Alejandro

I was blissfully enjoying my well needed rest when I heard loud shouting. I covered my head with a pillow trying to drown out the sound but nooooooo. I propped up on my elbows and looked around. Judging by navy blue colour of the sky, it couldn't possibly be more than 6 am. Who in the hell would be screaming bloody murder at such an ungodly hour?. I was a very busy person, often working up to the wee hours of the morning. So any chance I had of getting some shut eye, I took with honor. I covered my head with a pillow hoping to drown out the banshee-like yelling promising my inner self to deal with this 'person' later but obviously he/she wasn't having any of it. I got up, much to my own chagrin, and walked to the door. I stopped and turned to look at Diana. I smiled. Still sleeps like a corpse. I left the room and navigated the long hallways that led to the foyer. The screaming only seemed to get louder. Don't these people understand the concept of the word sleep?

I was at the top of the staircase when I caught sight of something that made my heart skip a beat.

Oh shit.

Only one person has hair that red. But it's impossible. She can't be here. She just can't.

Calm down Alejandro,. She's safely tucked away in Italy. She can't even leave the villa without you knowing. It's your mind playing tricks on you. This isn't real.

I was trying so hard to assure myself that she can't be the one. I was almost convinced. But then she came into full view. Red hair, big sunglasses, gold dress, heels and all. I think I just had a heart attack. She didn't even notice me. She was too busy arguing with Lenny, my bodyguard.

"I told you to let me go, you big oaf. Oh you just wait till I tell Alejandro about this", she said while trying to get her hand out of his firm grasp.

" Ma'am I really can't let you in here without confirmation from Mr Delmanti ", Lenny countered.

" Didn't you here anything I said?, I'm his grandmother and I don't think he's gonna take kindly to you treating his Nonna like this ", her voice was still heavy with the Italian accent. No matter how long she had been in America, she couldn't get rid of it. She said it gave testament to her true heritage.

Maybe if I sneak back into my room, she won't disturb me. I was about to turn and run for dear life when it happened.

" Nipote, oh how I've missed you. You've grown so much", she started climbing the stairs to me, "Now why don't you tell this ogre here that I'm your Nonna"

Lenny looked to me for confirmation, I nodded and he let her go. She gave him a good once over and huffed. "Can't get any decent help around here", she mumbled. Lenny looked at me apologetically and I nodded, silently telling him it was fine. "So Nipote, tell me, what's been happening, anyone new in your life?, you know you're not getting any younger dear. Don't you want to give me great grandchildren?..."

I tuned her out completely. I hadn't told my Nonna about my marriage to Diana. When Diana and I were together, she had adored her, often calling her the 'grand daughter I never had '. When we had broken off, she had been heartbroken, she thought for so long the break up was my fault, I bet she still does.

If only you knew Nonna.

She began pulling me along the stairs but stopped when we Diana.

Silence. All Nonna did nothing but stare at her. As if waiting to see if she'll disappear. I was starting to think she had had a stroke but a shrill scream broke my train of thought.

"Tesoro!", she screamed, "Oh Diana how long has it been?, I missed you so much. Oh God, how have you been?", she then turned to me, "Alejandro, why didn't you tell me you and Diana got back together?, this is such great news. Oh I have call Fernando, he's an amazing wedding planner", she said while rummaging through her purse.

To tell or not to tell. Knowing her, if I told her now, sooner or later she would find out about the real conditions behind this marriage and that was the equivalent to cutting off Satan's horn, not pretty. On the other hand, telling her now would entail having to listen to a never ending lecture about how she has a right to attend my wedding. I chose the latter. "We're married Nonna"

She immediately stopped her ranting and looked at me with a murderous glint in her eyes, she clutched the railing so hard her knuckles turned white. "You got married Alejandro?", I couldn't tell if it was a question or statement, "You got married and you didn't tell me, your own Nonna?", I could tell she was about to go on a whole new rant but Diana beat her to it.

"It was a spontaneous decision Nonna, we just couldn't wait. It's entirely my fault and I apologise for not telling you, I just wanted things done as quickly as possible", she then looked at me,"I don't want to lose him again", we stared at each other for what seemed like hours but was mere seconds.

"Oh darling tell me everything about it", Nonna pulled Diana away. I stood still. One statement rang through my head, I don't wanna lose him again.

Don't kid yourself Alejandro.

Nonna Delmanti was a breath of fresh and much needed air. Between Alejandro's obvious hatred and Valeria's scornful glares, it was nice having someone who didn't feel like strangling you around. She and Benjy had taken an instant liking to each other, bonding over a not so friendly game of Uno. To say the least, Nonna Delmanti was flabbergasted that a 5-year-old had beaten her 3 times in a row to something which, in her words, 'Was beyond his 5-year-old imagination'. After making Benjy promise to teach her his tricks, she and I reconnected over cups of steaming coffee.

"I always knew you and my Nipote were going to end up together", she said, I gave her a questioning look, "It's just one of the things that are certain, even from the beginning. It was written in the stars"

Oh Nonna. She was so happy about Alejandro and I reuniting, and giving loads of great-grandchildren. I think she suspects Benjy isn't Alejandro's child, but if she did, she hadn't said anything about it. How was I supposed to break it to her that this was a mere marriage of convenience and her grandson hated my guts. Just when I was about to break the news to her when her phone went off. She looked at the screen and let out a shrill scream, I covered my poor eardrums. "Jesus Christ Nonna, have you considered a career in acting?, cause Scream could really use you"

"Oh hush. Now go get your husband. Tell him to dress up. We're going to a party".

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Turns out one of Nonna's friends was celebrating her 70th birthday bash. It was so amazing. Seeing her surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren, it made me wish for something like that when I was her age.

Alejandro on the other hand was doing a dang good job at playing the brooding man in the corner. I mean, black clothes, pained expression, glaring eyes, truth be told, he had the role down to a tee. His phone kept on going off and he kept on ignoring it but apparently the person on the other line wasn't giving up soon. He finally gave in and picked up. I expected him to yell at the person on the phone but his hardened expression softened considerably when he put the phone to his ear. That made my heart rate quicken significantly. Who was it, a business partner, a friend, a girlfriend?.

The last one made me feel faint. What if he did have a girlfriend?, I mean I know he has no more feelings for me but we're married. Didn't the vows mean anything to him?. As I sat there pinning over my unrequited love, I didn't notice the shadow looming over me.

"Hi", I turned to be greeted with 5"9 of manly man.

Not as manly as Alejandro. My conscience offered.

'Oh shut up', I countered

"Hey", I replied

"Sorry for intruding but you really looked like you were about to have a nervous breakdown and I just wanted to make sure you were alright"

I wanted to tell him to leave but then I turned to look at Alejandro, he was already staring at us. The vixen in me was awakened and I decided to indulge the handsome stranger. I turned back to him and studied him. Shaggy blonde hair, cyan blue eyes. He and Alejandro couldn't be more opposite. We talked for a while and to my greatest surprise he was pretty good company. Through out that time, I felt Alejandro's eyes burning holes into my back but who cares.

I do.

We continued our conversation but then Will, (that's his name btw), stopped talking and looked at something behind me. I turned to see the stoic face of my husband. He hands quickly latched themselves onto my waist and he placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. "Where were you sweetheart?,I was looking all over for you?", he said

I was beyond confused, but he must have noticed my apprehension because he gave a look that said 'play along '

"Just here, mingling", I replied. He then turned to Will who looking at us very intently.

Will offered his hand, which Alejandro stared at. I nudged him and he begrudgingly shook it.

"Hi I'm Will"

"I'm Alejandro, Diana's husband", the way he put emphasis on husband had me shivering. I turned to see him smirking at me, obviously aware of his effect on me.

"Oh", Will said," I didn't know she was married", he almost looked hurt.

" Well now you do", Alejandro replied in a rather smug manner.

"You're a very lucky man", Will conceded

Alejandro turned to look at me," I definitely am"

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