Chapter 10

Alessandro's POV

Gabriele, Antonio, and I worked all night to find out who was responsible for the assault on Lisa. After three in the morning, Gabriele says he will call it a night and that it's better to continue the following day after we get some sleep. "He's right, Mr. Mancini. Let's sleep, and then we can investigate further tomorrow." Antonio tells me, but I didn't think it was a good idea. I was not convinced until Antonio persuaded me otherwise: "Alright, let's go to bed; we will continue this investigation first thing in the morning." I dismissed everyone. Antonio takes me up to my room after I said goodnight to Gabriele.

I was lying awake thinking how I could've prevented all of this had I just listened to Nonna, but my pride got in the way. Look where my arrogant attitude got her. Dammit, I should have asked Piero to return to the hospital to fetch my wife. What if something terrible had happened? What would I have told Lilani? My thoughts were interrupted by someone screaming. I quickly got up and felt my way to the door. The sound of crying became clear when I was in the hallway.

I go to Lisa's room, open her door, and feel my way to her bed.

Lisa was having a nightmare, probably about the attack; I lightly shook her. "Wake up, Lisa; it's just a bad dream," I said softly.

Lisa's POV

My eyes shot open once I felt someone shaking me. I realize it's Alessandro and start crying, holding on to him as if my life depends on it. "He... um... he was in the... uh... room..." I cried out. "Shh, Piccina, there is no one in the room; shh, you just had a bad dream", Alessandro comforts me. When I'm finally calmed down, I look up at Alessandro, embarrassed. "I am sorry for waking you up; your shirt is wet and full of snot." Alessandro holds me a while longer before saying, "Do you feel better now? Must I ask someone to get you something?"

"No, thank you. I think I will be alright now; sorry for waking you up." I softly say I'm still feeling embarrassed, but luckily Alessandro can't see me. "Alright then, if you are going to be okay, I will head back to bed, but in the morning, I want to hear everything that happened, Si." Alessandro says, and I nod. Lisa, he is blind; he can't see you! I scolded myself. "Yes," I softly reply.

"I will help you back to bed," I quickly offered. When Alessandro doesn't protest and instead holds out his hand, I take it and lead him back. Once in his room, as I was about to help him into bed, Alessandro lost his balance and landed on top of me on the bed. With our faces touching each other, I hold my breath, and my heart beats fast. This is the closest I have ever been to him, and I feel strangely excited about our position. Even though it hurts, I can smell his minty breath on my face, and I can feel his upper body pressed against my breasts, which is causing my nipples to become hard. Suddenly, I tried to get out from under him, but he just lay there, pinning me with his body. Then I hear Alessandro whisper huskily, "You should stop doing that, or you're going to make a certain member of my body wake up." His words caused my actions to immediately stop. I lay still, not moving an inch. Then he chuckles and stands up. "Thank you, Lisa; you should go now; we will talk in the morning," Alessandro says. I quickly get off the bed and make a run for my bedroom. Once inside, I fell to the bed and winched. I completely forgot about my bruised body, then whispered, "What the hell just happened?" After our encounter, I couldn't go back to sleep; I just played the scene repeatedly in my head.

After what seemed like forever, I finally drifted back to sleep, dreaming of Alessandro.

The following day, when I woke up, I still felt tired. I quickly went to the bathroom, did my business, and showered. I walk to my closet and can't decide what to wear. Finally, I decided on skinny white denim, a turquoise spaghetti strap flare shirt, and my Vans. I apply eyeliner and mascara, seeing how I don't like wearing too much makeup. I let my hair fall loose with its natural curls. I look in the mirror and head to the dining room. Just as I walk in, I hear Sophia whistle, "Dam, girl, you look hot." I blush at the remark and sit beside Alessandro.

Alessandro's POV

I immediately recognized her vanilla and honey scent. Last night, I had to restrain myself when I was on top of her. I could feel her breasts pressed against my chest, and the fact that she smelled so good did not help either. I wanted to take her there, and then, as soon as she left, I went to the shower because a cold shower would calm my excited member. Now I have to sit next to her again; this will be one hell of a day for me. Wait, I can't feel like this; I can't think of her that way, and I sure as hell can't fall in love with her. My heart only belongs to Bianca. "Alessandro, are you listening?" Gabriele's voice brings me back out of my thoughts.

"I... um... what did you say?" I ask stuttering. "I said Detective Guido would be here just after breakfast to talk to Lisa," Gabriele said again. "When he's here, send him and Lisa to my office," I tell him.

Soon after breakfast, Antonio announces Detective Guido's arrival. Once inside, the detective greeted us and began asking us questions. Lisa tries not to cry as she tells him about the attack. "I was sitting on the bench waiting for the next bus when a tall man with dirty blond hair walked up to me; he came and stood in front of me trying to make a conversation." Lisa took a big breath and continued, "I asked him just to leave me alone because I am a married woman. He then began to make remarks about how stupid my husband is for letting me stay out late, saying that my husband wouldn't mind sharing me. I started shifting up so that I could escape; when he got closer, I jumped up and started to run," She took another big breath. "He chased me and eventually caught up with me; he grabbed me by my neck and threw me against a wall, then he started kicking me and yelled at me being stupid. Then, bent down and wanting to rip my shirt apart, I suddenly realized that if I didn't fight back, this man was going to rape me. I bit hard on his hand, and when he was off me, I got up and kicked him in between his legs, and then I made a run for it while he was still lying on the floor. I think he tried to follow me. I saw a dumpster and hid inside. I don't know how long I was in there, but after a while, I got the courage to climb out. I made sure the coast was clear. I started walking, and that's when I realized I was lost. I don't know how I found my way home." Lisa sobs after recounting the events of last night.

Detective Guido asked Lisa if she could identify the man. Lisa replies with a small "Yes." I was silent the whole time. I could hear she was trying hard not to break down; I'm sure my knuckles turn white as I make a fist. I swear if I get this guy, I will make him pay for what he did. The detective got the man's description and told me he would be in touch. With that, he left.