I blinked, having been caught in my thoughts. “What?”
Lucia gave me a half-smile. “Do you want some food?”
I nodded slightly and stood up. “Sure. Also, I’m just going to go to the bathroom. Which way is it again?”
I tried to avert my eyes from the room that she had all to herself. I was letting my envy get the better of me. Her room was gorgeous and contained a queen-sized bed with posts, which was so vastly different from the cot I was forced to sleep on.
“It’s just down the hall,” she replied, pointing toward the door.
I feigned a smile and made my way through the doorway. The wood floor creaked beneath my weight, and I closed the door gently behind me. I took a deep breath the moment I was out of view. I couldn’t stop thinking about the difference in our situations. I knew it wasn’t her fault. I had to let that part of things go. It was Angelo that had forced us into that dungeon of a basement. I was sure that Lucia would have helped if she could. Hell, she’d tried. And Antonio had died for it.
I wondered if I would be given a room now that I was able to leave the dungeon of a basement. I only realized then just how humid it was down there and how the way past the kitchen was dark, less flashy than the rest of the mansion. It was a huge place, which allowed for multiple guests. It was even larger than the house my father had worked so hard for, building it from the ground up with the help of my mother, who had been far more invested at that time. I wanted my own room. It would allow for Savio and me to have the same kind of privacy that was offered to Lucia and Romeo. Clearly, it had worked for them. With luck, it would work for us.
I walked up to the banister and peered down toward the entrance. It was different from my parents’ house when I was growing up. My family was loud, boisterous, and always home. The Cavetti household was grim. Sure, it had beautiful decor that had obviously been shipped from Europe and detailing that had been impeccably tailored to Angelo’s desire, but it was empty. It was always silent, and everyone was either gone or sequestered in their rooms.
It was strange. At least, it certainly was to me. Even after all that time spent alone, I found myself being almost comforted by it. I wanted to see my family all together again, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it. I’d spent so much time alone that it was as though it’d become a friend to myself. Lucia’s room just seemed far too busy for me to handle, and it was overwhelming. I couldn’t bear being in there for too long.
I paused when I heard a door close in the kitchen. My hands began to shake, wondering just who it could be. Would Angelo get upset if he saw me outside of Lucia’s room? I wasn’t sure how he would take it, and I’d already learned the hard truth from Savio about how he hurt the people that upset him, even his own children.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw who it was.
Savio rounded the corner. His face was red, and his hair was stuck to his forehead. His black tank top showed off his arms, allowing me to see the same muscles that had held me only days before. My lips formed into a smile as he stretched his arms above his head, revealing his abs, which were even better to look at in the sunlight. He looked as though he’d just gotten back from a workout or a run.
I started down the stairs, keeping my footsteps light. I didn’t want to surprise him too much, but I knew that he’d be happy to see me. At least, I hoped he’d be happy. I crept down slowly, smiling as I neared him. He had his back turned toward me, making himself a smoothie. I watched as he grabbed a banana from a bowl on the counter and pulled the blender closer to himself. He wiped the sweat from his brow with his shirt, allowing me to see his lower back. He grunted to himself as he reached for a can of protein powder from the cupboard in front of him.
I snuck up behind him, excited to be seeing him again. I scanned behind me, just in case someone was there. The house was still, and there was no one around. I waited until he was finished putting the protein powder into the blender and wrapped my arm around him, causing him to audibly gasp. He lightly pushed me back, and I chuckled, smiling widely, excited to see him for the first time since we were in the shed together.
The smell of his cologne filled my senses as the sun trickled in from the kitchen window. It illuminated his already bright eyes, making me crave his touch all over again. He was even more attractive when he was disheveled.
“Alessandra,” he whispered harshly, his voice coarse. “What’re you doing? If someone sees you…”
“Don’t worry. Everyone knows that I’m out of the cell.”
He furrowed his brow as he pushed his dark hair out of his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“No one told you?”
He was still confused, and I thought it was adorable. Just seeing his childlike expression reminded me again that he was nothing like his brothers. I was so grateful that I was able to have such a person interested in me. Still, it wasn’t the meeting I was expecting. I’d hoped that he would take me into his arms. But even as we stood there, eye to eye, he simply stepped away as though there was something wrong with me.
“Seriously, Alessandra. I don’t know what you mean.”
“Well, I’m Lucia’s bridesmaid.”
“No,” he said and sighed. “I know that you’re able to walk around. I mean, what are you doing with me? No one knows what happened. It’s better we keep it that way.”
It felt like a punch to the gut. I didn’t understand. I thought he would be happy to see me, but suddenly, he was all set on avoiding me? Maybe the rumors were true, and I’d been played. I was an idiot.
“So, that’s how it is.”
He lowered his eyes, obviously too cowardly to maintain eye contact. I should’ve expected as much. I’d let myself run away with my thoughts, simply thinking that we were good and that he’d be open to continuing whatever it was we’d started. I was wrong.
He still didn’t look at me as he said, “I really need something to eat. I think maybe you should go back to help your sister.”
I swallowed hard, forcing down the words that were edging on the tip of my tongue. I’d wanted to see him so badly since the last time. I’d honestly thought that he’d not known about the fact that Chiara and I were allowed to wander the house, but he’d already been told about it. He simply hadn’t wanted to see me.
That was hard to swallow.
The truth often hurts, especially when you’re faced with it. I stopped wanting anything from him at that moment. I remained silent, allowing my silence to fill the void that was now between us. I was a fool. I’d given him a precious gift, and it had meant nothing to him. It was as though a hole had been put in my stomach, and it was filling me with nothingness.
I walked away from him, turning back toward the main entrance. There were multiple staircases in the house, and we were just in one wing. I decided that I wouldn’t leave Lucia’s side, even if I was allowed to walk around. I didn’t want to see him again. I knew I’d have to, but I’d avoid him like he’d just avoided me.
I wasn’t sure what I’d do otherwise.
