Chapter 3: Proposal and Memories

Patricia was silent the whole ride. She can't still get away from the fact that Luca has access to her. She knew that aside from her lies, Luca knew something more. Something that could destroy her. And she's not sure whether she could take another destruction or if it would lead her to death.

When they arrived at Luca's house. He asked her a question.

"Didn't I tell you to convince me more?"

"I'm seducing you tonight." She nonchalantly said.

Though she did not mean it. To hell with that man. Luca Silvestri is more dangerous than she thought. Did she make the wrong decision of accepting the job? Will she lose everything she worked hard for?

All her life, she's been very cautious about making decisions. Why did it have to be this way now? Where did she go wrong?

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Oh just shut up!"

Luca did shut up, but there was an annoying grin on his face and Patricia wants to wipe it off.

Come on, Patricia. Think of something.

"Do you want to fuck me? That's why you are blackmailing me? I didn't see you as someone who's forcing women to sleep with you." She meant that to offend Luca, and she smiled with triumph when it did irritate him.

But instead of being angry, he played it cool. "Well, it could always lead to two things. You on my bed or you on your grave."

"What do you want, Silvestri? Do you want me to take back what I've said to my boss? Fine! I'll call him now to-"

"Marry me."

A painful silence surrounded them. Patricia didn't dare to talk. He wants them to get married? Is he drunk? Crazy? On drugs? Why would she agree to his scheme as if she's out of her mind?

"There's no room for you to say no actually, though knowing you, you can create another option. But I suggest you to be wise about it."

"Marry you? Not like fake date, but fake marry?" Patricia laughed hard as if Luca's joking.

"Nice one, Silvestri. You got me there. Now, what is it really?" She asked when Luca remained serious.

"Your laugh sounds nice, but I hate to break it with you. I'm not joking, Patricia. Do I look like someone who has time for jokes?"

"What do you want?"

"I told you. Marry me."

"You are crazy!"

"Not as crazy as someone who pretends to be someone who they aren't. I don't know what's even worse when you're an advocate for-"

"Shut up, Silvestri."

"I dig a little deeper about you. Found some interesting pieces."

"Who gives you the permission to?" Annoyed, she stepped forward to face him.

She badly wants to hurt him real bad.

He hummed and held her by the waist, tightly. The action sent havoc to her system, but she cast it away. She's supposed to be mad at him, not to feel any butterflies or electricity.

"Who gives you the permission to say that I agreed on the interview?"

"Oh for Pete's sake! Is that why you're being an extra jerk? Aren't you too petty for that?"

Luca's grip on her tightened, she tried to push him away but he is too strong for her.

"You don't mess with me. I know what you did, a single lie won't budge me, Patricia. It's more than that." He stared deep into her eyes, challenging her.

But it was too much for Patricia, her gaze dropped down to her chest. Just as how she expected, Luca knew something about her. Something that could ruin all her efforts and hard work from the past.

"Marriage. Are you really sure?" She queried out of helplessness.

"We don't have to rush or it will cause chaos. Let's say we're engaged."

"I don't want to be overpowered, Silvestri. I'm not one of your puppets."

"You'll be my Queen, of course. You don't need to worry about anything."

"We need to come up with an explanation for Nana."

"Hm if you say so."

Patricia tried to get off of Luca's grip and she was relieved when he let her be. Making her way to the couch, she stopped midway to look at him.

"I need more time. I can't just announce that we are getting married after meeting for what? 8 hours?"

Luca's gazes are intense, "Of course duck. Do as you wish. But in a month, you should agree when I announce our engagement."

"Stop calling me that."

"What would your nana do if she finds out your dirty little secret?"

"Silvestri." She warned him. She took a deep breath before she relax on the couch.

Patricia's eyes were closed and she was only aware of the movements of Luca's presence.

"Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Don't act as if you didn't know."

"Long story short, it's who I am."

Silence. Deafening silence, then a warm hand touches her thighs. But Patricia's eyes remained closed although her heart is beating so fast and hard especially when Luca breathed on her neck.

"I've never thought I will see you again. You made me so crazy looking for you."

Her heart thundered as memories from 4 years ago resurfaces. They met at a ball. Patricia's parents brought her to that event just to brag about her achievements.

Silvestri was the man she met at that damn ball that changed her life.

"Isn't your daughter lovely? Does she already have a fiancee? You know my son is always available."

The woman in the red dress joked about after her parents talked about her accomplishments.

"Oh no. William would be so mad when you let him hear that."

"Oh, the boy you fostered? Don't tell me you're going to get them married?"

"We are considering it."

"That little boy is lucky."

"Yes yes. Now let's talk about my daughter..."

Patricia smiled gracefully before she excused herself. Her mother let her go though, too busy talking about Patricia's future as if they really cared for her.

She waltzed her way to the darkest part of the house where no one could easily see her. Everyone was busy and having fun, she was not.

"What are you doing here?"

A baritone voice dragged her out of her reverie. She was aware of how hard her heart is pounding as if she was being held hostage. Looking back, there she saw a pair of green tantalizing eyes. They are wearing masks so she can't really see his features, but she's sure that he is handsome.

"I don't want to be inside."

"Which clan are you?"

Tricia hesitated for a moment, before she answered, "Barone."

"So you're the famous Tricia Barone?"

She snorts, "Famous huh."

"I really wonder why I can't see any pictures of you online. Your family seems to love to masquerade balls so much to hide their daughter's beautiful face."

Her family doesn't want anyone to see her, they said that it is to protect her. But Tricia knows that it's a trick. Another trick by her wicked parents who kills and murders innocent people.

"Yeah right. I hate my life."

"So," he trailed, "William huh."

"Foster brother."

"He likes you."

Tricia rolled her eyes, "He doesn't."

"I like you too. I wonder who would you choose between us two?"

Tricia turns to face him. They are in the very dark corner of the house. No one would see them.

"Kiss me."

The man's jaw ticked. "What?"

"Kiss me, you said you like me."

The man didn't need to be told thrice, he pulled her into a hug and kisses her. At first, it was just a peck. A soft kiss and then it turns rough she can hardly breathe. She tried to pull away to get some air, but the man didn't let her. Tricia moaned when the man traces his tongue against hers.

"You're fucking crazy..." He whispered then dropped three small kisses.

"Are you one of them?" She asked with a hoarse voice.

The kiss made her heart summersault.

He hummed then stared at her intently, "No."

"Which family clan are you?"

"That's really hard to answer. Are they really my family?"

"We shared the same sentiments huh?"

"Are you one of them?" He asked referring to the trained mafias.

"No. I don't want to be like them. I always know what I wanted, and none of them are to be a killer. How about you?"

"Me neither. I always wanted more than that."

She smiled genuinely. Finally, someone who doesn't want to be part of the mafia clan.