ENDLESS NIGHTS
Chapter 14
Alessia
3:00 AM
My life felt like a never-ending storm. Every day was a struggle, and every night felt darker than the last. It seemed like bad luck followed me everywhere, and I couldn't catch a break. All I wanted in my life was to get married and be happy to build a family, but it seemed like life had other plans.
Every time I arrived, there were only problems. I loved David with all my heart, but I had already told myself that once his daughter woke up, Mandy and I were going to disappear from their lives forever. Maybe he and I were meant to meet but not to be...so I didn't want to keep causing problems despite the fact that his mother didn't love me at all. So it was better to go back to our miserable life, but at least we had happiness and freedom.
I was sitting on David's bed with Ariel's head on my lap, and we were all waiting for the doctor. Everyone was in David's room while we were waiting for the doctor. Mr. Maynard wasn't with us. I turned to David and said:
"Can I please have one bandage and ice? I need to stop this bleeding now. The doctor is taking too long."
"Alessia, are you a doctor? No, right? So let's wait for the real doctor. I need my daughter to be treated, not to add more pain," David replied.
Pinky: "I agree with David, Alessia darling, are you even educated to the extent of healing Ariel?"
"David, calm down. There's no need for you to shout, okay? All you need to do is trust me. Give me a bandage and ice; it seems like her forehead hurts too much. I want to stop the blood," I said.
Pinky: "Oh Alessia, do you really think David is still trusting you? Your niece Mandy did this after all?"
Alessia: "Pinky, please go and take care of your face. You're ugly, and also I think you should go to the gym. It's a pity for a woman like you not to have hips and body structure! How sad."
Bruno: "Holy hell, hahahaha."
David: "Oh hahahaha girls' fight, huh? Keep on fighting, girls, it's fun."
Pinky: "Alessia, I hate you so much!" she shouted and left. I looked at David and yelled,
"I'm not going to ask you again; this is the last time I am asking you to bring me ice and a bandage. Just because I'm not a doctor doesn't mean that I can't help someone!" I shouted. David left the room and brought the bandage and ice. He handed it to me, and I bandaged Ariel's head and started applying ice. Everyone went to sleep, even Mandy. I'm sure she had already fallen asleep. David and I were the only ones left with Ariel in his bedroom, and Bruno, his servant, was standing at the door.
In no time, David's phone started ringing. He picked it up:
📱..."Hello, doctor, what's wrong?"
📱..."Sir, there's too much traffic; we are stuck at the light. I'll be there soon," the doctor said. The phone was loud. Before he could answer, I noticed Ariel opening her eyes, and the name she called out was her father's:
"Dad? Dad? Dad!" David quickly disconnected the call when he saw his daughter opening her eyes and ran to kneel in front of me while Ariel still rested her head on my lap.
"Hey kiddo... Oh my goodness, I was very worried about you. Very worried. Bruno, go and wake everyone up. I want to ask my daughter who pushed her," he yelled. Bruno came out in no time, and we saw all the staff-Mrs. Katie, Mr. Maynard, Pinky, and Mandy-all had been woken up. I glanced at David and said,
Alessia: "What matters is that the child has woken up. There was no need to wake the whole mansion up."
David: "No one messes with my daughter. Now Ariel, princess, tell me who pushed you?"
Ariel: "I don't really know, Dad. The lights were off. When I fell, the last person I saw was Mandy, but she didn't do it."
Pinky: "See? I told you Mandy did this!"
Mr. Maynard: "Mandy is just a kid; she can't do that!"
Alessia: "Mandy is just a kid; don't drag my niece into this. She didn't do it!"
Mandy: "Yes, I wanted to help her because I heard her screaming; that's all!"
Mrs. Katie: "Only idiots believe those little liars. So who pushed her? Because no one is admitting it. I can never do that to my beautiful granddaughter."
"Bruno, could you please go and check the cameras for me?" David asked, his voice laced with urgency. From the moment the incident had occurred, his instincts screamed for answers. Bruno didn't hesitate; he sprinted off to investigate, his footsteps echoing through the halls like a hasty heartbeat. Moments felt like hours as he disappeared into the dimly lit surveillance room. When he returned, panting slightly but with a look of disbelief on his face, he delivered the news that ground David's heart into a million pieces.
"Mr. David, all the cameras are turned off," Bruno reported, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"What?!" David exclaimed, his voice rising with incredulity. "This can't be happening! So what exactly transpired here? It's not Mandy's fault; it was clearly orchestrated by someone more sophisticated. How could a child like her even contemplate such a thing? Does she even know where to find all the plugs?" He fired off question after question, his mind racing, yet the room fell into a heavy silence, no one daring to provide an answer to such a chaotic situation.
In a moment of clarity, David grabbed his phone and called back the doctor, his tone shifting slightly, "Tell him to come back; Ariel is improving." Soon after, everyone in the room began to disperse, a somber mood hanging over them like a dense fog. David carefully cradled his daughter in his arms, feeling the warmth of her small frame against him as he took her back to her room, the early light of dawn beginning to peep through the curtains.
Once he returned, he was taken aback to find me seated on his bed, my eyes fluttering as sleep began to envelop me. He approached quietly, sinking to his knees in front of me, his expression filled with earnest gratitude. "Alessia, you truly are the best doctor ever. Thank you for healing my child. I also owe you a heartfelt apology for everything that happened. I am deeply sorry."
With a yawn escaping my lips, I replied, "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Billionaire. Can I now rest? I'm feeling quite sleepy."
"Of course, feel free to sleep. I, however, need some fresh air. It's such a nice morning," David said with a hint of regret, glancing back at me as if we were in an unspoken moment of connection before he stepped out of the room.
**David Maynard**
As I walked out into the garden, I felt an overwhelming urge for relaxation wash over me. The soft caress of the morning breeze danced around me as I approached the garden, my thoughts swirling predominantly around Alessia-a siren drawing me in deeper by the day. Her beauty captivated me; her intelligence drew me closer, and her charm made it impossible for me to tear my gaze away. A smile blossomed on my face as I paced through the blooming flowers, the aroma beckoning me towards further daydreams of her.
Suddenly, I was jolted from my reverie as a voice pierced through the serene morning air.
"David!"
It was Bruno, and the familiar sound of his voice made me turn. My smile swiftly faded, replaced by a serious expression as he approached.
"Don't change your face; you were smiling alone, Boss. Come and sit here," he hushed, gesturing to a nearby bench.
Curious and slightly amused, I obliged, taking a seat beside him. "What's on your mind, Bruno?"
"Are you in love?" he asked, the earnestness of his tone catching me off guard.
"Love? What are you talking about, Bruno?" I managed to chuckle awkwardly, taken aback by his audacity.
"Uhmmm, I can see it in your eyes. Listen, she's truly beautiful. Go tell her you love her. Don't keep that smile just to yourself!" he urged, leaning in closer, conspiratorially. "Did you notice how she takes care of Ariel? Trust me, she would make a wonderful mother figure for her."
His words would have surprised me if I wasn't already somewhat accustomed to the warmth of admiration I held for Alessia.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right about that," I admitted, caught in a whirlwind of thoughts. "I love her; there's no denying that. But perhaps this isn't the right time to confess."
Bruno nodded sagely, sensing the balance between my heart and logic.
"And what of Ariel? Are you feeling the same way about how Mandy might fit into this picture? I can't help but think that it was Pinky pulling the strings in this mess. You need to act decisively. If I owned this mansion, I wouldn't stand for such nonsense. Be a man and get her out of your life!" he urged,
Standing up, I placed a reassuring pat on his shoulder.
"I hear your concerns. But do me a favor; in the morning, I want you to find me a secondary school with an excellent reputation and outstanding teachers. Once you have that information, let me know the name of the Headmaster and then how to contact him. Can you manage that?"
"Of course, sir," Bruno replied eagerly. But then a curious look crossed his face. "Wait... who are you planning to send to that school?"
"That's none of your business," I replied with a playful grin.
"Ohhh, it's probably Mandy! Wow, this is fantastic! Can I take your red car? It's my favorite!" he exclaimed, his excitement evident.
"Sure, take it and enjoy it. You're practically going to own it someday; I'll gift it to you for all your hard work," I added nonchalantly.
"Really? But won't the others grumble about favoritism? Let's not stir the pot. I'd prefer not to end up like a target at the mansion. Just give me my pay, and I'll save up for my own ride," Bruno chuckled, albeit a hint of concern danced in his eyes.
I nodded in agreement, our friendly banter setting the stage for more serious matters ahead. Then I departed, the weight of the day's conversations lingering like an unsolved mystery in my mind.
**Pinkie**
I was seated in my room before the mirror when Mrs. Katie entered.
"Pinky, you were the one who pushed Ariel, correct? Mandy, she did not commit that act. My intent was merely to suggest it could be Mandy, but that young girl is blameless. If you were indeed the one who pushed Ariel, then you must recognize your boundaries. Do you comprehend this?"
"What is the matter with you? Undoubtedly, I am the one who pushed her. I believed we had a common goal. I desired for Alessia and Mandy to be expelled; do you not share that sentiment?" I responded, rolling my eyes.
"Silence, you entitled child! We may seek the same outcome, but refrain from involving my granddaughter. Do not harm an innocent child for your own gain."
"Oh, are you now disrespecting me because of Ariel? What about my significance? Am I not valued?" Before she could reply, we heard David's voice from the doorway.
"What is happening here?"
To be continued.