9 He is sick!
The atmosphere was thick with tension when Alessandro found me in my office the following week.
Rumors had been swirling like wildfire about his latest dalliance with Isobel, and I had no intention of getting caught in the middle of it.
“Elena, you need to come with me to see Luca,” Alessandro said, urgency lacing his voice as I closed the door behind him. His face was twisted with a mix of concern and guilt, as if he was about to confess
something he hadn’t done.
“He’s what?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with him?”
Alessandro took a breath, his bravado slipping. “He’s in the hospital. He won’t eat or rest. I’m worried. Isobel and I tried everything to get him to listen, but he just shuts us out.”
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My heart sank, but I tried to mask my worry with indifference. “Sounds like a personal problem.”
Alessandro’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Elena, please. You‘ re the only one he might listen to.
I could feel my pulse quicken at the mention of his name. “You can’t be serious, Sandro. This is my workplace! I’m not his keeper. If he wants to wallow in his misery, that’s his choice!”
He dropped to his knees, grabbing my hand in desperation. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but he needs you. I think he’s falling apart without you.‘”
“Alessandro,” I hissed, pulling my hand
away.
“What are you doing? This isn‘ t the time for theatrics!”
“Just listen to me! You think he’s fine because he wears a mask of indifference. But I’ve seen how he’s struggling. He
needs you.”
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I took a deep breath, frustration gnawing at my insides. “So you‘ re saying, I should just walk in there and magically fix him? After everything that happened between us?”
His expression softened, sincerity bleeding into his tone. “Elena, I regret what I said about you and Luca. I didn’t realize how serious it was until after you two split. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and I know he still cares.
“Stop right there.” My voice was steady but firm. “I don‘ I want to hear it.”
Alessandro fell silent, his gaze shifting to the ground. He was usually the jokester, the one who avoided deep discussions unless it involved business or the underground. But now, he was dead serious, and it made me uneasy.
After a moment of silence, I studied his face. The bruises under his eyes spoke volumes.
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“What happened to you?” I asked, my tone turning sharp. “Did Luca do this?”
“What? No!” Alessandro protested, holding his hands up defensively. “Well, maybe… but it’s not like that! I’m here because I chose to be. I’m worried about
Luca!”
I crossed my arms, skepticism etched across my face. “So, he beat you up because you told him the truth? You‘ re not exactly convincing me here.”
Alessandro sighed, frustration pouring out of him. “Yes, after I told him he’d be better off with Isobel, he got mad and- well, let’s just say he doesn’t take those kinds of comments lightly.”
I felt a pang of resentment. “You really thought that pushing Isobel into his arms would make him want her?”
“Look, I thought she’d be better for him! She’s not a mess like you, and-
“Enough!” I snapped, cutting him off.
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“What you said was low, Alessandro. Why would you even think that?”
He looked cornered, unable to meet my gaze. “I just wanted to see Isobel happy, okay? She’s been into Luca for a while. now.”
The pieces began to fit together, revealing the truth hidden behind his motives. “So you liked Isobel, and you thought that getting her closer to Luca would earn you some points in her book?”
Alessandro s eyes widened in shock.
“How did you-”
“I’m not as oblivious as you think, Sandro,” I replied, my voice laced with a mix of sarcasm and frustration. “You used me as a pawn in your little game.”
“Yeah, I messed up, but that’s not why I’m here!” he said, exasperated. “Luca needs you! He’s losing weight and he won’t even leave his room. His condition is getting worse, and if you don‘ t talk to
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him, it’ll only escalate.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. “So, you‘ re saying I should rescue him now? Just because he‘ s your boss?”
“Please, Elena! I’m begging you.
Convince him to eat something, or at least get some rest. His health is deteriorating because he’s refusing to take care of himself,” Alessandro urged, desperation creeping into his tone.
I laughed softly, wiping away the unshed tears of frustration. “Oh, Sandro, you‘ re a real piece of work. You want me to save him after everything he’s put me through? But thanks though.
“What for?” he asked, clearly puzzled.
“For making me realize that Luca is too wrapped up in his own drama to see how much he’s pushing people away.”
“C’mon, don‘ t be like that, Elena…”
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I patted his shoulder reassuringly. “I have to get back to work, Alessandro. I don’t want to risk my position in this family.”
Just as I was about to walk away, a mischievous idea struck me. I turned back
with a smirk.
“Oh, and tell Luca that if he doesn’t start cating soon, he‘ II miss the upcoming auction for that rare Warhol piece! Good Juck trying to convince him!”
