Scandal

by Grace Kagni

  "I'm relieved that you're here. He will be so happy to see you when he wakes up."

  "How is he?" Alessia asked, as she looked at all the machinery surrounding his bed.

  "He'll be much better when he sees you. He's really missed you."

  Alessia lowered her head in sorrow knowing that she may have contributed to the stress that lead to his heart attach.

  Valentina lifted Alessia's chin to look her in the eyes. "You had every right to go away to think things through. You were thrown into my brother's life without a chance to adjust to the lifestyle and I understand very well how you must have felt when he was arrested. What is important is that you're here now."

  Tears fell down Alessia's face as she looked at Alessandro in the bed, broken and hurt. Just thinking about the pain she must have caused him was heart wrenching but she'd come for a purpose and that was to comfort Alessandro any way he needed. She went close to him and sat down on the chair. Valentina went to get some fresh air, leaving Alessia alone with Alessandro.

  She took his hand in hers and lowered her forehead onto his bed as he slept. Tears silently started to fall as she felt the coldness of his hands and knew that she'd never be able to forgive herself for having been so selfish.

  "Alessia?"

  She suddenly heard his sweet voice, weak but calling out to her and when she looked up, she saw his beautiful blue eyes staring back at her.

  "Yes, I'm here!" she said as she kissed the back of his hand.

  He didn't say very much but simply looked at her with tender eyes until a single tear ran fell down from his eye and she wiped it away with her finger

  "I'm sorry - I didn't mean to cause you any pain."

  "No apologies!" he said as he squeezed her hand while it still held his.

  She sat straighter looking for the courage to say more but words wouldn't come out. She simply sat there and held his hand, watching as he closed his eyes. Regret started to flow through her body knowing that she was partially to blame for his being in the hospital and at that moment, while she watched him sleep, she promised herself she would be by his side until he recovered.

  Moments later, Valentina came back and told her to go home to rest since visiting hours would be over soon and to come back in the evening when they'd be allowed in again.

  Alessia let out a long sign and agreed to leave only with the promise to be back later. She wondered if she could bring anything to Alessandro but looking around the room, she realized that not even flowers were allowed so she knew that her presence would be enough for the time being.

  She hugged Valentina and left the room. While she took off all the surgical garments, she felt exhaustion creep up and was glad to be going home. She'd take a nap, needing still to rest from the flu she was just getting over. Luckily most of the symptoms had disappeared or she would not have risked Alessandro's health coming today but she still tired easily so pulling her trolley bag along with her, she walked out into the sunshine. The warmth of the sun was welcoming compared to the coldness of the temperature in Bressanone. She was happy to be back in Rome where the weather was mild.

  Alessia hopped on a bus and slouched on the seat as the exhaustion set in. Her body had been on alert from the moment she knew that Alessandro had had a heart attack and now that she'd seen him with her own eyes, she started to relax knowing he'd feel better soon.

  The bus trip seemed to last forever and finally when she got off not far from her house, her legs felt like lead as she walked the last few steps toward her building. She pushed open the building door and walked up the stairs to her apartment. As she walked into her apartment, a sudden feeling of sadness overcame her and as tears started to stream down her face, she went straight to her room and threw herself onto her bed facedown. Tears kept coming until there was nothing left and slowly she drifted off to sleep.

  * * * * * *

  Alessandro turned as Alessia left the room and was sad to see her leave but Valentina assured him that she'd be back later during the next visiting hours. He lay in the bed for a long time feeling a mixture of happiness and fear knowing that she was back. What did that mean? Has she decided to come back to him or was she there only because he'd had a heart attack?

  Valentina stayed a few minutes more and then said goodbye to her brother, telling him she'd be back later too.

  Once Alessandro was alone in the room, it felt cold and lonely. His weakened heart suddenly wanted Alessia near him, knowing that she was the best medicine for his recovery.

  He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Alessia awoke sometime during the night, realizing that she'd slept through visiting hours. Jumping out of bed, she went to get her phone and found a message from Alessandro.

  I waited for you, hoping you'd come but I guess something came up. Goodnight and I'll dream of your sweet face until I see you next.

  Love A.

  She felt like crap knowing that he would have been waiting for her and after a moment of reviewing her options, she sent him a quick text.

  Sorry, I fell asleep! I'm going to come now and see if I can sneak in!

  She waited a moment later and heard her phone chime. He sent back a message.

  I'll be waiting with open arms.

  She threw the phone on the bed with a hug grin and went into the bathroom to have a quick shower. She felt much better after the nap and was ready within 30 minutes to go sneak into the hospital ward.

  She took the night bus to the hospital and when she stepped off, she felt the coolness of the night so she pulled her scarf tighter around her neck and walked over the bridge to the hospital. When she got to the entrance, she noticed there were a few people outside waiting, probably family or friends waiting for news about a loved one. She walked past them and pushed through the heavy metallic door before going to the elevator.

  When she stepped off the elevator, she saw Alessandro's guards there and with a wink they let her past. She walked the short distance to the sterile area where Alessandro rested and when she walked down the hall to his room, she felt excitement building from sneaking around. She quickly put on the sterile garments and then popped her head in his room.

  He lay with his eyes closed but she was sure he was waiting for her so she went closer and sat down on the chair. Quietly, she took his hand in hers and he turned to look at her with a tender smile that filled her heart with much joy.

  "You came!"

  "Of course I did. I said I would try to get in and here I am!" Alessia said as she caressed the back of his hand.

  "I'm feeling better already!"

  "Well then, maybe I should sneak in every night?" she said playfully.

  "I wouldn't mind. So are you going to tell me where you've been these past few days?" he asked as he tried to sit up a little.

  Alessia got up to prop some more pillows behind his back so he could sit a little while he raised the back of the bed.

  "I went to Bressanone and got chilled to the bone while I was there!" she said laughing. "It was quiet and relaxing, giving me plenty of time to think things over."

  "And have you?"

  "Thought thinks over?" she asked.

  He nodded while he held his breath for her answer.

  "I did but the more I thought, the more I was confused and now I'm just happy to be home," she said not wanting him to read too much into her return.

  "And did you think about us while you were in Bressanone?" he asked.

  "I did."

  He looked at her with wide eyes, hoping she would tell him that she was back in his life but she simply looked down at her hands and let out a long sigh.

  "Do you still need time to think about us?"

  She nodded without looking up.

  "Its ok. I understand and I'm happy to see you regardless of your not having made up your mind about us just yet. It means I can hope!" he smiled.

  She met his blue eyes with a smile and nodded.

  Just then a nurse
walked in to give Alessandro his medicine and was furious to find Alessia in the room.

  "Young lady, you must leave at once. The Minister needs to rest and it is way past visiting hours!"

  "I'm sorry - I'll leave now," she said as she tried to keep from laughing as Alessandro winked at her while she was literally being thrown out by the nurse.

  As soon as she pulled off the garments and threw them in the basket, she sent Alessandro a message.

  That was fun and I'll try it again one of these nights but in the meantime, I'll be back tomorrow during visiting hours.

  Goodnight.

  Her phone chimed almost immediately with a message from Alessandro. She pulled out her phone to read it and smiled when she read his message.

  Goodnight Darling. I'll be dreaming about you tonight, my Angel.

  xxx

  She replied instantly with another message.

  Get some rest!

  xxx

  Alessia walked back outside into the cool air and wrapped her scarf tight around her neck as she walked toward the bus stop. The bus came by within minutes and she was able to get a seat on the bus since it wasn't crowded. She sat looking out the window as the bus wove its way through the city centre and she was relieved when it finally arrived at her stop. She yawned as she stepped off and laughed, thinking how happy she'd made Alessandro by sneaking into the hospital ward at night. She would certainly do that again!

  Walking into her apartment, she walked into her room and dropped down on her bed fully clothed, not having the energy to change. She looked at the ceiling while she thought of Alessandro. He seemed happy to see her and it felt good to be with him so she knew in her heart that it would be the right thing to go back to him and move forward in their relationship.

  She smiled as she thought about how it made her felt and decided she would tell him the next day that she decided she wanted him back in her life. Her mind wandered to the passionate moments they'd experienced together and suddenly felt wetness forming. She missed his touch and his lips on her. She reached down to unbutton her jeans and then stuck her hand inside where her wetness had formed. Moving her fingers over the area, she felt thrilling sensations building as she thought about what Alessandro would do to her once he was better.

  * * * * * *

  When Alessia walked down the corridor to Alessandro's room, she could hear Valentina shouting.

  "Get out! You've no business here!" Valentina shouted.

  "Like hell I don't have any business here. Alessandro's the father of my daughter and there's no way I'm leaving until I've seen him!" shouted the lady.

  "I'm going to call the guards if you don't leave," Valentina said with authority.

  "Fine, I'll leave only because I don't want to cause him more stress but rest assured that I'll be back when he's feeling better. In the meantime, tell him that I've passed by to see him. I think he'll want to know about his daughter."

  Valentina growled, "We'll see about that. I want a DNA test to prove that it's Alessandro's child but in the meantime, stay away or you'll be sorry!"

  "Are you threatening me?" the lady asked.

  "Emilia, you better leave or I will call the guards."

  The lady stormed past me, while I stood dumbfounded, wondering who Emilia was and why was I hearing about her only now. I waited a moment, letting out a long breath and then stepped into the garment room where Valentina stood with her hands clenched into fists.

  She turned the moment I walked in and her face turned soft when she saw me.

  "Alessia, I'm so glad to see you."

  "Who was that?" Alessia asked softly.

  "That was someone from Alessandro's past that he'd thought was out of his life but obviously the clingy woman is back."

  "She talked about a daughter. Do you think it's true?"

  "I don't know but she's capable of faking it to get Alessandro back along with alimony so before we say anything to Alessandro, we need to find out more about this child. Please don't mention it to Alessandro. I don't want him to be stressed about something that may not be true."

  "Of course," Alessia said as she started to put on the sterile garments.

  "Alessia, please don't think that that woman meant anything to Alessandro. He was sad and lonely, and turned to women to comfort his lonely nights. You have to understand that," Valentina pleaded with Alessia.

  Alessia continued to put on the last garments and turned to Valentina. "I know there've been other women before me but if this child is really his, I will not stand in the way. You know that I can't have any children."

  "That is meaningless without love. Alessandro loves you more than words could describe and if this child is his, he'll work out a way for the child to be part of his life - part of your lives."

  Alessia let out a long sigh and followed Valentina into the room next door where Alessandro slept. He was under sedation to help him sleep and the effects of the drugs made him sleep for long periods.

  They chatted softly as he continued to sleep throughout visiting hours and when it was time for them to leave, he opened his heavy eyelids to look at them and extended his hand to feel Alessia before she left.

  Valentina was out the door when Alessia turned and saw Alessandro extend his hand, so she walked back to him to tell him that visiting hours were over but they'd be back later.

  "I'm sorry I didn't see you were here."

  "Don't worry. You need to sleep so rest up and we'll be back later," Alessia said as she kissed him on his hand before turning to leave.

  "Alessia?"

  She turned to look at his sad eyes.

  "She didn't mean anything to me," he said.

  "Who?" Alessia asked confused.

  "Emilia. She didn't mean anything to me. I want you to know that."

  Alessia smiled and then went back to his bedside. She stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. "Don't worry. I know that she didn't mean anything to you."

  He let out a long sigh and watched as Alessia walked out the door to join Valentina next door.

  "Alessandro heard Emilia," Alessia said to Valentina softly as she pulled off her mask.

  "How do you know that?"

  "Because he just told me that she didn't mean anything to him so he obviously heard when you argued."

  Valentina closed her eyes a moment. "I was hoping he was sedated enough that he couldn't hear us but I guess I was wrong. I'm going to have to talk to him when I come back. He shouldn't be worrying about her now. He doesn't need that kind of stress."

  "I agree with you and I'll help you however I can."

  They parted their ways and agreed to meet back for the following visiting hours. Alessia went back home and decided to do a little research on this girl with whom he'd had an affair and she now claimed to have had his child.

  She started with a search on Alessandro and she saw pictures of him on the arms of a multitude of women. She went through each picture to see if she recognized Emilia and she finally spotted one that was dated 3 years back. The caption below it gave her full name and as she started a fresh search linking both their names, a series of photos and articles appeared. The more Alessia read, the more she felt her heart sink at what was written in the magazines. They appeared as a couple for over six months and during that time, she'd declared to be madly in love with him. The photos showed him content and attentive to her, which meant that Emilia must have meant more to him than what he was telling her.

  This was not good! Emilia seemed to like the paparazzi's attention and posed for every shot given the opportunity. Then the magazines talked how their relationship ended but didn't mention why. There were plenty of assumptions - he had found another woman; she had found another man; they had grown apart - it went on and on but nothing concrete to indicate why they broke up.

  She needed to know what happened and it was when she decided to call Valentina to have the answers to her questions. She picked up her phone and dialled the number.

  "Alessia? Is som
ething wrong?"

  "No. I'm sorry but I needed to call you to have some answers about Alessandro and Emilia. I read about their relationship on the Internet and it appeared to be more than what Alessandro has told me. Why did they break up? What happened?" Alessia asked feeling the need to know the truth.

  "He found her with another man. That was why he broke it off with her but it really wasn't a strong relationship. I'd only seen her once and he wasn't in love with her as he is with you - you'll have to trust me on this!"

  "Yes, I understand but what if this really is his child? He'd have a chance to have a real family and more children with her. It's something I could never give him," Alessia said sadly knowing that she could never bear any children.

  "Alessia, you need to understand that Alessandro doesn't want anyone else in his life other than you, so it doesn't matter if someone else has given him a child. If the child is confirmed to be my brother's, then Alessandro will ensure the child will be part of his life but not the child's mother. He's through with her and she won't be back if she knows what's good for her."

  "That won't stop her from trying to get Alessandro back. I can see by the pictures that he cared about her more than he wants to admit and now there may be a child to bring them back together. I hope you see my side too. I won't stand in the way of a child having the possibility of having a mother and father in her life if that is possible."

  "Alessia - I can assure you that Alessandro has no interest in being with Emilia and I'm sure all Emilia wants is alimony for her daughter."

  "We'll see!"

  "Listen, we can talk more later but please don't think that she'll replace you in his life because that will never happen."

  "Thanks for the vote of confidence," Alessia said knowing that sometimes things just happened and you can't stand in the way. Only time will tell if she was really meant to be with Alessandro or not.