Chapter 24: His birthday
“Please, forgive me” He pleaded and she smiled then burst into laughter.
“Wanna spend the day at my house?”
“Not sure, I skipped work yesterday and today I’ve got tons of things to do… but I could spend the night at your place” She added when she saw his dejected look.
“Really! Thanks, you’re the best” He said happily and pushed the gift towards her.
“This isn’t from any anonymous person, it’s from you right?” She curved a brow and he burst into laughter.
“Let’s start the day’s job fast so we can have lots of time to make dinner ourselves” He urged, grabbing her back as they headed to their first studio for magazine pictures.
“You look too beautiful, even girls are envious of your beauty” He complimented as they walked out of the studio, Alessio who was chattering was struggling to catch up with them and Alessandro stuck his tongue out at him.
“That’s the last for today, now we have all day to ourselves” Isabelle muttered, giving herself a pat.
“No, there’s Liam. He asked about you today and want to go on a date with you” Alessio informed.
“Tell Liam I’m on leave. You should take a break. How’s that cute boyfriend of yours, don’t you miss him?” She was distracted and Alessio became engrossed with telling her about their dates.
“You should go on a date today, the weather looks good for dates” Alessandro added and Alessio’s eyes beamed, he twirled around and left the office humming.
Alessandro opened his door and was shocked when a pleasant aroma hit his nose. Damn that slut, he thought going to the kitchen, ready to pounce on her.
“Biggest brother!” Diamond screamed and ran to hug Alessandro who was looking shocked and confused.
“My little baby” His mother, Loretta called, coming out of the kitchen with a plate of soup.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” He asked, still shocked.
“Why would you ask her such a question, won’t you introduce us to this beauty here? Wait, you look familiar, I know you. You’re ISABELLE LUCA! Ahhhh! I’m a very big fan, I love your movies, love your pictures, I just love everything about you! Am I hallucinating? Is this real? Someone help me before I pass out..” Diamond chartered and pretended to slump.
“Mom, this is Isabelle, she’s my boss” Alessandro introduced, trying to think of what was running through her mind.
“You brought your boss to your house, isn’t it weird. This is all fishy. I saw her hand wrapped around your neck a few minutes ago. Is she really your boss?” Diamond teased.
“You never told us about this boss of yours and you didn’t tell us that she was this hot, tell me how you met her, I don’t want any details left out” His mother pestered and he groaned.
“Sorry, I’m Diamond. His cute little sister, I know he’s very grumpy but he doesn’t look bad, he would make a fine boyfriend” Diamond began matchmaking and Isabelle smiled.
“Let’s forget about my brother, now can I have your autograph, can I take a few pictures with you. Can I be on your live video… Can I marry you! Can I stay with you forever” Diamond blabbered and Isabelle giggled.
“Hello dear, I’m Loretta and it’s nice to meet you. Any friend of Alessandro is a friend of ours already” Loretta hugged her warmly and her heart swelled with joy, his family were a bit crazy but they were the perfect type she wished for.
“Did I just hear you say friend? Wow, for the first time in years, Alessandro has a friend though I doubt if she’s just a friend” Raymond mocked, walking inside the house.
“What are you all doing here?” Alessandro demanded, going crazy already.
“I’m Raymond, her fiancée and his best friend. It’s awfully nice to meet you, I’ve heard of your name both day and night, Diamond is obsessed with you” Raymond disclosed and Alessandro frowned.
“Would you like to have dinner with us?” Loretta asked and everyone turned to look at the silent Isabelle.
“Sure, I’m so honored to meet you all” She replied and Loretta hugged her.
“Alessandro is a burden most times, don’t give him too much attention. Would you like to have soup, I’m sorry but I made his favorite. Maybe tomorrow I could make yours”
“Mom, there will be no tomorrow because you’re coming back to Miami soon. Why are you here? Is anything wrong?”
“No, everything is fine. Dad sent his regards. We came to give you a surprise and we’re sure you’ve forgotten that tomorrow is your birthday” Diamond disclosed and Alessandro nodded, holding his forehead.
“I’m sure it skipped his mind but now that we’re here, we would give him the best of the very best. He’s gonna enjoy this part” His mother disclosed and he groaned.
“Mom thanks a lot for reminding me, now y’all can go back”
“Go back even after meeting Isabelle? Hell no, there’s so much to do dear, we could go for pedicures. We could go to the spa, go shopping, lunch, dinner dates and lots of other things. How did you make him start working for you?” Loretta blurted and Isabelle smiled.
“My father employed him”
“Do you love him?” Diamond blurted and everyone turned silent, Loretta looking at her with big eyes and Alessandro shocked to the core.
“No, he’s just a friend,” Isabelle replied after a few seconds of silence.
“Come dear, let’s go eat” His mother led her to the dinning, ignoring her son who was fuming.
“Do you wanna know about his childhood? He was one nasty stubborn kid. Grandparents always saved the best punishments for him and I the best gifts” Diamond boasted.
“Was he that stubborn?” Isabelle requested and Diamond widened her eyes.
“Very stubborn, had lots of tricks up his sleeves then. One day, he placed a rabbit in his principal’s office, another he placed a snake in a girls locker…. she rejected him” She whispered the last part and the whole girls burst into laughter as his face swelled with anger.
“Mom, tell Diamond to stop,” He complained.
“Oh give us a break, it’s your birthday. What’s it without a little taunting? I remember how you made fun of Diamond on hers” Loretta replied mischievously.
“But mum, she’s embarrassing me in front of my boss” He whined and Loretta burst into laughter.
“Wait until I tell her about your first date. Alessandro was so shy on that day he rang all the way from school to the house when she kissed him”
“He bored us out with details about their love when they began dating, Damn it was hard to have peace in the house as Alessandro was always lurking around the corner, ready to narrate his love life to anybody” Loretta exposed and Isabelle chuckled, staring at him with shock.
“I think it’s time for Isabelle to go home” He declared, Diamond stared at her with sad puppy eyes while Loretta and Raymond tried to conceal their smiles.
“No, I can stay for the night”
“WHAT! You wanna stay here for the night and join them in driving me crazy?!”
“Don’t be rude, she’s your guest and boss. She’s always to stay for even a month” Loretta corrected with a grin as she packed the dishes.
“Oh, I have so much to tell you about Alessandro. Did you know that he was an ugly duck when he was little? He used big ugly glasses and everyone made jest of him that’s why he suddenly decided to be a guard” Diamond disclosed and Isabelle’s heart tightened.
She wondered how sad his school life must have been for him, being taunted every day.
“Tell me about yourself”
“What do you wish to know?” Isabelle retorted, short of words.
“Okay. Do you have a boyfriend? What other movie would you act in? Are you just acting temporarily or you would start building up your career…”
“That’s enough, it’s time for bed” Alessandro chided and Diamond made a face at him.
“Have you forgotten the family ritual? It’s time for some naughty questions and answers!” Diamond screamed and Isabelle laughed.
She was enjoying their company and wished she grew up around these amazing people, not her cold aunt and nagging husband.
“Well we can’t today because Isabelle is here, she needs to sleep very early because we have lots of work tomorrow now good night, get your things and haul your ass out of my house tomorrow” He muttered and began pushing her towards the room.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
“Now Isabelle, you also get the opportunity to ask him one naughty question. It’s like a dream come true. This guy would never spill anything about his life until he is pestered. Alessandro Steffiano Jamie, leave your sister alone” Loretta giggled when Isabelle burst into laughter and he groaned.
“Let’s start with my question, ladies first!” Diamond pleaded and her mother frowned.
“No, we’ll start with Isabelle”
“Oh.. okay.. H.. How many ladies have you been with since you started working for me?” She asked nervously and all eyes watched Alessandro, waiting for his answer.
“Just one”
His response shocked her.
“Wow! I thought you were a big flirt, what’s come over you?” Diamond demanded with surprise and Loretta covered her mouth.
“That’s an awfully nice compliment” He replied sarcastically.
“Do you find your boss attractive?” Diamond threw and Isabelle gasped.
“Yes, I do,” He replied firmly, throwing her a shady gaze.
“Really? Tell me what’s going on in your mind? What part of her body do you like the most? Do you stare at her whenever she’s not looking? Do you think of her everyday?” Diamond pestered and Loretta threw a cupcake inside her mouth, patting her back with a warning smile.
“I’m no longer interested in this game, let’s continue tomorrow. What was dad thinking when he let y’all come here?” He fumed and the trio burst into laughter, probably hiding something.
“What’s funny?”
“Dad’s coming here tomorrow” Diamond whispered into Isabelle’s ear and she joined them.
“Do you feel anything for the one lady you’ve been with since you started working for her?” Raymond threw and Alessandro stared at him with amazement.
“Dude, you’re supposed to be my friend, more like support me!”
“Just answer the question”
“I feel a special connection between us, her smile is very infectious. She has made me experience new feelings that I don’t seem to understand” He confessed, staring at Isabelle.
“Awwwn” Diamond purred, making them avert their eyes.
“Is that lady Isabelle?” Loretta asked.