After Their Story Began

Chapter 63

Aleksandr's POV

I just tucked Adriana into bed so I'm going up to the room I'm sharing with Mabel. Hopefully she's asleep.

I enter to find her sitting at the vanity putting something from a dropper on her face.

"What are you doing up?"

"Waiting for my dearly beloved." She responded sarcastically

"Are you still upset?"

"Yes, I am. If you don't start playing nice with the Lombardi's it'll only hurt the kids more. All Xander asked for was peace. The boys are trying way harder than you and it's not fair to them."

"What about what JJ wants?" I asked

"Adriana just wants to stir the pot and you let her. The boys have been through so much, I just don't understand why Adriana can't be less confrontational."

"What about what Adriana has been through? It's natural that you'd be closer to the boys but I won't tolerate you playing favorites."

"You're favoring Adriana over your boys."

"How by showing her attention? Don't tell me how to parent my kids Mabel." I snapped at her harshly

"Is it a crime to care about them?"

"No but neglecting Adriana is. Today is Adriana's campus tour and I want us to be supportive and positive."

"Can she manage that?"

"Seriously, what the fuck is your problem?" I raised my voice

"It's a genuine question. She's too aggressive for her own good."

"Why is Xander and Alessio allowed trauma responses but Adriana isn't?"

"I'm going to bed." She scoffed and climbed into bed

I rolled my eyes and attempted to crawl into bed

"You can sleep on the couch."

"I didn't do anything wrong. If you have a problem you can leave." I dismissed her

She childishly made a pillow barrier to separate our sides of the bed. The pillows however, weren't enough to keep her sleeping body on her side of the bed.

It's morning and her head is resting on my bare chest.

"Bambi, it's time to get up." I gently shake her

"How'd I end up over here?"

"I don't know. I just woke up."

We heard a knock at the door and yelled come in at the same time. Adriana entered

"Can we just skip the tour today?"

"Why don't you want to go?" I asked

"I don't want to share this moment with the Lombardi's."

"We traveled all this way for you. Don't you think you're being a little unfair to us too? Even Xander sucked it up."

"Xander sucked it up because you guys wanted to be there for him. Dad is the only one who's excited for me."

"All of us are." Mabel shook her head

"I share a wall with you guy so I heard your fight last night. I'm used to people favoring my siblings over me but I actually thought you liked me. Alas you we hoping I'd be another Xander or Alessio. This may be tragic news for you, but we all have to live with who I am."

"Adriana it's not like that-"

"You don't have to defend yourself. I'm not anyone's cup of tea. Dad probably only puts up with me cause I'm his heiress."