FIVE

“Mom means aunt Ari’s new boyfriend.”Her son said.

“Alessio.Mind your tongue.”She said sternly.

“No use hiding it mom.”He shrugged.”I'm hungry,Brad just came to ruin lunch what are we having for dinner.”

Brie sat him down on the bed when he was gonna leave.”I'm getting tired of your attitude and the way you behaving.We gonna sit down and discuss why you acting out and behaving like a lunatic.”

“I don't want to talk about it.Just thinking about it makes me angry.”Brie saw how his fingers tighten around his pencil,quickly she removed the pencil before it was gonna get ripped apart.

Ever so tenderly she cupped his cheek.Clearly there's more going on.”Talk to me Alessio.What's really going on at school.”Brie turned his head so he was forced to look at her.”Mommy cannot help you if you don't tell me what's wrong.”

Sighing deeply she gave up and headed for the door,she cannot force him to talk if he isn't ready.”Who is our father.”

Those words made her stop dead in her tracks.For the longest while silence is the only thing that can be heard.She never expected that question or for them to ask.Because truth be told what is she gonna tell them.I slept with a man I barely knew,got pregnant and had you.NO.She can't do that to them.”Is that what this is all about.Your father.”

“Are you gonna tell us or not.”

“Your father doesn't know about you Alessio and before you ask why.It's because I never could find him.”She walked back inside the room and sat in between them.”I don't want you to think your father doesn't want you.That's not the case.Is that why you keep on getting into fights at school.”

“Yes.”Ava answered.”The other kids at school are calling us bastards and making fun of the fact that we don't have a father.That makes Alessio angry.”

“Next time anyone says anything mean to you go and tell your teacher.Okay.” She told them.

“They called you a puttana.”Her son spoke so softly.”That you don't know who our father is.”Brie isn't gonna ask what that means but by the sound of it,it's not a nice word but she will Google it once she's alone.

“I don't care who says what.But I love you and you're my babies nothing will change that.Ever.Your father's name is Giovanni and I'm sure he would be honored to have you guys.Don't let other kids get under your skin.And Alessio promise me you will stop getting into fights.”

“I'll try.”He said.

She sighed.”Alessio....”

“I'm not gonna lie to you mom and say yes.”It's a start she thought.

“Okay.Now come and help me prepare dinner.”

As the four of them were busy making dinner,Ari’s cell began to rang.Marco she mouthed with a smile to Brie.She can't help but worry for her sister,this new found friendship or whatever is going on between them is too soon.But he brings a smile to Ari’s face and who is she to take that away from her,after a long time Ari seems happy and content.So she won't interfere in her life unless Arielle asks her too.

It's Monday morning and she's late for work.Lord knows how she over slept.

“Alessio!Ava!”She yelled from the kitchen.”It's time to go or you'll be late for school.”She swallow the last of her tea before taking her purse and car keys.

“Morning sis.”Ari greeted.”What's the rush.”

“Morning.”Brie replied.”And I'm late for work.Alessio.Ava.”

“I'll take them to school.Don't worry.”Ari offered.

Brie breathed easy.”Thanks.I owe you.”The second the twins joined her in the kitchen she gave them each a kiss.”Mommy will see you later.Be good.”

Brie is sure she broke all the speed limits but she doesn't want to lose her job it's their life line.Thank God it's Ari’s day off and she took the twins to school after their talk a few weeks back Alessio has been staying out of trouble like he promised she had gone to the school to talk about what the other kids had called them and the situation has been resolved.

Since then not one complain has been heard and she hopes it stays that way she's had enough of all the drama.After the Brad fiasco all she needs is a few days away if only her pockets can agree with her.The second she arrived at Alessi Corp she was told Mr Alessi wants to see her in his office. She's never met the big bad boss cause he's never here and now he has to be here of all days when she's late.Taking the elevator to the last floor she quickly straighten herself and dragged a hand through her hair.

“Mr Alessi requested to see me.”She told the gorgeous receptionist. Everyone here at the office is impeccably dressed,not one hair is out of place.The building screams money so must your attire.

“And you are.”She questioned.

“Miss Baker.”Brie answered,she watched as the woman made a phone call after a second she said.

“You may go through Mr Alessi is expecting you.”For some weird unknown reason her heart is beating like crazy.Could it be this is her last day working here all because she came late today.Dear lord please not.Stopping in front of a black door she knocked softly before hearing a deep voice say come in.Ever so slowly she made her way inside and caught her breath,the boss's view is beautiful one can see the busy life outside on the street,a huge flat screen is on her right she wonders why that is there.A seating area occupied her left along with a small kitchen area.

Straight ahead is his desk with two chairs before him.Brie shuddered and she didn't know why.When Mr Alessi’s eyes made contact with her she knew why she shuddered,staring into his eyes is like staring into nothingness just a empty hole.The man's aura is cold.But damn is he hot.Yet again all Italian men are they just have this sexiness that cannot be compare with any other,it's as if their kind was made specially with certain features.Look at Marco the man is huge and all muscle just like her hunky boss.

She wonder how many hours they do in the gym for them to look so godly attractive.”When you done staring Miss Baker feel free to sit down.”

A light blush crept up to her cheeks,she has just openly admired her boss and got caught.”Sorry.”Once seated she notice he too has tattoos.What is it with dudes and tattoos these days.”You've requested to see me sir.”

He looked up from his papers to meet her gaze.”Yes you'll learn soon enough Miss Baker.”He pressed down on her name,it gave her chills and not the good kind.”How long have you been working here?”

“Uhm...next week will be a year sir.”For some reason her voice was quivering.

“I see you have kids.”He went on.”Are you married or have a boyfriend.”

The question caught her of guard.”Not that it's any of your business sir but no I'm not married neither do I have a boyfriend.May I know what's this about?”

A slow deadly smile spread across his face it made her uncomfortable.What the hell is going on here she thought.”You see Brielle..”The way he said her name made her skin crawl.”It came to my attention that you working for the enemy and has been giving them information.”

“What!?”She practically yelled.’I've never done anything of the sort.I love my job and I love working here.”

The second he stood her heart rate climbed,he came and stopped right in front of her.”You know what I hate Brielle that's liars.”

“I'm not ly-...’But her sentence got stuck in her throat when she felt her hair being pulled back.Fuck it hurt.Mr Alessi was all up in her face.

“I don't like moles or snitches.Loyalty means everything and unfortunately yours doesn't lie with this company.”

“Mr Alessi-....”Yet again she got cut off.This time by a hard slap that sent her flying to the floor along with her handbag spilling it's contents.Brie saw stars as she was lying on the floor clutching her left cheek.Never has she been slapped that hard by anyone.What the fuck is going on?Why is he accusing her of working with the enemy.What the hell is he talking about.

“I'll give you a chance to come clean Miss Baker or I'll be forced to hurt the people you love.I must say little Alessio reminds me of his father,exactly the same.”

Slowly she crawled away from him as he was making his way to her.”What are you talking about.”

“We still playing the dumb game are we Miss Baker seems you need a little reminder.”He walked over to his desk and came back with a tablet in his hands. “Does she look familiar.”Brie’s gaze followed his and what she saw makes her gasp.It is Ari and she's tied up to a chair and beaten badly blood is all over her.Tears pooled in her eyes for her sister.”Your lovely sister,just like you she's a beauty no wonder the Valetti men fell for you.”He pulled her roughly.”Come we going for a ride.”