CHAPTER 3: The Engagement Dinner

I spent the next three days pretending nothing had changed.

I went to class. I came home. I locked myself in my room.

But every time I looked at the calendar hanging above my desk, my stomach twisted.

The wedding was getting closer.

Every day felt like another step toward a life I hadn't chosen.

A knock sounded on my bedroom door.

"Come in."

Maria stepped inside, smoothing her apron nervously.

"Your father wants you downstairs."

I sighed.

"What now?"

She hesitated before answering.

"The De Luca family is hosting the engagement dinner tonight."

My heart sank.

Tonight?

I hadn't even had time to prepare myself.

"I don't want to go."

"I know," Maria said softly. "But your father is already waiting."

I closed my eyes for a moment before standing.

There was no point arguing.

Not anymore.

By the time I reached the living room, my father was checking his watch impatiently.

"You're late."

"I was getting dressed."

His eyes traveled over my dark green dress.

It was elegant but simple, exactly the way I wanted it.

"You could've worn something nicer."

"I wasn't aware this was a fashion competition."

His jaw tightened.

For a second, I thought he might lose his temper.

Instead, he adjusted his tie.

"Remember why you're there."

"I know."

"Don't embarrass me."

I almost laughed.

Embarrassing him was becoming more tempting every day.

The drive to the De Luca estate was silent.

I stared out of the window as the city slowly disappeared behind us.

Nearly forty minutes later, enormous black gates appeared ahead.

Two armed guards stood outside.

After checking our car, the gates slowly opened.

I couldn't stop myself from staring.

The estate looked less like a home and more like a fortress.

Security cameras covered every corner.

Luxury cars lined the driveway.

Men in black suits stood at every entrance.

Who needed this much protection?

Or maybe...

Who had this many enemies?

The front doors opened before we even reached them.

A woman in her fifties greeted us with a warm smile.

"You must be Alessia."

I nodded politely.

"I'm Sofia De Luca."

Unlike everyone else I'd met so far, she looked genuinely kind.

She reached out and squeezed my hand gently.

"We're happy you're here."

Before I could respond, another voice interrupted.

"Mother."

I turned.

Matteo.

He looked exactly the way I remembered him.

Perfectly tailored black suit.

Calm expression.

Sharp eyes that seemed to notice everything.

"Good evening," he said.

"Good evening."

The conversation felt awkward.

Like two strangers trying to pretend they belonged in each other's lives.

"Dinner is ready," Sofia announced.

Everyone moved toward the dining room.

The table was enormous.

More than twenty people could have sat around it.

Crystal glasses sparkled beneath the chandelier.

Everything looked perfect.

Too perfect.

I found myself seated beside Matteo.

Great.

Just what I wanted.

Across from us sat an older man with silver hair and piercing eyes.

He didn't smile once.

"Alessia," my father whispered.

"That's Matteo's grandfather."

I nodded.

So this was the man everyone feared.

The meal began quietly.

Conversations floated around the table, mostly about business.

I had no idea what half of them were discussing.

Matteo barely spoke.

Instead, he listened.

Watching.

Observing.

It was strangely intimidating.

Halfway through dinner, his grandfather looked directly at me.

"So..."

His deep voice filled the room.

"Tell me about yourself."

Every conversation stopped.

"I study literature."

He nodded slowly.

"And after marriage?"

I hesitated.

"I'd like to continue my studies."

Silence.

The older man's expression remained unreadable.

"Our family has certain expectations."

"I understand."

"Do you?"

I met his gaze.

"I believe marriage shouldn't mean giving up who you are."

My father's fork clattered against his plate.

He looked horrified.

Matteo remained completely still.

His grandfather studied me for several long seconds.

Then...

He smiled.

It wasn't warm.

But it wasn't mocking either.

"Interesting."

The conversations slowly resumed.

I released the breath I'd been holding.

"You shouldn't challenge him," Matteo murmured quietly beside me.

"I answered his question."

"You challenged his beliefs."

"I wasn't rude."

"No."

He took a sip of water.

"You were honest."

I couldn't tell if that was a compliment.

After dinner, everyone gathered in the garden.

Music drifted softly through hidden speakers.

Servers carried trays of desserts and drinks.

I stepped away from the crowd for a moment, needing fresh air.

"You survived."

Matteo's voice came from behind me.

I looked over my shoulder.

"So did you."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"I've had years of practice."

I folded my arms.

"So... was tonight some kind of test?"

"In a way."

"And did I pass?"

He looked at me thoughtfully.

"You surprised them."

"I have a feeling that's not a good thing."

"It depends who you ask."

For the first time since we'd met, the silence between us wasn't uncomfortable.

It almost felt... peaceful.

Almost.

"I have a question," I said.

"Ask."

"Why me?"

His eyes drifted toward the lights inside the mansion.

"I wasn't involved in choosing you."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I'm giving."

Before I could press further, someone brushed past me.

Hard.

I turned.

A man I'd never seen before leaned close enough for only me to hear.

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Run."

I frowned.

"What?"

"If you marry into this family..."

He glanced toward Matteo.

"...you'll never leave."

Before I could react, he disappeared into the crowd.

My pulse quickened.

"What happened?"

Matteo was suddenly standing in front of me.

"Who was that man?"

I looked around desperately.

He was gone.

"I..."

My voice caught.

"I don't know."

Matteo's expression hardened.

He looked toward his security team.

"Find him."

Within seconds, men in black suits spread across the garden.

The music continued.

Guests laughed.

No one seemed to notice anything was wrong.

But I did.

Someone had just warned me.

And judging by the look on Matteo's face...

He knew the warning wasn't something to ignore.