CONQUERING ALESSIO

CHAPTER 3

ALESSIO....

He is sitting inside his office going through some paperwork when he hears a knock on the door.He is not in the mood for any chit chat today or any bad news,his dad this morning told him some news that doesn't sit well with him.There is a possibility that he has found Brielle....his so called mother.

If he is honest with himself he wants absolutely nothing to do with his mom,she left a scar on his heart that isn't repairable....by anyone.The knock came again. Frustrated he says."Enter!"When he saw it's Ava he wishes he had soften his tone a bit,now she'll nag him to find out what's bothering him and if he can tell her,she'll be so happy to hear their mother is alive and that there's a possibility that she'll come back.

Without saying anything,she throws herself on his couch with her head flung back and an arm over her eyes."I have work to finish Ava....you can't come and sleep in here." Alessio hears her deep sigh and he knows something is wrong."Talk."

When it comes to his sister,he somehow manages to contain his temper and remain calm....with anyone else it's a disaster.With Ava he isn't the cold,calculated, heartless bastard that everyone says he is....and he wonders what's going to happen the day his sister falls in love....he won't accept or like it one bit.

"I spoke to papi."She said breaking his thoughts,he knows his father told her about their mother."And I want to ask you a question?" She sat upright to face him.He kept quiet and waited for her to continue. "Would you like mom to come back?"

The pen he's holding between his fingers broke in half.He expected the question and now that she has asked it....he doesn't even know how to answer it.He is conflicted between keeping his sister happy and choosing if his so called mother should come back.

He knows having their mother back would mean the world to Ava because she has always wished for the return of their mother and now that possibility is there.....he has to choose between his hatred towards his mom and that of keeping his sister happy.

"What do you wish?"He asked instead."Your happiness comes first forget about me."

"You know what my answer will be brother."She stood from the couch and walked over to the window."I don't think mom left because she wanted to abandon us.In a way I can understand her decision and we'll never know what really went through her mind if we don't find out and ask her."

Ava has always sided with their mother's choice and he hasn't they see things differently.He is more practical and factual...while she is emotional....and emotions is something that is foreign to him."Well she had fifteen years to come back and give us an explanation about her actions and she hasn't.For me that's enough an answer."

"Alessio-..."

"Whatever you decide I'll support you."He spoke over her, because he knows his sister will try to convince him otherwise and he doesn't need convincing.Fifteen years is a long time,and in that time he has done a lot of thinking."But make no mistake if she can return she's nothing more to me than a stranger.You my family, padre is along with bisnonna,zia Arielle,zio Marco and the rest of the close family friends we have.That's it."

"I will never force you to choose Alessio but I won't choose either she is our mother and if padre brings her home I'll treat her as such. I suppose asking you to go along with father is too much."

"I'm the new Don,there are more important things that need my attention and as you can see there's alot of paperwork I need to handle.You have a job too don't forget that and I expect a full report on Valetti Corp and Enterprises financial records. Dealing with the legal businesses is your department,I'll handle the rest."

And just like that he ended their conversation,Ava stood for a few more minutes her gaze holding his."Of course Don."Hearing her call him that stings,it burns.Him and Ava have never been formal with each other and now hearing her words....it pains him. He can be angry at the world....the world can be angry at him....but his bond with his sister he'll never sacrifice it for anything or anyone.