I stood there dumbfounded. I had no idea Aurora would remember my name.
"Well, it appears you shared quite a bit about Stella to Aurora," Mom laughed, relieving the strain.
"She is really excited to meet her," Alessio's mother added.
Everyone was welcomed inside by Papa, and they conversed.
I kept averting my glance from Alessio's, and I could feel him watching at me.
"Ela!" While sitting on Alessio's lap, Aurora exclaimed and spread her palms wide.
I approached her and drew Aurora away from him without looking at him. Aurora snuggled up to me right away.
Mother eventually summoned all of us for dinner.
I was the last person to arrive, and there was only one seat available, which was clearly next to Alessio.
I sat near him, and he gave me a glance. My sight met his, and I caught a glimpse of him smiling slightly, but I quickly moved my glance, feeling my heart race faster. Alessio's grin faded. We were eating peacefully. When Papa spoke.
"Doesn't Alessio go to your school?" Papa's question caught me off guard.
"Umm, yeah," I replied quietly.
"I'm sure he can protect you better than your brother in any situation." Gabi was mentioned by Papa.
I was shocked when Gabi made no comment. When someone insults him, even if it's only for fun, he usually responds with something.
After eating, I went to my room with Aurora. Mostly to avoid Alessio.
I spent a lot of time playing with Aurora; she was so cute in her small little frock, and the bow on her head made her extra cuter.
A knock came on my door. I let them inside. The door opened, showing Alessio. I didn't know what to say.
"Umm, hi," I said hesitantly.
"Hey," he said, closing the door and taking a seat next to me and Aurora.
Aurora instantly approached him, giggling.
"Umm, I know I shouldn't have done them when you were drunk; I'm sorry, but please don't ignore me," he added, rubbing Aurora on the back as she dozed off.
I'm not sure why, but I was irritated with him when he mentioned we weren't more than friends. I don't even have a right to be angry. But I couldn't help myself.
"What difference does it make to you whether I ignore you or not?" I inquired, folding my arms.
"What?" he asked, puzzled.
"Why is it important to you? "Aren't we simply friends?" I don't think I'm that important to you. You don't have to make an effort to care for me." I mentioned and I felt my eyes were tearing up.
"What are you saying Stella?" he laid a sleeping Aurora in the bed and moved closer to me.
"I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm not sure why I'm feeling this way," I began to cry.
"What are you feeling?" he inquired.
"I don't know, it's strange; I feel different when I'm with you, and I felt upset when you said we're just friends; I don't know," I sobbed.
Alessio hugged and lovingly stroked me on the back
"I can feel your heart beating faster, just like mine," he said.