ENDLESS NIGHTS
Chapter 12
Alessia
Mrs. Katie: Oh, dear son, what a surprise! Who is this young lady, and what is she doing seated in our dining room?" Mrs. Katie inquired with a raised eyebrow, her voice tinged with an unmistakable blend of concern and curiosity. David, still clasping my hand firmly in his, suddenly let go, leaving the warmth of his grasp behind as I tried to gather my thoughts amidst the tension in the air.
"I'm Alessia," I replied, attempting to project an aura of calm confidence despite the chaos around me. "But don't worry too much about me—I'm not planning on sticking around for long. I'll be heading back home by tomorrow morning." I offered a light-hearted grin, hoping to ease the palpable discomfort that seemed to envelop the room.
Pinky, who had been hovering nearby like a storm cloud, shot daggers at me with her eyes. "Wow! So, David, you're really choosing to throw aside our relationship for this cheap, low-class girl?" she spat, her tone dripping with disdain as she flicked her hair back with exaggerated flair.
Meanwhile, Mr. Maynard, David's father, peered at me with a blend of confusion and admiration.
"Your friend here is absolutely stunning. Is she your girlfriend, or…?" His words felt like a warm ray of sunshine piercing through the clouds, an odd contrast to the chilly reception I was receiving from the others. It appeared that, amidst this storm of negativity, he alone recognized the beauty in my presence.
I could feel the warmth draining from my cheeks as I squirmed uncomfortably under the glares of Mrs. Katie and Pinky. Clearly, I was not welcome, yet David's soft smile—the only flicker of reassurance in a sea of disapproval—encouraged me to stay.
"She is my—" David began, but I interrupted him hastily.
"Friend," I replied, my voice almost a whisper, but firm. "Yes, we are friends. That's all—nothing more, nothing less."
"Ohhh, how delightful! Come, join us at the dinner table. Let's enjoy a meal together," Mr. Maynard beckoned, his tone inviting. The rest of the group begrudgingly settled down, including both Pinky and Mrs. Katie, who took their seats with palpable displeasure. David and I sauntered closer, and I chose a chair beside Mandy, feeling the weight of judgment heavy upon my shoulders. As I sneaked a glance at Mrs. Katie, I was greeted by the unmistakable frown that hinted at her disapproval, matching Pinky's expression perfectly. It was discouraging, and I wondered how long I could endure this uncomfortable gathering.
Mrs. Katie broke the silence again, her eyes narrowing on me like a hawk.
"So, Alessia, you mentioned you would be returning by tomorrow morning, did you not? I do hope you stick to your word, as my son has a girlfriend already. Pinky and David seem to have quite the connection, after all."
"Mrs. Katie," I interjected, trying to maintain my composure despite the tension, "you really don't need to worry about your son. We are just friends, plain and simple. And truthfully, I harbor little interest in the lives of the wealthy." I tried to inject a bit more certainty into my voice, hoping she would perceive my genuine intentions.
"Oh, that's wonderful! But honestly, how could someone like you, with nothing to your name, be of interest to a young man like him?" Mrs. Katie countered, a hint of condescension threading through her words as she tilted her head slightly.
Pinky, eager to jump on the bandwagon, chimed in,
"I completely agree with Mrs. Katie. Alessia, you really should consider spending time with people who match your…let's call it 'status.' You're poor; what's this nonsense about being friends with David? I mean, isn't he someone who is practically a husband-to-be?? That's just ludicrous!"
"Pinky, please stop," David replied, his voice suddenly filled with a firmness that silenced the room.
"I'm not interested in you, alright? You're attractive and all, but you're just not my type." As the words left his lips, an eerie stillness descended, wrapping the room in a cocoon of awkwardness. Mandy and Ariel shuffled about, preoccupied with their plates of food as if searching for solace in the steaming bowls before them.
As David began to serve himself and me from the sumptuous offerings laid out upon the table, the aroma of the stewed beef wafted through the air. Unfortunately, that scent, while appealing to many, was decidedly unappetizing to me. It churned my stomach like a turbulent sea, and I felt the wave of nausea rising within me. Desperate to escape the growing discomfort, I suddenly stood up and dashed out of the dining room without a second thought, leaving behind the bewildered faces of those gathered. My heart raced as I approached one of the bodyguards stationed at the door, seeking solace and a breath of fresh air.
at the door,
"Excuse me, could you kindly direct me to the washroom?" Alessia inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency.
"Oh, it's just over there!" came the reply, accompanied by a note of concern. "Are you alright, ma'am?" the host insisted, her brow creasing with worry.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine," Alessia assured her, though her pale face suggested otherwise.
**Narration**
Just moments after Alessia hastily exited the sitting room, a palpable tension filled the air as Mrs. Katie turned her gaze sharply toward David, her voice dripping with contempt.
"This is utterly humiliating, David. Just look at what your poor friend is doing! Does she look ready to upchuck right here in front of everyone? Is there a possibility that she's pregnant? My goodness, David! The world is teeming with options, yet you chose **her** of all people to be your friend?" Her voice crescendoed into a shout, leaving an uncomfortable silence in its wake. Across the table, Pinky could hardly contain her disdain as she rolled her eyes and lifted herself from her chair, her disapproval echoing in the atmosphere.
"I'm at my wits' end. I knew right from the get-go that sharing a table with that... that woman was a mistake," she spat, her tone venomous as she made her feelings unmistakably clear.
"Enough already, Pinky! I will not have you denigrating her like that!" David bellowed, his frustration boiling over. "By morning, you'd best start packing your bags. You seem to be the root of all these problems..." His voice thundered, and the room fell into a tense silence. In a quick motion, he turned his attention to his most trusted guard, Bruno, who stood like a sentinel by the door.
"Bruno! Escort my daughter to her room immediately."
"But Dad, I'm still in the middle of my meal! And trust me, I'm perfectly capable of tuning out the two of you," Ariel retorted, defiance in her tone as she waved a fork dismissively at her father.
"No, my princess, you are not staying. Take your food and eat in your room. Bruno, make it happen!" David said, each word punctuated with an authority that left no room for argument. The guard stepped in, easily lifting Ariel along with her plate, and whisked her away to her sanctuary. At the same moment, Mandy rose from her seat, a look of concern etched across her features.
"I'm just going to check on Alessia," she announced, seeking to bridge the rift forming within the group. But her words met with an icy silence as she departed.
The tension reached a cacophony when David rose, pointing his finger accusingly at his mother, his voice a fierce growl. "This is entirely your doing! You shouldn't have brought her here in the first place! And you, Pinky, consider this a final warning. Pack your belongings by morning, because there's no room in this house for your spiteful presence. One more thing—if anyone dares to insult Alessia in my presence, they will discover the consequences of my wrath," he shouted, the anger translating visibly onto his face. Amidst the tension, a chuckle erupted from David's father, shattering the simmering animosity.
"What on earth are you laughing at?" Katie snarled, incredulous.
"It seems our son has fallen hard," Mr. Maynard replied between chuckles. "After losing Lisa, I never thought he'd discover love again, let alone be so taken with someone like her!"
Katie, infuriated and flustered, stormed out of the room, leaving David and his father in a silent standoff. With a calm demeanor, Mr. Maynard leaned in slightly and offered a reassuring whisper, "Don't back down, son. Fight for what you believe in. That Alessia girl… she's truly worth the effort. Make her yours. Ignore your mother's narrow-mindedness."
With a grateful nod, David responded, "Thanks, Dad. It means a lot to know you see it too. I just wish Mom could understand as well. To her, it's all about money and status—she never realizes that even those without wealth have immense worth, right?"
"Absolutely right, son," Mr. Maynard agreed, a supportive smile gracing his lips. With renewed determination, David left the room, his heart set on finding Alessia.
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**Mandy**
As I stepped out of the sitting room, a sense of urgency propelled me to seek out the bodyguard, prompting me to inquire about Alessia's whereabouts. Following his guidance, I wound through the dimly lit corridor and reached the washroom door, which I opened gingerly. To my dismay, there she was—Alessia, hunched over the toilet, her body wracked with heaves as she vomited into the bowl, despair etched across her features. My heart twisted with sympathy; it was evident that the lavish spread laid out for dinner had not been kind to her, likely compounded by her pregnancy nausea.
Gently, I rested my hand upon her shoulder, hoping to convey some comfort.
"Everything will be alright, Alessia. You really should tell David about the baby. It's going to hurt more if he finds out from someone else."
She shook her head vehemently, her voice thick with emotion.
"No, I've made up my mind. I'm going to end this pregnancy once and for all. I'm not ready to be a mother."
"Alessia, please think about this! Terminating it isn't the answer. Just have a conversation with David. It's vital he hears it from you," I pleaded, but she only grew agitated.
"Mandy, you know I love David more than anything. I'm infatuated with him, even if it's hard for me to admit it. But if I tell him about this baby, he'll be heartbroken to discover it's his brother's child. I don't want to put more distance between David and Ethan—there's enough estrangement already! I know Ethan hurt me deeply, and I'll never forgive him, but I still wish for some semblance of unity between the brothers, purely for David's sake," she confessed, her eyes glistening with tears as she finally rose from the floor. As I helped her to her feet, we stepped out of the oppressive confines of the washroom, only to find David standing there, breaths coming in heavy gasps, concern etched in his face.
"Hey guys, I've been searching for you everywhere!" David exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and urgency as he finally caught sight of Alessia. He instantly noticed the slight frown etched upon her brow.
"Alessia, is everything alright? What's going on? Are you feeling sick?"
I glanced over at Alessia, who attempted to feign a cheerful smile, but her eyes told a different story—ones painted with shadows of discomfort and worry.
"David, I'm truly sorry for the scene I caused earlier," she managed to say, her tone laced with sincerity. "I realize I embarrassed you in front of your family, and for that, I'm really sorry."
He shook his head vigorously, dismissing her apology.
"No, no, it's perfectly okay. You don't need to apologize, seriously. It's all behind us now." His gentle attempt at reassurance felt almost comforting, yet it was clear that there was something deeper beneath the surface.
"Actually," Alessia replied, her voice dropping to a whisper, "I am not feeling great. I have an upset stomach; that's why I acted out."
David's worry deepened at her admission. "Should I grab you some medication? Maybe that would help?"
"Thanks, but no. I think we're about to head out anyway. Tomorrow feels like a lifetime away. We'll just call Uber. We can say our goodbyes now, and I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" She attempted to deflect the situation, a hint of determination in her voice.
"Wait, hold on! Do you even realize what time it is, Alessia? It's nearly 11 PM, and you want to go home now?" David asked, incredulity creeping into his voice. "Please, just stay the night; you can go home in the morning."
Before Alessia could respond, Ariel emerged from within the gathering, her face brightening with the prospect of their extended reunion.
"Yes, absolutely! Just stay for the night, and you'll head back tomorrow," she chimed in enthusiastically.
Alessia arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk crossing her lips.
"Oh, did you two plan this little scheme? And what about you, Mandy?" she queried, her playful banter hinting at a deeper camaraderie.
The girls came to a collective agreement: they would stay overnight, waking up bright and early to return home. It felt less like a burden and more like a small adventure, even if Mrs. Katie loomed disapprovingly in the background, her stern gaze a constant reminder of the rules they were attempting to sidestep. Alessia had a spark of hope; after all, she was absolutely smitten with David.
As the night wore on, the girls divided bedrooms. Mandy decided to share a room with Ariel, leaving Alessia feeling a bit anxious about her own solitude. However, David quickly sensed her hesitance. With a charming grin, he pleaded,
"Please, let's not separate just yet. I swear I'll sleep on the couch, and you can take the bed. It's only fair. You really shouldn't be left alone."
Alessia regarded him skeptically, but his earnestness melted her apprehensions.
"No, no, that wouldn't be right. You're the host! You should sleep on the bed. It would be selfish of me to occupy your space," she insisted softly.
"Absolutely not; you can't sleep there. Fine, how about we share the bed then? But we'll put pillows between us, just to keep things—um—appropriate," he suggested with a teasing grin.
"Oh, David," Alessia chuckled, a playful glint in her eyes. "I don't think your feelings—and Mr. Dick—are going to allow you to peacefully drift off to sleep without any…carrying on." Their laughter echoed playfully through the softly lit room, the awkwardness melting away like ice under the warmth of an unexpected friendship.
To be continued...