Chapter 30: The Date

Chapter 30

Anna’s eyes flew wide, her jaw nearly dropping in shock. Had she heard right? This man, who had been nothing but mean towards her since her arrival, was now saying he missed her? Good grief, what was going on here?

Anna swallowed. He stared at her like he was expecting her to say something in return. Her mind clicked, and she cleared her throat. “I… I missed you too,” she stuttered, which was a white lie. She had totally forgotten about his existence—not when she was underneath his brother.

Anna felt cold, conflicted, and shocked—shocked that Domenico was suddenly coming back to tell her that he missed her.

“We’ll be going somewhere alone tomorrow night,” he said coolly. Her shoulders turned stiff.

Domenico finally walked away, and Anna still felt this overwhelming cold overcome her. She was scared—too scared. Her eyes fell on Leone, who was still conversing with the Don, and she quickly turned to head back up the stairs.

………..

Anna paced nervously in her room, her hands clammy, her eyes watery. She was in love with Rocco but had laid underneath Leone the previous night—had let him touch her, despite the fact she was to be engaged to his brother. And now Domenico shows up, all cool and loving, and says he missed her. Dear Lord.

She wished she could run from all this, but where could she run to? Rocco? How could she go to him with all this guilt that weighed on her heart?

She had missed it, sidetracked and had forgotten her mission here for just one flimsy moment of passion. She had forgotten who she was, the cross which she was carrying.

She placed her hand on her chest to calm her erratic heartbeat, but it was futile. The fact she was to go with Domenico on a date haunted her.

This felt nothing less than a painful slap back to reality—one where she would be engaged to Domenico if she doesn’t find a good way to escape from here. Being with Leone had made her forget that.

There was only one thing she could do now: she had to prepare for this date with Domenico. She had no option. She wasn’t given any.

………….

Time flew like the wind, and Anna stared at her reflection in the mirror, draped in a red chiffon dress, her hair straightened to fall on her back.

Her neck and wrist were adorned with golden jewelry, and then she heard a knock on the door. It was the butler; he had come to fetch her.

She saw Domenico waiting for her right outside the mansion, dressed in a red suit. Although he wasn’t nearly as good-looking as Leone, he was still good-looking.

Anna’s brow tipped up in shock when he opened the passenger door to his car for her. She nodded and muttered a thank you before getting in, and he shut the door afterward.

Domenico got to the driver’s seat, and just like that, he began driving them out of the mansion. When he said they would be going somewhere alone, she never thought it would really be just them. She never thought he would be the one driving.

Why was he being nice to her? Why was he making time for her? The most likely reason was that the Don had talked him into doing it.

It made sense because while Leone outrightly defied the Don’s orders, Domenico always obliged. It was like he was trying to gain his favor or something. But it didn’t make any sense. He was the first son. Why was he fighting for it? The Vicenzo Empire would be his someday.

Anna dug her nails into her bare thigh, feeling more and more anxious. Now that he was back, did it mean she had to worry about him having sex with her?

She didn’t want to even think about it. It couldn’t be avoided, but she couldn’t imagine herself having sex with Domenico—never! Not when she had laid underneath his brother a few days ago.

Not when she still had feelings for Rocco. Wait—she still did, right? Regardless of that, she doesn’t like Domenico, and she could never condone the thought of him having his hands on her body. The mere thought of it made her skin crawl.

Silence hung in the air—thick and uncomfortable—but Anna preferred it that way. She very much preferred the silence rather than engaging in conversations with him, one that might give him a chance to find out she wasn’t part of their higher society and that she had grown up as a servant.

Thankfully, they got to the 5-star restaurant which Domenico had booked for them. Anna’s eyes flew wide in shock when she discovered he had rented the place out for them. More than shock, she felt queasy—uncomfortable.

She sat in front of him, and the waiters placed various delicacies on the table. “How has your stay been, Anna?” Domenico looked up at her.

Nothing much, just playing catch-the-mouse with your brother. “It has been fine,” she replied curtly.

“Good. Your parents are coming over along with your sisters. You must be excited.” He sliced the steak of meat on his plate and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly.

Anna’s blood froze. Her parents? She didn’t want to see them. She wished they never came here, but she couldn’t say that. “Sure,” Anna mustered a tight smile while gripping her fork tightly.

Anna pinched herself underneath the table. “How was England?”

His face turned grim for a moment. “You don’t get to ask questions, Anna. Only I get to ask the questions, understood?”

Anna took her lips in, her eyes dulled as she slowly nodded. His way of always wanting to exercise control was something she really despised about him.

The meal continued in silence, and after they were done, a sturdy man in a black suit stepped in.

“Did you reserve the room for me and my date?” Domenico asked.

Blood drained completely from Anna’s face.