His Collateral

Chapter 15

The driver dropped me off at the house and I made my way in. The lights to the living room and hallways were all turned off except for one.

I walked into the kitchen to see Mary pulling out a bowl of food from the microwave.

"Mary." I called out to her

She smiled warmly. "Welcome back. How did it go?"

I walked over to the island and grabbed myself a sit. "It was okay. It was a fundraiser for cancer patients and I had never been to an event like that before, but I enjoyed it."

"I'm glad you did."

"I made you dinner. I didn't know if you would be hungry after so..." she trailed off

"I did have food at the event but I don't mind having a taste of yours." I smiled. She dished out a portion of brown rice with broccoli and beef sauce on the side and handed it to me. I took a spoon full of it.

"Mhmm Mary, this tastes really nice!" I exclaimed, taking another bite. She smiled and then looked around.

"Mr. Alessandro. He didn't come back with you?"

I shook my head. "He stayed back. He'll probably be back later."

She nodded and I kept eating in silence, a comfortable silence until I recalled what Mrs. Stella had said.

"Alessandro and his brother..."

"Mary, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure dear, go ahead." She replied

"Where are Alessandro's parents?" I asked

"They both passed away a long time ago." She answered

"And his brother? Where is he? I thought you said Alessandro was an only child?" I asked again and watched her face go pale almost immediately.

She stuttered on her words. " L..look Bella..." her hands were now on mine

"It is not in my place to tell you these things. I am sure that if sir Alessandro wanted you to know about his brother then he would've told you."

Like he would ever let me in on anything about his life.

Why am I bothered though? It is not like it affects me in anyway. I just really want to feed my curiosity.

"It's fine Mary. I was just curious." I managed a smile and got back to my food. When I was done, I helped Mary with the dishes before heading upstairs. In my room, I took off my dress and placed it in a hanger in the closet before hopping in the shower. I needed to get all that concealer off of me.

After about twenty minutes in there, I dried myself and slipped into a lilac cotton nightwear, shorts and shirt, I had bought and headed for the couch.

Once I was comfortable, my mind began drifting through all the activities of today. I began dozing off slowly after a few minutes when I heard the door to the room fly open. He's back and he turned on the lights to the room.

"Bella, wake up!" He said as he stood in the middle of the room, his tone laced with anger. I sat up and then stood up from the couch, walking towards home but keeping a safe distance.

I looked at him. His eyes were red and he reeked of alcohol.

"Take off your shirt." He ordered. I felt my heartbeat begin to increase.

"W-why?" I asked, maintaining even more distance.

"I said take your shirt off Bella!" He yelled.

"B..but Alessandro I—"

"So help me if I have to repeat myself Bella, I'll take it off my self." He warned, walking closer to me.

I took slow steps backwards, away from him, and my bracket met with the wall.

It happened in a second, I felt him grab my arm and yank me into the closet where there was a mirror.

A sob escaped my mouth as I slowly took hold of the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. Now bare in front him, he stood behind me, the room was deadpan silent for a minute, until he spoke up.

"Who did this to you?" He asked

I remained silent.

"Bella I said who did this to you?" He barked

"M..my famil-y"

Alessandro's POV:

We were still at the fundraising event. I had just donated some money to support the good cause. I stood at the opposite end of the hall, discussing with Mr. Robert and a few other business men but my eyes flickered occasionally to Bella who sat at our table with Mrs. Stella. She was smiling and laughing and I could tell that she was really enjoying herself. I tried to focus on the conversation I was having but I couldn't as my mind was consumed with Bella, her touch and the feeling of her body pressed against mine. I knew I was crossing a line that I, myself had set but I couldn't stop myself.

"Alessandro, is everything okay?" Mr. Robert asked

"You seem a bit distracted."

I shook my head. "No no, umm.. it's nothing. What were you saying again?" I asked and we continued talking until I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Christy was calling.

"Excuse me," I said to Mr. Robert

"I need to take this." I added and walked away.

"Hello, Alessandro." She said the moment I picked the call

"Yes Christy. Why did you call? Is something wrong?"

"We need to talk." She said sternly.

"Talk? About what?"

"Bella." She stated and my mood became almost too serious.

"What about Bella?" I asked trying to keep my voice steady

"There's something she's not telling you."

"And what would that be?"

"The scars on her back." Christy replied

"What are you talking about? What scars?"

"I was helping Bella get ready for the party," She said "And I saw some scars on her back. They looked like they had been made by a whip or a belt."

I felt my blood run cold and my grip on my phone tighten at Christy's words.

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure of what I saw Alessandro. She had asked me not to say anything to you but I couldn't keep this to myself. You have a right to know what's going on."

"I have to go. I need to talk to Bella"

"Alright."

"Thank you." I replied before ending the call. Immediately my eyes scanned the hall for Bella. I saw her walking beside Mrs. Stella and approached them immediately. Mrs Stella smiled at me and I nodded.

"If you don't mind Mrs. Stella, my wife and I would be taking our leave."

"That happened fast." She replied

She looked at Bella and it seemed like she was already fond of her.

"It was nice getting to know you Bella. I hope we'll meet again soon."

Then she turned to me. "You have a lovely wife here boy, keep her." And she left.

I looked at Bella and nodded in the direction of the door. We made our way out of the hotel where the driver was waiting. He got down and opened the door for Bella while I stood there watching.

If she had scars, then they would be visible in that dress but there was nothing.

"A..aren't you coming?" She asked, now inside the car

"No. I'll be back later." I replied and walked back into the hotel, not into the event hall, rather to their bar while trying to make sense of what I had seen- or hadn't seen.

"Three vodka shots please." I requested the bartender. I needed to think.

I pulled out my phone and called Christy. The bartender brought the drinks and I downed two cups before Christy picked on the fourth ring.

"Hello, Alessandro.."

"Did you get to talk to her about it? What did she say?" She spoke too quickly

"Calm down Christy. I haven't spoken to her yet." I replied

"Why?"

"I think you're mistaken. I didn't see anything on her back. She's putting on a sleeveless dress with a deep plunge at the back. If she had scars, it would have been on display for the whole world to see."

"I covered them."

I gulped down the last glass and requested one more. "What do you mean by you covered them?"

"Bella couldn't wear the dress earlier today and that was when she showed me the scars. So I helped her cover them up with makeup and that's why it wasn't visible in the dress, but it's there."

I felt my fists clench. "And you didn't mention this the first time?"

"I'm sorry, I—"

"I have to go. I need to talk to Bella." I ended the call, drinking the last shot of vodka before heading out. The driver was now back with the car. I got in and we headed back to the house.

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