Freeing my self from Adrian's arms as he slept I got up. The raspiness in my throat urged me to go to the kitchen for a glass of water. Drinking two full glasses I look out at the view.
Darkness illuminated with thousands of lights is all that I can see and I feel like my heart is silent yet screaming so loudly. As if being stuck in a world from where there is no escape. Tragedy after tragedy, if my life were an English Drama it would for sure win an Emmy.
"What has you awake?"
Adrian comes behind me as I look out the view. I stay silent and he knows what is going on in my mind.
Holding my hand, he asks me to sit while he grabs two glasses and a bottle of scotch. I stay silent because deep inside, my heart is going haywire. Normally, I wouldn't have gotten it in my head but Evelyn's words feel like an incessant echo in my head.
"Ailey what I am about to tell you is a dark dead secret, something no one has ever known other than the Vittorios. All I ask in return is for you to trust me".
I nod but stay silent.
"You remember Elaine don't you? My very lovable twin sister. She was the apple of everyone's eye. Things were beautiful. The perfect family. Dad wouldn't be so harsh with us we were living in peace".
He stops and drinks from his glass then looks at me.
"Elaine was just 19 years old when she wanted to marry. You always wondered why I hate Axcel so much? He, he was the one that Elaine fell in love with. My dad didn't approve of him. Neither did I? Then one night after fighting a lot with my father, Elaine rushed to her room, and Dad asked me to go and talk to her. I did want to but then decided to give her sometime to cool off".
I feel a bundle of nerves tie in my belly as Adrian closes his eyes as if trying to erase the memory.
"An hour later I knock on her door. She wasn't there Ailey! All there was in her room was a crumpled piece of paper which said that she couldn't live with these strict norms and conventional ways! She felt imprisoned. And that she is leaving for London with Axcel".
"I rushed down to inform Father about it but by then it was too late! Cracks had started to form in our once happy home. My father stood near the window his face was hard. He told me that his little Elaine was no more! My little sister was gone!
I gasp out loud as I bring my hands to my mouth. Trying to hold in my tears.
Knowing that I hadn't talked to her when he had asked me to an hour earlier he took out his anger on me! I was only 19 years old back then! A sophomore in College on Semester break! My father beat me till I had a few broken ribs, there were bruises on places I don't even remember and I was barely breathing. My mother of course begged my father to stop! If it weren't for her I might've not made it".
I burst out crying just hearing about the pain this man had to go through. Without thinking I hug him tight and he holds on to me.
I take his face in my hands and run my fingers on the back of his neck. He leans in to my touch and kisses my forehead.
"When I woke up my mother was by my side. She kept on crying. Told me my sister died on spot and she was fearful she would've lost me too! As for my father. He was nowhere to be seen, like always he had shut himself off".
I look up at him, "How did things resolve? What has this to do with Evelyn?"
"So much that you don't know, Ailey what I might say now may hurt you but it's something that I have found out. I can prove it with papers that my private investigator gave me".
"Adrian you are scaring me".
He takes another gulp of his scotch. Holds my hands and kisses them.
"You are breath of fresh air in my life Ailey. I need you always. My father when he went missing, he actually was having an affair. He cheated on my mother with...with".
"With whom?"
"With your aunt".
Silence. I feel the world has become completely silent. Void of all emotions.
"Ailey? Say something".
I hear Adrian speak. But I don't respond. No it can't be. Aunt Josie would never hurt Emma in such a bad way. I refuse to accept it. I look up at him it can't be true. Aunt Josie would never. She couldn't. This was all too much.
"Ailey?!"
I hear Adrian speak as I untangle myself from his arms and get up. Forgetting all about what Evelyn's role was my mind was stuck on both Aunt Josie and Emma and Mr. Vittorio. And the nerve of Adrian to say it with so much confidence without proof! His private investigator had to be wrong! Wait private investigator! He had an investigator all along and he didn't tell me!
"I can't believe you! Aunt Josie would never hurt anyone".
Adrian looks down his jaw tense. Then looks up and tries to move towards me but I create some space. Being near him hurts so much. The man I was falling head over heels for could say something so hurtful, so devastating! That too about someone who I loved so much. Who was like a mother figure to me!
I felt repulsed. I moved backwards. Tears on the verge to fall! I couldn't look at him.
"I am not lying Ailey. I'll prove it to you. I will just trust me. Please".
"Trust you?! You have broken me so many times Adrian. Countless, but every time I felt that there was a goodness within you. That you won't stoop to such a low level. You know Aunt Josie was the only one I had in this world. She was like a Mother to me for God's sake! Don't come near me!"
I yell out loud. My voice is coarse. I feel like my throat might turn into a sandpaper and my heart has been broken in so many pieces.
"You just won Adrian". I manage to say after a while, as tears fell down my face. "You once said that you would hate being Mrs. Vittorio, I just realised I don't hate it! I loathe it".
"Ailey please. Baby. I am so sorry. I-"
"Please don't."
"Ok would you believe me if I show you a proof?"
"I...she couldn't do this! She wouldn't".
I back away out of the living room. Adrian follows behind me but I stop him.
"I need some space Adrian. Some time to think. Please".
He looks at me. His eyes desperate. He runs a hand across his face. Then moves forward, kisses my forehead. Holding my gaze he looks at me intently.
"Ailey. All I ask from you is to give me a chance please".
I move out of his embrace. Turning my back to him. Because it is just too hard to look him in the eye. I shake my head.
"I wish it were that easy Adrian. Now its too late".
With that said I just walk away. My mind numb and my heart completely broken.
~The Next Morning~
The incessant buzzing of my phone wakes me up. I pick it up to find a hysterical Andrea on the other line. Worried for her health and safety I am immediately up and prancing around.
"What happened? Are the twins ok? Did Holder do something stupid?"
"Woah! Ailes I am fine. Holder is an idiot. I wanted to apologise to you for his rude behaviour."
"Oh that! Its fine I guess we both know how he is".
"Anyways. Ailey I am freaking out the wedding is in two days".
I smack my palm on my forehead. I had completely forgotten about this.
"Andy don't panic. Luckily we came to the hotel just yesterday. I'll manage the decorations and you can meet me here in an hour- we will get everything sorted".
I just have to keep my inner turmoil and Adrian's accusations about Aunt Josie at bay. My best friend needed me right now.
Wearing a pantsuit cause I felt the situation required it, I walked out. Adrian was fast asleep on the couch. From the looks of it I knew it had been a restless night for him.
Creases still formed on his forehead. I didn't want to wake him up. Looking at him hurt more than I thought. So quickly scribbling a note to tell him about my whereabouts because then again I didn't want him to ruin Andy's wedding I walked towards the elevator.
Reaching down. Cade was the first one to meet me in the lobby.
"Mrs. Vittorio, where are you going?"
"Do I have to answer to you too now?" I snap
"No Ma'am. But Mr. Vittorio has made strict rules about keeping you safe at all times. So I will be assisting you for the rest of the day".
To avoid more of an argument. I simply nod and move ahead as I see Andrea walking in with Holder beside her. Giving Andy a hug. Holder walks up to me and apologises.
I poke him with my elbow. And he hugs me with a smile.
After our small reunion the actual wedding shenanigans begin. From getting the caterer to the flowers, to picking up our dresses. Everything felt like a sequel of Mission Impossible.
But just with one day left. Instead of making it a funky bachelor/bachelorette party we decide to make it a simple and intimate movie night.
Getting back up to the Pent Suite. I look for Adrian. Finding him nowhere to be found I sigh a breath of exhaustion and relief.
Walking into our room. I grab a towel. My clothes and walk into the bathroom. Andrea and Holder would be here in two hours. There is still a lot to do.
So lost was I in thought that I didn't get to notice, that it was actually Adrian in the shower. With his wet hair slicked back and a towel around his waist. I felt my mouth dry.
Despite the fact I had averted my eyes. Adrian caught me staring and walked towards me. I backed a little, and he came forward. This carried on until I was stuck between him and the bathroom door.
"Adrian."
"Yeah?"
"What are you doing. I told you I need space".
Adrian smiled wickedly. Bringing his hand up he touched my neck. "You sure? Mia Bella?"
He grazed his fingers downward, from my neck. I looked up at him. He had no idea what his hands were doing.
"I-I".
Bringing his lips closer to my jaw he started to move down. Nibbling at my jaw. Then grazing the skin with his teeth. His hands moved further down. Unbuttoning my white shirt. Licking my neck. As I gave him more access he looks up at me, his eyes dark and all the playfulness is gone. So raw is his gaze that I feel compelled to kiss him be near him and so much more.
But then he stops. Creating a little space between us, he looks me in the eye. I feel betrayed all over again. The embarrassment feel right now makes me want to kick him and kiss him but I am too much of a wimp to do so.
His long fingers tip my chin upwards and I look him in the eye.
"Believe me every part of me wants you but I respect you more then my needs Ailey. I will wait for you".
Tears well up in my eyes and just like that Adrian walks out of the bathroom.
I feel my heartache for him. So I decide to do my own research once Andrea's wedding is over. That will be the first thing I do. Look up Aunt Josie's stuff. Find out the truth.
I can't let something like this destroy what Adrian and I have. After so long. I need to know the truth. About Mr. Vittorio, Elaine, Aunt Josie and Evelyn.
If not for me then at least for the man who I am insanely, madly and desperately in love with!
Whew! Thats all for today! Although guys please vote and comment. I want you guys to make the votes go up as high as they can! Sky is the limit right 😅
Anyways love ya all! Till then byee