Alessia descended the stairs, looking elegant in the dress Marco had ordered for her. The sleek black gown hugged her curves in all the right places, and her hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded down her back. She felt like a different person, transformed from the scared and battered girl of the night before.
Marco stood by the door, his eyes fixed on her as she approached. He handed her passport and ticket, which she collected without a word. The silence between them was palpable, heavy with unspoken emotions.
The car waiting for her was a sleek black sedan, its engine purring softly as the driver stood by the open door. Alessia slid into the backseat, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as the door closed behind her.
As the car pulled away from the penthouse, Alessia caught a glimpse of Marco standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on her departing figure. She felt a shiver run down her spine, wondering what had just passed between them.
As the car sped towards the airport, Alessia made a decision. When she got back to Chicago, she was going to stop working as a pianist at the club. She couldn't shake off the feeling that her life was in danger, and she didn't want to put herself or others at risk. The encounter with those men had left her shaken, and Marco's involvement had only added to the mystery. She didn't know what he was involved in, but she knew she didn't want to be a part of it. Alessia took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to start fresh, leave the past behind and focus on building a new life for herself. Little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would change everything forever.
As soon as Alessia arrived in Chicago, she headed straight to the hospital to visit her mom. The familiar sights and sounds of the hospital brought back a mix of emotions, but Alessia's concern for her mom's health overshadowed everything else. She made her way to her mom's room, her heart heavy with worry.
As she entered the room, Alessia's eyes fell on her mom's frail form, lying motionless in the bed. The machines surrounding her beeped softly, a constant reminder of her mom's fragile state. Alessia's mom had been in a coma for weeks, and the doctors had given up hope of her recovering.
Alessia took her mom's hand in hers, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Mom, I'm back," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so sorry I was away for so long. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I love you, Mom. Please come back to me."
It as been weeks since she last heard from Marco and she was grateful, thinking he would not come after her again, little did she know he was thinking of a way to make her his.
One day, Alessia was walking back to her house, feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment after a job interview that hadn't gone as well as she had hoped. As she turned the corner onto her street, she noticed a car parked in front of her house. The sleek, black vehicle looked out of place in her modest neighborhood, and Alessia's curiosity was piqued.
She slowed her pace, wondering who could be visiting her. She wasn't expecting anyone, and her mind began to wander with possibilities. As she got closer to the car, she noticed a familiar figure standing beside it, leaning against the door. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized who it was -