“What happened, my love?” Elaine Garner asked, gently stroking his hair.
Alex narrated everything that happened since the time he left.
“I hurt her, Mama. I disappointed her. And, at some level, I think she’s probably right. I could be the reason Sophie was assaulted. How can I live with myself?” He felt broken inside.
“My love, the person behind all of this would have tried to hurt their family regardless of what you did. You did make a mistake by not telling them earlier, but you go back there and find out who did this.” There was love and determination in her eyes.
“She’s sitting alone in hospital, overwhelmed and confused with everything that is happening. Go to her, Alex. She’ll understand. Do everything you can to right this and it’ll be alright. Fight for your love, my darling. It’s not that easy, but it is worth it.”
Alex propped himself up on his elbows. He was deep in thought. His mind swirled with images of Arianna sitting in the hospital, worried beyond anything she’d ever been before. And his heart started beating fast. He wouldn’t abandon her. He would be by her side when she faced these challenges. He felt a surge of energy. He planted a kiss on Mama’s cheek.
“Thank you, Mama. For everything. I’m going to apologize to my girl.” He jumped off the bed and started moving towards the door.
“That’s my boy. Go for it,” his Mama called out.
Arianna stretched herself and looked at her phone. It was 8pm, past visiting hours. The doctor had no more updates for her; Sophie was resting and needed her sleep. She had nothing more to do there, yet she found her feet unable to move from the chair she was sitting on. She hoped against hope that Sophie would be up and fine in a few hours, but every time she peeked through the door, Sophie was lying on the bed, with machines beeping around her. It reminded her how close they had come to losing her, and she found herself losing control.
She looked up every time she heard footsteps, hoping Alex would come back. She hadn’t meant to get so upset at him. But the stress of the evening and anger at her father’s apathy had all come out on Alex. It was true, he had made a mistake, but surely he wouldn’t have anticipated something like this. Guilt at how she pushed him away started eating her.
I can’t believe I pushed him away like that. He was only trying to help.
She dialed his number, hoping he would respond, but the call went to voicemail. She sighed. She hugged herself, hoping her arms would provide her some comfort and warmth. A familiar voice made her heart jump and she looked up sharply.
“If you wanted a jacket, you should have just asked directly, instead of trying to send me away.” Alex smirked.
“Oh my God, you’re here,” she said, jumping into his arms. Alex hugged her tight. He had missed her.
“I’m sorry, Arianna. I didn’t tell you about this and it probably did have something to do with this incident. I’m really sorry.” His eyes were downcast. Arianna shook her head.
“No, no, no, no! I’m sorry. I just lashed out at you and tried to take all of my frustrations out on you. I’m so sorry.”
Alex swallowed and held her hand.
“Let’s call it quits then?” He stared at her. She blushed fiercely and nodded. She looked so beautiful even though she was under a lot of stress. He couldn’t resist. He slowly bent down and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Arianna sank deeper into his arms and he held her tight.
“Let’s go home, Ana,” he said. He heard a muffled ‘yes’ from her and they walked towards the nurse’s station. After getting assurances from the nurse for updates in case anything happened, they went to Alex’s car and drove home.
Alex parked and got out of the car. Arianna looked at him quizzically.
“Why are you getting down? Don’t you have to go home?” she asked, looking confused. Alex shook his head.
“I’m staying right here with you. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened.” His voice caught in his throat. The thoughts that were running in his mind were too painful. He brushed them aside. He looked at the doorway and saw Antonio waiting for them, his arms crossed. Alex walked up to Arianna, held her hand, and they walked towards Antonio.
“The police came a while ago. They lifted something from the field and that set off Oreo. I shut him in a room to stop his barking. They took my statement as well.” Antonio sounded irritated. Alex looked at Arianna and ran inside the house to unlock Oreo. He found him locked in the bathroom and hugged the canine. Oreo whimpered and wagged his tail. He followed Alex to the kitchen. Alex put some water in his bowl and Oreo lapped it up gratefully.
Antonio had managed to clear a little bit of the living room so it did not look like a hurricane had hit. Alex entered the living room to find Arianna leaning back on the sofa. Antonio was pacing. The atmosphere was very calm, and Alex supposed they had not found something to spar about.
“Arianna, we’d best be having dinner. It’s been a tiring day,” Alex said. Arianna nodded and pulled herself off the sofa. Alex turned to Antonio.
“Mr. Belmonte, have you eaten already? Will you be joining us?” Antonio shook his head. “I’ve eaten. I, uh, cooked some pasta and it’s on the table. It should be enough for you two.” He left Alex shocked. Alex couldn’t believe it. Arianna’s stuck up father had actually thought enough to make dinner and to make enough for the two of them. Shaking his head, he went to the kitchen.
Arianna stood there, stirring a pot which was full of pasta. The plump ravioli sat simmering in a heady pesto sauce. Alex’s mouth watered. The aroma of the pasta made him realize it had been a long time since he had eaten. He grabbed a couple of plates and spoons for them and looked into the pot.
That looks like it is enough for a lot more people.
He scooped himself a generous amount of pasta. He scooped some for Arianna and set it on the table while she poured juice into mugs. They ate in silence. Alex was surprised. The food tasted excellent. It was a very thoughtful gesture on Antonio’s part, to think about the two of them, and Alex appreciated it.
“He cooks when he is upset, you know,” Arianna said as she bit into a plump ravioli. Alex looked at her in marvel.
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“You kept looking dazed every time you took a bite. I figured that’s what you’d be thinking about.”
Alex smiled and stood up to take a second helping. That ravioli was seriously good.
I think delicious cooking runs in the family.
Antonio's behavior was seriously confusing Alex. If he could be so considerate when it came to Arianna, why was he so harsh when it came to Sophie?
“I don't get it, Arianna. What beef does Antonio have with Sophie? He seems to absolutely hate her.”
Arianna sighed. That was a question she wanted to ask her father too. He had treated her alright when she was a child, but ever since she had taken over, he had become churlish, accusatory, and downright hateful in his behavior.
“I don't know either. But I'm going to ask him today. If he's nice enough to make food for me, why can't he extend that courtesy to Sophie?”
Arianna stood up, set her plate in the sink, and walked to the living room with a purpose. Alex shook his head. When Arianna wanted to say something, she almost always did, without thinking.
Impulsive, that's the word I'm looking for. She's impulsive.
However, this wasn't the time for her to be fighting with Antonio and Alex realized that. He quickly finished his meal and walked out.
Antonio was resting on a comfortable rocking chair. His eyes were closed and his breathing was steady. He tried to hold Arianna back but she sat on the floor in front of him and stared. Alex hoped she wouldn't confront her father. This wasn't the right time. Thankfully, she seemed to have heard him because she asked Antonio very softly.
“Papa, why do you hate Sophie so much? What has she ever done to you? She's a wonderful daughter, even better than I am, so why are you so intent on hurting her every time?”
Antonio's nostrils flared. He opened his eyes and stared at Arianna. Alex thought he caught a brief expression of love, but it was gone and Antonio's brown eyes looked just as impatient as they always did.
“Arianna Gisele, whatever gives you enough gumption to ask your father question after question? Just who do you think you are? You're imagining things like you always do. I don't hate Sophie.” He rested his head back on the chair and stared at the ceiling.
“Because ever since she's taken over the winery, you've been nothing but beastly to her. I don't know what she's done wrong. She keeps clamoring for your respect, but you never seem to give it to her,” Arianna almost snapped.
Antonio sat up and sighed. He stared at her angrily.
“I don't hate Sophie, Arianna. Now that is the last thing I will say on the subject. Get out of here and rest. I need to think about some things.” He had dismissed her. Just like all those times she wanted to talk to him. He didn't consider her important enough to even indulge her questions. A surge of anger went through her body.
“Don't dismiss me, Papa. I am not moving from here without you telling me what the matter is. Something changed in the last five years because you, y-you were just not so beastly before. I don't think I even know who you are anymore.” She stared at him, surprised to find tears in her eyes.
“Antonio, you do need to give her an answer. If it is my presence that makes you awkward, I’ll move into another room. But Arianna, and even Sophie, deserves an answer.” Alex stood with his arms crossed.
Antonio looked flabbergasted. He kept staring at Arianna and Alex, and their determined stance annoyed him even further. Finally, he couldn’t take their stares any longer.
“I lost my son because of Sophie.” Antonio’s voice was hard.
“What?” Arianna stood up in disbelief. Out of everything that she would have expected him to say, this certainly didn’t make it on the list. “Tell me everything, Papa.”
Her father tried to stare her down but wasn’t successful. Arianna crossed her arms and waited impatiently. Antonio groaned in frustration, his momentary lapse of control proving to be his downfall.
“Your mother gave birth to twins when Sophie was born, a boy and a girl. We named him Niccolo. I was, uh, involved with some bad elements at that time, and things got very complicated.” He eyed them wearily, wondering whether to divulge more or not.
“I was involved too deep with this particular group and I tried to leave. As an act of retaliation…” Antonio choked back a sob, his face looking haggard. “They stole my son. They took him away, and I couldn’t do anything about it. By that time, Valentina and Giovanna had also been born. I could not take a chance. But on the day he was kidnapped, both Sophie and Niccolo were at the playground, playing on the swings. The group sent someone to kidnap both the children and somehow, Sophie started making a ruckus so they left her behind.” Arianna watched in horror as her irate father slipped into the role of a grieving man.
But that moment didn’t last too long. Antonio’s gruff behaviour returned. His voice turned sharp as usual.
“If only Sophie had not tried to fight back, it would have given Niccolo a chance to escape. He was an active child. He would have escaped. I had always wanted a son, and they took him away. Your mother fought with me that day for regretting having our daughter with us. My wife raised her voice with me, and for who? Sophie? I’ve despised having her controlling the winery when I know it should have gone to my Niccolo.” Antonio’s face was a bizarre mixture of revulsion and hatred for Sophie, and reverence for his son.
Arianna was disgusted. This was something very typical of her father. To find fault with someone else for his mistakes. But she was tired. Today had been a harsh day and she didn’t want to drag it any further.
“You know what, that sounds just like you. I’m done. This is too much for me to bear. I’m done with giving you chances and hoping you’ll take them. This, this is so typical of you. None of it was Sophie’s fault and you crucified her for this. I feel so ashamed, Papa. How can you hate her for your mistakes?” Arianna turned and ran to her room. Antonio and Alex both watched her go.
“Spit it out, whatever it is you have to say.” Antonio’s voice was laced with anger.
“I don’t comment until I know the whole story. I think there’s a lot more you’re not telling. Like how the son you lost felt real only when Sophie took over the winery, and how you’re glibly avoiding what you were truly involved in. From what I can see, things are far more serious than you’re admitting to.”
Alex left Antonio looking stricken.
15
Alex cautiously entered Arianna’s room. She was hunched on her bed, holding a stuffed toy. Her room was not very large, but had a huge window that opened to the vineyard. It was a stunning view. The grape vines looked surreal under moonlight. There was an overgrown rose bush just outside the window and the room smelled of roses.
“Hey, how are you doing?” Alex sat beside her. “The room smells wonderful. Did you plant the rose bush?”
“Yeah,” She walked to the window and bent over. Alex stood up and tried to gauge how deep the bush was. But it didn’t take Arianna long to pluck a few red roses. She sniffed one and sighed contentedly.
“Here, this one is for you.” She handed one rose to Alex. Alex’s heart jumped. She handed me a red rose?
“I think I planted this bush with Sophie around the time I left for college.” She smiled. “I forget where I got the idea; I mean, I don’t know if I saw a rose bush in another winery or whether it was…” She suddenly stopped, as if she remembered, and blushed.
“What was it?” Alex asked. Arianna blushed even more, shook her head, and bit her lip. Alex’s mouth went dry. He stroked her face with his thumb and she smiled.
“Whether it was someone who kept giving me beautiful red roses all the time,” she whispered. Alex turned beet red as he remembered giving her several big bouquets of roses when they went out. He didn’t know it had left such a big mark on her.
I just gave her roses because the other guys gave roses to their dates, and she held on to that love for so many years? I didn’t know something that I considered so insignificant could have such a big impact on her. How can I stop myself? I’m falling for you, Arianna. Falling harder than I ever have.
Alex needed her; no, he wanted her. He wanted to show her just how much he had fallen for her. He wanted to tell her just how beautiful she looked when she blushed like that. Instead, he pulled her close and kissed her.
He ran his hands slowly through her hair, taking his time to explore. She responded eagerly, surprising him with her intensity. He had thought she would go slow, but she was urgent in her need, and Alex was only too glad to comply.
His hands roamed over her body. She pulled his hair and he bit back a groan, because if he lost control, he would have her right there.
This isn’t the time; it’s probably the stress of the day.
He slowly withdrew from the kiss. He stared into Arianna’s eyes. Liquid pools of desire looked back at him and he felt his self-control slipping away. He groaned.
“What? What?” Arianna was breathless.
“Arianna,” he called out, his voice husky.
“Kiss me, Alex. Kiss my worries away,” she said. Alex softly kissed her forehead and pulled her close. He held her in his arms and they sat, snuggled into each other. Alex ran his hand down Arianna’s back.
“This feels so soothing,” Arianna mumbled. “You always know what I would like.” She reached for his face and kissed him softly.
I could stay in his arms forever. This feels so, so amazing. I’ve never felt like this.
She caught her thoughts. She wasn’t falling for Alex, was she? A voice inside told her it was far too late to be asking that question.
But we live far apart, and we’re two different people. Are we compatible?
She groaned inwardly. She had faced a similar conundrum when they were dating ten years ago.
I thought if we came back and picked up after or in college, it would be alright, my feelings would be more mature, but they’re as raw as they were back then. Does it ever get any different? Is this what it feels like?
Alex moved after a bit, as if to get up and shift to another room. It was getting quite late and Alex was here to make sure nothing else happened.
No! Where is he going? I want him to stay. I want to stay like this. Don’t go, Alex.
“Alex, Stay.” She stared at him, hoping he would. He sat still for a while, thought about it, nodded, and took his place on the bed.
“Hey, do you have some clothes I can borrow? I didn’t pick up any from home,” Alex asked.
“Yeah, there must be a t-shirt and some shorts somewhere,” she replied.
Where can I find a pair of shorts? Alex will fit into Papa’s shorts, but where does Papa keep them? Sophie would have known.
Arianna stopped and gulped. It was too painful thinking about her sister.
No, no, no. I promised I wouldn’t think about her. There’s nothing I can do about this. Snap out of this funk.
She picked an oversized t-shirt from her cupboard and handed it to him, and picked another one for herself. She walked to Sophie’s room and checked out the cupboards, hoping to find a pair of shorts that would fit Alex. She searched among the clothes and finally found a pair she thought would fit him.
Gotcha. I bet Alex would look so sexy in these. She squeezed her eyes, trying to get that thought out of her mind.
“Hey, here’s a pair of shorts. Go change,” Arianna said, walking into the room. She stopped. Alex had taken off his shirt and was changing when she walked in. Her mouth turned dry looking at his toned body.
OMG, he looks better than I thought he would. And I asked him to stay! She groaned inwardly. This night was going to test her control.
Alex put the t-shirt on, turned, and took the shorts from her hand.
“Thanks,” he said, his eyes twinkling. Electricity shot through her when their eyes met, and it took all the control she had to not jump into his arms and kiss him deep.
St. Helena Vineyard Series: Promise Me Forever (A St. Helena Thriller) (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Belmontes Book 1) Page 8