Chapter Five

I'm currently sitting in front of my apartment complex watching the cars go by. I try to calm my racing heart by encircling my knees in my arms, taking in large deep shaky breaths. The only sound I can hear is the pounding sound of my heart booming against my chest.

Looking back at me feet once more, I rest my cheek on my knee looking at the small scar poking out from beneath by trousers, almost taunting me at the situation I'm putting myself in. I grab the zipper on my bag next to me, playing with it as a way to keep me from nervously scratching the skin on my hands. The skin by my nails turning slightly pink from the scratching yesterday at the bakery.

"Ilaria Parker?" A man said to me in front of me, jolting me out of my reverie. With his salt-and-pepper hair and black suit, this man, who appears to be in his forties, met my eyes. 

"Yeah that's me." I say confused. As I watch him approach me and motion toward my luggage, I respond while getting up on wobbly legs, holding onto the banister for support. The cold metal of the railing grounding me. Winter weather is about to approach as the temperature has been growing colder and colder lately. Yellow, orange, and brown leaves begin to fall to the ground, colouring the road in various shades of yellow.

"I'm Lionel Robinson. Mr Lombardi ordered me to pick you up... Is that all you have?" He questioned, indicating the single bag at my feet... Wait, how does he know where I live? How did he...?

"Um... yeah. Nice to meet you Mr Robinson" I say turning away because I don't want to meet his critical eyes. But instead of the judgement I was expecting he merely gives me a sympathetic smile when he turns to face me, before picking up my bag. I've never had much since moving here, I wanted to have a fresh start. To get away from that place, away from the memories, away from... him.

"Nonsense you can call me Lionel. Shall we go miss?" he asks as he carries my backpack around like it's the lightest thing in the world. I mean it doesn't have that that much stuff in it, but I still struggled to get it down the stairs of the apartment building earlier. The loud sounds of the small suitcase's wheels banging against the stairs each time I took a step down.

"I um... I..." Oh god I can't do this. Please don't make me do this. 

"Would it be possible if you just give me his address and I can make my own way there later today?" I ask with a hopeful expression.

"Mr Lombardi ordered me to specifically pick you up this morning miss." He implies with a tilt to his head trying to understand my actions. His almost comforting smile disappearing from his face, now filled with slight confusion and curiosity.

"I just... I like to walk at this time in the morning." I say trying to persuade him. Please let this work.

"Are you planning on walking at least an hour and a half through the city?" He asks like I'm crazy, a light chuckle in his voice, my bag falling to his side, my small suitcase next to him.

Oh gosh. Let's evaluate my options now. To get to where he lives, I could walk across the city for more than an hour and a half and risk incurring Alessandro Lombardi's infamous fury for being late, and not going with his driver. Or I could step in the death trap in front of me and risk a panic attack. Oh no..... Sighing I nod at Lionel in front of me, before taking steps towards the fancy black Audi in front of me. Not a speck of dirt, dust or fingerprints to be seen on any part of it.

I hesitantly step inside the car and watch as he opens the door for me. I haven't been inside a car since that night. My back hits the cushion seats of the car, my legs trapped between the seat in front of me. The door closes next to me, making me feel claustrophobic. Before getting in and turning on the engine, I hear him put my bag in the back of the vehicle. My hands start to get clammy, and my heart rate increases as the engine roars in my ears.

"Could you put your seatbelt on miss?" Lionel says after buckling himself in, turning towards me as he gets ready to drive into the city of New York.

Taking an unsteady breath, I reach up to my left to grab the seatbelt, my hands fiercely shaking. I peek back at Lionel as he nods and turns back to the front of the car.

I attempt to control my breathing as he begins to drive, but it is ineffective. Deciding to try and get some fresh air I roll down the window, letting the cool breeze hit my face. The smell of the fresh cold air hitting me all at once.

I turn to face the front of the car and saw Lionel staring at me in the rear view mirror. An odd look to his face, which I can't identify through my panicked mind. I must look like a state right now. Cars pass us by as we go through busy lanes of the city, before transitioning through smaller and quieter roads just out of the city.

It feels like hours passed before the car turned down a narrow road and we came upon a massive ornate metal gate. Lionel inserts a pin close to the door, which slowly opens with a squeaky sound. We pass through the gate and arrive at the largest house I've ever seen. A lovely stone structure with vines going down one side. Large windows and balconies across sections of the house. A large fountain just outside the house, with a statue of an angel. It was beautiful.

As soon as the car comes to rest, I rip the seatbelt off of me and open the door before Lionel can, tumbling out, breathing a nervous but relieved breath. My feet touching the gravel path of the property.

I hear rapid, little footsteps approaching me, the sound of pebbles shifting beneath their soles. I stumble back as the body wraps itself around my hips and legs, making standing and walking difficult for the time being.

Looking down, I meet Matteo's soft silver eyes, who is currently clinging to me as if I could disappear at any moment. He releases me before extending his arms to signify his wants to be scooped up. I lean down and smile at him before slipping my hands under his armpits and scooping him up, setting Matteo on my hip. His warm body clinging to mine. I hear his whimper slightly as a sudden gust of cold breeze hits us, turning around I make sure to block the wind with my body making Matteo tighten his hold on me.

"Miss Parker." A familiar deep voice states not so far from us.

Looking towards the front door, I notice Alessandro staring at us with a blank expression. He does that a lot. His body encompassed in another suit. I see his expression soften slightly as he looks between Matteo and me, before it hardens again.

"Are you going to stand there all day Miss Parker, or are you going to come in?" His voice is laced with frustration as he asks. I walk up to him and follow him inside the mansion still carrying Matteo, who has his arms around me. 

Walking into the entryway of the house, I meet the immaculate polished dark brown oak wood floor, a massive living room to the right of me. Multiple black sofas in the middle of the room, facing a giant fireplace, with a large TV sitting on the wall. That TV looks like it costs more than my apartment. Not to mention the giant fluffy rug that looks like it's the softest thing I've ever seen.

Matteo's face suddenly presses into the crook of my neck. His soft breaths fanning against my neck, tickling the soft skin there.

"Matteo go to the kitchen with Maia quickly, ok?" Alessandro asks softly. Matteo whines under his breath, his face pressing deeper into the crook of my neck, his arms tightening around me. What a cutie.

"Hey it's ok. I promise I'll come get you when we're done." I move Matteo gently so he can rest his feet on the floor. The sound of his feet pitter and pattering across the wooden floors into another room, leaving both Alessandro and I in silence.

"Right, I want to go over some rules with you whilst you're here..." Alessandro says straightening up.

"First and foremost. You and Matteo are not allowed to leave the house unless I say so. Rule number two. No boyfriends. I require your undivided attention to my son. The third rule. You will always respect me no matter what. The fourth rule. I'll need you to attend work parties with me when needed. And the fifth rule. You will take care of my son as if he were your own. I will add more rules if needed. Do you understand?" His sharp voice cutting through the air.

"Yes."

"Good. Welcome to the Lombardi residence."