21 First Name Basis

Nicolas' family stood around uncomfortably for a moment, before awkwardly saying their goodbyes, promising to come back the following day for the announcement. Caterina bid them farewell, trying to catch Nicolas' eye, but failing. He seemed to be stuck in a haze, still reeling from Alessia's actions.

Was it really so easy for a person to change? What was this strange feeling in his chest? Why wasn't he excited to marry the love of his life?

These were the thoughts floating through his head, as he absentmindedly followed his parents out of the manor, not even glancing in Caterina's direction.

And like some many times before, Caterina was left behind and alone in the dining hall. Her fists were balled up into tight fists, and her eyes narrowed in anger.

Once again, her plans were ruined. It was never the plan to get caught and marry Nicholas before having successfully stolen Cargona Industries out of her cousins' hands and into her own. Now, if she got married, it would be so much harder to continue to interject herself into the family business, and put herself in Grandfather's good graces. He was already so disappointed in her, and regaining his trust would be hell. He would definitely side with Alessia in the future.

As Caterina thought of her cousin, her brows furrowed in agitated confusion.

These last few days, Alessia was like a completely different person. She had become more confident, and so difficult to control. And now, the cousins' relationship looked like a bridge that could never again be crossed. Only a fool would choose to forgive someone who had betrayed them so badly, and it seemed that Alessia was no longer a fool.

Caterina forced herself forward, up the stairs to her room, her face still contorted. She would have to plan her next move meticulously.

++++

After insisting that she was fine over and over, Alessia had finally managed to throw her parents and brother out of her room. They were all convinced that she was putting on a strong facade to keep her pride, but it truly seemed as if she was fine. Reluctantly, they decided to leave her be, as they knew she had to rest.

Alessia plopped down on her bed, sighing as she went down.

She hadn't planned to lose her cool at dinner tonight, but the righteous indignation on Nicholas' face made her snap. But that slap was just the beginning.

He would pay for all he had done to her, to her family. To her baby.

As would her cousin. Now that any semblance of camaraderie was gone, Alessia was free to act as she pleased.

They would never know another moment of peace!

A soft knock on the door drew Alessia out of her murderous fantasy. After sitting up and softening her face, she called for the person to come in. The housekeeper walked in with a nicely wrapped package in hand, setting it down atop the desk.

"Good evening, Miss. This package was delivered to the manor for you."

A curious look rose on Alessia's face. She dismissed the housekeeper, thanking her, and waited until she left to approach the package.

The wrapping paper was meticulously folded over the box, and a bow sat atop it, bright in color and beautiful.

Alessia searched for a note, a name, anything to figure out where it came from, but to no avail. The only thing on the little card attached to the bow was her full name written in a beautiful script. She admired the handwriting for a minute before putting aside the card and opening the package.

Inside the box laid 5 bottles of what looked to be a tonic of some sort. She picked up a bottle, reading the ingredients and nutritional facts. All natural ingredients, and put together for weakness and fatigue. A glance at the bottle could let you know that this particular product was pretty expensive, but Alessia couldn't recognize the brand. The confusion she felt just grew.

Who would send this?

It could be Cali or Gen, but neither of them knew what happened to her. It could be a trap set by Caterina, but Alessia felt that she had been too busy with the current situation to plan an attack so soon.

Alessia's head wandered to the only other person it could be, heart swelling as she did, before shaking her head, trying to quell her excitement. She let out a short and exasperated laugh.

"Stop it, Alessia! It wouldn't be." she murmured to herself.

At that moment, her phone rang. She fished it out of her pocket, and froze in shock at the name that was displayed.

Her lips turned upwards, before splitting into a big smile. So, it was him!

Alessia took a deep breath before answering the phone, but it did very little to tone down the excitement in her voice.

"Matteo!"

For a moment, Alessia couldn't even hear breathing on the other side. Her excitement waned for a moment, as she called out his name a second time, in a hesitant tone. This time, a low and almost amused voice responded.

"I didn't know we were on a first name basis, Miss Cargona."

Alessia flushed, at his response. She had done it again, acted overly familiar! She cleared her throat before answering.

"S-sorry, Mr. Conti. It was an accident! If you'd like me to stop, I totally can. Unless you don't, then I won't, haha. You could call me by my first name too, but only if you want to.."

She continued to babble for a moment, until Matteo cut her off.

"It's fine." Before Alessia could answer, Matteo continued speaking.

"Did you get the package I sent?"

Alessia nodded enthusiastically before realising that he couldn't see her.

"Yes, I did! Thank you, I really appreciate it. This is exactly what I needed! I didn't think you read my message, haha" she responded cheerfully.

Matteo hummed in acknowledgement.

"Take one first thing in the morning. I sent 5 bottles, so if you find it effective, let me know and I will send more."

Alessia protested, " Oh, I couldn't possibly. If you just tell me the brand, I'm sure I could get them myself."

She thought she could hear a low chuckle, but it was so brief and so quiet that she wasn't sure that it wasn't imagined.

"Good night… Alessia."

With that said, he hung up, leaving Alessia at a loss for words. Holding the phone away from her head, she stared at the black screen before breaking out into giggles.

What a strange guy!

++++

What a strange girl!

Matteo sat in his office alone, staring at his phone screen, amusement dancing in his eyes.

She was bold before, reaching out to grab his hand and invite him to her grandfather's birthday party. Now, on the phone she was tripping over her words and speaking politely in a way that almost made him laugh.

He hadn't planned on texting her earlier that day, but as his work day progressed, Matteo's mind continued to drift back to the young girl that he had saved. He also hadn't planned on sending her those tonics, but when they were delivered to him by a close friend, he couldn't help but think about the person who may need it more than him.

He sat back on his office chair, turning his head to the window overlooking the city skyline.

He thought about what information he had managed to dig up about the Cargona girl. From all reports, Alessia was a carefree and spoiled girl, afforded everything she could ever want. So why were her eyes so full of anger? Why did she seem so full of pain?

Something wasn't adding up. And he would figure it out.

He called in his personal assistant, and one of the few people he trusted, Micah.

Matteo tossed the slim file across the desk.

"This isn't enough."

Micah grimaced.

"Well, this is everything on the girl, Boss. What else do you wanna know?"

Micah glanced at the file, wanting to understand what about this girl was so interesting to his boss. When he realized Matteo wouldn't be giving him a response, he sighed, before picking up the file, and walking out the room. Boss refused to make life easy for anyone!

Matteo continued to stare out at the changing horizon, trying not to think about how nice his name sounded coming out of her mouth.