Chapter 5

If the wedding wasn't suffocating enough, I had to attend the after party. After all it was my wedding. However, I would rather be anywhere but at Ace's house with a majority of people I wholeheartedly disliked and didn't give two shits about.

I stood around still in my wedding dress keeping to myself. Father was deep in conversation with Ace's parents and I watched perpelexed as he seemed to have laughed more than he has in the past month. The wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes creased deeply with every smile.

Kaden was keeping me company because Ace disappeared to fuck knows where. I hardly cared. Kaden returned with two glasses of champagne, one of which he handed to me. I gladly took it from him and drank it in one.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "You good Alessia?" He asked. I smiled as I handed my empty glass to a waiter. "I'm absolutely perfect." I said as the smile on my face fell.

"I just want to leave. I'm exhausted and starving." I sighed, dropping my facade. Kaden nodded slowly, chewing his bottom lip. He was a good man. "I know you can't leave, not until your father leaves. But perhaps you'd like some food?" He smiled.

I smiled as I looked at him. He was so caring and compassionate. How could be, growing up in a mafia. That truly made my mind wonder. And Ace, that man seemed to be the opposite. That intrigued me even more so. A mafia was not place for laughter or kindness.

"Yes." I nodded. He led me through the living room which was not crowed at all. There I was thinking I was popular and people would attend the party. Bottles of wine, champagne and stronger stuff were placed on tables. Waiters stood around and offered guests drinks occasionally.

We soon entered the kitchen. Kaden switched on the lights. Surprisingly it was modern and very high tech. I took a seat on a barstool which was placed at the island in the middle. My dress made it slightly uncomfortable but I cared not.

"So what would you like?" Kaden asked as he ruffled his dark hair. He seemed ever so exhausted also but he was being a good host to me. I stifled a yawn. "I don't mind. Anything."

He went looking into the fridge and cupboards. My fingers grazed my tiara as I slowly removed it from my head. The weight was giving me a fucking headache. I placed it down onto the counter and it twinkled in the bright light.

After a few minutes Kaden placed some reheated pasta in front of me. I eyed up the tomato based dish. "Looks lovely." I smiled as I grabbed the fork from him. I began to eat the pasta which tasted mediocre but filled me up so I didn't complain. This was all I've eaten all day.

"Alessia, dear are you all right?" Grace asked as she entered the kitchen with Tony in tow. I nodded and placed my fork down. "I'm well thank you." I smiled gently. This woman whom I didn't know has asked me how I was, she did more than what father could ever do.

"Just grabbing a snack are you." Grace smiled her thin pink lips as she walked over to Kaden. Why the fuck did she talk like that. She began to fuss about his untucked shirt and his hair which now resembled a rats nest. God this woman was unbearable. Tony smiled as he fixed the cuffs of his white shirt. "We hope that Ace doesn't give you too much trouble. I'm thrilled you are a part of our family now." He smiled a genuine smile. I didn't want to be a part of their family. Fuck.

I smiled back involuntarily. I hardly knew Tony but he seemed like a decent man. Although he was also known to be brutal and wicked, he seemed to value family, a trait my father lacked. Tony was slightly shorter than Kaden and his face was cleanly shaven. His speckled salt and pepper hair was neatly brushed back and he wore a tailored suit, a very expensive one at that. He seemed to be the same age as father but somehow he looked younger. Perhaps years of being a sordid vile man made father age faster.

"Thank you." Was all that I mustered. I smirked when I saw Grace fussing over Kaden much to his dismay. You would think she thought of him as a child. Still quite sweet.

"Ah there you are. Tony I have someone for you to meet." Father smiled as he entered the kitchen. He brought the mood down vastly. I wished I wasn't his daughter.

Father scanned the room with a pleasant smile across his lips which fell short when his sight landed on me. Typical. Tony turned to face father. "Sure." He smiled at him.

Father walked towards me and whispered at me harshly. "Smetti di mangiare così tanto. Sei già abbastanza grande (Stop eating so much. You already are large enough)" He grinned as he turned and left the room with Tony. Ah yes, another classic insult I've heard all my life.

I let out a sigh as I began eating again. I never let his fucking comments belittle me. That's what he wants, to break me. But I am not one to be broken.

"What did your father say?" Kaden asked as he leaned on the counter behind him. I licked my lips. "Nothing." I shrugged my shoulders.

He seemed unhappy with my answer but didn't bother to pursue a better response from me. I didn't see Grace come up behind me. She ran her hands through my hair. "Beautiful hair." She breathed. I could smell her meaty breath. Fuck me. I shuffled in my seat trying to resist the urge to cut off her hands. Kaden sensed my mood shift and he quickly held his mother's shoulders and pushed her towards the door.

"I'm taking mother outside for some air. Will you be all right Alessia?" He asked as Grace struggled in his grasp. I nodded and relaxed, I was left alone to the quiet of the kitchen.

After I was done eating, I placed the bowl into the sink and grabbed a glass of water. I heard heels clicking, coming towards me and I groaned internally before turning around.

"What can I do for you?" I asked the two girls who stood by the door. One of the girls puckered her heavily injected lips while the other crossed her thin arms. I am unfortunate enough to be related to these bitches. Bitch one spoke up. "We just came to see your husband. He's not here? Did you scare him off already?" She sniggered nasally. She must have got her nose done, it does look slightly crooked.

I placed the glass down so I didn't use it as a weapon in case things escalated, which they probably would do. "He's actually upstairs getting our room ready." I smirked, crossing my arms. This silenced the bitches. "As if. Who would want you. We know you ain't a good girl." Bitch two mocked as she twirled her fingers through her mismatched hair extensions. What she thought was an insult, I thought as a compliment.

I scoffed. "I never said I was good. Now would you please leave, the stench of your cheap perfume is making me gag."

Bitch one growled as she stomped over to the island. She took ahold of my tiara. I cracked my knuckles. "Don't you fucking dare bitch." I spoke slowly with rage playing in my eyes.

But she did. She fucking threw my tiara across the room where it cracked. Diamonds spilled across the floor. I bit my tongue in attempts to remain rational. There's no need for a murder to happen today.

"I told you not to do that and you did it anyway." I growled as I reached for the fork which still lay on the counter top. I grabbed her wrist roughly and held her hand down on the counter. She squirmed in my grip but I didn't budge. "Don't fucking move or you're next." I threatened bitch two who was now frozen to the spot.

I smirked as I brought the fork quickly down and into bitch ones hand. I didn't even hesitate. She shrieked loudly and started to cry. "Get the fuck out of my sight and if I ever see you again I'll stab out your fucking eye. Got it?!" I threatened. Now I did have a fucking headache.

She whimpered as I released her. She held her bleeding hand which was still skewered with the fork. Fat tears spilled from her eyes along with black mascara. Thick red blood dropped from her hand, staining the white floor. Shit. "Well what are you waiting for?" I snapped. The bitches practically jumped out of their skin and quickly ran out.

I looked down at my dress which now was stained with blood. "Fanculo (Fuck)" I muttered as I attempted to rub away the blood causing it only to smear further.

"Well damn." A husky voice startled me. I looked up to see Ace fucking Hernandez. "That was...spectacular." He grinned.

I stared at him. He was dressed down but still looked like a God. No, a devil. I raised a brow. He chuckled deeply. "Don't tell me you forgot that I don't give a fuck. But if I were you, I would have already stabbed out their eyes." He said nonchalantly.

I leaned back onto the fridge. I yawned, my heavy eyelids begged for sleep. He looked across at my broken tiara. I rubbed my eyes. "Don't worry about that. I'll get another." I spoke as I looked at the broken jewellery.

"Your father has left." He spoke. Fuck. Bitch. Bastard. He's left me here. The fuck he cares anyway. "The fuck...I'm leaving." I sighed heavily, rubbing my forehead. I headed for the doorway but was stopped by Ace, who kindly stepped in the way. "Stay the night. I insist." He stared at me. I don't have time for games Ace fucking Hernandez.

I tried to read him but ultimately I was mentally and physically exhausted. I nodded, accepting the proposal. I'm sure his lips tugged into a quick smile before he led the way to a spare bedroom. He didn't even make any lewd jokes. It was after midnight and everyone had already left.

"Here you go." He handed me some clothing. I gladly accepted it as I appreciated the thoughtful gesture for I did not have any clothes with me. And this fucking dress, it was stuck to my body.

When he left me alone, I locked the door and changed into the T-shirt which hung loose on my body. I tightened the drawstrings on the sweats and folded the cuffs up slightly. These were his clothes. God for fucks sake. Where the fuck was KC. The smell, it smelt of him. I smelt like him. A musky woody aroma, it somehow comforted me.

I tossed and turned on the bed. I couldn't sleep no matter how tired I was. Fuck. This shit always happens. Deciding on going downstairs to grab some water, I slowly made my way past the living room and into the kitchen. In the corner of my eye I saw a shadow moving in the darkness. My heart quickened as I subtly opened a drawer and my fingers felt for a knife. I held the knife in my hand firmly, a fucking butter knife. It'll have to do. I turned and threw the knife at the shadow which quickly moved out of the way. The knife struck the wall, my throw being very accurate and hard. My hands quickly fumbled in the drawer in attempts to find something else to throw. Fuck.

The shadow moved and turned on a lamp. Oh. "Alessia?" Ace furrowed his thick brows at me. I furrowed my brows back. "What are you doing sitting in the dark like some sort of psychotic lunatic?" I asked in confusion as my heart began to settle. He looked behind him at the knife in the wall and then back at me. "I don't sleep often." He spoke. I tilted my head as he took a seat on the sofa. "And you?" He asked as he crossed his legs.

"I can't sleep either." I said as I walked over to the sofa. I slumped down, feeling my body relax. I brushed my hair back and pulled out the joint I had concealed in my hand. I lit it up using my lighter while he watched me, amusement tinged his eyes. I took a long drag and puffed out a cloud of smoke. Resting my head back on the couch, I looked at him who was smirking at me.

"What?" I asked bluntly. He shrugged as he pulled out a cigarette. He held it out and I lit it for him. I looked at him as he smoked. Some strands of hair fell over his eyes and I couldn't help but be captivated when he spoke. "I apologise about throwing the knife at you. I guess I'm not used to seeing someone sitting on a sofa, doing nothing in the dead of night." I smirked.

"What?" I asked bluntly. He shrugged as he pulled out a cigarette. He held it out and I lit it for him. I looked at him as he smoked. Some strands of hair fell over his eyes and I couldn't help but be captivated when he spoke. "I apologise about throwing the knife at you. I guess I'm not used to seeing someone sitting on a sofa, doing nothing in the dead of night." I smirked.

He chuckled as looked at me. His stare wasn't revolting like other men. "I'm unsure if that was a sincere apology. But if it helps I was about to shoot you." He said as he tapped a gun which lay beside him. "And I never miss."

I snuggled into the couch and rested my heavy eyes. "I beg to differ. I'm sure you have missed. You hesitated now, why?" I asked as I continued smoking. "I knew it was you." He stated in a cocky manner. I opened my eyes and looked his way. "You knew it was me. That's fucking impossible!" I laughed.

I thought about his answer. Fuck, he's good. "Have I made you speechless?" He teased. I shook my head in attempts to hide the smile the wouldn't leave my face. But I was.

"So what is your favourite color?" He asked, breaking the comfortable silence. "Are you really going to do that?" I grinned.

"Why not, since we are married I want to know more about you..you intrigue me." He spoke. The fuck. I'm not an animal.

"How so?" I asked, playing his little game. It did amuse me. "You just do." He chuckled deeply. I furrowed my brows at his cryptic answer. I took another drag of my joint. "Red. That's my favourite color." Red like the fucking blood of everyone who pisses me off.

"I did so." He smiled warmly. I looked back into his eyes. "How?" I asked in curiosity. He licked his lips as he thought up a lie. "No one in my house walks around at night. So the logical answer had to be you. And you have a certain disregard for authority, hence you never announced yourself." He spoke effortlessly. So he's been studying me, watching me.

I thought about his answer. Fuck, he's good. "Have I made you speechless?" He teased. I shook my head in attempts to hide the smile the wouldn't leave my face. But I was.

"So what is your favourite color?" He asked, breaking the comfortable silence. "Are you really going to do that?" I grinned.

"Why not, since we are married I want to know more about you..you intrigue me." He spoke. The fuck. I'm not an animal.

"How so?" I asked, playing his little game. It did amuse me. "You just do." He chuckled deeply. I furrowed my brows at his cryptic answer. I took another drag of my joint. "Red. That's my favourite color." Red like the fucking blood of everyone who pisses me off.

He smiled and held his cigarette to his lips. He blew out a soft cloud, holding it between his fingers. "What's your favourite weapon?" He asked. I shook my head. "If we're doing this, you have to play too. So what's your favourite color?" I asked, holding back a smirk by inhaling more of my joint. He tilted his head back, resting it on the sofa like I was. "It's black." He spoke. I chuckled. "That was very obvious."

"Then why did you ask?" He teased once more. "You could like pink for all I know." I smirked which earned me a husky chuckle.

Ace and I talked like this for a while and I was more and more fascinated with him. The more we talked the more we bonded. It was unusual for me to feel this comfortable around someone I hardly knew. And yet as time passed on, I knew more about Ace and the sparks of attraction I felt for him were even stronger. Fuck fuck. I can't.

A while later, I did feel sleepy and I began to drift off. I felt fingers take the joint out of my loose grip and the light was turned off. I closed my eyes for the last time and l fell asleep.