks like the the vacation is ruined”Elijah gave her a quick hug. “Get better soon, Mom.”Ella nodded. “And maybe next time we won’t let D
Dominic’s POVMarco didn’t say much the next morning. He stood in the doorway, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, a plane ticket to New York tucked into the front pocket of his jacket. Alessia lingered beside him, arms folded across her chest, trying to hide the chaos of emotions swirling behind her calm.“You don’t have to go yet,” she said quietly.Marco gave her a faint smile. “I think I do.”He looked at me with a smirk.He looked healthier now, more focused. The circles under his eyes were still there, but they were less haunted, like he had finally let go.“We both know my presence here is too much,” he continued. “You’ve got your family now. Your peace and I won’t want to disturb that.”I respected him for that. For knowing when to step back. But I also knew how much it cost him to walk away from his sister again. He had barely gotten to know the twins. And Alessia, well, she never said it, but I knew this goodbye was breaking something in her.“You’ll visit?” she asked, her
Dominic's POVAlessia had always been insatiable. She was always looking forward to do it anywhere at all. I had to keep her sane for the sake of our children.I was yet to agree to fully go down on her, but we definitely tried to have phone whenever we can. We had already made plans to go to the UK, but we had to consider the children's education and we planning to go there during the summer.Marco, who I had expected to leave decided that he was going to stay for more days to reconnect and reunite with his sister. I couldn't blame the poor guy. He had been underground for years when he could just come out and see his sister. He had also been making remarkable progress with the twins. They are always in his hair, everywhere, and always making fun of his hair. I think he enjoys being an uncle that much.We have had so many challenges, but right now, I just want peace and quietness. And for the first time in my selfish life, I wanted to settle into it. Not just for Alessia. But for me
Dominic’s POVI never knew this was how freedom smelt like. Victor had always been a part of my life, without me even knowing. I finally knew what I was finally free.There are certain kinds of silence that speak louder than words. The kind that comes after battle. After you’ve seen the ugliest parts of yourself reflected in someone else’s eyes and still, they stay.That was the kind of silence in the room when Marco stepped through the threshold and met the twins for the first time.He didn’t say anything at first. Neither did they. Alessia stood just a little to the side, like she couldn’t breathe. Like the air that was shared between them was too fragile to touch.Elijah, bold and curious as always, tilted his head. “Are you mama’s brother?”Marco knelt slowly, not tearing his gaze away. “I am.” His voice cracked. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you. Either of you.” He said, holding their both cheeks.The girl, Ella, frowned cutely. “Are you gonna go again?”“No,” he said, shaking h