Chapter 31: Angry Alessandro is scary!

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Alessandro clenched his jaws as he received the news of Alicia's departure to Sicily. She didn't even come to him before she left. And he wasn't aware of the news till their uncle accidentally slip it up in their call conference.

Perhaps it was for the better, he convinced himself. He didn't need unnecessary dramas between two hot headed ladies. And worst he wouldn't be able to take sides.

It has been ten days since Athena had arrived and so far she had locked herself up in the room. She had denied all his invitations to breakfast or dinner. He let her be, knowing that she might be needing space of her own.

The only thing that was consistent and joyful in his days was his little red head in his room. Her presence was a breath of fresh air. She had grown on him and her increasing comfort towards him presented a rare childish side he had yet to grow accustomed to.

Every night after dinner, it had become a routine for them to sit by the balcony and talk about anything and everything while stargazing the night sky. It was mostly Serenity babbling about whatever that comes to her mind and Alessandro silently listening but those were the moments gracing him peace in his war of a life. He would never get enough of it.

Alessandro never knew he would be so fond of someone particularly a girl that sometimes he would wish to put her in his pockets and carry her with him all the time. He adored her and her clumsy smiles.

Just thinking about her innocent doe eyes staring at him with the amusing curiosity brought a smile to his face.

Alessandro chuckled to himself.

Shocked by his own behavior, he sat up straight and cleared his throat, willing his mind to focus on the paper before him.

Jimmy, his assistant who had been working on his schedule on the other side of the room, had to pick up his jaws.

Never would he imagined the cold ice prince to be lovestruck. He shivered uncomfortably. The 180° shift in his mood was weird, almost as weird as a lion twerking to Cardi B.

Athena Springton was strolling through the hallways of the mansion, bored and tired of hiding in her room, when she came across a half open princess styled room with undone preparations. It couldn't be Alicia's room.

That little bitch was too chic to be in such a decor.

Her heels clicked loudly as she entered inside, looking around curiously. Banners of different shades were hanging around unceremoniously, wreaths of flowers and balloons littering on the bed and tables around.

"Ms. Springton?"

Athena twirl around hearing the voice. A young maid stood by the door with a vacuum and duster in her hands.

"Hello darling,Mind telling me what this mess is about?"

The girl looked around, "Oh! Ms. Vitali wanted to decorate room for Ms. O'Sullivan's birthday but she had to leave for Sicily before it could complete. Mr. Simone told us to clean it up."

"Ah! Is that it?" Athena clicked her tongue. She lazily strolled around, picking up a baby pink banner and throwing it onto the floor. She kicked the bright red flowers off the bed, stepping on it. The plastic crunching under her expensive shoes.

The maid's eyes widened nervously. She flinched when Athena pinched an inflated balloon, bursting it with a loud POP!

"Clean up, dear. I want the floor nice and shiny by the time I return. And take this pathetic banners and throw it away. The sight is killing my taste."

"Yes, Miss." She stepped back submissively as the fiery lady walked out, her hips swaying elegantly withe very step.

***

Jimmy checked the invitations that were to be sent out at the earliest possible. It wasn't just a birthday celebration but also Serenity's debut to the elite society for the first time. Her very own debutante ball.

He was walking around the foyer, checking the preparation of the ball room with the party planner when he saw some of the guards carrying gigantic cardboard boxes inside.

He frowned, swiftly blocking the first man.

"Wait a minute! What is this?"

The head butler approached Jimmy and replied, "Ms. Springton ordered them to be delivered. They have gone through thorough inspections, Sir. Nothing suspicious is found. They are clear."

Jimmy nodded suspiciously and told them to open up. It was his duty to ensure the safety of Alessandro and his family and anything that can tamper his security must be taken out immediately.

The guards opened the packages.

Jimmy peered inside, he was more confused with the items.

He nodded after a long time.

As long as it is nothing dangerous, he had no right to interfere with their business.

***

"Put them down here." Athena skipped towards the room. The guards placed all the packages on the floor and stepped back.

She smirked, clapping her hands in satisfaction.

"Thank you so much, darlings. Appreciate it." She leaned up and placed a delicate kiss on the cheek of the guard nearest to her.

The poor man was caught off guard, his face flushing hot at the initiation from such a gorgeous woman.

As the men left her alone, Athena rolled her eyes, distasteful rubbing her lips.

She sighed and pulled her hair up in an ponytail.

"Come on girl, let's do this." She muttered to herself and opened the packages. She pulled out the banner of right color and started putting it up on the wall.

***

Serenity pouted, nestling her hand on her hips.

She was forgetting something.

But she couldn't remember what was it.

It had to be something important.

She looked out of the balcony, bored to death. She had even tried meditating or stretching to busy her mind. She even attempted the leg split for the first time and immediately aborted the idea after it almost tore her legs.

Who knew how bad this punishment was going to be?

Serenity felt like a walking dead. No matter how much she tried to persuade Alessandro to let her out, he wouldn't bulge.

She even bargained with her precious chicken nuggets. Alessandro raised his eyebrow and flatly replied, "I am a vegetarian."

Who was stupid enough to bargain chicken nuggets to a vegetarian?

Of course her!

One time, she contemplated hiding inside his suitcase. And she did. Then, she realized he never took it to work and she was there was suffocating herself for free.

She was running out of ideas.

But then another stupid one click her peanut sized brain.

She had often seen them do it in movies...cartoon movies.

Serenity assembled all the bed sheets and extra sheets, tying them at the ends to create a long rope.

Her subconscious was already warning her impulsive little ass to calm down.

"Alexa, play shake it off." Serenity yelled across the room.

The stereo started vibing the song loudly.

She giggled to herself as she lowered her rope.

Tying the other end around the pillar, Serenity clapped her hands, grinning widely. She felt quite adventurous and rebellious at the moment with all the adrenaline pumping up her hyperactive mind.

"Here we go..." She throw one leg over the balcony railings. Clutching the rope tightly in her two hands, she breathe in deeply. She knew she can climbed down like all the ninjas she had seen. It should be easy.

She humphed with determination and raised her tiny fist in the air.

But unknown to her, the ground guards had already seen her failing attempt in sneaking out of the window. They panicked at the most utterly stupid escape plan. She was surely going to break a few bones or worst case scenario may even injured herself fatally.

"Oh no! No! No signorina! Get the fucking trampoline or air bags!" The head footman yelled at his subordinates who were running around the lawn.

"Signorina! Calm down! Please don't do this!" He yelled but his voice was muffled by Taylor Swift screaming in the background.

"Somebody call the signor Vitali! Where is my phone!" He fumbled in his pockets quickly and pulled out the device.

As soon as it was picked up by the man on the other side, the footman almost cried in relief.

"Signor...Signorina is about to jumped off the balcony from your room!" He rushed quickly and suddenly the line went dead.

Not more than a minute later, Alessandro appeared in the room and pulled off the little bunny from the railing and the door shut harshly when the both of them disappeared inside.

He let out a loud sigh and slumped his tense shoulders from all the anxiety rush.

His men behind him stilled with the gigantic airbags and gas fillers.

"What the fuck you looking at! Get back to work!" The commander shouted at the innocent guards again.

***

Serenity squealed as Alessandro threw her on the bed.

He quickly turned away and hissed loudly to control himself from lashing out. But in the end, the anger was too much. How could she be so stupid to risk her life in the most idiotic way possible?

"THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING OF WHEN YOU DID THAT! ARE YOU FUCKING DUMB! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN YOURSELF KILLED!" He yelled at her.

Serenity flinched in fear, scooting away from him towards the corner of the bed.

"Aless-Alessandro..." she whimpered.

He harshly slammed his hand down on the table nearby and she jumped, letting out a small terrified scream.

She curled herself up in a small ball, shaking in fear.

Her actions only triggered the rage in him. The fear he had felt when he heard the guard was too deep to the point that everything in his vision disappeared in an endless hole. His heart hammering loudly as he rushed to his room all the way from his office in the ground floor. If only he was a second late, the worst would have greeted him.

His fingers trembled and itched to inflict harm on someone. The beast in him was exploding. And before he knew what he was doing. He had flung the table upside down. The extravagant vases and clay were hurled on the ground, breaking it in tiny pieces. He punched the mirror repeatedly till it shattered and threw the vanity across the room.

Serenity sobbed silently, pressing her small hands over her mouth to silence her cries. She was frightened to death. Alessandro wasn't being himself. He resembled a monster and he was behaving like one. He was not only hurting himself but also destroying everything in his path. His midnight eyes had darkened into pitch black, raging like a blood thirsty devil out of his cage.

She had never encountered him with that level of anger.

Her little body shook with tears as she cover her ears.

The door flung open and some loud footsteps rushed in.

Serenity was too scared to open her eyes.

"Alessandro! Calm the fuck down!"

She heard Simone, followed by a loud crack sound. Simone staggered back from the punch but he quickly gathered himself and jumped on Alessandro from behind him.

The head of security and a few notable soldiers held back Alessandro as they tried to calm him down.

"Alessandro! Listen to me! Calm down! Everything is okay! See there." Simone pointed towards Serenity who was huddled up like a terror stricken kitten on the bed , "See there, who is she? Tell me who is she."

Alessandro roared and struggled to break free off his men. Simone forced his face to look at the little red head.

"Who is she? Alessandro!" He screamed at his face.

Alessandro's breathing toned down unevenly as his eyes fixated on the girl who had brought chaos to his mind.

"Love..." he called out gruff with his voice shaken up from all the hoarse yelling.

Serenity sobbed loudly unable to control herself any longer.

His entire demeanor changed. Alessandro relaxed immediately, his eyes softening as he tried to approached her.

But before he could take a step, Athena appeared before him and placed her hand on his heart, halting him.

"Not now." She said quietly.

Alessandro frowned as he glared at her but she turned to Simone.

"Take him out to the ring."

Simone would have fought her ordering him if it was any other normal day but the time wasn't it. He obeyed and pulled Alessandro out of the room with great difficulty.

Athena nodded towards the door and soon everyone walked out of the room.

She sighed looking at the battered version of the room.

Tsking at the glass pieces littered around. She made her way towards the bed, her high heeled wedges protecting her delicate feet from the shreds.

She sat down on the bed before the girl who was hysterically crying.

"Come here..."

Serenity was surprised to hear the softness in her tone. She hiccup and shook her head, turning away from her.

"Serenity."

Athena opened her arms and wrapped it around the smaller girl. Serenity froze at the unexpected action. The tears, she had thought were over, built up again and a sob left her mouth. She tightened the hug and cried on her shoulder.

"There...There...Let it out." She cooed softly, patting her back.

She didn't mind her shirt getting wet from her tears and held her.

When her hysteria was over and she had calmed down a bit, Athena pulled back and wiped her tears with the hem of her sleeves.

"Can you stand?"

Serenity nodded and pushed herself up. She was exhausted from her episode. Athena slowly brought her out to the balcony. The red head hesitated as she remembered what had transpired all from her silly idea.

Athena glanced back at her, sensing her reluctance.

"It's okay. I am with you. I just need to show you something."

She slowly wrung the mattress around her wrist and gave a heavy tug. The knots untangled and the sheets broke down instantly.

"If Alessandro hadn't stopped you, you would have gone up while going down." She clicked her tongue as she eyed the sky.

"That was a stupid move that would have cost you your life...and his as well."

Serenity realized how childish and dense she was. Her head bowed down in shame, face flaring up from the embarrassment and guilt.

"If you have wanted to go out, you should've talked with him. I know Alessandro, he wouldn't have agreed so I can see where you are coming from but you did not realized that the deadline is tomorrow. You could have waited for just another day."

"I...I.." Serenity's words choked up at her throat. She was tongue tied.

"I am an idiot!" She muttered to herself as she sniffed.

Athena bit back a smile, "I am glad, we can agree on that."

"B-But why...why was Alessandro like that?"

Serenity shuddered at the memory of what happened a few minutes ago. She had even concluded that it was her last day on Earth. She found it hard to see Alessandro the same again.

"I can't say it for him. Both of you need to communicate. That's the best I can tell you. He will let you in with time. Just don't get too curious and don't pry."

She nodded.

"Follow me, let me take you somewhere."

Athena drove her hands inside her pant pockets and strolled out of the room.

"But- I can't go out!"

"I am taking you, consider it a free pass."

Serenity quickly jogged up to her.

The car zoomed past the gate, much to her surprised nobody dared to stop them. When Serenity turned to the gorgeous blonde next to her in confusion.

Athena smirked, "Alessandro trust me too much, darling."

She gulped and nodded, quickly straying her eyes towards the window, the wind slapping her face as the speed increased.

Serenity breathe in deeply at the taste of freedom but the guilt gnawing in her didn't let her sit in peace.

Before she knew, they had pulled up in a suburbs next to a retro diner.

Athena nudged her head to the side as she stepped out of the car, "You coming?"

Serenity hopped out of the car, looking around the neighborhood in wonder.

The bell rang above them as they opened the door.

Athena selected a booth at the far corner of the little diner and sat down.

"This seat is officially reserved for me." She said.

"You're a regular here." Serenity awed, taking in the retro themed room.

"It's on me. Order whatever you'd like to have." She said, handling her the menu.

Serenity blushed shyly, "Thank you, Athena."

An older waitress approached their table with a friendly smile.

"Hi there, Oh hello hun, good to have you back. Let me guess? The usual?" She laughed as she side hug Athena.

Athena smiled back genuinely.

"You know me, Carly. By the way, this is Serenity and Serenity, Carly." She introduced them.

"O.M.G. Isn't she adorable? Hello Serenity. Nice to meet you." Carly brought out her hand and Serenity gently shook it.

"Nice to meet you too." She gave a timid smile.

Carly laughed again at her cuteness."Order whatever you want, sweetie. It's on the house."

"Thanks Carl. Spank Matty's ass for me." Athena winked.

Carly rolled her eyes and playfully smacked her arm with an empty tray, "Leave my poor husband alone, will you?"

She then, turned to Serenity with eager eyes.

"C-Can I have fried chicken please?"

Carly stilled, her smile wavering slightly as she turned to Athena, puzzled.

Athena just waved it off, "It's okay, just bring it."

Serenity sensing the hesitancy couldn't help but enquired if she said anything wrong.

"Oh no, dear. It's just-"

Athena cut her off "Its alright, Carl."

Carly finally relented and walked off to get their orders.

"Did-Did I do something...?"

"No." Athena deadpan and brought out her phone to busy herself.

Their orders arrived. Carly quickly wished them to enjoy before going out to assist other customers.

Serenity immediately understood the hesitancy Carly had when she heard her order as she stared at Athena's plate. It was all too similar to Alessandro.

She was a vegetarian too.

She immediately felt ashamed and guilty. She should have been considerate.

"You know when you start working that wheels in your head, it's like sending a wifi to all the troubles in the world. Stop thinking and just eat. Damn it!"

Serenity immediately dug in, afraid of more scolding.

Her tastebuds exploded at the flavorful chicken. She moaned unknowingly and ate quickly, the sauces smearing at the sides of her mouth.

Athena leaned back and brought out her phone taking a quick picture without her knowing.

She sent it to Alessandro and wrote,

'Did you forget to feed her?!?'

The message was seen and as always she had expected him to not reply but then her phone pinged with the incoming texts.

'More.'

Athena scoffed in disbelief and quickly typed.

'Suck it up. I am not giving you any.'

His reply was quick again, baffling her.

'You can have the Black Ferrari in my Garage.'

Her eyebrows raised as she contemplated. A super car in exchanged of few photos. Of course, she wasn't another Mother Teresa.

She cleared her throat, "Serenity."

Just as the clueless girl looked up, she snapped another picture and then another and another.

Serenity was puzzled.

Athena flicked her finger and told her to get back to her food.

The chicken was too tempting that she decided to dwell on it later.

Athena sent it to Alessandro again.

'I did my part of the deal, Get my baby ready.'

A few minutes later, he replied.

'Suck it up. I am not giving you any.'

Athena gasped at the audacity. He was throwing her words back on her.

Later, after lunch, Athena suggested they go for a movie. Serenity agreed instantly. She didn't want to go back to the mansion. Just not yet. Athena was so different from what she imagined her to be. If it was a few days ago, she was asked her opinion on the platinum blonde girl, she would have said something along the lines - cold, rude, mysterious.

She was indeed mysterious. Serenity could never guessed what goes inside her mind, again another very similar trait to Alessandro. But she also realized that Athena Springton was misunderstood by many. She was kind but it was a side she rarely showed. She does things in her very own way and people unfamiliar with her approach could only think the worst of her.

"Sweet or not?"

Serenity quickly snapped her head towards her. Athena looked at her with a raised eyebrow as she nudged her head towards the popcorn counter.

"Not sweet." She replied softly.

She got the regular butter popcorn while Athena hold their drinks.

They entered the theatre and found seats somewhere in the middle, not too far from the screen.

It was a rom-com movie, Serenity forgot the name already but nevertheless it was fun. She laughed along with the characters, distracting herself from the bizarre at home. She dipped her hand into the popcorn bucket and frowned when she found it was empty. They were not even halfway and she remembered she was the only one eating it.

She sighed and reached for the drink on her side when she caught the sight of Athena leaned back in her seat with her black aviators on.

Weird...

Who wears sunglasses inside a movie unless...

Serenity slowly brought her hand and waved it in front of her face. When Athena didn't react, she knew she had fallen asleep.

But the movie was so interesting.

Serenity let her be and turned back to the screen.

"Athena...wake up! Its over!" She shook her gently.

The blonde girl woke up, dazzled and confused for a second. She nodded and stretched her arms before standing up. She slide the glasses up on her head as she followed Serenity out of the theater.

"I love it. Thank you so much." Serenity beamed.

Athena hummed in reply, not really bothering to make a statement.

"I am sorry if I am bothering you...Are you tired?"

She turned to her, "Why do you ask that?"

Serenity guiltily looked at her "You were sleeping throughout the movie."

Athena waved it off with one hand.

"It wasn't really my genre."

"What is your genre then?" Serenity asked curiously.

The older girl hid a smirk, "Little girls like you won't understand."

"I am not a little girl!" Serenity huffed, crossing her arms, "You are just a couple of years older than me."

"Let's see then. Don't complain I didn't warn you though."

Serenity instantly regretted once the screen started airing. Her face flamed up from embarrassment and her conscience hammering inside her head to run out. She hid behind her hands and clenched her eyes shut.

"Hell yah! Go for it cowboy!"

Athena whistled loudly, munching on the popcorn.

Her mama Dido would drown her in holy water if she heard a word of what she was watching.

And her brothers would probably have a heart attack.

She could practically see her innocent mind waving adieu at the moment.

Athena was enjoying the show- the one on the screen and the one beside her thoroughly.

She laughed in her mind.

Alessandro might kill her but it was worth it.

Serenity was as pale as the snow once they exited into the parking.

"Jeez! You were bound to learn about it one day or the other. How do you think you were born?"

"D-Does everyone do...do that...to make babies?"

"BDSM? Nope. There is vanilla for most people."

Serenity frowned, "Vanilla? Like the flavor?"

Athena chuckled at her naive mind.

"Ask Alessandro about it. He might tell you."

Serenity instantly shook her head. No, she was fine being oblivious than to embarrass herself.

"How far do you know about sex?" Athena inquired one they enter the car.

Her face turned red at the bold question.

Serenity fidgeted her fingers and wondered how she should answer that.

"It's completely normal to know about sex, Serenity. It is human nature to be curious about it too. Better to be aware than be taken advantage of. "

"I...I learned about animal reproduction in eighth grade biology. I never gave much thought about it though. Mama said it's a sin unless it is happening between married couples."

Athena scoffed at her words.

"A-And...don't tell anyone." Her voice dropped to a whisper, "I...I once saw...Barty putting and humping his pee pee inside Vicky's back behind the barn. I was confused with what they are doing. I didn't tell anyone though. After a few months Vicky gave birth."

Athena raised an interested eyebrow.

"Mrs. Long was so angry and she made my bestfriend and I in charge of selling the pups in the market in exchange of cupca-"

Athena froze, she quickly raised her hand.

"Hold up! Hold up! What did you just say? Pups?"

Serenity stared at her with a confused look.

"Yes, pups...like puppies. You know baby dogs?"

"I fucking know what pups mean!" Athena deapan,"You were talking about dogs the whole time."

Serenity nodded innocently.

Athena sighed in disbelief and rolled her eyes heaven wards.

"And Mrs Long?"

She replied, "Vicky's owner."

"What should I do with you?"

***

How was the chapter?

Good?

Bad?

Or just meh?

I need honest opinions on this.

What should be the theme of Serenity's birthday ball?

(It can't be Disney or too pinkish considering that a lot of reputed mobsters and elite millionaires are gonna be there)

What should be the color of Serenity's gown?

Thank you for all your supports and encouragement. This is one long ass chapter and I enjoyed writing it.

Another new side or Athena???

She is a character that confuses me as well. Lmaooo

Until then,

Adios,

Stella_Cadante.