Chapter 6: Encounter with the ice prince

Serenity squealed and quickly turned her back, burying her head in Igor's chest. She just locked eyes with The Alessandro Vitali! Her heart thumped loudly against her chest, she prayed he doesn't acknowledge her. What if he lets his sister hit her for looking at him? She shuddered. Stop being dramatic. Of course he won't her sub conscious sounded in her head. She was being ridiculous but violence wasn't something she was used to. Back in her island, nobody uses their hands to hit and resolve conflicts, they talked it out in front of Chief Kaptan and try to bring an understanding.

Igor looked slightly taken aback and looked down at her trembling form, he sighed, stroking her head gently before placing a kiss on top of it '' Its okay Seri. Come lets get you a drink to make you feel better.''

Serenity nodded and stepped back, she looked over her shoulder and let out a sigh of relief when she saw Alessandro had turned back to converse with his sister. She doesn't know him but whatever she had heard in the past 15 minutes was enough to make her feel intimidated by his presence. She looked around and pretty much everyone had gone back to their own convo as if that didn't happen a few minutes ago. She followed Igor to the bar as he ordered a lime juice.

'' Here you go, Seri ''

She smiled and took the glass, taking small sips from the straw. Igor waited till she was done and relatively calmed down.

"Where is Killy? Igor, you said he would be here."

Igor clenched his jaws but forced a smile at the expectant look of her innocent face, he cursed under his breath. Probably f**king a dumb bimbo,

" He is late, you know....too much work at office. But don't worry he'll be here soon. In the mean time, come I will introduce you to some of my friends."

Serenity took a deep breath in, her heart was aching, she don't know why and her sixth sense was telling her that something big will happen. Nevertheless she put on her usual smile and locked her arms with Igor's, asking him to lead the way.

She realized she had never faked her smile this much in life.

Once the dinner was announced, people gracefully slide into the long dining table with The Don and his wives taking the head chairs. Important men and women were seated near the head while the others of less significance spread out wherever they wish. Igor accompanied Serenity all the time and she couldn't be more thankful. Lord knows how lost she would be among these new faces.

"Thank you." she smiled politely as he pulled out a chair. Igor returned her gesture and seated himself on her left. Waiters and waitresses began filling the table with delicious starters, Serenity couldn't named any of the dishes except for the plain old sweet corn soup.

Suddenly, the chair on her right dragged out with a heavy screech and a girl in sparkling blue gown sat down. Serenity stiffened when she realized who it was, she heard Igor let out a low gasp- Alicia Vitali

Alicia roamed her eyes around before landing on the auburn haired girl, she smirked and nodded in acknowledgement before filling her plate

Serenity gulped and turned to her dear old brother with wide eyes. Truth to be told, having to sit with one powerful girl who mercilessly had beaten her sister a few minutes ago was terrifying. She carefully maneuver her breath so as not to show any indifference and trigger the Vitali princess. Serenity noticed Igor was dealing a completely different issue, he had this constipated look on his face, trying to calm his nerves, she had never seen Igor this nervous in life.

"Hey, Which family do you come from? I haven't seen you before in any gathering." Alicia turned to her.

Serenity almost choked but managed to let out a confused 'what?'

Alicia raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Oh" Serenity cleared her throat " O'Sullivans."

"Really? you don't look like one." Alicia mused.

Serenity returned a baffled look, she had heard one of her Mama Vic's guest commenting the same phrase. She was banished for quite a long time but it was also true that she carries the same O'Sullivans blood in her veins. How come she was any different from her siblings?

"W-What do you mean?" She asked nervously

Alicia cocked her head to the other side as if wondering herself "Well, First thing You got a pretty small face with amethyst eyes. Wait, Is that lens?" Alicia pointed at her eyes.

serenity shook her head No

" Most of the O'Sullivans have long resting bitch faces and I mean Long as in loooooooong like the one beside you. What's his name again? I am pretty sure it was similar with the dumb bitch I punched a couple of minutes ago." Alicia wondered loudly.

Serenity heard Igor choked on his soup, she quickly patted his back and helped him with water. Igor looked like he had just witness a ghost. Serenity cracked a small smile although she felt bad for him.

"His name is Igor. He is my brother." She clarified softly.

"Oh yes." Alicia nodded '' so where was I? Yes, and your eyes, they are purple, all the O'Sullivans have regular brown, your hair too is different. Don't tell me you dyed it?"

Serenity shook her head again.

"Second point- I don't know you but you seemed to be really naïve to this world. Either you are actually innocent or a tricky mastermind, although my gut tells me you belong to the first category. And my intuitions are often right.'' Alicia rambles, unceremoniously stuffing her mouth with huge chunks of breadsticks dipped in cheese.

Mama Anushka would have a heart attack if any of her sisters do that on dinner table, Serenity thought.

She quietly sip on her soup, nodding her head.

"That man seriously needs to get laid." Serenity heard Alicia muttering under her breath. Her innocent mind couldn't comprehend the meaning and she followed the latter's eyes to know what she was talking about. Alicia was staring, no more like glaring at the side profile of her brother, Alessandro who sat about 20 chairs away from them, near her Athair.

She was about to ask Igor what getting laid means when Alicia abruptly turned to her, Serenity flinched at her Cheshire smile and mischievous eyes gleaming with something unidentifiable.

"Hey, Do you want me to hook you up with my brother? You know Alessandro Vitali right? I am sure for a fact that every girl wants to get into his pants. I can set you up for a night." Alicia grinned

Serenity tilted her head to the side, a small pout nestling on her lips in confusion "I-I don't understand. Why will girls want his pants? Are they really special or custom made?"

"What is it, Seri?" Igor called, looking at the two of them suspiciously.

"I don't know she is saying something about A-Ale-ssa umm- pants and girls-?"

Igor looked over to Alicia who now had her jaw dropped to the floor and silently conveyed his message through his eyes.

"Ti chiedo di non fare alcun commento del genere. E una bambina innocente."

"Non ci posso credere. Dici sul serio?'' Alicia gasped.

"What are you talking in? I can't understand." Serenity said timidly.

She flinched when Alicia let out a tiny squeal and tugged at her hands "We are so gonna be best of the best friends even awesomer than Blair and Serena."

Serenity didn't point out that awesomer wasn't a word and that she had no idea who Blair and Serena is and nervously smile back at the over excited girl beside her.

"Oh! I almost forgot. I didn't catch your name."

"Its Serenity, Serenity Rose O'Sullivan."

"Well Serenity, I am Alicia Maya Vitali the second. Lets cheers to our new friendship."

They raised a toast with mojitos- "Virgin" if Alicia add.

It didn't seemed that bad for a new beginning at all.

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Serenity walked around, searching for face she had longed to see since the moment she landed there. She had heard some women gossiping that they had seen him arrive a few minutes ago and she was desperately looking for him.

Alicia Vitali was attached to her hip since the dinner, and Serenity could only let out a sigh of relief when she went for the loo. According to her their apparent friendship was moving a little to fast and she needed time to process everything. She saw a familiar looking face near the balcony and on closer inspection she realized it was Camilla, her eldest sister. She approached her with a wide grin. The last time she had seen her was when she left for the airport 10 years ago. Camilla never returned her letters nor her well-wishes and again she believe it must be because she was busy with high school and then college and her engagement with one of the Russian associates. Bruno had written to her about it.

"Camilla" Serenity called quietly and stood in front of her. She had to craned her neck upwards as Camilla was a head taller than her with her glittery high heels on.

"Oh Serenity." Camilla lightly scoffed.

"How are you doing? I heard you are engaged. Congratulations!" the little girl smiled widely unaware of the bored annoyed look Camilla was shooting her way.

Camilla only hummed in return. Serenity's smile faltered at the indifference, she guessed some people don't change after all.

Serenity awkwardly shifted on her weights "H-Have you seen Killy?"

Camilla raised a perfect eyebrow at her reluctant delicate tone before something mischievous cooked on her mind. She smirked a bit "Of course. I had seen him going out for fresh air in the back garden just now."

"Really?" She grinned, her doe eyes sparkling with excitement.

Camilla nodded and waved her fingers as if nothing '' He wore a dark silver coat with a diamond studded watch. You won't find it hard to recognize him."

"Okay Thank you so much. I will go see him." She turned to her heels and was about to sprint to the garden when Camilla spoke "And Serenity. Do give him a tight hug when you see him. He has been pretty down since the last few days. What could be better than a hug from his favorite girl huh?"

Serenity grinned and took off to where her Killy was unaware of the evil glint on her beloved sister's eyes.

A whiff of cool breeze brushed her exposed arms and Serenity shuddered. The moon was full and bright but there weren't any stars visible due to the vast array of dark clouds spread out in the midnight canvas. The back garden was filled with hard thorny shrubs grown in rows and a few trees. Killian once told her that this was his first practice ground when he started training. She wondered how they could train among these spooky things. Her naïve mind couldn't even picture the grave bloody battle they would have faced as the training goes on.

The air was windy and crispy. Her hair fly across her face and Serenity had a hard time tucking it back to her ears.

She couldn't see any sign of Killian here so she ventured deeper into the garden. A dark silhouette caught her peripheral vision, She quickly turned around, something glinted in the moonlight and she squint her eyes at the shadow under the old willow tree. Her light feet sauntered carefully. She saw his back, he was wearing a dark silvery coat, a grin made its way to her face, his one hand was holding a phone to his ear and the one was pressed against a low hanging branch of the tree. Diamond studded watch was revealed under his cufflinks.

Serenity didn't think for a second and rushed to him. She had miss him so much, her favorite brother in the world. She jumped onto his back, embracing him into a tight hug as she mushed her face onto his back. She can't help the exploding feeling of nostalgia and happiness inside her but it was cut short when he swiftly grabbed her hand and twisted her body, detaching him from her and slammed her petite form onto the hard wood. Serenity let out a squeal and a small scream when her back met the tree bark harshly. His large calloused hands were wrapped around her soft slender neck. It shocked her even more when she realized it wasn't Killian's brown warm eyes staring at her but the piercing midnight blue orbs that seemed to be in so much rage.

A small gasps escaped her mouth when she took in who it was.

The one and only, the cold ice prince-Alessandro Vitali.

Realization hit her like a truck. She had touched the Alessandro Vitali and she had first hand witness how he deals with such imprudent behavior. Fear crawled up in her veins as her fragile body started trembling. Alessandro's grip on her neck tightened to the extent that she felt it difficult to breath. Serenity whimpered in pain, her small hands tried to pry his away from her but it was useless, considering how strong he was. He could easily crushed her if he put a little more pressure.

"N-no please...I-I didn-" her voice shook in fear. She was afraid of him.

"How do you fucking dare? You worthless bitch!" Alessandro roared, making her let out a small scream. Tears pooled up her eyes, her temples sweating. Her hands were shaking badly and she felt like passing out.

It was very dark, the weeping willow had shadowed their faces. Alessandro couldn't see her features, He was too mad to think about anything else. He absolutely despised being touched without his permission. And in just one night two stupid wenches have decided to fucking bring out his beast. He wouldn't even feel an ounce of pity if he finished her off right there. He was already fed up with the fucked up assholes in the party and this bitch here decided to aggravate him more.

"No- Plea-please...D-Don't kill m-me!" she whimpered, sobbing loudly.

Alessandro cocked his head to the side, a wicked glint taking over his eyes "And why should I not do that?''

Her breath hitched as she looked at him wide-eyed, her crying ceased for a moment as she tried to answer him, maybe he would let her go if she answer him truthfully

"B-Because I....I- am a g-good girl and I a-always do m-my home-homework on time and I-I don't waste f-food and I l-listen to my M-mamas and-I go to t-the church on S-sundays too. I a-also j-join the empathy-pet store and I-I can bake c-cookies and s-sing lullaby f-for my bestfriend B-Butter."

Alessandro froze.

He felt his insides twist as he heard her ramble, something rings along with her mellifluous voice, something he hasn't heard ever since her demise. Something that is definitely rare in today's world. His jaws clenched and unclenched as he was ambushed with sudden memories he had tried to hid deep inside, Everything about her, her smiles, her laughter, her soft touch and warm hugs. He shut his eyes tightly and unknowingly strangled the unknown girl in front of him harder.

She started gasping for breath, her small hands hitting him everywhere as oxygen was deprived of her. Serenity could see black dots appearing on her vision, she clawed at his hands. Suddenly he released her as if she burnt him. Serenity crouched down, inhaling greedily and gasping for more oxygen, her heart hammering loudly against her chest, she rubbed her hands on her chest trying to calm down.

Alessandro took a step back, he watched her struggling to calm down and almost felt bad. She looked like a fragile little thing. He wanted to see her face, the darkness had shielded her but he also knew that he wouldn't be able to control if he saw her, she was peculiar and she reminded him of her. It would break her if he started- he didn't even want to think of it.

He drove his hands into the pockets of his pant suit, turning his head to the other side, he let out a sigh "Go"

Serenity looked at him wide eyed. She couldn't believe that he was letting her go. It was as if her feet were rooted to the ground and she couldn't think of anything else. She flinched when he let out a frustrated sigh once again "Go, I am telling you. Run and do not look back or else you will regret it."

She quickly gathered herself and rushed out, she could feel his gaze burning hole at her back. Curiosity and self-consciousness racked her up. What if he was pointing a gun without her knowing? She had seen many Crime alert movies to know that. Ignoring and completely forgetting his previous warning, she stopped her heel and quickly looked over her shoulder.

She frowned a bit, he was standing at the same place he had been and his midnight blue eyes were trained on her and Serenity felt a chill run down her spine when she saw them glinting.

Without further delay she ran to the party, hoping the crowd will be able to protect her unaware that the devil had already set his eyes on his prize.

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OH MY GAWD! WE REACH FREAKING 6K!!!!!! You guys are so amazing. Even my mum thought I was hopeless but you gave me so much hope that if I could, I will have given each one of you a hug ryt now.

I have been spending my free time with my Grand Dad, he returned from the hospital 5 days ago and now he is again admitted for more check ups. Since its Corona time, we can't visit him. It makes me sad. T_T

I asked my Grand Dad how he met Granny and it was a lot more shocking then what I had actually thought. They had a really cute relationship. My Gd came from a poor family and he was in love with this rich girl who was too studious for her own good so yea my Granny used to be a bookworm. Granny's family don't accept him and they had to eloped to get married and guess what more shocking is my Grand dad was 18 by that time and Granny was 15. So basically granny and GD married in their teens and they have been together ever since then.

They are in so much love as if they were teenagers even now. I wish my whatever relationship I had in future stays as strong as theirs. Because nowadays everyone seems to be more interested in divorce than marriage and there are always cases of infidelity and adultery. I don't like this new trend.

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