Brie's POV
The weekend that we were planning to do Janja's bachelorette party was postponed due to needing to be in a low profile for a week. Janja was highly disappointed but understood after certain events a couple of days ago.
Janja told Froot and me that the guys decided to go on a risky mission and pulled out a drug heist on the Latorio family, and because of those events is the reason we were in hiding in case there was some backlash with the other families. It shook me to the core because the only ones who knew about it were Ryan and me. I played it off like I didn't know anything about them both, but inside I was upset with Ryan. All these events showed that I shouldn't have trusted Ryan with the information as they decided to risk their lives and change their plans for some dumb mission. I should have just kept it to myself and fought harder to lie.
I glanced over to Janja and knew she was extremely upset that The Don didn't let her or Froot in on the heist and wanted to have a little blood on their hands. Now Janja wants to rebel and have a good time without giving a damn what The Don wanted after this.
Janja decided it was best to head to the basement on the other side of the estate where the gym was and to blow off some steam. I went ahead and joined them to see if it would help me feel any better. As we were working out, Janja was watching me and knew that I didn't know anything about self-defense, weapons, or any sort of protection. She then grabbed some archery gear and then had me come follow her and Froot.
We walked over to the archery and Froot demonstrated how to bow properly. As I was watching her, we both heard a commotion and glanced over to see some of the Castellano family members with Ryan and Simon. They glanced our way, but we didn't show anything but turned to what we were doing and continued like they weren't around.
Some of the Castellanos wanted to join in on our fun, but Janja told them to back off. When Vittorio didn't listen and got too close, Janja threw a knife at him and missed his shoulder by inches, hitting the nearest wall. All the guys then backed off and left us alone. I felt Ryan's glance towards me, but I didn't look his way and kept my back on him. As he was walking away to the opposite side of the gym where the pool tables were, I caught a glance and noticed he was in an arm sling. My only guess was from the heist that the gentlemen and he did.
"Honestly deserves it." I think to myself.
Janja and Froot then began teaching me about archery and working on hand placements. I nod focusing on every detail. They both were surprised that I knew where to put my hands on holding the bow and then watched me stretch the bow a perfect pull back. Janja got a little too excited and then asked me to try to take a shot.
Froot then ran to the closest target and placed a new paper target board. She ran back to us and then I drew back the archery weapon. I put the back of the bow towards my chin and found a good spot to line up my target. I take a deep breath waiting for the right moment to relax and then let go.
Glancing at the target, I pictured Ryan as being an asshole to me throughout this new world. I let go of the bow and watched the arrow then hit straight in the middle. Froot and Janja's mouths dropped, then let out a cheer. Blinking and seeing the target by itself once more, I surprised myself by making it on the first shot. The girls patted my back, and I couldn't help but glance at the guys. They all seemed to be nervous, including Ryan. I gave a smirk to all the guys and then turned back to the girls and grabbed some more bows to practice with.
Some time passed, the guys left early, and it was just the girls and me. We stayed around for a couple of hours working up a sweat. A lot of the targets I shot were within the range and I couldn't be happier learning it so quickly. My trouble now is trying to shoot and hit the target from a farther distance. Froot reassured me that it takes time and practice for me to get it. Then left the gym. Janja decided to head to the sauna room, leaving me alone in the gym.
I continued working on the bow some more as I heard footsteps behind me. Thinking it was Ryan, I said, "I just want to be left alone right now."
Alex then speaks up. "Sorry, I just thought you could use some company?"
I turned to see Alex as I held my bow and arrow. "Oh, I'm sorry Alex. I thought you were Ryan."
He shrugs his shoulders and glances at the target, "Did Ryan do something that I don't know about?" He asks.
"No, I just rather him just leave me alone. He has been driving me insane since I've been a part of the family. Just rude, judgmental, and doesn't respect any privacy whatsoever." I say then pull back the bow once more missing the target. I start to become frustrated and let out a sigh. I hear Alex giving a small chuckle and then walks closer to me.
"Like a protective brother, I presume?" Alex says and then grabs the bow from my hands and grabs an arrow. I step back presuming he wanted to practice too. I watch him and he makes the long shot at the fifty-yard line, not hitting the middle target, but at least getting the arrow on the paper. I raised my brow impressed and then quickly asked, "Can you teach me how to make that target?"
"This took me a lot of years. It's the same as what you are doing right now, just have to be patient on the timing." He says then gives me the bow back and then lets me take his standing spot. "Draw the bow back as you normally have it." He says kindly.
I do as he asks and then feel his hand on top of my left hand holding the bow steady for me. I feel my heart begin to pace with feeling his warm hand over mine. I tried hard to control myself from blushing. He then whispers in my ear to draw back. As I look for the right target, he then uses his free hand to have me relax my right shoulder to aim better. He asks me to take a deep breath and then to release. I let go of the string and watched the arrow soar into the air and hit the paper. It wasn't in the target, but I was excited to hit the paper again at the least.
He then let go of my hand and moved his hand off his shoulder to hug me from behind. It was a nice feeling and made me feel better. I glanced at him resting my head on his and hugged his arms in front of me. I feel him perking his head up to glance back at me. We get lost in the moment and I wondered if he would kiss me or not feeling a small spark in this moment. He then pulls himself closer to me and we kiss gently. Our lips parted and I couldn't help but smile trying to control my heart rate. I see him smile back at me and then let go of me from behind.
"So, remember that surprise that I told you about? When we went shopping for some new furniture and clothes when touring the city?" He says as I went to put away the bow on the wall.
"I do recall that. But we aren't allowed to leave the estate." I say in a curious tone walking back to him.
"Well, we are having dinner with the Castellano and Galante Families. But, after that, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to see your surprise?" He says as he grabs my hand.
"That sounds a little dangerous going behind 'The Dons back...'" I say in a teasing tone, but then I smile. "I think that is a wonderful idea!"
He kissed my left hand and grinned as well. "Then we have an arrangement. I'll meet you at the front of the estate at nine o'clock then!"
I smile at his gesture. "It's a date," I say happily. He then let go of my hand watching his blue eyes dance into mine. I watch him walk away to what I presumed to get ready for dinner. I smile feeling over the moon excited about tonight's events. Janja finally came out of the sauna room and began coughing.
"Shit girl! I fell asleep in there," She shouts laughing to herself covered in sweat.
"I'm sorry! I should have checked in on you, but I was focused on hitting the target.
She glanced to the far one and was surprised. "Damn girl, you didn't just put an arrow on the paper out of frustration, did you?" She says jokingly panting out of breath.
I laugh then say, "Nah, practice makes perfect. I'll get to the target one of these days."
She nods and then looks at the time. "I got a message that the Castellano and Galante families are coming over for dinner. I may just hide out in my room as I'm still not happy with certain events.
I nod wondering if I could do it too and then sneak out with Alex earlier that evening. "Could I stay in my room too? I found a good book that I would rather read tonight."
"Hell yeah! You aren't forced to do anything you don't want to. Besides, it's really for the 'men' celebrating a new pay cut between the families anyways." She says once more annoyed by the whole dinner and we both walk out of the gym.
I nod happily. "I think I will do that."
"I would join you girl, but I would rather play some shooting games on my game console." She says honestly.
"It's all good girl. I'll catch up with you soon!" I say then we walk in different directions toward our rooms.
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After a nice cool shower and putting on some casual jeans and a t-shirt, I awaited sitting on the balcony catching up on reading some new books. I finished the book, "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman and wiped away the tears. I was surprised by how the story ended, but it was worth the read. I glanced at the time seeing it was nine in the evening. I creaked my opened the door and saw that there still was a large crowd noise coming from the dining hall. I was a little paranoid as I feared that Ryan would be out lurking to make sure I was still in my room or some stupid shit.
I pressed the intercom and asked for a maid to be my lookout so I could sneak out without Ryan seeing me. She did a wonderful job and told me she didn't see him around. So, I casually walked to the front door and out onto the front steps. To my surprise, Alex was outside waiting for me in casual clothes, which took me by surprise as I was used to him in a suit or his doctor's jacket.
"You made it. I was beginning to worry." He says with a smile.
"I got nervous a bit. Plus, I didn't want to run into Ryan again."
"I don't blame you. Let's go ahead and go before the dinner people come out and suspect our mischief." He says teasingly. I laugh and then get inside the passenger side. He turns on his car and then we head out and leave the estate.
As we get down the road, Alex glances at his dashboard as he reads a text. "Do you have Brie with you?" It reads.
I glanced at the message and watched to see what Alex would say. "Nope." He says back and sends the message. I drop my mouth some surprised by his actions. "You just lied to Ryan? You have just made my day!" I say laughing afterwards.
He then turns off his notifications and then drives to what seems to be a tall brick building. We get out of the car and walk into the place. It was completely dark, and I couldn't see anything.
Alex then turned on the lights and it seemed to be like a hallway of sorts looking like a school. I was a little confused. "What are we doing here?" I ask.
"I wanted to let you know that The Don was looking for a new preschool built for our family to attend to. And he wanted you in charge of this building." He says as he walks towards me.
I looked around the halls and couldn't hide my smile anymore. I then walk excitedly towards the hallways and check out one of the classrooms. It was already furnished and seemed to be ready to go with classes. Alex showed me around all of the classrooms and I was over the moon and excited about it all. Then we headed downstairs, and it seemed to be where the extra gymnasium and playground were where they could play sports or whatever anyone wished.
He then brought me back upstairs and showed me a door reading, "Owner and Manager Brie Sicilian" on the title of the door. I was eager to look inside, and I saw all the items that we had bought when we went shopping the first time that we toured the city. The couches, the rugs, the plants, the desk; it was all here.
"Alex, I'm so surprised. I don't know what to say..." I say trying not to tear up in happiness. He then approaches me closely and grabs a free hand of mine.
"You deserve all of this and more. I think you would make a wonderful teacher. And when you get your degree, you will be in charge of this school. Once and for all." He says staring into my eyes.
Right then I just felt like everything was falling into place. I wanted to kiss him in excitement, and I saw in his eyes he wanted to as well. But suddenly reality set in as his phone rang and he knew he had to answer it. I let go of his hand for him to answer the phone. It was the hospital calling him.
I looked at him long and hard as he talked to the other person on the phone. I honestly thought it would work out for the both of us this time around, but I feel like with his work, and the family would always be in the middle of our moments. This here of what we have won't work. I would want someone to sacrifice being with me and making it to where there was no compromise. But it won't if I stay with him. And I wouldn't want him to choose between me or his career and job. And what are the chances he would resent me possibly in the future for choosing me over his career? Why sacrifice his career for me? I wouldn't put him through that.
He finished the call and looked at my questionable face. He let out a sigh and seemed to understand my feelings.
"Being in my shoes is just so damn hard, Brie... I can drop everything for you if you would have me though?" He says seemingly begging me to say yes. With tears in my eyes, I shake my head no.
"I don't want you giving up your whole life because of me. Your job and your family are your whole world. We just met one another during a good season, I can't just be someone for you to drop. It would be -"
"It would be a second chance for me. For something that I didn't do with Charlotte that I should have done in the beginning." He interrupted me raising some of his voice, obviously hurt.
"I just don't feel like I am enough for you, Alex. I feel like there is a better girl out there, who understands your background and work history and can be tolerable for it. I just feel like I would have to make you choose. And I won't make you choose." I say with tears in my eyes. "It's better for us to just stay as friends. I can't keep doing this back-and-forth thing. "
Alex wanted to protest and to plea and beg more, but he seemed to let it go. He let out a sigh and then nodded as he embraced me into a hug in the office. "I just want to give you the world Brie. I love and do care about you."
I couldn't stop the tears. I couldn't stop my heart from breaking, but I knew that I had to do this. We then let go of one another and he goes over to the desk to offer me a tissue. I clean my face up some and then we leave the school and lock it up. We both remained silent throughout the trip and then headed back to the estate late at night. We walked up the steps and then walked back into our bedrooms and said a quiet goodnight to one another.
I didn't change or take a shower. I just rushed into my bed and cried and hugged my body for the rest of the night.