Chapter 5 5.

The twenty-second floor of the towering edifice exuded a tantalizing symphony of scents. The harmonious blend of sautéed chicken, boiled potatoes, and risotto wove through the air, teasing the olfactory senses. Precisely at 6:49 p.m., the clock on the western wall silently marked the passing time. A woman, meticulously attending to the final touches of plating, adorned the succulent chicken with freshly chopped coriander and crumbled dry red chilies. With utmost care, she arranged the plates upon the sleek, rectangular island before her.

Retrieving a spoon, fork, and knife from the cabinet, she settled gracefully onto a bar stool, her anticipation palpable.

The first bite of the sautéed chicken danced tantalizingly on her taste buds, eliciting a moan of appreciation that escaped her lips after the third bite. Savoring each morsel, she relished the perfect harmony of flavors. The risotto, expertly prepared, melted effortlessly in her mouth, evoking an expression of profound gratitude for her culinary prowess. Truly, the power of delectable food to bring joy is undeniable.

Lost in her gustatory reverie, her ruminations were abruptly interrupted by the intrusive ring of the doorbell. An unexpected visitor, a rare occurrence indeed. Emitting an exasperated groan, she reluctantly abandoned her sumptuous meal, taking one final bite of risotto before striding purposefully towards the main entrance, determined to impart her annoyance upon the unsuspecting intruder. As she swung open the door, her irritation heightened upon beholding a man of considerable stature, broad shoulders adorned in a black suit, complete with earpieces and imposing sunglasses. In his left hand, he clutched two bags.

"Good evening, Ms. Ferrari. Mr. Romano has sent me to retrieve you," he intoned, his tone bold and heavy, attempting to maintain an air of civility.

Such arrogance and psychopathic tendencies were evident in Vincent this demeanor, fueling her anger. "I have already given him my answer. You may leave," she retorted curtly, slamming the door shut with an audible thud. Ready to resume her delectable dinner, she barely had a moment's respite before the doorbell's intrusive chime sounded once more. Contemplating whether to confront the persistently ringing intruder or ignore the disturbance altogether, she reluctantly settled on the former. With a hint of resignation, she flung open the door, prepared to unleash her wrath upon the man outside. However, to her surprise, he extended his phone towards her. Perplexed, she accepted the device.

"If you fail to accompany him within thirty minutes, my dear, your friend's life will be forfeit," he warned, his voice betraying neither remorse nor hesitation, disconnecting the call before she could respond. Aware of his capacity to act on his words without a shred of guilt, she realized that compliance was her only option. Taking the bags from the man and returning his phone, she firmly shut the door behind her, proceeding to the kitchen to stow away the remnants of her dinner. Gathering her belongings, she ventured towards her bedroom, where she discovered a phone filled with six unanswered calls, all originating from the same familiar number, dropping it back into her pocket. Retrieving the contents from the bags, she examined the first item-a crimson gown, exquisitely crafted, boasting a seductive slit and a daring neckline. The second item unveiled a pair of golden heels, shimmering with elegance.

In a mere ten minutes, she transformed herself, applying a delicate touch of makeup and arranging her hair in a demure low bun. One last glance in the mirror assured her of her appearance's appeal. Securing her purse and phone, she switched off the apartment lights, locked the front door, and embarked on this enigmatic journey. Following the man's lead, she trailed behind him, feeling like a lost puppy. Upon reaching the car, he gallantly opened the backseat door, gesturing for her to enter-a true gentleman indeed.

The drive to his opulent mansion consumed twenty-five minutes, during which he skillfully navigated the traffic while adhering to all rules of the road. A genuine embodiment of chivalry. As he parked the car and stepped out, he circled the vehicle to open her door, displaying a courtesy rarely encountered. Grateful for his patience, she expressed her thanks before he pointed her towards the designated spot, assuring her that Vincent would join her shortly. With a curt nod, he left her presence. The room she entered bathed in a soft glow emanating from flickering candles atop the table, which stood surrounded by two chairs placed opposite each other. A baby grand piano occupied one corner, while the northern balcony offered a view of the dark forest beyond. The transparent roof provided a breathtaking panorama of the night sky.

From her vantage point, she observed the mansion's grandeur-an architectural marvel comprising five floors adorned with extravagant paintings, chandeliers, statues, and countless other embellishments. It became abundantly clear that Vincent Romano valued his privacy, maintaining a formidable security apparatus to safeguard it. CCTV cameras surveilled every corner, while guards accompanied by trained German Shepherds and Cane Corsos patrolled the premises.

The weighty resonance of footsteps encroached upon her surroundings, alerting her to the presence of the man himself. The click of the door reverberated throughout the room, drawing her attention towards it. Approaching her with measured steps, he stood before her, his proximity suffocating. Closing the distance, he gently clasped her right hand in his left, his thumb caressing her knuckles while bestowing a lingering kiss upon them. Watching her intently, he allowed his lips to linger longer than customary, a smirk playing upon his features.

"A-I, good evening, Mr. Romano," she stammered, withdrawing her hand from his grasp, her gaze shifting shyly away, seeking solace in the room's surroundings.

"Good evening, Ms. Ferrari. You look resplendent in that dress," he complimented, a smile gracing his lips.

"Thank you," she replied, her tone mirroring his own.

"Shall we begin?" Vincent inquired, his hand encircling her waist as he guided her towards the awaiting table. Pulling out a chair, he gestured for her to sit-an obedient gesture she readily accepted. Seating himself opposite her, he signaled for the serving staff, who promptly delivered a splendid array of dishes prepared with utmost care. Carbonara, lasagna, risotto, spaghetti, roasted chicken, vegetable salad, and a plethora of other tantalizing delicacies adorned the table. Once the servers retreated, she found herself studying the feast before her, her discomfort evident as she had already indulged in her own dinner. The sight of the food, though delectable, now left her feeling slightly nauseated due to her satiated stomach. Unbeknownst to her, Vincent watched her closely, observing every furrowed brow and lip bite.

"Why are you not eating? Is the Italian cuisine not to your liking, or would you prefer something else?" he inquired between bites of roasted chicken and vegetable salad.

"I am already full," she clarified, her response tinged with resignation.

His patience wore thin. Attempting to be a gentleman, he had orchestrated this entire evening for her comfort, yet she displayed an ungrateful demeanor, neglecting to acknowledge his efforts. Frustrated, he lashed out, his words dripping with anger. "You are an incredibly stubborn woman, behaving like a wretched shrew. Eat, or else your dear friend's life shall be forfeit. Cease this obstinacy and heed my warning. Beyond this point, my actions will speak for themselves, and you will face the consequences, my dear." As he spoke, he retrieved his phone from his pocket, displaying a video depicting Warren, her friend, sipping from a cup. A horrified gasp escaped her lips as she snatched the phone from his grasp, scrutinizing the footage intently. The video appeared authentic, devoid of any tampering. Her hands trembled as she returned the phone, her voice trembling as she sought answers.

"What do you want from me? Put an end to this stalking and cease your threats."

"Simply say 'yes' to me tonight, and you and your friend shall be free," he proposed.

"If I comply with your demands, will you release me and my friend, guaranteeing that we will never be threatened again?" she questioned further.

"Yes, I shall grant you and your friend your freedom," he assured.

"Very well," she consented.

"Now, eat," he ordered.

Serving herself a modest portion of spaghetti, she began to eat, purposefully ignoring the man who sat across from her, occasionally glancing her way. Drinking water to wash down the meal, she pushed her plate away and turned her gaze towards the night sky, which shimmered with infinite stars and a solitary moon. Her mind brimmed with pensive thoughts.

"Would you care to dance with me, Ms. Ferrari?" he interrupted her reverie, extending his hand with a genteel request. Were she to decline, he would undoubtedly take offense.

She contemplated her options, realizing that refusing would only invite trouble. Suppressing her reservations, she offered a forced smile and extended her hand. "Sure, why not?" she acquiesced. Taking her hand, he led her to the center of the room, positioning her right hand on his broad shoulder while intertwining his fingers with her left. His other hand secured her waist, drawing her close to his solid chest. The music commenced as he discreetly signaled one of his staff. Swaying in synchrony with the melody, he leaned in, nuzzling his nose against her exposed skin.

Goosebumps rippled across her body as a heat surged within her, an inferno devoid of flames. "What are you doing to me? I don't want to spend this night with you," she protested, her voice quivering, despising the sinful allure of their proximity. She attempted to create distance, but his grip remained firm, refusing to relent. Placing her hands on his chest, she met his gaze, witnessing an intensified desire within his darkened, sinful eyes. So captivated were they by their own desires that they failed to notice the masked intruder stealthily entering the room, armed with a weapon and aiming for a fatal blow to Vincent's neck. In a matter of seconds, it was too late for Vincent to react-the shot had already been fired. Both Vincent and Celia were left stunned, collapsing to the floor with a resounding thud.