Checkmate

The Butler

I jolt awake, a scream slipping through my lips. I try to catch my breath but I find myself panicking as I look around me and see nothing but darkness.

Another small scream escapes me and start to rock myself. A light goes on after another minute and watch Alessandro sit up.

"What's wrong?" He rubs his eyes and looks at me, at first annoyed but then worried.
I couldn't find words but I felt his arm wrap around me, lifting me into his lap. He hushes me and moves his arms up and down mine slowly.

"What was it about? The nightmare?" He asks quietly.

I stopped panicking and sudden realization dawned on me. I slept! I look over to the digital clock that lay on the dresser and read the time as 5:37 AM.
"I slept" I take a deep breathe, "I slept" I repeat it and find Alessandro's face. His eyebrows are raised and his jaw is tight.
"Must be something about warmth" I mumble to myself and hear his chuckles vibrate through his stomach.

"Yes you did. But I didn't or I still need too" He gently places me back on my side of the bed and turns on his side, shutting off the light.

He turns back to face me. "Go to sleep" I close my eyes again but this time I can't fall asleep and I watch the ceiling for a few minutes.

"Alessandro pst" I whisper and poke his face. "PST PST PST PST PST" I poke his cheek and watch his hand grab mine.
"What" he groans through clenched teeth.
"I'm not sleepy anymore" I pull my hand away and watch him turn on his back, his eyes still closed. I wait a minute or two before bothering him again.
"Alessandro"
"Alright! I'm up" he gets up from the bed and walks towards the bathroom.

I hear the sink run and snuggle under the blankets. I cover every once of my body and even roll myself up like a sushi roll. I feel the heat of the cover and close my eyes.

I try to fall asleep. I think happy thoughts and think of sheep. I lay there shutting my eyes tighter and tighter. I open them and sigh.

"Wow I thought that was going to work." Alessandro is standing by the foot of the bed with his arms crossed, leaning against the bed post.

I frown and try to unwrap myself from the covers. He moves towards me and tries to grab the covers.

"Let...me ....help...you"

I pull away, "No!" I try to wriggle away from him and do it myself. He pulls the covers at the same time as me and I fall off the bed, tumbling onto him.

I fall straight onto his torso and I can feel his strong muscles under my fingers. I cough and try to get up but once again we try to get up at the same time and bang our foreheads together.

I fall back down onto his lap, sort of straddling his hips. He rubs his right temple.

"You're so clumsy" he says through clenched teeth.

"Well then don't hit my head with your head" I cross my arms and watch his muscles tense as he chuckles.

"You like looking at me, amore" he pulls me closer.
I open my mouth to answer. I watch him raise an eyebrow before a small knock resonates throughout the room.

"Yes?" He asks aloud.
"Mr. Vasquez has sent me to inform you that he is enjoying breakfast and would love your company" it sounds like the same man that spoke to us the night before but I can't be sure.

Alessandro assures him we are on our way and he leaves. I wait for Alessandro to bring in our bags from the car and as soon as he does I spring to the bathroom and lock the door.

I sigh and fall to the ground. Now that there was some kind of wall between us, I can finally concentrate.

I shower quickly and slip into a short flowery summer dress with lace sleeves. The dress is white with a floral pattern, leading into lace sleeves that are tinted with baby blue. The dress is knee length and I top it off with blue wedges.
I fix my hair and clip it back before going downstairs to meet Amodio and Alessandro.

I turn into a hallway and find the dining room empty. They moved breakfast outside into the porch where Alessandro is playing frisbee with a boy, no younger than ten.

"Have a seat please"
Amodio gestures me to sit and pours me a glass of water.

"Thank you. Who is that boy?" I ask and watch him smile.

"That is my youngest son, Jonathan" his smile grows bigger as he sips from his teacup.

I have pancakes and watch Alessandro play with Jonathan for about an hour before I'm finished. When I'm finished eating, Amodio turns his body to face me with a serious expression.

"Madeline" he pauses. He said my name almost like a whisper.

I raise and eyebrow and shrug, "I don't"

"Madeline, my dear did you honestly think that I wouldn't recognize Rosas only daughter?" I gulped and watch him lean over and place his arms around me in a hug.

"How?" I pull away and see Alessandro walk over, a worried expression on his face.

"Madeline, your mother was not always a monster. You are the reason for everything I do."
I pinch the bridge of my nose. "What are you talking about?"

"I know I was wrong, but Rosa and I were friends growing up and soon I betrayed my good friend, Marcus." He pauses and takes a deep breathe.

Alessandro is now standing next to me, his arms crossed. His expression cold as usual.

"What I'm trying to say is... Madeline, I have never interfered in your life before now but seeing you happily married I knew I had to tell you" he pauses again this time not able to look me in the eyes.

"Tell me what Amodio?" I ask pressing him. What on earth could he be talking about?

"Madeline," He finally makes eye contact and takes a breathe, " I'm your father."