Chapter 27: He forced the verdict in her hands

I got some amazing covers from a dear beloved reader. Thank you so much @meesha_lora (I will put the two others in the next chapter)

***

The new revelation was a thunder clap.

Serenity was shocked!

The any visible softness Alessandro held when he looked at her was gone. It was replaced by the burning cold aura. She gulped as he stood by her side and silently took her one hand in his.

It seemed like he was trying to calm himself.

The way his fingers gradually tightened and loosened against her soft palms.

"Seize her." He commanded.

Vladimira Yohontov immediately stood in front of her daughter and frantically pushed away the guards approaching them.

"NO! Do not touch my daughter with your filthy hands!" She screamed.

When she tried to retaliate with force, the trained soldiers took hold of her arms and cuffed them as well.

Svetlana had a pained expression. She looked utterly exhausted, mentally. Her eyes had visible tears and a heart breaking sob escaped her mouth.

She fell down on her knees and hit the ground with her fist as she repeatedly cried the word, "Why?"

Serenity couldn't understand what it meant. She blinked back her own tears. She didn't know why she was feeling bad for her. Svetlana did worse to her but her kind heart couldn't bear a grudge against anyone.

"Alessandro please-" she looked up from her seat to negotiate.

Alessandro turned to her sharply, "Not a word, love. Not another word from you until I say so. Don't add up to your punishment that's waiting for you at home." His voice was low and cold.

Serenity flinched at the intensity. She quickly looked away.

Two of the men that had previously walked away returned and set up a recorder. Alessandro had sent them away to look into the matter more clearly.

He had his doubts earlier but it was confirmed when the Russell girl accused Svetlana Yohontov. The tear gas bomb used at the scene was specifically designed in Russia.

And Russell had no way to get it from the Russians, no matter how much money she spent. And she was a new money. The possibilities shifted then.

Yohontovs connections with the Bratva could easily acquire the thing.

He connected the dots and knew it was Svetlana Yohontov behind it. Moreover, Alessandro had always been aware of his surroundings even of it seemed he didn't pay attention. He knew how obsessed the girl was with him. The number of encounters in the past were proof enough.

He let her off in the past because she didn't exist in his eyes but the moment she dared to hurt Serenity.

She had awoken his worst side.

The call records of Svetlana's conversation with the arms dealer as well as hers and Nicole's previous conversations played out in public.

Her game was over.

Vladimira shook her head, she cannot and will not believe it was her daughter.

"NO! This is set up! YOU! All of You are setting up my child because of your Jealousy!"

At one gaze of Alessandro, the guard quickly tapped Vladimira's mouth.

As soon as the records finished playing, Alicia jumped off the platform and stormed towards Svetlana before anyone could react.

"Bitch! How dare you!" She punched her on the face.

Svetlana yelped and fell back but Alicia wasn't satisfied yet. She was about to pounced on the girl when Antonio and Simone dragged her back.

"Calm down woman! You will get your chance later!" Simone hissed.

"No! Let me just go and twist her neck!" Alicia struggled from their grip.

"Stop it! Alicia."

"Fuck! Why- umphh!"

Simone tapped her mouth and sighed in relief. Her impulsive ass would have made the situation worse.

Serenity stood up from her seat, her gaze wavered at Alessandro. His expressionless eyes were right on hers. She couldn't see what he was feeling. She hesitatingly walked down, towards Svetlana.

She knew his eyes were on her but she needed to know the reason behind what happened to her more.

"Why..." Serenity cleared her throat, "I genuinely wanted to be your friend. Why did you hate me so much? Why did you do that?"

She looked down at her softly.

Svetlana fisted her hands tightly. Her head was down, hence, the little bitch couldn't see her face. Her lips mounded into a sneer and her eyes blazed fire.

Furious, was an understatement.

How dare she?

First, Seducing and stealing her man from her

Second, The audacity to look down at her.

She needed to be taught a lesson.

No one messes with Svetlana Yohontov.

Blind with envy and rage, Svetlana sprang up to slap Serenity right across the face.

Caught off guard, the on lookers gasped.

Serenity's eyes widened.

Like a swift block of wind, She was suddenly pushed behind and Alessandro appeared in the middle.

He expertly caught Svetlana's wrist before it could come in contact with his face.

His eyes darkened to obsidian and the tension rolled off him in waves.

Without any warning, he twisted her wrist in an awkward angle.

Svetlana howled out a pained scream, clutching her now broken wrist.

The tiny red head behind him gasped and covered her mouth in horror. She tugged at the fabric of his blazer and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Please...Alessandro! Calm down!" She whimpered.

"Three options love...You didn't listen to me. I am giving you three options.

One...the limo is by the gate, waiting. Choose to walk out of this room silently, sit your little ass there and go home. Let me handle it here.

Two...Sit down and watch

Three..."

He looked at her directly with unreadable emotions in his eyes.

"Three...Take the verdict in your own hands. Give them the hell they deserved...But always remember, there is nothing as forgiveness in the verdict. You get to choose their punishment from what I deemed fit."

Alessandro stroke a strand of her hair and coldly added, "It's your call, my love."

Serenity struggled to form words but it was like a fish bone was stuck in her throat.

"A-Alessandro...I...I can't!"

He didn't respond.

Her breath came out in gasp, she wandered her eyes around and all the attention was on her. Serenity couldn't think. It was impossible of her to take a verdict and it was even more impossible for her to leave silently. She couldn't fathom what Alessandro might do to them. She, for sure, knew it wasn't going to be easy. He had a reputation for a reason.

Alessandro wasn't called the ice prince for nothing.

She slowly looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears.

"What- What do you want me to do?"

"Be who you are."

She shook her head rapidly, "I cannot do this Alessandro. I am just another average girl. I cannot do this. And I cannot even let you do this, Alessandro."

Alessandro clasped his hands down on her shoulder and firmly held her. His eyes clashed against hers.

Midnight blue against amethyst.

"Look into my eyes, love and tell me what have you decided." He spoke sternly.

Serenity quickly draw her gaze back but before she could turn or break the contact, Alessandro gripped her chin and forced her to meet his awaiting orbs.

"Tell me, love."

She was drowned in the vision he had set. Transfixed and bewitched, she uttered the words, clearly written in his gaze.

"...t-the third option."

She could see the glint of pride on his stone cold expression.

He stepped back and forwarded his hand. Serenity didn't register how her fingers slipped into his or even the short walk to the platform.

Goosebumps floated across her skin. The sound of her heart hammering drummed her ears.

She was petite and a tiny girl but somehow she felt taller than anyone at that moment.

Alessandro wasn't by her side.

He was behind her.

Serenity gulped and inhaled sharply ad she looked down at the file, filled with the accusations, the incident and the crimes. There were relatable verdicts printed and open in her hands, she was to command just one.

The first made her cringe instantly.

Smoked in a gas chamber for double the time, the victim endured.

She flicked through the pages quickly. A lot of clause made her almost throw up. Butchering someone's fingers doesn't seem like a verdict. She couldn't believe how severe and barbaric most of the verdicts were.

Serenity was sure she had lost her appetite already.

She fleetingly glanced back at Alessandro who returned another stoic face of his.

In a span of seconds, she felt incredibly tinier.

What dilemma has he put her into?

As she skimmed down the different clauses, finally a word caught her.

She breathe out a sigh of relief.

At last something, without bloodshed.

It might seem a little big but it was nothing compared to the other penalties.

"I have decided." She said softly.

Her words rang out loud and clear at the pin drop silent atmosphere.

The representatives of the various crime families present looked up, impressed with the quick decision.

Serenity wrote down her verdict and handed it over to the Dean of CPIE.

The old man gaped and looked at her for double check.

Serenity reluctantly smiled.

He cleared his throat and wiped the sheen of Sweats forming on his forehead.

"Ms. O'Sullivan has decided on the verdict....'Expulsions.'"

The crowd thundered with gasped and unbelievable echoes.

Vladimira shrieked loudly but her mouth was taped.

Svetlana was lost in her pain.

Nicole cried but she looked at Serenity and mouthed 'thank you.'

The little red head in question, was however confused with the mixed reaction.

Alessandro let out an amused chuckle.

She really didn't know the severity of her innocent verdict.

***

Her platinum blonde hair blew wildly with the wind. The stormy weather similar with the storms in her eyes. A half empty bottle of vodka by her side.

A loud crack resonated through the sky. The lightening shooting out its veins with a terrifying shriek. She huffed and flipped a middle finger to the sky.

The day reminded her of that night...the night she lost everything.

Mr and Mrs Springton refused to accept their own daughter like before because she was defiled. Athena chuckled humorlessly. Sure, they provided her everything but it was more of a business than family.

Her so called 'brother' abandoned her when she needed him the most.

She hated this life.

She hated everything.

She wanted to run away, far from this world, away from reality.

But she wasn't a quitter. And if she did quit, it won't be like some pathetic loser.

Forty two days....Those forty two days in the past taught her more that life could have taught her. She lost herself, she lost everything but she did find a pillar to lean on.

She would forever be grateful to him.

Alessandro Vitali.

Although she would never admit it to him. She couldn't risk feeding his male ego.

The rain poured down again, this time, more merciless.

Athena snatched the binds shut.

She rounded her study table and sat down on her couch, flicking through her phone.

A notification pinged, bringing her attention.

Mona Tsukumo had sent her a video.

She watched it silently. An amused smirk tugging up the corners of her mouth.

"The bitch is smart." She chuckled to herself.

Expulsion as a verdict that too from the will of Vitalis was more sinister than how it sounded. Both of them are expelled not only from CPIE but also from the mainstream society. They would be blacklisted for the rest of their existence.

Nicole Russell might never be able to go to school or college. Getting a job was out of question. Serenity had unknowingly cut and burnt her wings. The Russell's will no longer be the same ever again. Their business would collapse, bankrupt. Their lives would be on the street.

And Svetlana Yohontov. The same conditions applied to Yohontov as well but the brutality was far worse. Getting blacklisted from the first class society, she had crushed the entire Yohontov regime. Any connections with the other crime families were severed. Allies turned into enemies. Nobody would like to mess with the head of the Italian Mafia as well as the Irish mob. They would be withdrawn from the Bratva once the news reach Moscow. It was a matter of shame. Vladimira Yohontov would never be able to hold her head high again.

Athena was surely going to enjoy the drama.

It was time for that fake Russian wannabe princess to get off her high horse.

Talking about drama, Athena winced, pressing her temple. She could already feel a headache coming her way.

Just then her phone lighted up.

She sighed, picking up the call.

"Yes Vitali."

"Why did you do that?"

"Come on Alessandro. Don't be a spoil sport. Her entry made the Drama more interesting. Didn't it?" She grinned.

"You are fucking unbelievable Athena. I don't want Serenity involved in such situations ever again."

He hung up on her.

***

As soon as it was over, Alessandro threw Serenity over his shoulder like a sack of potato and proceeded to get out of the hall.

"Ah! Alessandro- What are you doing? Put me down! Alessandro! People are watching!" She squealed, hitting his back.

"Aless- Eh!" She winced out loud when he pinched her calf.

His bodyguards were fast to haul the umbrella above their heads as soon as they walked out of under the roof and into the rain.

Serenity clamped her lips tight and buried her red face in her palms. She was embarrassed.

He gently threw her inside the limousine and climbed in after her.

"Achoo-" an adorable sneeze passed her mouth.

Alessandro clenched his jaws, not to lash out on the little girl.

"Turn up the heater to the fullest. And get home fast."

"Yes, Sir." The chauffeur replied, closing the partition to give them some privacy.

Serenity quietly stared down at her lap.

She knew he was mad at her.

She had noticed his clenching of jaws and continuous flexing of knuckles, even the occasional running of his fingers through his hair.

He didn't even spare her a glance.

"Achoo-"

Alessandro hissed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He took off his blazer and dropped it on her lap.

Serenity blushed and draped it over her shivering form.

The heat from the heater did warm her up a bit. As bold as it sounded, all she wanted was to curl up against the angry man by her side. But she couldn't, she didn't have the courage to provoke a seething lion.

A pout nestled on her lips.

Only if she knew, just a word and Alessandro would have gone down on his knees for her.

When the car pulled up by the front porch of the Vitali mansion. Serenity quickly jumped out before Alessandro had a chance to throw her over his shoulder again.

He pressed his lips tightly and stared down at her.

"Uh..- Achoooo!" She faked a sneeze.

Alessandro raised an eyebrow.

"Oh God! Alessandro- I think I just caught a cold. Achoo...Lets discuss everything tomorrow okay? Achoo..." she sniffed loudly to make it look effective.

"I will go and take rest...You don't have to worry about me though..."

Serenity waved tiredly and proceeded to walk away. She knew that he wouldn't get angry on her when she is sick. She just needed to take a little advantage.

She inwardly grinned and cheered in her head when he didn't follow her as she crossed the threshold.

But she celebrated quite early, the next thing she knew she was in air.

Serenity gasped and swiftly latched onto his neck for support.

"Uh- Alessandro! Why did you pick me up? Uh- Umph! I can walk on my own. Alessandro! I just have a little cold. My legs aren't broken. "

He glanced at her for a second and released a bored sigh.

"You don't sneeze with your eyes open, love. Your terrible acting skills give you away." He deadpan

"Excuse me?" Serenity glared at him.

The audacity! How dare he call her a terrible actor! It was a dishonor to the Oscar she often won in her dreams.

Alessandro shrugged, "You are excused."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Alessandro...my room is that way."

"I am hungry. Can we go to the kitchen instead?"

"Isn't this the wing to your room?"

"Why are we going to your room?"

"Alessandro- You can just dropped me here."

"Am I still light?"

"Do you think I add up a few pounds, Alessandro?"

"I have never seen your room before."

"Can I take a few pictures if it has aesthetic appeal to it?"

Serenity innocently tried distracting him from the serious matter in hand.

However Alessandro was only irritated with the endless series of useless questions.

He entered his room and carried her directly to the washroom.

He gently dropped her to her feet and brought out some clean towels from the cabinets.

"Go take a shower, love..." Alessandro gave an all over glance, frowning heavily at her injured feet.

"You stink."

Serenity was left shocked and embarrassed as he walked out. She quickly sniffed her clothes and her shoulders. True to his words, she did stink just a little bit.

How could she forget? She jumped into a dirty garbage bin earlier. She atleast thought the rain would have washed away any odor.

Heat flushed over her skin before the warm shower could even touch her.

She bite down on her lips, groaning loudly.

***

She had thoroughly showered twice. But the shyness and embarrassment stopped her from getting out. Serenity leaned her head against the door and contemplated what to do.

She was reminded of the time when Alessandro had told her that a punishment was waiting at home.

She shivered at the thought. How was he going to punish her? Will he push her into a gas chamber as well? No! Serenity quickly shook her head. Maybe some canning? She flinched. She had low pain tolerance. It would hurt so bad.

What if he threw her to a cage of hungry tigers? No. Alessandro didn't have tigers, did he?

"I know you're done. Come out." His voice came from the other side of the room.

Serenity groaned and unlocked the door. She was secured in his bathrobe and it was huge that it ended up covering her till her ankles even though she had to double tie it.

"Um...Can-Can I go to my room?" She asked slowly, gazing his reaction. Alessandro was on his couch, reading through some files on his MacBook.

"No, you're Pj's are in the closet."

She made a huffing noise and dragged herself to his humongous closet. True to his words, some sections were filled with her clothes. She quickly put on a cozy onesie and towel dried her hair to the best of her ability before stepping out.

"So...um..."

"Come here."

"Alessandro! I am sorry. Please don't get mad at me."

"Come. Here. Love" he gritted his teeth.

Serenity reluctantly moved towards him. Once she was closed, he pull her down to sit on the ottoman placed in front of him and lifted her feet on his knees.

"What-What are you doing?" She gasped.

A pained scream left her mouth when he pressed a cotton ball soaked in antiseptics against her broken skin.

"Alessandro...it hurts! Be Gentle! Aah! Please."

She tried to pull her feet back but he held it tighter and continued treating her scraps and cuts. She didn't realize that her soles were damaged.

Alessandro wasn't gentle at all. It was like he was taking out his anger on her. She continued screaming and crying. It hurt her so bad. Her chubby cheeks were drenched in tears.

"Slow down! Please!" Serenity whimpered and took hasty breaths in.

"It hurts! Oh Lord! Alessandro!"

"What did I tell you before leaving?" He asked in a stoic tone.

"I-I can't remember...Ah! Please be gentle...Please."

"What did I say?"

Serenity stormed her brain to remember anything.

"Not to go outside..." she sobbed.

"And what did you do, love?"

She looked down on her lap shamefully and sniffed.

"Do.not.make.me.repeat.myself"

"I am sorry okay! I had to do it. You were about to go all Hitler on her. I can't let that happen to her." She returned with a small glare.

"And you decided to go all wonder woman in the fucking rain without your fucking shoes!" He hissed and wrapped the gauze over her blistered feet.

"I...I didn't have any choice."

"I also said that you should call me if you need anything."

"You wouldn't have agreed." She argued.

"And who told you that?"

Serenity was left wordless. She opened her mouth to answer but nothing came out. What he said was true as well, she judged the situation without even considering his perceptions on it. But then again, her gut instincts told her that he would most probably say No.

"I...I just thought that-that you wouldn't agree."

"Is it so hard to put a little trust in me?" He asked.

Serenity quickly shook her head.

"No, Alessandro. I trust you. Don't you see I am here chatting and talking with you freely instead of hiding under my bed."

"Then why didn't you trust me enough to talk to me about this? Do you even realized the amount of danger you have put yourself into? What the fuck were you thinking?" He seethe in anger.

Serenity inhaled loudly, "I wasn't thinking. It was mainly impulse. Alessandro. I promise I wouldn't do such things again. Can we please let this go?"

"No, you will be punished for your heedless act. Not for interfering in the verdict but for putting yourself in danger. You didn't listen to me, love. And I won't let this down until and unless you learn from it."

She whimpered and clenched her eyes shut.

"Are-Are you going to t-throw me in the Gas-Gas chamber as well?"

Alessandro looked at her incredulously. He wondered what goes inside her little brain.

"Do you want me to?" He asked in a cold tone.

Serenity quickly shook her head. She curled herself into a tiny ball with a pout nestling on her rosy lips.

"You are grounded..."

She immediately lifted her head with wide eyes and a sigh of relief.

"...in my room..."

Her relief got stuck in her throat, a shock look picturing her face.

"...for two weeks."

She choked on her words, "What!"

"You won't be stepping out of this room for two weeks. Say goodbye to your little freedom for now."

He stood up and pushed his hands inside his pant pockets.

"But Alessandro-"

" Three weeks?" He raised an eyebrow.

She claimed her mouth shut.

"Good girl."

***

"I need to see Serenity!" Alicia said.

Simone rolled his eyes, "You cannot! Alessandro had restricted any sort of interactions with her for two weeks. She is grounded."

"I don't care. I have to see her."

She crossed her arms over her chest angrily glaring at her cousin.

"Look. I know what you're going through but we cannot disregard Alessandro's words. He won't be so generous in your case."

"The fuck is wrong with you guys! You should be on my side, not his!"

"Alicia. Can you just leave? I am really exhausted. Your martial arts classes are starting soon and Alessandro will be there to monitor your improvements."

"Simone! Please help me meet her. She needs a girl to talk to. You know... like girl talks that can be done only with girls."

"I am sorry. I can't be of help." He flopped down on his chair and typed away on his laptop.

"Urgh! This is not so fair! I am bored!"

Alicia grumbled and pulled herself off the couch. She started to walk away when Simone cleared his throat.

"Uhm...Her birthday is around the corner. He is preparing a huge ball for her. You can help with the preparations if you're not so bored."

Alicia's face lighted up like the fourth of July. She squealed and excitedly jumped out of the room.

Simone breathe a sigh of relief.

Seriously a pain in the ass.

***

How was the chapter?

Good?

Bad?

Or just meh..?

I apologized for going out of schedule and as I had earlier said. Our town is facing the worst face of the Pandemic. The numbers are increasing in hundreds and everywhere is red zoned. So I took out some time for myself and my family. I will try to remain stick with the schedule. Thank you for all your supports and love.

Stay safe everyone and please follow the safety protocols properly.

Lots of love.

Until then,

Adios.

Stella Cadante.