Chapter 30 - Safekeeping

Alessandro's heartaches from her words. She had medium-length hair and it started growing after he took her in. She used to have it all the way to her hips and trim it every month. She has to sell her long hair lately because of her mother's medical expenses. But the hair isn't that much compared to the medical bills. She must have worked 24 hours and gathered every money that she had.

"Your hair is so healthy and your mom always brushed it every night and every day." He mumbled. "I used to braid it and mess it." He grinned.

"Well, you sound so sweet and annoying." She giggled.

He helped her down and turned on the shower and reached her lower part to clean it.

Keira was picking her casual dress in the walk-in closet when Alessandro stood behind her. They are done with their quick bath. But the man kept tagging along with her like her shadow.

"Hey, why won't you dress up? I am sure that mom is waiting for us downstairs."

"Okay."

Alessandro walked to the other side where his clothes are. He took a sleeveless shirt, boxer shorts, and walking shorts. He dried off his body and glanced at her. She's busy putting her underwear on. Back then, he noticed how thin she became. That he could even see the visible backbone. She was frail. That's why he was always careful of her. Just how many times does she have to skip meals when they are broke?

"Hey, playboy. Stop staring. I won't give you another round."

She might have noticed that he's been staring at her. She removed her scrunchies as she walked to her dresser and brushed her hair. He quickly put his clothes on and threw the towel into the laundry basket.

"Do you want to wear our wedding ring?"

"We have that?" She asked.

"Yes, of course." He reached her hand and took her to the bed. He opened the drawer and gave her the black velvet box. She opened it as her eyes fazed on the silver couple rings. The biggest ring had a small diamond while the other one is covered with diamonds.

"It's pretty."

"So, do you want to wear it or let's play lovers?" He grinned.

"Wear it!" She took his ring and put it on him. "That means I mark you with that ring and if someone hooks upon you, I'll punch them right in the face."

He laughed as he took the box, pulled out her ring, and slid it to her ring finger. He brought her left hand to his lips and winked at her. She giggled and pulled his hand.

"Let's go downstairs."

They held hands together as they went downstairs. The maids said that their snack was settled on the porch. When they reached the porch, she suddenly had flashes of memories of her with him sitting on the swing bench as he caressed her hair and grinned at her. Then, he would mess her hair and kiss her forehead, telling her how much he loved her.

"You okay?" he asked as he held both of her arms.

"Y-yeah."

He takes her to the round table that has a big umbrella on top. Then, he pulled the chair for her and made her comfortable.

"So, how's the honeymoon?" She asked.

"Well, this man tricked me." She said as she reached the lemonade and sipped on it. She held her head when it felt like breaking.

"Love?" Alessandro called her.

"Where are your meds?" Her mother asked.

"I~I'm fine." She put down her hand.

Alessandro sat down beside her and placed his hand over her knee.

"I'll set up an appointment with your new therapist. How about that?" He asked.

"Let's eat. I'll just sleep this off. We have work tomorrow."

"You can take a day off. I'll handle everything."

"No." She shook her head. She cleared her throat. She's used to taking care of herself.

"Don't be stubborn."

"I'll be fine." She promised him.

After their snack, her mother followed them to their room as she massaged her head after she drank her medicine. She fell asleep quickly as Karmina tucked her in and kissed her forehead. Now that she's married to Alessandro, her adorable daughter doesn't have to suffer anymore.

"Isn't she the cutest?" Karmina asked. Alessandro watched his wife sleep with a beautiful smile on his lips.

"Yes,"

Karmina stood as Alessandro escorted her downstairs.

"Thank you for taking care of her." She said. "I should be the one to take care of her, but she~~she has to drop out of college and work for me and my medical bills. I wanted to help, but there are lots of complications." She sighed. "She has to sell her long hair just for me… I should sacrifice for her."

"Why? Why didn't you contact me?" Alessandro asked.

"I don't want to bother you with our problems. Besides, hiding is the best thing we do. It's to protect her." She exhaled as she reached her chest.

"Mom?"

"I'm fine. It's just, even though my heart was replaced, I could still feel the pain from our past."

Alessandro took her to the family great room and sat with her.

"Mom, who did it? You didn't mention it to me."

Karmina pursed her lips as she held his hand.

"It said to be a girl. The girl was a minor and according to the police, the girl was unstable so we didn't put charges on her. It was said to be an accident." She mumbled. "She forgot about it but according to the doctor, she was hit by something on her head."

"Wh-what?" He exclaimed.

"They said that it's not just the car that gave her injuries. The glass was shattered and… when I saw the photos, I knew well that it wasn't an accident. Her dad started investigating it while she's comatose."

"I~I should be there…"

"Alessandro, it's not your fault."

"Mom~~tell me the name of the girl?"

"Alessandro, it's the past. Besides, they covered it up well. They were powerful and we suddenly became powerless in those times." She held his hand. "For now, please protect her for me. I fail in protecting my daughter."

"Of course," he held her hand tightly. "I will do everything for Keira."

She smiled as her eyes twinkle in the tears forming.

"I am happy that you still love her all these years."

"I promised to marry her after college. And no woman or girl ever captures me but her."

Karmina scooped his cheek.

"Thank you, dear. Thank you for everything."

"Mom, you have done lots of things to me. You gave me a family when dad was too busy at work, and you are my family."

She wiped her tears and sniffled.

"So, when will be the official wedding?" She asked quickly to avoid the drama.

"Your daughter didn't mention any date but, you can help us with the preparations as always."

She giggled.

"Her dad was saving up money for her wedding, but unfortunately, Keira said that we have to pay bills in the hospital," Karmina said as she still remembers how they suffered on those days.

"Mom, I have something for you." He stood and grinned at her. "Don't be too surprised. Okay?"

She nodded as she watched Alessandro leave. Karmina should control her emotions. But she's too happy at the moment. They are in a big villa with staff taking care of them. And, they are safe. This is what her husband, Henry, wanted. He wanted their only daughter to live like a Princess or like a Queen while ruling the entertainment company that Henry built for her.

Soon, he came with a briefcase. He gave it to her and she was puzzled. She took out the documents and her eyes widened.

"These are the title of your house and other properties. We recover it from Jeremy Cha and at this moment, we are following him. He had other things that he stole from your family and your husband. And just as we thought, he's partnered with some scums."

"How did you manage to take back the Golden Age?"

"I bought all of the stocks from the directors and I tricked him into taking all of the shares that should be for Keira since her dad is gone."

She sighed and smiled at the other documents.

"Well, I'll leave that man to you."

"Also, I found the lawyer and he can meet with you by tomorrow." He said. She took out a rectangular legal paper size box and pressed the code. It opened and the last will from her father is there.

"Where did you find this?" She asked.

"Dad, your husband, gave it to me for safekeeping. That was before Keira and I were separated. Just as I promised him, I will always find you and Keira. He calculated everything. He said that he didn't go gambling… he said that they threatened him to kill you and Keira. This is why Henry plans this for your future and Kiera's. This is why it's easy for me to trick Jeremy Cha. He also made a letter with name on it."

Karmina hugged Alessandro tightly. Henry trusts him so much. And wherever her husband is, she's sure that he's proud of Alessandro.

She took out the papers and photos of their family with Alessandro and Alessandro's dad from their vacation.