An Angel's Redemption

Changed

I woke up to the smell of pancakes. I rubbed my eyes and stood up. ' Good morning everyone! '
' Morning, Allison! ' Carlo beamed. He was sitting on the bed, not doing anything. I then realized that Thomas was not there.
' Where is Thomas? '
' He said that he is going to meet someone. He said that person is a friend of yours and he wants that person to go here. He didn't say the name too. '
' You allowed him to bring someone here?! '
' He didn't ask me! '
I sighed and walked towards the dining table. The smell of the pancakes made me hungry. I sat down and asked Carlo to come and eat with me. Thank goodness his hand was not that burnt anymore and he could hold on to things now. Gratias Deo.
As we ate, we talked about our favorite foods and activities. We talked about how his life would change once we leave this hospital. The possibilities of what might happen to us if someone turns us in.
' I will never be able to forgive myself if something happens to you. ' Carlo said, smiling.
' Come what may, we will help each other. ' I replied, returning the smile.
' Come what may. ' He repeated.

The door hissed open and I saw someone I have not seen in a long time. I ran towards her and hugged her tight. It was Nicole. A friend that I have not seen for a long time since I left England to go to the United States to study at Harvard University.
Tears started to trickle down my face as I hugged her. I eyed Thomas and said ' Thank You. '

From the corner of my eye, I saw Carlo starting to cry. Why does he cry at everything? I thought.
I pulled away from her and wiped my tears away.
' Allison! I missed you so much! I see you met someone here at Rome. ' She said, raising an eyebrow.

' I haven't seen you in a long time. Are you sure you wanna do that now? Hahaha. I missed you too. Its been a long time, old friend. ' I said, laughing.
Nicole walked towards Carlo and said ' Good morning. Nice to meet you. '
' Hello. I see you and Allison are very great friends. My name is Carlo. ' Carlo replied, eyeing me.

' Don't hurt Ally or else. You'll get it from me, Carlo. ' Nicole said, trying not to laugh.

All of us were laughing hysterically. I started to hope times would always be like this but I knew it was impossible.
' Ally? ' Carlo asked.
' Yup. Its her nickname. Everyone calls her Ally back in England. ' Nicole replied.
' Ah, Ally? Can I call you Pip? ' Carlo asked.
    ' Wait, what? Pip? Cute name but why? ' I asked, laughing.

    ' Had a dog named Pip. She was a really fun, crazy, weird and cute. Hahaha. ' He said with a giggle.

    ' Wanna play that game huh? Okay. Ehem. Can I call you Cry Baby, Mr. Carlo Ventresca? ' I replied, trying to be serious.

    ' Okay okay. I'll just call you Ally. Please don't call me Cry baby. I beg of you. Hahaha. ' Carlo laughed.

    All of us were laughing. Thank goodness Nicole and Thomas brought some food. They brought Spaghetti and fried chicken wings. It was delicious. While we ate, all of us shared embarrassing stories in our childhoods. We had a great time. Nicole suddenly asked something that I never expected her to do so.
     ' You're Carlo Ventresca? The former Pope's Camerlengo?! '
     ' Yes, I am. ' Carlo replied, looking down.
      ' You're alive?! But...but how?! The Vatican announced this morning that you were dead due to your injuries but your body was missing! '
      ' Your dear friend here, Ally, saved me. Thomas, this is the story I forgot to say last night. '
      Once again, it was Carlo's storytelling session. Here we go, again. Don't fall asleep Allison. I reminded myself.

      ' I poisoned...the Pope. I was saddened by his reaction on my findings on the antimatter when I went to CERN to meet up with Leonardo Vetra. The Pope gave me a positive response. I felt betrayed. I felt that the church was betrayed. After the heroic fall at St.Peter's, I was told by Saverio Mortati that the former Pope was my...biological father. 
  ' He was your father? ' Thomas and Nicole asked at the same time.
  ' Yes and I regret everything I have done. ' Carlo replied, looking down.
  ' Horrified by the truth and my guilt, I burnt myself alive, hoping to die. ' He continued.
     I cut in.
    ' I saved him. I gave him a second chance. '
   ' I hope you didn't save him just because of his handsome face. Good thing his face was only slightly burned. ' Thomas joked.
    ' It is not the time for jokes, Thomas. ' Nicole added.
    ' Sorry. ' Thomas said.
   It was silent for a moment until Thomas broke it.
    ' Guys. I just remembered. We need to get Carlo out of here by today. '
     ' Where will I stay at? ' Carlo asked.
     ' You can stay at my place for the time being. Small apartment. Two bedrooms. If you want, I could adopt a dog. ' I said with a smile.
      ' Yeah! ' Carlo beamed.
     ' Sounds good. Carlo, we won't tell anyone okay? Stay safe and good luck to you. Contact me or Nicole when you need help if Ally is busy. ' Thomas added.

     We packed up and got ready to leave. I changed into a dress and wore a coat. I left the hospital for two hours and went to the salon. I grabbed some red hair dye and got a haircut. My hair was cut short to my shoulders and a lot of layers. The red hair dye was for Carlo. He needed a disguise. My hair got dyed from blonde to brown too. I looked totally different.

    When I entered Carlo's room, I saw that Carlo has changed into a sweater and some jeans. ' Wow. You look totally different. I didn't even recognize you! Did you get the hair dye? ' Carlo asked.
      ' Yup! I got you red hair dye. ' I replied.
      Nicole cut in.
      ' Wow! Ally is that you? You look so pretty!! '
      ' Hahaha. Very funny, Nicole. '
      ' I'm serious. You do! '

   We dyed Carlo's hair red while Thomas cleaned the room. After doing so, Carlo looked totally different. It was hard to recognize him as the former Pope's Camerlengo which was a good thing.
It was 7 p.m. and we left the hospital. We boarded my car and I took out my keys then turned on the engine. It was a leisurely ride. Thomas' house was just nearby. Nicole lived in his house for the time being. I parked my car in front of my apartment and we walked down the streets with Nicole and Thomas, enjoying the breeze. We shared jokes and had a great laugh. We called our squad " The Brave Souls ". Thomas picked that. No one noticed us. Thank You, my Lord.

We had to split up at the intersection. We said our goodbyes and headed towards our homes. I spotted my dog approaching us with its owner. It was Obi! She came running towards us and hugged Carlo's leg. I thanked the owner and then he left. I took out my keys and put it into the keyhole. The door hissed open and I turned on the lights. Carlo carried Obi into the house.
     We entered the apartment and I toured him around. My apartment was simple. Two floors and a few paintings. I showed him his room. His room was basically prepared. It had a table with a Bible on it and a king-sized bed. I kept that room always prepared in case I had a visitor. He put down his things and we had dinner on the dining table. After dinner, we sat on the couch and watched the news. Surprisingly, there was no news from the Vatican.
      I'm lucky to have a friend like you. I said in my mind.
      ' Nice house! ' He beamed.
      ' Thanks. Hey, its 9 p.m. now. I think its time to rest. Tomorrow is the start of our new life. ' I ended the conversation with that. I led him to his room.

      ' Goodnight. ' He said
      ' Goodnight to you too. ' I said, smiling.
       He returned a smile as I closed his door. I was surprised that Mr. Langdon has not yet contacted me.
       I walked over to my room and as soon as I walked inside, I fell asleep on the bed.

   
I hope you enjoyed today's chapter! :)