Chapter 004

The moment her signature was written on the contract paper, Louisa watched as the man in suit returned it into the briefcase, whispered into Alessandro’s ears, and walked out.

They were now all alone. Thick silence.

His eyes were on her not leaving. Louisa pursed her lips shyly as she averted her gaze idly around the study.

She didn't know if she was meant to leave or just sit there like a lone puppy while he stripped her with his eyes. This was uncomfortable.

“Can I call home?” she suddenly asked, sprawling up to her feet while clenching her sides nervously.

“Do what you must, Dolcezza”

He moved away from the chair, sat at the edge of the table with folded arms, and then signaled towards the landline just right beside him.

Louisa hesitated. Her eyes moved over to where the landline lay, it was just an inch away from him, and taking any step further would mean her being near him again. She felt her stomach flip. This was purely transactional, she shouldn’t be having such conflicting feelings.

“I’ll just use my phone in the room.”

“Are you scared of coming close? I don't bite Dolcezza, and by the way, I want to hear you speak to him.” He pressed.

Without saying anything further, she strode towards him. Under his watchful eyes while ignoring his presence she dialed in a number.

Her heart thumped loudly as the line rang. One ring. Two rings. Three—

“Louisa! Where the fuck have you been and why has your phone been switched off?!” Colin’s voice immediately filled her ears. Sharp and demanding.

“I–I’m fine” she whispered, her eyes now on Alessandro who had his intense gaze locked on her keenly.

Why did he always have his eyes on her? He made her nervous not in a frightening way but in a way that seemed as if he could see through her.

“Is that all you have to say? You’re fine? You left the house a fucking spoilt brat, do you know how restless I've been trying to reach you?!” He barked and she flinched before she could stop herself.

Alessandro frowned in displeasure. Her useless husband was frightening her, his patience had began wearing out.

“I want you home now!” Colin added, his ragged breathing so audible through the phone.

Louisa’s grip tightened on the receiver as her face flushed in embarrassment.

“Colin, I signed the contract.” she finally disclosed, eyes shut while awaiting his response.

He laughed. It was bitter and deadly.

“You did what? You went behind my back! What did he promise you? Riches? You whore! You've fucked him right?! You are so unbelievable, Louisa.” He yelled between gritted teeth.

She immediately backed away from Alessandro. Her eyes stung with tears as she remained speechless. How could he say such a thing? He was the reason she was here! He was the reason all of this played out this way! He was the fucking reason why she was carrying a child for a man that wasn't him. How dare he try to accuse her.

“You know that's not true, I—”

Alessandro snatched the phone away from her hands before she could utter another word.

His patience had worn out. The urge to break Colin’s bone for hurting her was so strong, he was almost losing it.

“Watch the way you speak to her except you love having your tongue ripped off,” He said calmly into the phone, his voice low but enough to pass across the weight of his message.

He returned the receiver to the landline, disconnecting the call.

Louisa sniffed. She dabbed her teary eyes with the back of her palm before turning to meet his eyes.

“You didn’t have to do that, I could have handled it myself,” she muttered.

“But you weren't, he was hurting you, I don't take that lightly, Louisa”

Her heart rammed into her chest, it was the first time he ever called her name and she loved the way they sounded in her ears.

She bit her lower lips at the thought. What was wrong with her? This wasn't the time to have crazy imaginations.

He always had a way of letting his words get to her.

She hated it. She should be worrying about ways to resolve her issues with Colin.

“I’ll be in the room” she replied and made to move but paused on her track when he blocked her path, Unmoving, both hands in his pocket as if daring her to take another step. She hesitated for a while before brushing past him in a hurry.

As Louisa stepped out into the hallway, she exhaled, trying to regain her stance.

The heat she had felt in there wasn't from the room—it was from him.

Now taking a few steps away from the study wing, she realized she couldn't recall where her room was. There were about eight rooms down the hallway, all with identical doors.

She slowly traced her steps back, looking around and hoping to catch a glimpse of Teresa.

Click. Click. Click.

It was the sharp sound of heels against the marble floor.

She froze on her track.

Was someone coming? She thought.

“Where’s Alessandro?” She heard a woman’s voice— feminine and silky, laced with a hint of Italian accent.

“In his study Signora,” she heard a maid’s distant reply as the heels drew nearer.

Then she saw her. Tall and slender. She was beautiful, and dressed like she was on a fashion runway rather than home. Her dark brown hair cascaded down to her waistline while her false lash flickered as her eyes landed on Louisa, sizing her up in a condescending way.

“Oh, I see! You must be the surrogate?” The woman purred, a smile slowly creeping up to her lips. Sweet but poisonous.

“I am– -”

The woman’s fist balled.

“Vivienne.”

Louisa looked over the woman’s shoulder. Alessandro had gotten there, face stoic and cold.

Her chest tightened.

Vivienne? Who was she? Was there something she wasn't in the know of?

The woman turned around to face him, her back to Louisa, ignoring her presence.

“What's she doing here? I thought we talked about this already?” her voice was so audible that she didn't try to hide her displeasure.

“Don't make a fool out of yourself, Cara. The maids are watching” Alessandro said in a low tone. Unbothered.

“What's going on?” Louisa croaked, her throat had run dry.

“He didn't tell you?” Vivienne turned back to her, her face etched with feigned surprise.

Louisa knew what was coming next. Her heart had begun sinking into disappointment.

“That's enough, Vivienne,” Alessandro warned.

“Why? If she has to stay here then she needs to know her place!” Vivienne retorted.

Louisa felt her knees go weak as she watched what was playing out before her.

“I'm his wife!” Vivienne declared, her tone boastful and bold. “His wife, sweetheart” she stressed, making sure Louisa got the message.

At that moment, she felt like an intruder.

He was married? Of course, he was! She wasn't expecting that he wouldn't have a woman in his life.

A man like him couldn't be without complications.

She had no right to feel this way. It shouldn't sting, but it did.

He was only being nice to her and she had read meanings into it. Her foolish heart was out to betray her.

“I wasn't expecting you to be this– -” she paused like the word was heavy to say “beautiful!” she finally let it slip.

“My Alesso surely has eyes for beauties,” she added, her voice laced with jealousy that couldn't be missed.

“Get away from her” Alessandro snapped, his tone firm and controlling “Don't test my patience, Vivienne.”

He walked with calculative steps to where Louisa stood, shaken.

Alessandro knew. He knew Vivienne’s words had gotten to her. The veins in his neck pulsated in quiet rage.

“Let me show you to your room, Dolcezza” he held her wrist, gently but firmly.

Vivienne scoffed unbelievably, her insides boiling with something deadly.

Louisa withdrew her hands from his grip, her gaze falling to her toes.

“You don't have to, I can find my way” Her response was flat— cold even.

She was drawing the line.

She took a step away from him.

His eyes narrowed at her In a displeasing way.

Turning around she fled quickly, not close to a run but enough for an escape.

As she walked away, something in her shifted. All her resolve that had melted from his presence, had begun to build back.

She was here for business. She should act the part.