Chapter - Five

Aleena–POV

I gasped softly and groaned, my eyes darting around the room. I was in bed.

“Sis, you’re awake.”

El’s calm voice reached me first. Her tear-stained eyes looked at me with concern written all over her face. She quickly pulled me into a hug. I smiled weakly at the warmth in her eyes. When she pulled away, her worried gaze lingered on me.

“The doctor said you collapsed from exhaustion,” she said softly. “You also had a panic attack. Are you really that nervous about the engagement party? I know crowds make you panic.”

“I’m okay,” I whispered, forcing a reassuring smile.

My eyes drifted toward the other side of the room where Nico and Caldwell stood silently in the corner like ghosts.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“We still have time before the other guests arrive,” Nico replied in a calm tone, though not entirely cold.

“Great,” I sighed in relief.

“You had a panic attack,” El said, breaking the silence. “You should rest. Don’t you think? I’ll speak with Father and ask him to postpone the engagement.”

“No,” I said sharply, making El stare at me in surprise. I never used that tone with her.

“Seriously, Alee? You want me to let you keep going like this? I’m going to ask Dad—”

“Please, El,” I interrupted, my voice pleading. “I’m fine. Don’t involve Father.”

I gave her a small smile, trying to reassure her the same way Mom used to comfort us whenever we were worried. El looked like she wanted to argue, but thankfully, she stayed quiet. If she went to Father with this idea, she would only face his backlash, and she wouldn’t handle it well.

“I need to speak with Aleena alone,” Nico said.

I looked into his green eyes. El hesitated before finally leaving, but Caldwell stayed behind.

“Do you need a special invitation?” Nico asked coldly without even looking at him.

“I’m not leaving. You’re not the boss of me,” Caldwell shot back.

“Leave,” I said firmly.

Caldwell’s blue eyes met mine in annoyance. I expected him to refuse, but surprisingly, he walked out. I was grateful; I barely had the energy to deal with any more tension.

Nico’s green eyes were intimidating, studying me as though he could see straight through my soul.

“You’re uncomfortable with physical touch and intimacy?” he asked.

My body immediately stiffened at the question.

“Yes,” I admitted quietly. “I’m okay with hand-holding.”

I felt exposed having my weakness laid bare in front of him. No one really knew how terrified I was of people touching me or getting too close. Sometimes my body reacted like it was ready to attack, and I had to force myself to stay calm.

“I see,” he whispered, breaking the silence.

“I won’t force you into doing anything you’re uncomfortable with,” he added.

“Thank you,” I whispered back.

“Like you suggested to keep this arrangement going for six months. Let’s do that” he asked.

I blinked at him in confusion. “What?”

“You’re only doing this because of the circumstances, aren’t you?” he said calmly.

“I could say the same about you,” I muttered, turning the question back on him.

I couldn’t trust Nico enough to tell him about Father’s plans. What if he betrayed me and told his father? That would make things even worse for both me and El.

“Don’t be afraid to speak your mind,” Nico said quietly.

“You go first,” I replied.

“Then let’s keep this engagement act going for six months,” he said in a calm voice.Dodging the question “After that, we’ll call it off.”

Relief washed over me at his words.

“Thank you for agreeing.” He gave a small nod.

“One more thing.” He walked toward the door before pausing. “Once we’re engaged, you’ll move to the Bellini estate. I’ll make sure you stay in my tower so no danger comes near you.” he walked out.

I hated the idea of moving to the Bellini estate on Long Island, but I pushed the thought aside and forced myself out of bed. More drama was waiting for me.

****

El helped me get ready, fixing my makeup and adjusting my hair while giving endless instructions on how I should look. I was completely clueless when it came to those things, but El handled everything like a professional.

I sat still and endured the process until they finally finished. Thankfully, Caldwell wasn’t standing guard in the room under Father’s orders anymore. Maybe Nico had something to do with that.

As I stepped into the engagement party, people swirled around the ballroom in expensive gowns and tuxedos. Nico stood waiting for me in a black tuxedo, his eyes fixed on me with that same unreadable expression he had worn earlier that morning.

“Ready, Alee?” he asked, his tone unusually sweet.

“Yes,” I replied. His grip on me tightened slightly as we walked into the banquet hall together. Instantly, the media surrounded us, cameras flashing endlessly to capture every glimpse of us. My father stood beside Angelo, both of them wearing perfect smiles that pretended this arrangement was built on happiness.

“Everyone, we welcome you all to the engagement party,” the emcee announced.

The room filled with applause as my hand tightened around Nico’s forearm.

We stood beneath the chandelier lights, the spotlight shining directly on us. Nico’s father handed him the engagement ring box, and my stress spiked. I forced myself to stay calm.

“Mr. Bellini, you should say a few words to your lovely fiancée.” emcee said.

“Tonight, this ring seals our love, Aleena. I’ve waited so long for this moment,” Nico said smoothly. “And I’m going to make sure you’re happy with me every single day.”

His sweet tone made my heartbeat quicken. He is freaking good at acting, making every word sound natural and sincere. I never imagined a mafia king could speak so softly.

But judging by the crowd’s reaction, everyone was buying it.

A faint smile appeared on his face, and the entire room seemed to gasp. I was certain they had never seen him look at anyone like that before. Cameras flashed endlessly, capturing every second of the performance.

“Please say a few words,” the emcee said, handing me the mic.

I forced a smile onto my face.

“I am happy to finally be yours,” I said softly.

Nico’s eyes softened as he looked at me, and whispers instantly spread through the crowd.

“They’re in love.”

“So cute.”

Keeping smile on my face for the cameras, even though it didn’t feel real at all.

Nico gently slid the large diamond ring onto my finger. He looked at me with warmth, and I smiled back as cameras captured the moment. The flashing lights only added to the pressure. I tried not to tremble when Father handed me Nico’s ring.

Slowly, I placed it on Nico’s finger.

His eyes stayed on me, studying every movement. I smiled, trying to fake confidence. I had already embarrassed myself by fainting. I didn’t want anyone to see me as weak. Weakness could be used against me later.

Applause roared through the room as flowers showered over us. Nico held my hand and smiled.

The camera flashes continued capturing us, each burst of light pulling me toward the darker corners of my past memories and echoes I tried desperately to ignore. Still, I forced a smile, accepted a champagne glass, and continued speaking with the guests as if nothing was wrong.

Half an hour of pretending was already exhausting me.

“Mr. Nico, I need to go—”

He looked at me, and I paused.

“Why are you being so formal all of a sudden?” Nico asked. “You never called me that during our first meeting. Keep it that way.”

I nodded.

“I need some air,” I whispered. “This place is suffocating.”

He studied me for a moment before nodding. His eyes were cold again, making it difficult to understand him. Talking to him wasn’t easy. He was intimidating, and being around him made me nervous.

The moment I stepped away from him and left the ceremony room, the air felt a little less suffocating. But panic still hummed beneath my skin.

“You’re shouldn’t wander out, Ms. Caruso.”

A deep voice broke through the noise in my head. I looked up and found Caldwell standing there in a black suit, his blue eyes calm and steady. His stoic face changed seeing my condition.

But I couldn’t calm down. I struggled to breathe.

“Breathe slowly,” he said gently.

I tried, but it only felt harder. My heart pounded faster, and sweat rolled down my forehead. My palms turning sweaty. I feel my body under heavy pressure.

Then a strong hand pulled me forward. My body pressed against a firm chest.

“Calm down, Ms. Caruso,” Caldwell softly. His heartbeat reached my ear, steady and soothing, like a quiet symphony. I clung to him without thinking.

“Take a slow breath,” he whispered.

So I did.

For some reason, hearing his heartbeat helped me calm down. My hands wrapped around him, though I noticed his body was stiff, not relaxed. My breathing slowly return to normal rhythm.

“How are you feeling?” he asked calmly.

“Much better.” I said. “Thank you.”

I pulled away, but his hands still held me close. I looked up at him in confusion.

“You don’t remember me at all?” he asked.

I blinked. “Did we meet before?”

He sighed, looking at me with an expression that made my mind spin.

“A bodyguard should know his place.” Nico’s crisp voice cut through the air with authority.

His gaze locked onto Caldwell, sharp and icy. Caldwell didn’t move away from me, so I did. The moment I pulled back, he let me go, his expression shifting too quickly for me to read.

What did Caldwell mean?

Nico took my hand, his face unreadable as he looked at me. Then he pulled me back toward the ballroom. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Caldwell watching me. For a second, he looked upset. Then, just as quickly, his expression turned stoic again.