Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

Author's Pov

Chapter 1: A Mother's Intuition

If there was anything about this certain woman, it was the fact that she was an observant woman with a keen eye for details.

Mrs. Tommaso paced in her living room with her hand placed on her chin, trying to figure out what exactly could be going on.

She noticed her Alfonso behaving oddly lately, and deep down she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She would feel it.

Alfonso had always been an open child with his mother, sharing every detail of his life, from his childhood crushes to his dreams and aspirations.

But recently everything had changed; it was almost as if he was avoiding her most of the time. He had become distant, spending lengthy hours on the phone each time she was around.

If only she could place her hand on what exactly was going on, then maybe her mind and heart would be at peace a little.

She decided it was time to confront him about her suspicions. Picking up her phone, she called Alfonso's number. Tapping her foot on the tiled floor, patiently waiting for him to pick up the call.

After a few seconds, her call was answered.

"Hello mother." He greeted her, making her heart race.

"Hello son."

"I know you might be busy; I just called to say I would love to come for dinner this evening. I am making no excuses, son." She said it as fast as she could.

"Is something wrong, mother?" He dared to ask.

"No No! Not really; I just wanted to see my son and have a few talks with him." She said it back.

I Am a little bit busy, mother." Alfonso responded, hoping he could try to change his mother's mind.

He was no fool; he knew she was coming over to talk about something, but with Rose's unsettled problem and frequent panic attacks, he really had no time right now.

"No excuse, Alfonso; that's all. Bye! " She hurried before ending the call.

Evening came faster than expected, and they were now both sitting in the living room after having their dinner.

It seems like they both had something troubling their minds.

With Alfonso, it was definitely the unwell lady upstairs in his room, while his mom was troubled about whatever her son might be hiding from her.

One could say Rose was really at the center of it all.

The maid brought tea in, setting it on the glass table in the center of the living room.

They sat down quietly in the living room while she tried to muster up the courage to address the main topic of discussion.

"Alfonso I need to talk to you about something." Mrs. Tommaso asked, her voice trembling slightly, but she cleared, quickly mustering up her coverage.

Alfonso looked up from his phone. caught off guard by the serious tone in his mother's voice, but was expectant of this.

He knew something was wrong the moment he received the phone call from her this afternoon.

"Sure Mom. What's on your mind?" He asked, placing his phone down.

He was talking to the inspector, trying to clear things out secretly without getting anyone worried.

Mrs. Tommaso took a deep breath, composing herself before continuing. "I've noticed a change in your behavior lately. You've been spending a lot of time indoors, and loweky, you've been away from the media's eyes and being secretive about it. Is there something you're not telling me, Alfonso?" She asked with worry laced in her tone.

Alfonso's face flushed with surprise at the realization dawning over him that his mother had indeed noticed his unusual behavior.

He hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. But the last thing he wanted to see in his mother's eyes was worry and concern for him.

Mom, there is something I need to tell you." He started before taking a deep breath.

"There's someone in my life at the moment who has become very important to me." Alfonso started with that, trying to form more words in his head.

"But I was afraid of how you would react, as she has some issues with some distant relatives for now." He asked, closing his eyes a little so as to draw sympathy from his mother.

"So I had to keep it a secret until everything was settled." He added that he was looking up at her.

Mrs. Tommaso's eyes widened.

"Is everything alright? Who is she? Why would I react badly to that?" She bombarded him with questions.

Alfonso took a deep breath. He forgot he was talking to his mother, the nicest woman there ever was.

"Well, her name is Rose. Just as I said before, mom, we've been seeing each other for a few months now, and we love each other." Alfonso forced a smile.

Sorry, Mom, he thought mentally.

"I promise to introduce you to her soon." He added.

Well, when everything is sorted out, he thought again.

Mrs. Tommaso looked at her son with a mixture of surprise and concern dancing across her face.

"Alright, Alfonso, I will trust you for now. But I still want to see this mysterious lady of yours; set up a meeting with her, okay?" Mrs. Tommaso said, smiling, before getting up from her seat to take her leave.

Although taken aback, Alfonso was relieved by his mother's response.

"Of course, Mom. I'd love for you to meet her. I've been hesitant to introduce you because I wanted to be sure of our relationship and sort out problems first." He answered, smiling.

......…....................................

A few days later, after Rose got herself, Alfonso decided to go through a plan with her so as to quickly remove any suspicion from his mother's lace towards them.

They decided to arrange a meeting with his mother to meet Rose at one of the best seven-star restaurants in Italy.

"Do I look okay?" Rose asked as she fondled her finger nervously.

Honestly, she could even tell why she was nervous at the moment.

She decided to put it down to the fact that she needed the woman's trust so as to continue with her revenge plan with her son.

Mrs. Tommaso sat there, sipping her wine. She couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement; she had dreamed of this day all her life.

A day when her son stops playing around and finds the one he truly loves.

But she was no fool; she still had her thoughts, and she was determined to uncover the truth about her son's relationship with this particular Rose.

Rose entered the restaurant, scoffing.

Rich people, she thought

Waiting patiently as Alfonso made little inquiries.

They walked hand in hand as Alfonso led them to the table, where a pretty old woman was seated.

Rose gasped at her beauty; she still looked like a woman in her thirties, she thought.

Finally, they arrived. Mrs. Tommaso thought she observed their every movement and action closely.

She was a strikingly beautiful young woman with a warm smile and an air of confidence, she couldn't help but say.

A few hours passed by, and Mrs. Tommaso had finally started to warm up to Rose, much to the relief of both of them.

Mr. Tommaso found it difficult to believe that her initial suspicion could be true as she watched them interact.

They seemed to put a good act together as a couple who were genuinely in love, with their actions and words proving their affection for each other.

Rose couldn't help but nag in her throat every time Alfonso's lips touched her cheeks.

"So, Rose, why are you staying in Italy for the main time?" Mrs. Tommaso dared to ask, just to see if she might lie to her about her relationship problems.

Rose kept the fork she was holding down on the table elegantly.

She had definitely accepted this question, and they had revised the answer time for it.

She placed a perfect smile on her face before responding.

"I'm sorry; it's disappointing to say this, but I have little issues with my relatives back at home, Mrs. Tommaso." Rose finished looking down at the table with a remorseful look.

"Oh, it's alright. I hope I did not touch a sore wound." Mrs. Tommaso hurriedly asked, seeing the expression on the young lady's face.

"It's alright, ma." Rose said she intentionally showed her forced smile.

The sound of glass breaking rang through the restaurant suddenly, making Rose jerk a little in her seat.

Her heartbeat increased rapidly as she placed a hand over her chest.

Alfonso noticed him turning quickly to look at her.

"Are you okay?" He asked, quickly grabbing a glass of water on the table and handing it to her.

"Am fine." She said this as she felt herself calming down.

Mrs. Tommaso looked at both of them with a smile on her face.

Her heart warmed at how concerned her son was for someone other than her.

"Are you okay, dear?" She asked.

Rose looked up, forcing a smile and nodding her head.

"Panic attack?" Mrs. Tommaso asked again.

Rose looked at Alfonso from the corner of her eyes before nodding her head slightly.

"It's going to be okay, dear." Mrs. Tommaso said, deciding not to press further.

They engaged in different conversations, trying to convince Mrs. Tommaso that they were actually a couple.

Mrs. Tommaso's doubts began to fade away, giving way to a sense of acceptance and warmth. However, a tiny voice in her head reminded her of her initial concerns, urging her not to let her guard down completely.