Page 18 of Alessia
Another chime.
I push off the bed, rubbing a hand over my face as I shuffle toward the door. When I glance through the peephole, I sigh.
Elio.
I unlock the door and pull it open. He’s standing there in his usual suit, looking as composed as ever, tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating quiet authority. The dim glow from the hallway lights casts sharp shadows across his face,
“You were supposed to be here at seven. It’s six now.”
“I know Miss Davis, but Miss DiSanti asked me to bring something for you.”
“Whatever you have for me I don’t want it.”
“Don’t be so stubborn. Miss DiSanti will bite my head off if I don’t give you this.”
An expensive looking box sits under his arm.
“Okay, let’s have it.” I hold up my hand to take it from him.
I open the box and inside there’s a note from her.
I always want you to feel comfortable around me
so please wear this and I hope you feel warm and safe. Just wear this and nothing else, no make-up, no fancy clothes. Just you, asyou are. I’ll be waiting to tell you about my true self.
I’ll see you soon.
-xx- Alessia
Underneath the tissue paper there’s the softest sweater and pants I ever felt. I look at Elio, and he looks a little smug. I take the box into my bathroom and wash my face, brush my hair and then I put on the sweater and pants. The size is just right, and the material feels like clouds kissing my skin. It’s burgundy with a little rib in the fabric. The sweater looks a bit oversized, but it fits just right and hangs off my shoulder. I put my hair in a simple braid and in the back of my closet I find white sneakers to complete the look. When I step into the living room Elio is still standing in the place I left him.
“How do I look?”
“Comfy, I guess. Looks like the boss has a great eye for your size.”
I roll my eyes at him.
“Ready to go, Miss?”
“I just need to grab my phone and keys.”
I grab them from the dining room table and motion Elio to leave the apartment. I take another glance around the apartment and shut off the lights. Just as I’m about to close the door a red-light flickers in my eyes. Probably just kids playing with lasers across the street. It happens all the time. I lock the door and follow Elio out to the car. He holds open the back door and I slide in.
Within half an hour we’re back on Ocean Avenue and Elio drives the car into the underground garage.
This time Alessia isn’t waiting for me in the elevator. I take the elevator to the third floor and Elio leaves me on the first floor. Guess I don’t need him as a buffer then? When the elevator doors slide open laughter reaches my ears.
I peek around and see Alessia with a young man and woman sitting on the couch. They’re all in comfy outfits, chatting and laughing. I scratch my throat. Alessia quickly stands up and holds out her hand. No sign of the fierce businesswoman I saw earlier today. It’s like she’s two different people. What the fuck is going on?
The man and woman stand as well and walk up to me together with Alessia.
“Harper! This are my brother, Lorenzo, and my sister Bella.”
Lorenzo gives me a wink and a nod and Bella pulls me in for a hug. Over her shoulder I look at Alessia with stunned surprise. She just smiles at me. When Bella lets me go, I say, “I thought we would be alone tonight.” More a statement than a question.
“Yes, you are…” Bella answers, “We were just on our way out!”
Alessia quickly hugs her brother and sister and they both step into the elevator.
