A smile crept back onto his face as he knew her answer. Alesso scooped the plates and utensils into his hands and began his stroll out of the kitchen. Alesso walked up the stairs just as the first syllable passed through her lips. He cruised up the flight, through the bedroom, and out onto the balcony with little problem of the environment. He set her plate down in front of her favorite chair and then his to her left. He placed the utensils on napkins and took his seat, waiting for his beloved to join him once more.

He sat still, his arm hung over the railing as she arrived with their drinks. The only noise now was the warm breeze that passed over the open air balcony and the muffled sound of kids now playing inside the home next door. Never a dull moment.

His eyes followed her to her seat. Alesso watched as she spoke short, simple words and kept watching as she began to cut up her meal into small bits and eat. The corner of his lips sunk down as he twisted himself to look out over into the wide world before them. Finally, after she had eaten much of her food he, he sighed and spoke.
“I filled the prescription the doctor gave you back in Venice.” He turned his eyes towards her and nodded toward her pocket. “I know you found them. And the quiet morning tells me you’re angry.” He brought his elbows to either side of his plate. He folded his fingers together and let his forearms and formed fist rest on the table before him. “My Love, You can’t tell me there is nothing wrong. They’re meant to help you with what happened and you need to take them.”

He leaned back and picked up his drink. He brought the glass to his lips and took a small sip before setting it back down. Alesso watched for his wife’s reaction to such a statement. He didn’t expect it to go his way, but it needed to be done. Alesso relaxed back into the hard metal chair. Never before had the colder iron felt like bars he was backed into instead of a comfort. He shifted himself once.

Alesso grinned as she snuck in behind him. His arms wrapped over hers and laced their fingers together as he turned his head over his left shoulder and looked at her. “I missed you, too, my love.” He released her hands as her arm fell away from his body and she moved to take care of the rest of the groceries for the day. An internal sigh went through his head as he heard the soft crumple of the plastic bag and the sudden stop of the brown paper bag rustling. His wife was sick, not stupid. And he should have placed the groceries away before she ever made it down the stairs. But she said nothing, so they postponed the real match until a later hour.

He looked back to her and grinned as she hopped onto the island counter behind him, shaking his head as the second view gave him all he needed on the current state of dress his wife was in. Alesso wiped the spatula with a cloth and went about mixing in the center of an omelet. The smell of the smoke mixed with the smell of the food and he shook his head. A few minutes to cook.

Alesso turned and stared directly into the eyes of his wife. He approached her slowly and placed his hand on her knee. “Veggie ommmeeeelllleeeettttttttsss” As he extended out the second word, his hand slipped from knee, to inner thigh, under the robe itself and to the womanhood that waited beneath. His nose and forehead touched hers and he just watched her for a moment. His free hand came up and snatched the lit cigarette from her lips and put it out on the counter. He pressed the remaining length of the cigarette down until it smooshed and folded several times. “You’re going to ruin your breakfast with that. And I expect you to eat with me, dearest.”

He pulled back slightly, licked the tip of her nose and smiled before slipping his hand out from the robe and returning to flipping the nearly finished food. “It will only be a few minutes more, My love.” He gave the heat a little more time to do its work, sprinkled some seasoning and parsley on the top and slid the first pan’s Omlete onto the plate. Then followed the process with the second. “Where would you like to eat today?”

The early light of dawn cast a long shadow along the cobblestone streets of the city. Italy, entirely, always managed to catch the man’s breath in his throat as he looked off into the silent morning. Shadows retreated from every step as the sun banished them back beneath the brick buildings, the black pooling beneath the feet of passer-by as they meandered along the awakening streets. The sleepy sun continued its accent and Alesso found himself lost in the light reflected off the Adige River as he crossed the Ponte Pietra back towards the apartment where his love awaited his return.

Alesso stopped in the middle of the bridge and looked out at the long winding waters through the city center. He rested for a moment, the bag of market goods strung over his shoulder as he brought his left elbow to lean against the stone railing. Alesso brought his head down and reset his aviator shades against the brim of his nose as teeth flashed from behind his lips. “Never a dull moment in the city.” He sighed as he leaned back up, lingered a moment longer and then continued on his way. Breakfast was waiting and soon the streets would crowd, the heat would come, and breakfast would bake before he ever got home.

He continued along his way, his leather boots tapping a soft beat against the road before him. Alesso, impeccable dressed as always, drew attention throughout the city as he walked. Perfect posture melded seamlessly with his measured steps. His tailored, baby blue collared shirt remained seemingly motionless with every step. The sleeves rolled to just above his elbows seemed ironed flat with precision. And despite the rising temperature, he remained true to his black slacks. Today he opted for black suspenders instead of a belt. He turned the heads of locals. Men and women alike, but his eyes never strayed from the path before him. A left lead into a left and then to the right.  Almost home.

Alesso let a frown creep over his face for a moment. Lonesome walks made it easy for dark thoughts to creep into the mind. He simply wondered if his market trip would be in vain. As of late, Danielle ate less and less. Since Venice everything had maintained a status quo, but he could feel the inching differences taking place. Considering the circumstances, Alesso had taken the liberty of filling the prescription the doctor had written for his dearest. The pill bottle jangled with its contents below breakfast. He hoped he could think of some way to convince her to take them, but also debated with himself on the best means he would bring up the topic. The Attack was fresh on both their minds, still, some weeks after. His brow furrowed as he imagined losing his beloved to the beast that ate at her.

They had opted for a two story villa within a neighborhood that never seemed to sleep. The sound of people and children was constant and each person within shouting distance. She had insisted on such a place instead of an apartment or hotel. It wasn’t the most expensive rental they had lived in, but it certainly made the top five of his list. If it gave her piece of mind, it was worth every Lira or Euro he spent. Alesso waved to the neighbors and the children flooded him when he reached within eyesight of them. He had gotten in the habit of handing out candy, and this man was never one to disappoint, despite the playful ire it drew from their parents.

“Signore, Signore. Hai caramelle oggi?” Alesso nodded “Si, Si.” He reached into the bag and handed the eldest of the group three bars of chocolate. “Ecco qui” The kids cheered in victory and ran off to divvy their loot between the five of them. Alesso nodded to the mothers as they shook their heads and laughed at the bright faces that ran back towards them. “Signore Le’mont, Sei troppo gentile” Alesso nodded and fished his keys from his pocket. “Non menzionarlo.” He undid the locks to the door and stepped through the threshold.

Cold air met him. The one thing he appreciated more than the fully furnished indoors was how well the house trapped the cold inside of the first floor and hugged it tight enough to never let it leave. He took in a breath five degrees cooler than outside. He redid the locks and made his way into the kitchen. He fished items for breakfast out of his bag and began the morning ritual of preparing their first meal of the day. Alesso called gently and his voice carried through the open atrium to the second floor above the staircase. “Danielle, I have returned. Ready for Breakfast?” And he busied himself with the cooking.

He sighed, his shoulders slouching down as he tilted his head towards his wife. His head shook from side to side as he chuckled and watched her retrieve the first aid kit. The wounds had already started closing and Alesso could feel the repairing of his flesh as tendrils of flesh pushed towards one another and gripped closed the deeper wounds. The blood had stopped trickling before Danielle returned with the first aid kit.

He watched her wipe the blood away and tend to his bruises and before long finish up cleaning him up.

He laughed at her as she spoke to him and straightened himself up as she rested her digits against his face. He leaned into her palm and set his nose against her finger as he gazed at her. He caught the shade in her eye and his own look softened as he placed his hands against her lap before he leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her lips. “You worry too much.” He said in Italian.

“But I guess that’s what keeps us together so well.” He laughed.

He took her hand and pulled her over from the coffee table to sit next to him. His body leaned into hers and he watched the wall in front of them, losing himself in thought a moment as he fixated on one spot in front of him.

He chuckled weakly to himself and looked at her. With a shake of his head he dropped himself into her lap and let out a deep sigh. His eyes stared off into the ceiling as he smirked. “I was at the meeting. It ran late and stopped to get you the flower and the…” Alesso looked around the room for a moment and then he stretched his arms above his head for a second. “Chocolates… Which apparently are gone now. I’m sure they didn’t go too far.”

The sirens stopped and He could hear the footsteps coming from outside as the police finally made to the apartment and came rushing in. Alesso laughed quietly to himself as he pushed off his wife and managed to struggle himself to his feet. He braced himself against the couch that had been moved. They stared at him for a moment and then began to ask their questions.

Alesso answered the questions as they were thrown his way, giving an avid description of the man who had attacked his wife and ended up fighting with He saw the questioning looks the two officers gave his wife as she told them not to call the ambulance and chuckled to ease the tension. “We’ll have our own doctor check me out, officers, No need to fret. I’ve been beat up worse.” His Italian seemed to put them more at ease. They took one more look to his wife and then back to Alesso, who nodded. “Thank you for coming. Please, be careful out there.”

The Police tipped their hats and let Alesso and Danielle that they would let them know if anything turned up. Alesso nodded and walked them out himself, closing door as they left before turning back to Danielle with a smirk.

I’ll be alright. Don’t fret over cleaning them too soon.” He brought the back of his hand to his forehead and wiped a trickle of blood he felt sliding down his face with a chuckle. “Well. Haven’t been in a scrap like that since that one time at the Club.” He laughed lightly, the boisterousness tricking instantly into a snicker as he wrapped an arm around his stomach again. “Now that was a scrap, remember?” He shook his head and walked over, moving the couch back into place before plopping down on it with a wince. 

fatiguing much faster than his wall of a beast, but he kept himself going. When the man finally got the upper hand Alesso was the first to notice his wife coming over head and he closed his eyes and turned his face just in time to avoid being sprayed in the eyes with glass.

Alesso turned back, blocking his attacker from grabbing on his throat as he tried to remove the man from on top of him once more. This time, Alesso was more worn out than he had realized.

But the quick thinking of his wife to get to the phone and dial for help saved Alesso before his strength finally gave out. The man dashed from the apartment and Alesso laid on the ground, an arm wrapped around his stomach as he chuckled to himself. He almost found it in himself to laugh, but he kept it tied back because it hurt even to giggle as he was.

He looked up at Danielle as she finally made her way over to him. His smug eyes staring into her damp ones as she smirked against her ‘I’m going to kill you myself’ gaze. He braced himself on his own arm and then moved so that he leaned into her lap. The sirens where already coming down the street as he reached up and stroked away the tear from her face.

“I don’t know… I think I might agree with you.” He winced as he let out a small laugh and laid there. The police would arrive soon enough to take statements. “I hope you remember your… sssss… Italian, my dear. You might be talking.” He wrapped his arm tighter around his stomach and smirked at her.

Alesso remained resolved, inching himself closer and closer until a mere five feet rested between him and his principle target. He kept his head level, the redness in his flesh brightening giving testament to the boiling blood underneath the skin. As Danielle bit down and the man grunted in pain, Alesso took a stutter step forward as he closed the gap another foot and watched the man regain his grip on the woman. He ignored her pleas for him to leave, his eyes catching her for a brief moment before flicking back to lock with the culprit’s.

She was giving him that look. He could feel it tingle his flesh and raise goosebumps on his arms as he dared not look directly into that bright, red gaze she struck him with. He’d much rather stare into the noon-day sun. It was the look that told him you’re are obviously being a bullheaded ass. And he was. But he would not let her alone.

“Just let her go. Leave. I won’t even call the police. What? You need money?” Alesso lowered himself towards the floor, keeping his hands visible at all times as he set the flower on the floor and reached into his back pocket. His movements remained as slow as he could go. His eyes flashed red as he brought his hands around and offered the wallet to the man, in its whole. “I have enough here for you to do whatever the hell you want. Run, get out the country, I don’t care. Just let my wife go, take it, and there is the door.”

For a minute he was believable. His body language playing perfect into his ploy. The man reached for the wallet, allowing Alesso to inch closer and closer, until he was in range. When the man almost had the wallet Alesso dropped it.

The wallet dropped between them and Alesso seized the man by the wrist and from his better position, ripped the man forward. The assailant was just off his balance enough that he came forward. Alesso turned and threw his weight into a devastating elbow across the man’s jaw which sent both of them careening for the floor. Alesso put himself between the man and his wife as they tumbled to the floor.

He managed to get Danielle free, giving her a boost away before turning around just in time to catch a counter attack to the left brow. Alesso was rocked, his body turning with the blow and his body nearly falling as Alesso returned again with his own punch and soon enough the two men where tumbling over the floor, trading blows with one another like two teenagers in the street.

Business had concluded for the day and Alesso was on his long walk home through the streets of Venice Italy. The massive structures resting on nothing more than bracers above the water. Liquid lapping stone, as peaceful as the streets around him as somewhere I the distance church bells tolled the hour. Seven rings resounding off stone, reverberating in what seemed an endless cycle through the streets and canals. Alesso crossed over the water at a bridge just in time to hear the gondola pilot humming to himself as he moved towards the nearby dock to make port for the night.

Alesso beat his own tune against the rough cobblestone road. Each step thumping as boot met road one after the other. His hair swayed in the warm breeze as he held on to a single flower in one hand and a small box of Italian chocolates in his other. It had been a longer day than he had expected and he knew Danielle may be cross with him for returning so late. A promise of four and dinner had turned into a cancelation and the promise of making it up to her tonight. Tomorrow there was nothing but the flight home to their estate.

The city was beautiful. Though they never had a true chance to visit. But he missed the budding flowers of the estate and the warm days here caused Alesso some discomfort.

Alesso loosened his tie as he crossed the street in front of a passing car and unbuttoned the neck button to allow himself some breathing room. He was a block away from their apartment complex where they had called home for the last few days when it struck him like a bolt to the stomach. Something wasn’t right. He picked up speed, nearly jogging as he made it to the last corner and rounded himself into the small walkway, barely big enough to fit two abreast, and rushed for the door itself.

He hustled himself up the stairs. He cleared two at a time, sometimes three, as he released his stride and brought himself to their third story apartment. Second door on the right. And as he planted both feet on the landing he could already see the door was not closed.

He took his time, easing his way towards the frame before turning in on the scene before him. A man with his arms around his wife, her helpless form nearly collapsed in the man’s arms. Alesso stared on and locked eyes with the man, raising his own slighter as he did his best not to bear his teeth. “Just let her go, and walk out. You don’t want to do this.” He spoke in Italian first and then in English, just to make sure he translated. He inched himself closer towards where they were, leaving a partial line to the door, remaining close enough to nab him if he tried to dash with Danielle.