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β―β§β―β―β―β―β―β§β§
The ride home was silent.
Alessia sat by the window,.
Her cheek pressed against the cold glass, eyes unfocused.
The city moved outside lights, traffic, people ,but none of it reached her.
Her mind was still in that hospital room, next to her mom's pale hand.
Antonio sat beside her in the backseat, silent, unreadable.
His phone buzzed twice.
He ignored it.
When they reached the De Luca estate, the bodyguards opened the doors.
Alessia stepped out without a word, not waiting for her father.
Her boots clicked on the marble steps as she walked inside, pulling off her coat and dropping her bag on the couch without care.
Miss Michelle met her at the door, her smile tight with concern. βWelcome back, Miss...β
Alessia raised a hand.
βPlease, not now.β
Miss Michelle nodded quickly and stepped aside.
Antonio walked in moments later, slower, heavier.
He stood in the entrance, looking around the grand space that somehow felt emptier now.
βSunshine,β he called gently.
Alessia was already halfway up the stairs.
βCan we talk?β he asked.
She paused on the steps, not turning around.
βIf you're going to say the same thing again... that Mamaβs going to be fine... donβt. Please.β
Antonio sighed, running a hand through his hair.
βNo. I wasnβt going to say that.β
A beat of silence.
βThen what?β she asked softly, still facing the stairs.
βI was going to say... Iβm scared too.β
That stopped her.
Slowly, she turned to face him.
βIβm your father, Alessia,β he said.
βIβm supposed to protect you. Protect her. Fix things. But thisβ¦ this is something I canβt fight. And I hate it. I hate feeling this helpless.β
Alessia walked down the steps slowly and stood in front of him.
Antonio looked broken in that moment.
Not the fearsome man everyone else knew.
Just a man trying not to lose the woman he loved and hold together the daughter she left behind.
Alessia wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
βI donβt want to lose her, Papa.β
βI donβt either.β
β§β·β·βΏβ―β―
Alessia threw herself onto the bed, face first into the pillow.
The soft scent of her motherβs favorite lavender fabric softener still clung to the sheets, and it made her chest ache.
She reached for her phone with a trembling hand and dialed the one person she could talk to without pretending.
Isabella.
The line rang twice before her best friendβs bubbly voice filled the speaker.
"Hey, Sia! Why didn't you come to school today? Everyoneβs so bored without you. Like seriously, I almost fell asleep in maths!" Isabella whined dramatically.
A small smile tugged at Alessiaβs lips.
βI just wasnβt in the mood to come to school,β she replied quietly, her voice flat.
There was a pause on the line.
Isabella's tone shifted, softening.
βIs it your mom? Is she okay?β
Alessia rolled onto her back, eyes staring at the ceiling as if it held answers.
βSheβs not getting better, Bella. I saw her today. Sheβsβ¦ sheβs so small. So weak. Her hairβs gone. She looked like she wasnβt even there anymore. Like sheβs already halfway gone.β
Isabellaβs voice was low now. βIβm so sorry, Siaβ¦β
Alessia swallowed hard, blinking back the burning in her eyes.
βEveryone keeps saying sheβll be fine, that I should stay strong, that sheβs a fighter. But what if she canβt fight anymore? What if I lose her, Bella?β
βYou wonβt,β Isabella said gently. βBut even ifβ¦ even if that happens, youβre not alone. Okay? Iβm here. Always.β
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
The silence was heavy but warm ,the kind of silence that exists between people who donβt need to speak to be understood.
βI wish you were here,β Alessia whispered.
βI wish I was too. Want me to sneak over after school?β Isabella offered, half-joking.
Alessia laughed softly through her tears.
βIf you get caught, my dad might send you to Siberia.β
βWorth it,β Isabella said without missing a beat.
Alessia smiled again, feeling the knot in her chest loosen just a little.
βYou know, Jess was asking everyone where you were today,β Isabella said after a moment of silence on the call.
Alessia groaned, sitting up on the bed, her brows already furrowing.
βGoshβ¦ what does he want?β
βI bet that guy has a crush on you,β Isabella teased, laughing lightly.
βI think thatβs why he was sniffing around, asking every soul about your whereabouts. Do you like him?β
Alessia rolled her eyes as she stood from the bed, pacing across the room.
Her eyes brushed over the photos pinned all over her wall ,snapshots of her and her mom, her and Antonio, goofy selfies with Isabella, and one of her at the beach last summer, smiling brightly.
βWell, I do not like Jess,β she said firmly.
βIssa, seriously, do I look like someone whoβd like a guy like him? You know I donβt do short boys.β
Isabella giggled. βSo you need a big man, huh? One who can handle you?β
βFor Godβs sake, can you cut me some slack?β Alessia muttered, exasperated.
βI donβt need this kind of talk right now.β
βBut Sia,β Isabella pressed on with a teasing tone.
βwe should tell him that to his face. Because if he keeps bugging me, then I swear, heβs like, βWhereβs Alessia De Luca? Why didnβt she come to school?β Like heβs your attendance officer or something. I was like, βDude, chill. Youβre not her boyfriend.β He clearly knows you donβt like him, but heβs still pushing.β
Alessia pulled out her short skirt and tossed it on the bed, now left in just her tiny lace underwear.
She looked up at the ceiling, letting out a sigh.
βLook, Bella. I donβt even like him. You already knows the type of guy I want,β she said, her tone direct.
βI donβt want some little boy I can walk all over. I want someone who can handle me, who wonβt cry to his mommy after we fight.β
Isabella burst out laughing on the other end.
βHe must go and f**k himself and stay the hell away from me,β Alessia added, half amused, half irritated.
βIβm just a 15-year-old girl trying to survive life. I donβt need stress. I need peace. And definitely not some clingy little boy who thinks a stare means I like him.β
Isabella wheezed through her laugh.
βAlessia De Luca, you are too much!β
βI know,β Alessia said with a smirk, throwing herself back onto the bed dramatically.
βThatβs why I need someone who can handle too much.β
βOh my God, I donβt know,β Isabella said, half-laughing.
βAre you even going to find someone who can handle you? Because seriously, Siaβ¦ none of the boys in this school can. Not even the older ones. You're a whole storm.β
Alessia chuckled.
βWell, maybe they should stop trying to play with thunder.β
She was about to fire back another witty line when a sudden knock echoed through her room, making her glance toward the door.
βUgh, I think someoneβs here. Iβll call you later when you get home,β Alessia muttered.
βYou better!β Isabella whispered urgently.
βBeast is calling me and Iβm in the library! If Miss Jasmine catches me on the phone, sheβs gonna flip. Pray for me!β
Then the line cut.
Alessia shook her head with a small laugh, placing the phone down before walking to the door.
She opened it to find Rosa standing stiffly, arms folded and irritation clear on her face.
βMiss Alessia, your father said you should come for lunch,β Rosa said, her tone low but tight with annoyance.
Alessia sighed, already irritated. βCan you go and tell my father that Iβm not hungry right now? Iβll come later.β
She started to close the door, but Rosa blocked it with her hand.
βLook, Miss,β Rosa said, her voice sharper now, βyour father
sent me. You have to come and eat lunch with everyone..as always.β
Alessia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
βAnd I told you, go back and tell him Iβm not coming. If you want to wait out here forever, be my guest. But Iβm not joining anyone at that table today. And while youβre at it drop the attitude, Rosa. I donβt like it.β
She turned to walk away, but Rosa reached out and grabbed her arm.
βAlessia, Iβm not your maid, "
Rosa snapped. βYou canβt talk to me like that.β
Alessia yanked her arm back with force, her eyes flashing.
βThen donβt annoy me, okay? Iβm not in the mood for your tantrums, or anyone else's today. I told you, Iβm not coming to lunch. Go tell my father that, and leave me the hell alone.β
She slammed the door in Rosaβs face.
Rosa flinched, stumbling a step back just as another maid walked by, raising a brow.
βWhat just happened?β
βShe told me to go tell her father that sheβs not eating lunch,β Rosa grumbled.
βI swear, that girl...β
βLook,β the other maid cut in.
βAlessiaβs just a teenager. You shouldnβt take everything she says so seriously.β
βBut she talks to me like Iβm her maid...β
βYou are a maid, Rosa. But you donβt have to fight her like youβre her peer. Just let it go sometimes. Honestly, the way you two argue it's too much. You're too grown for that.β
Rosa clenched her jaw but didnβt respond.
Deep down, she knew the other maid was right.
Rosa stood there, lips pressed tight and fists clenched by her sides, the sharp echo of firm footsteps approached from the far end of the hallway.
Antonio turned the corner, tall and composed in his dark tailored suit, his presence commanding without a single word spoken.
He stopped just in front of Rosa, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in her flustered expression and the closed door behind her.
βWhatβs going on here?β
Rosa straightened immediately.
βSir, I came to call Miss Alessia for lunch as you instructed, but sheβ¦ she refused. And she spoke to me very disrespectfully.β
Antonio didnβt react immediately.
His gaze shifted to the door, then back to Rosa.
βWhat did you say to her?β
βI just told her she had to come to lunch. Thatβs all, sir. I didnβt mean any harm.β
Antonio sighed quietly, rubbing his temple.
βRosa, I trust you with my household, but youβve worked here long enough to know my daughter isβ¦ not someone you push when sheβs like this.β
βShe slammed the door in my face, sir.β
βSheβs fifteen. And her mother is fighting for her life.β His tone was calm, but final.
βLeave it. Iβll talk to her.β
Rosa gave a slight nod, bowing her head before stepping away down the corridor.
Antonio stood in silence for a moment before gently knocking on Alessiaβs door.
No answer.
He waited. Knocked again. βSunshine. Itβs Papa.β
There was a pause, then a muffled voice from inside. βI donβt want to eat, Papa.β
βI know,β he replied quietly.
βBut I still want to see you. Can I come in?β
Another beat of silence.
Then the door opened a crack.
Alessia peeked through, eyes red but guarded.
Antonioβs expression softened immediately.
βHey.β
She opened the door fully and stepped back.
Antonio stepped inside slowly. βYou okay?β
βNo,β she muttered, not meeting his eyes.
βAnd Rosaβs annoying.β
He gave a small sigh. βI know she can beβ¦ pushy. Iβll talk to her. But you canβt slam doors, Sunshine.β
βShe grabbed my arm,β Alessia said, voice sharper now.
βLike she owns me. I hate when people do that.β
Antonio nodded slowly. βI get it. Iβm not mad. I justβ¦ want you to breathe, okay? Everythingβs already heavy enough. Youβre allowed to be upset. But donβt let it turn you into someone who hurts back.β
She looked down, then walked over to sit on the edge of her bed.
βI just miss Mama.β
Antonio walked over, sat beside her, and put his arm around her.
βSo do I, but look at me I'm not slamming doors at othersβ
Alessia chuckled and shook her head.
β―β―β―β―β―β―β―β―β―
Dinnertime.
Alessia sat beside her father at the long dining table.
Her eyes kept drifting to the empty seat, her motherβs seat.
It had always been hers, and now that it sat untouched, it made the whole table feel colder⦠bigger.
Even though there were only three of them she always make feel like it's full.
But now, it felt like a table set for ghosts.
Another person was missing too Elena.
Alessia sighed softly.
Antonio watched his daughter in silence, his dark green eyes filled with unspoken concern.
He could see it all written on her face, even if she didn't say a word.
The maids began gathering to serve, Antonio gave them a small nod.
βWe can all sit,β he said simply.
βThank you, Master,β they chorused, pulling out their chairs.
But just as Rosa stepped toward the chair that once belonged to Mrs. De Luca,.
Alessiaβs voice sliced through the quiet.
βWhat do you think youβre doing?β she said sharply.
βYou canβt sit there.β
The room froze.
βPapa,β Alessia turned toward her father, her voice rising, βhow can she try to sit in Mamaβs chair?β
Antonioβs brows furrowed as he turned his gaze on Rosa.
She should have known better.
Everyone in this house knew what that seat meant.
But he stayed silent, not wanting to stir the tension more.
Miss Michelle quickly stepped in, her voice calm but firm.
βRosa, come sit in your own chair, please.β
βI wasnβt trying to sit, I was just fixing the chair like I always do when Madam...β Rosa stammered, eyes dropping.
βDonβt lie!β Alessia snapped, scoffing.
βYou really think weβre all stupid? I saw you. You were about to sit down. Just because my mom isnβt here doesnβt mean anyone can take her place. Do you understand?β
She stood now, pointing at Rosa.
βYouβre just a maid. How dare you even try to sit in my motherβs chair?β
βAlessia,β Antonio said gently, trying to keep her calm.
βItβs okay, sunshine. Iβm sure she didnβt mean it like that. Letβs not make it a big deal.β
βNo, Papa,β Alessia snapped, cutting him off.
βYouβre just trying to defend her. Sheβs always trying to get close to you. I've been seeing it. Just because Mom is sick doesnβt mean she can play that role. No one takes Mamaβs place.β
βEnough,β Antonio said firmly, his voice rising for the first time.
βYouβre talking nonsense now.β
Alessia glared at him, her fists clenched.
βOh really? Iβm talking nonsense?β she hissed.
βYou donβt see whatβs happening? You think Iβm blind? I see it every day,how she looks at you. And you let her.β
Antonio leaned forward, trying to keep his temper.
βYouβre overreacting. Stop making this into something itβs not.β
She stared at him a moment longer, then shook her head.
βYou know what? Fine. Eat with your precious maids,β she spat.
βIβve lost my appetite.β
With that, Alessia turned and stormed out of the dining room, leaving behind an uncomfortable silence.
Antonio sat still for a moment, jaw clenched, staring at the space where she had been.
He understood her pain,her mother was in the hospital, and everything was falling apart around her.
He knew she loved deeply, and she was protective.
But this behavior⦠this defiance..it was getting too much.
For his liking.
He stood up, brushing off his suit jacket. βYou all sit and eat. Iβll be in my study.β
Miss Michelle nodded quietly, watching the man she had worked for over decades years retreat with worry in his steps.
She had never seen Antonio look so broken.
He was always composed, always the one who held the house together.
But these past months⦠everything was different.
Alessiaβs pain was becoming too heavy, for both of them.
*****
π.π ±.π ²
π ²π Ύπ Όπ Όπ ΄π ½π, π »π Έπ Ίπ ΄ π °π ½π ³ ππ ·π °ππ ΄
ββΏβΏLπ π π π ’, ββΏ Cπ π π π π π £π ’ π π π ββΏ Sπ π π ‘π π ’ π π π ‘ π π π §π £ π π π π π £π π ‘
βΏβΏSα΄ Κα΄Κα΄'κ± α΄Κα΄ α΄ΚΙͺΙ΄Ι’, Ι’α΄Κκ± Ιͺκ° α΄Κα΄ α΄Ι΄Ι’α΄Ι’α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ΙͺΙ΄α΄α΄κ± α΄α΄ κ±α΄α΄Κ Κα΄α΄‘, IβΚΚ Κα΄α΄ α΄ Ι΄α΄ α΄Κα΄Ιͺα΄α΄ Κα΄α΄ α΄α΄ α΄ Κα΄α΄ α΄Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄. I'α΄ Κα΄Ι΄α΄κ±α΄ΚΚ α΄α΄α΄ Κα΄κ±Κ α΄α΄ α΄α΄α΄α΄ Κα΄Ι’Ι’ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ κ°α΄Κ κ±α΄α΄α΄α΄Κα΄.
I α΄‘Ιͺκ±Κ Κα΄α΄ α΄Ι΄α΄α΄‘ Κα΄α΄‘ Κα΄Κα΄ Ιͺα΄ Ιͺκ± α΄α΄ α΄‘ΚΙͺα΄α΄ α΄ κ±ΙͺΙ΄Ι’Κα΄ α΄Κα΄α΄α΄α΄Κ, α΄κ±α΄α΄α΄Ιͺα΄ΚΚΚ α΄‘Κα΄Ι΄ I Κα΄α΄ α΄ α΄ Κα΄κ±κ± α΄‘Κα΄ α΄ α΄α΄κ±Ι΄βα΄ α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄ΚΚα΄α΄‘ α΄Κα΄Ι΄α΄κ±.
Sα΄ΙͺΚΚ, I κ±Ι΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Κα΄α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄κ±α΄ α΄α΄ κ°ΙͺΙ΄α΄ α΄Ιͺα΄α΄ α΄α΄ α΄‘ΚΙͺα΄α΄β¦ α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄Κα΄Ι΄ I Ι’α΄α΄ Ι΄α΄α΄ΚΙͺΙ΄Ι’ ΙͺΙ΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ΚΙ΄.
LΙͺα΄α΄ κ±α΄ΚΙͺα΄α΄κ±ΚΚ Κα΄α΄‘ α΄ Ιͺα΄ α΄‘α΄ Ι’α΄ κ°Κα΄α΄ 300 ΚΙͺα΄α΄κ± α΄ α΄ α΄Κ α΄α΄ Κα΄Κα΄ΚΚ 100? TΚα΄α΄βκ± Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄α΄α΄Κ.
TΚα΄ α΄ Ιͺα΄α΄‘κ± α΄Κα΄ α΄Κα΄Κα΄ α΄α΄α΄α΄Κα΄ α΄Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ ΙͺΙ΄Ι’, Κα΄α΄ Ι’Κα΄κ±α΄-Κα΄α΄α΄ ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ α΄‘Ιͺα΄Κα΄α΄α΄ Κα΄α΄α΄α΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ α΄Κ α΄α΄α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’. AΙ΄α΄ α΄Κα΄α΄βκ± α΄ Ιͺκ±α΄α΄α΄Κα΄Ι’ΙͺΙ΄Ι’.
Eα΄ α΄Ι΄ Κα΄κ±α΄α΄Κα΄ α΄Κ, α΄Ι΄ΚΚ α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄Κκ±α΄Ι΄ Κα΄κ°α΄ α΄ α΄α΄α΄Ι΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’κ°α΄Κ α΄α΄α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄Κα΄ α΄Κα΄α΄α΄α΄Κ. Bα΄α΄ Κα΄α΄βκ± α΄α΄κ±α΄ κ±α΄Κ α΄α΄ΚΚα΄ α΄Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ Ιͺκ± κ±α΄ΙͺΚΚ Ι΄α΄α΄‘... α΄α΄ΚΚα΄ Ιͺα΄ Κα΄κ±Ι΄βα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄α΄α΄ Κα΄α΄ Κα΄α΄.
Sα΄ Κα΄Κα΄βκ± α΄Κα΄ α΄Κα΄Ι΄: IβΚΚ α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ΙͺΙ΄α΄α΄ α΄‘ΚΙͺα΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ α΄Ι΄α΄ΙͺΚ Κα΄Κκ°α΄‘α΄Κ α΄ΚΚα΄α΄Ι’Κ α΄Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄.
Bα΄α΄ Ιͺκ° α΄Κα΄ α΄Ι΄Ι’α΄Ι’α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ κ±α΄α΄Κκ± α΄ΚΙͺκ± Κα΄α΄‘, α΄Κα΄Ι΄ Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ Κ α΄α΄ κ±α΄Κ Ι’α΄α΄α΄ ΚΚα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄α΄κ±α΄ I α΄α΄Ι΄'α΄ α΄κ°κ°α΄Κα΄ α΄α΄ ΚΙͺκ±α΄ α΄Κ α΄α΄Κ κ°α΄Κ Ι΄α΄α΄ΚΙͺΙ΄Ι’.β§β§
πΊπΏππππππππππππππ ππππΊ
°°πππ ππ π πππππ
πππ ππ
π»ππππ ππ °°
π₯π₯ π»πππ'π π»ππππππ’ π₯ π₯
π π±πππππππππ ππππ Β°πΎππππΒ°πππ πππππππ π
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πππππππππππ, ππππ πΌππΏ ππππΎππππ πΌπππ'π πΎπππππππ.
πππππ ππ πΌπππΌππ πππππππππ ππ ππΌπ πΌπ½πππ πππΌπ πππ ππΌππ πππΌπΏ
β―β§β―β―β―β―β―β§β§
The ride home was silent.
Alessia sat by the window,.
Her cheek pressed against the cold glass, eyes unfocused.
The city moved outside lights, traffic, people ,but none of it reached her.
Her mind was still in that hospital room, next to her mom's pale hand.
Antonio sat beside her in the backseat, silent, unreadable.
His phone buzzed twice.
He ignored it.
When they reached the De Luca estate, the bodyguards opened the doors.
Alessia stepped out without a word, not waiting for her father.
Her boots clicked on the marble steps as she walked inside, pulling off her coat and dropping her bag on the couch without care.
Miss Michelle met her at the door, her smile tight with concern. βWelcome back, Miss...β
Alessia raised a hand.
βPlease, not now.β
Miss Michelle nodded quickly and stepped aside.
Antonio walked in moments later, slower, heavier.
He stood in the entrance, looking around the grand space that somehow felt emptier now.
βSunshine,β he called gently.
Alessia was already halfway up the stairs.
βCan we talk?β he asked.
She paused on the steps, not turning around.
βIf you're going to say the same thing again... that Mamaβs going to be fine... donβt. Please.β
Antonio sighed, running a hand through his hair.
βNo. I wasnβt going to say that.β
A beat of silence.
βThen what?β she asked softly, still facing the stairs.
βI was going to say... Iβm scared too.β
That stopped her.
Slowly, she turned to face him.
βIβm your father, Alessia,β he said.
βIβm supposed to protect you. Protect her. Fix things. But thisβ¦ this is something I canβt fight. And I hate it. I hate feeling this helpless.β
Alessia walked down the steps slowly and stood in front of him.
Antonio looked broken in that moment.
Not the fearsome man everyone else knew.
Just a man trying not to lose the woman he loved and hold together the daughter she left behind.
Alessia wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
βI donβt want to lose her, Papa.β
βI donβt either.β
β§β·β·βΏβ―β―
Alessia threw herself onto the bed, face first into the pillow.
The soft scent of her motherβs favorite lavender fabric softener still clung to the sheets, and it made her chest ache.
She reached for her phone with a trembling hand and dialed the one person she could talk to without pretending.
Isabella.
The line rang twice before her best friendβs bubbly voice filled the speaker.
"Hey, Sia! Why didn't you come to school today? Everyoneβs so bored without you. Like seriously, I almost fell asleep in maths!" Isabella whined dramatically.
A small smile tugged at Alessiaβs lips.
βI just wasnβt in the mood to come to school,β she replied quietly, her voice flat.
There was a pause on the line.
Isabella's tone shifted, softening.
βIs it your mom? Is she okay?β
Alessia rolled onto her back, eyes staring at the ceiling as if it held answers.
βSheβs not getting better, Bella. I saw her today. Sheβsβ¦ sheβs so small. So weak. Her hairβs gone. She looked like she wasnβt even there anymore. Like sheβs already halfway gone.β
Isabellaβs voice was low now. βIβm so sorry, Siaβ¦β
Alessia swallowed hard, blinking back the burning in her eyes.
βEveryone keeps saying sheβll be fine, that I should stay strong, that sheβs a fighter. But what if she canβt fight anymore? What if I lose her, Bella?β
βYou wonβt,β Isabella said gently. βBut even ifβ¦ even if that happens, youβre not alone. Okay? Iβm here. Always.β
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
The silence was heavy but warm ,the kind of silence that exists between people who donβt need to speak to be understood.
βI wish you were here,β Alessia whispered.
βI wish I was too. Want me to sneak over after school?β Isabella offered, half-joking.
Alessia laughed softly through her tears.
βIf you get caught, my dad might send you to Siberia.β
βWorth it,β Isabella said without missing a beat.
Alessia smiled again, feeling the knot in her chest loosen just a little.
βYou know, Jess was asking everyone where you were today,β Isabella said after a moment of silence on the call.
Alessia groaned, sitting up on the bed, her brows already furrowing.
βGoshβ¦ what does he want?β
βI bet that guy has a crush on you,β Isabella teased, laughing lightly.
βI think thatβs why he was sniffing around, asking every soul about your whereabouts. Do you like him?β
Alessia rolled her eyes as she stood from the bed, pacing across the room.
Her eyes brushed over the photos pinned all over her wall ,snapshots of her and her mom, her and Antonio, goofy selfies with Isabella, and one of her at the beach last summer, smiling brightly.
βWell, I do not like Jess,β she said firmly.
βIssa, seriously, do I look like someone whoβd like a guy like him? You know I donβt do short boys.β
Isabella giggled. βSo you need a big man, huh? One who can handle you?β
βFor Godβs sake, can you cut me some slack?β Alessia muttered, exasperated.
βI donβt need this kind of talk right now.β
βBut Sia,β Isabella pressed on with a teasing tone.
βwe should tell him that to his face. Because if he keeps bugging me, then I swear, heβs like, βWhereβs Alessia De Luca? Why didnβt she come to school?β Like heβs your attendance officer or something. I was like, βDude, chill. Youβre not her boyfriend.β He clearly knows you donβt like him, but heβs still pushing.β
Alessia pulled out her short skirt and tossed it on the bed, now left in just her tiny lace underwear.
She looked up at the ceiling, letting out a sigh.
βLook, Bella. I donβt even like him. You already knows the type of guy I want,β she said, her tone direct.
βI donβt want some little boy I can walk all over. I want someone who can handle me, who wonβt cry to his mommy after we fight.β
Isabella burst out laughing on the other end.
βHe must go and f**k himself and stay the hell away from me,β Alessia added, half amused, half irritated.
βIβm just a 15-year-old girl trying to survive life. I donβt need stress. I need peace. And definitely not some clingy little boy who thinks a stare means I like him.β
Isabella wheezed through her laugh.
βAlessia De Luca, you are too much!β
βI know,β Alessia said with a smirk, throwing herself back onto the bed dramatically.
βThatβs why I need someone who can handle too much.β
βOh my God, I donβt know,β Isabella said, half-laughing.
βAre you even going to find someone who can handle you? Because seriously, Siaβ¦ none of the boys in this school can. Not even the older ones. You're a whole storm.β
Alessia chuckled.
βWell, maybe they should stop trying to play with thunder.β
She was about to fire back another witty line when a sudden knock echoed through her room, making her glance toward the door.
βUgh, I think someoneβs here. Iβll call you later when you get home,β Alessia muttered.
βYou better!β Isabella whispered urgently.
βBeast is calling me and Iβm in the library! If Miss Jasmine catches me on the phone, sheβs gonna flip. Pray for me!β
Then the line cut.
Alessia shook her head with a small laugh, placing the phone down before walking to the door.
She opened it to find Rosa standing stiffly, arms folded and irritation clear on her face.
βMiss Alessia, your father said you should come for lunch,β Rosa said, her tone low but tight with annoyance.
Alessia sighed, already irritated. βCan you go and tell my father that Iβm not hungry right now? Iβll come later.β
She started to close the door, but Rosa blocked it with her hand.
βLook, Miss,β Rosa said, her voice sharper now, βyour father
sent me. You have to come and eat lunch with everyone..as always.β
Alessia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
βAnd I told you, go back and tell him Iβm not coming. If you want to wait out here forever, be my guest. But Iβm not joining anyone at that table today. And while youβre at it drop the attitude, Rosa. I donβt like it.β
She turned to walk away, but Rosa reached out and grabbed her arm.
βAlessia, Iβm not your maid, "
Rosa snapped. βYou canβt talk to me like that.β
Alessia yanked her arm back with force, her eyes flashing.
βThen donβt annoy me, okay? Iβm not in the mood for your tantrums, or anyone else's today. I told you, Iβm not coming to lunch. Go tell my father that, and leave me the hell alone.β
She slammed the door in Rosaβs face.
Rosa flinched, stumbling a step back just as another maid walked by, raising a brow.
βWhat just happened?β
βShe told me to go tell her father that sheβs not eating lunch,β Rosa grumbled.
βI swear, that girl...β
βLook,β the other maid cut in.
βAlessiaβs just a teenager. You shouldnβt take everything she says so seriously.β
βBut she talks to me like Iβm her maid...β
βYou are a maid, Rosa. But you donβt have to fight her like youβre her peer. Just let it go sometimes. Honestly, the way you two argue it's too much. You're too grown for that.β
Rosa clenched her jaw but didnβt respond.
Deep down, she knew the other maid was right.
Rosa stood there, lips pressed tight and fists clenched by her sides, the sharp echo of firm footsteps approached from the far end of the hallway.
Antonio turned the corner, tall and composed in his dark tailored suit, his presence commanding without a single word spoken.
He stopped just in front of Rosa, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in her flustered expression and the closed door behind her.
βWhatβs going on here?β
Rosa straightened immediately.
βSir, I came to call Miss Alessia for lunch as you instructed, but sheβ¦ she refused. And she spoke to me very disrespectfully.β
Antonio didnβt react immediately.
His gaze shifted to the door, then back to Rosa.
βWhat did you say to her?β
βI just told her she had to come to lunch. Thatβs all, sir. I didnβt mean any harm.β
Antonio sighed quietly, rubbing his temple.
βRosa, I trust you with my household, but youβve worked here long enough to know my daughter isβ¦ not someone you push when sheβs like this.β
βShe slammed the door in my face, sir.β
βSheβs fifteen. And her mother is fighting for her life.β His tone was calm, but final.
βLeave it. Iβll talk to her.β
Rosa gave a slight nod, bowing her head before stepping away down the corridor.
Antonio stood in silence for a moment before gently knocking on Alessiaβs door.
No answer.
He waited. Knocked again. βSunshine. Itβs Papa.β
There was a pause, then a muffled voice from inside. βI donβt want to eat, Papa.β
βI know,β he replied quietly.
βBut I still want to see you. Can I come in?β
Another beat of silence.
Then the door opened a crack.
Alessia peeked through, eyes red but guarded.
Antonioβs expression softened immediately.
βHey.β
She opened the door fully and stepped back.
Antonio stepped inside slowly. βYou okay?β
βNo,β she muttered, not meeting his eyes.
βAnd Rosaβs annoying.β
He gave a small sigh. βI know she can beβ¦ pushy. Iβll talk to her. But you canβt slam doors, Sunshine.β
βShe grabbed my arm,β Alessia said, voice sharper now.
βLike she owns me. I hate when people do that.β
Antonio nodded slowly. βI get it. Iβm not mad. I justβ¦ want you to breathe, okay? Everythingβs already heavy enough. Youβre allowed to be upset. But donβt let it turn you into someone who hurts back.β
She looked down, then walked over to sit on the edge of her bed.
βI just miss Mama.β
Antonio walked over, sat beside her, and put his arm around her.
βSo do I, but look at me I'm not slamming doors at othersβ
Alessia chuckled and shook her head.
β―β―β―β―β―β―β―β―β―
Dinnertime.
Alessia sat beside her father at the long dining table.
Her eyes kept drifting to the empty seat, her motherβs seat.
It had always been hers, and now that it sat untouched, it made the whole table feel colder⦠bigger.
Even though there were only three of them she always make feel like it's full.
But now, it felt like a table set for ghosts.
Another person was missing too Elena.
Alessia sighed softly.
Antonio watched his daughter in silence, his dark green eyes filled with unspoken concern.
He could see it all written on her face, even if she didn't say a word.
The maids began gathering to serve, Antonio gave them a small nod.
βWe can all sit,β he said simply.
βThank you, Master,β they chorused, pulling out their chairs.
But just as Rosa stepped toward the chair that once belonged to Mrs. De Luca,.
Alessiaβs voice sliced through the quiet.
βWhat do you think youβre doing?β she said sharply.
βYou canβt sit there.β
The room froze.
βPapa,β Alessia turned toward her father, her voice rising, βhow can she try to sit in Mamaβs chair?β
Antonioβs brows furrowed as he turned his gaze on Rosa.
She should have known better.
Everyone in this house knew what that seat meant.
But he stayed silent, not wanting to stir the tension more.
Miss Michelle quickly stepped in, her voice calm but firm.
βRosa, come sit in your own chair, please.β
βI wasnβt trying to sit, I was just fixing the chair like I always do when Madam...β Rosa stammered, eyes dropping.
βDonβt lie!β Alessia snapped, scoffing.
βYou really think weβre all stupid? I saw you. You were about to sit down. Just because my mom isnβt here doesnβt mean anyone can take her place. Do you understand?β
She stood now, pointing at Rosa.
βYouβre just a maid. How dare you even try to sit in my motherβs chair?β
βAlessia,β Antonio said gently, trying to keep her calm.
βItβs okay, sunshine. Iβm sure she didnβt mean it like that. Letβs not make it a big deal.β
βNo, Papa,β Alessia snapped, cutting him off.
βYouβre just trying to defend her. Sheβs always trying to get close to you. I've been seeing it. Just because Mom is sick doesnβt mean she can play that role. No one takes Mamaβs place.β
βEnough,β Antonio said firmly, his voice rising for the first time.
βYouβre talking nonsense now.β
Alessia glared at him, her fists clenched.
βOh really? Iβm talking nonsense?β she hissed.
βYou donβt see whatβs happening? You think Iβm blind? I see it every day,how she looks at you. And you let her.β
Antonio leaned forward, trying to keep his temper.
βYouβre overreacting. Stop making this into something itβs not.β
She stared at him a moment longer, then shook her head.
βYou know what? Fine. Eat with your precious maids,β she spat.
βIβve lost my appetite.β
With that, Alessia turned and stormed out of the dining room, leaving behind an uncomfortable silence.
Antonio sat still for a moment, jaw clenched, staring at the space where she had been.
He understood her pain,her mother was in the hospital, and everything was falling apart around her.
He knew she loved deeply, and she was protective.
But this behavior⦠this defiance..it was getting too much.
For his liking.
He stood up, brushing off his suit jacket. βYou all sit and eat. Iβll be in my study.β
Miss Michelle nodded quietly, watching the man she had worked for over decades years retreat with worry in his steps.
She had never seen Antonio look so broken.
He was always composed, always the one who held the house together.
But these past months⦠everything was different.
Alessiaβs pain was becoming too heavy, for both of them.
*****
π.π ±.π ²
π ²π Ύπ Όπ Όπ ΄π ½π, π »π Έπ Ίπ ΄ π °π ½π ³ ππ ·π °ππ ΄
ββΏβΏLπ π π π ’, ββΏ Cπ π π π π π £π ’ π π π ββΏ Sπ π π ‘π π ’ π π π ‘ π π π §π £ π π π π π £π π ‘
βΏβΏSα΄ Κα΄Κα΄'κ± α΄Κα΄ α΄ΚΙͺΙ΄Ι’, Ι’α΄Κκ± Ιͺκ° α΄Κα΄ α΄Ι΄Ι’α΄Ι’α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ΙͺΙ΄α΄α΄κ± α΄α΄ κ±α΄α΄Κ Κα΄α΄‘, IβΚΚ Κα΄α΄ α΄ Ι΄α΄ α΄Κα΄Ιͺα΄α΄ Κα΄α΄ α΄α΄ α΄ Κα΄α΄ α΄Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄. I'α΄ Κα΄Ι΄α΄κ±α΄ΚΚ α΄α΄α΄ Κα΄κ±Κ α΄α΄ α΄α΄α΄α΄ Κα΄Ι’Ι’ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ κ°α΄Κ κ±α΄α΄α΄α΄Κα΄.
I α΄‘Ιͺκ±Κ Κα΄α΄ α΄Ι΄α΄α΄‘ Κα΄α΄‘ Κα΄Κα΄ Ιͺα΄ Ιͺκ± α΄α΄ α΄‘ΚΙͺα΄α΄ α΄ κ±ΙͺΙ΄Ι’Κα΄ α΄Κα΄α΄α΄α΄Κ, α΄κ±α΄α΄α΄Ιͺα΄ΚΚΚ α΄‘Κα΄Ι΄ I Κα΄α΄ α΄ α΄ Κα΄κ±κ± α΄‘Κα΄ α΄ α΄α΄κ±Ι΄βα΄ α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄ΚΚα΄α΄‘ α΄Κα΄Ι΄α΄κ±.
Sα΄ΙͺΚΚ, I κ±Ι΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Κα΄α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄κ±α΄ α΄α΄ κ°ΙͺΙ΄α΄ α΄Ιͺα΄α΄ α΄α΄ α΄‘ΚΙͺα΄α΄β¦ α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄Κα΄Ι΄ I Ι’α΄α΄ Ι΄α΄α΄ΚΙͺΙ΄Ι’ ΙͺΙ΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ΚΙ΄.
LΙͺα΄α΄ κ±α΄ΚΙͺα΄α΄κ±ΚΚ Κα΄α΄‘ α΄ Ιͺα΄ α΄‘α΄ Ι’α΄ κ°Κα΄α΄ 300 ΚΙͺα΄α΄κ± α΄ α΄ α΄Κ α΄α΄ Κα΄Κα΄ΚΚ 100? TΚα΄α΄βκ± Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄α΄α΄Κ.
TΚα΄ α΄ Ιͺα΄α΄‘κ± α΄Κα΄ α΄Κα΄Κα΄ α΄α΄α΄α΄Κα΄ α΄Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ ΙͺΙ΄Ι’, Κα΄α΄ Ι’Κα΄κ±α΄-Κα΄α΄α΄ ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ α΄‘Ιͺα΄Κα΄α΄α΄ Κα΄α΄α΄α΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ α΄Κ α΄α΄α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’. AΙ΄α΄ α΄Κα΄α΄βκ± α΄ Ιͺκ±α΄α΄α΄Κα΄Ι’ΙͺΙ΄Ι’.
Eα΄ α΄Ι΄ Κα΄κ±α΄α΄Κα΄ α΄Κ, α΄Ι΄ΚΚ α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄Κκ±α΄Ι΄ Κα΄κ°α΄ α΄ α΄α΄α΄Ι΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’κ°α΄Κ α΄α΄α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄Κα΄ α΄Κα΄α΄α΄α΄Κ. Bα΄α΄ Κα΄α΄βκ± α΄α΄κ±α΄ κ±α΄Κ α΄α΄ΚΚα΄ α΄Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ Ιͺκ± κ±α΄ΙͺΚΚ Ι΄α΄α΄‘... α΄α΄ΚΚα΄ Ιͺα΄ Κα΄κ±Ι΄βα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄α΄α΄ Κα΄α΄ Κα΄α΄.
Sα΄ Κα΄Κα΄βκ± α΄Κα΄ α΄Κα΄Ι΄: IβΚΚ α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ΙͺΙ΄α΄α΄ α΄‘ΚΙͺα΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’ α΄Ι΄α΄ΙͺΚ Κα΄Κκ°α΄‘α΄Κ α΄ΚΚα΄α΄Ι’Κ α΄Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄.
Bα΄α΄ Ιͺκ° α΄Κα΄ α΄Ι΄Ι’α΄Ι’α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄ κ±α΄α΄Κκ± α΄ΚΙͺκ± Κα΄α΄‘, α΄Κα΄Ι΄ Κα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ Κ α΄α΄ κ±α΄Κ Ι’α΄α΄α΄ ΚΚα΄ Κα΄α΄α΄α΄κ±α΄ I α΄α΄Ι΄'α΄ α΄κ°κ°α΄Κα΄ α΄α΄ ΚΙͺκ±α΄ α΄Κ α΄α΄Κ κ°α΄Κ Ι΄α΄α΄ΚΙͺΙ΄Ι’.β§β§
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