Chapter 49
Emily
In the past weeks at the Fanucci mansion, I finally began to fit in like I wanted to. Naty enjoyed her new life, and I had seen her relax and breathe in a way she never had.
As promised, Donni and Levi hung out with me whenever I was bored and managed to steal thEmily away from their duties. If it wasn’t thEmily, it was Dante or especially Giulia Fanucci, who, to my surprise, took me under her wing.
It wouldn’t be too far stretched to call her the mother figure I had wanted my whole life. Sometimes it was a little too much to the point where she had even revamped my wardrobe to her liking
Luckily the transformation to more colorful clothing, and some dresses and heels here and there didn’t bother me at all. Rather than changing me, it felt like she helped me find my style.
Alessio had also made an unexpected effort to spend time with Naty and me. He would often take us out for meals, to the movies, and at one point, even to an amusEmilyent park Naty had been wanting to visit Our bond strengthened with each passing day, and I found myself growing comfortable around him–sometimes too comfortable.
With our strengthened bond came Alessio showing more of his natural side. He was a jokester, extrEmilyely competitive and cocky, but he also tried to be kind, and that last part always managed to make my heart skip a beat.
There were moments when I would laugh a bit too freely or lean on him a little too closely, and whenever that happened, I couldn’t help but feel worried. It rEmilyinded me that I was getting too comfortable with my new life, which could all end whenever he decided it would be enough.
Yes, life was great. And yes–I was worried for me and my daughter. What would life be like after this?
I sat at the vanity, brushing through my blond strands as I gathered my thoughts. Unfortunately, the was cut short when Alessio decided it would be hilarious to snatch the brush from my hands.
“Hey!” I protested, something I dared to do these days. I had grown used to his playful side, and whenever he wasn’t working or irritated, that was how he would be. We had come a long way from him telling me to “show some personality.”
Alessio stood behind me and turned my face toward the mirror with his hands. “Let me help you,” he offered. I gave him a nod, and he began brushing my hair, gazing at me through the mirror.
His soft but intense gaze made my heart beat faster, and I was forced to confront feelings I wasn’t quite ready to full acknowledge.
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See, I could beat around the bush and say I didn’t want him–or I could own up to it and make a freaking master plan with my brain of how to get over him.
“Do you not have a job to get to?” I purposely broke the moment we were having.
“I’ll be leaving soon. Just wanted to check in on you,” he replied, still brushing through my hair.
“That’s nice of you,” I said, my voice filled with sarcasm. It wasn’t because I didn’t appreciate the gesture, but because it was easier than admitting how much his attention meant to me.
“What are your plans for today?” he asked. “Is Mom going to take you hostage again?”
“No,” I spoke. “She’s going to take the little ones to some indoor play area with some of her posh friends, and I definitely don’t want to be a part of that.”
“Believe me, you don’t. They don’t even want to be there,” Alessio chuckled, and I instantly laughed along at the thought of those fancy moms crawling tunnels to chase their children.
“I think Giulia is nice, though. I wish my mom was like that,” I confessed, hoping it wouldn’t sound too weird. Maybe I did because Alessio went silent and his look had changed.
I had yet to talk to him about my family, and he wasn’t in a hurry either. There was too much to explain to begin with.
For example, There was no way in hell I would’ve let Naty travel some place alone with Mom because she was like a stranger to me, but so was Giulia and most around this mansion.
“Mom’s stuck with three guys, and Melody is too young, so I guess she sees you as a daughter.”
His words made me smile. The thought of being considered part of their family felt nice, even if it wouldn’t last.
“Were you worried she wasn’t going to like me because I’m a maid?” I asked, thinking back at when he basically had told me no one here would care for me.
“A little bit, yes,” he said. “But it doesn’t have anything to do with you. You’re great.”
I blushed. “Am I?”
“Mom hates a lot of people, but she hasn’t said a bad word about you,” Alessio said as he now caressed his fingers through my hair, making sure everything was untangled. Giulia had been nothing but kind to me since my arrival, and I used to think that woman was a bitch. My Bad.
“So, all done,” he said, setting the brush down. I chuckled at him through the mirror, trying to mask my true feelings. His touch sent flutters through me, and I wished he hadn’t stopped.
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Ever since that kiss, the sexual tension between us flew to the roof and continued to do so. Every accidental touch, every shared glance–seEmilyed to affect us both equally.
There were moments, especially when he would come out the shower with his hair wet and his abs glistening, that I had to hold myself together.
It was clear to me that crossing that line was something he didn’t want to do, and to be honest, I didn’t even know if I wanted to cross it.
I had only been with Jason, and that was it. I wouldn’t know how to satisfy a man like that. I wouldn’t know what the hell to do.
I couldn’t confide in Donni or Levi, Pilar was unaware about our agreEmilyent, hence I was left to deal with it on my own. Sometimes in the shower, sometimes late at night while he was away for business.
My cheeks flushed, thinking about the sin I had been committing. Alessio’s hands rested on my shoulders, making the situation ten times worse.
“Why are you turning red?” he asked.
“I’m not turning red,” I denied, even though I knew my flushed face told a different story.
“Then you’re wearing too much blush,” he decided.
I pulled back my head and gave him a confused look. “What would you know about blush?”
His laughter filled the room, and it was a sound I had gotten used to. The first time I had met him I wondered if he was capable of smiling, and now he smiled freely around me.
As I got up from the chair, a small strip slipped from my purse onto the floor. I bent to pick it up, but before I could get to it, Alessio had already grabbed it in a swift motion.
The smile on his lips banished within seconds, as if it had never been there.
It were the pictures I had made with Donni and Levi in the photo booth. His brows furrowed as he inspected the pictures as if he were a detective.
“When was this?” I couldn’t quite place Alessio’s tone. Was it irritation?
“A few weeks ago, while you were gone,” I replied, feeling the need to mention the second part. I didn’t even know why I was becoming so defensive.
“Gone where?”
“Some burger spot-”
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“-around the corner of the mall,” he finished for me, and if I didn’t know any better I would’ve thought he was accusing me of adultery, which was of course not possible.
“Yes, you know that place?” I asked, puzzled by his reaction.
“Yes, we always go there–but Donni and Levi never asked me to take pictures.” he seEmilyed to be taking it to the heart, and I could not understand the reason behind that.
“Oh.”
What was I supposed to say? Sorry for not inviting him?
“And you keep this thing in your pocket too.” He held up the photo strip with a piercing gaze. “For some reason, I feel left out.”
I giggled, hearing him refer to the strip as a thing.
“Ah, you’re not jealous are you?” I pouted, unable to let go of a great opportunity to mock him. I had never seen him react this way before.
I expected him to fight back, but he didn’t. Instead he stepped closer, his intense gaze making me nervous. “Do you expect me to say no?” he said, furrowing his brows as if I was crazy.
Yes?
“Can we take one like that?” he asked.
“What, now? Weren’t you supposed to be working or something?” I rambled, trying to control the rapid beating of my heart.
“Work can wait,” he said, grabbing my coat. He tossed it to me, and I barely caught it. “Let’s go,” he commanded, already leaving the room.
Who would’ve thought that a picture would get him so triggered?
