The rest of the dinner passed in an exchange of glances and a thick, almost suffocating atmosphere. Augusto and Mirella finished before them and left, leaving Pietro behind, visibly annoyed.
"Pietro, calm down," Debora said quietly. "It's normal for him to be angry with you. As far as he knows, you're actually planning to marry his sister. And you know better than anyone how close those two are. Try to see things from his side."
"I know all that, Debora," he replied, rubbing his face. "I think the anxiety is getting the best of me. I just want this birthday to get here already... so I can be even closer to him."
The impatience was consuming him. Waiting eighteen years for this moment hadn't been easy. And now that the date had finally arrived, the anxiety only grew, throbbing. Still, Pietro knew he needed to stay in control. Nothing he'd planned over all those years could go off track.
++++++
Alice's birthday arrived.
Augusto wanted everything to be perfect for his sister. He didn't know what awaited them at the party, and precisely because of that, he'd decided to make the day itself something special. He started by bringing breakfast to her in bed while mentally organizing everything he still had planned.
"Happy birthday, little sis," he said with a smile, waking her up.
He went back downstairs and, before he'd even managed to sit at the table, heard the doorbell ring. He had no idea who it could be this early, but he went to answer it anyway. Augusto was surprised to find four bodyguards standing outside.
"Good morning, sir. We have orders to remain on the property or accompany Miss Alice wherever she goes."
The anger overtook him immediately. Pietro was taking precautions, assuming Alice might try to run. Augusto simply nodded, suppressing the urge to argue, closed the door, and went back to the table, visibly irritated.
"Does that idiot really think she's going to run? Or that we'd try to hide her?" he snapped, his voice heavy with indignation. "Doesn't he realize that if we were going to do something, we would've done it a long time ago? Why would we wait until the last minute?"
"What happened, sweetheart? Why are you so upset?" his mother asked, concerned.
"Pietro sent men to watch us," he answered curtly. "Maybe he thinks we're going to run off with her."
His mother grew tense. Augusto noticed her nervousness instantly. He knew she'd never been the same since the day that contract was signed. When he spotted Alice coming down the stairs, he changed the subject. He didn't want anything to ruin her day.
Everyone pretended everything was fine. Their parents hugged her, wished her happy birthday, and tried to smile. Alice sat with them and they chatted for a few minutes. Shortly after, Augusto finished his coffee and everyone began getting ready to go out.
As soon as he opened the door, Alice flinched at the sight of the men outside. Instinctively, she grabbed her brother's hand, and he squeezed it gently, trying to reassure her.
"It's okay," he said quietly. "They're just here to escort us as a precaution. Pietro sent them for our protection."
She didn't seem entirely convinced but nodded.
"We're going out," he told the bodyguards. "I'd like us to take separate cars. That way she'll be more comfortable."
The truth was, Augusto didn't want to lose all their privacy. Having those men watching their every move all day was bad enough. At the very least, he hoped to steal a few moments alone with his sister.
They went straight to the mall. They bought a few things, watched a movie, and tried to distract themselves with other activities. They spent the entire morning and part of the afternoon there, pretending everything was normal.
At one point, while they were walking side by side, Alice's phone buzzed. It was a message from a number she didn't recognize.
"I've reserved the salon for you. When the time comes, the bodyguards I've left with you will take you there. See you tonight. Pietro."
Alice's breathing turned short and rapid as she read the message. The phone trembled slightly in her hand. Augusto noticed immediately and took the device, reading the contents. Irritation washed over him. Pietro was already acting as if he had total control over her routine, as if her every step already belonged to him, and it only heightened his urgency to put an end to that false confidence the man projected.
After that, Alice decided to go home. She said she wanted to take a bath and wait there until it was time for them to come for her. On the drive back, there was no trace of her earlier cheerfulness. The smile had vanished, replaced by a heavy silence.
As soon as they arrived, Alice went straight upstairs to her room. She put away the bags they'd bought and began getting ready, trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy.
Some time later, puzzled by his sister's delay, Augusto went upstairs to check on her. When he stepped into the room, the scene hit him hard: Alice was packing a suitcase. Her eyes were puffy and red, betraying her recent tears.
He rushed forward and grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
"You don't need to pack, Alice," he said firmly. "Didn't I tell you I had a surprise for you? I'm not going to let you marry him."
She stared at him for a few seconds, unable to hold back the tears that started streaming down her face again. Then she hugged him tightly, dissolving into even heavier sobs.
Seeing her like that shattered him inside. Augusto was willing to do anything to stop his sister from suffering this way — even if it meant sacrificing his own life, and everything that remained of his happiness.
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Comments
annie
such a good brother ❤️
2024-05-21
5