| ALESSANDRO |

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y- T H R E E

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y -
T H R E E

We were seated on the balcony.
A bottle of champagne popped open next to an open cigar box and wet fruit on a silver-plate. The sun was dawning and I watched Alessandro smoke the Cubans as Gabriele chattered. It was actually quite nice to get to know his father. He wasn't as intimidating as his looks may gave off. In his heart, he actually was a wise, old, and kinda hot man, who ran his business in the underworld for a quite while now. He told me about what types of people one encounters, what he had to do in order to protect his family, and even a few cheesy childhood-stories from Brad and Alessandro. I really started to like this kind-hearted man, who looked too good for someone his age.

When Alessandro excused himself for an incoming- call from work and went inside, Gabriele stood up and walked over to the balcony railing.

"Mi figlia Yasmine. You know, I really miss Imran. Your father. Let me tell you a little bit about him. Once, when we were in college about your age, we were on a night out. We had a few drinks too much and were stumbling across the street when we were met by a group of men. A rival-gang. Not even too dangerous to begin with, but two of them abused me in my drunk state and held a gun to my throat. They said either him or me. Without hesitation, your father came forward and sacrificed himself for me. I was sure he had on a bullet-proof-vest or something to be able to make such a heroic and at the same time idiotic decision. Then we heard sirens and in a hurry, they shot him and let me go. Like the pussies they were, they ran off. Imran was badly injured, I immediately carried him to my car and brought him to the next hospital. Later when he woke up and they treated his wound. The rival-gang had just shot somewhere near his hip, the bastards couldn't even handle a gun. I checked if he had on a vest. To my surprise, he didn't. I asked him why he'd take the bullet. He just laughed it off and told me he'd beat the fuck out of me later", a smile crept onto his lips, small crows-feet making themselves appear in the corner of his green eyes."But the point is, he risked his life for me. He would have for anyone he loved. He loved only a few, Aaliyah your mother, his friends, and you. I remember when he called me, I was somewhere in Argentina and told me he has just received the most precious gift life could give him. A daughter. You, Yasmine. I still remember his words. Gabe, she looks like Aaliyah for god's sake she didn't get my big nose, man and you should see her hair, black as night and curly, like small spirals. He was so in love with you my daughter. Imran and Aaliyah loved you, don't ever forget that. Imran the courageous, loyal-man, and Aaliyah the smart beauty. You seem to have won the gene-lottery."

The sun was already down. Rough, large hands encircled my hips and tugged me backward against a hard body. I didn't notice Alessandro come in. He kissed my temple.

"Gattina, we should go", he whispered. I nodded. We said Gabriele goodbye and left.

Later we were sitting in the Lambo and were just driving around. Alessandro had his hand on my thigh, squeezing it now and then and we just remained in this comfortable silence. The landscape passed by in the window next to me and I felt the cool air coming from the cracked window hit my face. I noticed the surroundings to look quite familiar.

"Alessandro, wait", I said. He looked over.

"Could you drive up there and then stop?"

After a while, we reached the top of a small cliff and stopped. I unbuckled my belt and got out first walking towards the end of the cliff full of grass. From up here, you had a beautiful view of the busy city that never sleeps. The gleaming lights and mumbled noise coming from far away.

I noticed the Alessandros presence behind me and told him to sit down on the grass with me. He took off his jacket and played it down for me to sit on.

"What a gentleman", I nudged his shoulder making him chuckle.

"Why did you want to stop here anyway?"

"I used to come here as a teenager. Whenever I got a bad mark. my heart broken..", I felt him tense up, "or just to find a peaceful moment. It soothes me.

He positioned himself with his broad back facing me and then laid his head in my lap. I started stroking his beautiful face, he closed his eyes. I looked to the moon.

I wish I could freeze this moment.

"Ale, look a falling star! Man is this some sort of cliche wattled story?"

"What?", he gave me a confused look.

"Nothing. Have you seen it?"

"Si, make a wish amore."

Alessandro sat up and took my hand as I closed my eyes. I wished for this moment to last longer. To find Alessandro's mom and thanked God for all the blessings in my life. I kept my eyes closed for a bit longer. I wished for one thing more. One risky thing I had never done before.

After a long while, my eyes fluttered open because I remembered how ugly I looked with closed eyes. I saw Alessandro's eyes were still closed. I let him be and finally, after a while, he opened them.

"What took you so long"

"Nothing amore."

"Alessandro."

"Si gattina", I heard his deep voice next to my ear making me shudder.

"I-I l.."

He watched me intently, almost hopefully, the moon shining on his face and making me more uncomfortable and nervous as usual.
Yasmine just gets this over.
If things don't work out i'll just away in the middle of the night.

He now raised his eyebrows in impatience.

"I Iove you."
The world stopped moving. Fuck.

HEY, GUYS OH MAN IM MAKING PRETTTI REGULAR UPDATES. The wattys are up, if this story is complete ill ofc apply and there will be a part two to this story and maybe even three. I'm just telling you there will be deaths and new lives. xoxo