Dark times

Back again with another chapter. PSA I made a mistake. Alessandra is from Milan, Dominic is from Genoa. So if you still see mistakes, let me know so I can fix it but I got most of them.

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Damon and I chatted for a bit before he drove me back to work. It was nice to get an update about Dominic. I left everything I had behind that he gave me so I have no way of contacting if I wanted too. Hearing about his progress, it might be too early to contact him; and that's if I contact him at all. We needed more time apart before we can look into contacting each other. I'm quite surprised that I've been in Genoa for 7 days and not once has he contacted me or sent someone to spy on me and I've checked numerous times. He's finally giving me my space.

My first day of work had gone by with a breeze. I've made a few friends with the junior realtor and personal assistants and made no major mistakes. Now it was time to settle into the country house. The house is off the coast of Milan, it is a two-story yellow brick home with a mini courtyard built in the center of the home. It has been my parent's retirement project for the past 10 years. We would come here to stay during the summertime whenever we wanted to be away from the city. This is the perfect place for me to settle in. I only had my essentials packed into a suitcase that sat in the trunk of my car. I have to wait for the weekend when Juliana and Bambina are free to move the rest of my things.

Mama had the fridge fully stocked with food thankfully so when I got home all I needed to do was cook food. I made myself alfredo pasta with a glass of white wine before settling down in the living room. The content I felt made me extremely happy. Here I was, eating and enjoying my own company. Some may find this lonely but I find this freeing.

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For the next few days before the weekend, my schedule has been the same. Work and home, work and home. It was becoming a tad repetitive. I needed something to do during the week that kept my weekdays exciting. One of the personal assistants Jasmine, who I became close with told me about the Latin dance classes and the yoga classes she goes to on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I haven't taken dance classes in years and my body could use some deep stretching. She invited me along to attend the next classes. Now I had something to look forward too in my week.

But today is the weekend and I have all the time in the world to go crazy. I met up with Juliana and Bambina back at my parent's house to pack the rest of my things before taking it back to the country home. For the beginning of the afternoon, we sat upstairs in the master bedroom sipping wine, listening to music, and putting everything back in its place.

"Juliana...why didn't you tell me that Damon contacted you?" I wondered as I organized my clothes in my closet.

Juliana scoffed as she grabbed her glass from the dresser and sat on the bed.

"I decided to use the card that you gave me and gave him a call. He hung up on me in a second and tried to video call me so I answered. He was an absolute pig so I hung up. He hasn't stopped contacting me since."

"Maybe he wanted to see your face?" I suggested.

"Oh he saw me and he definitely liked what he saw. That doesn't excuse being a pig."

"You can't lie, he's one sexy pig." Bambina giggled.

"I don't find pigs sexy Bams, they are disgusting animals that roll around in their own filth."

"Technically, we roll around in our own filth if we take bubble baths," I said randomly.

"Not the point Ally. He won't be a subject of interest anymore. On to the next one."

"Speaking of the next one...are you allowed to date while you're out here in Milan, Ally? What is the agreement you and Dominic have while you're away?"

"There's no exact agreement. I told him he can go discover himself and I wanted to exercise my freedom. There was no mention of me dating."

"Are you going to date while you're out here?" Juliana questioned.

I pondered on that thought carefully. Technically speaking, Dominic and I are done for time being. Of course, there are still feelings there but I gave him permission to do whatever he wanted with Veronica or any other woman he desires that I didn't know about. Why couldn't I do the same?

"That's a no for now. I'm enjoying myself. The last thing I need is a man to complicate things. Besides I doubt any man in Milan is ready to date at an extremely slow pace. Remember, I haven't even had my first kiss."

"Oh yes, you're an extra virgin, virgin. Finding a man in Milan that is content with just holding hands is like finding well...a girl who is20 and hasn't had their first kiss!" Juliana joked.

"Haha very funny."

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Dominic's P.O.V

It's been 14 fucking days since she left me. I replay that moment every second in my head. I remember the scent of lavender from her shampoo as I grabbed her closer, I remember the rhythm of her heart as her chest came close to mine. I remember her eyes. I saw happiness in her eyes. Happiness caused by being away from me. The first week of her being away has been a blur. I would down 3 bottles of brown liquor before the clock hit noon. By mid-afternoon, the day would be a blur until I woke up in some random part of the estate. I've banned all contact from the outside world from coming onto the estate and that includes my parents. I didn't want anyone telling me how to deal with my fucking pain!

Despite my wishes, Damon and Liliana have been by my side throughout all my drunken blackouts. They've failed miserably every day. They tried hiding my liquor but they don't know about my secret stash. They took all my weapons away after I tried to shoot Damon. If I wasn't so pissed drunk a bullet would be lodged right in between his eyes. This back and forth would have continued if I didn't hear Damon talking to Liliana about a promise he made with Alessandra to watch over me.

Since I heard that, I poured out my stash and fixed myself up. Her words she said in the office replay in my head constantly.

'I am not your property, I am supposed to be your equal...I haven't forgiven you...I want to be happy.'

Those words burned into my skull. She wasn't happy with me. I couldn't make her happy. She resented me. She never forgave me. I took something away from her and I kept punishing her. I drove her to leave. Her words brought me back to my first memories of learning of Alessandra's existence. I didn't want to be with her. I wanted to drive her away. I never wanted a wife...a partner. I wanted the freedom to do whatever I please. So I know exactly how she feels. I imagine her smiling as she landed in Milan. I can see all the things she doing that she couldn't do during her teenage years. If I want to fix my mistakes...I have to let Alessandra go.

For now.

It took a week and some time but I became the workaholic that I'm known to be. Bright and early mornings and working in the office until the late hours into the night. I barely left the office but there was much that needed to be done that I've neglected since the engagement party. I've canceled all distractions from my life and that includes...Veronica.

Veronica has been popping up the house everyday since I broke news of Alessandra leaving for an famiglia emergency. Of course she knew the excuse was a farce but the nerve of that woman to show up to my house is fucking irritating. Since the engagement party, the woman has had confidence the size of Europe.

The engagement party was an angry blur but I remember the moment Veronica boldly walked up on stage and made her speech. The smile that Alessandra seen on me wasn't a smile of pleasure. It was a smile of shock. I couldn't believe Veronica would have the guts to go up on stage and make a fool out of herself knowing what I would do to her afterward. But I saw the look on Alessandra's face when she saw her. I wanted Alessandra to hurt. It made me happy to see her in pain. I wanted her to know what she makes me feel like every time she brings up the past. A past I had no control over either. I never ordered her to be locked up. That decision has been made before me and it wasn't my decision to have it continued. Yet she punishes me.

I guess I am the fucked up monster she claims to see. I don't want to be that fucked up monster anymore. I don't want Alessandra to see me as a monster anymore.

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It was another long Sunday afternoon spent inside the office when Damon came bursting in unannounced. He had a smirk on his face that I didn't care for. Any smile on this creature's face always meant no good.

"I'm busy." I grunted and returned my attention back to my work.

"I don't care. I have some news to share. I'm heading to Milan for a few days to handle some property I have. Do you want me to stop by somewhere and check up on someone?"

My body tensed immediately. He's going to Milan? The thought has crossed my mind every second to jump on a plane and fly over to Milan to get Alessandra back since the moment she left. I didn't know I possessed the will power to stay away for this long. Every day is meant to get easier but it feels like a sword has pierced through an open wound over and over with every moment I realize she's not with me. I want her back and I will get her back...but she made things clear. She needs time away from me. I'll grant her, her wish.

"No."

"No... are you kidding me? You nearly shot me because of her and now you don't want me to go see her and maybe convince her to come back?"

"Did I fucking stutter? I said no."

"You are one confused ass man! One moment you're killing yourself because Alessandra left and the next moment is like she never existed."

"Don't get things fucking twisted you snake. Alessandra is and will always be mine."

"There's the psycho I know! I was getting worried there for a second."

"You talk to her, I promise you the next bullet won't fucking miss." I grabbed the stapler from my desk and chucked it at Damon. Unfortunately, his fast reflexes dodged the hit and the stapler smashed against the wall.

"When are you going to learn that I'm too quick to get hit. See you soon buddy." Damon laughed as he walked out of my office.

I knew Damon was going to see Alessandra even against my wishes. I want to know how she's doing. Against my better judgement, I let her completely go with no extra eyes on her. I want her to have the complete freedom she desires. The unknowing has kept dark thoughts brewing in my mind for days. Leaving her completely alone is a risk especially since we've announced her to our entire colony. Enemies known and unknown know about her existence now. Besides my fucking sanity, I need Alessandra back home for the sake of her life. The last thing my conscious needs is her in danger and I can't do a fucking thing to stop it.

Alessandra wanted me to change...wanted me to adapt to us being an equal and I failed her. I treated her as property and I understand that. I have to show her I'm ready to change...I have to show her I'm willing to change for her.