Chapter 28: He almost kill her from his outburst

***

Thank you so much for the beautiful covers.

(By: @CrystalKeira13)

By: (meesha_lora)

***

Two men in black cloaks dragged a heavily battered girl inside the cell once again. Athena was curled up in the corner while Alessandro napped beside her.

They dropped the little girl inside and went out, locking the cell.

Athena looked around, making sure that none of the evil men are nearby. She cried and crawled towards her. Sobs racking through her body on seeing the condition of her friend.

"Honey! Are you okay? Did they hurt you so bad?" She cradled her head gently on her lap.

Honey groaned out in pain at the slight movement.

"W-water..." she mumbled.

Athena nodded rapidly and ran to fetch water from the dirty bucket there. She collected as much as she could in her palms and poured it over Honey's mouth.

Honey greedily gulped down every drop.

"It...Hurts!" She cried in pain.

Athena shook Alessandro to wake him up.

"Wake up Alessandro! Honey -Honey is hurt!" She sobbed and pulled his little body up.

Dazed and disoriented, he stood up abruptly, his eyes searching wildly for any sign of trouble. When it landed on the broken girl on the floor, he broke down in tears.

"Honey...What happened to you?" He cried and rushed to her side. Taking her cold hands, he rubbed on them to generate some heat.

Athena placed her head back on her lap, nursing quietly.

"W-What did they do to you?" He cried loudly.

She wasn't responding. Her cold and unmoving stature could have declared her dead of it wasn't for the small breaths escaping her mouth every few seconds.

"Shss...Alessandro. Please let her rest. She needs to rest to get better." Athena softly warned him.

Alessandro was horrified to see blood coating her lower regions. Some were fresh while some dried. One side of her face had a large bruise and the revealing portion of her neck was covered in bite marks.

"Athena...tell me honestly...What did they do to her?"

She couldn't form a word as she started trembling and crying at the mere thought.

Before she could open her mouth.

Another set of guards came in.

"Looks like we need another piece to please the Goddess. Get that little asshole over there."

Alessandro panicked but he bravely covered Honey and Athena from their line of vision.

"Do not touch my friends!" He warned with glare even if he was shaking with fear on the inside.

The men laughed and one heavy palm raised, slamming down on his cheek.

***

"Alessandro!....Wake up please. Alessandro!" The softness of that voice was jumbled with the harsh baritone laughing in his mind.

Alessandro flung his eyes open and snatched the intruder by the neck and flipped them under him, strangling and choking the person.

Serenity gasped and lifted her hands to hit his arms.

"A-Ale...Aah! Pl-Please...sto-stop!" She coughed, her body withering under his immense strength.

The aftermath of the nightmare and the darkness had shrouded his rationality. And all Alessandro could see and feel was the tormentors inside the dirty cell.

Serenity could feel her consciousness slipping out of her hold, the lack of oxygen was making her dizzy and him crushing her windpipe made the situation worse.

Tears slipped out of the corner of her eyes. She continuously hit and clawed on his arms.

Her gasping hardened. She was on the verge of giving up when a strangled scream escaped her mouth.

Alessandro stiffened, his hands immediately ceased pressuring her delicate neck.

His eyes reflected horror as he glanced down at her drained and worn out form.

"Fuck!" His fingers trembled as he quickly drew himself back. He stepped away from the couch and ran his fingers through his tousled hair.

The adrenaline increased. He couldn't look back at her. His deeds reminded him of the monster he was. The soft heavings of his girl and the dry coughs reached his ears.

What did he do?

Why?

How could he hurt her this way? Intentionally or not! He almost killed her.

"How could I do this? How did it happen?" Alessandro muttered to himself continously, looking for a way to calm himself down.

He was losing control.

His eyes frantically searched for his salvation. The pills he had abandoned a long time back. His intakes of breaths went rapid.

With a loud mad growl, he swiped one arm over the things on the night stand. Alessandro sink down on the floor, gulping and gasping while his hands clutched and pulled at his hair.

A helpless groan left his mouth breathlessly. His whole body was trembling. The inaudible pain succumbing his senses in a dark abyss.

When suddenly, out of nowhere, a fruity scent filled his nose. Soft arms were embracing his quivering figure while sweet words mumbled nothings in his ears.

Alessandro hold onto the salvation, enveloping her tightly afraid to let it go.

"It's okay, Alessandro. I am here...I will scare your monsters away." She spoke softly as if she was talking to a scared child.

Oh! If only she knew how much those words meant to him.

His nose dug onto her shoulder blades, inhaling her calming scent rapidly. It worked better than his medications.

She was his medicine, a sweet one at that.

"Come back to me...You are okay."

Alessandro clenched his fist on the back of her shirt as he pulled her flushed tightly to his chest as though to mold them together into one.

Serenity ran her delicate fingers through his hair to relief the tensions on his shoulder. And they did relax after her administration.

After holding him for quite a few minutes, Serenity tried to pull back, Alessandro grunted, not letting her go. She huffed and patted his back.

"Alessandro, let's get you to bed. It's not good to sit on this cold floor."

When he didn't reply, she sighed.

"Why did you sleep on the couch? I told you I can make Great pillow walls of China between us. Why are you so stubborn, Alessandro?" She complained at his deaf ears.

He released a deep breath and closed his eyes, laying his head on her delicate shoulder.

"Alessandro...Alessandro! Don't sleep on me. You are heavy, I can't carry you back."

"Shut up, love." He mumbled lowly before pushing himself off her.

He took a deep breath in and opened his eyes. A curious set of sparkling amethyst were staring back at him. He tenderly swiped a stubborn strand of hair off her face and secures it behind her ears.

"I am sorry..." Alessandro apologized, dropping his head. He couldn't look at her without the guilt clenching his heart especially when the lingering marks of his brutal fingers displayed on her flawless neck.

"I- I.." he was lost with words, clenching his jaws, he looked into her eyes, the one that showed him the purest innocence in his dark world, " It's my fault. Everything is my fault-"

"No, Alessandro. Don't blame yourself. Nobody is at fault here. You did it out of reflex, you were not in your senses. If it makes you feel better. I forgive you." Serenity replied.

She stood up and lend her hand towards him. Alessandro looked at her with unknown emotions. He hesitated. Serenity nudged forward with an impatient huff.

He glanced at her hand and slowly interlaced their fingers as she attempted to pull him up.

Alessandro subtly rolled his eyes at her non existent effort and he stood up himself. She grinned widely and dragged him towards his...their bed.

She even made that fucking pillow wall in the middle of their bed which Alessandro was sure would be lying on the floor, the next morning. He knew his little red head was a Dora, the explorer in bed.

"Good night Alessandro..." she mumbled as she dropped her eyes.

"Night...love."

He stared at her serene face, a child like pout nestled on her small lips.

Sighing to himself, he turned and lie on his back.

How long has it been since someone had lend their hand to him?

Ten years?

He couldn't remember.

Alessandro glanced at her sleeping figure again.

"I will make it up to you, love. I promise."

Serenity cringed at the pain on her neck when she woke up. She felt like her neck would've snapped into two pieces. It was horrible and the awkward position she was in, worsened the agony.

She yawned and squinted her eyes to rub the sleep away. The surface under her was hard unlike the soft silks of her bed. And moreover it was emitting some sort of heat. She didn't remember getting heat pads under the blankets. She wondered her hands around and came across some boxy edges.

Unknowingly trailing her soft fingers around its firm and hard plane. She counted them. There were six of them. She jutted her bottom lips out and brought her knuckles to rub her eyes properly. When she squint her lazy orbs open, a wave of great confusion hit her.

She was lying on a honey tanned rock hard body more specifically on a chest. Bewildered, she turned her head on the other direction.

Another great shock of her life greeted her, Alessandro was staring down on her with a raised eyebrow.

Had she been sleeping on top of him?

Serenity gasped and rolled off him immediately. Sitting up abruptly, she didn't want to believe what she did.

Where did her wall of china go?

"I...W-Why didn't you wake me up? Oh my God!" She palmed her face in embarrassment.

"Oh Gosh! This is embarrassing...Alessandro, you should've woken me up. I-I didn't take any advantage of you. I promise. Mama Dido always says that I am a lousy sleeper. You can ask her if you want. I didn't do it purposely-"

She was interrupted when a slight chuckle left him.

He looked more amused than mad.

On the other hand, Serenity froze.

.

.

.

The morning sun pouring down the French windows. The sprinkles of sunlight hit the side profile of his gorgeous face. For the first time, she could see the light glint in his mesmerizing blue eyes. And his laugh, although lasted for a couple of seconds. It was the most mellifluous thing she had ever heard.

His smile was rare and it was beautiful.

However his laughter, the rarest of all his sides was bewitching.

Serenity wondered why...Why did he stop? His smiles...his laughter...his happiness.

Why did he have to be so guarded all the time?

Alessandro was a piece, nobody could figure out.

But she did, Serenity wanted to believe she figured him out.

And if she didn't, she wouldn't stop. Now she had a sudden will driving the motivation in her, she has to bring back this side of Alessandro back. He deserves to...live not survive.

"Alessandro..." she whispered silently.

He stopped and stared at her. The same blank gaze.

Serenity smiled and leaned forward. He looked at her, still guarded and oblivious emotions.

"You look super handsome when you laugh." She grinned at him.

Alessandro rolled his eyes subtly and flicked her forehead back.

"Seems like your Great pillow walls of China couldn't keep your hands to yourself." He teased.

Serenity fumed crimson. She chucked a nearby pillow on his face and ran to the en suite in rush.

Alessandro shake his head, secretly smiling to himself.

***

Athena Springton was lounging in her quarters when the door busted open and her mother walked in.

Mrs. Springton was a woman of strict etiquette. Born and raised in a distant royal household of England, she was poised and deemed for perfection right from the womb.

She sharply glanced at the slouching back of Athena and the unkempt legs sprawled on the coffee table. Her red coated lips twisted in disgust. She brought out a slender cane from her bag and hit the unexpected girl right at the sole of her feet.

Athena shot up from her nap, grimacing in pain. Her eyes snapped to her mother in anger but immediately kept it down.

"I apologize, mother."

"Why did I get a call from Ms. Dracoan that you're being rebellious in school? Is this how I raise you to be? I am so disappointed in you, girl. Seems like I've been so lenient with you nowadays. Would you like to know your place, Athena?" Mrs Springton proceeded to inspect her room, wrinking her eye brows everytime she saw something out of place.

"No, mother." Athena clenched her fist, never raising her head.

"Look up, my little girl." Her eyes softened. She placed a finger under her chin and raised her head slightly.

"Is it true that Alessandro Vitali got himself a girlfriend?"

Athena hesitated and squirmed uncomfortably.

"Yes, mother."

Mrs Springton clicked her tongue and turn away.

Athena already saw it coming and as expected, she whipped back and backhanded her.

The force of the impact was undeniably strong, Athena snapped her face towards the floor. The harsh sound of her palm connecting with her face ringing in her ears. One side of her face stung but she didn't utter a word.

"Foolish! Utterly Stupid girl. You disappoint me. How could you let that happen! Alessandro was supposed to be yours. I did everything in my power to make sure of it. You are suppose to be by his side on the throne, not a mistress he comes to when he is bored."

Athena gritted her teeth, "We are nothing as you say. I am not his side chick. He is a just a friend. We went through it together ten years-"

Mrs Springton quickly grabbed her jaw, squeezing her cheeks.

"Shss...not another word. HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU! DO NOT LET THAT SENTENCE COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!" Her voice raised an octave but it quickly came down to a whisper yell ," Do you even know what will happen to our reputation? Whatever happened in the past is a stain on our legacy. Do not repeat it, stupid girl."

Athena admitted in submission "Yes, mother."

"Listen to me carefully, men likes to show their dominance over us for ages but it is us, women who wear the pants. Use your feminine charm, everything you want, you will get it. God has given you this power, the power of beauty, of seduction. Men couldn't keep their thing in their pants when you exhibit these tantalizing qualities. They would come, running to your wishes, on your feet. Don't you want that? Imagine! Imagine what would happen when this little girl friend come in between you and Alessandro! If she happens to be a smartypant , oh how horrendous would our fate be.

She would have the power to convince Alessandro to dance to her tunes. What if she takes away the protection we have had for ten years! No, we cannot lose that! Athena Springton! You should do something. Alessandro's vision must never stray away from you. Never! Do you understand."

Athena shut her eyes tightly and clenched her fist on her side, away from the wicked eyes of her mother.

"Yes mother."

"Good." Mrs. Springton nodded to herself.

She moved forward and raised her hand. Athena flinched, stepping back. She noticed it but then smiled softly, patting her hair.

"Be my good girl, Athena." Mrs Springton stared at her with tender eyes.

"Do whatever you can, Alessandro Vitali should be yours and only yours. It should be easy, both of you know each other better than anyone else. Remove that girl out of your lane."

Athena nodded blankly, "Yes...mother."

***

Serenity rolled her eyes and sat down on the bed with a huff.

It was so boring.

Alessandro had confiscated her phone earlier. So her only access of entertainment was the TV. But she quickly got fed up of the tedious channels.

And the man himself had went out for work. For a spare minute, she regretted what she did but when she realized she saved two lives at least, she suck it up with an eye roll.

His room, on contrary to what she had previously assumed,was too bland. She had expected him to be all dark and black themed type of guy considering his choice of fashion.

However it came out a bit shocking that Alessandro preferred simplicity over everything. A room could tell a lot about someone's personality after all it is someone's haven where the walls knew more secrets than the person in question himself.

The walls were plain white, no pictures, no paintings, no random artifacts hanging around. It was very neat and nothing out of place except that one table where Alessandro worked the most late at night. The couches in one corner were of creamy white color, mahogany tables and a few dark ottomans placed here and there.

His dresser and vanity were either in the closet or washroom. One vertical six feet tall mirror was placed in another corner.

Serenity realised another quirks of Alessandro. He liked to dress immaculately and poised only outside the comforts of his room. She almost drooled when he came out in a grey sweatpants and white fitting Tshirt after shower the previous night, having used to mostly seeing him in three piece suits and Armani's.

The room didn't have the homey and cozy vibe it was supposed to have. She needed to do something. Serenity nodded to herself, after all she had all the time in the world for the next thirteen days. Maybe she can sprinkle some magic, her very own magic here. She hoped Alessandro won't mind.

A knock came from the door before a few butlers came in to serve her brunch.

She smiled widely at them.

They seemed confused at her enthusiasm but nevertheless smiled back.

As they set up the table, Serenity started working her little mind.

"Um...Can you please bring me some things when you come later?"

"Yes, ma'am. What would it be?"

"Cool, Please bring me some red, blue, green, yellow, black and white paints and some types of small brushes. And Oh! a pallette and...uhmm...origami papers if you have..."

The butlers looked at each other, reluctantly.

The oldest one braved up, "Miss, we can't do that without Mr. Vitali's approval. Maybe you should ask him first..."

Her face fell as she heard what he said. He wouldn't agree, would he?

Serenity quickly shook her head. She remembered yesterday's conversation. Alessandro asked for her trust in him. She can't judge him because of her petty prejudice.

"Okay, I will..." As soon as she said it, she bit her tongue. She didn't have her phone in first place.

She smiled sheepishly at the awaiting butlers.

"Um...Can...Can I borrow a phone right now or is there a way to contact him?"

"Ah! There is...Miss can use the landline on the nightstand. The number **151203** can directly connect to Mr.Vitali's assistant. He can help you with it."

"Thank you so much." Serenity skipped towards the phone.

"If you need anything Miss then, please press the button on the service controller ,it will notify any of us immediately."

"Okay, thank you so much once again."

The butlers silently evacuated the room, locking the door behind them.

Serenity dialed the number and impatiently waited for it to connect.

"Hello, this is Jim-"

"Jimmy!" Serenity squealed before he could complete his introduction. A silence replied on the phone for a while.

"Uh- hello, Jimmy...It's me, Serenity. We met before...Remember?" She frowned when there was no reply.

Jimmy cleared his throat on the other side and answered, "Yes, Ms. O'Sullivan. I do remember you. Would you like me to passed your call to Mr. Vitali."

"Yes please, thank you."

"My pleasure, Miss."

The line beeped twice before she could hear him, his deep cold voice resonated like a bass. Serenity could feel her heart flutter at the sound.

Stupid butterflies.

"Hello Alessandro. H-How are you?"

"I am good, love. Have you eaten?"

"No...Not yet but I will after this..."

He hummed in reply.

"What is it that you wanted to speak about?"

"Yes...Umm...I asked for some paints and brushes." She bite down on her lips nervously and mumbled, "They said they will need to have your approval first..."

Alessandro hummed again, "Alright, I will send them to you."

She remained silent, nobody spoke a word for a few minutes. Serenity didn't know how to question the question in her mind.

She played with the loose hem of her skirt.

"Won't...you ask me why?" She inquired hesitatingly

He didn't reply back.

Serenity's heart hammered at her chest in anticipation.

Her palms clammy and sweaty.

She was dazzled if he had cut the call.

"A-Aless-"

"I trust you."

Her heart almost busted at the three words. She fought the wide grin appearing on her face.

"Thank you, I will talk to you later. Bye-Bye."

He hummed and hung up.

Serenity squealed and flopped down on the bed, burying her face onto the pillow. She sighed heavily, even the sheets smelled like him.

Her favorite scent.

The butterflies didn't stop stampeding her tummy.

She might be just falling more for the invincible Vitali and honestly, she didn't mind one bit.

***

Alessandro stared at the reports unbuldgingly. Something didn't just add up.

Forty two days in an unknown island.

Twenty three children...only two survived at the end of these forty two days.

He could incessantly remember most of the details now that his nightmares are frequent. It was the same cell and sometimes the misty silhouette of the woman behind it.

It was an anonymous cult, that was solely dedicated to please a namesake Goddess. Sacrificing innocent children's purity to please their fucked up mind.

Alessandro clenched his jaws, pinching the bridge of his nose.

His dominant objective was to track down those bastards.

He needed to trace back to the roots and destroy it.

No one knows if it was still active and how many kids have fallen into their merciless trap.

The car drove into the driveway of the Vitali mansion. He folded the documents close and gently put it back.

Alessandro took a deep breath in and couldn't help the little tug up at the corner of his mouth.

His Serenity, was waiting for him.

He climbed out of the car and nodded curtly at Jimmy who was diligently waiting for him.

"Have a good day, Sir."

"You too, Jimmy."

Jimmy gaped with wide eyes at the retreating figure of his boss. It maybe his first time hearing a polite return from his boss.

Alessandro released a sigh of relief as he neared his room. A soft smile lifted his exhausted features.

With a deep breath in, he opened the door.

And the first thing that left his mouth at the condition of his room was...

"What the fuck..."

***

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As many of you might know that 'His Serenity' is being stolen and posted on a website called 'Novel.hd' without my consent or even knowledge. I have been in contact with many authors who are facing the same problem and we realised that the website is a mirror website controlled by bots or something like that as everything we write here is directly available on it.

So, this author note will also be available there. This book is solely available on wattpad and booknet.

Stealing someone's work is honestly disgusting. These scumbags are profiting off my book, my hard work and my originality. I am so mad. This is not cool at all. I will karma will bite back in their ass soon. Please sign the petition given in my message board. This will help us to take this website down.

Thank you so much for your constant love and support. It really means a lot to me.

Until then,

Adios

Stella Cadante