Infatuation Of Darkness

"Might I say, I didn't expect that well organized and thought through the plan from you," Isabelle added thoughtfully after processing the plan that she had been told which was very good.

"Wow feeling the love here," Nikita grumbled.

"No seriously!" Isabelle recalled the plan. "I expected something quick and precise not as prolonged and detailed that you've told me about. I guess constantly giving them something to be embarrassed about would surely put them in their place."

Alexis couldn't help but add, "do they even have any shame?"

Isabelle snorted making everyone else laugh at her.

"That was horrible!" Nikita look at her with wide eyes. "Oh my god, is that why you always giggle?"

"With that God awful snort, I would too." Alexis shook her head laughing loudly.

"Hush it!" Isabelle whispered harshly. "As if you both have it perfect. Anyway, get ready they are landing."

"Already?" Alexis sprang up. "But I just landed!"

Isabelle sighed, "It irritates me too but they had planned a surprise and thank god that we are already here to receive them."

Alexis sighed heavily. This life...she wondered what more could come...

********

"Airport!" She grunted as she got out of the car. "Not even the parking lot or that receiving area but here instead. What can't we ever be normal?" She talked in a fast tone as she complained to her husband.

His reply was quite flat. "Because we are not."

She sighed and waited for the plane to land. "Do I need to smile?" She winced.

"Yes, you do." He confirmed.

"But I can't always be happy.." she said as she looked up to him.

He frowned, "What's there not to be happy about?"

She clicked her tongue, "Being married to you to quite a chore hon."

The plane landed and a fake smile came to her face, naturally.

She welcomed everyone with a hug, his uncle of course got a handshake. With a wide and beautiful smile that even his uncle stared at.

Angelo had pulled her by her waist towards him.

"My darling Donna," Julia came to Alexis. "You look so tired, why not take a vacation?"

Ah, taunting now, are we? "Yes, expanding the business doubles the duties." She answered with a pleasant smile on her face. "Angelo had tripled the Territories from before, hasn't he? You must be so proud." She gushed.

Julia's smile didn't even falter. She was prepared for this kind of rebuke. "Yes, I am proud of my grandsons."

But Alexis went a bit further. "I know, your grandsons Silvano and Angelo have proved to be commendable." She knew that it would pinch their uncle as she did not take his son's name.

She just nodded and moved forward.

They all had welcomed and climbed back into the cars along with the guests. This time Isabelle and her husband was in the car with them.

"Where are you keeping them?" Gabrielle asked as the first one to break the silence.

"The guesthouse." His son answered immediately. "Close for my liking." He offered.

"That is nice. I didn't have a good feeling with Marcus being here especially that his son is back home." Isabelle sighed as worry laced her words. "He might be planning something."

"He is," Alexis added taking the attention of the room which she felt even though her eyes were closed. "Why else would J-Grandmother, Him and a pawn; his daughter-in-law be here?"

"Atta girl!" Gabrielle clapped. "That's my girl!" His praise made everyone smile.

"Thank you." She smiled back, opening her eyes.

Silence once again fell over them as they were driven back to the mansion. She sighed looking outside as the familiar driveway came into the view. Angelo got out first then her and their parents.

Angelo made his way to the car behind them which had the guests and Alexis followed behind.

"Grandma," he spoke in Italian which she recognised as a foreign tongue, "I have prepared the guest house for you. Feel free to change it according to your wishes." He had thankfully shifted to English.

"Oh baby," but this old hag didn't, "you should not have! I could stay with you."

"No Grandma, I am rarely home and I would hate to keep you waiting. The main house is always bustling from the activity and I want you to rest. You have done enough for all of us as it is. You deserve all the rest you can get." He kissed her forehead. "The maids are at your disposal, you rest, okay?"

Well played, Alexis hid her smirk.

"Alright, if you want that." Julia conceded with a loving expression. Alexis could show the volcanos erupting in her mind.

They made their way inside having planned the evening together and then seeing them off.

Sitting on the couch Alexis commented, "I don't know why but looking at them is genuinely tiring.."

"It's always with certain relatives." Silvano shrugged. "You just hate them."

Nikita tsked, "You hate everyone."

He deadpanned, staring at her, "Their fault."

"I think I am going to go for a walk." Alexis stood up walked out to the gardens.

She walked slowly, leisurely without a thought of someone watching her. She had grown to ignore the eyes behind the shades of the guards.

She no longer felt their stare.

"Hello, Donna."

Alexis turned around to find the owner for the voice. It's was Juliette.

"Hello, Juliette." She made no move to have her say her name. Alexis had corrected her before and given her the liberty to say her name. But if she didn't want it, she won't be offered again. "Settled in?"

"On it." She replied with a straight face. "The time for dinner? We would like to be on time."

Somehow that didn't seem the case. Alexis pitied the girl who was trying to make a conversation.

"Honey, we are family. Come over anytime, okay?" She touched her shoulder, "Anytime." She smiled. "Go on and rest for now. You must be jetlagged."

"Yes, Donna." She nodded curtly and went away making Alexis stare at her retreating back.

"Wow," she commented. The girl was a robot. Not a foot out of its place. So either she was going to be really cunning or plain stupid.

She sighed and moved in with her walk.