Scandal

by Grace Kagni

  "I'm doing ok. The pain has nearly disappeared and so I walked a little more this afternoon," she said while she looked at the bags he held in his hands.

  "Great! I've brought you some proper dinner knowing you wouldn't eat much of the hospital food. Fresh cannelloni tonight!" he said smiling as he saw her eyes widen while he pulled the containers out of the bag.

  She leaned her head down toward the open container and took in the aroma of the hot cannelloni; then taking the fork, she dug right in and brought the first bite to her mouth.

  "Mmm," she said as she closed her eyes while she ate the first bite.

  He grinned while he watched her devour the whole container and then sat back after putting down her fork.

  "I really needed that!" she said while she looked into his grinning face.

  "How about desert? Do you have room still or do you want to wait a little?" he asked.

  "I'm ready now if you brought something," she said as she sat up straight again wondering what he'd brought for dessert.

  He pulled out from another bag a container and placing it on the table before her, he pulled off the lid and watched as her eyes danced.

  "Tiramisu?" she asked.

  "Yes, did I choose well?" he asked.

  "Yes! Will you share it with me?" she asked.

  "Well, if you insist," he grinned.

  "By the way, did you have any dinner?" she asked. "I'm sure you skipped lunch from all the meetings but at least dinner?"

  "I had a bite at the restaurant where I got the cannelloni and tiramisu for you," he said while he looked into her eyes.

  "Good because you need to eat or else I'll be visiting you in the hospital next!" she said as they shared the dessert.

  They chatted about how his meetings went until he said he didn't want to talk about it anymore. Then he said he wanted to talk to her about going away for a vacation together after he came back from his trip to Milano.

  "I forgot you need to go to Milano but sure, I would like to go away with you for a vacation when you come back. Where do you have in mind?" she asked, wondering if he'd already made all the plans. Knowing how he worked, she was sure he'd already planned it all out and made the arrangements.

  "Actually, I wanted to know where you'd like to go," he said as he sat back in the chair. He placed his arm over the back and waited for her to respond.

  "Me? Oh, I don't really know. I haven't really travelled much so I don't know where but I wouldn't mind going somewhere warm, relaxing on the beach. I haven't done that in years!" she said.

  "Ok then I'll pass by the travel agency tomorrow and get some brochures to warm destinations so you can look through them and pick a destination," he said.

  She smiled and held out her hand toward him wanting to feel the warmth of his hand. He took hers and caressed the back with his thumb. "I'd really like that."

  "Ok then once you've decided where, I'll book the trip," he said just as the nurse walked in to say that visiting hours were over.

  He said goodnight to Alessia and then left the room. His guards, waiting outside by Alessia's door, accompanied the Minister to their cars and drove home. He went straight to bed, not feeling 100 per cent and had another sleepless night. He tossed and turned all night, feeling agitated and tried all remedies from hot camomile tisane to a hot shower but the hours passed slowly as he watched the hours on the clock change each hour.

  Chapter Eight

  The next morning Alessandro couldn't get out of bed, feeling a jabbing pain in his chest so he called his doctor, who showed up immediately at his house. His doctor told him that he'd pushed himself too much; he needed to slow down and get more rest. His body was warning him that he'd been pushing his stress level beyond what was considered healthy, so after taking the doctor's advice, he called his office to inform them he'd be home for the rest of the week. He didn't go into detail and said that he had a personal matter to attend.

  Then he got up and wrote his daily note to Alessia and sent it to the florist with one of his guards.

  * * * * * *

  Alessia awoke the next day feeling really good. After breakfast, she had a shower and washed her hair; she finally felt normal again. She received a text message from Alessandro asking how she was and she sent him a message back telling him that she was improving daily. He wrote back telling her that he would be too busy to visit today but that he'd call her in the afternoon. She felt a little disappointed knowing that she wouldn't see him but she was happy that she'd hear his voice.

  She'd walked a few times up and down the corridor when the florist delivered the bouquet of red roses with Alessandro's note. She felt warmth rising inside when she saw the bouquet, knowing that no matter how busy Alessandro was, he'd write the love note and ensured it was delivered with the flowers.

  She took the vase and placed it on the dresser next to the other bouquets and took the envelope that was placed deep inside the roses. Leaning over to smell the flowers, she felt her cut pinching and had to place her hand over it to calm the pain but she bent more to take in the scent of the roses. She closed her eyes a moment and Alessandro's blue eyes appeared in her mind as she smiled.

  She stood straight again and went to sit on the bed to read his note. Turning it over, she noticed it had his wax seal and without waiting another moment, she opened the envelope and read the note.

  My Darling, today all I can think of is how you've brought joy back into my life and how your smile brightens my day. Since you've walked into my life, you've turned it upside down and now I'm lost without you. These days while you're in the hospital, I feel like there is a part of me missing - that would be you! You've opened my life to love and romance again so today I cherish the Romance I feel when I'm with you.

  With all my love, Alessandro

  She read the note again and then laid back on her bed to take in the scent of the roses flowing in her room and his lovely words. He's trying to romance her, court her with love letters! She held the note over her heart for a little while as she lay with her eyes closed. Then the nurse came in to check her blood pressure and stopped when she smelled the scent of the roses.

  "You're a lucky girl to have someone sending you all these bouquet of roses!" the nurse said smiling.

  "Yes, I know," Alessia said while she lay still so the nurse could take her pressure.

  The nurse said her pressure was fine and if the doctor agreed, she'd probably be released from the hospital the next day. Her wound was healing well and there was no reason she'd need to stay an extra day. Alessia was really happy and sent a message to Alessandro after the nurse left the room. He wrote back telling her he was really pleased and that he'd take the day off so he could pick her up and stay with her when she got home, giving them a long weekend before he had to leave for Milano.

  The rest of the day passed slowly for both. Alessia rested in the hospital while Alessandro rested at home. They sent messages back and forth but never once did Alessandro tell Alessia that he was home sick; he didn't want to worry or upset her so he decided not to mention anything to her.

  Finally the day passed and at the end of the day, Alessandro had his guards run an errand for him. He asked them to pick up some homemade ice cream and bring it to Alessia in the hospital, which one did as the other stayed with Alessandro.

  She grinned when she saw one of the guards walk in holding a bag and knew that it would be dessert.

  "You didn't need to come all this way for me," she said to the guard as she thanked him.

  "Yes, I did. It was the Minister's wish for you to have this and so I am here to deliver as the Minister requested."

  She thanked him and told him to go home, feeling bad that he had to run a personal favour for Alessandro. He must have been really busy with his meetings if he couldn't get away to bring her dessert. She sat up in bed and slowly went through the entire container of ice cream before she sent him a text message, thanking him for the dessert.

  He wrote back telling her to get some
rest because she needed to be well to go home the next day.

  She wrote back saying that she was happy she would be going home - to his home.

  He wrote back with three simple words Buona Notte, Tesoro! Then he took the sedative the doctor gave him to help him sleep and fell asleep from exhaustion.

  * * * * * *

  Alessandro slept all night and into the morning until he heard a faint sound that woke him up. As he opened his eyes, he realized it was his cell phone and turned over to take it from his night table.

  "Pronto?" he said quickly before seeing who it was.

  "Alessandro? Were you still sleeping?" Alessia said, surprised that he was still in bed at this time.

  "Oh, I didn't hear the alarm; what time is it?" he asked as he yawned and turned over to take his watch that was sitting on the night table.

  "It's 10:30 and I've been released. Shall I take a taxi?" she asked.

  "No, just give me 10 minutes to have a quick shower and I'll be on my way," he said as he got out of bed. Just as he hung up and placed the phone back on the night table he felt a slight pain again in his chest and took a few long breaths until it passed. Then he called his guards to ask them to be ready in 10 minutes to take him to the hospital. He got up and went to have a quick shower.

  On the way to the hospital, he picked up a large bouquet of red roses and took it to the hospital to pick up Alessia. Inside the bouquet he placed his note to Alessia, the last note he would give to her.

  Alessia was dressed and waiting for Alessandro when he walked into the room. She smiled when she saw the large bouquet of red roses and waited for him to walk to her. He sat on the bed next to her and she noticed he had dark circles under his eyes, clearly showing his exhaustion but nevertheless, he was smiling back at her.

  He kissed her on the cheek and gave her the bouquet where she saw the note safely placed in the center, so she pulled it out and broke the wax seal indicating that he'd written the note personally.

  Tesoro, today I cannot tell you how happy I am that you are coming home. It has been difficult being away from you and today I cherish the hope of having an Eternal life with you.

  With all my heart, Alessandro

  She lifted her hand and caressed his face while she looked into his blue eyes. "I'm ready to go home. Shall we go?" she asked.

  He smiled back and took her hand while he grabbed her bag with his other hand. They walked out of the hospital room and one of his guards by the doorway took Alessia's bag from the Minister and accompanied them out of the hospital.

  When they got into the back of the sedan, Alessia put her head down on Alessandro's shoulder and sighed.

  "We'll be home soon, little one," Alessandro said.

  "Yes, it's been a long week and I'm looking forward to going home. It seems like ages," she said as she looked out the window while the car passed through the traffic.

  "It seemed an eternity to me and your illness has made me realize how much you mean to me - more than I could ever express, so I'm happy to have you next to me again. I don't ever want to be separated from you again - well not for health reasons. I still need to go away next week to Milano and I'd be more comfortable if you'd come with me. You can stay at home recovering while I'm at the meetings. What do you think?" he asked as he lifted her chin so he looked into her eyes.

  "I'd like that very much. I too have been through so much this past week and my life has been turned upside down. I've been to hell and back but I think I'm ready now to move forward and I too don't want to be away from you unless absolutely necessary," she said as she looked deep into his blue eyes. She lifted her hand to caress his face and felt the stubble. She'd never seen him unshaven and the dark circles worried her but not wanting to give him more distress, she let her worry pass for the time being.

  The cars finally drove through his gates and he felt relief knowing that soon he'd have her all to himself. They stepped out of the car and the guards got her bag, placing it inside the front door. Alessandro accompanied Alessia upstairs where she changed into something more comfortable and then they went back downstairs where Alessandro had arranged for the housekeeper to prepare their meals while they were both recovering. He didn't want to tell Alessia that he'd been unwell so his simply told her that he'd been too busy with work and decided to have the housekeeper prepare their meals, not wanting to waste precious time with her.

  The housekeeper had prepared a light but nutritious meal since Alessandro explained that they were both recovering from illness so he'd requested a homemade broth with filet mignon and cooked vegetables afterward.

  "Aren't you going to have any wine?" she asked, wondering why he was drinking water.

  "No, I need to drink more water and so I thought it would be a good time to start since you're on medication and shouldn't drink anything with alcohol," he said smiling, hoping that she wouldn't insist on his drinking a glass. The doctor told him to stay away from wine for the time being but also he was on heart medication that shouldn't be mixed with alcohol.

  "I will understand if you want to have a glass. You don't need to follow the same diet that I'm forced to follow," she said as she reached over and grabbed his hand resting on the table.

  He turned it over and looked at her palm; then he caressed it with his thumb and smiled at her. "I don't mind drinking water for a little while."

  They had a lovely meal and then they went to sit in the library by the fireplace, cuddled on the sofa where they could feel the warmth of the fire. Alessia still felt sleepy so he rested her head on his lap and pulled the quilt off the back of the sofa to cover her. She closed her eyes and was asleep within minutes.

  He gazed at her face as the flame of the fire glowed on her hair and cheek. He saw the dark circles under her eyes and the paleness of her skin; deciding that they would go somewhere warm after Milano so they could both rest, recuperate and get a bit of sun. Alessandro put his head back on the sofa and slowly fell asleep.

  Alessia awoke a little while later and saw Alessandro sleeping softly but didn't want to wake him so she lay still not moving, watching him as he slept. She noticed there was something different about him; his skin was not that usual tan healthy looking colour and the dark circles under his eyes really bothered her. What was he not telling her? She cuddled closer to him, smelling his scent and just as she was about to close her eyes, he opened his eyes and looked down at her. His smiled warmed her heart and all her worries disappeared.

  "Did you sleep?" he asked.

  "Yes I did and so did you!" she said as she sat up while she held her cut.

  "Does it still hurt?" he asked as he noticed her grimace while she held her cut.

  "A little when I move but I'm ok most of the time," she said as she stretched her arms above her head to stretch her body.

  "Can I ask you something?" she asked.

  "Sure!" he said.

  "Will you be honest with me?" she asked.

  "Of course," he said tilting his head to the side wondering why she'd think he'd lie to her.

  "Have you been sick but didn't want to tell me?" she asked.

  He didn't say anything for a moment and then was about to open his mouth but then couldn't find the words.

  "I'd like to know if you're not well. I can see the dark circles under your eyes and that you're not moving with your usual quickness. Please be honest with me," she asked as she took his hand in hers.

  "I had chest pains a couple of days ago and couldn't get out of bed so I've been at home resting but I promise that I'm fine now," he said searching her eyes, hoping she believed him.

  "Why didn't you tell me this before? I could see something wasn't right and your not telling me about it doesn't make it go away," she said as she caressed his face.

  "I didn't want to worry you," he said, looking into her eyes, he could see the pain he'd caused by not telling her.

  "It pains me more you not trusting me enough to tell me something this important," she said.

  "It
has nothing to do with trust, Alessia - I wanted to protect you from more worry. I'm fine and I don't want you to worry about something that has passed," he said as he pulled her close to him.

  She lay her head on his chest and let out a long sigh. "Next time, please tell me if something is wrong or if you're not feeling well. I want to know about it."

  "Ok, I promise I won't keep it from you next time," he said as he kissed the top of her head.

  They lay there the rest of the afternoon until it was time for dinner, so when the housekeeper came to call them, they went to the dining room and had a long meal full of healthy foods that would help both of them get better. They chatted a little about where they could go after Milano and Alessandro said he hadn't had a chance to go by the travel agency but would have someone in Milano come to the house while they were there to choose a destination.

  She liked that idea and agreed that they could choose a destination last minute. After they finished their dinner, they went back to the library where somehow it was now filled with roses. Alessia looked at Alessandro but he raised his shoulders as if he didn't know anything about it. Alessia noticed there were large red letters handwritten on his monogrammed paper in the middle of five bouquets, so she went to take each paper and waited for Alessandro to say something.

  "What are they?" he asked.

  "They're single letters handwritten on each paper," she said.

  "Yes and do you recognize them?" he asked.

  "The letters?" she asked confused.

  "Yes the letters. You've seen them before," he said.

  She looked at the letters and then it clicked in her mind. "These letters were the ones you wrote in red and underlined in the love notes you gave me every day while I was in the hospital," she said.

  "Yes that's right and what do they spell?" he asked.

  She looked down at them and then looked at him confused.

  "You need to mix them around until they form a word," he said.

  She walked to the table and put each one down then moved them around until she finally found a word: C U O R E (heart). "Cuore?" she asked.