His Collateral

Chapter 8

I stretched my legs, sitting up on the couch. My eyes scanned the room as I rubbed sleep out of them.

It was empty.

Last night was terrible. I was freezing and couldn't count how many times I'd almost fallen off the couch. My body was aching terribly. I stood up to go to the bathroom and felt a sharp sting in both my knees. Maybe folding them for so long wasn't a good idea. It took a while before I was able to walk without limping. I brushed my teeth and took a shower avoiding the injury under my leg, before going over to the walk in closet to pick an outfit for the day. I scanned through the drawers when a sudden realization hit me.

"No!" I cursed under my breath as I stared at my clothe and underwear drawer.

It had slipped my mind that there were only a few pairs here. I stood there, in a towel thinking of what I was going to do. I didn't want to ask Alessandro. He doesn't like me plus it would be really embarrassing but I didn't have any money either. I mentally argued with myself for over an hour before deciding on what to do.

It wouldn't hurt to ask, right?

I hurriedly picked out a woolen ash color long sleeve top and a pair of black leggings to match. I put on my underwear and threw the clothes on. Then I combed my wet hair out and rolled it into a bun before heading out to look for Alessandro. On my way, I practiced what I was going to tell him.

"Alessandro I don't have that much underwear left."

No, no..

"Alessandro, I'm out of undies."

Worse

"Alessandro I'm running out of underwear. I didn't get to pack after the wedding and-"

I face palmed myself. What was I saying? I walked by his office and decided to check if he was in there first. I stood outside his door, taking in a huge breath to calm myself down. Then I knocked on the door and waited for a response but there was none. I knocked again and waited.

Still no reply.

Curiously, I twisted the door knob and peeked inside but it was empty.

Where did he go?

I went downstairs to the kitchen where Mary was preparing breakfast.

"Good morning Mary." I greeted leaning on the island.

"Morning Bella. Breakfast will be ready soon." She smiled

"Okay-" I paused before asking

"Have you seen Alessandro anywhere? He's not in his office."

She looked at me smiling subtly. "He's probably in the pool."

Pool? I've never seen one here.

Because you haven't bothered to check.

"Where is it?" I asked her

"Down that passage on the right." She replied pointing to a hallway behind the stairs on the right. I thanked her and walked off in that direction. It was a long hallway beautifully decorated with paintings and nice flower pots. There were a few doors as well but I didn't bother opening them. I reached the end of the hallway where there was a huge glass door. Carefully, I opened it and slid out to find myself in the lovely backyard I had seen from his office the other day. It looked even larger now that I was down here.

I was standing on an enormous porch with a fire place and a round white, eight seater sofa. There was also a barbecue grill and wooden dining table. I was looking around the place in awe when I noticed a pool on the far left of the backyard. I was quite far from it and couldn't make out if someone was in it or not so I walked out of the porch and went towards the pool. The day was not too hot due to the light breeze. On getting closer I could make out Alessandro's figure splashing through the water. The sunlight, playing on the surface of his skin as it broke through the water. My eyes followed him carefully. His every stroke, every turn, every splash. I was so engrossed watching him that I hadn't noticed him approach me. He was out of the pool, drying his hair with a towel as he walked in my direction.

Now it's the time Bella. Find the right words.

He got to where I stood as expected but instead of stopping he continued walking towards the house.

Didn't he see me?

I turned around to look at him. He was still walking. I mustered up courage and called out to him.

"Alessandro." He paused , looking ahead for a minute before turning back to look at me. Disgust evident on his face.

"What is it?" He asked, his steely eyes piercing through mine.

I haven't even said anything yet. Do I irritate him that much?

"I..I ... my-" I stuttered

"Words Bella! I don't have all day." He raised his voice a bit making me flinch.

"My underwear!" I blurted out possibly making him more irritated. He looked at me waiting for me to continue.

"I... I'm running out. I wasn't able t-to pack after t-the wedding." I said looking anywhere but at him. There was a lingering silence in the air, neither of us saying a word to each other. I took a small peek at him and noticed the way he was boring holes into my head with his eyes before speaking up.

"There's a credit card on the bedside table. A driver would take you to the mall when you're ready. Buy whatever you need and be back before five." He said and continued walking towards the porch.

It took everything in me not to scream a big thank you until his words sunk in.

The mall? I had never been to the mall before. I was planning on going to the small thrift store close to Uncles house. I knew my way around there very well.

"Wait!" I said stopping him in his tracks once more. He turned to me, looking like he could snap any second.

"I..have never been to the mall. I don't know my w-way around." I said, fidgeting with my fingers.

"And that's my problem how?" He asked looking pissed.

"I.. was wondering if I could go to the thrift store back at home or maybe go with Mary."

"No." He said blankly and continued walking while I trailed behind him slowly.

"I wouldn't know where to look." We were now on the porch.

"And I..I thought if I could g..go to a place I was already familiar with..."

He turned to face me, standing dangerously close as he stared down at my small figure.

"Read my lips Bella, you're not wearing thrifted clothes in my house and neither is Mary going anywhere with you." He stated firmly.

"Mary is a maid in my house. I don't pay her so you could make her your personal walk buddy. If you don't wish to go then sit down." He added and without another word he stormed into the house.

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