alexandra headed downstairs hearing the laughter and chattering from the top of the steps before she even started heading down. she immediately sighed before walking across the huge palace. the wooden door that everyone was behind was closed but she could hear them.

she stood at the door for a second to see what they were talking about, "so she is the daughter of gianni versace?" she heard a woman ask

"what a sad ending to his life. i can't imagine what that was like for her growing up." the lady quickly added

"well donatella immediately took her in with no hesitation which was probably the best decision for the poor girl." she could point out elsbeth's voice any day despite not seeing her in a few years

"where is her mother?" alexandra began to fiddle with her fingers thinking of her father and how they didn't have much time together in life

"surrogate. gianni wanted it that way from the very beginning." elsbeth answered with coldness

she heard the woman let out a light hum, "well he could do that considering he was one of the biggest fashion designers in the world. truly can't imagine living like that. father murdered. having no idea who your mother is. she must have had it tough after he passed."

"i'm sure she did but at least she inherited all his assets." elsbeth claimed. pamela gasped, "he left that much money to her?"

"yes but donatella is in charge of the entire account until alexandra turns eighteen. she is such a doll. hasn't touched not one dime or ounce of her niece's money."

she slowly entered the room. as soon as she did. crickets. "hello darling!!" elsbeth said making everyone turn around to look directly at her. she quickly got up to hug her.

breaking away from each other, elsbeth made sure to place her hands onto her arms looking her into her gorgeous eyes. alexandra felt like melting looking into her intimating yet stunning eyes, "oh my goodness. those brown doe eyes are still gorgeous as ever." elsbeth complimented

alex quickly blushed. "come have a seat with us. pamela if you don't mind go fetch us some tea." pamela raised her eyebrows not expecting to hear that but she smiled and quickly exited the room. alex sat on the floor but elsbeth quickly corrected her, "honey don't be silly. sit right there where pamela sat."

"are you sure?" she asked concerned. elsbeth laughed, "yes she can find another seat, sit down. take a load off." alexandra quickly sat beside oliver who was happy to see her. her bare legs touch his legs but it didn't seem to bother her.

"so how have things been going in italy?" she asked interested to hear what she would say. alex quickly answered, "it's been good! i graduated early and have been helping my aunt out with the company." she happily stated

elsbeth seemed genuinely fascinated by the girl, "honey that is amazing. just amazing. i figured you would follow in her footsteps along with your fathers."

felix quickly chimed in, "mom." he warned. he knew how his mother was and already knew where she would try to take the conversation. "i'm just saying." elsbeth shrugged

"so how have you been dealing with the loss of your father?" elsbeth asked making alexandra shift into her seat. oliver just looked down at his lap fiddling with his hands. he got second hand embarrassment for the poor girl.

"mom, oh my God stop. that's none of your business." felix snarled but elsbeth didn't seem to mind his attitude. alex quickly spoke not wanting to make it even more awkward, "i still go to therapy."

elsbeth hummed, "that's good. that kind of grief never goes away, never. plus you were so young i know that trauma definitely sucks the life out of you." she stated making alexandra focus on her breathing. some instances where someone brings her father up, she will begin to have panic attacks. she normally does breathing techniques and stops them but some are worse than others.

oliver carefully watched her, slowly leaning over to her making sure no one else could hear, "are you alright?" he asked with worrying eyes. alexandra shut her eyes quickly and breathed heavily pacing herself. she nodded, "yeah, i'm fine."

"so darling what do you plan on doing when your get your dad's full inheritance?" elsbeth asked. everyone turned to give her a glare expect for oliver and alexandra.

"darling, let the girl breathe." sir james said nicely but felix was over his mother asking her invasive and tonedeaf questions. "mom, enough."

elsbeth put her hands up in defeat and sighed, "alright. alexandra darling i apologize for not introducing you to pamela directly." she said as pamela came back into the room. she set down an expensive looking kettle pot along with some tea cups that were expensive.

alexandra stood up and greeted the woman, "hi it is nice to meet you." she said softly. pamela smiled, "great to meet you to sweetheart. my gosh you are so beautiful." she cooed cupping alexandra's cheek with her cold palm.

alex blushed, "thank you so are you. i love your hair and your fashion sense." she referred to her outfit which was youthful, colorful and fun. her style reminded alexandra of vivenne westwood.

pamela looked taken back by the compliment. "what fashion sense?" farleigh mumbled making felix sigh and rub his eyes. "really, you do?" pamela asked

alex quickly nodded, "i do." pamela gave her a smile, "thank you sweetheart, she is a gem i can already tell." she said sitting by oliver again who hadn't moved an inch

elsbeth looked at alex with bubbly eyes watching as she went to sit by farleigh. "she is, such a good kid. having her here will bring more color to saltburn." she swore

"i love your tattoos by the way." alex quickly brought up making pamela feel good about herself. she thought her tattoos were so cool.

she chuckled, "you're the only one who seems to like them around here." elsbeth frowned quickly, "we love them!!" she assured her in a fake tone that oliver could hear from a mile away

"they're different." farleigh spoke sarcastically. "i think they look good." felix added. pamela chuckled, "i noticed you have one." she scanned over alexandra's

"it's her middle name." elsbeth answered. "well she is a champion indeed." felix said looking over at alexandra. they both smiled at each other. oliver carefully watched the two

elsbeth took a sip of wine before speaking again, "i see you still wear that lovely necklace your father gave you." pamela squinted getting a better look at it.

it was a custom made deer necklace that her father had made for her and gave her on her fifth birthday. she hadn't ever took it off since he gave it to her. alexandra quickly looked down at it and grabbed it.

"it is beautiful." pamela voiced. elsbeth smiled, "quite a lovely metaphor too since alexandra has deer symbolizations within herself." alex faintly smiled before looking down at her lap.

"alexandra, what do you want for your birthday?" sir james suddenly asked making her look over at him. "nothing, being here is a gift in itself."

sir james pulled his glasses down quickly looking over at elsbeth. she raised her eyebrows. there was silence within the room after her answer. "there has to be something you want for your birthday." felix voiced

alexandra shrugged, "honestly i'm fine. i'm just happy to be here with you guys." farleigh quickly chuckled, "if you say so." felix gave him a death glare making him stop smiling. oliver felt like something was up their sleeves

"if you guys will excuse me. i'm going to go check up on venetia." alex quickly announced getting up and quickly leaving the room. oliver licked his lips watching her walk past.

you guys are the absolute best, I LOVE YOU ALL!!! happy new year everyone :'''') 🥰🥰💐🤍🪩🪩🪩🥲🫂