THE NEXT DAY

Aria slowly opened her eyes and saw Alex,who was sitting on the couch staring at her. She felt uncomfortable under his gaze but didn't show it.

"You're awake. How are you feeling?" Alexander noticed her grip tightening on the quilt as she spoke, 'I'm fine."

"You saved me." Alexander said to which she replied "You saved me too."

"You saved me two times. I owe you." He said seriously making Aria shake her head , "No you don't. Anyone would've done the same if they were in my place."

"Yet it was you. Tell me what you want and I'll give you." Alexander said which made Aria look at him.

"I do not want anything." Aria repeated, more firmly,

Alexander nodded and did not say anything. They were sitting in complete silence until Alexander broke it with a question, "Have any of the men who fought me seen your face?"

Aria shrugged, "I don't know."

Alexander ran a hand through his hair in frustration before staring at her, "You are in danger."

He was waiting for her to freak out but In fact, she said, "I know."

"How?" Alexander was confused as well as curious.

"I know who you are, I know who your grandfather was." Aria replied which left Alexander stunned.

"what are you talking about?" Alexander played dumb. He was good at it but Aria wasn't one who could be fooled.

"Don't play dumb with me.I know you're the Mafia Boss or king or something like that. Your grandfather gave you his position." Aria spoke, while fidgeting with her fingers.

"How do you know that?" Alexander asked, his eyes fixed on Aria. "No one knows that then how do you?"

"My father was part of it, he was working for your grandfather."

"He told you?" He asked to which she nodded, "Yes"

"He shouldn't have. It's one of the rules, people working for us should keep their mouths shut." Alexander said, sounding irritated that someone broke the rules.

"He told me who you are and who he was." Aria spoke again.

"Your father? The dying man? The one who's on the hospital bed right now was one of our men? He betrayed us-",Alexander spoke as he clenched his fist in anger.

"Stop! My father is already dead.The one who is about to die is my adopted father-",Aria said angrily but she didn't shout.

"How did your father die? Wait- did your father tell your mother too?" Alexander asked her.

"He didn't have to-- Both my parents were working for your grandfather."Aria replied, ignoring his first question.

"Where is she right now?" Alexander asked to which she asked back, "who? my mother?"

"Yes. Where is your mother?"Alexander asked again. She was silent for a while before she replied, "Dead.".

"How did they die?" Alexander asked curiously. He was curious how she lost both her parents.

"Murdered" she replied in a low voice.

"By who?" He asked, wanting to dig further.

"I-- I forgot." Aria lied. She didn't want to remember these painful memories, "I can't remember."

"It's fine." He replied before asking, "what was the last thing your parents told you?"

"To stay away from someone." Aria replied instantly.

"From who?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Aria sighed before replying, "From Stefan Black's Family."