Alessia leaned against her desk, arms crossed, her eyes fixed on Gianna. The tension in the conference room was palpable after she had pointed out the uncanny similarities between Gianna and Pamela. Gianna, who had been calm and composed throughout the meeting, now looked visibly unsettled.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t see how I remind you of her,” Gianna said, her voice hesitant but steady. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, as though she were trying to ground herself.
Alessia sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know. It’s just… little things. The way you pick at the hem of your dress when you’re nervous, the way you carry yourself. It’s not logical. I guess I’m just overwhelmed.”
Gianna tilted her head, her expression softening slightly. “I didn’t mean to unsettle you, Alessia. I’m here to do my job and help stabilize the company. I hope my presence isn’t making things harder for you.”
“It’s not your fault,” Alessia said, shaking her head. “I think I’m just… under a lot of stress. Forget I said anything.”
Gianna nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. “If there’s anything I can do to ease your workload, please let me know. I’ll do my best to prove I’m here for the right reasons.”
“Thank you,” Alessia said, her voice quieter now. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Later that evening, Alessia walked into the penthouse she shared with Christian, her shoulders heavy with exhaustion. The familiar scent of his cologne greeted her, and she spotted him in the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of wine.
“You’re home late,” Christian said, looking up with a smile. But his smile quickly faded as he noticed her troubled expression. “What’s wrong?”
Alessia dropped her bag on the counter and leaned against it. “It’s Gianna. She just… she reminds me of Pamela in ways that I can’t explain.”
Christian frowned, setting his glass down. “Pamela? How so?”
“It’s not just the way she looks,” Alessia said, rubbing her temples. “It’s her mannerisms. The way she reacts to pressure, the way she fidgets when she’s nervous. It’s like she has pieces of Pamela in her, but she’s also completely different.”
Christian walked around the counter and pulled her into his arms. “You’ve been under so much pressure, Alessia. Zane’s case, the company, the investors—it’s all weighing on you. It’s natural to see connections that might not actually be there.”
Alessia buried her face in his chest, letting his warmth soothe her. “Maybe you’re right. I just feel like I’m missing something, like there’s a puzzle piece I can’t find.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You’re doing everything you can. But you also need to take care of yourself. Why don’t you go take a warm bath? I’ll handle dinner tonight.”
She pulled back, offering him a faint smile. “You always know what to say.”
“That’s why you married me,” Christian teased, giving her a gentle nudge toward the bathroom. “Go relax. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
Alessia slipped into the warm bath, the scent of lavender filling the air as the tension began to melt from her shoulders. She leaned her head back against the tub, closing her eyes and letting the water envelop her. For the first time that day, she felt like she could breathe.
The tranquility didn’t last long.
The bathroom door flew open, and Christian stormed in, his face pale and his expression grim. “Alessia,” he said urgently, his voice breaking the calm like a thunderclap.
She sat up abruptly, water sloshing over the edge of the tub. “Christian, what’s going on?”
“It’s your dad,” he said, his voice tight with panic. “He’s been abducted.”
The words hung in the air, heavy and incomprehensible. Alessia stared at him, her heart hammering in her chest. “What? What do you mean he’s been abducted?”
Christian ran a hand through his hair, pacing the length of the bathroom. “I just got a call. They said they have Zayden. There was no explanation, no demands yet. They just wanted us to know that they have him.”
Alessia scrambled out of the tub, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around herself. Her mind raced as she tried to process what he was saying. “Who called? Did they say what they want? Is he okay?”
“I don’t know,” Christian admitted, his frustration evident. “They didn’t stay on the line long enough. I’ve already alerted security, and I’m calling Marcus now. But we need to act fast.”
Alessia’s hands trembled as she clutched the towel around her. “This can’t be happening. First Zane, and now this? Who the hell is targeting our family?”
Christian grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him. “Listen to me. We’re going to figure this out. Marcus is the best, and we have resources. But I need you to stay calm, okay? We can’t afford to panic.”
Alessia nodded, though her breathing was shallow. “Okay. Okay. What do we do now?”