Alyssa calmed her nerves down a little by breathing hard in and out then she walked out into the crowd as soon as she walked out she saw John run up to her he hugged her so hard he picked her tiny little self-off the floor.
John: Alyssa my God it's you!
Alyssa: Hey there stranger.
John: We had no idea you sang here Joe is here he is going insane.
Alyssa: Well, if you let me down maybe I could go say hi to him.
John: Oh sure of course I am sorry I am just happy to see you that's all.
Joe watched John dangle Alyssa and he felt jealous of him too. He wanted to be the one holding Alyssa in his arms he missed her so much he didn't know if he was supposed to hug her or not but luckily Alyssa walked up to him and gave him a hug.
Alyssa: Hey Joe how are you?
Joe: I am good now!
As he said that she let him go and for those two seconds in his arms she felt like a whole person the only place she felt alright was always in his arms.
Alyssa: What are you guys doing here?
Joe: We had a match, we came by here yesterday; we loved it John dragged me in here today.
John: And aren't you lucky I did?
Joe: I am thank you!
Alyssa: Well, it's good to see you guys
Marcel saw Alyssa standing there with these two big guys so he came up.
Marcel: Hey babe what's up?
Alyssa: Hey just saying hello to some of my old friends.
Joe hated the fact that she referred to them as friends.
Marcel: Well, since Alyssa is not going to introduce me I am marcel her boyfriend!
John and Joe both shook his hand Joe wanted to crush him but he contained himself. He was so jealous that she had a boyfriend it made him mad. From out of nowhere Mara flew in like crazy "there you guys are Joe baby I have been looking for you forever"
Alyssa: just looked at her and then looked at Joe. Joe wasn't interested in Mara in the least bit John looked like he was trying to distract Mara but of course he failed.
Mara: So who are you guys I don't know you?
Alyssa: Hey I am Alyssa and this is Marcel.
Mara: I am Mara I am Joe's girlfriend.
Alyssa felt jealous as soon as Mara said that she instantly wanted to pull her hair out but of course she didn't want it to show so she just shook her hand and smiled.
Joe: She is really not my girlfriend she's crazy!
Mara: Oh baby you are just so mean to me lately I need a drink.
They just watched Mara bounce to the bar they all just stood there awkwardly.
Alyssa: Uhmm so how long are you guys in Italy for?
Joe: For the rest of the week and then we will be flying back.
Alyssa: I see.
The atmosphere around them got so awkward thank God for the Albini's who ran up to Alyssa and hugged her like life depended on it. They thanked her over and over again Mrs. Albini noticed the tension she could tell that Alyssa and Joe were looking at one another and in her head it clicked that he was the guy she had gotten upset about seeing on the wrestling channel she instantly knew she wanted nothing more than happiness for her grandson but she knew she needed to get him away from her so that they could talk.
Mrs. Albini: Hey Marcel could you and John maybe come and help us old people in the back I need some stuff lifted and we can't do it?
John: Of course I would be more than happy to help a lovely young lady like you!
Mrs. Albini: Oh you are just too precious!
Marcel just nodded he could tell something was up with Joe and Alyssa but of course he didn't figure it out "Hey Alyssa you coming with us?"
Mrs. Albini: Oh son, leave her be she's tired she can't be lifting that stuff anyways.
Alyssa: I'll be there in a minute.
Joe: Hey you think we could go for a walk to talk?
Alyssa: Umm sure.
Joe: Great, you lead I have no idea how to get out of here.
Alyssa: We should probably go through the back door I think there are a lot of paparazzi out there now.
Joe looked and of course he saw them too so he just followed Allie. Joe hated the paparazzi he loved his fans to death but the crazy paparazzi he could smack them all day long. They finally made it out through the back and started walking in silence. Alyssa felt good next to him it's like all her worries and all her pain was gone when she was next to him.
Alyssa: So where are you staying at?
Joe: I am at the Belmound hotel.
Alyssa: Oh so that's like ten minutes' walk from where I live.
Joe: You kidding right?
Alyssa: No, I am not!
Joe: Wow, you know not in a million years would I have thought I would ever run into you again.
Alyssa: Well, isn't that funny how it happens I remember when I met you the first time in the signing area I thought the same thing.
Joe: So you still remember that?
Alyssa: Of course I do.
Joe: That makes me happy, makes me think that I am not the only crazy person who always thinks of day one with you.
Alyssa smiled at his comment and that smile made Joe smile as well. He loved her so much he never stopped loving her in his dreams he would see that smile and he'd wake up happier. It felt surreal to both of them to be standing right next to one another.
Alyssa: So what is up with your drunken girlfriend? (She couldn't help but laugh)
Joe: (big laugh) Please, don't get me started on her okay! You can thank Kim for that nut job she's the one who set me up with her.
Alyssa: No don't tell me that NOT MY CRAZY Kim!
Joe: Yes, that one!
They both just stopped and laughed for a moment it felt like old happy times.
Joe: I miss you Allie!
Alyssa just stood there looking into his eyes and she instantly knew he meant it she knew it deep inside her heart he meant it.
Alyssa: I missed you too Joe.
They continued walking he took her hand she didn't even resist she loved holding his hand it felt right. She loved being next to him she felt like she was in a dream and in any moment someone was about to wake her up.
Alyssa: How is my crazy friend Kim?
Joe: Oh Allie you know Kim she is a mess. But one thing is for sure not a day goes by that she doesn't talk about you, or cry about you she truly misses you.
Alyssa: You know I wanted to call her and, tell her I was alright but I just didn't have it in me. I was so mad. I mean in way I am still mad but I love her she is my best friend I should have called.
Joe: I don't think for a minute Kim thinks you don't love her she knows that you are mad she blames herself for it every day and none of it was her fault ALL Of it was my fault.
Alyssa: Well, we could sit here and debate all day long on whose fault it was but at the end it doesn't matter the damage was done and that's it.
Joe: So are you going to show me where you live?
Alyssa: Sure.
They walked a little bit longer towards her house they laughed and joked around for a bit. She felt whole with him. "Well, this is where I live" Joe looked at the little brick house. "Well, you not going to show me the inside?" Alyssa kind of panicked she wondered what shape she left the house in this morning, but then she figured what the hell might as well. "Sure come on" she fiddled for her keys and she walked in. Joe was fascinated with how such a little house was pretty big she had a beautiful open living room one side of the wall was window and she could see her whole backyard which was beyond beautiful when Alyssa came back from the States she was so stressed so she'd work in the garden day and night and she planted hundreds of flowers and she made a little pond which had little gold fish inside it looked magical from the inside.
Joe: Wow look at this garden it's beautiful you have to show me that pond.
Alyssa: Okay.
Joe walked around the house he loved her little white kitchen of course it was so her.
Joe: So no piano?
Alyssa: Nope. Do you still have your piano?
Joe: I do I slept there many nights after you left.
As he said that a sharp pain hit her chest. She didn't even know what to say to that so she changed the subject.
Alyssa: Alright well you pretty much saw everything in here let me show you the back.
They walked out and Joe was just fascinated how beautiful all the flowers looked and her pond was adorable. He sat there on a bench with her and he felt at peace.
Joe: You know Alyssa today is the first day since you left that I have felt great.
Alyssa: Same here.
They both sat in silence enjoying the fine wind breeze and the beauty around it was a dark night but it felt great sitting next to the man she loved.
Alyssa: You know I am graduating next month?
Joe: What No really? Nursing?
Alyssa: Yes, I finally did it.
Joe: Wow, Allie that's fantastic I am so proud of you.
Alyssa loved when he called her Allie only he did it in a genuine way she loved it. She loved how he made her feel she loved everything about him.
Joe: So what's the thing with you and that guy Marcel?
Alyssa: Well, we've been dating for a while now and he's nice.
Joe: Okay so you're dating him and he's nice? I mean do you love him?
Alyssa just looked at Joe she didn't even have to tell him anything deep down inside he knew.
Alyssa: He's a wonderful man he is nice, thoughtful, caring, sweet, funny he's everything and more I adore him we get along.
Joe was so upset sitting next to her and listening to the girl you love describing another man made him sick.
Joe: Allie, come back to the States with me!
Alyssa: What?
Joe: I want you back I love you Allie!
Alyssa got up and walked away from him she had tears in her eyes.
Joe: Don't walk away from me please!
He came close to her he took her face in his hand she couldn't help but just let tears down her face. Joe hated to see her cry.
Alyssa: What do you want me to do Joe; you want me to pretend like you didn't cheat on me; like I didn't lose our baby?
Joe: No I don't want you to pretend nothing I know you are mad but I can't live my life without you I can't be without you I've tried that for a year now and it's not working everything reminds me of you every day I wake up I wish I was next to you, every night I dream about you! Please Allie come back to me please!
Alyssa: I can't do this Joe I can't I have a life here now!
Joe: Oh Alyssa stop it please you know you don't love that guy Marcel you know damn well he is not what you want.
Alyssa was so upset at this point she had tears just gushing everywhere she was mad she was hurt she wanted nothing more than to just tell him to go but she didn't have it in her heart so she just kept her thoughts to herself.
Joe: Say something Allie.
Alyssa: I can't do this with you I can't be with you I just can't.
Joe: Why do you love him that much?
Alyssa: It's not just Marcel I have formed a whole life here I live here now I go to school here I will eventually get over you I will please stop trying to convince me I have made my mind up.
Joe: Tell me this; do you miss him when he leaves? Do you fantasize about him when he isn't there? Do you think about him all the time? Do you want to marry him and have his babies some day? Do you make love to him like you made love to me? Do you!?
Alyssa just stood there with no more words left for him other than "Joe please leave"
Joe: Answer me first; is he what you always wanted?
Alyssa walked off by now to open the front door so he could leave.
Joe: for fuck's sake Alyssa is he what you always wanted? (He was shouting)
Alyssa: Yes, now leave!
Joe got out of the house he was angry and speechless he just realized he has lost her and he was devastated. Alyssa realized she lost him. She should have never lied to him about Marcel being "the one" but she couldn't stand arguing with him anymore and she didn't want to hurt Marcel neither. She called John and prayed that his number was still the same to let him know that he needs to get Joe since they had a fight. She was worried with Joe running in the streets he might not be in the mood to do pictures and might go raging mad thank God John answered and promised he'd go and get him of the road. She worried about him in the streets but she decided to call it a night by crying herself to sleep she knew tomorrow she would have to explain everything to Marcel.