Mena
Once the news had reached the walls of the mansion that Anson had disappeared, the mood was even more dramatic than it had already been.
I too felt dizzy hearing the news, and it wasn’t because of the pregnancy. I felt sick as I was fully aware that Anson would come for me, but also relieved knowing Alessio didn’t get the opportunity to kill him. It was a mix of feelings I couldn’t share with anyone. It would automatically make me the bad guy.
The rules of the mansion had become strict. No one came in, no one went out-and only a few selected workers who had been loyal for years were allowed to continue their work for now.
The kids were confused and restless as they couldn’t understand why their routines were suddenly changed. They could not go to school or any of their activities.
I was on edge, waiting for Alessio to get back. He would be coming alone today to oversee things at home while the rest would continue their search for Anson.
It at least meant I didn’t have to face Isaac just yet and pretend everything was okay when it wasn’t.
This time, there was no welcome party because there was nothing to celebrate. The Baldinis had fallen, but the man who killed Stefano hadn’t.
All of us were prepared for Alessio not to be in a good mood, and Gian had even warned some of the guys not to bother him.
It was just me, Giulia, and Gian waiting.
When the car rolled in and Alessio stepped out, I could right away see the expression on his face. It was tight and tensed as if he could break down and slam his fist against the car at any second. Yet, he remained composed as he walked over.
“Aren’t you happy to see your mom?” Giulia threw her arms around him.
“That’s not it. You know that,” Alessio replied, his voice heavy.
Gian slapped him lightly on the back. “Moping around won’t change anything. He wasn’t there, but we’ll keep looking.”
Alessio gave a small nod, looking exhausted. He had a habit of speaking back, especially to his brother, and him not doing that was worrisome.
“How did everything else go?” Gian asked.
That’s when Alessio’s eyes finally met mine. I could feel it-he still didn’t want me involved in any of this mess. “We’ll talk about it later in my study,” he said. “Let the others know.”
“I will,” Gian agreed before walking off.
“And I’ll go tell the girls you’re here. They missed you,” Giulia spoke, but Alessio shook his head.
“Not now, maybe later-”
“I will call them, you will put a smile on your face, you will greet them, and you will not talk back to your mother,” Giulia insisted, not taking no for an answer as she walked away.
I chuckled as Alessio looked at me with a deep sigh, already getting tired of Giulia’s demands. She had told me on several occasions that she made the rules, and she had always proven herself to be right.
“Should’ve stayed in Italy,” Alessio said, trying to crack a joke. We smiled at each other, and in a moment, I rushed towards him. He caught me in his arms, spinning me around to the point I got dizzy. When he put me back down, he pressed his lips against mine.
I buried my face in his chest, inhaling the warm scent of cologne.
It was like a piece of me that had been missing was finally back in place.
“I’m not going to ask you how you’re doing,” I said, looking up. That question wouldn’t change anything and would get him riled up even more.
“You’re right, you shouldn’t.”
As I looked at him, I wanted to tell him about the baby so badly. To give him a bit of joy amidst this whole fucked up situation, but I knew I couldn’t. Anson was still on the loose, he was still unaware of Isaac’s betrayal, and I had promised Gian to wait before telling him the latter.
Seeing Alessio now, I knew it was the right choice. He tried to cover his feelings with a smile to keep me happy, but I could see right through it. He was fuming.
“I missed you…a lot,” I breathed, holding onto him tightly.
He kissed my head. “I missed you too.”
“Did you?” I teased, nudging his shoulder playfully, my thoughts going to that infamous voicemail he left me.
“Of course I did. I always do,” he caressed my hair with his fingers.
Our moment was cut short by a loud voice.
“Did you get me a horse?” Melody yelled, her voice filled with excitement as she came running. Naty followed close behind, and a genuine smile appeared on Alessio’s face.
He let go of me and knelt down, opening his arms for the girls to run into.
He had told Giulia not to call them, but she knew what was best for him. Finally, he did not have that look of fury in his eyes.
“Did you get me a new horse, yes or no?” Melody jumped up and down.
“Yes, but it’ll be here next week. It’s a surprise,” Alessio patted her head. “Your big brother is back, and that horse is all you care about?”
“That’s not true,” Melody opposed. “I just care about the horse a bit more.”
“Oh, really?”
I watched them with a smile, wishing they could stay like this for the whole day-but I knew they couldn’t. Alessio still had a lot to take care of.
“And for you,” Alessio poked Naty’s cheek, “I have something even better than the candy ring you asked for-but that’s also a surprise.”
Naty hugged him tight. “I don’t care about that, I’m just happy you’re back. I missed you.”
As Alessio and Naty shared a moment, our eyes met, and his lips curled in a sense of pride. It was almost as if he was bragging, ‘See how kind-hearted our daughter is.’
The bond he had built with her truly was beautiful, but every time they interacted, that demon found its way to my head. That disgusting demon I couldn’t help but feel sorry for because he had gone totally insane.
Out of the two, Alessio was the best dad she could’ve ever wished for. He cared for her, made time for her, loved her, and I knew he would raise her right-but I also knew that if Anson were to die at Alessio’s hands, years from now, she would be asking questions, and rightfully so.