85.
Alessandro's POV
~ Hey, potato head! I'm right in your living room. Come down. ~
I chuckled, pushing my laptop backwards before standing up. My parrot sister was back.
I left the study room and on my way downstairs, I bumped into Amelia. I grabbed her arm before she could walk past me.
"Where are you going to? Why are you in such a hurry?" I asked, squinting my brows in suspicion.
"Uh..uh." she scratched the back of her head. "I.. I've caught a cold and I.. achoon!" She sneezed and I scoffed, grabbing her waist as I pulled her more into my body.
"We were on the same bed last night and I didn't see you show any symptoms of a fever?"
"Or...are you running from someone?" I peeped downstairs, "who got you scared?" I asked and that was when it dawned on me.
Adelaide texted me that she was downstairs. Did Amelia meet her too?
I knew Adelaide could be dramatic but she was nice too.
"Is it Adelaide?"
"The woman downstairs, you know her?" Amelia laughed nervously, "your look quite alike. Ah that's your sister? Great! I'd just remain upstairs while you talk." She tried to pull away but I held her firm.
"You're going with me." I knew she met her already and she was just so shy. Maybe Adelaide had started to ask too many questions. She was such a curious kitten.
"N..no!" She replied sharply, "I really have caught a cold."
"Just shush up and follow me. She doesn't bite." I dragged her downstairs and when we got there I was surprised to meet father there too.
His nose scrunched up in disgust when he set his eyes on Amelia. When did he arrive? Did he come here with Adelaide?
"Little Sandro." Adelaide beamed with a big smile as she slipped her arms around me in a tight hug, pecking my cheeks. "I've missed you. Gosh you've grown so tall." She slapped my shoulder.
I tried to put on a smile and hide the tension welling up within me. Father was here and it was bad news. I didn't want him scolding Amelia.
"Mel, wait for me upstairs." I told Amelia who kept fidgeting. She nodded but Adelaide grabbed her wrist before she could walk away.
"Hey, Amelia." Adelaide called and Amelia froze, turning around. "You've been acting strange since I arrived. Is there a problem? Aren't you Vivianne's nanny? The one I used to see in video calls? Come on give me a hug."
Amelia looked at me as if asking for permission but before I could say anything, she was already in Adelaide's embrace.
"Oh darling. Thanks for being always there for my daughter."
"Yeah," Vivianne chirped in, "Amelia deserves a lot of accolades. It's so sad I'd be leaving her too soon. I just wish she could go with us back to the USA." Vivianne pouted and Adelaide patted her shoulder, giving her a peck on the cheek.
She loved giving pecks. That had been her addiction since little and I often get annoyed when she did that to me in public back when we were in high school.
It made me feel like I was some kid.
"Amelia is Alessandro's worker so she can't follow us to the US." Adelaide told her, "we'd be here for a few more days so you don't have to bother, baby, uh?"
Father cleared his throat, taking a seat on the chaise lounge, crossing his legs. "Obviously she can never follow you to the US, granddaughter." He said and all eyes turned on him.
I could sense Amelia was uncomfortable and it'd be best if she left here. Maybe then father might stop with the tantrums.
"Amelia, please go wait in my room." I said and a scoff escaped father's lips as they contorted into a smirk.
"Since when did slaves started gaining entry to their master's room?" He shot up his eyebrows, his glare fixed on nowhere but Amelia's face. I knew he would kill her if he had the chance to but that would over my dead body. Amelia would never die on me.
Vivianne frowned, folding her arms. "Grandpa, Amelia isn't a slave. Why are you so harsh on her?"
Father shook his head. "You know nothing, my Anne. This is beyond your tender comprehension."
"Um, I'd take Vivianne upstairs now." Amelia mentioned, a nervous smile on her face. "Anne, come with me." She took her by the hand and left. I watched her back as she walked away.
How would she feel right now? She must feel so dejected by father's words.
"What brings you here, dad?" I finally turned to him, tucking my hands in my pockets.
"Should there be a reason for coming to my son's house? Don't tell me you would choose that slave over your own father?" He scoffed, hitting his walk stick on the floor.
"I made her my slave, yes but I only have the right to treat her that way. Not you, father. I thought we talked this over at your place." I shrugged, my eyes flashing with anger.
A confused expression settled on Adelaide's face as she looked between father and I.
"What's going on? Am I missing something here?"
There was silence and I kept ruffling my hair and cursing inwardly.
She turned to me, grabbing my arm, "what's it, San? I thought she was only your nanny, yo...."
"It would forever be a big pity that my two children have been so tactless and a shame to this family!" Father cut in, his voice sharp and piercing.
"What?" Adelaide's frown deepened. "Don't start father. I didn't come all the way from US to listen to you scold me."
"That's it! You guys never listen!" Father yelled, raising his voice in anger. "you keep sharing bed with different men, Adelaide and see what you've grown to be? Are you even happy? Is Vivianne happy with the turnout of things? You keep hooking up with different men who only jilt you."
"Dad!"
"You've never settled with the ones I pick for you. I'm afraid you both would lose your life like your mom and Vanessa if you keep acting reckless! I feel so guilty for not being able to protect them and now this? I'm doing everything to show you how much I do care for you guys but you're so blinded by some stupid love!" He scoffed, "love kills, don't you know? It makes you weak and a target to the enemy!"