Endless Nights
Chapter 7
Alessia
I got back home from the bar and headed straight to my room to crash. First, I checked in on Mandy; she was glued to her laptop, watching another series, as usual. Aunty Gini always acted a bit concerned and would say things like, 'You're not paying attention to your studies anymore. At your age, why are you so into movies?'
I plopped down on my bed, trying to remember the last time I had a sleepover with Ethan. We used to share a bed all the time, but I couldn't recall when I messed up by skipping the morning-after pill. While I was lost in thought, Mandy walked in carrying a tray of food and teased,
"Where were you? Please tell me you didn't resort to selling your body to pay your mom's medical bills!"
"Um, well... I—"
"Oh, okay… Alessia, that's not necessary. Selling your body isn't the answer. We can find another way to make money. I could work for Mr. Ethan as a maid."
"No way!" I interrupted. "You're not going anywhere near him. It's better to work for David."
"David? Who's that?" she asked, clearly curious. I glanced at her and replied,
"He's… Ethan's brother. He's wealthy too, but I really don't have a choice. He offered me two jobs: to be a nanny for his daughter and to pretend to be his wife. I think I should just go back to the bar and accept his offer," I murmured. Mandy moved closer, sitting next to me and asked,
"Why did you turn down that offer before? If you have his number, call him! I'll work as a maid, and you can be the nanny and his pretend wife."
"Mandy, what about your studies? Your mom took care of me and paid my school fees; I want to do the same for her..." Just then, a wave of nausea hit me. The food Mandy brought had a horrible smell. I quickly covered my mouth and rushed to the bathroom to throw up. As I was heaving, I put my hand on my belly and felt something stirring inside! No way! That couldn't be a baby, could it? If it was, how far along was I? If it was kicking, it must be at least somewhat developed.
"Alessia, are you alright?" Mandy called out. I wiped my mouth, washed my hands, and replied,
"Yeah, I'm fine. Can you please take that food tray out of my room?"
"Come on, Alessia! That's your favorite—rice and stewed beef! When did you start throwing up your favorite foods?"
"I said take it away, please!"
"Okay, but just know I made it out of love. I saw you looking stressed about my mom's situation, so I wanted to cheer you up. But if you really want it gone, fine!"
"Thanks, just get rid of it."
"Are you pregnant with Ethan's kid?"
"That's none of your business! I'm not pregnant, okay? No way am I dealing with that, especially with Ethan being the father."
"Alessia, don't cry... What if you really are pregnant? What if Ethan is actually the dad?"
"If that's the case, I'll get rid of it ASAP. I can't handle carrying the child of someone wealthy."
"Okay, let's calm down. Tomorrow, we'll go to the hospital, alright? If you are pregnant, don't terminate it; just give birth and put the baby up for adoption."
"No, once Ethan finds out I'm pregnant, he'll come after me. I refuse to be tied to him because of this baby," I yelled, then shut my door and wrapped myself in my blankets. Right then, my phone started buzzing...
Ringing 📞...
**David Maynard**
As I meticulously turned each delicate page of Alessia's diary, an overwhelming wave of emotion washed over me, causing my knees to tremble beneath the weight of the revelations. How could I have misjudged her so harshly when I was entirely ignorant of the struggles that lay hidden within her words? Simultaneously, a surge of anger bloomed within me for Ethan, that heartless man who had so callously toyed with her emotions, leaving her abandoned at the altar. The disbelief gnawed at me—how could anyone walk away from such a profound moment unscathed?
Questions swirled wildly in my mind like leaves caught in a tempest. Did Sienna, my close friend who wielded her influence like a sword, know about Ethan's betrayal? What would she do with this information? Yet, as I grappled with these thoughts, the most poignant pain came not from my anger towards Ethan or my frustration with Sienna, but from Ethan's own bittersweet note scribbled on the fateful day of the wedding—words that now seemed almost mocking, echoing from the pages of Alessia's diary.
This diary was not merely a collection of thoughts; it was a chronicle of her life, penned with painstaking care. Alessia had documented every significant event—the heart-wrenching loss of her parents, the struggle of caring for her beloved Aunty Gini as illness claimed her strength, and the harrowing tale of survival that led her down a desperate path, selling herself as a prostitute to make ends meet. I felt an unfamiliar warmth brimming in my eyes, tears threatening to break free. I had never cried for any woman in my life—not even for my late wife, whose memory had become a tranquil ghost. But for Alessia, my heart ached fiercely.
In my turmoil, I wrestled with the urge to call Ethan, to confront him about his icy heart that had shattered this exquisite woman's spirit. I even flirted with the idea of reaching out to Sienna, asking her if she was aware of Ethan's wedding-day intentions, but I hesitated. Protecting Alessia felt paramount. Sienna was a tempest herself; if she suspected Alessia stood in her way, the consequences could be dire. I couldn't let anything jeopardize Alessia's safety.
With a heavy heart, I left the bar, uncertainty guiding my footsteps to Alessia's modest apartment. The journey felt eternal as my mind replayed the poignant words I had uncovered, the image of Alessia's pain etched in my memory. Upon arriving at her gate, I hesitated, gripping my phone like a lifeline. I dialed her number. The first call rang endlessly into silence, but when I tried again, relief rushed through me when her voice finally broke through.
"Alessia, are you home? Can I see you? I'm standing at the gate," I asked, my voice barely concealing the urgency of my longing.
"What do you want, David Maynard? Why can't rich people leave me alone?" came her sharp reply, laced with bitterness.
My heart sank. "I'm sorry. I only wanted to return your diary," I offered, my tone hopeful yet resigned. But abruptly, the call ended, leaving me hanging in the unyielding air of rejection.
Moments later, she surprisingly appeared, flinging the gate open with a surge of energy. Her eyes were fierce, yet clouded with uncertainty. "Did you read my diary? Did you open it?" she demanded, a flicker of fear in her voice.
"No, I swear! I would never betray your trust like that," I protested, determined to soothe the storm brewing in her heart.
"Don't lie to me! You didn't read it, right?" she pressed, her insecurity palpable.
"I swear," I replied, quietly cursing the necessity of lies.
"Fine, can I have it now? And I'm really sorry for how I spoke to you earlier; so much is happening." Her words flowed quickly, and just as she began to elaborate, a small, bright-eyed girl bounded into view.
With a whisper, the girl commented innocently, "He's rich, but I think he's different from Ethan…"
Alessia immediately shushed her. "Mandy, be quiet!"
"Sorry! By the way, I'm Mandy, Alessia's lovely niece. You must be David, right?" she chirped, her youthful exuberance compared to Alessia's solemn demeanor.
Alessia interrupted, clearly flustered. "What do you mean, Mandy?"
"I mean, don't you always sing about David? Seems like you already found peace in his adorable eyes and name," she teased innocently.
"Will you just stop it? David, don't listen to her! I have zero percent interest in rich people like you," Alessia insisted, her cheeks reddening.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "Alright, enough, you two! Anyway, I just came to return this diary and give you something as well." I reached into my wallet to pull out my business card. "Take this and feel free to purchase anything you need. Just tell me the expenses," I said, extending the card toward Alessia.
However, she promptly shook her head, refusing my offer. But before I could withdraw it, Mandy darted forward, clasping the card between her tiny fingers. "Thank you, you're so kind! We'll use this money for Aunt Gini's treatment. But not for free; after she gets better, Alessia and I will come to your place and work. Is that a deal?"
Mandy's cleverness was astonishing for someone so young. What kind of job did she envision working? I played the role of the innocent bystander, feigning ignorance as I glanced at Alessia. "Your Aunt is in the hospital?" I asked softly.
Her gaze fell, and a shadow passed over her features. "I was going to tell you… Anyway, have a great night," she whispered, her voice heavy with unspoken fears.
Waving goodbye, I was taken by surprise when Mandy leapt into my arms, her small frame wrapping around me tightly in unadulterated gratitude. I hugged her back, a warmth blooming in my chest, before reluctantly disentangling myself and retreating to my car, my mind swirling with the weight of Alessia's story as I drove homeward.
**Alessia**
"Mandy, what the hell was that? Why did you accept the card? Are you kidding me? Are you really okay?"
"Alessia, we need this money for my mother's treatment, okay? Maybe there is no need for holy action."
"Oh really? I don't want to use that card. It was given to you; do what you want with it."
"Alessia, are you mad at me now?"
"Yes, I am mad! I am pissed and angry; just leave me alone. Despite that, you can't teach your mouth to be quiet. Do you even know how big the scene you caused tonight is?"
"Okay, I'm sorry."
"Keep that sorry; just leave me alone."
"Okay, I'll leave you alone, but I'm sorry."
**Sienna**
"Ethan? Ethan? Wake up and tell me who the f*ck is this girl you were marrying??? Ethan, I said wake up. Don't pretend to be drunk. I know our marriage is fake, but it doesn't mean you have to go around and cheat on me?"
"Sienna, what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about this girl; look at your phone and go to Phoenix and see the news: Ethan Maynard ran away from his own wedding, leaving the bride behind? What is this, Ethan?"
"Baby, I'm sorry; let me explain."
"No need to explain. It's either you kill that girl or we cancel our marriage deal. I'll take back all your business because the money worked; it's my money. So the choice is all yours, handsome: kill the girl or go back to a poor life."
To be continued