Chapter 22: New feelings and heart aches

***

***

"Alicia! Alicia! Alic-umph!!!"

Serenity collided with a body and fell on her butt.

"What the fuck-" The other person groaned, standing up all while rubbing the sore back.

She winced and looked up, gasping in delight.

"Alicia! I need to talk to you." She squealed and grabbed her wrist.

Alicia was caught off guard as the little red head pulled her along to her room.

"What got your panties in a twist?" Alicia wondered out loud as she tried to match up her pace.

Serenity stopped and turn around. Her eyebrows drew together as she looked down at her skirt.

"Is my panty showing?" She asked.

"Oh fuck!" Alicia sighed incredulously and pushed her to move.

They enter the room and Serenity checked the hallways first before closing the door and locking it securely.

Alicia raised an eyebrow at her action. She was being too secretive and cautious.

"Okay...I have a very important question..."she whispered.

"What is it?" Alicia whispered back.

"After my job today, Alessandro and I went for...dinner in a restaurant...and...I have been feeling weird lately..."

Alicia's eyes widened, "Are you pregnant?" She all but shouted.

Serenity gasped and quickly pressed her little palm over Alicia's mouth.

"Shssssssss!" She hissed and looked around.

"Don't shout!" She whisper-yelled.

"Why the fuck are we whispering in first place?" Alicia pushed her palm away.

"Somebody will hear."

"You do know the room is sound proof right?"

"Really?" Serenity straightened up.

"Something is wrong with me..." She heaved out, "I don't know if I am sick or not or...if it's normal for every girl out there."

Alicia clasped her hands around hers comforting "What is it?"

She noticed the little girl's cheek flushing red as she stammered.

"I-Its always...It happens when I am near Alessandro..." she peeked and looked for any expression on the older girl's face. But Alicia handled it maturely and didn't over react.

"I don't know, my tummy feels weird and my heart beat rises...It feels funny...We were having some creamy pasta and the corner of my mouth had a little smear...he reached over and wiped it...and we then had eye contact...And my heart went BAAM! I don't know...what's wrong with me...Does it happen to you too when you're near Alessandro?" She asked unsure while fidgeting her fingers.

"The fuck No! Ew! I don't feel butterflies when I am near my brother."

"You like Alessandro." Alicia deadpan.

Serenity gaped at her wide eyed. "W-What?"

"It's when you like someone that you feel butterflies in your stomach and your heart beat rises."

"But I like you too and I don't feel that when I am near you."

"You like him romantically, idiot! Like the way Juliet likes Romeo?"

Serenity blushed again "I don't know much about Romeo and Juliet...Mama Dido don't like romantic dramas...But I do know that they die at the end stupidly."

"Oh my God!" Alicia groaned, wiping her hand down her face, "I can't believe I have to educate you on this shit too. We are going to have a long night."

"Okay..."

***

It was nearing dawn, he tossed and turn restless on his bed. His fingers trembled as he gripped the best sheets tight. Sweat beats pouring out on his forehead and running down the side of his face.

The room was dark, darker than usual. He was trapped in the body of his eight year old self. The same stinky cell, the same cries. This time, it was followed by grunts and moans of pain.

"Help!" He cried, running to the door but his feet fell heavy, and the jingling shackles at his ankle told him of his imprisonment.

"Keep quiet." A girlish voice hissed by his side.

He turned abruptly and gasped. There were two little girls around his age in his cell. They had dirty hairs, stained cheeks and shabby rags. He noted that they looked extremely malnourished and small.

"W-Where am I? Where are...Padre and Mama?" He tried to sound tough like his Padre taught him but the fear gripping his cords made them stammer pathetically.

"It's no use. You have been kidnapped. We have been trapped here for so many days... I can't remember." The girl said.

He frowned. The other girl was curled up in a corner silently, shaking like a fragile leaf.

"Who are you?" He asked

"Honey, my name is Honey. And she is Athena." She pointed at the girl in the corner. "And you are?"

"A-Alessandro."

So small for her age, but Alessandro saw she was different. She wasn't crying like other kids. She was numbed and fearless. Her voice didn't waver once as though she was used to this strange and terrifying situation. Alessandro admired her courage.

"I-I miss daddy and mommy and Aaron bear. I want to go back home." The girl from the corner, Athena, wailed.

Honey rolled her eyes and went near the girl. Alessandro saw her enveloping the scared girl in her frail arms and consoling her.

"I miss my family too." A few tears escaped his eyes and his lips wobbled.

"My Daddy is a lawyer. He will make that bad witch go to jail." Athena sniffed and rubbed her eyes.

"My Padre is a dangerous man. He will find me surely. He is also very smart. I am sure we will be out soon."

Honey didn't reply. Alessandro initiated her to tell them about her family too.

"I don't have one." She replied in a stoic tone.

Athena looked at her curiously, "But why? Everyone has a mommy and daddy."

"Well, that's because I am an orphan. Athena." She snapped.

His eyes flung opened. The alarm clock started beeping in the next few minutes. Alessandro got up and reached over to for the water.

'Stop drinking the water on your nightstand'

Her words rang in his head.

He walked up and opened his closet, pulling out a sealed mineral water bottle, he had bought himself the previous day.

As the cool liquid drenched down his parched throat, Alessandro released a sigh of relief.

He prepared himself for the day and strolled out for breakfast.

He noticed a difference on the table. Everyone was present and usually it was the clatter of gossips filling the table. However the morning wasn't for it.

"Good morning Fratello." Alicia chirped. Her eyes had a teasing gleam as she switched looks with Simone.

Antonio still looked embarrassed, he smiled sheepishly and quietly went back to his food in front of him.

Simone acknowledged him with a nod and a small smirk.

And his little red head was red. Her fluffy cheeks were flushed crimson, the blush creep down her exposed neck and shoulders.

She was dressed in an adorable white summerdress with miniature floral print all over. She even took effort in styling her hair. Usually she left it down, cascading the wavy locks on her shoulder. But she had put it up in a neat and elegant ponytai.

Alessandro didn't like it. He loved her hair, free and wild from any restraint. It was easier run his fingers through.

"Come love, we are leaving now." He announced.

"But your breakfast-" Alicia frowned.

" We will have it on the way."

Serenity quietly picked up her bag and smiled politely at them and scrambled to the front door without even waiting for Alessandro.

"What happened to her?" He asked, confused.

They shrugged in unison but he could definitely see the twinkle in their eyes.

Strange

"Are you ready?" He asked while strapping his seat belts on.

"Yes."

Alessandro did noticed the difference in her attitude. She was quiet, very quiet. The air was uncomfortable and pressed. She wouldn't even looked at him.

What the heck did he do?

He pulled up by an English restaurant. As they got out, a valet came and took his keys.

They were escorted to their table which was placed in a secluded balcony offering amazing views of the lake on the other side of the restaurant.

"What is wrong?" He asked.

He saw her go still before she forced a laugh.

"Nothing!" A squeak escaped her mouth.

"Do not lie to me, love. You won't like the consequences." He said sternly.

"Well- I...kinda..."

Just then, two waiters appeared with their meal. Serenity didn't remember ordering but then again she was so thankful for the interruption. It was a huge breakfast comprising of all the specials in the day's menu. Her big eyes lit up at the sight of the thick fluffy pancakes drizzled in chocolate and strawberries.

"Thank you."She smiled at the servers. They looked taken aback and smiled back stiffly.

"Now-" she cut him off.

"Can we eat first, please, I am hungry." A sheepish look took over her features.

Alessandro sighed but nodded. His eyes stared into hers with a promise that the conversation was not over.

"Bon apple teeth!" She cheered and dig into her food.

He corrected, "It's Bon Appétit, love."

A faint smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth as he watched her froze and blushed shyly.

"Butter used to say that a lot, it rubbed on me" She stammered.

"Tell me about your life back then." He said.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she watched him curiously

"There is nothing much about me. Mama Dido took me to the Island when I was very small...about ten years ago. I have one best friend Butter Kaptan. Her actual name is Butanrofuserbu Kaptan but we all call her Butter. She is like my sister and you know we even promised each other that we will be the God mothers of our future babies and Grand Godmother of our future grand babies..." she shrugged.

"C-Can I ask you something now..?" She whispered with a tight smile.

Alessandro nodded.

"Do you have...like you know...a girl friend?"

His mouth twitched at her uneasiness. She shifted on her seat nervously and her eye flicker to his every few seconds before returning to her plate and blushed.

"No."

He heard her released a deep breath and a dainty smile faintly tugging up her rosy lips.

"But I do have a girl in mind I am willing to marry." He confessed looking at her.

Serenity paled suddenly like a bucket of cold water was thrown on her. Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach and her hearing numbed.

A sharp pang shot up to her chest. She unconsiously dig her nails into her palms to numbed the pain.

She forced herself to blink back her tears and smile like it didn't bother her.

It did hurt to see Alessandro having feelings for another girl when she just realized she wanted him.

Her first love or was it infatuation, like what Alicia had said the previous night.

Maybe she was glad he confessed truthfully, she shouldn't dig herself deeper into the feeling. She should halt it here once and for all.

"Oh!" She said and nodded, "Lucky girl."

She hurriedly stuff her face with the pancakes that seemed to have lost its taste.

"I-I am done...I need to use the restroom and we can leave." She didn't wait for his reply and rushed up from her chair.

Alessandro watched her walk away and shook his head, "Stupid girl."

She couldn't even figure out it was her.

***

During the ride to her school, Alessandro didn't get the time to talk to her as he had to attend to an important call. Serenity looked out of the window the whole time.

As soon as he pulled up, she jumped out of the car and rushed to reach inside. Anything to get away from him and the pain in her heart.

She didn't even take five steps and he had pulled her back in his arms. Her back pressed against his front.

He turned her slowly and frowned.

She kept her eyes firmly on the ground.

Alessandro sighed and cradled her face in his calloused palms. He pressed a soft kiss on her forehead like always.

"Take care. I will be picking you up later."

He step back and pulled the scrunchie off her ponytail. It had been annoying him for a while.

Serenity gasped as her hair tumbled down her shoulder.

"I will be keeping this, love." He slide the scrunchie into his pocket.

With one last look he entered the car and drove away.

She stood there, gaping and taking in what happened.

Unknown to her eyes, someone had seen the entire show and they were definitely not happy.

***

The whole day, she was down. The continuous thoughts of Alessandro with some other girl kept provoking her mind. It was just a small crush...she will get over it in a few days. She reminded herself. It was all his fault.

Why did he had to kiss her forehead everyday? Why did he had to take her in his arms whenever he wants? Why did he had to entreat such unknown emotions in her mind?

She huffed and slammed her locker door shut. Dressing herself in her PE uniform which consisted of a tank top with the school logo on it and blue shorts with running shoes, she walked out of her locker room.

"Hey Serenity right?"

She turned back to see who was calling her. It was the curly haired boy who saved her in Calculus. Jason? Jim? She couldn't remember.

"Hi...James?" She asked hesitatingly.

He gave a loud chuckle and shook his head.

"Justin, Justin Smith."

"I am so sorry Justin. It slipped out of my mind." She blushed in embarrassment.

"No harm done. I guess we have PE together. Do you mind if I company you to the grounds?"

Serenity smiled, "Not at all."

Justin's company was refreshing. He didn't look like one but Serenity learned that he knows every gossip happening around CPIE and the fact that he is an heir to an infamous media corporation was amusing.

"-Mrs Dracoan's first ex husband was an actor. The second ex husband, a marine scientist. The actor wasn't a big shot so she left him but then the scientist had big pockets but no sex life so she left him again. She has been working in CPIE ballet team for a decade now but I have heard that she is secretly having multiple affairs with the Board members so that is why she gets to act all high and mighty and mostly get away."

"Oh my God." Serenity gasped.

"Do you know why she favors Svetlana Yohontov more than anyone in the team?" He quirked an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"The Yohontov's have high connections with the Bratva and she was taken under their security. So, as long as she had their protection. No crime family is willing to risk their alliance to confront her unless it's a very serious issue."

Serenity shuddered, "She is so scary...I thought she favored her because Svetlana is the best dancer in CPIE."

Justin raised an eye at her thoughts. He lowered her voice and spoke, "Svetlana is not the best dancer in CPIE."

The little red head frowned and turned to him.

"But she told me she is the prima ballerina in this institution and Ms Dracoan herself said that she is the best."

"That's bullshit. Athena Springton is the Queen of Dance not only in CPIE but also in inter school championship."

Serenity remembered the gorgeous platinum blonde girl with mesmerizing grey eyes.

"Are Svetlana and Athena related? They have the same hair and same eyes...probably cousins?"

Justin laughed out loud gathering the attention of some students nearby.

The PE instructor whistled and ordered them to jogged laps for warm up before the game.

Since Serenity didn't know anyone in the class she stick to Justin and ran with him.

"So...you didn't answer my question?"

"No, they are not. It's a long story...a love triangle perhaps...I am not sure. It had something to do with the legendary Vitali...Alessandro, that was very interesting theory." He panted from time to time.

Serenity's breath hitched, the ground almost swept off her feet. A love triangle with Alessandro. Her chest tightened at the feeling again. She definitely needed to know more.

"What is it about? Tell me!" She demanded as her short legs tried to catch up with the lanky brunette.

"Jeez! What got you all riled up, young lady?" Justin teased, "Fine, meet me at lunch...I am already out of breath. I can't talk now."

The coach whistled again to them to come back and take their position for a game.

***

"Oh God! I can't believe this. Can you stop following me with that look on your face?" Justin groaned turning back to confront her.

Serenity looked at him lost, "What look?"

"Like a puppy that has been kicked in the butt."

She made a face, "I don't look like that. And we both have free periods. Just tell me about that love triangle."

"I said that I will tell you in the break." Justin exasperated with hand motions.

She pouted defensively, " But that's two hours away. We are free anyways. Come on."

"Why the devil are you so interested in it?"

"I-I...I am-..." Serenity was lost for words, "You can't just leave me hanging in the middle. I can't concentrate if I don't cure my curiosity." She whined.

She tugged at his sleeves and widened her eyes for further impact. Justin looked away and gulped.

"You sure are a Siren. But too bad I don't swing that way."

"What?"

"Let's go to the bleachers. I will tell you the entire history of the trio."

"Thank you so much." She squealed.

Justin took her inside the indoor basketball court and to the bleachers. Serenity couldn't believe that was "bleacher". It looked rather like a majestic theater seats with soft cushions and comfortable space. Definitely screaming extravagant. Then again, she shouldn't expect anything less from CPIE.

"Okay so...there is Alessandro Vitali, Athena Springton and Svetlana Yohontov. You must know who the Vitali's are."

"Yes..."

"Alessandro Vitali is a prodigy. I have never come across someone smarter and sharper than him. He is an enigma. He never let anyone close to him except his siblings and family. He is infamous for scaling the wild hunt at the youngest age. My family owns the most wanted tabloid in the world. We have exposed the unexposable among rich socialites but we could never cover Alessandro Vitali. He is way ahead of everyone. He is also one of the most notable alumni of this institution. He attended four years of high-school in four months and went on to attain degrees after degrees and he is only eighteen. To tell you the truth, I have been a fan of him since a long time..."

"Can you get to the triangle part please?" Serenity said impatiently. She didn't come here to listen to Justin fan girling Alessandro. It shouldn't hurt her but it did even if he is a boy.

"You have no patience, young lady." He admonished, " So as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by someone, Alessandro never let anyone close to him especially females but there is an exception."

Her heart dropped as she anticipated his next words.

"That is Athena Springton. Nobody knows what relationship they have but she is the exception. The Springton's held one of the most powerful law firm in the country. Mr Spington and Mrs Springton are known for putting the outrageous criminals behind the bars. Ironically they are under the Vitali's protection ever since. It is rumored that Athena and Alessandro are secretly dating or even married."

Serenity could feel the back of her eyes burning. Now that was what he meant. Is Athena the girl he wants to marry? Of course, she must be. She is gorgeous, confident and outstanding.

"And then like a nosy Ursula to every love story comes Svetlana Yohontov. Trust me I can't express the amount of hate I have for her. She acts all high and darling with mommy's money. She wanted Alessandro for quite a long time but he never bat an eyelash at her. But being undeniably stubborn and brainless bitch she is, she never stopped going after him in any occasion. She even attacked some girls who tried to approached Alessandro. As if he is her property duh, someone need to smack some senses into her thick head. But she could never cross Athena.

If I wasn't gay, I'd definitely swing for Athena. The girl's a queen. She don't tolerate bullshits and would never let anyone step on her. One time Svetlana was being territorial over Alessandro in a gala and slut shaming Athena. You won't believe infront of the thousand guests. Athena roundkicked right into her face and spat on her. That was seriously heroic and I have never felt so proud to watch that scene with my own eyes.

And Alessandro sided with Athena and warned the Yohontov's to never let such blatant disrespect repeat again. From that day, Svetlana had sworned enemies with her. And funny part is the next day, Svetlana dyed her hair the same color as Athena and even wore contacts of the same eye color. I told you that girl is crazy. She thought looking like Athena will bring Alessandro's attention to her. She didn't know she was only embarrassing herself more but nothing goes past her mind except Alessandro, Alessandro and Alessandro." Justin laughed, however Serenity didn't find it funny.

Alessandro...Athena...

She couldn't conjure any other thoughts than those two. She was nothing like her, the stunning, bold and utterly beautiful Springton. She remembered the last time Athena saved her, She poured out her frustration on her and went as far as calling her the bad word.

Maybe she was feeling bad that Alessandro was spending exclusive time with her and not having time for their dates and romance.

Serenity never thought of it but she realized Alessandro was way out of her league. He deserve someone like Athena and not her pathetic self.

After all she was just a keep.

But why the hell did he make her his keep if he had Athena on his mind?

***

Antonio could distinctly point out something was wrong with Serenity. She didn't chatter anymore and just ate two spoonfuls of whatever he picked. Her face was down and lost. She didn't even argue with broccoli in the pizza. Something happened and Alessandro will kick his ass if he didn't feed her properly.

"You need to eat more. Should I get you anything else? Please, all I see is you nibbling on that quarter sized biscuit for the past ten minutes."

Serenity pushed her plate away and stood up.

"I need to got to the washroom. I don't have appetite Antonio. I will go directly to the class after that. Don't wait for me."

"You okay?"

"I am fine." She forced a smile and slipped away from the busy hall.

Serenity needed to be alone to think more clearly. She ignored the common ladies room and went for the one at a far corner of the building. Some where away from the buzzing noises.

She went inside a cubicle and did her business.

No matter how many pep talks she tell herself, the ache in her heart didn't diminished and the contradiction of her senses were hazing her mind. She thought about telling Alessandro her feelings but then his sudden declaration of his secret lover had put out the tiny little fire of confidence in her. Would she be selfish if she just confess the next time he meet her? It will indeed lift the burden off her shoulder or make her a laughing stock infront of him.

She groaned throwing her heads back. She needed her best friend or even Mama Dido to give her advice on this. For someone who is very new to the concept of love, she has been dealing a lot.

Serenity sighed and pulled the knob. The door wasn't opening. She frowned and tried again, twisting it. Her breath hitched.

Dread filled her mind

She was locked.

Inside an abandoned washroom.

***

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