Chapter 3 ALESSANDRO POV

I stared at her, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. I admit to being intrigued, speaking in a low murmur. I anticipated a boring event, but you have turned out to be a pleasant surprise in the midst of the dullness. He moved nearer, his gaze fixed on her face, capturing every detail of her response. "And your nose", he chuckled gently, "it definitely adds to your charm, right?" I formally introduced myself as Bianchi Alessandro; I enjoyed seeing the flicker of surprise that appeared on her face. I smugly remarked, "I want to make it clear that I am not available for a future relationship, as I am already committed." I stopped speaking, creating a deliberate quiet moment, observing her reaction to what he had just said. "Clinginess, though", he continued, his tone filled with disgust, "is not something I can tolerate. I was meant for someone else, but still..." My voice faded away, leaving the suggestion lingering in the atmosphere. I watched her closely, feeling satisfied when I saw the disappointed expression on her face. "When she looks sad, she is even more charming," I thought, with a calculating sparkle in my eye. But despite my confident demeanour, a small bit of uncertainty started to sneak in. I thought the material of her dress was quite unattractive, managing to hold back a shiver of disgust. I became intrigued when she pulled back in response to his attempt to touch her. "What caused the recoil?" I pondered, my curiosity now completely sparked. ****** As I struggled with the choice of whether to disclose my actual occupation, contradictory feelings rose up inside of me. The thought of revealing my secret activities to her caused a flood of fear and uncertainty. What if she reacted in terror  or even ran away after discovering my real self? However, a sudden moment of understanding broke through the haze of doubt. A surge of realisation flooded through me, bringing with it a fresh feeling of disconnection. "What is the reason for my concern?" I laughed quietly, surprised by my own nervousness. It felt like a sudden change had occurred, freeing me from traditional worries. Looking at her, I was entranced by the bewilderment visible on her face. However, hidden behind a mask of purity, I perceived an underlying capability, a characteristic that connected with a primal aspect of myself. With a slight smile on my face, I couldn't resist admiring her, from the way she carried herself to the subtle details of her mannerisms. "I pondered that she would make a better sub for me than Gabby, with a hint of excitement running through me." The idea of a new victory, an exciting test, called to me like a siren's song. As I went further into understanding her complicated personality, I experienced a sense of excitement and a desire to solve the mystery in front of me. In that instant, surrounded by a complicated mix of longing and lies, I felt an irresistible pull towards her. As we entered the cosy space of the bedroom, a noticeable tension filled the room, heavy with excitement and wonder. I gestured for her to sit on the bed as I settled on the couch, our eyes meeting in a wordless exchange of curiosity. Taking a deep breath, I began to unveil the truth of my identity. "I'm the CEO of B.A. Real Estate Companies. And I own them in 5 different countries and I also own clubs too," I said. However, as the words left my lips, I couldn't help but notice the perplexed expression etched upon her features, her brow furrowed in confusion. A sudden realisation dawned upon me, shattering the illusion of familiarity. "You don't know any of the places I just mentioned," I exclaimed, a mixture of shock and disbelief colouring my tone. Her admission was met with a stunned silence, punctuated only by the soft sound of her fingers nervously intertwining. I watched as she averted her gaze, a veil of uncertainty descending upon her. "Urgh," I groaned, a sense of resignation washing over me. Despite the initial jolt of surprise, a strange sense of relief settled within me. The revelation that she was unaware of my prestigious affiliations offered a rare moment of authenticity amidst the elaborate facade of social pretence. And as I gazed upon her, head bowed in a mixture of embarrassment. I couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of connection, unburdened by the weight of expectations and assumptions.  Saying goodbye to Mr Ivanov and his daughter, I couldn't ignore the unease I felt around him. Despite his cheerful demeanour, there was a certain quality about him that felt out of place, although I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. I prepared myself for my father's unavoidable question by turning to him. "What was it like?" he inquired, his curiosity apparent in his voice. "I answered tactfully that everything went smoothly." "I enjoyed our pleasant chat, and she appears to be a friendly individual." My father's smile grew bigger as he continued questioning. "Any news on Gabby?" he asked, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. I suddenly realized and berated myself internally for my forgetfulness. "I must admit I completely forgot about Gabby," I confessed, feeling a twinge of guilt for unintentionally neglecting her. I acknowledged the oversight with a nod filled with thought. "I can't simply abandon her," I confessed, deciding to confront the situation with compassion and comprehension. Even though I was tempted by the new friend, I chose to continue treating Gabby with respect and kindness, favoring a peaceful approach over creating any unnecessary tension or disagreement. ........................................................................................

ALESSANDRA

While I heard him speak, a feeling of confusion came over me. "What is the topic of his conversation?" I pondered, furrowing my brow in focused thought. Seeing him, I was surprised. Where I thought there would be stress, he appeared calmly relieved, which was very different from my confusion. He released a quiet breath, followed by a mysterious comment that increased my confusion. "It's fortunate you are unaware." "I prefer demonstrating instead of explaining," he stated with a mischievous smile appearing on his face. My cheeks were flushed with warmth, and I was surrounded by a comforting feeling that I couldn't quite explain. "I confess to myself, I feel secure with him," I murmured, a slight smile appearing on my face. "Are you paying attention?" "Alessandro inquired." I was taken by surprise by his question and blinked, feeling disoriented by the sudden change. "Oh... yes, I am." *cough* "Continue," I stated, my voice polite but with a hint of embarrassment.

***AT HOME***

Seeing my father's joyful smile made me yearn to be the reason behind his happiness. "I desire to be the reason for his smile," I murmured quietly, the words tinged with a touch of sorrow. Before I could ponder more, my father's enthusiastic voice interrupted my thoughts. "Everything went flawlessly," he exclaimed, eagerly turning towards me. I wavered, uncertain if I should reveal the truth about Alessandro's romantic involvements. "It was successful. He was extremely kind. However... My voice faded away as I struggled between being loyal to my father and wanting to protect him from disappointment. The hidden truth weighed down the atmosphere, desperate to be exposed. "But what will happen next?" Anger filled his voice, with veins visibly bulging on his forehead. "What happened?" His loud roar reverberated while his fingers mercilessly gripped my hair. "I pray you didn't do anything foolish because I promise I will turn your life into a nightmare in this house," he said with malice. I had experienced his rage before, but this instance made me shiver. I trembled in fear as my body couldn't find safety from his anger. Unstoppable tears ran down my face. "I fabricated that he desires a quick marriage with me and believes I'll provide him with a good child," I said, eager to calm his anger. I was surprised by how quickly his anger transformed into joy all of a sudden. I was truly scared. I realize that you must have already offered your body to him for him to desire you so effortlessly seeing as... he stopped talking and glanced at my body, licking his lips. It caused my body to shake in a manner that I recognized as unhealthy. How can he give me such a repulsive stare? "Is it normal for fathers to do that to their own daughter?" I thought while still looking at him as he gave me the creeps.