The Orphan And The Crown

14

I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces at his cold, brutal words.

"I wasn't thinking clearly and I shouldn't have done it. I wouldn't want to compromise our friendship."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.

"I agree. It was a mistake that shouldn't have happened. I'm glad we're on the same page." I smiled at him even though I was heartbroken.

He nodded. "How's things with Rafael? Are you two dating?"

"Not exactly dating but we're on the right path," I replied.

I could still feel the air crackle with tension around us. The conversation felt fake and forced. He wasn't acting like his usual self. He was the cold, arrogant Alessandro who caught me in the garden.

"I'm happy for you both." His eyes were emotionless.

"Thank you. How are things with Beatrice?" I asked.

"Very well, thank you. I've decided to give us a chance and put my all into it." He said.

I nodded and pretended as if his words had no effect on me.

"I have things to do. You and Beatrice can crack on with the planning." He said. He stood up and made his way to the door.

On cue, Beatrice walked in.

"Oh, my love. Don't you have elsewhere to be?" She asked, her voice sounding fake.

"Yes. I just came to greet Gia and to let her know you'd be here soon. I'll see you later." He told her.

He kissed her so passionately that Beatrice seemed shocked by his sudden passionate behavior. I instantly looked away, feeling tears well in the corners of my eyes. I couldn't  bare to see him kiss her with same intensity he kissed me.

They parted and she looked astounded. He walked out leaving just the two of us.

I was not in the mood for the meeting anymore. I just wanted to go home. All of this exhausted me. But more than anything, it caused me so much pain. I was an emotional wreck.

"Right, shall we get started?" I asked Beatrice and she nodded excitedly.

"After the meeting, let's go down to the chapel to get an idea of the setup." She said.

Lord give me strength.

ALESSANDRO'S POV

I went to Frogmore House and decided to work out. It was one of the things that helped me unleash my anger. Usually I would do something more harmful like break things but this time I decided to workout. I punched the punching bag wit all my might. How could the kiss mean nothing to her?

She didn't even seem phased or anything. She might not know it but she really hurt me. I was  tired of hiding my feelings from her. Not a second went by without me thinking of her. Her eyes always haunted me when I closed mine, the sound of her laughter always brought a smile to my face and the way she'd scrunch her nose every once in a while made my heart sprint. She was the drug that helped calm me down when I always felt angry. I was a very angry person, always plotting ways to destroy everything around me. But she knew how to calm me without knowing it.

I always thought of her as a friend until I came to the realization that I had feelings for her. She's the only person who can read through me and truly understand me better than anyone. I've never had such a connection with anyone. I always wondered what she was up to throughout the day when we weren't communicating.