65.
Alessandro's POV
I stood in front of the floor to ceiling window, watching the beautiful view of the city.
A woman in her sixties knelt behind me in tears and at each whimper, she kept pleading.
I didn't want to bring her to the mansion instead she was brought to my warehouse at the outskirts of the city.
I pulled out a swivel arm chair in my office and sat, grimacing at the sight of her tears.
"I'll tell you everything, please don't kill me."
I chuckled and puffed some smoke through my nose before replying, "don't be so dramatic, Mrs….remind me of your name."
"Mrs Manhattan."
"Mrs Manhattan. Good." I paused for a while, studying the look on her face.
Her face was as red as crimson and I swear she was going to pee any moment from now.
"What do you know about Amelia's survival that day? She mentioned your name to me. What did you tell her...about me?" I asked, clasping my palms together.
"I...I used to work at the Vincenzo mansion thirteen years ago. That day when I sensed trouble, I peeped from the window and witnessed the bloody scene outside." She narrated and I carefully listened as she spoke.
"Amelia was such a lovely child and….and I knew you'd come for her since you killed her parents too." She sniffed, tears flowing down her face.
"I took her in my arms and carried her out of the mansion, fleeing totally from that city. After that, I couldn't work at the Vincenzo anymore since they were no more. I...took Amelia to the Orphanage where I started working and made sure to keep her from sight. All I wanted to do was keep her safe...please.."
I stood up, striding towards her in slow steps. She flinched when I got to her and I squatted before her.
"Did you tell her anything about this?" I asked and it took the woman some minutes before answering me.
"I…."
"Do not lie!" I shrieked and she nodded quickly as she trembled greatly.
"I never told her about her heritage. I just told her the circumstances that surrounded her being an orphan was mysterious. I couldn't tell her because she was too young then."
"And when she grew up?..."
"She kept asking...and I kept telling her the same thing. I was afraid she'd go in search of her parents' murderer if I explained things to her." Her voice trembled and I furrowed my brows at the revelation.
But there was one thing missing. How come Amelia didn't know she was from a Mafia family.
"So…. it's strange how she doesn't recall where she came from? Did she experience a memory loss or something?"
"She...used to have a disease."
"Name…"
Mrs Manhattan shook her head. "I...I don't know the name since Mrs Vincenzo did her best to keep it from everyone and even though I was her nanny, I only knew a little about it."
"Tell me what you know." I said, impatience evident in my tone.
"Sometimes she wakes up and doesn't remember a thing about the happenings of the previous day. And this continued for a while. Slowly, it grew worse and she would remain clueless for weeks."
"And….."
"After a while it stopped and she was normal again aftee taking some medications but after that night's incident, she had a partial memory loss again."
"She used to remember things after a while…?" I questioned, rising to my feet again.
"Yes after some days but that night, she didn't remember anything about the past and that gave continued for so many years."
"You mean she doesn't remember a thing about thirteen years ago?" I squinted my brows as I inquired…
"Yes."
"She doesn't have an hint still?"
"Not at all and it keeps me worried but…"
I cut in. "And you've always find a way to make her remember? By taking some pills?"
"The pills are expensive and I cannot afford it."
I grinned and turned around, looking back at the window.
"What pills does she take when something like that happens?"
"I...I don't know, sir. Madam does her best to keep it from us."
I growled and turned to face her, my eyes flashing with fury.
The woman moved backwards in fear, clutching the hem of her skirt in fear.
"I swear to the heavens! I'm only saying the truth."
I studied her for some moment, folding my arms.
"How is it possible that she doesn't understand Italian properly?"
"Master Vincenzo has always kept her away from Italy. She used to live in the US and that night….when the incident occurred was the second night of her arrival. Since she came to spend the holiday."
I nodded with a satisfied smile on my face before taking my seat.
"Mrs Manhattan, it isn't in my will to kill you because I want to keep the truth from Amelia. Wait, who else knows about her condition?"
"N... noone else knows."
"Good!" I clapped. "You have been good to Ameila all these years and I've taken good care of her but I don't want her searching for you so you have to….leave Italy immediately."
A shocked expression washed over her face and she crawled over to me, grabbing my leg.
"P... please don't do this. What about the kids? They look onto me." She sobbed.
I kicked her away swiftly and stood up, tucking my hands in my pockets.
"Do you want to remain with the kids or lose your own children? Sam and Isabelle?"
Again, she gasped and held unto my leg more tightly.
"P.. please don't do this to me. I can't lose my kids." She pleaded.
"I'll arrange your flight to Cairo. You'd leave and never come back. I'm only keeping you alive because you've always cared for Ameila. I can't be more nice you know."
The woman nodded and asked, "what about my kids? How do I get to see them?"
"You don't have to worry about that. Just keep your lips zipped and you'd be alive."