POV: Dima

I watch through the small hospital window as Angelo and Aletta sleep calmly.

A pang of jealousy spikes my heart as my eyes catch the gentle smile on Aletta's rosy lips.

I've only known Aletta for about 2 weeks, but that girl has somehow managed to capture my heart.

Whenever I'm around her, my whole world brightens. I get a warm sensation in my chest as I am near her and I can always be myself around her.

She is so angelic and mesmerising to me, I just know that she is perfect.

But then there's Angelo.

I knew about him for a little over two months.
I found my mothers photo album stashed in one of her drawers and that is how I discovered that I had a brother.

After debating with my mother for several weeks, we agreed to fly to America to find him, but somehow my grandfather discovered our plan.

I always looked up to my grandfather, as a the father figure which I never had, but that was until I discovered what a sick and twisted man he was.

When he discovered the plan, he kidnapped Aletta and kept my mother locked in the basement, as he knew I wouldn't leave without her.

The manipulative bastard threatened to kill Angelo, Aletta was just the pawn to draw him in.

I had not discovered this plan until I'd seen Angelo with Aletta and all the pieces fit into place.

By the time I had realised though, it was too late. Things escalated very quickly and somehow that landed us here.

My grandfather is dead and now I have not only a brother, but also a father.

What a twisted family I seem to have.

After the shooting, and Aletta being hospitalised, Angelo refuses to speak to me. He has been giving me the cold shoulder, practically from when we met and is not making an effort to acknowledge my presence.

He has also been hostile towards my mother, but after speaking with his father he has spoken with her a few times, even if he is not completely friendly with her.

I have not yet had the courage to speak with Giovanni, my father. I know nothing about him, at all. All my mother has said was that she made a big mistake, but that does not give me any clues as to how he is.

I've seen him twice, from a distance, but still have not approached him.

I've watched as my mother has tried to talk to him, but that also resulted in failure.

I have no clue where things will go from here, I just hope and pray that something will work out.

My eyes still linger on the small figure which lays upon the bed. My chest aches at the sight.

I slowly take a deep breath and shut my eyes.

Slowly I turn, gradually lifting my head, ready to walk away, but as my eyes widen I come face to face with a familiar face.

My mother says nothing and just embraces me, her motherly affection warming me.

"Come on Dima, let's get a drink and we can come back later." She softly says so I nod my head and follow her out from the hospital.

The two of us head to a small cafe down the street from the hospital and take a seat in the corner of the shop by the window.

I watch out the window as pedestrians pass by just going on with their everyday life.

I watch as parents chase after their children and elderly couples sit in the benches smiling at the sight. Groups of teenagers laugh and act carefree, meanwhile toddlers play.

The sunshine shines down upon the happy atmosphere; joy radiating from each persons aura.

Watching this sight makes my heart yearn for affection. Each giggle makes me smile, yet I cant help but feel the weight of my empty heart tugging in my chest.

I turn away to see my mother return to the table with two cups of coffee and a bagel. She greets me with a warm smile as she sits opposite me, placing the objects on the table.

We start a lighthearted conversation, and my mother is in the middle of a sentence when she abruptly goes silent.

The bell above the cafe door rings as three men dressed in Armani suits with dark sunglasses walk in.
The one at the front removes his glasses and slowly scans the cafe until his eyes land on my mother and their eyes lock.

There is a moment of silence between them as the whole cafe turns silent as the two of them share a surprised expression.

The moment is quickly over though as the man swiftly turns, getting ready to make his way out of the shop, until he is interrupted by a frantic call from my mother.
She swiftly gets up from her seat and quickly makes her way over to him.

His expression turns hard as she approaches him but he remains still as a statue.
The two men behind him walk away to the till to get something, leaving my mother and Giovanni alone.

They share a brief conversation before my mother jogs over to me.

"Dima. I uh- would it be ok if I went with Gio. I desperately need to talk with him..." she says a little worried.

I smile at her and nod my head indicating for her to go but her face turns to a shocked look.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, no, I won't leave you here. I am your mother so I will stay with you." She shakes her head as she says the words.

Slowly, she turns to walk back to Giovanni, but I quickly grab her arm and hug her.

"Go mama. I'll be fine." I tell her as I hug her. She looks up into my eyes trying to read my expression.

After a few seconds she nods her head so I reassure her and walk over to Giovanni with her.

"It's nice to meet you sir. Please take good care of my mother." I say while firmly shaking his hand.

He nods his head firmly and replies in a business like tone.

"Of course." He then turns to leave with my mother who turns to smile at me before they both head out.

I finish the coffee and bagel which my mother gave me before heading back to the hospital.

I go straight up to Aletta's room to find Angelo nowhere in sight.
I walk straight over to her bed and sit in the chair besides her next to the vase with the colourful bouquet of mixed flowers which I bought as a 'get well soon' present.

She stirs slightly so I soothingly stroke her hair, trying to calm her. Softly she then mumbles something I can only just about make out: "Angelo".

Once again a prick of jealously appears within me but I ignore it and continue to soothe the angelic girl laying down.

Her eyes flutter open and a soft smile graces her lips. I smile in return as I gaze into her deep green eyes.

She slowly pushes herself up the bed and I help her by setting a pillow upright, behind her back.

She turns her head then and faces me fully. I watch attentively at her actions patiently awaiting for her to say something.

She sits mirroring my actions, though, therefore I take the iniziative and commence a conversation.

"I'm glad you are awake. You really had me worried there..." I say to her.

The conversation isn't exactly lighthearted but it's the truth.

She gives me a sympathetic smile in return before replying.
"I'm awake now, there's no need to worry about me."

Her words are meant to soothe me but I can't help but still feel protective of her. And in this moment, I realise how far I am willing to go to protect her.

She means more to me than most people and I can honestly say that I would go through hell and back just to put a smile on her face.

I sigh deeply before nodding my head.
"I know I don't have to worry about you, but I can't help it. You mean so much to me and I would hate for anything bad to happen to you." I honestly say looking down to my lap.

She stays silent for a moment, so I curiously look up to see her reaction.

We maintain eye contact for many moments before she leans towards me.

Our breaths intermingle as she positions her face mere inches from mine.

Silently she whispers to me. "Oh Angelo, I'm so happy I have you here with me."

It takes me a few moments to register what she just said, but my shock is erased instantly as her soft lips connect with mine.

Gently, she tangles her fingers in my hair, gently tugging meanwhile deepening the kiss. I wrap my arms around her petite frame leaning in more.

I trail my hands up and down her back and arms while passionately kissing her but something doesn't feel right.

There are no sparks, no butterflies in my stomach. My heart isn't racing and I feel no deep connection.

To me, this is simply a kiss. And everything about it is wrong.

The door abruptly slams, shocking me. I immediately turn around to see a livid man storm off.

I freeze.

Finally my retarded brain has processed the situation.

Wide eyed I turn to face a perplexed Aletta. I don't even explain before sprinting out of the room and chasing my brother.

I search the hospital halls for him as well as the car park, canteen and reception but he is nowhere to be found.

I take my car and drive around for about an hour trying to find him but fail to discover where he is.

I return to the mansion and hurriedly pull up in the drive besides a matte black mercedes.

I run inside to find my mother sat besides Giovanni.

Surprise is evident in my posture as I just stand and stare in awe.
My mother and Giovanni stand and walk towards me.

"Hello Dima. Is everything alright?" My mother asks.
I slowly nod my head as Giovanni approaches me also.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Dima. I don't believe we have spoken yet." He says firmly but with a hint of warmth in his voice.

"No I don't think we have. It's an honour to meet you too Mr Santovendito." I reply to him, not knowing how to respond.

He gives me a half smile and a pat on the back before saying, "please son, call me Papà."

I smile at him as I am welcomed to him.
I'm about to say something when I am interrupted by my mother again.

"Was there a reason you just burst through the doors in a hurry earlier son? You seemed very worried."

I then remember the issue and ask both my parents if they have seen or heard from Angelo.

Neither of them have so I return to the car in a hurry. I search for hours more until it becomes dark and I return to the mansion.

I watch my father pace the living room as my mother has a worried expression on her face.

"Calm down, Gio. I'm sure he will come back soon." She says and he stops to turn and face her.

"No Kataya, you don't understand. Angelo has done this before, just walking off without a trace." He sternly replies.

"Yes, but maybe this time is different?" She asks hopefully.

"No. When he goes, he is gone for months on end at a time. Perhaps even years. There is nothing we can do to find him if he does not want to be found."

His words sink into me as realisation dawns upon me.

Angelo is gone.

And it's all my fault...

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Author note: Hey there!

Hope all of you had an amazing Christmas and will have a fantastic new year to come.

Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!🥳🥳

I wish all of you the best for 2019 :)