ALICE ROMANO
I have been in the library all morning studying everything that a girl my age should have knowledge about and by far I like most of the subjects I guess it is because I was not able to study.
I was here studying the whole day when Ava(one of the maids) brought me lunch she is such a sweetheart.
I was tired studying all day I closed my books and went to my room and lay down on the bed closing my eyes and falling into a peaceful sleep
I was awakened by someone touching my head.
I open my eyes and see Ace standing near my bed I smile a little.
I get up from my sleeping position and sit "How are you Magnolia?" he asks
I nod "I am fine, you?"
" I am good" he smiles at me " Are you tired?" he asks me softly
"Yes I have been in the library all day" I say
"I know but you first have some dinner before you go to sleep " he says
"I had my lunch and I am not hungry can I skip today please?" I plead
he looks at me for a second " No you can't but you can have your dinner in your room today I will send Hazel with your dinner" he says
I nod at him "thank you Ace"
He kissed my forehead " she will be here in a few minutes don't sleep "
"ok" I say and he leaves
Five minutes later Hazel knocks on the door and comes into my room with a plate and a glass of juice.
"hello"
"Hi how are you feeling" she asks and hands me the plate filled with chicken alfredo.
" I am fine thank you what about you" I ask
We have small talk while eating, I finish and she leaves with the plate and glass wishing my good night. I hope the night would really be good.
I get up and change my clothes , my teeth and lie down waiting for one of my brother to come into my room so that I can snuggle with them.
Two hours pass by and no one comes in. I sigh maybe they forgot
Or maybe they think I am a burden to them ?
No I think it is because I am generally in one of their rooms.
I think they think that I am with one of them ? Does this make sense
I really hope they are not angry or upset with me. Is it because St-Father?
I don't know I really hope everything is fine. Are they fine did something happen to them?
I fell asleep thinking all these and for once I didn't have any NIGHTMARES.
I wake up and see Arthur beside me. I feel guilty for overthinking and happy that I was wrong.
I smiled I guess this is why I slept peacefully.
I slowly free myself from Arthur's tight protective grip and head towards the bathroom I do my morning routine.
I enter the kitchen I wish a good morning to Hazel and Ava and get a cup of water and head towards the dining and see the older brothers and Father sitting at their respected seats.
"good morning" I whisper quietly when I was behind Elijah
"Good morning bambina" Elijah says smiling at me. I smile back
I go and sit beside Alex, he looks at me "good morning Stella. How did you sleep?" he asks
"Good morning. I slept well and you?" I ask
"good" he says and sips his coffee.
I look around and see Ace and Father looking at me.
"Good morning Magnolia" Ace says
"Good morning" I smile.
I think today I am only going to say good morning to everyone
"What do you want for breakfast today?" he asks
I think for a sec "Pancakes"
He smiles at me and asks Ava to make pancakes for me.
I look around once again searching for a cute dog but I couldn't find him, turning to Alex I whisper "Where is Bruno"
"He is sleeping in my room" I nod and within few minutes all my brothers are seated on the dining table, I wish everyone a Good morning as they arrive.
Ava brings me my pancakes I thank her and start eating I feel someone staring at me and look up to find Steve staring at me, I try to ignore it but-
"Alice" Steve(Father ) calls me I look at him and wait for him to speak
"Is this the way to treat your elders?" he asks
I got confused and look at him not uttering a single word
"Answer me" he says angrily
"Can you just leave her and let her eat in peace?" Noah asks getting irritated by him
I look at him shocked. What is going on?
Father ignores Noah's comment and "I ASKED YOU SOMETHING" he shouts at me
"That's enough now" Alex says quietly
"This is my house boy and everyone here is supposed to respect me" Steve says
Ace clears his throat " This is not your house but surely everyone here respect you here if they are not respecting you, I would deal with them myself"
"well clearly I can see how you are dealing with things" Steve says
"He is dealing better than you were so you need not worry about anything" Arthur says
"Don't you dare speak to me like this and clearly Alice have been disrespecting me since I have arrived and being a father I will teach her how to respect people" Steve says
"Excuse me?" I say
"Yes you heard right just because you are my daughter doesn't mean I will be lenient with you" he says
I look around and see all my brothers glaring at him intensely while he is staring at me.
I look down at my lap trying to control my tears. What is this situation I am in without even doing any thing.
"It is all because of Steve" and a slap lands on my face which makes me fall on the floor
I look up at my plate and push it and I get up and start to leave
"Where do you think you are going while I am speaking to you" Steve says
What is his problem with me. I look at him with hatred
"Magnolia sit down baby" Ace says in a soft voice
I nod and say a quiet ok
there is a moment of silence which is broken by Ace saying "Dad we all respect you and we will always respect you but for a few days try to stay away from Alice this is all new to her."
"She is my daughter why would I STAY AWAY from my daughter I just want her to act normal and behave with me properly as she behaves with you all" he says
"We understand your feelings dad but it took time for her to be comfortable around us, so you should give her sometime too" Elijah says
"No I am not doing any of that and I AM HER FATHER do not try to teach me what to do with my daughter" He says
"I am her legal guardian so I am and I will keep her away from you" Ace says
he goes silent
"continue your breakfast everyone." Ace says
I look at Alex he smiles and nods at me and I continue to eat my delicious pancake
"Meet me in my office Magnolia and Elijah" Ace says