Maia

16

Word Count: 1324

-

MAIA'S POV

As my eyes slowly flutter open, the warm sunlight seeps into the room, casting a gentle glow that illuminates my skin and makes the soft blankets feel even cozier. "Good morning, principessa," I hear a soft voice whisper from beside me, his tone filled with warmth and relief. Turning toward the sound, I see Giovanni sitting in the chair next to my bed.

I glance around, taking in the room - there was a faint scent of lavender lingering in the air - and suddenly, a wave of confusion washes over me. My bed... how did I end up here?

The memories rush back to me in vivid detail. I see Alessandro pulling up to the school, and picking me up. He decided to treat me to ice cream and browse a local bookstore. But then, I noticed a guy trailing behind us, his intentions unclear but menacing. Heart racing, I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized he was getting closer, his gaze fixed on us. It was as if he was hunting us, intent on something sinister. Sudden gunshots pierced the air, forcing the car to halt. And Alessandro...where is Alessandro?

Tears start to fill my eyes as I turn to Giovanni, feeling a wave of panic. "Al? Where is Al?" I ask urgently, my voice shaking. Giovanni moves closer to me, his expression warm and reassuring. He gently wipes the tears streaming down my cheeks with his thumb and offers a comforting smile. "He's okay," he says softly. "He's in the office at the moment, focusing on some important tasks."

I take a deep breath and slowly nod, feeling a surge of emotion as I pull Gio into a tight embrace. For a moment, he seems taken aback, frozen in surprise. Then, gradually, he wraps his arms around me, gently rubbing my back in a soothing motion. Tears start to flow as I bury my face in his shirt, overwhelmed by a mix of relief and fear that crashes over me like a tidal wave.

After a moment, I pull back slightly, my voice trembling as I ask, "Where's... where is the guy?" I mumble into his chest, my hands gripping his shirt tightly, knuckles white with anxiety. The knot of fear in my stomach tightens, leaving me desperate for answers.

"He's gone. You don't need to worry about him anymore," he reassured me gently, the warmth of his voice wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. "You're safe now. We promise we're never going to let anything bad happen to you again." As he spoke, I felt a sense of relief washing over me.

I closed my eyes tightly, trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to escape, as his hand brushed delicately over an old bruise on my arm. A sharp pain shot through me, but I bit my cheek to suppress any sound, unwilling to break the fragile peace of the moment.

Resting my head against the fabric of his shirt, I let out a shuddering breath. I could feel the steady thump of his heart beneath the cloth, grounding me as I slowly nodded in response. We sat in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air, while fresh tears streamed down my cheeks, mingling with the remnants of fears.

"Can... can I see Alessandro?" I mumble into Gio's chest, my voice barely above a whisper. Even though Gio assured me that Alessandro is okay, I need to see him for myself to believe it.

Gio takes a moment, his grip on me loosening as he nods slowly. He steps back, then gestures with his hand, encouraging me to take it. With a shaky breath, I extend my hand to his, feeling the warmth and reassurance in his touch as he helps me to my feet.

As I stand up, I glance down and realize that I'm still wearing the same uniform from yesterday. The fabric feels stiff and uncomfortable against my skin.

"You can change first if you want," Gio suggests softly, his tone gentle and understanding. I shake my head vigorously, my desire to see Al overriding any thoughts of fresh clothes. I want to be there for him, and I can't wait any longer.

Gio meets my gaze, sensing my urgency, and he nods in agreement. He guides me out of the room, our footsteps echoing softly in the quiet hallway as we make our way toward Alessandro's office, each step increasing my anticipation.

I gently tap my knuckles against the door, the sound echoing softly in the quiet room. A moment later, I hear a shuffle from behind it before Alessandro's familiar voice calls out, "Come in." With a nod from Gio, he pushes the door open, and I step inside.

The sight before me is a familiar one: Al is seated at his desk, piles of paperwork scattered around him like a chaotic landscape. His brow is furrowed in concentration, and the weight of his stress is palpable in the air. I can't help but feel a rush of concern as I take in his weary expression.

Without thinking twice, I release Gio's hand and sprint across the room. In an instant, I envelop Al in a warm, tight hug, hoping to provide him some comfort. His body tenses for just a moment before he leans into me, and I can feel a hint of relief wash over him as we stand there, connected in the midst of his chaos.

"Maia, is everything okay?" he says. I nod into his chest as I cling to him tighter. Alessandro looks at Gio, confused.

Alessandro guides me toward a cozy couch nestled in the corner, but I stubbornly cling to him, unwilling to let go. As we settle into the soft cushions, he turns to me with a serious yet tender expression. He carefully cradles my face in his warm hands, his thumbs brushing lightly against my cheeks, wiping some tears away. "Maia, talk to me, Principessa, please," he says softly. "You're okay, you're okay, you're okay," I mumble repeatedly as I grip his suit jacket.

Gio moves to the other side of me, gently rubbing my back. "I think yesterday freaked her out," Gio said. Alessandro sighed and nodded. "You're alive," I mumble, and Al smiles softly.

"What happened yesterday?" I asked Al, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion. "We were driving along the highway, and then that... that guy... he suddenly pulled out a gun and shot at us. And... and you..." My voice broke as tears filled my eyes, and I could feel the weight of the moment crashing down on me. The memory was overwhelming, and I struggled to find the words to express the terror of what we had just been through.

I clutched Al's jacket tightly, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. He sighed heavily, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. "Look, Maia," he began, choosing his words with care, "your brothers and I are involved in a very influential business—a world that many men dream of entering, one that comes with its own set of challenges. You see, the kind of power we wield attracts attention, and not all of it is good. Every so often, we find ourselves targeted by some rather unpredictable individuals, people who are desperate or deranged. But I want you to understand that you're safe and we now have everything under control." Al stated.

"I have organized a bodyguard to accompany you for your safety and peace of mind. I'll be interviewing a few people soon, and they'll be joining you at school as well as accompanying you whenever you go outside the house from now on," Al explained and I nodded slowly.

I gently released Al's jacket, feeling the weight of the moment, as Gio led me back to my room to freshen up.

Don't forget to Vote and Comment!