Secrets & Lies

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"Sorry about the hot wife." Johann said smiling. "Do you think now that she is available she would go out with me." Alex looked at his oldest friend in the world not believing what he was hearing. "Too soon?" Johann finished laughing.

"Not funny." Alex said walking away to join his father who was about to be joined by Tony.

"Tony I'm not sure what there is to say." Lars said.

"I can't say that I'm sorry about events Lars." Tony replied.

"Mr. Princiotto I'm sorry things didn't work out. I can't even begin to understand what Gia and I have put you through and you papa, but I can assure you that I love Gia, I still do it's just that we weren't ready for all of this." Alex said gesturing toward all the beautifully set tables where the wedding guests were talking quietly among themselves.

"I just came to let you know my family and I will be leaving almost immediately. Thank your wife for all of the work she went to, it was greatly appreciated by my daughter." Tony finished before walking away.

"Be grateful son that you won't have to deal with those American's ever again." Lars said before going to join his wife and tell her the good news. Alex stood there looking out over the crowd thinking about the events. He was relieved on the one hand about not having to deal with a baby, but sad on the other for losing the love of his life. He couldn't understand why he kept losing the women he thought he loved. After Hanna left him he thought that if he had a goal for his life things would be different. Now he had a goal and was determined to see it through but it didn't help because he had still lost Gia. Alex began to think that it was not meant for him to find true love after all. As he looked out at his friends and family he decided right then and there never to fall in love again with anyone. His life would be about his family and his career so he would never have to feel this way again; rejected and heart broken.

Gia was relieved to see her family arrive back in the hotel room, "Thank God! What did they say? Where they angry? I'm so sorry for putting you all through this."

"It's fine. No one said anything terrible. Lars was a bit rude, but nothing I wouldn't have expected." Tony told her.

"I just can't wait to leave this place." Maggie replied as they all started putting things away in their suitcases.

"I need to go back to the suite and pack up my things, but Alex has the key." Gia said quietly from across the room.

"Can't you just call him and have him meet you there?" Maggie asked.

"I...I guess, I...I just...I just don't know what to say exactly." Gia stammered.

"Tell him to bring you the key so you can get your stuff make it simple no long explanations are needed." Nick offered. Gia walked over to the phone and dialed his number holding her breath as she did it.

"Hello?" Alex said after a few rings.

"Alex, I need to get back into the suite to get my things. Could you meet me there?" Gia said sadly into the phone.

"Sure I'll be right up." Alex said and hung up without saying goodbye.

"He said he would be right up, I guess I should head up there as well." Gia said walking slowly to the door.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Nick asked concerned.

"No I'll be fine." She answered opening the door and exiting the room. It wasn't long before she exited the elevator and headed to the Royal Suite door. She wasn't sure if Alex was already there and should knock or just wait in the hallway until he came out of the elevator. As she stood in front of the door debating what to do she heard the elevator ding and the doors open. Alex came walking down the corridor looking as handsome as ever. Just looking at him made her heart skip a beat with the love she still possessed for him.

"Hey!" She said by way of greeting.

"Hey." He responded stopping in front of the door.

"Thank you for doing this." Gia said.

"It's no problem." He answered opening the door and letting her in.

"Alex?" Gia said hopeful.

"Hmmm?"

"Could you do me another favor?"

"Sure."

"Would you mind undoing all these buttons I can't get the dress off any other way."

"Sure." Alex answered walking over towards her. They were both very quiet as Alex slowly undid each button down the back of the gown. It was a slow process both of them thinking that they should say something, but neither of them knew what to say exactly. Alex finally finished and saw the lingerie that was underneath, "Wow! That lingerie is truly amazing. I know I said it before but seriously."

"Alex...I...I don't know...what to say exactly...I...I just...I just wish that we had more time together." Gia finally stammered.

"Maybe we could start again when term begins in a few weeks. Maybe go more slowly this time and not rush into anything so soon." Alex offered slightly hopeful.

"I won't be returning to Oxford." Gia said holding the dress against her breasts.

"Why not?" Alex asked confused.

"I don't think that I could stand being there with everything that has happened. I think it will be best for me to just go back to the states and start all over." Gia tried explaining.

"I know what you mean." Alex said stepping away from her and moving back toward the door.

"Alex!" Gia said not wanting him to leave her just yet.

"Yea?" He answered turning back to her.

"I wish...I wish..."

"What do you wish?"

"I wish...that things had turned out differently." She finished.

"So do I." Alex said and continued to the door.

"Don't go!" Gia yelled running to him and throwing herself in his arms again. "I can't bear the thought of never seeing you or having you hold me or kiss me again." Gia said as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Shhh Tjej. I know how you feel. I love you more than I could ever tell you, and I will miss holding you and kissing you and making love to you. But I have to believe that we are making the right choice." Alex said as tears came to his eyes.

"I know, but I love you so much." Gia sobbed.

"I will always love you, never forget that." Alex cried into her luscious dark locks. He held her tight to his chest and she held onto him for dear life, neither wanting to pull away first but both knowing it had to happen. This is what they had chosen whether they were ready to part or not.

"Kiss me?" Gia asked looking up into his eyes. Alex leaned down and kissed her their tears mixing together.

Finally Alex pulled away, "Goodbye Gia, I love you." He said and walked out of the room tears flowing freely down his cheeks. Gia leaned against the closed door sliding to the floor sobbing uncontrollably, her first and only true love now gone never to be reclaimed. She placed her had on her flat belly and said a silent prayer to God that she didn't miscarry this baby so she would always have a piece of Alex with her even though she had given up the man.