Bianca
By the time six pm rolls around, I'm in my room composing some music for an orchestra night, my talk with Jacob still fresh in my mind.
I needed to tone it down.
And according to Jacob, I was far too overdramatic to know how to do that.
But I was going to prove him wrong.
"Miss Bianca?" Comes a voice from my open bedroom door.
"Bianca." I correct, turning towards Divya, one of the house maids who stands at my door. "Just call me Bianca."
She nods, and I watch the tension pour off of her as her posture relaxes. "Dinner's ready."
Divya was relatively young, about my age. Which was probably why I felt so comfortable around her. "Where is Alessio... and Liam?" I add after realizing that it'd be weird for me to be so curious about just Alessio's whereabouts.
"They will be joining. Mr. Galanti only ever misses a family dinner when he's away on business."
"Perfect. Thanks!" I beam up at her, my mood instantly lifting as I jump up and follow after her.
"Does my hair look okay?" I suddenly ask, realizing that in my fit of excitement, I didn't think to look in a mirror.
Divya tilts her head at me. "I don't think there's a single hair out of place."
I don't know how to interpret that, but I still send her a thankful smile before she turns towards the kitchen with a satisfied nod while I continue down the hall towards the dining room.
I straighten a hand down my outfit that consists of a vintage corset-type top and a pair of light-washed jeans.
Nothing special, and I worry that it's not cute enough as I make my way towards my seat next to Liam and adjacent to the head of the table.
The head of the table where Alessio sat.
I had thought myself lucky to have a seat so close to Alessio, but a quick look at the empty chair on the other side of Alessio tells me that no one liked to sit next to the boss.
I wonder why.
I greet Liam with a peck on his cheek, pushing down the little voice in my head that wants to greet Alessio the same, and instead, ignore his broad figure in a perfectly fitted white dress shirt, sitting in his chair, his attention focused on his phone.
It isn't until I take my seat that the man finally turns his head, acknowledging my presence. And when he does, he merely sends me a nod, his face blank, and I can tell even that action is forced.
I don't bother with a response, preoccupying myself with scooping food into my plate. I glance around the rest of the long table.
The table was far too large to be intimate, which explained why everyone was lost in conversation with the people near them.
I tune out Liam's conversation and begin eating my rigatoni, my corner of the table completely silent, and it has everything to do with the Italian Adonis next to me.
That is, until I decide to break it.
"Hey." I turn towards Alessio, swallowing the bite of my food, and send him a small, reserved smile. "I'm sorry about this morning." His attention moves up to me from his phone, and he raises a brow, urging me to continue, and I do.
"It's just that -" I set my utensils down and angle my body towards him. "In case you haven't noticed, I don't really have a good sense of boundaries. And I think I just got so excited because I finally felt comfortable around someone other than Liam for the first time since..." I look down at my lap, my voice cracking.
"Anyways, I didn't realize I came off too strong." I finish, clearing my throat and willing all the emotions away. He's silent, but I can feel his eyes on me. I look up, meeting his intense gaze, and my heart picks up under his scrutiny."I-I wasn't trying to snoop or anything. I just got too excited."
His eyes flicker across my face, and I hold my breath, suddenly knowing why no one wanted to sit next to him.
He could be so intimidating.
It seems like a lifetime passes before he nods in approval, his attention moving to his plate. "Thank you, Bianca. It took me by surprise, too, but it was extremely inappropriate." His tone is so stern that my heart drops at the lack of softness in his tone.
I want that soft voice and smile back.
I purse my lips and nod. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I realize I can be a little too much, and people often don't like it. I'll try to change." I say, genuinely upset with the whole situation.
I just had to go and ruin it.
He sighs and sets his fork down, turning his head back towards me. "You shouldn't have to change yourself for anyone else - let alone me. It'll take some adjusting, but be mindful of my privacy." His tone is still hard, but his words bring me some relief.
I smile up at him. "Will do, I promise." He doesn't return my smile, but he does give me a nod once again.
I resume eating, my lips tipping at the corners because I seem to be moving in the right direction.
Now, all I needed was to spend more time with him so that he could see how amazing I am.
Only a minute after he finishes his food, Alessio gets up and excuses himself, taking a phone call.
I stare after him, my smile dropping as disappointment settles in my chest. "I take it you like Alessio?" Liam asks from next to me.
I turn and send him a lopsided smile. "Yeah. I like him a lot."
He smiles, totally oblivious to the fact that how I liked Alessio was far from innocent. "I'm glad. He isn't the friendliest person, but he has been trying for your sake, my sake, and your mamá's." I momentarily feel guilty as I look at Liam, knowing he wouldn't approve of my plans.
"But I don't think he likes me all that much." I frown, pushing the guilt aside and focusing on what was important.
Getting him to like me.
"Nonsense. He just needs to get used to you. There's no way he wouldn't like you, Gaina, you're awesome." Liam smiles, nudging my elbow with his, yet my face is still apprehensive.
Liam then leans back in his chair and sighs, "Maybe you just need to spend some more time with him?"
I absentmindedly nod along, my mind wandering to my bruised ego.
"He's got meetings for the rest of the day, and he's got the gym booked for the rest of the night for his workout downstairs. So maybe you could find him tomorrow?" Liam offers, and my eyes light up.
"Yeah." I breathe, not hungry anymore, as I get up and excuse myself.
I make my way back up to my room and finish my homework, all the while making a mental note to work out later.
. . .
I wait until it's well past ten pm to change into a cute workout set before making my way towards the basement.
There are two doors at the end of the west hall that stand across from each other, on opposing walls. But they both lead into the basement.
One led down to the recreational area, like the gym, theatre, and game room.
And the other I have yet to explore.
I ignore the urge to explore and head down towards the gym. Walking through the wide hallway where blurred out glass sits alone on one wall, the gym door is located at the end of the hall.
The lights are on, and I spot a blurry figure through the window, telling me that Alessio's in there, and my nerves spike up in the best way possible.
Was this a little risky? Yes.
Did I give a shit? No.
Besides, I've thought this through. I was dressed in classic workout attire - fairly modest for what I was used to. A pair of baby blue leggings and a matching sports bra top with extra support that I needed for my larger chest.
I get to the door and peek through the section that isn't blurred out to make out Alessio's figure.
He's shirtless with his back to me as a pair of basketball shorts hangs low on his hips. A thin layer of sweat glistens on his beautiful skin, and his muscles contract as he lifts some sort of weight.
I had half a mind to just sit here and watch, but I snap myself out of it and push the door open.
The heavy glass barely gives way, and I have to put my entire weight into my push for it to crack open enough for me to get through, slamming shut with a thud just as I slip in.
But the corner of the door catches my heel, scraping it in the process. "Ouch. Stupid fucking door." I hiss under my breath, gritting my teeth and glancing back at it.
Regaining my composure, I turn only to come face-first with Alessio, who's now turned and eyeing me, a brow raised.
My body immediately tenses as embarrassment floods through. I just made a fool out of myself in front of him.
My embarrassment only further intensified the second he moved to grab a shirt and threw it on, covering his toned chest.
"Sorry," I say, diverting my eyes to study the rest of the large gym to act as though I'm scoping out the area. "I didn't know anyone else was in here." I lie.
Only when I look back towards him, his expression dries, and he simply stares at me, as if sensing my bullshit.
My heart rate spikes.
This was stupid. He was a mob boss. He could see right through my bullshit.
What was I thinking coming here?
"I'll come back another time," I mumble, turning around and reaching for the door.
I was bitching out, but I didn't care.
I grab the handle and yank it open, but the stupid door doesn't budge, and I'm left trying to yank open the door while I feel his less-than-impressed gaze on my back.
Until finally, he speaks. "Bianca?"
The way he says my name has me freezing. His voice is low, so deep, and his Italian accent peeks through as he pronounces my name.
"Yeah?" I breathe, turning around to stare at him.
He nods towards the other side of the room, his tongue poking his cheek and his eyes on my face, but he gives nothing away. "Exit door is over there."
I deflate, releasing a heavy breath. Not knowing if I should be disappointed or relieved at his response. I go with the latter. "Right."
I make my way towards the exit door and shake my head. Who the fuck needed two separate doors? One for entering and one for exiting?
Apparently, he did.
But just as I pass him, he releases the softest of sighs under his breath. "It's fine, you can stay. I'm almost done here, anyway."
I stop and send him a tight smile. I didn't actually want to work out. But I play it off. "It's okay. I don't want to impose. I'll wait-"
But he cuts me off with a look. It's hard and intimidating, while his voice is authoritative and final. "Go do your workout, Bianca."
I simply blink at him, hating the way he oozes so much dominance, but also hating the way I was compelled to listen to him.
To be honest, I hate working out. Aside from at-home exercises to keep my figure toned, I didn't work out. I only wanted to come in here and possibly work my way into working out with him.
But I fear he's far too perceptive to buy my act, and he'll see right through me. If he already doesn't.
I force a smile and move towards the closest machine I was somewhat familiar with - a treadmill. "Okay."
For the next little bit, I decide to play it safe and look busy just until he leaves, so I can slip out after him and wallow in a pool of self-pity at my plan backfiring.
I set the machine on an incline and keep a steady walking pace, busying myself with my phone while Alessio continues his workout. But I can't help the way my eyes drift towards him.
He's toned, muscular, and every time he pulls himself over the bar, his shoulder muscles contract beneath his shirt. He doesn't make weird faces or heavy breathing noises while doing his workout.
He's quiet, and aside from the slight flush of his cheeks and the dampening of his dark hair, he looks completely perfect.
But his hands gripping the metal bar are where my attention goes. Large, veiny with calloused fingers and a few gold rings.
His hands were perfect.
"You want to have a go?" His deep, rough voice shakes me out of my thoughts, and I snap my eyes up to him.
"What? No." I breathe, flushing slightly that he'd caught me staring at his hands. "Why would I want that?"
