Chapter 4 The first time

The night was young

Huge chandeliers adored the gold plated ceilings.

Red carpets paved the way for the rich and light music in the background gave it all a lavish feel.

Her feet were adorned by very expensive brand heels, which she knew she couldn't even pronounce properly.

Her body was covered by a floor-length maroon gown that gave her a princess feel.

And her rough hair were treated with expensive shampoos , blow dried and tied in a beautiful bun on top of her head.

She felt beautiful for the first time in her life.

A pull on her arm jerked her back to reality.

Her eyes landing on the deadly eyes of the man that stood next to her in a grey tuxedo and perfect jelled hair.

His arms interlocked with her making dread settle in her stomach.

"Act nicely or I won't spare a second to pull a bullet through your head."

David Roussou the boss himself threatened her, making her literally shake with fear.

Nodding her head she looked down at the red carpets.

"Chin up and smile, you are Alessa Roussou now, daughter of the richest man here....not some slum girl"

Gulping she nodded holding up her chin and plastering a fake smile on her face.

"Let the show begin"

And that's when they stepped into the halls with cameras flashing and people cheering.

.

.

.

Vincenzo sat at a corner enjoying his drink.

His friend Alex accompanying him with his lame jokes.

"So tell me Vince, which is the coolest alphabet of all?"

Vincenzo took in a sip of his drink and looked at his friend with a bored look.

"Stop talking sh** Alex..I am not in the mood"

"Oh come on Vince you are always like this.

So the answer is B...because it lies between AC!!"

Vince literally smacked his friends head, tired of his lame jokes.

But still was unable to hide that small smile his friend has managed to get on his lips.

"Hey ,isn't that Roussou's daughter?"

Alex said suddenly making Vince to instead turn his back towards them, not interested in seeing her

Gulping another drink he seethed in hate.

"That bas*** has convinced dad to get his daughter married to me."

On hearing no response ,he looked at his side to see Alex still staring at something.

"Oh, you mean that girl?"

His words made Vince to turn around and follow his friend's gaze.

There stood a girl with her arm interlocked with David's.

Media was closing in like crazy on seeing his mysterious daughter for the first time.

He found his gaze to stay a bit longer on her.

She looked like a delicate piece of glass, her thin frame and anxious eyes were screaming innocence.

She was not someone who could take his breath away but still, there was something on that face which he couldn't pinpoint either.

"So she is the famous Alessa Roussou."

Alex said looking back at his friends face.

"A bad-tempered, rich dad's spoiled brat,the type you hate the most"

But Vince was not listening to what his friend was saying.

Instead, his eyes were fixed on her.

Taking in her shy eyes starting at the Italian tiles, fists clenched in anxiousness and body trembling slightly.

Like she was anxious about so much public attention.

"Is she scared of crowds?"

He asked breaking his gaze and turning his back on her.

"Who knows? Can be a reason for why she was never brought to the limelight"

Alex said running a hand over his thick locks.

Vincenzo nodded and continued with another drink.

Enjoying a few minutes of peace before his father comes in and makes him meet her.

"I know your dad is adamant to get you like her but really man do what you feel like."

Vince smiled at his friend's words.

Moving his bar seat towards him, giving him his full attention.

"That's the problem, Alex,I don't feel. I don't love and I don't care for others unless they are family.

I will never love her and I will make this clear to her beforehand"

"What do you mean Vince? Are you seriously considering your father's choice? "

"David is planning something,I just have to make sure he doesn't entrap father this time.

Dad trusts him blindly but I don't.

I won't marry her instead she will herself reject me."

Alex smiled at this, knowing his friend's intentions too well.

"You are one hell of a player Vincenzo Accardi, always one step ahead"

"You wanna bet?"

They both smiled at this, gulping down their last drinks.

His eagle eyes were set on her smiling face.

"Get ready daddy's spoiled little princess for I love taming wild crazy bi***""

Making his way towards her, he placed on his arrogant smirk.

His father's eyes met his and he called him over.

"Son come here! Meet our special guest!"

He stepped into the circle of his father's friends and associates.

Through his side-eye view he took in the form of a girl in maroon.

His father introduced him to his friends in the circle.

To only stop at the end.

"Vincenzo my boy! Your father never stops praising you!"

David said making Vince shake his hand firmly.

All the time, he was aware of a certain someone taking hidden glances at him.

But he refused to catch them.

"Son meet Alessa, David's daughter"

And that was when his eyes met those which were shyly looking at him every second.

But this time, to his surprise she instantly looked down at her feet, breaking their eye contact.

Her hands clutching onto her dress material.

He moved his hand forward to get no response.

His open hand eagerly waited for a handshake to get nothing in return.

"Hello miss Alessa"

His voice made no effect on her.

He cleared his throat for her attention to only see her jerk up suddenly.

Like someone just pinched her to reality.

Or rather three cold water on her.

"Hi...sorry...hi I am Alessa"

She spoke up suddenly making him to smirk at her.

Her hand slipped into his for a handshake and she couldn't help notice the warmness of his large ones.

He met her eyes for the second time while pulling up her delicate hand with his.

The surprise was evident in her eyes as she realised what he was going to do.

A feather-like kiss was placed on her knuckles, she almost had goosebumps all over her body.

With mouth hanging open she looked at the most beautiful man she has ever seen staring back at her.

"Benvenuto a casa, bella"

(Welcome home, beautiful)

She could just smile in return.

Unknown to her, Vince's eyes have managed to catch the look of victory on David Roussou's face.

Mr Giordini patted his son's back with pride and all of them smiled.

"Give Ms Alessa a tour of our house son, we have some business to discuss"

Vince has already seen this coming, plastering a small smile on his face, he nodded while showing ms Alessa the directions.

Her eyes first landed on David for approval, to finally stop on him.

With a final bow of her head, she excused herself to accompany the devil himself.

Standing behind her, he took in the details of her every action.

His eagle eyes watching her like a prey.

Feeling uncomfortable she decided to meet his stare.

"Are you afraid of crowds? We can go to a quieter place if you wish"

His words surprised her. How did he come to know?Wasn't she acting well?

"I....how do you know...?"

She asked before she could stop herself.

"I am a keen observer principessa"

His words filled her insides with fear.

If he is the man she is going to deal with, she sure was going to have a difficult time surviving.

Before she could realise, he had brought her to a quiet place in the palace.

A secluded area with no one around them.

The smile on his face got replaced by a scowl as he closed the doors and stepped towards her.

Her anxiety increased manifold.

She was going to die today she thought.

His attitude changed all of a sudden behind the closed doors.

The elegant beautiful prince turned into an inhuman beast.

Before she could do much, he took dangerous footsteps towards her as she moved back further from him.

"What...what are you doing?"

She managed to stammer, fear evident in her eyes .

He didn't reply instead she soon her back collided with the wall behind.

His eyes held anger.

So much anger that she wished the ground to open up and save her.

Her heart started beating rapidly in her chest as he slammed his fists on her either side.

Blocking her in between.

"Stop with this bull*** right now and tell me what you and your dad are planning this time?"

Her mind went numb.

Planning? Her dad?

She knows nothing...hell she is herself a victim to the man he called her dad.

"I...what are you saying....I..dodon't know..."

She felt trapped not just by his body but also by those captivating black orbs.

He wanted his answers and he knew she could give them.

Scaring her and getting her to spill out her plans were his only option.

"See belle I am a man not to be messed with.

You either tell me willingly or I have other ways as well"

His threats could scare any girl out there.

But she was not just any girl.

The hardships she has faced in her life made her independent and fierce.

"What ways?"

She managed to ask barely above a whisper.

He heard her and a smirk got plastered on his devilishly handsome face.

"Ways that will make you beg me Bella"

"It's Alessa, not Bella? And I don't know what you are talking about. So if you will please move a bit back and clear my way.

I have to be somewhere"

Her words made him still.

Did this girl just reject him?

The audacity of this little girl made him clench his fist at her sides.

Next, she knows he dipped his head into the crook of her neck.

His breath making her hold her own breath in response.

"Wha..t ar-"

She couldn't continue.

The touch of his nose on her earlobe made her still like a statue.

What was he doing ,she thought.

If he thinks he can play with her and get his answers.

Well, then he is damn wrong.

He couldn't continue as she pushed him back with all her strength.

Her breathing coming out heavy with all the force she used.

"How dare you!! How dare you touch me without my permission!

I have seen enough bas*** like you all my life to know the games you play!!"

He couldn't believe the words leaving out of her pretty lips.

Did she just cursed him and forbade him to touch her?

His jaw tightened as he looked at the girl on fire in front of him.

Her cheeks were a crimson colour, reason blush or anger he couldn't distinguish.

Her finger moved up to point at him and he tried controlling the angry beast inside him.

"Vincenzo Accardi , double faced men like you disgust me and it will be better if you stay away from me!

I don't know what plans you are talking about but remember you have no right to impose your accusations on me!!"

He stepped closer again and she refused to step back.

Amara's true nature surfacing at this man's audacity.

She was asked to seduce this man and her she was threatening him.

Well done Anara, great going.

She said scolding herself in her mind.

"I am not afraid of you Mr Accardi . If you have doubts clear them with my father.

I am not a party in your arrangements ."

Her clear cut answer made him question himself.

Was this girl for real?

With anger subdued and indifference plastered on his face, he smirked at her.

"I don't like the way you talk back tessoro. I like my women sottomesse not authoritative"

His words made her mouth to open in surprise.

Eyes widening at the word "my women"

"Were you not informed that you are to be Mia moglai(my wife)?

The world came crashing down as she heard this.

They only said she has to get close to this man and seduce him, marrying him was not a term in their deal.

But again when did they paid heed to her wills and whims.

If they say it, she has to do it.

He smirked seeing her reaction.

Smiling at her frozen state he closed the distance between them.

His finger to rest on her chin and eyes to lock with her lost ones.

"Close your mouth Mia Amore or else I would love to do it"

She couldn't understand what he was saying.

Mind too focussed on interpreting the weight of the words that fell on her.

Marrying this man and deceiving him?

There was no looking back from there then.

Her mind clouded with thoughts of never seeing Aiden again.

Without knowing a tear managed to leave her eyes and land on his hand holding her chin.

Surprised he found her lost in her own little world.

Confused as what he said to make her cry , he rubbed his thumb on the trails of tears on her cheeks.

Her warmness engulfing his ice-cold fingers.

"You leave me no choice belle"

With this, he crashed his lips on her.

Her lips felt so soft,before he could savour her sweetness he found it to be over.

Barely a second passed and he was pushed back.

To be only followed by an echoing sound in the halls and a stinging pain in his cheek.

Her eyes shining like burning coals and her hands clenched in fists at her side.

"Touch me again and you will see my wrath Mr Accardi"

There was a promise in her eyes and not a mere threat.

Rubbing her lips, she was gone leaving behind the man in a frozen state.

No girl has ever rejected him and this little pixie has managed to do not just that but much more.

He should be angry but he found himself amused at her bravery.

Suddenly the idea of marrying this rebellious and innocent looking girl ,didn't seemed that repulsive.

Running his hand through his hair and looking at her retreating back, he whispered with a small smile on his face.

"You earned what many are not able to Alessa Roussou.

And that is respect in eyes of Vincenzo Accardi"

..................................................

"Respect is like a mirror.

You get what you give.

But once it develops a crack, it won't stop till it is brought down to mere pieces."

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