Chapter 6 - Alice

The first response Massimo received after that scream was a whimper from Millie, who hugged Alice's neck even tighter, looking like she was about to cry at any moment. And, as uncomfortable as that situation was, Alice couldn't help but feel irritated with that stupid man, who had dared to scare her daughter.

“What happened today was just an accident.” She replied, her voice now firmer “Rest assured that if this is how you plan to treat us, because of what Amber did, then we will do our best to stay away from you. There is no need to threaten us for this. I thought maybe I could find the man I once considered my friend...” she admitted, crestfallen “But now you've made it very clear that it was a futile hope.”

“That...” Massimo’s chest rose and fell quickly, without Alice knowing whether he was about to get sick or have a tantrum “How dare you...?” He shifted in his chair and, surprised, Alice watched the oversized sleeves of his sweater rise a little, revealing deep scars on his arms, dark red and certainly very painful “Fuck!” he growled, quickly pulling his sleeves back up to his wrists “Get out of here! Now!" Massimo demanded.

“Massimo…” Alice hesitated, worried “If… If you need any help, you know I spent a year at nursing school and…”

"You did not listen to me?" he suddenly exploded, making her flinch “Do you think I need your fucking pity? That I called you here to do things for me because I’m not capable anymore?” the corners of his eyes turned almost scarlet “Get the fuck out of here! And don’t let me see your face again, understand?”

“Alright, Massimo…” she nodded, returning his glare with disappointment “We’ll leave you alone, as you seem to want it so much.”

Without another word, Alice just snuggled Millicent even more against her chest and took her daughter away from that man, not wanting him to scare her little angel even more. She had promised Millie that they would both be happy in that house, regardless of the reasons that led her to marry Massimo. However, if instead of a sick man with fragile health, he had become a grumpy and embittered idiot who had no shame in shouting and swearing like that in front of a child, just like a monster, then...

She would have to keep Millie away not just from the Dawseys, but from him as well.

Well, it wasn't like she didn't have experience in this. But still, there was something very painful about it. Maybe because, even without her realizing it, there was still a part of 19-year-old Alice hidden inside her, eager to see Massimo again just like she used to feel whenever he visited her house, years ago...

“Mommy?” Millie called out to her, her voice tearful “Was that scary man yelling at you because I went out to look for the horses?” her daughter pulled away enough just to look at her, guiltily “I’m... I’m sorry... I didn’t want him to get mad at you...”

“It’s okay, honey. Just promise me you won't leave my side again. And… Don’t worry about that man.” Alice sighed “He'll never yell at you again, I promise.”

“Is he really your new special friend?” she asked, clearly worried.

"This is complicated. In fact, even Mom is trying to make sense of it all.” Alice sighed, kissing her daughter’s forehead “I promise I’ll explain everything to you when things are... In the right place. At the moment, you just need to know that that man's name is Massimo Bianchi and he was in a car accident that left him injured. Like, really, really hurt. He is no longer able to get up and walk, like you and I.” She said, making Millie widen her eyes in shock.

“Is that why he’s so angry? It’s because he’s sad?”

“Yes, honey... Something like that. This accident left him very sick, not only on the outside, but also on the inside. And, from what I can tell, it seems to have filled him with rage.” She lamented “So... Let's make a promise to do what he wants and stay away from him, okay? Let’s just focus on getting to know this house better and start making it our new home.”

“But, mommy, you always say that no one should be left alone when they are sick.” Millie reminded her, confused “Why are we going to do this to Mr. Bianchi?”

“Well...” disconcerted, Alice searched for a reasonable answer in her mind, but couldn’t find it no matter how hard she tried “That’s because... You see...”

“Oh, there you two are!” a sigh of relief saved her from giving Millicent an answer for now “I was so worried! Glad you found her! Please, little dear, don’t run like that again.” Thea pleaded, though her eyes were darting nervously down the hall behind them, as if she were expecting to see a wheelchair appear from the shadows at any moment “So... Uh... Would you happen to...”

“I'm sorry I went against your request, but I needed to find my daughter.” Alice answered her silent question “And... We ended up meeting Massimo, without meaning to. But do not worry. He has already made it very clear that he does not want to be disturbed and I will make sure nothing like this happens again.”

“Oh, God... I wish I could have avoided this...” Thea sighed sadly “The boss is... Going through a delicate moment in the last few months after the accident and this ended up changing his personality drastically. But who knows... The feeling of having a family might help you get through these dark times.” She nodded, even though she didn't seem too sure about it “Now, please, let's go. Let me take you to the wing of the mansion where your two rooms are, so you can take a shower while I make you a hearty snack. You deserve it, after all... This.”

“Thanks, Thea.” Alice murmured, already noticing that Millie was tense just by the way her little fists were gripping the fabric of Alice's blouse.

"Do not worry, dear. We will be very happy here.” Even though uncertainty and fear were crushing Alice's heart with thoughts of what the future would be like, she made a silent promise to herself that, no matter how much she might suffer in that place, Millicent would always be happy and safe "You can trust Mommy.”