Chapter 6 VI

I had to walk Alessandra to her room because I was feeling reluctant to leave her when she looked so down. After Mr Ricci and Alessandro left the dining room, we tried to go on with our meal, but the air was already polluted with anger, frustration and annoyance. Alessandra toyed with her food all through the rest of the dinner, and I forced myself to eat even though the food tasted like chalk in my mouth.

Once we stood in front of her room, she smiled at me. I was relieved to see that she looks better now. "Thank you for staying till now and walking me to my room Rowan, and I'm sorry that my family made dinner uncomfortable for you."

I shook my head with a polite smile. "It's fine Alessandra. I just want to make sure you're okay."

She shrugged, "this isn't the first time they are having a fight like this. I think I'll survive."

I moved closer to her and took her hand in mine looking into her eyes with concern and care. "If you ever need someone to talk to, or need someone to lean on when it gets to hard, you can always call me. You know that right?"

She grinned at me, her face red. "You're too sweet Rowan. I hope you're only this sweet to me."

"Of course I am. You're my friend." I don't know why I chose to refer to her as a friend instead of my fiancee, but she doesn't seem to mind.

I watched her as she bit her lips slightly and looked at me in a weird way. Alessandra took a step closer which caused warning bells to ring loudly in my head.

What does she want to do?

"Rowan, would you..." She lifted her other hand to twirl my tie around her finger in a seductive manner. "...like to come into my room for a bit?"

I knew what she was doing. She's probably trying to seduce me, but that would work if I had some kind of feelings for her, or if I was even a tiny bit attracted to her, but the truth is I'm not and I don't think I ever will. To me Alessandra is just a friend. I don't know how our marriage deal is going to work out, but for right now, I can't be anything but a friend to her.

I slowly let go of her hand to hold unto the one twirling my tie. I gently brought it down to her side and let her go. "Maybe another time Alessandra. Its getting late and I have to go home."

Her expression turned sad and she quickly turned away from me. "Fine. See you around Rowan." She banged the door shut leaving me out there staring at her door in slight guilt.

How can I go on like this without hurting Alessandra? How can I tell her that I can't love her? I can pretend to love her, but that will not be fair to her.

I don't know what would become of all this, but for now I just have to go with the flow.

I sighed and walked away from Alessandra's room heading downstairs. For a moment I thought about going to say goodbye to Mr Ricci, but I figured I should just let it be. Right now Mr Ricci is in a bad mood after his fight with his grandson, and I don't want to unintentionally do something that might worsen his mood.

I'll just talk to him tomorrow.

As I headed towards the exit door of the mansion, a voice spoke behind me. "So, you're my grandfather's favorite puppet who he wouldn't stop bragging about."

I stopped in my tracks at the sound of that magnificent voice. My heart thundered in my chest and my eyes widened.

What the hell is Alessandro Ricci doing downstairs? I thought he had already gone to his room.

I thought about ignoring him and walking away, but that would only make me look like a coward, so I turned to face him.

My composure almost flattered again when my eyes caught those forest green ones. There was a smirk on his face which made my heart raced faster for some unknown reason. My eyes flickered to his arms which was still left bare in his tank top, and I tried not to swoon at his beautiful tattoos.

I shook my head to get rid of my stupid weird thoughts. Why the fuck would I swoon at his tattoo? This is not my first time seeing a tattooed arm.

"Do you like what you see?" He asked in that deep husky voice of his and took a sip of his drink. Only then did I realize he had a glass of something that looks like whiskey.

I cleared my throat quickly and looked away from his arm. "I was just leaving."

I turned to go, but that powerful voice stopped me again. "Why the rush? You should stay for a little chit chat with your brother in law."

"Its getting late." I replied simply hating the way he looked at me like I was a piece of puzzle he was trying to solve. He twirled his drink in his hand scrutinizing me with his head tilted with interest. Something about the way he looked at me so intensely made my whole body feel like it was on fire. 

I gulped down my nerves wondering why I was even still standing there. "I... I have to go."

"Do you love my sister?" He asked which made me halt again. 

He asked this too at the dining table and Alessandra answered for me. Is he that desperate to get the answer directly from my lips? 

Well I understand his side. Alessandra is his sister and he wants the best for her. But even though I'm not really in love with Alessandra, I would never hurt her intentionally. My respect for Mr Ricci is too great to do that. 

However, Alessandro doesn't need to know what I really feel for his sister. Its not his place.

I put on a brave face and reply to his question. "I know you care about Alessandra. I care about her too. You don't have to worry, she's in safe hands."

"That's not the question genius." He took some steps closer to me and my heart pounded with each steps he took. "The question is," he got closer and closer, and my heart beat faster and faster. "Do. You. Love. My sister?"

He was now in front of me and I had to crane my neck a little to look into his forest green eyes. Up close they were darker and more intense. I found it hard to keep looking, but I forced myself to even though it feels like his eyes were melting my very soul. I can't let him intimidate me.

I took in a deep breath trying not to show weakness. "Yes, I love her." I lied through my teeth.

Alessandro searched my face for something, and he must have found what he was looking for because he let out a pleased smile.

He leaned closer causing my heart beat to increase. I could have swore he heard it loud and clear. I stood stiff as a board as his lips reached my ears. 

I shivered when his hot breath hit the shell of my ear and he whispered. "We'll see about that."

Just like that, he pulled away and left me standing there as he made his way up stairs. It took a while to get my heart beat under control. 

I have no idea what that was all about, but it was enough sign for me to stay the hell away from Alessandro Ricci.

He is bad news!