Chapter 5 V

Dinner with the Ricci was very awkward. There was a weird tension in the air that could be cut even with a butter knife. 

I sat beside Alessandra and across Alessandro while Mr Ricci sat at the head of the table. The dining room has been silent for the past five minutes with nothing but the sound of clanging plates to fill the air.

Finally, to ease the awkward silence, Alessandra spoke first. "So brother, you haven't really told me about your time at California. How are our grand uncle and aunty are doing?"

Alessandro shrugged, "they are doing fine. They asked about you a lot Sandra. They want me to bring you along for a visit when I'm returning back to Cali."

"And do you plan to return?" Mr Ricci asked in a hard voice which caused the table to grow tense. As a stranger in their midst, it felt strange that I was listening to this conversation. I felt like I was intruding in a place I don't belong.

I watched Alessandro underneath my eyes lashes trying not to give away the fact that I was staring at him. I noticed how his fingers clenched against the metal spoon at Mr Ricci's question. His muscles bulge and his eyes twitch.

It didn't take a genuis to guess that he's annoyed. 

"There is nothing for me here father. I only came because I needed to see my sister and the man she wants to marry." He glanced up at me and I quickly look away so he won't catch the fact that I have been staring. "Of course I will be going back."

"Do you realize that I want you to take over my company? For how long will you continue this madness Alessandro?!" Mr Ricci yelled causing the table to flinch. I stared between the angry faces of Alessandro and Mr Ricci. Does this conversation have something to do with why Mr Ricci wants me to marry his daughter and take over his company?

"I already said no grandfather, and there is nothing you'll say to make me change my mind." Alessandro replied freely without an ounce of fear, and my admiration for him grew. 

All my life I've never met a person who fearlessly said no to Mr Ricci, but his grandson Alessandro Ricci seems to be breaking every rule in my book.

Mr Ricci was turning red with rage. He let his cutlery clang loudly against his plate and spoke through gritted teeth. "You are my only heir, my only grandson. But you've choose to be nothing but a disgrace to this family. Do you ever think about what you want to do in with your life, or do you plan on spending my money forever?!"

"I've never asked you for your money grandfather. I can survive on my own without depending on you. You have a lot of minions who you can pass your fortune and company to. If you want to force me to take over your company and make me one of your minions, then I'll rather you disown me."

"Brother!" Alessandra exclaimed shocked at his statement. Mr Ricci was fuming and Alessandra quickly faced her father. "Grandpa please calm down. This is not the right time nor place for you two to be fighting. We have a guest remember?"

They didn't seem to care about my presence, both grandfather and grandson were still glaring heatedly at each other. 

Mr Ricci stood up sharply. "I have lost my appetite!" With that he walked off with an air of authority. I stared after him feeling uncomfortable that he was just leaving like that. I had no idea if it's wise for me to follow him, but from all I've learnt about Mr Ricci in the past, it was best to let his anger calm down before going anywhere close to him.

"Brother, that was wrong of you." Alessandra's voice brought me back to the present. She was looking at Alessandro in disapproval and the guy in question was eating his meal.

He stopped chewing and stared at Alessandra blankly. "So now its my fault? Just because I don't want to do what he wants, I'm the bad guy?"

Alessandra sighed, "that's not what I'm saying Sandro. I only mean that grandpa wants the best for you, and..."

"I'm the only one who knows the best for me!" He snapped in anger. "I can't live my life doing what I hate just because grandfather wants me to. I can't live my life as grandpa's puppet, I'm not like you," he looked at me. Green eyes connecting with mine in an intense gaze that made it impossible for me to look away. He continued, "and I'm not like him."

My heart pounded knowing he was talking about me. Does he really see me as his grandfather's puppet? He barely even knows me. 

"That's so wrong of you to say brother. I'm...we are not grandfather's puppet." Alessandra defended.

He gave her a deadpan look. "Then why do you guys want to get married to each other? Do you even like each other?"

"I like Rowan! Father isn't forcing me to get married to him. It's my choice."

"And what about him?" He asked with his eyes still on me. "Do you want to marry my sister?"

I wanted to reply but Alessandra beat me to it. "Of course he likes me Sandro. We have both agreed to marry each other. Grandpa isn't forcing us to do anything!"

I don't agree with her, but I would have answered the same anyway. Mr Ricci made me who I am today. I can never go against him.

"Why don't you let him answer for himself?" Alessandro asked with raised brow.

"Because you're being rude, and I don't want you to make my boyfriend uncomfortable!"

Alessandro seem to have had enough of this madness. He rolled his eyes and stood up from the table leaving his meal unfinished. "I'm going to my room. It seems I lost my appetite as well."

He strolled out of the dining hall in the same direction Mr Ricci walked out earlier.

I looked at Alessandra who looks like she was having a very hard time. This fight between her brother and grandfather must have put her in a tight spot and I felt sorry for her.

I reached my hand towards hers and held it gently in mine. "Are you okay Alessandra?"

She ran a hand through her hair in frustration, but forced a smile. "Uh yeah, I'm fine."

But I knew she wasn't. I could see it in her eyes.

It seems like Alessandro's coming brought nothing but trouble, and seeing that her brother hates me, the best decision was to stay the hell away from him.