Shaking my head, I dismissed him. “No. You can leave.”
I placed both of my hands on the table and leaned forward. “What am I going to do with you, Ayla?” I whispered, my eyes fixated on the window.
After a few minutes of staring into the distance, I straightened up and shrugged on my suit jacket before leaving the room. My plan was to go downstairs for dinner, but instead, as I got closer to the stairs, my steps faltered.
Looking to my right, I stared at the hallway that led to Ayla’s room. It was tempting. I spent the whole day away from her and now I was standing just a few steps away.
But what if she didn’t want to see me?
Feeling frustrated at the uncertainty, I tightened my fingers into fists and took a step down the stairs, but then stopped.
“Fuck it!” I hissed before moving back and walking toward Ayla’s room. Stopping in front of her door, I took a deep breath and released it quickly before knocking at the door. My heart started to beat a little faster as I waited for her response.
Damn it! Was I nervous?
Swallowing hard at the realization, I started to think that this was a bad idea. I took a step away from the door and was about to leave when I heard her sweet voice.
“Come in.”
That did it. Those two words and her soft voice was enough to stop me from leaving. Placing my hand over the handle, I slowly opened the door and walked inside.
I found Ayla sitting on the bed, the comforter covering her legs as she stared at the walls thoughtfully. Her head snapped toward me when I entered the room.
“Alessio,” she whispered, her lips barely moving.
“Ayla.” We stared at each other, both of us lost for words.
Instinctively, I took a step forward and walked closer, stopping beside her bed. Her green eyes blinked up at me surprisingly and she licked her lips nervously.
Clearing my throat, I asked softly, “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she replied quickly. I was surprised she even answered. I didn’t think she would. Cocking my head to the side, I stared at her questioningly. She shifted her eyes away from mine and looked down at her lap, her fingers twisting in the comforter.
“Did you eat yet?” I questioned when I felt the air growing awkward around us. I wanted to see her, yet I didn’t know what to say. Nothing about this woman made any sense to me and my reactions toward her made no sense either. She confused me. And my conflicting feelings only made it more confusing.
Ayla nodded. “I ate lunch a little late. So I am not hungry.”
“Okay.”
Ayla grew silent again and this time, I didn’t know what to say. So I cleared my throat one more time and started to back away from her bed. Her head snapped up and I saw her body slightly move forward. Her mouth opened to say something but then she closed it.
“I just wanted to see how you are doing,” I said gently, keeping my eyes on her. “I should go. You need to rest.”
Ayla’s shoulders sagged and she nodded, her eyes growing sadder.
My brows drew together at her expression. Did she not want me to leave? But when she didn’t say anything, I sighed and turned around.
As soon as I took a step away, her voice stopped me. “Wait,” she called softly. Swiveling around, I faced her again.
“Yes?” Perplexed by her abrupt call, I merely nodded in her direction, curious as to what she would say to me.
Her hand fluttered to her throat and then she pushed a few strands of her hair behind her eyes, her hands slightly trembling with nervousness. I saw her swallow a few times with visible effort, trying to find her voice again. I waited, surprisingly patiently.
“I…want to thank…I mean…” She stumbled over her words, stuttering badly over each one. Ayla quickly snapped her mouth shut, her lips forming a hard line. Her eyebrows furrowed together and she looked somewhat frustrated.
Ayla closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She sighed and then opened her eyes again. “Thank you for the flowers,” she said so quickly that I almost missed it.
Her cheeks colored in a beautiful shade of red and her gaze fell. She wiped her hands on the comforter over and over as she waited.
But I was completely lost.
Flowers?
What the fuck is she talking about?
“Flowers?” I echoed, not at all sure what she’d just said. Why was she thanking me for flowers?
“Yes,” she said, nodding toward her nightstand. I followed her eyes and saw some pink flowers in a vase. They were beautiful.
But they weren’t from me.
“Maddie told me you got them for me. They are so beautiful,” Ayla murmured softly, making me turn toward her again.
Maddie? Fuck. This girl. What the hell was she thinking? My jaw twitched in anger. She had overstepped her boundaries this time.
“Thank you so much,” Ayla whispered again, gazing up at me. Her expression took my breath away. Her green eyes were twinkling and her face had softened, her cheeks flushed.
At her sweet words and soft expression, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her the truth.
“Right. Flowers. I’m glad you like them,” I said.
“I do,” she breathed, looking back at the flowers again, a small smile appearing at the corners of her lips.
Ayla gazed at the flowers, and when she didn’t turn back around, I slowly started to step away. “I should go.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Okay.” After giving her a final look, I tore my gaze away. I swiftly walked out of her room, and as soon as the door was closed behind me, I let the anger take place.
“Maddie,” I hissed.
Quickly walking away from Ayla’s room, I made my way downstairs and straight into the kitchen, where I knew I would find Maddie.
With each step I took, I grew angrier at the lies she fed Ayla. Stepping into the kitchen, I snapped loudly, my voice resonating with my annoyance and fury.
“Maddie!”
She jumped and swiveled around with a gasp, her hand going to her chest in shock. Her eyes went wide, but when she saw me, her shoulders sagged in relief. “You scared the crap out of me.”
“Alessio, what’s wrong?” Lena asked, coming to stand beside her daughter.
“I have to speak with Maddie,” I growled.
Lena’s forehead creased in confusion and she faced Maddie. “What did you do now?”
“Me? I didn’t do anything,” she replied, her voice squeaking as she feigned innocence.
Taking a step forward, I grabbed her arm and started pulling her out of the kitchen. I heard Lena sigh behind me and she grumbled, “Here we go again.”
I pushed Maddie into the wall, my fingers still wrapped tightly around her arm. “You are hurting me, Alessio.”
I let go of her and she rubbed her arms, glaring at me. “This is going to bruise tomorrow.”
And I didn’t give a fuck.
“Don’t test me now, Maddie. Why did you lie to Ayla?” I snapped in her face.
“Ahh, that.” She rolled her eyes.
Smiling wide, she placed her hand over my chest and gave me a pat. “I got this. Just leave it to me. I have everything planned out. The wedding. The babies.”
I gaped at her in shock. “Maddie,” I warned.