Chapter 24: A new side of Alessandro in the hospital

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(Created by : instg username - selma_boumediene_)

( Created by: @watermeloncandyxx )

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"I need you, love."

Serenity gasped lowly.

"W-What-"

"I'm so sick of this fake love fake love...I am so sorry for this fa-ke loveee, fa-ke loveeee-" Alicia barged in with two purple bags of McDonald's.

"Oh hey! Look what I brought you! The latest BTS meal. Oh Lord! You need to try this new sauces. It gave me mouth-gasm." Alicia moaned, rolling her eyes back. Completely forgetting that her very own brother was in the room.

Alessandro cleared his throat.

She turned and jump back, startled. She gasped and placed her hand on her heart.

"Oh God! You scared me!"

Alessandro looked at her with a bored expression.

"Give her some company until I come back. I need to sort out some mess. I have specifically ordered that no one should come in except a Vitali. Is that clear Alicia?"

" Yes fratello."

"I will be back soon, love. Take some rest." He leaned forward to press a kiss on top of her head.

"B-But..." Serenity held his hand and looked at him with a frustrated pout.

Alessandro simply ignored her expression and went out.

"So....McDonald's?" Alicia lifted the bags and grinned.

"Couldn't you come a little later?" Serenity muttered to herself.

"What? Did you just say something?"

She quickly shook her head, "No."

Alicia was right, the new sauces were super delicious especially the sweet Chilli. She liked it a lot. After her last nugget went down, she turned to Alicia.

"Um...Can I ask you something?" She deliberated.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Who found me in that washroom? I need to thank the person."

Alicia stilled and Serenity was surprised to see her looking annoyed and irritated.

"Athena fucking Springton." She muttered.

"What?" Serenity was taken aback.

"She apparently was bunking classes when she heard your screams for help. So she rushed to the scene and brought you out and then called Alessandro."

She felt uncomfortable, hearing what happened.

Justin had told her of Alessandro's relationship with Athena. Even though it leaves a pang in her heart when ever she thought of it. She wouldn't deny that Athena had saved her two times in row, once when she was stuck in Ms. Dracoan's ballet class and second, the washroom incident.

"Is..." Serenity cleared her throat awkwardly, "How are Athena and Alessandro related?"

Alicia continued to seethe, "Oh! Don't ask me. I don't get what the fuck is going on between them either. Alessandro knew her from a long time back. He said he is indebted to her. Their relationship always confuses me- they aren't friends nor are they nemesis. But they seemed to be always on each other's beck and call. I hate her so much."

"So...are they like...in a relationship?"

Alicia laughed out loud, "Fuck no! Alessandro don't date and Athena don't date either! All though she fucks around but that bitch is actually titled for leaving the bed as soon as the deed is done. There is a saying in CPIE, If Alessandro is the ice prince then Athena Springton is the untamed fire.

And you know what happens- fire and ice can never be together."

"Then...Is there any girl that Alessandro likes? Someone he wants to get married to?" Serenity was confused.

This was completely different from what she had expected.

Who should she believe? Justin or Alicia?

Alicia of course, she was his sister, a family.

Alicia wiped her mouth with a tissue and darted her eyes upwards as though she was thinking.

"No, I don't think so...Alessandro hated the idea of being with a girl. He even hates to be touched by one. I don't know why but I think something happened to him as a child or before I was born. You see, Alessandro was brought up by his Godfather. He came back only after our mother passed away. I think he was nine when that happened. I knew we had an elder brother but I never saw him. It had always been Antonio and I. Antonio said he remembered playing with Alessandro when they were kids. They were only knew year apart but when Alessandro turned three, our father sent him away with his God father."

"Oh my God!" Serenity gasped, "I am so sorry, I didn't know about your loss."

Alicia brushed her off "Its okay. I don't have much memory about my mom either but I remembered she was beautiful and so kind. Her name is Alicia Connors. As you can see I got my name from her- Alicia Maya Vitali the second."

Serenity smiled softly, "That's so beautiful."

She nodded in reply, "You know, Alessandro was hit the hardest when mom died. He always said that mom was his first love.

He didn't leave mom's grave for three days. Padre had to dragged him back to the house but he will managed to sneak out and went back to the grave. Then, Antonio and I decided to went on a hunger strike to bring him back. Even Simone joined us. We sat with him and didn't eat anything. It was only after I fainted that he agreed to come back home. Even to this day, four of us deal everything together. Our bond was unbreakable from then."

Serenity had tears in her eyes. Blame her sensitive heart. She felt so bad for the little Alessandro. It must have been so hard for him.

"Aww! Are you crying? Don't..." Alicia gave her a lopsided grin and opened her arms. She pulled Serenity close to her and whisper in her ear.

"Alessandro will throw me out. Don't cry."

Serenity chuckled, shaking her head, "No, he won't, silly."

"You are so oblivious dummy. He cares for you deeply. If I am not wrong, perhaps you might be the girl he likes or wants to get married to."

Serenity blushed bright red.

"No...It can't be me...Why-Why would he like someone like me?"

Alicia raised her eyebrows, " I really hate it when girls be like "Oh! Why would he like me? I am nothing and he is way out of my league." And all that bull shit. Girl! Why the fuck would he not like you. Have some fucking confidence! A blind man can see how much he likes and cares for you.

I am his sister for God's sake and I have never received even half of the attention he gives to you."

"N-No"

"Oh shut up! I told you very clearly last night. If you like him, you like him. The end. Don't maul over it. The only thing I am damn sure is that he doesn't know you like him back and he won't know until and unless you tell him yourself. Alessandro is always honest about what he feels and what he thinks. So if you have any questions ask him directly, he will answer you or either keep silent. His silence means he is not ready to share it with you but he would not lie about any situation."

Serenity stared at her in daze. She fidget with the end of her hospital gown and tried to process all this information.

"I don't get it. Alicia. He is a genius. He knows what everyone is thinking without anyone telling him. As you said yourself, he figured out all the pranks you tried to pull. His eyes don't escaped tiny details that we, normal people, often miss. When my brother Killy- I mean Killian fought against him in the red ring. I knew what I saw. He let the attacks come to him first for the first half and almost like a psychic the next half, he can predict all the moves. That's how he won. If he can see that then, why can't he see what I feel."

Alicia sighed and stood up to stretched her legs.

"You don't seem like one but you're highly observant in some areas." Alicia chuckled, "But not at the parts where you're clearly needed"

"See, it's not my story to tell but I will tell you only because I am playing Cupid.

Alessandro was programmed not to feel any emotions. I heard from Simone that his Godfather is a ruthless tyrant. Alessandro was trained from a very young age although most of skills were self taught. He was deprived of love and affection. Mom never agreed with sending Alessandro away but she had no say in that decision. Once the God father saved Padre's life from a brutal assassination and he was promised his first child in return.

Alessandro knows about a lot of things except love. He doesn't know if someone is showing him love and often misunderstood it as care."

Serenity frowned heavily, "Can you tell me more about him?"

Alicia plopped down again and crossed one leg over the other.

"I honestly can't write a page about Alessandro if I am told to do so. Like I said, we met only about a decade ago even if he is my brother. He kept mostly to himself and never shares anything with anyone. He is so distanced even from the family. It took me a long time to get into his heart. I know deep down he cared for all of us but he just doesn't show it. This is why I keep rubbing on him to assure him that I love my brother.

He is always the one who opens his door at night so I can crawled in if I ever feel scared. He never said much but his actions shows. One thing he can never tolerate is disrespect. However there is only one person that gets away with it. Guess who?"

"Athena Springton." Serenity answered in a disheartened tone.

"Bingo." Alicia clicked her tongue. "What is going in between them, only they know but I can assure you that they are platonic. So there is nothing to worry about."

"Okay..." Serenity took a deep breath in, "I have decided." She said firmly.

"What?"

She pursed her lip tightly and nodded to herself.

"I am going to confess my feelings tonight."

Alicia looked at her weirdly. Even if she was the one who encouraged her to do it. The look on the little beauty's face was oddly amusing.

"Erh...Yay...I guess?" She cheered hesitatingly.

But that determination didn't waver off Serenity's face.

Quite a few hours had passed, they continued telling each other about their lives as in Serenity's case. She told Alicia about her brothers and the life in the island.

Alicia was surprised to say at least. She never expected that coming.

"So you were basically exiled?"

Serenity shrugged her delicate shoulders.

"What about your oldest mama? Does she treat you good?"

"Yes, of course. Mama Dido is the most kindest woman I have ever seen. She does a lot of work for the people and she is so good to everyone. And every month, she also sacrificed a total week in service for the Church. So she usually leave me in Butter's house and we spend the entire week together. Those were the craziest days." She laughed softly.

Alicia smiled in return.

Just then, the man they have been waiting for returned. Alessandro entered with two bags in his hand. He instantly went over to Serenity and bend down to place a kiss on top of her head.

"How are you, love?"

Serenity flushed red under his gaze.

"I...I am good. What about you?"

His eyes softened, "Better now."

Alicia cleared her throat, irritated. They had forgotten her presence again.

"Hello? I am here as well."

"Thank you, Alicia. You can leave if you wish to. Jimmy is waiting by the door. Your car is prepared to go." Alessandro said, not even wavering his gaze off Serenity.

Alicia rolled her eyes. She can't believe he was kicking her out already.

Her brother was whipped.

"Fine! Get well soon, Seri. I will come back tomorrow." She went to give her a hug and took her bag.

"Uh- Bye Alicia. Thank you so much for coming over. I really appreciate it." She replied genuinely.

Alicia nodded and went out, shutting the door behind her.

As soon as she left, Alessandro sat down on the stool next to her bed and held her hand, rubbing comforting circles around it.

"Alessandro, when am I getting discharge?" She asked.

"You're test results will be out tomorrow then, we can go back home."

"We? Are you staying here tonight?"

He nodded curtly.

Serenity hurriedly shook her head.

"Oh no! You don't have to. You should go back home and rest well. It will be uncomfortable-"

"Shut up, love. I am not leaving you alone." He grunted .

"But-" she pouted, feeling bad for him. There was no other bed here except for a long couch. She didn't want him to sleep on the couch. It might hurt his back.

"Don't run those little wheels in your head. I will be fine." He said, flicking her forehead.

Serenity pulled back immediately and rubbed her forehead. She huffed like a little kid. He might one day dislocate her brain with these forehead flicks. It hurts!

"I got you something." Alessandro placed the two mini shopping bags on her lap.

Her eyebrows drew in confusion as she bite down in her lips to inspect it.

The first one contained a smartphone and the second one, a small platinum earing, too small that it looked like a tiny rice grain with intricate details. Just the way she liked. It amazed her that he knew about it. Serenity never liked jewelleries. It irritated her sensitive skin.

"Y-You got me a phone?" She asked incredulously.

"Yes, I should've brought it sooner. This way, you will be able to contact me in case of emergencies or any time you want. I am so sorry, my love. You had to went through it." He sighed and caressed her face lightly.

Serenity shook her head and smiled brightly.

"It's not your fault, silly. Don't think about it. By the way, these are so cute." She gushed, referring to the earrings.

"Can you help me put it on. I can't do it myself."

Alessandro nodded and stood up.

He brushed her hair to the side and carefully rolled out the the little gold earing she had had before and replaced it with the new earrings he bought.

Serenity's felt her tummy clenching again as his breath hit the side of her neck.

Butterflies

That was what Alicia told her.

But it was a whole damn zoo .

She shuddered involuntarily when he rubbed her lower earlobe as if to soothe the discomfort of the peirce.

Alessandro leaned over to fix her other ear and this time, she could take a sniff of his sweet scent, the cologne that had her addicting since the first day. She tried to breathe in deeply without him noticing.

He pulled away after he was done and it had her pouting unconsiously.

All of a sudden, Alessandro frowned and placed the back of palm over her forehead then her cheeks. Serenity winced at the contact.

His jaws clenched and the look in his eyes was that of a worry.

" Fuck! Another reaction?" He quickly pressed the alarm button by her bed continuously and in a minute the guards barged in with a doctor who was in the middle of eating a hamburger.

Serenity was bewildered at what happened. Seems like the guards have kidnapped the doc who looked equally baffled and scared.

They even snatched the half eaten burger out of his hands.

"Why the fuck is her face red, doctor?" Alessandro growled.

The doctor immediately rushed over and pulled out a mini torch light. He checked her eyes and tongue and the insides of her cheek. He was muddled. There seemed to be nothing wrong with her skin except it was flushed.

Serenity gaped inwardly. He mistook her blush for a skin reaction. She blushed harder and looked away. Now how was she to tell him that it was nothing serious?!? She just felt shy.

Still, the doctor scribbled some names on a piece of paper, to play safe and handed it to one of the guards who ran out at once, after receiving a nod from Alessandro.

Serenity rolled her eyes heavenwards.

She didn't believe when Butter told her once that some doctors can invent an illness to draw money from their wallets.

Now, she was seeing one with her own eyes.

Perhaps, it wasn't the doctor's fault. Maybe, he was intimidated by Alessandro.

"You will be okay soon, love." He looked at her tenderly and tightened the grip of her hands.

Serenity felt that he was assuring himself more than her. Her heart warmed at the unfiltered affection he was showering on her.

After applying the medicine which turned out to be a simple aloe vera face calming cream and assuring Alessandro for the hundredth time that she was alright. He had finally relented and went to sit on the couch, dealing with some office works on his MacBook.

Meanwhile, Serenity unboxed her new phone.

Chief Kaptan had gifted Butter a smart phone when she turned thirteen. It was strictly for educational purposes and he told the girls to share it.

Serenity know how to operate one but the style she had in her hand was more advanced and featured multiple apps.

There were more games too.

She only knew Talking Tom.

Butter and her had taken care of their visual pet a lot, taking turns and buying it unnecessary dresses.

She giggled silently as she unlocked many apps.

Serenity then, went to the contacts. There was Alessandro in the topmost speed dial.

She smiled shaking her head. He had filled her many contacts. But it came out as a shock when she scrolled down and saw the list.

Conall...Anushka....Killian....Igor....Papy Fostelo

She slapped her hand over her mouth and gasped. She glanced over to the man on the couch and he was already staring at her.

Her eyes moistened with tears...happy tears.

He was so considerate.

"You can talk to them, love. I am sorry I don't have the rest of your family-"

She surprised him when she jumped out of the bed and flung into his arms. Instinctively he grabbed her and coiled his strong arms around her tiny waist.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you..." she cried and continuously mumbled the word.

Alessandro frowned and rubbed her back to calm her down.

"I would never cage you, love. You're free to do as you will as long as it ensures your safety. Don't misunderstand my intentions." He said sternly.

Serenity nodded on his shoulder and sniffed.

"Thank you so much." She whispered and pulled back.

Alessandro shook his head and wiped off those overwhelmed tears with the pad of his thumb.

****

"Hello! You can't just bail out on me. I did as you said. You promised me that I would have the position of Giselle in the upcoming show!" She shrieked through the phone.

"I did...Oh! I don't remember." The person on the line replied in a bored tone.

"Please Svetlana, Save me! The Vitali's have sent me a white rose stained in blood...a threat and the next thing I know is the Dean had summoned my entire family in the campus court tomorrow! We can't even run away. There are scary men in black watching our house. We can't call the police either. Our lines to any help center disconnected. " She begged with tears of helplessness.

"What do you want me to do with it? Jeez, don't act like a kid. It's not that of a big problem."

"Svetlana! You know what it means and how big of a trouble I am in! They have found out that it was me. They will kill me damnit!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Listen, It's time for my beauty sleep. Do not disturb me. It's your problem, not mine-"

"You can't do this to me. You were the one who told me to do that! Svetlana! No! Hello- Svetlana!"

She had cut the call.

Nicole dropped to floor. Fear and Shock enveloping her senses as she cried.

Why the fuck did she do that?

It was all because of that bitch.

Nicole was only a simple girl with big dreams. Ballet was her passion but Ms Dracoan's favoritism for Svetlana had always shadowed her talents. She just wanted one chance to shine on the stage and get into Svetlana's good book so she could be on Ms. Dracoan's view as well.

She didn't come from a high profile socialite background. It's only been a few years since their family business flourished. She was very new to the rich world.

Gullible and Naive, that's what she was and now she was exploited.

The Vitali's won't spare her. They will kill her. It wasn't exactly a secret who they are. She knew about them. Everyone does in CPIE. But she didn't know that the beautiful girl with amethyst eyes were in any way related to them. Or else she swore she would have never done it.

Svetlana had promised her the role of Giselle in the upcoming ballet theater. It was such a huge opportunity, she couldn't let it slip through her hands. So she grabbed it only to realise her hands had burned in the process.

Nicole sobbed, hugging her knees.

She was so scared.

She didn't want to die.

***

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Stella Cadante.