**Alessandra's Santoro pov**
It's been a little over four weeks since I got back from the hospital. My leg is better than ever, my neck is healed and the bruises are still slightly there. Only my nose hurts, but just a little bit.
I haven't heard from Giovanni since I've gotten home. He visited me every day when I was in the hospital. I stayed there for a week.
Unfortunetly, we never kissed. I wanted it, I needed it, but I couldn't pull myself together.
Alessio was becoming a dad's copy. Mean, cold and emotionless. Seing him smile was a rare thing. When he's 23 which means in less than a year, he'll take over dad's business.
Kate's still in highschool and next year she'll be turning 19 while I'll be turning 22.
"Hey." I greeted my dad in the kitchen.
"Hey." He smiled.
"I need to ask you a question.... I know you guys have a lot of restaurants.. And I was thinking maybe I could open my own?" I asked innocently.
"You do know that's a huge responsibility." He anwsered.
"Yes, I know. I didn't spend 3 years in university for nothing and I was working in a cafe. I don't want your money, I want to earn mine... So what do you say?" I asked hoping the anwser would be positive.
He hasitated for a momento before anwsering "Sure... But we need to find a place, which is going to take some time." He said with a smile.
My eyes lit up. "Really? Thank you so much." I squeeled and hugged him tight. "And I already found a place."
"You did?" He asked raising a brow as we broke the hug.
"Yeah, it's a small place downtown. About ten minute drive from my apartment. We could go tomorrow to check it out."
"Yeah, we could do that." He smiled.
"Do what?" Mom asked curiuosly coming into the kitchen.
Me and dad both shared a look and he nodded for me to tell her.
"Uhm, so I'm planing on opening a restaurant." I said shyly. Whenever moments like this comes, my confidence dissapears and I suddenly become shy.
"What? Are you serious? Ohh I'm so happy for you, hun." She smiled and hugged me.
"We should go and check it out tomorrow." I said to her.
"Sure, I don't see why not. So what are you going to name it?" She asked.
"I don't know, but SANDRA'S DINER sounds nice to me atleast, but I still don't know yet."
"That's a great name." Alessio came out of nowhere into the kitchen.
"How long were you listening?" I gasped.
"Long enough to know that your opening a restaurant. Congrats sis." He smirked and I just smiled.
After I ate my dinner. I made my way upstairs and into my room. I took my laptop and opened Netflix.
The rest of the evening went smoothly until my phone started to buzz.
Unknow: Hey, beautiful.
Me: Who's this?
Unknow: Giovanni.
Me: How did you get my number? 😤
Unknow: Your friend gave it to me
Me: Lemme guess. Sophia? 🙄
Giovanni ❤️: Yeah. I was wondering if you'd like for me to take you out tomorrow?
Me: Umm, maybe. What time?
Giovanni ❤️: I was thinking about 6p.m. I'd pick you up.
Me: Sounds good. How should I dress?
Giovanni ❤️: However you like.
Me: Oh so you want me to be dressed in sweats? No, seriously Giovanni, tell meee.
Giovanni ❤️: A dress and heals would be nice.
Me: Great. See you then <3
Giovanni ❤️: ❤️
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
He just asked me out?! Holy fucking shit.
"Breath in... Breathe out... You got this.." I whispered to myself.
"What are you doing?" Kate asked looking at me as if I had three heads.
"Nothing." I quickly responded. "Get out."
She raised her eyebrows. "Is everything ok? You look kinda red."
"I'm great." I said catching my breath.
"Uh huh. So why don't you tell me what's gotten you all hyped up?"
I hesitated for a moment "Giovanni... He asked me out."
Her eyes widen "As in Giovanni Luciano?"
"Yeah." I slowly nodded.
"Oh God, Alessa. Don't you remember what dad said? You need to find out if he's a threat to us, not catch feelings."
"I know, but what if I am?" I looked at her. This question was more to myself than to her.
A small smiled formed on her face, "Let's get your outfit ready then."
**
(the next day)
"This place is nice." Alessio said as we walked into a big room that will be my small restaurant or a diner.
"I know. That's why I picked it." I smiled.
The place that I will once call my restaurant, wasn't huge nor small, it was somewhere in the middle. It had an old yet comfortable vibe and I was dedinitely keeping it this way. Old furniture was scatered around that I will only keep a few of the pieces.
"This place still needs some fixing." Dad said while checking the walls.
"I know, but I was thinking maybe we should leave this style... I like it and I think it has a character. Although the walls and the floors definetly need to be replaced. I can't stand this squeaking." I chuckled. "I was wondering, do you guys know some people who could work here? I have four girls in mind, Kate included." I said pointing at Kate who rolled hey eyes.
"Yeah, I know some. I'll give you their numbers and you choose." Mom said to me.
"Thanks." I smiled.
"We should get going. Alessandra has plans tonight." Kate said.
I looked at her with a I'm-going-to-murder-you look.
"What plans?" Dad asked.
"Nothing. I don't know what she's talking about." I shaked my head.
"Alessandra." Dad warned.
I sighed. I'm not telling them na-uh.
"She is going on a date." Kate literally singed out, with her hands on her chest, her eyes on the ceiling.
"What?!" Dad and Alessio shouted at the same time.
"No, you're not." Alessio shrugged, probably not wanting to even think about the idea.
"Si, io sono." (yes, I am.) I placed my hands on my hips.
Dad glared at me.
"I know what I need to do. Just trust me...okay?" I said. I need to get them to trust me and let them believe that no feelings will be involved.
"You're a smart girl, Alessandra. So be it." Dad said coldly and I just nodded. Yep, the same dad that left the house twenty minutes ago was definetely gone, his business mode on.
"Let's go home now shall we?" Kate asked annoyed. "Someone has to get ready."
I glared at her. "I'm gonna gut you with my knife and I'll cut your skin with a cheese slicer, yeah?" I questioned her before we got into the car, I didn't even heard her anwser so I left it at that.
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Sorry for a short chapter, next one will be longer.
Thank you for reading!
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