I need hug

Author's POV

Bella looked at Alexander and then to the man who was standing in front of them. She has no idea how to react and how Amanda would have reacted to her father.

Valentino played fake smile on his lips. No matter how much he wants to buy he can't show his hate towards Alexander for treating his daughter Amanda like a shit.

"I thought, i don't need permission to meet my daughter. Was i wrong?"

"You definitely need permission to enter my house... Doesn't matter who the fuck you are"

Alexander said arrogantly, not hiding his hate for this cunning old man.

"I'll keep it in mind... Can I talk to my daughter for a minute."

Valentino didn't reflect his anger. He is smarter than that.

Alexander looked at Bella to judge her by her expressions if she is okay to be left alone with Valentino. She seemed relaxed to him. Sometimes he forget that this girl is different, she can eat Valentino alive. She is still holding on her pizza for her dear life like it's more important than presence of Valentino. He loves this about her, she is carefree. Free from stupid bounds which tightened around our ankles as we grew up. She has life in her which Alexander can't find in himself.

"I am in the living room, if you need me"

He said getting nod from him.

Valentino raised his eyebrows, he has never seen him talking to Amanda like this. He watched Alexander with hatefull glare as he walked inside.

And Bella didn't like it, she doesn't know why but she wants to protect Alexander from his nasty glare.

"What are you doing with him?... I told you to keep distance from him otherwise he will find out that you are not Amanda."

He said little annoyed.

"Keep your voice low otherwise he will find out right now..."

She rolled her eyes while shoving pizza slice in her mouth.

"Be respectful girl, this is not how you should eat. Where is your manners?"

Valentino scrunched his eyebrows.

"Don't act my father"

Bella glared at him. This is the last thing she wants from him.

Valentino started with offended tone.

"I am your___"

Bella's eyes narrowed at him and he quickly changed his words.

"I am like your father... I am your father for few days."

"Don't be my father, i hate him"

Bella countered.

"Trust me, that's the last person you want to become for me."

Valentino clenched his jaw.

"Is he that bad, was he hurting you... Did he___"

"It's none of your business Mr. Valentino... You shouldn't take your role too serious. You don't need to show care for me because i know you don't care... You are doing this so I will do my job perfectly, you don't like me."

Bella said but she couldn't see the pain in his eyes. Couldn't understand that he is not faking it, it not just for his selfish motive.

"I am glad, i am not your father then."

He released a breath trying to cage his unspoken words inside his old heart.

"What happened to your cheeks?"

He asked.

"Sea food allergy"

She replied and small smile flashed on his face like it didn't surprise him.

"Where is Your daughter... I want to leave this place before I get attached to this people... They give me feeling of family which i never had."

She said.

"This is not your family."

Valentino said with frown, he could see that she is getting comfortable here.

"This is Amanda's family."

"I know... And i am not planning to take her place either. I am not interested... bring her back so I can leave. This place is not for me."

She said trying to be clear as crystal to kill his doubts but deep down she wants to be a part of this family. She wants that motherly love from Anamika, fatherly feeling which Massimo gives her. She wants to know how will it feel to be a part of Alexander's life. The man who give her goosebumps and butterflies. But she knows that it doesn't Belongs to her.

"Bella"

She looked at her.

"Can you give me one suggestion... Without judging me."

She raised her eyebrows amused, wasn't expecting this type of question from him.

"If i am capable enough"

She asked him to continue.

"Few years ago, I did one mistake... I have probably did more mistakes that i can't even count but this one i really regret... I want to make it right..."

Bella looked at him as he confessed. She can understand that it's something which is hurting him.

"But it will be Messy, it will hurt people... I want to apologise to someone but i am afraid, that person will never forgive me. Perhaps will hate me, i don't want to see hate in those beautiful eyes."

Bella sighed.

"I don't know much about these things Mr. Valentino. My life has always revolved around my sister Jasmine. No one really mattered because I have never expected anything from anyone... But i believe in confessing. If i am wrong then i will say sorry. If i don't like it, I'll say it on face. If i love it, i will praise it. If i hate it, i won't look at it again... This keep my life simple and clear... If you want to take off that burden from your chest then you should apologise because that person deserves your apology... they wants to forgive or not are outcomes... At least you will be relieved that you tried."

"You are mature than you look... I am glad you are not really messy, crazy and stupid naive girl..."

He smiled.

"I'll take it as a compliment..."

Bella have him offended look.

"I am not stupid."

She said.

"You look grumpy today... Eat this pizza."

She handed him the box and started walking away.

Valentino stood there watching her walk inside but she stopped and turned towards him again.

"Why were you here?"

She asked him.

"To see my daughter"

Valentino replied taking bite of pizza slice.

Bella rolled her eyes and started walking inside thinking he was talking about their roles completely ignoring the truth behind those hopeless words.

She saw Alexander on the couch, he was watching something on his phone curiously. When he felt her presence he quickly locked his phone.

"You are acting like i Caught you with porn..."

Bella chuckled at his reaction.

"I don't watch porn"

He replied patting empty place beside him. Bella sat beside him and asked_ "why?"

"I believe in practicals not theory."

He winked and she raised her eyebrows.

"Then you better be good at it"

She teased.

"You want to see"

He asked looking at her with smirk and heat rose to her cheeks.

"You were looking off when we left your parents house..."

She tried to change the topic but winced when his mood visibly changed. He looks angry now, mixed with regret and sadness. And Bella instantly missed that playful look on his face.

"Sorry If i crossed limits"

She mumbled, she understands that every person has some part of their life which they don't want to share with anyone.

She was about to leave him alone but he grabbed her arm, she looked at him confused. He was looking defeated, eyes were watery but he didn't let it roll down. He was fighting with it.

Bella didn't like it, why it's so hard for him to cry. He is a human afterall and he can't win against human nature. She couldn't believe that there is something in his heart which is hurting him. Everything seems so perfect around him then what is it?

"Do you need hug?"

She asked and he shook his head.

He doesn't want her to leave but doesn't want to show her his weak side either, they are not that close yet. He has never been weak infront of anyone expect his mother but this time he can't approach his mother because it will hurt him even more.

Bella sighed, understood that he is following the toxic definition of muscularity. Men can cry too, the feel pain too. Is it that hard to accept.

She tried another way.

"Can I get a hug from you?"

She asked.

Alexander looked at her, he thought she will give after his rude rejection. But she is different, she won't give up.

He threw his arms around her and placed his face in Crook of her neck. Bella wrapped her arms around his huge body while taking his weight on her. She didn't say anything but rubbed his back.

He broke the hug after good five minutes after getting lost in her, she felt like peace, like he has found the place which he can call his, felt like home. His heart has felt so comfortable with anyone before.

He looked into her eyes, he can see that she is wearing lenses. He wonder how it feels to see her real eyes, curious to know about real colour of those beautiful orbs.

He couldn't think straight, she was pulling him towards her. Her everything is magnetic. He can't deny the force.

He gave in to his desires and placed his lips on hers.

Bella stiffened when he did that.