Chapter 37: The Birthday Ball -III

....

***

"May I have this dance, my love?" Alessandro bowed like a gentleman and forwarded his hand.

Serenity smiled shyly before placing hers on it.

He brought her to the center and flicked his fingers loudly. Soon, the main lighting dimmed down and music began to flow from the speakers.

Alessandro wrapped an arm around her tiny waist and pulled her closer, the other hand entangled with hers in the air. He didn't lose his composer at first as he reminded himself of all the steps Athena taught him but the moment he looked into her adorable amethyst eyes, all he could conjure in his mind were her and her alone.

This gorgeous girl was his girlfriend now, it might be a mere title to anyone but to him, it bounded her to be his for eternity.

They swayed to the music, lost in each other's eyes. Every tensions, worries, problems long forgotten. The tranquility and serene atmosphere enveloping them with love.

Alessandro spun her around and she came back to him like she was meant to everytime. There was no need to constantly assure their coordination. It worked perfectly as though they were compatible from the past life time.

"I saw you that day with Athena dancing like this..." she started.

Alessandro nodded, "I asked her to teach me."

Serenity was surprised, "She was just teaching you?" She asked in disbelief.

He nodded once again, his pupils exhibiting a little mirth, " I have said this before, Athena is my close confidante and she remains there. You, my love, are my other half, the ruler of my heart. Nobody can take your place for the rest of my life."

The arm around her waist tightened as he leaned her down for a slow dip. Heat bloomed from her neck to her cheeks. His midnight blue eyes caught it all.

"I really like you, Alessandro." She confessed quietly.

He softened, pulling her to his warmth and securing her there.

***

"It is more complicated than what we think, Boris. Calm down." Bruno warned his twin.

"Of course, it is complicated! My sister is in the hands of the devil!"

"No...Do you remember what happened to Mama Ceres?"

Boris stilled.

It was a buried truth, one that Conall O'Sullivan wished to take to his grave.

Ceres didn't die at childbirth unlike what the rest of the O'Sullivans thought of.

"Killian, Killian has the answers to most of the unanswered questions but that fucker just won't wake up!"

"I dug deeper into the Intel, Mama Ceres's death occurred exactly a fortnight after Serenity was born. Other than Killian, Alicia Vitali was there along with the Vitali siblings. Some things don't make sense. This is why we cannot provoke them. We will do what is right for Serenity, Boris. In the mean time, do not bring more trouble with your impulsiveness."

"Boys!"

Boris and Bruno turned to the old voice. Papy Fostello approached them slowly. His old cane supporting his slightly hunch back and his cunning eyes wrinking into a smirk.

"Sir."

"Have you seen my ship?"

The twin looked at each other confused.

"Ship?"

Papy Fostello rolled his eyes, "My grand daughter and her future husband."

Boris trembled with fury.

"Ice berg 1 and Ice berg 2! Hmph!" He lifted his cane and thump it on the ground twice, "Be wise, boys. Sometimes there is nothing you can do when fate play its role." Papy Fostello laughed as he walked back to the party.

"Damn that old hag!"

Papy Fostello eagerly looked around with a smile as wide as Russia, waving off anyone that approached him for a talk.

He saw Anushka showing her 32 teeth to a copper plate on the dessert aisle and hobbled towards her.

"Hey lady! How is the situation!"

Anushka screamed, startled by the sudden voice.

"You scared me! Old Sir."

"Alessandro Vitali took Serenity away a couple of minutes ago after the first dance. They are not back yet."

Papy beamed, "Good, good. That's good news." He sighed loudly and arched his back, "Where is that good for nothing sperm doner of yours?"

Anushka choked on her drink. She coughed out loud and reached for a napkin, "My father or my husband?"

Papy Fostello gave her a blank look.

"Your husband."

"He came?" Anushka questioned with an innocent look.

He shook his head in disbelief, "Why did I even bother with you? Okay, forget it. Any sus around?"

"Sus?"

"Which generation do you live in, you stupid woman?"

Anushka immediately nodded her head, "Oh! I get it." She scooted closer and bend down, squinting her eyes suspiciously. Papy Fostello followed her actions and leaned his ears.

"I saw this very sus woman. S-Springton, I think. She has been staring at Serenity like that bitc- I mean like Victoria does when she wants something."

"Ah! The Springtons are here. Alright."

Anushka pointed to the elegant lady on the other side of the room.

"That's her."

"Ice berg 3, detected!" Papy Fostello nodded with a serious look.

"Ice berg?" Anushka said incredulously looking at him.

"We cannot let our ship sink! You keep a close eye on this ice berg. I will look after the other two." Papy Fostello held up his fist in the air, brimming with determination

Anushka followed with an equally determined look as her eyes squinted into narrow slits, watching her prey.

***

The newly formed couple walked back to the banquet hall, small smiles on their faces and their eyes reflecting endless joy.

Soon a man in black suit approached them and said something in Alessandro's ears before disappearing among the crowd.

"My Padre and Alicia are here, love. Would you like to meet them?"

"Y-Your father?" Serenity gulped.

She was intimidated. She had heard great tales of Giovanni Vitali, the current head of the Vitali regime, the one that had brought the Italian mafia into a new height. He had always been mysterious, never appearing on any news or tabloid. The media and civilians don't know how he looks like. Hence, countless theories and unrealistic rumors circulated the web, none of which could be proven true. One of the most mysterious man on  Earth.

Aside from all these, he was her boyfriend's father. She needed to impress him.

"Oh my God! Do I look good? Is my make up still intact? Do you have a lipstick? Oh no, why am I even asking you this? Wait, let me go touch up real quick-"

"Shss!" He silenced her, "You know him already."

She stilled, "What do you mean?"

He smiled softly and brushed a few strands of her hair behind her shoulders, "There you are, the most adorable girl in the world."

"No, Alessandro...You said something before that-"

"Come." He gently guided her somewhere.

In the sea of suits and gowns, Serenity finally saw the back of a tall man in a grey tuxedo. He was bulkier than Alessandro with more defining muscles, his  shoulder length salt and pepper hair was tied in a low man bun.

"Buona serata, Padre."

Serenity tightened her grip on Alessandro's arm in nervousness as the man turned around.

When the familiar deep blue eyes met hers, her breath got stuck on her throat.

"...You!..." Soundless gibberish erupted from her mouth but she was unable to process the man standing in front of him.

Giovanni Vitali smiled warmly, "Happy birthday, Dio figlia."

"God father..."

Serenity was thunderstruck.

This man in refined suit was someone Papy Fostello had introduced her to when she was a little girl. The one who constantly sent her chocolates on her birthdays ever since she could remember. She knew him as her guardian angel, her God father, Gio. Not Giovanni Vitali, the crime lord of the Italian syndicate.

If she wasn't shock with the sudden introduction of Alicia Connors as her mother's bestfriend, she wouldn't be able to process this new information at all.

What else were they keeping from her!

"How are you, young lady?"

"But- but you are chocolate uncle...how-how is this possible?"

Giovanni Vitali smiled but Serenity wasn't sure what his eyes were telling.

"You have grown up well, kiddo. Here is a little gift from God papa."

Another man in suit who looked like an assistant forwarded a intricately designed casket. He also pulled out a bar of the same chocolate.

"T-Thank you but..." She blinked as she received the gift.

"What a pleasant surprise, Mr. Vitali!" Papy Fostello walked up to them.

Giovanni respectfully reciprocated the greetings, "Indeed, Mr Fostello."

"Grandpa!" Serenity gasped, "You knew about this all along, didn't you?"

"Why do you think I let the young man take you so easily, my dear child? Your grandfather might be old but he is still strong enough to rain wrath on whoever that lays their indecent eyes on his little girl. Your mother had left you in the protection of three families the day you were born- The O'Sullivans, the Fostellos and the Vitalis. I gave you to the right hands, not for convenience but for protection. Conall O'Sullivan has lost his mind." Papy Fostello breathe loudly and shook his head,

"Who knows what if it had been someone else in place of Alessandro Vitali. It was necessary to take you out of that house without invoking a serious ego war. The threshold of a crime syndicate is not easy to pass, my dear."

Serenity lowered her head, hiding the tears forming in her eyes. It was too much to take in and she wasn't sure why she was being emotional.

Alessandro pulled her to his side silently and rubbed her arms for comfort.

***

Anushka followed Mrs. Springton sneakily like a cat chasing its prey. Her eyes wide and alert, catching every move and breath of hers.

Mrs. Springton felt chills running down her back, she frowned and looked around. Nothing seems to be suspicious but her instinct told her she was being watched.

She picked up a drink from the passing waiter and drown it down.

Perhaps, she was imagining it, she shrugged.

Her eyes scanned the hall warily before pulling out a little phial from her dress. She, then, motioned a waiter to come over and told something in his ears

Anushka sneered wickedly as she saw the double faced lady pour something into the two drinks, the waiter brought.

Nobody seemed to have noticed it except for her.

The waiter picked up the drinks and followed her.

Anushka squealed and picked up her gown unceremoniously and ran after them. She accidentally bumped into another lady walking by and fell down.

"Oh My God! Are you okay?" The lady gasped and helped her up.

"Ouch! I think it broke! Jesus! It broke!"

"What broke?" The lady panicked and looked around for help.

Anushka wailed, " MY NAILS!! ARGHHH!"

The other woman blinked in disbelief.

***

Mrs.Springton steadily approached the group for a toast.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Good evening."

"Ah! Mrs. Springton. What a pleasant surprise!" Giovanni Vitali greeted politely.

"What an ice berg..." Papy Fostello muttered under his breath before faking a small smile.

" I must say, Mr. Vitali. I praise you for raising such a fine man like Alessandro himself. I am really thankful to him for taking care of my dearest daughter, Athena. What a compatible duo they make! Don't you think so?" She laughed gently.

Giovanni followed with a small smile but his eyes indicated a blank stare.

"Of course, Athena has also grown to be an impeccable young lady. You must be proud of her as well. She has always been a good friend to Alessandro."

Mrs. Springton didn't missed the emphasis on the particular word. Her grip tightened on her Chardonnay glass and her smile stiffened. But quickly an evil glint flashed across her eyes before it disappeared.

They will see after tonight.

"In that case, where is the birthday girl? I would like to offer a toast."

Giovanni eyed his assistant to bring the couple while Mrs. Springton called for Athena.

As Serenity and Alessandro approached them, Serenity unconsiously stuck to her man. She didn't feel good about Mrs Springton, knowing that she was trying to get Athena and Alessandro together.

Alessandro was hers. She thought with determination.

"Come dear." The woman smiled and picked up two drinks from the waiter and handed it to them. All of them picked up the drinks, waiting for Mrs. Springton to toast.

"I present this toast to the ever eternal friendship between the Vitalis and Springtons. And also to the happiness and great wishes of dear Serenity. May you lead a long and healthy life, darling."

"Cheers!" The glasses clicked and they proceeded to gulp down the drink.

Just as Alessandro was about to take the shot, a wave of force hit him from the side and he spilled half of it on his suit.

"Shit!"

"Ahhh!" Mama Anushka shrieked and fall down again by his feet.

Everyone was shocked, they vaguely saw the always poised lady of the O'Sullivan regime charged to Alessandro like a mad bull and stumbling to the ground.

As more ladies gather around, to look into the situation, Alessandro quickly handed his drink to Serenity who was beside him and helped up the deranged mother in law of his, lying by his feet.

"Are you alright, Madame?"

"Goodness! Jesus Christ! I am fine! I am fine!" Anushka struggled and stood up on her feet, with a wide smile.

"Everyone, I was just practicing my Taikundo. Whoosh! Hahaha!" She forced a laugh and waved off.

"Taikundo?" Papy Fostello asked suspiciously.

"Oh, you know the one with heiyaaa  heiyaaa and huiyaaa !" She lift up her legs and tried demonstrating some weird kicks.

"Taekwondo." Alessandro coughed silently.

"Yes that one!"

"What nonsense is this, Anushka! Stop being so shameless. Do you know who these people are?" Papy Fostello scolded.

Only then Anushka realised that there were other people around especially the older looking Alessandro who is supposedly the Great Vitali Don.

She went red with embarrassment but atleast she intervened the calamity. She had stopped Alessandro from taking that spiked drink.

She breathe a sign of relief and turn around to apologize.

Meanwhile, Alessandro lead his little girlfriend away from the crowd.

"Your mother is amusing." Alessandro commented.

Serenity laughed in a small voice, "Mama Anu don't have a filter and I like that about her. Here, you can have my drink."

"It's alright, love. I can call for a new one."

"I don't want to drink too much. I can have this half filled one and I read somewhere that it is similar to..." She blushed shyly and looked away.

Alessandro quirked an eyebrow with a smile, "What?"

"...an-an indirect...kiss."

He stopped and touch her head lovingly, "You can always ask for a direct one, anywhere anytime."

She turned redder and sneaked away from his touch. Her eyes fluttered as she sipped from the same spot, he has placed his lips earlier.

Alessandro gulped, watching her innocent eyes immersed with a hint of mischief.

"What a naughty girl!" He hissed miserably.

The cake cutting ceremony was announced and everyone proceeded to the aisle where a huge 7 tier cake was placed.

"Will you be comfortable? I can wait for you to get changed." The red head asked, referring to his suit where he spilled bits of his drink earlier.

"It's okay, I will get in after this. Let's not delay anymore. Come, love."

The classic musicians played the birthday instrumental. Papy Fostello brought a long majestic silver sword and put it in her hands. Everyone cheered loudly as she blowed the number candle and descended the blade on the cake. Alessandro took a piece and put it in her mouth. Serenity then, fed her close family with her hands before the waiters took it away to serve everyone.

The weather seemed to get a bit warmer, Serenity couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in her heavy gown.

She frowned and pulled away from the crowd.

Alessandro quickly caught up to her.

"Are you alright? Why are you sweating?" He placed the back of his hand on her forehead to check the temperature.

It was fine.

"It's too crowded. I think I need some air. You go and change first, Alessandro. I will wait for you by the balcony. We can go for the dinner together after that."

He frowned and nodded.

"I will be quick, wait here."

He rushed up the stairs to his room.

***

Athena burned up, gasping for breath. Her body was reacting differently. The uncomfortable arousal filling her up as she tried to think clearly. But all she needed was something to relieve herself.

She gritted her teeth and pulled at her hair.

She had always been careful except for that one toast.

And she knew she was drugged. That evil woman won't just let her live in peace.

She didn't join the celebration downstairs and she has been struggling by the side verandah on the second floor all alone.

Nothing should go wrong tonight.

Her mind was strong enough to bear the trauma but her body wasn't. It needed what it needed.

"There you are, hiding like a little scaredy cat. What are you afraid of, darling? You already have a ten year worth of experience. Go in, Alessandro is alone. He is all yours. And he won't be able to reject you tonight."

Mrs Springton scoffed, strutting towards the sorry figure of Athena.

"Leave me alone, Evelina!"

"How dare you call your  own mother by her name?" Mrs. Springton growled and kicked her leg.

Athena hissed and bend down from the force.

"Be a good girl and let yourself go, Athena. I have it all prepared."

"You're delusional."

"Then I believe, I should just do things, my own way." She clicked her fingers and two men in black suit rushed towards them. They capture Athena and forced her out of the corner.

"Bring her to the room and lock the door."

"NO! You cannot do this!" Athena struggled but it was useless against the heavily built bodies of the bodyguards.

"Shss!" Evelina hissed, one of the guard quickly covered Athena's mouth with a duct tape.

They dragged her to Alessandro's room and pushed her in, locking the door firmly.

Disoriented and dazed, Athena struggled to get up. Her body was in immense pain from her needs.

"Athena! What are you doing here?"

The masculine warmth emitting from the man getting closer to her aroused her instantly.

She latched onto his body and rubbing herself on him with a loud moan.

"Please....ugh! I need it!" She tried to find his lips but she was instantly thrown back.

"Athena!" Alessandro roared with rage.

The loud raging voice snapped her out of her daze.

"Fuck!" She cried and slapped herself, "I need to get out of here, Vitali. That bitch drugged me!"

Alessandro quickly understood what she was saying. He tried to pull open the door but it was firmly locked from the outside. He ran to his drawers and cabinets for the spare key but somehow after Serenity moved in, a lot of things were misplaced.

"Hurry up! I can't control myself." Athena whimpered, she clutched her hands on the curtain tightly and rested her head on the cool frozen glass of the window. Taking deep heavy breaths in, she looked outside.

Her patience was running thin. She will be doing things she will regret if she didn't get away from here.

She took one last glance at Alessandro who was pacing around, dialing someone on the phone.

She then, turned to the ground below. Three floors, she will survive.

Without another thought, Athena jumped down.

The instant whoosh of the wind alerted Alessandro,he ran to the window.

"Fucking hell! Athena!" He hissed under his breath.

Luckily there was a giant bush below his window. He had purposely put it there in case another genius thought strike his little red head with her ever so creative brain.

Alessandro closed his eyes and tried to place all the scenes he had been through, something didn't feel right. As he put more pressure and reminded himself of all the events today.

The encounters with the O'Sullivans,

Dancing with Athena

The most beautiful moment with his love and the confession.

Revealing the past of Giovanni Vitali

Serenity sticking with him everywhere.

Mrs. Springton honoring a toast.

His spilled drink and Serenity shyly drinking it.

Mrs. Springton personally handed his drink and Athena's. She was a smart woman, drugging Athena alone would never play her plan. In conclusion, she had drugged the two of them.

And Serenity drank his share.

Serenity was drugged too.

Alessandro rubbed his palm over his face, and he left his little girlfriend all alone.

Alessandro climbed out of the window and latched onto the pipeline. He carefully maneuvered his way into the nearest balcony and jumped in.

There was no time to loose, Unlike Athena, Serenity was oblivious. Anybody could take advantage of her at this state.

Shit! How can he be so careless!

He quietly sneaked into the balcony where Serenity was waiting.

As he expected, she was crunching down, heaving heavily as her hands trembled and rubbed on her thighs. Her little body appeared to be even tinier and pitiful.

"Serenity!" He rushed towards her and pulled her up.

Her face was dazed and flushed.

"It's... it's uncomfortable, Alessandro. So-so uncomfortable." She rubbed her thighs harder, while squeezing her legs..

Alessandro swiftly picked her up and brought her upstairs away from the eyes of the public.

As she came in contact with his warmth, she couldn't help by squirmed and pushed up against him. He feels so good.

Alessandro gritted his teeth and clenched his jaws, bearing it.

He pushed open the large leisure room and brought her  in.

Carefully, lowering her on the double seatee, he caressed her head lovingly, "Listen to me, love. You had accidentally consumed some drugs and so you're like this. Bear it with me, baby. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Ah! It's...hot...Alessandro hug me. I-I like it." Serenity moaned and jumped into his arms again, she purred like a kitten and kneaded her body into his explicitly. Somehow the exciting feeling was subsiding the fire in her lower regions and she was overwhelmed with the pleasure it could derived.

She continued making leud shameful noise and held him tighter. Suddenly, Alessandro pushed her away, his chest was heaving with deep breaths as he turned his back on her.

Serenity was shocked but it didn't help the bitter taste of rejection seeping into her.

Alessandro shut his eyes tightly and opened them with newfound determination.

She was still a child, he won't forgive himself if he ever give into it especially when she is under the influence of the aphrodisiac.

"Shss! Love. Shss! Don't make a sound." He said.

Serenity was pouting like a bullied kid, her flushed face enhancing her chubby cheeks and red nose.

He willed himself and helped her out of the huge gown,  he didn't care and tore off the numerous layers and the corset.

Serenity breath a little slower as the layers peeled off her. Her body temperature was very high. She was burning inside but Alessandro's rejection was a punch to the reality.

She stood there in her inner wears, her white laced bra and white cotton boy shorts. Her long creamy legs were exposed pressing against each other.

Serenity whimpered in pain. It was very difficult for her.

She watched Alessandro quickly took off his white buttons up and drowned it on her. The shirt was so big that it cover her below her mid thighs. She mentally sign in relief.

"It's okay, love. Everything would be alright." He cradled her and moved towards the mini pool.

It was winter, the water was freezing cold even though it was indoors. Alessandro would have heat it up if it was any other day but tonight they both needed the cold water.

He slowly dipped himself first and then lowered the girl in his arms.

Serenity shrieked and screamed as soon as she touch the ice cold water. She latched onto Alessandro and tried to climb on him as much as possible.

"Shss...shsss...baby, it will be alright. It will be alright. Calm down. Be good." He cooed gently.

But Serenity was frantic.

Having no choice, Alessandro submerged them inside for a couple of seconds.

She clung onto him, the freezing water relieved the hot pressure in her lower regions to some extent, her legs numbed from the sensation.

"It's....cold, so -so cold...Alessandro" She shivered.

Alessandro lightly caressed her head and hummed.

"You will be fine soon, be my good girl."

Tears ran down her face as she sobbed while hiding her face on his chest

Alessandro's heart broke, taking in her pained expression. He tightened his arm around her fragile body.

He had left that wicked woman alone, owing to Athena but not anymore, she hurt his baby and she will get her share back, only worse. And for even thinking of coming in between him and his love, Alessandro gritted his teeth, he will make sure she regret it fiercely.

***

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Until then,

Adios,

Stella Cadante